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Hungry Ghosts #2
Ghost Key
When Tess Livingston got off the bus at a roadside stop high in the Andes, she couldn't quite remember how she got there. She was an FBI agent, and the last thing she remembered was tracing a group of counterfeiters to Ecuador. Then she found herself at the Bodega del Cielo, waiting for the bus to Esperanza, or at least that’s where her ticket says she’s going.
Ian Ritter, a journalist from Minneapolis, is also at the Bodega. He was planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, but his limited Spanish isn’t up to explaining why he needs to change to Bus 13 to Esperanza.
Their meeting changed their lives forever.
For the city of Esperanza is a place out of time, partly in the material world, and partly existing on another plane. There the spiritual world can manifest. The dead can come through … and they do. A few of the dead are Chasers, beings of light who have deferred their passage to a higher plane in order to help and protect the living. But many of the dead are brujos, angry ghosts who cannot let go, who desire only to possess the bodies of the living so they can reclaim their own physical existence in the world. Brujos kill those they possess, sooner or later.
Tess and Ian, and their families, have made a good life together in Esperanza, and have no desire to ever leave it. But now something unusual, even for Esperanza, is happening. Parts of the city seem to be leaving them.
***
TJ MacGregor creates imaginative worlds where neither beasts, ghosts, nor humans are as they seem to be, where anything and anyone can change in a flash, where love is still worth saving, and where the most courageous act of all is simply holding on to your humanity.” -- Nancy Pickard
Ian Ritter, a journalist from Minneapolis, is also at the Bodega. He was planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, but his limited Spanish isn’t up to explaining why he needs to change to Bus 13 to Esperanza.
Their meeting changed their lives forever.
For the city of Esperanza is a place out of time, partly in the material world, and partly existing on another plane. There the spiritual world can manifest. The dead can come through … and they do. A few of the dead are Chasers, beings of light who have deferred their passage to a higher plane in order to help and protect the living. But many of the dead are brujos, angry ghosts who cannot let go, who desire only to possess the bodies of the living so they can reclaim their own physical existence in the world. Brujos kill those they possess, sooner or later.
Tess and Ian, and their families, have made a good life together in Esperanza, and have no desire to ever leave it. But now something unusual, even for Esperanza, is happening. Parts of the city seem to be leaving them.
***
TJ MacGregor creates imaginative worlds where neither beasts, ghosts, nor humans are as they seem to be, where anything and anyone can change in a flash, where love is still worth saving, and where the most courageous act of all is simply holding on to your humanity.” -- Nancy Pickard
- GenresFiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2012
4 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Trish MacGregor
228 books26 followersPatricia Janeshutz MacGregor. Also writes under the pseudonyms of Trish Janeshutz, T.J. MacGregor, and Alison Drake.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 1, 2024
I didn't enjoy Ghost Key, which is a real shame. The premise was really interesting!
But, part of it is my fault - I didn't read the first book in the series. I figured I would be fine, but I was completely and utterly confused. This is definitely not a book to jump into without reading the first one.
Now, I didn't let them spoil my read. That's not the reason for the star rating by any means, that's a personal lesson on making sure I read series in order even if I found the second book on sale at a wickedly good price.
I didn't like the writing style, and I'm not sure why. It was well written, sure, but there was something about the writing style that felt bland to me. The book felt very slow moving despite having an opportunity to be a quick paced, fun ride.
My overall opinion is this book just wasn't for me. I didn't like the author's writing style which is a big thing with getting a reader like me engaged. I also found it too slow, and I just wasn't sure what was going on in the book.
So, reader beware! Read the first book in this series before hopping into the sequel. Lesson learned.
One out of five stars.
But, part of it is my fault - I didn't read the first book in the series. I figured I would be fine, but I was completely and utterly confused. This is definitely not a book to jump into without reading the first one.
