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Keep the Ghost Trilogy #1
Keep the Ghost
Original Cover Edition for ASIN B00VWC2BIY
Kayla is about to commit pseudocide. She's met a couple of experts, and they've sold her on faking her death - wiping the slate clean, emerging a new person. But, she needs a witness. When Kayla begs, Sean gets roped in. I mean, nothing too serious: just lie about when he last saw her.
Except, things fall apart in a hurry. The police don't see an accident, they see murder - and Sean is their suspect. She's vanished, and he's facing prison.
His only hope is to chase Kayla's trail and reach out to the enigmatic strangers who make a life out of pretending to be dead. They call it enlightenment, but Sean calls it crazy. But at least they have a plan, even if the first step is to kill himself. Will Sean have the strength to take the plunge? And if he does, who will come out the other side?
Kayla is about to commit pseudocide. She's met a couple of experts, and they've sold her on faking her death - wiping the slate clean, emerging a new person. But, she needs a witness. When Kayla begs, Sean gets roped in. I mean, nothing too serious: just lie about when he last saw her.
Except, things fall apart in a hurry. The police don't see an accident, they see murder - and Sean is their suspect. She's vanished, and he's facing prison.
His only hope is to chase Kayla's trail and reach out to the enigmatic strangers who make a life out of pretending to be dead. They call it enlightenment, but Sean calls it crazy. But at least they have a plan, even if the first step is to kill himself. Will Sean have the strength to take the plunge? And if he does, who will come out the other side?
300 pages, ebook
First published April 9, 2015
126 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Scott Kelly
8 books55 followersScott Kelly started writing novels as a teenager. When he was nineteen, he landed a publishing deal for his novel Jimwamba, which was followed by his works [sic], The Blue, and Keep the Ghost. Now thirty-two, he has received awards, been published by independent presses, topped charts on social writing websites like Wattpad, garnered hundreds of positive reviews and ratings on Goodreads, and ranked as high as the #1 free eBook on Amazon. His works have reached hundreds of thousands of readers, with some fans even taking the step of applying his fictional creations to their own lives, as with the game "Eureka" from the novel [sic].
**Visit his blog at:
www.ScottKellyWritesBooks.com
**Find him on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/ScottKellyWrites
**Visit his blog at:
www.ScottKellyWritesBooks.com
**Find him on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/ScottKellyWrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 14, 2015
Honestly, had I known this was suppose to be a YA thriller on top of the cheesy name and title from an unknown (to me) author, I might not have read it. But I'm glad I skimmed the description and took a chance on it. Turned out to be a pretty diverting story. The main character is 18, but doesn't really come across as annoying or immature, so the book doesn't necessarily read YA. The plot is somewhat far fetched, but the pacing is lightning quick and Kelly maintains terrific suspense consistently as his protagonists jump from frying pan into the fire, on a lam, just making it by the seat of their pants through the obstacle course their criminal and otherwise activities have set them on. Metaphors, mix and match, it's fun for the entire family. Anyway, Scott Kelly actually did it, a genuinely thrilling thriller, nicely done. Very a entertaining quick read.
August 10, 2015
Gripping
I loved this book and couldn't put it down
This author really can write. Lots of action and excitement. I wish the story would have continued, but while the ending was rather abrupt, it packed a punch. I liked it and the characters were definitely intriguing. A good book in my opinion. Thanks Scott!
I loved this book and couldn't put it down
This author really can write. Lots of action and excitement. I wish the story would have continued, but while the ending was rather abrupt, it packed a punch. I liked it and the characters were definitely intriguing. A good book in my opinion. Thanks Scott!
June 5, 2015
Poof. Losing yourself. Not as easy as you might expect.
Very well written. Good story and a refreshing plot. Be careful how you get involved in anyone's schemes as it may backfire on you.
Very well written. Good story and a refreshing plot. Be careful how you get involved in anyone's schemes as it may backfire on you.
August 15, 2015
very happy to read this and want to read again.
July 15, 2015
Keep the Ghost, the title makes a different sense after you finish the book than when you first pick it up, but it involves choices and what you do or don't choose to take with you as you travel through life. For one young, Irish exchange student, attending school in Texas, the things he gets to keep, are very very few.
