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Ghost Writer

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She has to deal with two kinds of spooks: spies and ghosts. But which one is trying to kill her?

Jen Kirby has seen ghosts since she was a teen, but she can’t talk to them or help them cross over. And, after a violent death in the family, she doesn’t want to see them anymore.

In her role as ghostwriter, Jen joins a Canadian Arctic expedition to document and help solve a forty-year-old mystery involving an American submarine station lost during the Cold War. The trouble is, there are people—living and dead—who don't want the story told, and they’ll do anything to stop her.

Now Jen is haunted by ghosts she can’t avoid or handle alone. That means confiding in the one man she doesn’t want to dismiss her as “crazy.” But can he help? Or is he part of the problem?

Editorial Reviews:

“A compelling mystery with a unique setting and skillfully handled supernatural twist.” —Kelley Armstrong, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A maritime mystery full of twists and turns, heart-pounding suspense, and ghosts! Ghost Writer plunges you into the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean with breath-stealing twists and turns, maritime adventures, page-turning suspense … and ghosts. A great read!” —Ann Charles, USA Today bestselling author of the Deadwood Mystery Series

“Alison Bruce weaves a masterful mystery set in the Arctic that will have you reaching for a hot cup of coffee and a blanket as you feel the cold water splash up off the pages and into your face. With equal parts of paranormal and practicality, Ghost Writer will keep you up all night as you work your way through this addictive page-turner.” —Sheryl Nantus, award-winning author of Hard Run

Ghost Writer is a must-read for fans of Barbara Michaels, AKA Elizabeth Peters. In Ghost Writer, Alison Bruce provides it all—sly humour, a feisty yet vulnerable heroine, hunky romantic interests, believable characters, a carefully researched and unusual setting, and page-turning suspense.” —Janet Bolin, author of the Threadville Mysteries

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2017

4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read

About the author

Alison Bruce E.

6 books65 followers
Alison Bruce writes history, mystery and suspense. Her books combine clever mysteries, well-researched backgrounds and a touch of romance. Her protagonists are marked by their strength of character, sense of humour and the ability to adapt (sooner or later) to new situations. Four of her novels have been finalists for genre awards.

Copywriter, editor and graphic designer since 1992, Alison has also been a small press publisher and website designer. She was Executive Director of Crime Writers of Canada (2017-2023), and CWC's Awards Administrator (2010-2017). Now she is mostly retired except for writing fiction.

Yes there is another author named Alison Bruce who lives in Cambridge, UK. They are often confused, except by each other.

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5 stars
7 (38%)
4 stars
3 (16%)
3 stars
8 (44%)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
1,519 reviews28 followers
January 13, 2018
Ked som videla obalku, povedala som si, toto musim citat. Putava, uzasna, chladna obalka bola predzvestou skvelej knihy odohravajucej sa v arktickej zime.
Ale...
nebolo to vobec tak. Hlavna hrdinka, Jen, od malicka vidi duchov, ale postupne tu svoju schopnost potlaca. Raz dostane moznost zucastnit sa natacania dokumentarneho filmu o ponorke, ktorej posadka zahadne zmizla v case studenej vojny. A je jasne, za ponorka bude plna duchov, ktori cakaju na spravodlivost.
Pribeh nebol zly, ale cakala som taku ladovu atmosferu, pochmurnu, a napatie. Zial, nic z toho tam nebolo. Opis zimy, ladu, chladnej vody skoro vobec nebol. Absolutne som nemala pocit, ze plavaju v ladovych vodach, ze sa ponaraju v studenom mori. Pribeh vrazdy na tej ponorke bol tiez pritiahnuty za usi, ten co to mal spachat, bol akoze vytoceny z toho, ze ostatni smrdeli, fajcili, neupratovali...Ono to nakoniec bolo inak, jasne, ale zdalo sa mi to trosku nedomyslene.
Skoda, pribeh a kniha mala naozaj potencial.
6,158 reviews
December 28, 2017
Ghost Writer is the first book I have read by Alison Bruce. If her other writings are like this one, I would like to give them a try. I liked the setting being in the Arctic and found the storyline to be different and refreshing. It is interesting how Jen tries to solve an old mystery and what she has to go through to try to make that happen.

I enjoyed the story and would give it 3 1/2 stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Laurie.
616 reviews132 followers
January 24, 2018
This is an exciting and suspenseful book set in the cold, remote North Arctic. Jen Kirby has been hired to ghost write a documentary about a decades old mystery surrounding an old scientific submarine station. Jen is uniquely qualified for her investigative role and is doggedly determined to uncover the truth.

In addition to the descendants of the long dead submarine crew, several countries have an interest in the expedition and have inserted their own representatives into the mix; some overt, some covert. As the story progresses certain hidden agendas are unveiled, further complicating the mission and the documentary’s production.

The writing is fluid and easy to read. The pacing is steady, and I really enjoyed the Gothic feel woven throughout the book. I liked Jen’s passionate dedication. It soon became clear how her unusual talents made her perfectly qualified for this assignment. The political elements and inter-agency infighting added depth to the narrative. Someone or some force wants the truth to remain hidden; Jen’s unflagging determination to find answers leads her directly into mortal danger. The characters and their interactions along with the well-wrought plot made this a read I recommend to mystery readers of any age.

Reviewed by Laurie-J
31 reviews
April 4, 2024
A real five star read!

I was drawn in from the beginning. Loved the unusual setting, scientific, military / intelligence backgrounds with just enough romance.
26 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2018
As a reviewer, it’s important to be upfront. So, I confess to not being a big fan of romances and
ghost stories. But— and this is a big but—when an author blends romance and mystery with
ghosts to produce a story that kept me reading, then I call Ghost Writer a compelling winner on
all fronts and I’m waiting for more from protagonist, Jen Kirby.

The characters are strong and author, Alison Bruce creates a driving story with humour, action
and, not to forget the ghosts who won me over with honest reflection and a poignancy that led
me further into the plot.

The climax ties it together, a challenging task when you’re in the Canadian Arctic with a crew
trying to solve a forty year old mystery involving a foreign submarine station and someone
determined to keep the mastery unsolved and keep Jen Kirby, the onboard writer, alive to tell
the tale. Ghost Writer is a 5 star read.
Don Graves. Canadian Mystery reviews. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Kristy McCaffrey.
Author 71 books519 followers
April 9, 2018
Jen Kirby is a ghostwriter who happens to possess the ability to actually see ghosts. This skill becomes a boon and a nuisance as she ventures to the Canadian Arctic to uncover the truth about an American submarine station lost during the Cold War. As part of a team filming a documentary about the expedition, she’s soon juggling family members related to the lost crewman, the American Navy, and Canadian Intelligence. Because of her ability to “see” the dead men who may or may not want the mystery solved, she becomes the key to unlocking the truth, putting her life in danger. This story has an intriguing mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, and the paranormal element is handled extremely well. There’s also a dash of romance. A great read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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