Now, I didn't let them spoil my read. That's not the reason for the star rating by any means, that's a personal lesson on making sure I read series in order even if I found the second book on sale at a wickedly good price.
I didn't like the writing style, and I'm not sure why. It was well written, sure, but there was something about the writing style that felt bland to me. The book felt very slow moving despite having an opportunity to be a quick paced, fun ride.
My overall opinion is this book just wasn't for me. I didn't like the author's writing style which is a big thing with getting a reader like me engaged. I also found it too slow, and I just wasn't sure what was going on in the book.
So, reader beware! Read the first book in this series before hopping into the sequel. Lesson learned.
One out of five stars.
November 24, 2012
In ‘Ghost Key’, Ms. MacGregor has skillfully woven the supernatural and mythological into a spellbinding story. When the darkest bruja, Dominica, was forced from Esperanza she had to survive and she has done so by taking over a small Florida town and the niece of her enemy. The ‘hungry ghosts’ will stop at nothing to experience life again, sliding into a living human at will and leaving the person an unwilling party to the depravity each hungry ghost seeks. Brujas, shape-shifters, psychics, and courageous humans populate ‘Ghost Key’ and will draw you in with their vividness and eerie vitality. The characters, setting, and ingenious plot will leave you breathless for more! From the tiniest idiosyncrasy Ms. MacGregor has crafted characters who will stay with you long after you have closed the book. I do recommend reading ‘Esperanza’, the first book featuring Dominica and her lover (turned deadly enemy) Wayra, prior to reading 'Ghost Key'.
The Hungry Ghosts Series: Esperanza (1), Ghost Key (2)
The Hungry Ghosts Series: Esperanza (1), Ghost Key (2)
March 18, 2024
I tried to read this on Kindle. The International Space Station is not ISIS. I just couldn't get past this.
March 19, 2013
REVIEW OF GHOST KEY
by Trish MacGregor
Still another mesmerizing tale of mystery, mysticism, adventure and love - and hope - in a setting you will long remember and a tale which will leave you not just wanting more, but needing more - of the work of its author, TRISH MACGREGOR!
Over the past few years I have read most of Ms. McGregor's fiction and all the non-fiction of hers and her writer husband, Rob MacGregor. Each time I have read one of her fiction pieces, I have come away thinking that there could not possibly be another as good as that one just read - and with each and every "next" book, I have been proven wrong.
Without going into the complete story line of GHOST KEY's predecessor ESPERANZA [read my Amazon review] let me tell you that when I read it, it became, of all her books [all of which I love] the beginning and the end-all. I fell in love with it - with its characters so magnificently created and richly developed - with its historical and geographical presence - with its metaphysical magic and mythological intrigue - with its explanations and experiences of quantum physics - with its colorful and mesmerizing past, present and future - and particularly, with the character of Dominica, leader of a tribe of "hungry ghosts" [brujos] - ghosts hungry for a physical presence they no longer have, and all that it brings - who have now been forced from their former home of ESPERANZA and have taken up residency in Cedar Key. Their only means of tasting the physical world and all its sensations and emotions - the taking over of the bodies of those still living.
In GHOST KEY you will not only be reunited with ESPERANZA's Dominica [and Wayra, her lover from times gone by], Maddie [Tess' niece], and Tess - you will meet and become immediately involved with Kate Davis, a woman who lives in a houseboat and works at a local bar in order to support herself and her son, Rocky, in this little Florida resort town in which Kate has been born and raised. You will also meet and become immersed immediately in the character of Nick Sanchez who becomes intrinsically linked not only to Dominica, but to Maddie and Kate, as well. Nick is a psychic remove viewer [employed by the government] whose mother, Jenean, communicates with him from the "other side", advising and guiding him through the ever-expanding maze of mystery that has settled in and around Cedar Key.
With the spirit of a gypsy in her physical life, Jenean had been a romantic poet who kept an internet poetry blog at http://gypsywomanworld.blogspot.com, and this blog had become a favorite of Maddie - and of Dominica as she maintained her physical presence in the body of Maddie. “Gypsy’s poetry about forbidden love, lust and passion spoke to that part of Dominica that craved someone to love...” and to be loved by. [page 253]
You will meet, also, various local characters of Cedar Key [including Bean, Kate’s boss and friend at the bar, and others] who add color and flavor to this delicious and eclectic story feast.
Just as the words of gypsywoman spoke to the heart of Maddie/Dominica, as a writer and lover of poetry, the character of Dominica, including all her "human" character "flaws", was so moving to me that she, and her ancient lover Wayra, became the inspiration[s] for several of my poems. [He Comes, If and The Lizard Dance]. Overall, my perspective of all things written - of words in general - involves a deep-seated need for flow and rhythm and beauty, interchangeable, each with the other, and the works of Trish MacGregor do not ever disappoint in that regard, either.
If you are the least bit "hungry" for a book that will have you not only mesmerized in the moment, deeply involved with fully-developed and exciting characters and story plot, GHOST KEY will not only give you that, but will also have you "hungry" for more - and more of the work of Trish MacGregor.
As I said about ESPERANZA, so do I say of GHOST KEY: read this review, take it to heart - and then grab a copy and you will have bought yourself the best gift of all - a journey to and with characters who will soon become you and yours - in this world and other worlds - in your imagination and in reality - and all of whom will be with you forever.
If you are wondering why the name MacGregor may be familiar to you, both Trish and her husband, Rob MacGregor, are award winning authors [fiction and non-fiction] whose non-fiction books include subjects of dreams, astrology, yoga animal symbolism and paranormal phenomena such as UFO's. Their two most recent non-fiction works are "The 7 Secrets of Synchronicity" and "Synchronicity and the Other Side." [See my reviews.] Be sure to check out their always-intriguing blog, as well: http://www.synchrosecrets.com/synchro...
by Trish MacGregor
Still another mesmerizing tale of mystery, mysticism, adventure and love - and hope - in a setting you will long remember and a tale which will leave you not just wanting more, but needing more - of the work of its author, TRISH MACGREGOR!
Over the past few years I have read most of Ms. McGregor's fiction and all the non-fiction of hers and her writer husband, Rob MacGregor. Each time I have read one of her fiction pieces, I have come away thinking that there could not possibly be another as good as that one just read - and with each and every "next" book, I have been proven wrong.
Without going into the complete story line of GHOST KEY's predecessor ESPERANZA [read my Amazon review] let me tell you that when I read it, it became, of all her books [all of which I love] the beginning and the end-all. I fell in love with it - with its characters so magnificently created and richly developed - with its historical and geographical presence - with its metaphysical magic and mythological intrigue - with its explanations and experiences of quantum physics - with its colorful and mesmerizing past, present and future - and particularly, with the character of Dominica, leader of a tribe of "hungry ghosts" [brujos] - ghosts hungry for a physical presence they no longer have, and all that it brings - who have now been forced from their former home of ESPERANZA and have taken up residency in Cedar Key. Their only means of tasting the physical world and all its sensations and emotions - the taking over of the bodies of those still living.
In GHOST KEY you will not only be reunited with ESPERANZA's Dominica [and Wayra, her lover from times gone by], Maddie [Tess' niece], and Tess - you will meet and become immediately involved with Kate Davis, a woman who lives in a houseboat and works at a local bar in order to support herself and her son, Rocky, in this little Florida resort town in which Kate has been born and raised. You will also meet and become immersed immediately in the character of Nick Sanchez who becomes intrinsically linked not only to Dominica, but to Maddie and Kate, as well. Nick is a psychic remove viewer [employed by the government] whose mother, Jenean, communicates with him from the "other side", advising and guiding him through the ever-expanding maze of mystery that has settled in and around Cedar Key.