Sean chooses to help the daughter of his host family when he discovers that she plans to fake her own death and vanish into the Gulf. Of course this is not the kind of choice one emerges from unchanged. The book follows a fast paced, ever surprising story that had me slipping out if bed at 2 AM to finish it because I couldn't stop thinking about it. However, the ending failed at giving satisfaction. It could have stopped at any of a dozen other moments in the story and left me with the same sense that the author walked away before the story was complete. Good writing, interesting characters, fast paced plot, so much going for this story but in the end, it leaves you adrift.
Sean chooses to help the daughter of his host family when he discovers that she plans to fake her own death and vanish into the Gulf. Of course this is not the kind of choice one emerges from unchanged. The book follows a fast paced, ever surprising story that had me slipping out if bed at 2 AM to finish it because I couldn't stop thinking about it. However, the ending failed at giving satisfaction. It could have stopped at any of a dozen other moments in the story and left me with the same sense that the author walked away before the story was complete. Good writing, interesting characters, fast paced plot, so much going for this story but in the end, it leaves you adrift.
June 3, 2015
very good
July 16, 2015
Sean is in the US to go to school so when he discovers a secret that his roommate Kayla is keeping from everyone he's not sure what to do. She's made a plan, with the help of some people, to fake her death. Sean thinks the plan is crazy but she convinces him not to tell anyone and to help her create a new life for herself. Right from the start things to not go as plan. The police are convinced Kayla was murdered and Sean is their number one suspect and it looks like his decision to help Kayla is going to get him sent to prison. He makes the choice to reach out to the people who can make him disappear... all he has to do is kill himself. Can he do it? Can or should he trust these people? And even if he does what happens once he takes the plunge?
This book was such a wonderful surprise! I was looking for a change of pace from the books that I've been reading lately so I thought a thriller/suspense novel would be the perfect choice. Keep the Ghost isn't just a thriller it's faced pace and keeps you questioning everything. There are no parts of the book where I felt like the story was dragging. Every page had me on the edge of my seat. Like I said, this book was a change of pace for me and not the typical type of book that I read but that being said it was unlike any other thriller or suspense novel I've read, I almost feel like it should have a category of it's own.
As you read the story you find yourself questioning Sean's choices and wondering what you would do in his situation. What would you do if you were facing a life in prison for a crime you didn't commit? Even if you couldn't stand the idea of being convicted and sent to prison would you ever choose the extreme option offered to Sean in this book? One decision can not only change his life forever but who he is. He finds himself questioning how much of who he is is based on the people around him and what the think of him and expect from him. With the freedom from any expectations, a blank slate, who is he and what is he capable of.
It is difficult to go into detail about the book without giving anything away, each page is full of surprises. In the beginning Sean is just a sweet foreign exchange student who is trying to help his roommate do something that is important to her. By the end of the novel he's someone completely different. I think the greatest thing about this novel is it makes you question so much. Which version of Sean is real? Was the person he became by the end of the novel there all along? If you love an intense, thrilling read then you should definitely pick up this book! Another good reason to pick up this book is so that I have someone to talk about that ending with! Overall I am so glad that I left my comfort zone of fantasy and romance for a while to read Keep the Ghost.
**I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
This book was such a wonderful surprise! I was looking for a change of pace from the books that I've been reading lately so I thought a thriller/suspense novel would be the perfect choice. Keep the Ghost isn't just a thriller it's faced pace and keeps you questioning everything. There are no parts of the book where I felt like the story was dragging. Every page had me on the edge of my seat. Like I said, this book was a change of pace for me and not the typical type of book that I read but that being said it was unlike any other thriller or suspense novel I've read, I almost feel like it should have a category of it's own.
As you read the story you find yourself questioning Sean's choices and wondering what you would do in his situation. What would you do if you were facing a life in prison for a crime you didn't commit? Even if you couldn't stand the idea of being convicted and sent to prison would you ever choose the extreme option offered to Sean in this book? One decision can not only change his life forever but who he is. He finds himself questioning how much of who he is is based on the people around him and what the think of him and expect from him. With the freedom from any expectations, a blank slate, who is he and what is he capable of.
It is difficult to go into detail about the book without giving anything away, each page is full of surprises. In the beginning Sean is just a sweet foreign exchange student who is trying to help his roommate do something that is important to her. By the end of the novel he's someone completely different. I think the greatest thing about this novel is it makes you question so much. Which version of Sean is real? Was the person he became by the end of the novel there all along? If you love an intense, thrilling read then you should definitely pick up this book! Another good reason to pick up this book is so that I have someone to talk about that ending with! Overall I am so glad that I left my comfort zone of fantasy and romance for a while to read Keep the Ghost.
**I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
September 17, 2016
It took me several chapters to engage with this, but then the chase was on and I had to see how it turned out.
August 16, 2015
Keep the Ghost is an action-packed suspense with psychological undertones that add a unique depth! Scott Kelly does a fantastic job of creating characters you can relate to (Sean, the exchange student), ones that leave you begging to know more (Morgan, a woman with unraveling secrets), and villains you'd never want to be on the wrong side of (Jack, a psychotic with an agenda). Dark criminal twists are elevated by the main character, Sean, who you root for to overcome the odds! Throughly enjoyable ride, one I’ll certainly read again.
August 15, 2015
Interesting story.
Dialog about life and living was very interesting. Intelligently written, but ending leaves you guessing what happened to them. Hope Sean makes it back home one day.
Dialog about life and living was very interesting. Intelligently written, but ending leaves you guessing what happened to them. Hope Sean makes it back home one day.
June 12, 2017
this was different, then I have read before I would love to continue the series, to say Noone has thought about or even attempted to fake their own death would be a lie, but I have never read a book about it. well done and well written.
A copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own
A copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own
May 9, 2017
Great read, there were a handful of things that twigged my SoD but were necessary to advance the plot (and probably wouldn't even be noticed by less obsessive people) but otherwise the writing was great, story interesting, and pacing perfect and riveting, made for a quick thrilling read.
September 2, 2017
I liked this story and it keeps busy and fast paced story. People that want to change their lives and financial position without any regard for their families and friends. Interesting story line.
January 6, 2018
This book was fast paced and hard to put down! Can't wait to read the sequel!
January 18, 2020
This is a good book, a good story with some very interesting characters. I'm about to start book 2.
June 9, 2015
Keep the Ghost is an adventurous fiction that begins with Sean agreeing to be an accomplice to a victimless crime and quickly gains speed, escalating to betrayal, murder, and a fugitive chase. A fan of procedural dramas, I was impressed with how anxious I felt for Sean’s seemingly hopeless situation and had to keep reading, anxious to see how he would clear his name regarding Kayla’s disappearance. I loved Sean’s character and found him to be set-up perfectly. As a foreign exchange student, he is a bit culturally disconnected and since he has few social ties his unconventional solution rings as more believable. When Kayla, one of his few anchors, is eliminated as an ally right away, he is plunged unwillingly into a mystery that doesn’t fully unravel until the final chapters.
The theme of identity and the question of recreating yourself outside of social constructs really elevates the enjoyability of the drama without overpowering it. Kayla sets off a chain of events in her desire to be liberated from her identity (though from the first, you question her true motive) while Morgan and Sean step onto this path as accomplices, really only guilty of misplaced loyalty. The real adventure of this book isn’t the fallout of Kayla throwing away her identity, but the progression of Sean creating his own.
It would be a misunderstanding to assume that recreating yourself is a safe pursuit — this is a hard-boiled crime novel and Sean dives right into the abysses of lawlessness. Jack is a chilling antagonist who deserves a mention. “Antagonist” really doesn’t do Jack justice - he is villainous work of art whose desire for “freedom from myself” extends to freedom from his own humanity. At some point, we’ve likely all gone too far in an effort to defy convention and be true to ourselves, but Jack takes it from peaceful enlightenment to depraved psychosis. Though Sean attempts to play by the rules early in the book, he adapts quickly, throws social conventions to the wind and reinvents himself to survive. This new persona develops further with each turn of the page and you cheer for Sean to keep pushing the boundaries but anxiously hope he doesn’t go as far down the dark path as Jack. I found myself pleasantly surprised and pleased with Sean at the end though and would pick up a sequel in a heartbeat.
The theme of identity and the question of recreating yourself outside of social constructs really elevates the enjoyability of the drama without overpowering it. Kayla sets off a chain of events in her desire to be liberated from her identity (though from the first, you question her true motive) while Morgan and Sean step onto this path as accomplices, really only guilty of misplaced loyalty. The real adventure of this book isn’t the fallout of Kayla throwing away her identity, but the progression of Sean creating his own.
It would be a misunderstanding to assume that recreating yourself is a safe pursuit — this is a hard-boiled crime novel and Sean dives right into the abysses of lawlessness. Jack is a chilling antagonist who deserves a mention. “Antagonist” really doesn’t do Jack justice - he is villainous work of art whose desire for “freedom from myself” extends to freedom from his own humanity. At some point, we’ve likely all gone too far in an effort to defy convention and be true to ourselves, but Jack takes it from peaceful enlightenment to depraved psychosis. Though Sean attempts to play by the rules early in the book, he adapts quickly, throws social conventions to the wind and reinvents himself to survive. This new persona develops further with each turn of the page and you cheer for Sean to keep pushing the boundaries but anxiously hope he doesn’t go as far down the dark path as Jack. I found myself pleasantly surprised and pleased with Sean at the end though and would pick up a sequel in a heartbeat.
November 6, 2015
Have you ever read a book that you started thinking it was one thing only to get halfway through and realize that you’re reading something else entirely—but, by that time, you’re so caught up in the story you don’t care? That’s the way you’re likely to view reading Keep the Ghost by Scott Kelly.
When Kayla McPherson decides to fake her suicide and talks Irish exchange student Sean Reilly into helping her, he reluctantly goes along. When her body is found with its throat slashed, Sean is arrested for the murder. But, he’s innocent. Problem: he has no way to prove it. The mysterious man, Jack, who was supposed to be helping Kayla, doesn’t exist. Then an even more mysterious woman, Morgan, shows up and bails Sean out of jail and takes him on the wildest ride of his life.
Kelly takes the reader on a wild ride with this story as well as Sean gets deeper and deeper into a scam that has unfortunately turned murderous. Morgan introduces him to Mr. Banks, the brains behind the operation, but has to try and stay one step ahead of her abusive husband who now knows she’s alive. She also has to teach Sean how to avoid the police—a task made more difficult by Jack’s betrayal.
Curious? You should be by now. A fast-paced story that will grab you by the throat and not let go until it reaches a surprising end.
When Kayla McPherson decides to fake her suicide and talks Irish exchange student Sean Reilly into helping her, he reluctantly goes along. When her body is found with its throat slashed, Sean is arrested for the murder. But, he’s innocent. Problem: he has no way to prove it. The mysterious man, Jack, who was supposed to be helping Kayla, doesn’t exist. Then an even more mysterious woman, Morgan, shows up and bails Sean out of jail and takes him on the wildest ride of his life.
Kelly takes the reader on a wild ride with this story as well as Sean gets deeper and deeper into a scam that has unfortunately turned murderous. Morgan introduces him to Mr. Banks, the brains behind the operation, but has to try and stay one step ahead of her abusive husband who now knows she’s alive. She also has to teach Sean how to avoid the police—a task made more difficult by Jack’s betrayal.
Curious? You should be by now. A fast-paced story that will grab you by the throat and not let go until it reaches a surprising end.
September 14, 2016
I just finished reading "Keep the Ghost" in less than 7 hours!! I couldn't stop reading this well written story. I thought about Sean's situation and wondered if I could do any of the things he's done. Initially it was for his freedom for something he was innocent of doing with absolutely nothing to prove his innocence. Then Morgan's character is fascinating (yet, I have doubt about trusting in her) I thought for sure once Jack had been arrested in Ocala, FL, Sean would come clean. He could at least go back to Ireland and continue a free life. I guess the point of his freedom was something he came to terms with, as a freedom of everything that surrounded who he was thought to be..the shadows. I am looking forward to the next book "Shadow Box" This is a captivating story that I could read many times and find new symbolic meanings to why he continues this life. I know Morgan is a part of the reason, but as he knows, she is the puppet master. I really hope the rest of the series brings Sean true freedom and happiness without running! Thanks for this wonderful journey!
December 5, 2015
Keep the Ghost is a dark and adventuresome thriller. The story involves people in dire straits faking their deaths so a shadowy Godfather-type can collect the insurance on their lives.
Author Scott Kelly uses the tale to examine the paradox of being biologically “alive” but not truly living because your identity exists only on falsified papers. His novel perhaps attempts a headier premise than what ultimately results, with underdeveloped characters who behave in inexplicably peculiar ways.
Keep the Ghost falls into the young adult genre, something I didn't learn until after I’d read it. This fact might explain why the book reads, in my opinion, like one written by a grown-up trying to mimic a teenager.
Author Scott Kelly uses the tale to examine the paradox of being biologically “alive” but not truly living because your identity exists only on falsified papers. His novel perhaps attempts a headier premise than what ultimately results, with underdeveloped characters who behave in inexplicably peculiar ways.
Keep the Ghost falls into the young adult genre, something I didn't learn until after I’d read it. This fact might explain why the book reads, in my opinion, like one written by a grown-up trying to mimic a teenager.
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February 7, 2017It was okay. It read like it could have a bigger message about self, but only hinted and never really followed through.
Fair warning to Kindle users, the story ends at 84%. Felt like there should be more, but there wasn't. Felt this both as a story (very abrupt, non-resolving ending) and because that always happens when there's a lot of "extras" at the end of an ebook.
Fair warning to Kindle users, the story ends at 84%. Felt like there should be more, but there wasn't. Felt this both as a story (very abrupt, non-resolving ending) and because that always happens when there's a lot of "extras" at the end of an ebook.
August 17, 2015
Kayla wants to disappear. She comes up with a plan, but to follow through she needs help from Sean to confuse the time when she disappeared. Even though he was not directly involved he is accused of her murder when she is found with her throat slashed. Now he is the one who needs to disappear.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2015
Exceptionally thought provoking book. I didn't realize it was a YA book or I wouldn't have read it. Very glad I did. I have now read all his books and look forward to more. His ideas and their delivery are timely to all audiences (I'm a 68 psychotherapist) and appreciate his writing style and concepts.
February 13, 2016
Suspenseful
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected.
The author did a really good job of keeping the suspense at a level that made putting the book down difficult.
There are only two reasons I didn't give five stars.
1. It became a bit far fetched towards the end.
2. The story ended FAR too abruptly.
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected.
The author did a really good job of keeping the suspense at a level that made putting the book down difficult.
There are only two reasons I didn't give five stars.
1. It became a bit far fetched towards the end.
2. The story ended FAR too abruptly.
June 28, 2015
The premise was interesting...fake your own death. But it quickly turned strange...your friend gets blamed for your death. And then it goes into fast paced action which keeps you turning the page until it dives into unbelievable situations with an abrupt, disappointing ending.
August 19, 2015
I enjoyed the plot, the character development, the intelligent dialogue; I particularly liked the pacing and the suspense. It has some "rough edges" (too many loose ends) but, overall a good read and I look forward to more books from this author.
September 2, 2015
Beautiful
I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend. The author really captured the feelings and emotions of all of the characters and I liked the progress of the book. I also think that it wasn't predictable. Great book.
I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend. The author really captured the feelings and emotions of all of the characters and I liked the progress of the book. I also think that it wasn't predictable. Great book.
September 20, 2015
This story is rather strange, but interesting. There's a lot of action and the main character is developed nicely. I think I'll read the next book in the series before I make up my mind about whether or not I really like it.
December 8, 2015
Is there a next part? Does the story go forward from where the author left it hanging??? Questions… So many question..!
Read more at kryppticbooks.wordpress.com
Read more at kryppticbooks.wordpress.com
October 8, 2016
I found this book just as exciting as his others, but this one was different. It took twists and turns you never thought possible, along with ingenuity from a teenage boy. I am going to get the next book soon so I can read what happens next in this wonderful series!
May 5, 2016
Billed as a young adult book, this story has elements of mystery, astonishing plot twists, and Buddhist enlightenment. It kept me guessing until the end as to who was really whom and what their true motives were. I hope Mr. Kelly writes more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews