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Haunted Ballad #1
The Weaver and the Factory Maid
Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of lovers must uncover the truth behind the ghosts' deaths.
When Ringan Laine, British folk musician, becomes the owner of a restored eighteenth-century cottage, he discovers right away that the cottage and the ancient barn on Ringan's property are haunted.
Ringan and his longtime lover Penny, researching the identity of their unwanted tenants, learn that they were a young couple, victims of a famous double murder in the year 1817 - their story the subject of a song that is a staple in Ringan's repertoire. And they must stage a full-scale musical exorcism to lay the ghostly couple to rest.
The Weaver and the Factory Maid is only the first in what promises to be an exciting new mystery series features the ghosts of characters in folk ballads.
When Ringan Laine, British folk musician, becomes the owner of a restored eighteenth-century cottage, he discovers right away that the cottage and the ancient barn on Ringan's property are haunted.
Ringan and his longtime lover Penny, researching the identity of their unwanted tenants, learn that they were a young couple, victims of a famous double murder in the year 1817 - their story the subject of a song that is a staple in Ringan's repertoire. And they must stage a full-scale musical exorcism to lay the ghostly couple to rest.
The Weaver and the Factory Maid is only the first in what promises to be an exciting new mystery series features the ghosts of characters in folk ballads.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 10, 2003
About the author
Deborah Grabien
30 books26 followersDeborah Grabien is a world traveller, retired medieval historian, and lifelong rocker chick. Her short fiction, reviews, and essays can be seen in many diverse venues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 17, 2016
Ringan Laine, a folk musician, quickly realizes that his new home, a restored 18th century cottage, is haunted. Together Ringan and Penny, his significant other, look into the history of the house, only to learn that it was the site of a famous double murder in 1817, and that one of the folk songs that Ringan is known for performing tells the story of the victims, a young couple. Before you know it, Ringan and Penny are making arrangements to hold a full scale musical exorcism.
A friend of mine let me borrow this book since it sounds exactly like something I'd be interested in and my interest was piqued right away by the idea of "bringing old English mystery ballads into the modern world." My favorite part of the story is easily the double murder and the "ghostly" aspects of the young murdered couple. Unfortunately, I didn't really care all that much for Ringan and Penny, or their part in the story - just uninterested. Also, considering how short the book is it took quite a while for the story to go anywhere and really hook me. Overall, I think I was just far more interested in the Napoleonic Era double murder - and, in my opinion, there should have been more of that and less of Ringan and Penny.
A friend of mine let me borrow this book since it sounds exactly like something I'd be interested in and my interest was piqued right away by the idea of "bringing old English mystery ballads into the modern world." My favorite part of the story is easily the double murder and the "ghostly" aspects of the young murdered couple. Unfortunately, I didn't really care all that much for Ringan and Penny, or their part in the story - just uninterested. Also, considering how short the book is it took quite a while for the story to go anywhere and really hook me. Overall, I think I was just far more interested in the Napoleonic Era double murder - and, in my opinion, there should have been more of that and less of Ringan and Penny.
July 5, 2008
In which a folk musician and his lover attempt to uncover the truth behind the haunting of his new home. Interesting concept, poor execution. I got about halfway through before I decided I was horribly bored and gave up. The set-up was taking far too long, and I didn't think I could bear to read another pointless description of Penny's clothing and its effect on her various male acquaintances. I think I'll be passing on the rest of this series.
September 4, 2007
THE WEAVER AND THE FACTORY MAID (Gothic-England-Cont) - VG
Deborah Grabien – 1st in series
Thomas Dunn Books, 2003- Hardcover
Ringan Laine, a British folk musician and period architecture restoration expert, accepts a piece of land containing a cottage and tithe barn in lieu of payment. What he didn’t know, at the time, was it also contained a pair of ghosts. With the help of his girlfriend, benefactor and band mates, he becomes determined to find out who they are and how to release them.
*** I’ll admit I love Gothics and so was delighted to find a new author who writes them. I learned a bit about English history, architecture, and music. While not horribly scary, which was fine by me, there was excellent sense of place, a bit of pathos in the story of the ghosts, and a very enjoyable read.
