Ghost Ship: A Cape Cod Story

by Mary Higgins Clark, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

World-renowned master storyteller and New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark's first picture book is a ghost story set on the Cape Cod coastline and the high seas, and a story of friendship between two boys.

Thomas loved his summer visits to his grandmother's on Cape Cod. He spent hours wondering about the sailing ships of the past and imagining their stories. He dreamed of being on a sailing ship himself. One afternoon after a night of terrible thunderstorms, Thomas finds, deep in the sand, a weathered, old-fashioned belt buckle. When he picks it up, a boy his own age, Silas Rich, who was a cabin boy on a ship called the Monomoy that sailed almost 250 years ago, appears. Suddenly the world of sailing ships is very near as Silas tells his tale.

Beloved and bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark tells a story of mystery and adventure that will transport readers to a time and place beyond their imaginings in her first book for children. Wendell Minor's inspired paintings make a time long ago very real.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Ghosts, Mystery

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2007

About the author

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark has written thirty-eight suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a his­torical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauthored five more suspense novels. Her sister-in-law is the also author Mary Jane Clark.

Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and made her an international bestseller many times over.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Cape Cod for the summer to visit his grandmother, young Thomas loves to dream of the great sailing ships that once voyaged past the beach on which his grandmother's house stands. When he finds an old belt buckle washed up on the beach, after a storm, the ghost of the buckle's owner - Silas Rich, a young boy from the 1760s - appears, and tells him a tale of those seafaring days. Captain Haskell, who originally built the house that Thomas' grandmother now owns, features in the exciting story of fire, mooncussers, and a narrow escape from shipwreck, as does Silas, who went on to become the captain's cabin boy...

Better known as a best-selling suspense novelist, Mary Higgins Clark made her children's book debut with Ghost Ship: A Cape Cod Story. An engaging work of historical fiction, presented through the mechanism of a ghostly storyteller, it is the second picture-book I have read from Clark, following upon her holiday story, The Magical Christmas Horse . I enjoyed the narrative here, which reminded me of how I too would dream, as a young girl, about the past events that might have occurred in the places I was visiting. The accompanying artwork by Wendell Minor, who apparently also did the cover art for a number of Clark's adult books, is lovely, capturing the natural beauty of Cape Cod, and the suspense of Silas' tale. Recommended to young dreamers, who like to imagine what the past was like.

[Cosette · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was looking for with this book. Maybe I've been spoiled by all her other books, but this just didn't live up to my standards of Mary Higgins Clark.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely children's book by mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark about a little boy who encounters a boy who lived years earlier, a ghost ship, and a terrible fire. It is a picture book but is interesting enough even for an adult like myself and the artwork is just exquisite. I would have bought this for the art alone. Don't let the words "picture book" make you think this is for babies. It is not!

[Joelisa Aparicio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some there a past ago in history "1960" and there's ghost boy died and he tell to him story about "boat".

[☯ DαякєηRнαℓ ❛ ᶜʳᵒᵘᶜʰᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ ; ʰᶤᵈᵈᵉᶰ ᵗᶤᵗᵃᶰ ❜ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Book Name) Ghost Ship
(Book Series) None
(Book Series Number) 1#
(Author Name) Mary Higgins Clark (Illustrated by Wendell Minor)
(Published By) Simon and Schuster
(ISBN Number) 978-1-84738-086-9
(Time Taken To Read Altogether) About Twenty Minutes ( 30th November 2015 )
(Time Spent Not Reading) None
(Total Reading Time) About Twenty Minutes
(Final Rating) Three Stars ( ★★★ )
(Book Smell) Rich New Gossamer Smell
(Disclaimer)

This is an honest review brought to you by Daniélle. The following review is an honest perspective of my thoughts, feelings and experience reading the book specified. It was in no way, shape or form coerced or forced in any fashion. I do not accept bribes for good reviews or even bad ones nor do I bring in any perspective but my own. I will not say do not read this book just as I will not say do read this book. Whether you the reader of this review chooses to read the following book or not is completely up to you. Also whether you like or hate it, share or disagree with my opinion, is also completely up to you. Again this is a review of nothing but what I felt, thought and perceived. Hence it is an honest review of my personal opinion. Please enjoy.


(Premise)

Young Thomas is visiting his grandmother on Cape Cod. Walking the beach one day Thomas discovers something in the sand, something washed ashore after a terrible storm. And then a great magical story unfolds…


(Writing)

Due to this book being a children’s book the writing is fairly simple and large on the pages. It is easy to read, follow and take in. It’s also quick and not every single page features writing. Most pages you find one side is written on and the other is simply a beautiful picture, as this book is illustrated. I’d say that one wouldn’t even need to be able to read the story to actually follow it as the pictures themselves, alone does the job wonderfully too. A light read, perhaps a quick bedtime story or an afternoons’ little adventure. A nice little story too with a message behind it. A message about good deeds and magic. Definitely a read for all little ones.


(Impressions)

My impressions are this. The story is a nice quick little read. I wasn’t wowed by it no, but I didn’t want to not read it either. Hence why I say it is just a nice little simple read. It’s average basically. Not to be hated but not exactly loved either. I don’t know perhaps it’s because I am older. But other than a nice simplistic yet magical story there isn’t much else. I mean I liked it. It didn’t exactly evoke a ton of emotions from me but I did like it.

So the story itself follows young Thomas Fleming, visiting his grandmother on Cape Cod. One day he finds something akin to a stone in the sand after a terrible storm the evening before. And before Thomas knows it he’s no longer alone on the beach. He’s joined by another young lad, Silas Rich. Silas proceeds to tell Thomas about the time when Silas himself was a boy living in Cape Cod. Some 250 years ago that is. He explains the story of where he had gotten his belt buckle.

The seemingly dirty crusty ‘stone’ which Thomas had found deep in the sand earlier. Thomas sits, mesmerized, listening as Silas explains that back in the day there was a man named Andrew Hallett, a sea captain, due back home. His wife, Mistress Hallett, lived in the same house which Thomas’s grandmother now lives in. But there was someone else in the story. A man by the name of Samuel Lewis. A man who was a no good mooncusser. A man who lit lanterns along the beach, making sea captains wrongly believe that they were in the harbour.

When they then tried mooring their boat it would wreck. Mooncussers would then steal up lost cargo. Something Samuel Lewis did on the night when Captain Hallett entered the bay. Silas explains that Samuel was jealous of the Captain and had become a mooncusser to destroy the Captain’s ship, the Monomoy. So he had lit the beach with lanterns and Silas explains he saw the Monomoy coming in the wrong way. However there was no way to call out to the Captain to inform him of this.

The men of the village were gone, leaving only the elderly and the women and children behind. Silas, knowing there were many a child though, ran through the village, seeking help from his friend, Joshua, and other children. Together they built a fire and set the wooden steps to the house ablaze. The house on top of the hill where Thomas’s grandmother now lives. And after seeing the shadow of his house, thanks to the rising flames, Captain Hallett managed to turn the Monomoy around. Later Silas says it was he, Captain Hallett, who gave him his belt buckle in thanks.

Silas then tells of how he sailed with the Captain since, how the Captain retired and Silas himself became a faring sea Captain too. How he had also been in a wreck in which, thankfully, no one was hurt. But in swimming to shore he had to take of his shoes and belt buckle, losing them. Thomas returns Silas’s belt. And so the story ends, two new friends say goodbye and Thomas returns to the house where his grandmother is calling him. Once inside he sees a painting which had just been returned from being cleaned. The painting is of none other than Captain Hallett. Wearing a belt buckle strangely similar to Silas’s…


(Characters)


Thomas Fleming

A young lad who is visiting his grandmother on Cape Cod. I thought of Thomas as a pleasant and kind little boy who did the right thing by returning Silas’s buckle. Also he shows intelligence at having initially guessed that a ‘mooncusser’ was something bad.


Silas Rich

Silas is a boy who appears when Thomas finds Silas’s missing belt buckle. He then tells of his childhood and adventures in Cape Cod. 250 years prior that is. Silas I found was a nice young lad as well. Certainly brave and loyal. Also, a ghost.


Captain Andrew Hallett

A sea Captain who sailed on the Monomoy. A kind man who later took Silas under his wing and sailed the seas with him. Later he retired after a long life at sea.


Samuel Lewis

A no good dirty scoundrel who was so jealous of Captain Hallett he was willing to put not only the Captain’s life in danger but those of his crew as well. Luckily he was thwarted by Silas.


(Final Word)

I just need to say this again. Silas is a ghost. One who appears as a boy yet grew into a man in his story. Also we never do find out whatever happened to that low life Samuel Lewis. A small but pleasant book overall which tells of friendship, being brave and that you must respect the ocean. And not be an evil creep. I do believe that’s all folks. Until the next book! And remember, always carry a lifejacket! lol

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas is visiting his grandmother in her very old Cape Cod house by the sea. The house was built by a sea captain and there was a long flight of stairs to the beach. The day after a heavy storm Thomas went down to the beach to see if any shells or treasures were washed up on the sand.

Sifting his fingers though the sand Thomas found something heavy and he cleaned off the crusty layer with a stone to reveal a belt buckle. It had a sailing ship on it. Suddenly Thomas was not alone, Silas Rich, cabin boy to Captain Hallet, who built his grandmothers home, was with him.

Silas told Thomas the story of how a ‘mooncusser’ was putting lights on the beach to fool the Captain to come towards the shore and go aground. That way they ‘mooncussers’ could steel the cargo when it was washed up on the beach. Silas and his friends foiled their plans and Captain Hallett sailed away to safety. Thomas gave Silas the buckle and the ghost boy disappeared.

Thomas went back up to the house and the picture of Captain Andrew Hallett had been restored. He was glad to see the clear image of the belt buckle with the sailing ship on it. His grandmother thought Thomas had a vivid imagination but Thomas knew it was real.

I was drawn to this book because it was written by Mary Higgins Clark. The illustrations are delightful and help show what a Cape Cod house looks like.
This is going to be a Christmas present for a younger member of my family.

[Kristie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully-illustrated children's book with an exciting historical story set in Cape Cod. I really liked the sharpness and beautiful colors of the illustrations. They definitely added to the story. The story was also fun, with a 9-year-old boy meeting a 10-year-old ghost boy on the beach near his grandmother's house, which was originally built by a sea captain in 1752. The ghost boy, who was from the year 1761, told a story of how he and his friends saved the captain's ship from running aground in the shallow waters. Short and well-suited for children.

[Emily Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because of the Cape Cod setting, but I just couldn’t. Some of the illustrations were nice. Surprisingly, the writing was terrible. “…the rest of the sand and salt got loose and slid away.” Got loose? Really? I understand that this is a children’s book, but please use better grammar than that. Children need to be exposed to excellent writing even from early ages and I’m confident that children could understand the word “loosened” or some other phrasing. That’s just one example from the book. There are several other poor sentence structures and phrases.

[Marissa Gidcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Mary Higgins Clark tells about a little boy, Thomas, who finds an old belt buckle on the beach of Cape Cod. He then meets a ghost and the owner of the belt buckle, Silas. Silas tells Thomas about how he and many of the other boys in town saved Captain Hallett from shipwrecking. The captain had given Silas the belt buckle as thanks and Silas sailed with him. Thomas returns Silas' belt buckle and Silas disappears.
I loved this book. It was very interesting and the pictures were charming. I would use this book in a unit about Cape Cod, ships, or ghost stories.

[Mrs Mower · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book was a missed opportunity. I read my first Mary Higgins Clark book when I was in 8th grade and her book "Remember Me" is about a children's book author writing about a young boy growing up on Cape Cod. This book had elements of the themes mentioned in "Remember Me" but my inner fangirl would have been extremely excited if "Ghost Ship" was the book from "Remember Me."

Overall, this was a very nice story that introduces readers to mooncussers and the life of sea captains.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judging by the cover of this book - Ghost Ship - one would expect to be reading a story about ... a ghost ship. In fact, the story is more about a ghost boy - a cabin boy of a successful captain of a sailing ship. The boy appears to Thomas who, while visiting his grandmother at Cape Cod, finds a very old belt buckle on the beach after a storm. The boy tells him about what he did to save the captain from trickery so long ago. Beautifully illustrated.

[Tami Ritchey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This, to me, was not really a children's book. There was way too much text on a page for a child to be interested in reading this. There is language that a child will get bored with as well. Even as an adult, this story just didn't do it for me. Ms. Clark needs to stick to adult mysteries.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are nice, but the book has way too much text. Most parents won't want to read this aloud to small children, and the plot isn't strong enough to attract many independent readers. I enjoyed the historical elements, but I don't think that this works as a picture book.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t really what I was expecting but it was okay. I love most things sea-related and I love when history is encompassed within it. Bonus points if it’s whimsical and imaginative. This book met all of those criteria but it still didn’t seem to really sparkle and shine. Overall, just okay.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Kalley the Chipmunk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book.

[Zoey the Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the paintings in this book. I liked the fire and the sea. The pictures were very pretty.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore anything to do with the sea, boats so GREAT read and was so very surprised the Mary Higgin's Clark wrote a children's book! Colorful and nicely illustrated also!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mary Higgins-Clark so when this book came out I got if for my great nephew so maybe he might like a good mystery too and he did very much so. I read it before him. Lol

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s on my bucket list to read every MHC book, so this one is no exception. A sweet story for those that love the sea.

[Doris Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[lilias]

eh.

[Leslie Erkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations and the story is nice. However the language may be a bit confusing for young children.

[India Chakraverty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky kids book from the Queen of Suspense!!!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art work was GORGEOUS! Wendell Minor is one of my favorite artists. I own several of his books that he either wrote or illustrated or both. This story was a bit boring though.

[La Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The paintings/ illustrations by Wendell Minor, are well done; closely partner with the written story! Good job, Mr. Minor! You did your part well. I look forward to more of your work, Mr. Minor!

For several years, I’ve no longer been a fan of ghost stories. As far as a ghost story for children, it wasn’t ’scary’. Although, it could become an unintended slippery-slope into that part of the spirit world. The story had some surprising mentions.

#WendellMinor #WendellMinorpainter #WendellMinorillustrator #ghoststory #SantaAnaWinds #fire #treachery #malice #sailingship #picturebook #heroism

[Renee Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Ship (2007) by Mary Higgins Clark, Pictures by Wendell Minor, Fiction.

This suspenseful story of a cabin boy brought back from the beyond to tell his story, and the story of his Captain as well, is one that will keep the readers' curiosity from beginning to end. The book starts out with a young boy, Thomas, who is staying with his Grandmother in her vintage home on Cape Cod for a summer visit. Thomas loves exploring along the beach line, especially after a storm has run its course, leaving all kinds of shells, and other interesting debris on the shore. Thomas happens to come across an old belt buckle from way back in time, which he is steadily trying to clean up and see the picture revealed on the buckle. As he brushes and scrubs at the buckle, a young boy appears about the same age as Thomas (9-10 yrs.). Thomas is full of questions for the boy regarding the boy himself, and Captain Andrew Hallett. The boy explains an act of bravery by himself, Silas, and his close friends at the time. The boys show their respect for Hallett and his crew by preventing a deceptive act by Samuel Lewis, a man of jealousy and deceit towards Hallett's accomplishments on the sea. Lewis attempts to destroy Hallett's ship, and the boys of the town attempt to keep Lewis from doing so.
The author creates a truly suspenseful story, which the reader is trying to figure out through the character of Thomas. The questions he asks are very likely the questions you or I would ask in the same scenario. Clark does an excellent job of making the story suspenseful with the ghost of Silas, yet it's not scary or threatening to the reader. The reader actually is on the side of the ghost and his interesting story of loyalty and bravery. It is an appropriate story for young readers.
The illustrations are actually beautiful as well. The hand painted pictures depict a beautiful "beach at sunset" view along with detailed expressions on the faces of the boys. Silas is somewhat transparent, as he is the ghost in the story, but colors blending and fading into one another are calming and pleasing to look at. Some are double page spreads, while others are "text on one side" and illustrations on the other side. There is a great deal of detail in the pictures, as they very accurately (and then some) represent the story in the text.
In conclusion, this was an excellent suspense story for younger readers that still like to have pictures to communicate the story back to them. The ages of interest for this book are most likely the same ages of the boys in the story (9 to 10 yrs. of age). I would recommend this to parents and teachers alike as a great "story time" book. Asking the students what they expect will happen next, etc., is a great discussion tactic with this work. Both author and illustrator did a superb job of putting this story together!

[Merri Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a little boy who is vising his Grandma for the summer. She happens to live in Cape Cod in an old house built by a celebrated captain of many ships back many years ago. Thomas loves to visit his Grandma and he often thinks about the man who built the house and what he must have been like and what he must have done. As he is sitting on the beach in front of his Grandmother's house, he sees something in the sand that had washed up on shore. At first he doesn't know what it is but as he begins to clean it off, he sees it is a shiny, silver belt buckle. As he is contemplating the belt buckle, a young boy who lives in Cape Cod many years ago appears and tells Thomas that it is his belt buckle and he would like to tell him all about his adventures as cabin boy to the celebrated Captain Hallett. Silas tells Thomas about a time when he saved Captain Hallett's ship by guiding it away from the shore by lighting many, many fires in front of his house and beach so that Captain Hallett would stay away and save his ship from many bad men and thieves. It is because of this act of bravery that Captain Hallett took Silas as his cabin boy and Silas one day became a Captain of a big ship himself. As Thomas gives Silas his old belt buckle, Silas slowly disappears. Thomas returns to his grandmother's house and realizes that the old portrait of Captain Hallett had been restored and his grandmother had placed it above the fireplace. As Thomas looks at the portrait, he realizes that he is wearing the same belt buckle that he has just given back to Silas. Captain Hallett had given it to Silas as a token of his thanks to Silas for saving him and his crew.
I loved the illustrations of this book especially the ones that had the ship and waves in it. The illustrator did a great job of brining the text of the book to life. He made the waves and ship look life like and he did a great job in drawing the picture of Captain Hallett. He looks just like you would imagine a man in the 1700's looking and made it crisp and life like. I also really liked the colors and the imagery he used. You really could see what Cape Cod looks like and what it must have looked like several hundred years ago. I actually picked up this book because I really enjoy reading Mary Higgin Clark's mystery books and thought she must be a good children's author and I wasn't disappointed at all. I would have to say that this is for a more advanced reader since the text is long and Silas does talk who people talked hundreds of years ago. That might make it hard for children to read. All in all, I would suggest that every boy in the 3rd grade should read this and I believe they would really enjoy it!

[Pam Vass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy is visiting his grandmother for the summer in Cape Cod and finds himself in a sea adventure. Thomas comes across a belt buckle hidden in sand and a boy about his age in vintage clothing with a pony tail appears when he cleans the belt buckle off. Thomas is the protagonist of the story and the Silas, the Cabin boy reflect a shift or change in composition and perspective. Silas is almost dreamlike as the ocean floats through him in every scene and Thomas reflects reality. Their characters are placed inside a silhouette color change that is lightened which reflects that they are the main characters in the book. The Repetition of Rhythm moves through the story presents itself in a calm cadence as you read the words of the story you can almost hear the ocean sounds. Throughout the story, Silas’ speech/word choice is distinctly dated, “Thou has found my belt buckle” or “Thou art very wise” and his clothing also reflects his time period. This is a contrast from Thomas who is in a polo shirt and referring to the Santa Ana winds of Orange County in Southern California. I thought the illustrations were great and believe this book makes for a wonderful adventure story to read to children in1-3 grade while they can also enjoy the pictures that also flow concisely with the story.