With the spirit of a gypsy in her physical life, Jenean had been a romantic poet who kept an internet poetry blog at http://gypsywomanworld.blogspot.com, and this blog had become a favorite of Maddie - and of Dominica as she maintained her physical presence in the body of Maddie. “Gypsy’s poetry about forbidden love, lust and passion spoke to that part of Dominica that craved someone to love...” and to be loved by. [page 253]
You will meet, also, various local characters of Cedar Key [including Bean, Kate’s boss and friend at the bar, and others] who add color and flavor to this delicious and eclectic story feast.
Just as the words of gypsywoman spoke to the heart of Maddie/Dominica, as a writer and lover of poetry, the character of Dominica, including all her "human" character "flaws", was so moving to me that she, and her ancient lover Wayra, became the inspiration[s] for several of my poems. [He Comes, If and The Lizard Dance]. Overall, my perspective of all things written - of words in general - involves a deep-seated need for flow and rhythm and beauty, interchangeable, each with the other, and the works of Trish MacGregor do not ever disappoint in that regard, either.
If you are the least bit "hungry" for a book that will have you not only mesmerized in the moment, deeply involved with fully-developed and exciting characters and story plot, GHOST KEY will not only give you that, but will also have you "hungry" for more - and more of the work of Trish MacGregor.
As I said about ESPERANZA, so do I say of GHOST KEY: read this review, take it to heart - and then grab a copy and you will have bought yourself the best gift of all - a journey to and with characters who will soon become you and yours - in this world and other worlds - in your imagination and in reality - and all of whom will be with you forever.
If you are wondering why the name MacGregor may be familiar to you, both Trish and her husband, Rob MacGregor, are award winning authors [fiction and non-fiction] whose non-fiction books include subjects of dreams, astrology, yoga animal symbolism and paranormal phenomena such as UFO's. Their two most recent non-fiction works are "The 7 Secrets of Synchronicity" and "Synchronicity and the Other Side." [See my reviews.] Be sure to check out their always-intriguing blog, as well: http://www.synchrosecrets.com/synchro...
November 14, 2012
I loved this book. I read Esperanza about 2 years ago and loved it but didn't remember much about it when I began reading Ghost Key. And I didn't need to remember it because I was totally sucked into a whole new cast of characters and a completely different world. Dominica, Wayra and Maddie share their prior experience from Esperanza but this story is a new thriller of it's own instead of another layer to that story.
Except Wayra does mention this is part of an ancient story.
The mystery and mythology is layered within a very tactile and vibrant physical location. Every character is fully formed with strengths, flaws, goals, and doubts. Even the eternal ones. And the range of emotional acceptance ordinary humans have to travel when presented with paranormal experiences is really well presented.
Fantasy-thriller is not a genre I normally read but I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Trish MacGregor's books that I have read because of the storytelling, the world building, the pacing, style, the richness of characterization, and so much more. Her lighter moments, and the presentation of intertwined story lines, are masterful.
Except Wayra does mention this is part of an ancient story.
The mystery and mythology is layered within a very tactile and vibrant physical location. Every character is fully formed with strengths, flaws, goals, and doubts. Even the eternal ones. And the range of emotional acceptance ordinary humans have to travel when presented with paranormal experiences is really well presented.
Fantasy-thriller is not a genre I normally read but I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Trish MacGregor's books that I have read because of the storytelling, the world building, the pacing, style, the richness of characterization, and so much more. Her lighter moments, and the presentation of intertwined story lines, are masterful.
November 13, 2012
This is the second book by Trish J. MacGregor and she has great improved from her first book, Esperanza. The ending of this was not as rushed as it was before and it was far more an enjoyable read because it kept to a singular location rather than jumping from the past to the present, from Esperanza to Florida to California and back again like it did in the first book. Plus we got to know more about the shifters and the chasers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2013
very good, can't wait for the next one
April 10, 2013
creepy brujas! read "esperanza" 1st but good read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews