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Driving Me Mad
For Rebecca Gibson, her journey to a work convention will be one she’ll never forget. After driving around for four hours, Rebecca stops to ask for directions at an isolated house on the outskirts of Kirk Langley, Derbyshire.
Her initial meeting with the house’s attractive owner, Annabel Howell, seems strange and unsettling, but at her hostess’s insistence, Rebecca spends the night.
Plagued by nightmares, Rebecca senses that her dream world has blended with what she believes is reality. When she leaves the next day, her life has changed.
Can Rebecca solve a mystery that has been haunting a family for over sixty years? Will she find love along the way? Or will the events drive her mad?
Length: 107,000 words
Her initial meeting with the house’s attractive owner, Annabel Howell, seems strange and unsettling, but at her hostess’s insistence, Rebecca spends the night.
Plagued by nightmares, Rebecca senses that her dream world has blended with what she believes is reality. When she leaves the next day, her life has changed.
Can Rebecca solve a mystery that has been haunting a family for over sixty years? Will she find love along the way? Or will the events drive her mad?
Length: 107,000 words
286 pages, ebook
First published January 5, 2016
2 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Smith
25 books64 followersL.T. Smith is a late bloomer when it comes to writing and didn’t begin until 2005 with her first novel Hearts and Flowers Border (first published in 2006). She soon caught the bug and has written numerous tales, usually with a comical slant to reflect, as she calls it, ‘My warped view of the dramatic.’ Although she loves to write, L.T. loves to read, too — being an English teacher seems to demand it. Most of her free time is spent with her furry little men — two fluffy balls of trouble who keep her active and her apologies flowing.
She is also a very popular author at websites such as The Athenaeum and The Academy of Bards under the name of “Fingersmith”. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2008 Hall of Fame Author.
She is also a very popular author at websites such as The Athenaeum and The Academy of Bards under the name of “Fingersmith”. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2008 Hall of Fame Author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 26, 2019
Well.....
First, the good: the premise! What a neat story line. There are a lot of high reviews on this, so I was pretty excited to tuck in, even though I'm not normally a paranormal fan. However this appeared intriguing, as it merged present day with unsettled ghosts of the past, and two strangers (Clare and Rebecca) have to solve a long-standing mystery surrounding Clare's recently deceased elderly aunt and her long-lost grandmother.
The descriptors of the environments were great, setting in the UK's Peak District, very moody and intriguing. And hallelujah, good sex scenes! This author can get the heat going, well done! I also liked the characters of Ellen and Annabel and had a huge amount of empathy for what they went through. Broke my heart. I also liked the addition of the nightmares, learning clues to the mystery through unique means....and was quite into this for the first while.
Trigger warnings: death, abuse, rape, gore, and one extremely despicable male character.
However, the book fell apart fairly quickly. It is a book in major need of some editing. The story was predictable, we know "whodunnit" fairly quickly, but it takes the ladies sooooo loooong to go through details and get their thoughts out in the open. The pauses between responding to a question posed was excruciating; as in, an entire page would go on and on with Rebecca's thought process whilst Clare is waiting for a response, or vice versa. A few times I literally exploded with "Please! SPEAK! ANSWER THE QUESTION WITHOUT DEBATING THE MEANING OF LIFE BEFOREHAND!"
Now, I'm a fan of a good solid f-bomb as a descriptor. As in "Fuck, I stabbed myself in the leg! Why the fuck are 18 goats grazing in my 100 square foot backyard? Are you fucking kidding me, the Leafs aren't in the playoffs again??" It can be very useful and appropriate and really drive the point home. However, the first 1/4 of the book was peppered with so many f-bombs by Rebecca that I DID want to stab myself in the leg. I found this part to not flow well as I tried to continue to be fully involved in the plot but had to glaze over all the unnecessary swearing.
I did not find Rebecca humourous, and she apparently had had zero capacity to filter her words, inserting herself inappropriately into incredibly emotional moments that made me want to smack her. Both her and Clare also would get incredibly angry out of nowhere. I did not understand what Clare saw in her, or how that romance happened so instantaneously. Also,
I really did want to like this story! But the holes in the plot, instalove (not a fan) the repetition of events, the lack of communication b/w the leads, the dysregulated anger and the questionable partnership b/w the ladies left me feeling frustrated by the end of this. Gah, I'm sorry, I'm trying to be constructive and don't want to sound mean! I just had trouble with it.
First, the good: the premise! What a neat story line. There are a lot of high reviews on this, so I was pretty excited to tuck in, even though I'm not normally a paranormal fan. However this appeared intriguing, as it merged present day with unsettled ghosts of the past, and two strangers (Clare and Rebecca) have to solve a long-standing mystery surrounding Clare's recently deceased elderly aunt and her long-lost grandmother.
The descriptors of the environments were great, setting in the UK's Peak District, very moody and intriguing. And hallelujah, good sex scenes! This author can get the heat going, well done! I also liked the characters of Ellen and Annabel and had a huge amount of empathy for what they went through. Broke my heart. I also liked the addition of the nightmares, learning clues to the mystery through unique means....and was quite into this for the first while.
Trigger warnings: death, abuse, rape, gore, and one extremely despicable male character.
However, the book fell apart fairly quickly. It is a book in major need of some editing. The story was predictable, we know "whodunnit" fairly quickly, but it takes the ladies sooooo loooong to go through details and get their thoughts out in the open. The pauses between responding to a question posed was excruciating; as in, an entire page would go on and on with Rebecca's thought process whilst Clare is waiting for a response, or vice versa. A few times I literally exploded with "Please! SPEAK! ANSWER THE QUESTION WITHOUT DEBATING THE MEANING OF LIFE BEFOREHAND!"
Now, I'm a fan of a good solid f-bomb as a descriptor. As in "Fuck, I stabbed myself in the leg! Why the fuck are 18 goats grazing in my 100 square foot backyard? Are you fucking kidding me, the Leafs aren't in the playoffs again??" It can be very useful and appropriate and really drive the point home. However, the first 1/4 of the book was peppered with so many f-bombs by Rebecca that I DID want to stab myself in the leg. I found this part to not flow well as I tried to continue to be fully involved in the plot but had to glaze over all the unnecessary swearing.
I did not find Rebecca humourous, and she apparently had had zero capacity to filter her words, inserting herself inappropriately into incredibly emotional moments that made me want to smack her. Both her and Clare also would get incredibly angry out of nowhere. I did not understand what Clare saw in her, or how that romance happened so instantaneously. Also,
I really did want to like this story! But the holes in the plot, instalove (not a fan) the repetition of events, the lack of communication b/w the leads, the dysregulated anger and the questionable partnership b/w the ladies left me feeling frustrated by the end of this. Gah, I'm sorry, I'm trying to be constructive and don't want to sound mean! I just had trouble with it.
January 27, 2016
Brilliant, witty, engaging are adjectives that could easily describe L.T. Smith's latest novel Driving Me Mad. Right from the beginning I was thrown into a wild ride featuring endearing characters both living and dead. This book was a romance with a heavy paranormal influence. To sum it up quickly, damn good storytelling!
Rebecca Gibson is a paper salesman. One night driving from one sales convention to the next, she gets lost. An easy two hour drive becomes four and she still is no closer to her intended destination. While trying to get her bearings in the middle of nowhere, way past midnight, things just get plain crazy.
Rebecca is an interesting character that is grounded, loves her work and doesn't have very many friends. She is all work with little play. She is also hilarious, her internal dialogue is fantastic. Her wittiness is laugh out loud worthy. So, when a paranormal presence throws her into the past, lets just say she freaks out big time, and drops some epic curse words. She thinks she has gone cuckoo, and rightfully so.
Our other alive main character is Clare Davies. Clare is the direct descendant to both of our ghostly friends, Annabel and Ellen. Past lovers who were ripped about by Ellen's murder.
Both Rebecca and Clare are thrown into the past and haunted by ghosts in order to solve the mystery and uncover the truth of what happened to Ellen over sixty years ago. Annabel and Ellen must be put to rest and Rebecca and Clare have been chosen for the task, whether they like it or not.
I literally could not put this book down. I was invested right from the beginning. L.T. Smith got me hooked almost instantly, and that's no easy task. This book starts out at full speed and does not step off the pedal until the very end.
Great book, fantastic dialogue, interesting story with numerous twists and turns. What a great adventure this book was!
Rebecca Gibson is a paper salesman. One night driving from one sales convention to the next, she gets lost. An easy two hour drive becomes four and she still is no closer to her intended destination. While trying to get her bearings in the middle of nowhere, way past midnight, things just get plain crazy.
Rebecca is an interesting character that is grounded, loves her work and doesn't have very many friends. She is all work with little play. She is also hilarious, her internal dialogue is fantastic. Her wittiness is laugh out loud worthy. So, when a paranormal presence throws her into the past, lets just say she freaks out big time, and drops some epic curse words. She thinks she has gone cuckoo, and rightfully so.
Our other alive main character is Clare Davies. Clare is the direct descendant to both of our ghostly friends, Annabel and Ellen. Past lovers who were ripped about by Ellen's murder.
Both Rebecca and Clare are thrown into the past and haunted by ghosts in order to solve the mystery and uncover the truth of what happened to Ellen over sixty years ago. Annabel and Ellen must be put to rest and Rebecca and Clare have been chosen for the task, whether they like it or not.
I literally could not put this book down. I was invested right from the beginning. L.T. Smith got me hooked almost instantly, and that's no easy task. This book starts out at full speed and does not step off the pedal until the very end.
Great book, fantastic dialogue, interesting story with numerous twists and turns. What a great adventure this book was!
September 29, 2016
When I read the synopsis for this book I was more than intrigued. It sounded like the book would be genuinely different, and entertaining. The problem was, I'd read a previous book by this author that I didn't like, or didn't get, or thought was actually just pretty bad. But I'm a fairly open minded kind of girl, so I thought "why not!"
The book isn't amazing, or edited to within an inch of its life, but it works on the level it was trying to achieve. It was intriguing, and it was entertaining.
You have to suspend your disbelief throughout the book, but the supernatural aspects were actually fun. It did get a little creepy here and there, but not overly so. The humour was also fairly evenly balanced. The quirkiness of Rebecca was a great addition. She wasn't the poised, brooding, romantic lead of many a novel, she was very real. She was clumsy, and a bit silly at times, she made assumptions, she got things wrong, she did her best to deal with a very peculiar situation and I really liked her. Good characters have always been a big pull for me in books; get the main characters right, and I'm a lot less forgiving of other little faults.
And there were a few faults with the romance. Sometimes, the miscommunication made me roll my eyes and once again wish that authors would quit writing from a set of rules that says 'drama is needed at blah blah point', 'drama is done this way', or 'keep the reader guessing'. Sure, if drama is done right it's great, if it seems unrealistic or forced, it's just annoying.
Fortunately there was enough within the book for me to forgive some of the bits and bobs that were a tad off. It could have used a slightly tighter edit to cut away or tackle a few instances that broke me out of flow, or to smooth out some of the dialog choices. But the plot (for the most part) was well pieced together and presented. Suspension of disbelief again plays a big role in just sitting back and enjoying the tale.
All in all, despite a few quibbles, I was entertained.
The book isn't amazing, or edited to within an inch of its life, but it works on the level it was trying to achieve. It was intriguing, and it was entertaining.
You have to suspend your disbelief throughout the book, but the supernatural aspects were actually fun. It did get a little creepy here and there, but not overly so. The humour was also fairly evenly balanced. The quirkiness of Rebecca was a great addition. She wasn't the poised, brooding, romantic lead of many a novel, she was very real. She was clumsy, and a bit silly at times, she made assumptions, she got things wrong, she did her best to deal with a very peculiar situation and I really liked her. Good characters have always been a big pull for me in books; get the main characters right, and I'm a lot less forgiving of other little faults.
And there were a few faults with the romance. Sometimes, the miscommunication made me roll my eyes and once again wish that authors would quit writing from a set of rules that says 'drama is needed at blah blah point', 'drama is done this way', or 'keep the reader guessing'. Sure, if drama is done right it's great, if it seems unrealistic or forced, it's just annoying.
Fortunately there was enough within the book for me to forgive some of the bits and bobs that were a tad off. It could have used a slightly tighter edit to cut away or tackle a few instances that broke me out of flow, or to smooth out some of the dialog choices. But the plot (for the most part) was well pieced together and presented. Suspension of disbelief again plays a big role in just sitting back and enjoying the tale.
All in all, despite a few quibbles, I was entertained.
March 31, 2016
I’ll tell you what, there were parts of this story that drove ME mad. But we’ll get to that in a moment.
In the middle of the night, while trying to find her way around a place she doesn’t know, Rebecca freaks herself out and ends up at a house where the hostess is gracious enough to let her spend the night. Although I’m sure it helps that Rebecca looks an awful lot like a woman named Ellen, who we can suspect by her actions that the hostess Annabelle has very deep feelings for. Upon waking, Rebecca heads off to her work function but isn’t very attentive due to some very elicit and real dreams Rebecca has had during the night. Whereas she remembers things that didn’t happen to her, and has feelings for someone she has never met.
After her work function she decides she must go back to the house to try and settle some of her feelings from the dreams and spooky images she believes she’s imagining. But to her surprise, Annabelle isn’t there. And hasn’t been there for some time.
At this point Rebecca ends up as an accidental medium to ghosts that are haunting her to find out what happened to them. Annabelle and Ellen had been lovers over 60 years ago, and now both are gone but are not at rest. With the help of Ellen’s granddaughter, Clare, Rebecca sets out to find out what happened to these two women, and to find out why she is involved.
Overall I really liked the romance and light erotica of this read. Rebecca and Clare are fairly fleshed out characters and I enjoyed watching the two of them get close to each other as they try to unravel a decades old mystery. Also, for the most part, I enjoyed the whole paranormal mystery going on and wanted to find out what happened just as bad as the characters in the story did. My only real problem with the story, and this is what drove me mad, is that there is never really an explanation for why Rebecca is sought out by Annabelle and Ellen to assist them in the first place. She has no connection to the family and there was absolutely no reason for Rebecca to all of the sudden be dreaming and experiencing Ellen’s life. It just made absolutely no sense to me how she got involved. Clare would’ve been understandable given that she is Ellen’s granddaughter but I felt like Rebecca’s involvement was nothing more than a plot device to get the story started. She’s had nothing like this happen in the past, and from how it appears at the end of the story, doesn’t have anything like that happen to her again. I found that really hard to deal with and honestly felt like it was a giant plot hole in the story.
This was my first read by L.T. Smith and I really did enjoy it, despite my plot hole complaints above, and would read other works by this author. I would recommend this read to those who enjoy mystery stories with some romance thrown in.
I received a copy of this book for free via Ylva Publishing, in exchange for my honest review.
In the middle of the night, while trying to find her way around a place she doesn’t know, Rebecca freaks herself out and ends up at a house where the hostess is gracious enough to let her spend the night. Although I’m sure it helps that Rebecca looks an awful lot like a woman named Ellen, who we can suspect by her actions that the hostess Annabelle has very deep feelings for. Upon waking, Rebecca heads off to her work function but isn’t very attentive due to some very elicit and real dreams Rebecca has had during the night. Whereas she remembers things that didn’t happen to her, and has feelings for someone she has never met.
After her work function she decides she must go back to the house to try and settle some of her feelings from the dreams and spooky images she believes she’s imagining. But to her surprise, Annabelle isn’t there. And hasn’t been there for some time.
At this point Rebecca ends up as an accidental medium to ghosts that are haunting her to find out what happened to them. Annabelle and Ellen had been lovers over 60 years ago, and now both are gone but are not at rest. With the help of Ellen’s granddaughter, Clare, Rebecca sets out to find out what happened to these two women, and to find out why she is involved.
Overall I really liked the romance and light erotica of this read. Rebecca and Clare are fairly fleshed out characters and I enjoyed watching the two of them get close to each other as they try to unravel a decades old mystery. Also, for the most part, I enjoyed the whole paranormal mystery going on and wanted to find out what happened just as bad as the characters in the story did. My only real problem with the story, and this is what drove me mad, is that there is never really an explanation for why Rebecca is sought out by Annabelle and Ellen to assist them in the first place. She has no connection to the family and there was absolutely no reason for Rebecca to all of the sudden be dreaming and experiencing Ellen’s life. It just made absolutely no sense to me how she got involved. Clare would’ve been understandable given that she is Ellen’s granddaughter but I felt like Rebecca’s involvement was nothing more than a plot device to get the story started. She’s had nothing like this happen in the past, and from how it appears at the end of the story, doesn’t have anything like that happen to her again. I found that really hard to deal with and honestly felt like it was a giant plot hole in the story.
This was my first read by L.T. Smith and I really did enjoy it, despite my plot hole complaints above, and would read other works by this author. I would recommend this read to those who enjoy mystery stories with some romance thrown in.
I received a copy of this book for free via Ylva Publishing, in exchange for my honest review.
March 3, 2016
L.T Smith is a new to me author, and right off the bat it was clear she has the gist of the gab! Her descriptive writing skills are phenomenal. The story is told in first person and entirely from Rebecca’s point of view, so be prepared to be in her head the entire time.
At the start of the story I found myself chuckling at her unfortunate dilemma. It was both scary and comical at the same time. Who can’t relate to being stuck in a car, needing to pee, without a bathroom in sight? With no other option but to pullover and answer to the call of nature, Rebecca does just that. Relief soon turns to fear. Seeing a light in the distance she hightails it to the closest sanctuary, however not all is as at seems and her encounter with Annabel Howell, sets the scene for one hell of a spooky and mysterious story, full of twists and turns.
Plagued by dreams and the ghost of someone wronged, Rebecca unwittingly becomes a medium between the living and the dead in unearthing an evil act and avenging the slain.
I must admit, to begin with, I had a hard time keeping up with the time line of past and present events. And I found the story a little wordy. There are a few instances of repetitive dialogue but in saying that, it was part and parcel of the character so fitted the plot.
The erotic content, peppered here and there, complimented the story and was tastefully written. Tasty, as in delicious.
I recommend this story to people who enjoy full length novels, with a complex plot, paranormal elements, relatable characters, and the mystery of an age old murder.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
At the start of the story I found myself chuckling at her unfortunate dilemma. It was both scary and comical at the same time. Who can’t relate to being stuck in a car, needing to pee, without a bathroom in sight? With no other option but to pullover and answer to the call of nature, Rebecca does just that. Relief soon turns to fear. Seeing a light in the distance she hightails it to the closest sanctuary, however not all is as at seems and her encounter with Annabel Howell, sets the scene for one hell of a spooky and mysterious story, full of twists and turns.
Plagued by dreams and the ghost of someone wronged, Rebecca unwittingly becomes a medium between the living and the dead in unearthing an evil act and avenging the slain.
I must admit, to begin with, I had a hard time keeping up with the time line of past and present events. And I found the story a little wordy. There are a few instances of repetitive dialogue but in saying that, it was part and parcel of the character so fitted the plot.
The erotic content, peppered here and there, complimented the story and was tastefully written. Tasty, as in delicious.
I recommend this story to people who enjoy full length novels, with a complex plot, paranormal elements, relatable characters, and the mystery of an age old murder.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
January 26, 2016
L.T. Smith's Driving Me Mad is not only unique and complex in plot, it offers characters you care about a lot and would not mind knowing in real life. This is right up there with her terrific and very endearing novel, See Right Through Me. And though the mystery itself pulls you in immediately and is "on the edge of your seat" compelling, it is the emotions and the vulnerability swirling throughout, so open and wonderfully, that are deeply affecting and have lingered with me long after finishing. Who among us, after all, has not felt this way as we struggle with our hearts and the feelings within them?:
"Did it bother me? Did I want to run away screaming into the hills? Yes and no. Yes, because I had never allowed anyone to get that close to me before. I had never let guard down long enough for anyone to see the real me, quivering in fear. I was scared that when Clare could see who I actually was, she wouldn’t be interested in someone like me."
No one is immune to heartache and L.T. Smith is such a gifted writer because she can so beautifully capture on page the very things we secretly feel but are not always willing or able to express ourselves. It felt like forever for Driving Me Mad to be released and the wait is well, well worth it!!
"Did it bother me? Did I want to run away screaming into the hills? Yes and no. Yes, because I had never allowed anyone to get that close to me before. I had never let guard down long enough for anyone to see the real me, quivering in fear. I was scared that when Clare could see who I actually was, she wouldn’t be interested in someone like me."
No one is immune to heartache and L.T. Smith is such a gifted writer because she can so beautifully capture on page the very things we secretly feel but are not always willing or able to express ourselves. It felt like forever for Driving Me Mad to be released and the wait is well, well worth it!!
March 14, 2016
It was freaking amazing!
I don't want to go into too much detail because it had so many twists and turns that I'm afraid I'm going to reveal too much but I can tell you that I enjoyed every minute of it. The concept was awesome and original. There is a cast of very interesting engaging characters, dead and alive. As I previously mentioned, there were many unexpected twists and turns. It all started when Rebecca finds herself in trouble on her way to another conference. It immediately had me on the edge of my seat. It kept me turning the pages and I was trying to figure out what happened. I never expected the outcome. This book is pure genius and it was freaking amazing. Find out for yourself and I'm sure you will agree with me.
I don't want to go into too much detail because it had so many twists and turns that I'm afraid I'm going to reveal too much but I can tell you that I enjoyed every minute of it. The concept was awesome and original. There is a cast of very interesting engaging characters, dead and alive. As I previously mentioned, there were many unexpected twists and turns. It all started when Rebecca finds herself in trouble on her way to another conference. It immediately had me on the edge of my seat. It kept me turning the pages and I was trying to figure out what happened. I never expected the outcome. This book is pure genius and it was freaking amazing. Find out for yourself and I'm sure you will agree with me.
June 5, 2017
very spooky. very good.
July 12, 2018
Meh. Conflicting feelings.
I liked the ghost story and the Sixth Sense vibe. Sometimes it was pretty creepy and I enjoyed it.
The first and the last parts of the novel were very engaging, and I was hooked in reading. In the middle, however, I was tempted to abandon it completely, I also started another book. But let’s put the blame on my difficult week, I really didn’t have much head for reading.
I liked Becky’s (the main character) humour. It made me laugh sometimes, even in a thrilling situation.
And the sex was pretty good and hot, even if it was described in a very rhetorical way (you know, stars sparkling more and falling according to the pleasure of the lovers and so on…)
I see a lot of five stars from the reviewers, but in my opinion, this books has some issues.
Let’s face it, the romance is a mess. It has all the worst commonplaces of this genre:
1. It’s instalove. And it isn’t even that Becky falls in love at first sight with Clare because of her. She falls in love because she reminds her of another person. I will return on this point under spoiler.
2. Communication between them is awful. Now I’m going to show the infamous man’s point of view of my nickname, but both the main characters were moody and temperamental. Without any notice, they became angry with each other, offended without justification (er… for what I --a man-- could grasp…) and resentfully silent with each other. Or suddenly distant. I found that creepier than ghosts!
3. They continuously call each other ‘baby’. (I need an Inside Out Disgust’s face here).
Apart from romance, the plot, as I was saying is engaging and it has some nice twists, but it also has holes.
From now on better go under
Many doubts and some enjyoyment.
3.5 stars
I liked the ghost story and the Sixth Sense vibe. Sometimes it was pretty creepy and I enjoyed it.
The first and the last parts of the novel were very engaging, and I was hooked in reading. In the middle, however, I was tempted to abandon it completely, I also started another book. But let’s put the blame on my difficult week, I really didn’t have much head for reading.
I liked Becky’s (the main character) humour. It made me laugh sometimes, even in a thrilling situation.
And the sex was pretty good and hot, even if it was described in a very rhetorical way (you know, stars sparkling more and falling according to the pleasure of the lovers and so on…)
I see a lot of five stars from the reviewers, but in my opinion, this books has some issues.
Let’s face it, the romance is a mess. It has all the worst commonplaces of this genre:
1. It’s instalove. And it isn’t even that Becky falls in love at first sight with Clare because of her. She falls in love because she reminds her of another person. I will return on this point under spoiler.
2. Communication between them is awful. Now I’m going to show the infamous man’s point of view of my nickname, but both the main characters were moody and temperamental. Without any notice, they became angry with each other, offended without justification (er… for what I --a man-- could grasp…) and resentfully silent with each other. Or suddenly distant. I found that creepier than ghosts!
3. They continuously call each other ‘baby’. (I need an Inside Out Disgust’s face here).
Apart from romance, the plot, as I was saying is engaging and it has some nice twists, but it also has holes.
From now on better go under
Many doubts and some enjyoyment.
3.5 stars
January 8, 2024
The beginning was funny but had to also get used to the humour. Overall, the paranormal aspect was mostly intriguing but there were moments especially with the romance involved that wasn't.
February 8, 2016
Spooky Mystery
Okay, I totally love this book! First I will tell you a bit about it then I will gush about it.
Its late at night on a back road. Rebecca was lost on the way to her hotel. She feels like someone or something is watching her. Finally she finds a house with a light on and goes to it. Annabelle answers and takes Rebecca into her arms, while holding the young woman, Annabel calls her Ellen... Some really weird stuff happens and while Rebecca is asleep she has some very real nightmares. Later she has them again in her hotel. Rebecca decides to go back to Annabel's only to meet Clare. There is no sign of Annabel's existence anywhere and the house is not the same as it was just a few nights ago. There is an instant connection between Rebecca and Clare and a huge mystery for them to solve. That is all I am willing to share.
Now, let me first say I have NEVER been disappointed with Ms Smith. Her writing is always solid, her characters easy to love and there are excellent story lines. Everything she writes is wonderful but this.... wow, she really brought her A game!! I thought I had at least part of it figured it out but it turned out I was wrong! I was bewildered but in a “oh goody, its a surprise” kind of way. I seriously could not read this fast enough I wanted to throw a tantrum when I had to put it down to fix dinner, who needs food when you have a spooky mystery to solve??? Darn wife... Anyway, I got back to it asap and didn't stop until I was done. Oh my goodness, it is SOOOO good!!! Thank you so very much Ms Smith!
Okay, I totally love this book! First I will tell you a bit about it then I will gush about it.
Its late at night on a back road. Rebecca was lost on the way to her hotel. She feels like someone or something is watching her. Finally she finds a house with a light on and goes to it. Annabelle answers and takes Rebecca into her arms, while holding the young woman, Annabel calls her Ellen... Some really weird stuff happens and while Rebecca is asleep she has some very real nightmares. Later she has them again in her hotel. Rebecca decides to go back to Annabel's only to meet Clare. There is no sign of Annabel's existence anywhere and the house is not the same as it was just a few nights ago. There is an instant connection between Rebecca and Clare and a huge mystery for them to solve. That is all I am willing to share.
Now, let me first say I have NEVER been disappointed with Ms Smith. Her writing is always solid, her characters easy to love and there are excellent story lines. Everything she writes is wonderful but this.... wow, she really brought her A game!! I thought I had at least part of it figured it out but it turned out I was wrong! I was bewildered but in a “oh goody, its a surprise” kind of way. I seriously could not read this fast enough I wanted to throw a tantrum when I had to put it down to fix dinner, who needs food when you have a spooky mystery to solve??? Darn wife... Anyway, I got back to it asap and didn't stop until I was done. Oh my goodness, it is SOOOO good!!! Thank you so very much Ms Smith!
January 4, 2017
I have not read anything from this author before, but after reading this I'm wanting to read more.
I enjoy a good supernatural, ghost story. There are parts I have to suspend disbelief ie being able to physically touch the "ghosts". But I was enjoying the story so much it was not an issue.
The premise for the story was reconnecting true love in the present with 2 women who look very similar to 2 deceased lovers, for which one met a tragic ending. One of the present ladies Clare has a family connection with the deceased couple. But its never explained why Becky also physically resembles one of the deceased lovers, to whom there is no known family connection.
I did find the going back and forth a little disjointing at times and did get confused on one scene when someone was being temporarily possessed. Also Becky's love connection is actually initially with the ghost and then with the present day Clare. I felt this present day connection was more based on a physical appearance and resemblance and therefore possibly founded in lust. With the lead characters Becky & Clare being moody with each other at times, it was a wonder it moved to the loved stage.
Overall, I did really enjoy this story, so much that I did not want to put this down until I had read it all. It has depth and importantly held my interest. I would recommend as a good read.
I enjoy a good supernatural, ghost story. There are parts I have to suspend disbelief ie being able to physically touch the "ghosts". But I was enjoying the story so much it was not an issue.
The premise for the story was reconnecting true love in the present with 2 women who look very similar to 2 deceased lovers, for which one met a tragic ending. One of the present ladies Clare has a family connection with the deceased couple. But its never explained why Becky also physically resembles one of the deceased lovers, to whom there is no known family connection.
I did find the going back and forth a little disjointing at times and did get confused on one scene when someone was being temporarily possessed. Also Becky's love connection is actually initially with the ghost and then with the present day Clare. I felt this present day connection was more based on a physical appearance and resemblance and therefore possibly founded in lust. With the lead characters Becky & Clare being moody with each other at times, it was a wonder it moved to the loved stage.
Overall, I did really enjoy this story, so much that I did not want to put this down until I had read it all. It has depth and importantly held my interest. I would recommend as a good read.
April 16, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What makes this book so great is the combination of characters and plot. The main character Rebecca is exactly that, a character. She has a wonderfully believable and enjoyable personality that makes her feel very real. The book is narrated through her thoughts, which are scatterbrained and hilarious and make for a great perspective on the entire situation, which is just as enchanting as the main character. This is a mystery that turns into a paranormal mystery that turns into a murder mystery, and the twists just keep coming. Nothing about this book is predictable, and I love that. It makes the book that much harder to put down.
The romance is also fantastic. It's a classic soulmates story with a twist. The love story is tied in with the mystery and the two story lines play off each other in a way that makes both even better than they would be on their own (and they're pretty good on their own).
If anything about the genre or the description of this book appeals to you, you won't be disappointed. Give it a shot.
What makes this book so great is the combination of characters and plot. The main character Rebecca is exactly that, a character. She has a wonderfully believable and enjoyable personality that makes her feel very real. The book is narrated through her thoughts, which are scatterbrained and hilarious and make for a great perspective on the entire situation, which is just as enchanting as the main character. This is a mystery that turns into a paranormal mystery that turns into a murder mystery, and the twists just keep coming. Nothing about this book is predictable, and I love that. It makes the book that much harder to put down.
The romance is also fantastic. It's a classic soulmates story with a twist. The love story is tied in with the mystery and the two story lines play off each other in a way that makes both even better than they would be on their own (and they're pretty good on their own).
If anything about the genre or the description of this book appeals to you, you won't be disappointed. Give it a shot.
July 12, 2017
I am such a huge fan of L.T. Smith, and hadn't realized she had released another book this year! I recommend her previous novels without reservation to anyone unfamiliar with the author. You will not be disappointed. The synopsis of this title was intriguing--I'm a sucker for ghost stories and murder mysteries-- and she's had a few other brushes with writing about the supernatural in her previous books, so reading this was a no-brainer for me. There is a warning in the beginning that it's not quite like her other books--and yes, there is a darker undercurrent throughout this that is absent in her previous work--but I did enjoy the story as a whole. I don't feel this is her best work though as it does have quite a few suspension of disbelief moments as well as pacing problems beginning right around the half-way mark, but what saves it are the characters. Smith writes such wonderful, vibrant, and hilarious "real" characters. She is an author you MUST check out though, but take in her previous work first notably Hearts and Flowers Border, before experiencing this title.
May 12, 2017
This book is unique, compelling and most definitely different. It is a story told by the main character. Well the one that's alive that is. Confused? Well best you read this book. It's very well written and totally absorbing. I found I couldn't put it down, I was so into the book I too wanted justice that had been waiting for sixty years. Ok, now I'm giving too much away. Read, trust me you'll be looking over your shoulder and maybe the lights stay on a while longer. Enjoy!
July 29, 2018
Wow what a great book. This is the first time I have felt I need to say how fantastic this book is hence review.
I did not want to put it down, and there was a part of me that just wanted to take my time as I did not want it to finish ( hence I dragged it out for four days and that was a struggle).
The story is very witty and had me laughing out loud from the first chapter. It also elicited such a range of emotions. L T Smith’s writing is so beautiful this is one I will re read again and again.
I did not want to put it down, and there was a part of me that just wanted to take my time as I did not want it to finish ( hence I dragged it out for four days and that was a struggle).
The story is very witty and had me laughing out loud from the first chapter. It also elicited such a range of emotions. L T Smith’s writing is so beautiful this is one I will re read again and again.
May 7, 2017
This is a story about love, lost and love found spanning over 40yrs + A ghost story with a difference, its heartbreaking, funny, scary and sad but written so well it is like a movie in your hand. If you haven't read any of L.T. Smith's books (online name Fingersmith) you are so missing out!
December 23, 2022
Loved it!!
January 4, 2017
Excellent story, kept me hooked on from the first page 'till the last one.
March 3, 2016
Have you ever had an event in your life of such magnitude that it simply divides your life into the before
and the after?
WELL I HAVEN'T AND LET ME TELL YOU, THIS BOOK WAS THE CLOSEST THING TO THAT
THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.
Holy sh*t.
I don't even know where to begin reviewing it, so let's go by the list.
The writing style itself is phenomenal. It felt like the perfect blend between dialogue, description, and action. There were parts where I had to stop reading for a second and just admire a sentence for its perfection.
It was told in first person, which to be honest I usually can't get into, but I didn't even bloody notice.
I fell in love with pretty much all the characters. Everyone. (Did I mention that this book is told in first person? I fell in love with MYSELF, which was a feat previously limited to only my favourite sweater, belgian chocolate, and my mother.)
The pacing was super great.
The mystery was super great.
The storyline was super great.
The supernaturalness of it was super great, although I was pretty jumpy around mirrors, windows, and enclosed spaces for a week.
I mean, this book has pretty much changed my life, and it was the best book ever, and I did seriously consider willing 10% of my worldly fortunes to the author, and really it would be wonderful if you, the person still reading this review, could give it a shot just so I might know people in real life who have read it.
Please and thanks.
and the after?
WELL I HAVEN'T AND LET ME TELL YOU, THIS BOOK WAS THE CLOSEST THING TO THAT
THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.
Holy sh*t.
I don't even know where to begin reviewing it, so let's go by the list.
The writing style itself is phenomenal. It felt like the perfect blend between dialogue, description, and action. There were parts where I had to stop reading for a second and just admire a sentence for its perfection.
It was told in first person, which to be honest I usually can't get into, but I didn't even bloody notice.
I fell in love with pretty much all the characters. Everyone. (Did I mention that this book is told in first person? I fell in love with MYSELF, which was a feat previously limited to only my favourite sweater, belgian chocolate, and my mother.)
The pacing was super great.
The mystery was super great.
The storyline was super great.
The supernaturalness of it was super great, although I was pretty jumpy around mirrors, windows, and enclosed spaces for a week.
I mean, this book has pretty much changed my life, and it was the best book ever, and I did seriously consider willing 10% of my worldly fortunes to the author, and really it would be wonderful if you, the person still reading this review, could give it a shot just so I might know people in real life who have read it.
Please and thanks.
February 22, 2016
The opening of Driving Me Mad in its Gothic style just pulls you in. The style changes after that and is only revisited in dream sequences. They at times gave me chills.
The description of the scenes from the visual to the acoustic is always on point. I can see the action unfold but am not overwhelmed with details.
As someone who reads mostly in AE the British profanities used in the novel seem almost endearing. (Which includes a word for female lady parts). I love the protagonist's thought process and her odd reasoning. The novel was an exciting read, along with the characters I went through strong emotions. One answer had plagued me for a bit which then is addressed at some point and that reflection was refreshing.
Smith managed to create an exciting and unique story with only a few characters. Bravo.
The description of the scenes from the visual to the acoustic is always on point. I can see the action unfold but am not overwhelmed with details.
As someone who reads mostly in AE the British profanities used in the novel seem almost endearing. (Which includes a word for female lady parts). I love the protagonist's thought process and her odd reasoning. The novel was an exciting read, along with the characters I went through strong emotions. One answer had plagued me for a bit which then is addressed at some point and that reflection was refreshing.
Smith managed to create an exciting and unique story with only a few characters. Bravo.
February 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are complex and likable. The mystery was suspenseful and engaging. I had a hard time putting the book down. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because I think it was 10-15% too long and at times felt repetitive.
The main character, Rebecca, is unwittingly drawn into a sixty year old mystery that could involve murder, and definitely involves betrayal and generations of lying. Along the way she meets Clare, a direct descendant of the missing person. The struggle that each faced as they untangle the mystery felt real. They each had moments of strength and weakness, and they were able to help each other through them.
*This ebook was given to me by Ylva in exchange for an HONEST review*
The main character, Rebecca, is unwittingly drawn into a sixty year old mystery that could involve murder, and definitely involves betrayal and generations of lying. Along the way she meets Clare, a direct descendant of the missing person. The struggle that each faced as they untangle the mystery felt real. They each had moments of strength and weakness, and they were able to help each other through them.
*This ebook was given to me by Ylva in exchange for an HONEST review*
March 1, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The writing in this was solid, Smith did a good job building a spooky atmosphere at the start, and made it very much impossible for me to put down until I had read through the first night – when Rebecca meets Annabel and Ellen. Each time it was a struggle to put it down, but responsibilities made that mandatory.
I did like the unraveling of the mystery, but found that some aspects were very clearly telegraphed. There was still quite a lot left to discover as you read through an engaging story with strong characters and some exciting relationships to go along with them.
The writing in this was solid, Smith did a good job building a spooky atmosphere at the start, and made it very much impossible for me to put down until I had read through the first night – when Rebecca meets Annabel and Ellen. Each time it was a struggle to put it down, but responsibilities made that mandatory.
I did like the unraveling of the mystery, but found that some aspects were very clearly telegraphed. There was still quite a lot left to discover as you read through an engaging story with strong characters and some exciting relationships to go along with them.
October 7, 2016
Utterly enthralling from start to finish.
I am a recent convert to LT Smith but with this book she delivers again, not only is it well crafted and an intriguing read it has an uncomfortable undercurrent, which also drew me to the author's book See Right Through Me Both books feature a protagonist lacking in self-confidence who discovers a degree of strength though the journey of the text. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a novel featuring a lesbian romance, that is not a lesbian romance novel!
I am a recent convert to LT Smith but with this book she delivers again, not only is it well crafted and an intriguing read it has an uncomfortable undercurrent, which also drew me to the author's book See Right Through Me Both books feature a protagonist lacking in self-confidence who discovers a degree of strength though the journey of the text. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a novel featuring a lesbian romance, that is not a lesbian romance novel!
March 22, 2016
A book that will remain with you long after the last word is read
I am a huge admirer of LT Smith. She manages to infuse her stories with wonderful humour and gripping tension. She has in this chilling tale combined wit, a lovely romance and horror in an unforgettable tale craftfully spun. A must read.
I am a huge admirer of LT Smith. She manages to infuse her stories with wonderful humour and gripping tension. She has in this chilling tale combined wit, a lovely romance and horror in an unforgettable tale craftfully spun. A must read.
February 3, 2016
Even though I did enjoyed this I was a bit confuse with the jumping back and forth or it could just have been me.
December 27, 2016
I really wanted to love this book, it had all the elements I am usually drawn to. However, it was very predictable, and felt like it dragged on and on.
January 28, 2017
Book was okay but not my style.
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