Deborah Grabien – 1st in series
Thomas Dunn Books, 2003- Hardcover
Ringan Laine, a British folk musician and period architecture restoration expert, accepts a piece of land containing a cottage and tithe barn in lieu of payment. What he didn’t know, at the time, was it also contained a pair of ghosts. With the help of his girlfriend, benefactor and band mates, he becomes determined to find out who they are and how to release them.
*** I’ll admit I love Gothics and so was delighted to find a new author who writes them. I learned a bit about English history, architecture, and music. While not horribly scary, which was fine by me, there was excellent sense of place, a bit of pathos in the story of the ghosts, and a very enjoyable read.
May 30, 2008
Not really a mystery, not really a spooky ghost story, but I enjoyed it. Ringan Laine is a fold musician and house-restorer/historian who gets an 18th century cottage as payment for a job. As he is moving in, he and his girlfriend discover that it is haunted. Some of the reviews I read about it were disparaging about the lack of suspense in the murder mystery part of the story, but I don't think it is a problem. No, it isn't a who-done-it, but the story of the characters is still interesting. The characterization of the main characters was fairly good, if not really complete, but it is the first book in the series, and that is generally the way it goes.
October 14, 2019
British folk musician and period architecture restoration expert Ringan Laine is given a lifetime interest in a small property on the Wychsale estate when payment for his services is suddenly unavailable. The property contains a cottage and barn. And possibly ghosts.
I found this book on my library's newest focus shelves, this one for books that hadn't been checked out for more than a year. I thought this was the most interesting looking among the collection and promptly checked it out. After all, it was only 182 pages, a mystery set in the English countryside, a haunted barn, and somewhat based on old English mystery ballads. How bad could it be?
Well, while I wouldn't call it bad, I would definitely call it boring and enormously s-l-o-o-o-o-o-w. Even with books that I wind up not finishing, I can usually make it 100 pages in before making that decision. Sadly not in this particular book. I struggled almost from the get-go. The characters simply didn't interest me. I didn't even find myself wondering who the ghosts are and why they were haunting the property. I just couldn't bring myself to care. So sad. 2 out of 5.
I found this book on my library's newest focus shelves, this one for books that hadn't been checked out for more than a year. I thought this was the most interesting looking among the collection and promptly checked it out. After all, it was only 182 pages, a mystery set in the English countryside, a haunted barn, and somewhat based on old English mystery ballads. How bad could it be?
Well, while I wouldn't call it bad, I would definitely call it boring and enormously s-l-o-o-o-o-o-w. Even with books that I wind up not finishing, I can usually make it 100 pages in before making that decision. Sadly not in this particular book. I struggled almost from the get-go. The characters simply didn't interest me. I didn't even find myself wondering who the ghosts are and why they were haunting the property. I just couldn't bring myself to care. So sad. 2 out of 5.
July 25, 2024
A lovely shivery little story based on an old ballad. Enjoyed it. A quick read.
November 21, 2025
A genial mystery/ghost story inspired by an old English ballad from the early Industrial Revolution. An exciting climatic scene.
April 7, 2011
#1 Haunted Ballad mystery set in the UK. Is it a mystery? A gothic ghost story? A charming English story? Yes, yes and yes. Ringan Laine is the guitarist and vocalist in a traditional folk band, which doesn't often pay enough of a living wage to subsist on. So he also does home restorations. When the owner of the manor home he's nearly finished restoring explains that he isn't able to pay him in cash due to a problem with the courts tying up his liquid assets, Ringan is livid--until the man offers him the title to a plot of land with a cottage and old tithe barn instead.
Worth much more than the few thousand quid he was owing, Ringan accepts, and then finds out that the house and barn are both haunted. When his longtime girlfriend Penny arrives to check out his new home, they both have chilling experiences that unsettle them to the core, each with a different ghost. Eventually, they feel they must figure out the mystery of just who is haunting the property, and why. And they do discover it, but then the question becomes how to banish the spirits so that they can carry on living in the cottage?
What an interesting story! Not a lot of 'action' per se, and not even that much of a mystery in that you discover whodunit right along with the protagonists. Very atmospheric, with a sense of place that puts you right in the middle of things without being overtly 'descriptive'--that is to say, it's not a bunch of adjectives strung together, but a true multi-dimensional picture woven together with words. If you don't like a paranormal element to your books, you probably should pass on this. If you've an open mind or like ghost stories, I highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful and I already feel as though Ringan and Penny and their circle are my friends--and I can't wait for another visit!
Worth much more than the few thousand quid he was owing, Ringan accepts, and then finds out that the house and barn are both haunted. When his longtime girlfriend Penny arrives to check out his new home, they both have chilling experiences that unsettle them to the core, each with a different ghost. Eventually, they feel they must figure out the mystery of just who is haunting the property, and why. And they do discover it, but then the question becomes how to banish the spirits so that they can carry on living in the cottage?
What an interesting story! Not a lot of 'action' per se, and not even that much of a mystery in that you discover whodunit right along with the protagonists. Very atmospheric, with a sense of place that puts you right in the middle of things without being overtly 'descriptive'--that is to say, it's not a bunch of adjectives strung together, but a true multi-dimensional picture woven together with words. If you don't like a paranormal element to your books, you probably should pass on this. If you've an open mind or like ghost stories, I highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful and I already feel as though Ringan and Penny and their circle are my friends--and I can't wait for another visit!
Read
December 4, 2011Ringan Laine plays in a band that plays English folk music. Since that doesn't pay the bills, he also renovates old houses on the side. When one of his wealthy clients has a little cash flow problem, and can't pay Ringan, he deeds him an old cottage instead. Hmm. Why is the landlord so eager to get rid of this little property, complete with valuable antique furniture? Because it's haunted, naturally, and not with one ghost, but with two, a pair of young lovers. Betsy inhabits the house, and Will stays in the barn. Ringan, and his girlfriend, and later his friends from the band must figure out who these ghosts are, and how to get rid of them. It turns out to be pretty easy, actually. The whole thing seemed a little too easy. The ghosts themselves are eager to communicate. The story of their violent deaths lives in local lore, not to mention in the local history section of the bookshop, and their artifacts are in the local museum. Ringan and pals have the whole thing figured out in just a few days. So the mystery isn't much of a mystery, but the atmosphere is full of quaint English gardens, and rain, and winding lanes, snappy dialog full of Britishisms, and English history, from the grind of the laboring poor to the Arthurian mystique of Glastonbury Tor, visible on the horizon. The weaver and the factory maid of the title are the ghosts Will and Betsy, but are also the characters of an old English ballad. I looked the song up on You Tube, and I recommend anyone reading this book do that, for the song contributes to the atmosphere of the story. The melody is plaintive, almost wailing. I would even say haunting, but that's the point.
August 18, 2008
The premise of this book was a ghost story based on an old folk song - which it was, but not a very good one.
Ringan Laine is a British folk musician who moves into an old cottage that is also inhabited by a ghost. Additionally, the ancient barn on his property is also haunted - by a different ghost. These ghosts affect Ringan and his friends in various ways, but eventually they figure out who the ghosts are and how to "exorcise" them.
All along I felt I was missing something in the story - many questions seemed unanswered - why the ghosts affected some people differently than others, why they wanted to get rid of the ghosts so quickly, was Penny really being taken over by one of the ghosts? And it was as though the reader was already supposed to know the characters. The ending seemed very abrupt - once the characters made up their minds on how to approach the ghost problem, everything came together a bit too neatly. Perhaps things will improve in future installments (this is supposed to be the first in a series), but after this volume, I'd be hard pressed to try another. For a slim little book, this took an awfully long time to read - never a good sign - it was too easy to put down.
Ringan Laine is a British folk musician who moves into an old cottage that is also inhabited by a ghost. Additionally, the ancient barn on his property is also haunted - by a different ghost. These ghosts affect Ringan and his friends in various ways, but eventually they figure out who the ghosts are and how to "exorcise" them.
All along I felt I was missing something in the story - many questions seemed unanswered - why the ghosts affected some people differently than others, why they wanted to get rid of the ghosts so quickly, was Penny really being taken over by one of the ghosts? And it was as though the reader was already supposed to know the characters. The ending seemed very abrupt - once the characters made up their minds on how to approach the ghost problem, everything came together a bit too neatly. Perhaps things will improve in future installments (this is supposed to be the first in a series), but after this volume, I'd be hard pressed to try another. For a slim little book, this took an awfully long time to read - never a good sign - it was too easy to put down.
January 17, 2012
Having read the author's "JP Kinkaid Chronicles", I was intrigued by the premise in her other series. Mysteries featuring the ghosts from folk ballad characters. I was not disappointed. A short book(only 182 pages), I was quickly enthralled with the two main characters: Ringan and Penny and the ghosts that haunt Ringan's new home and barn. Can't wait to start on the 2nd story in the series!
"Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of lovers must uncover the truth behind the ghosts' deaths. When Ringan Laine, British folk musician, becomes the owner of a restored eighteenth-century cottage, he discovers right away that the cottage and the ancient barn on Ringan's property are haunted. Ringan and his longtime lover Penny, researching the identity of their unwanted tenants, learn that they were a young couple, victims of a famous double murder in the year 1817 - their story the subject of a song that is a staple in Ringan's repertoire. And they must stage a full-scale musical exorcism to lay the ghostly couple to rest."
"Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of lovers must uncover the truth behind the ghosts' deaths. When Ringan Laine, British folk musician, becomes the owner of a restored eighteenth-century cottage, he discovers right away that the cottage and the ancient barn on Ringan's property are haunted. Ringan and his longtime lover Penny, researching the identity of their unwanted tenants, learn that they were a young couple, victims of a famous double murder in the year 1817 - their story the subject of a song that is a staple in Ringan's repertoire. And they must stage a full-scale musical exorcism to lay the ghostly couple to rest."
November 28, 2013
There is a bunch of commentary on the cover of this book that explains what it is better than I can:
The premise in this is that one member of a folk music group (named Ringan) is paid for a rehab job with a small house of his own. The twist is, of course, that it's haunted. The haunts turn out to be a young couple who were murdered simply for being in love. Ringan and his lover and the rest of his quartet of musicians eventually find a way to lay the ghosts to rest after nearly 200 years.
Sounds hokey, and yes it is a bit. But the writing is quite sensible and doesn't get you caught up in woo-woo land, so it seems perfectly normal that the house (and barn) are haunted. I will look for more by this author.
"Murder, music, and ghosts of the past."Which promises some fun, eh? I'm only not sure if it's the same group of people in each title. We shall see; this is a brand-new book.
"The first in a new series bringing old English mystery ballads into the modern world."
The premise in this is that one member of a folk music group (named Ringan) is paid for a rehab job with a small house of his own. The twist is, of course, that it's haunted. The haunts turn out to be a young couple who were murdered simply for being in love. Ringan and his lover and the rest of his quartet of musicians eventually find a way to lay the ghosts to rest after nearly 200 years.
Sounds hokey, and yes it is a bit. But the writing is quite sensible and doesn't get you caught up in woo-woo land, so it seems perfectly normal that the house (and barn) are haunted. I will look for more by this author.
April 9, 2016
Ringan is a musician and does renovations. When someone he has done some renos for can't pay, but instead, offers an old house and property, Ringan can't resist. However, he soon learns that the place is haunted. When his girlfriend, Penny, arrives, they work together to figure out who the ghosts are and why they are there.
It started a little slow for me, but it got better and I enjoyed the second half more. I really liked the epilogue. It was short and a quick read. I'm still unsure whether or not I will continue the series.
It started a little slow for me, but it got better and I enjoyed the second half more. I really liked the epilogue. It was short and a quick read. I'm still unsure whether or not I will continue the series.
December 1, 2007
A great ghost story - not so scary that you stay awake or have nightmares, but it imparts just enough chills. The fact that it is based on an English folk song is really fun, and the characters are well developed. The story is fairly simple and wraps up quickly, but it's a good, gentle read. The fact that it's set in the English countryside makes it very enjoyable, too. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
August 19, 2015
When Ringan is offered a cottage and tithe barn as payment for work on an aristo's home, he is beyond belief. But after he moves in he learns both buildings are haunted, and his girlfriend and band mate have an extra sensitivity to the ghosts-a sensitivity that he worries could hurt them. Took a third of the book to catch the rhythm, but was pulled in as the ghostly events became more and more pronounced.
Adult
Adult
February 9, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't blown away by the writing, but the storyline was good and it kept me interested. The first 2/3 of the book - the unfolding of the story - was maybe drawn out a little longer than necessary. I say this to explain my three star rating - I liked and enjoyed the book, but it wasn't amazing. A good read for a lazy Sunday, or on vacation in an old English farmhouse.
October 9, 2011
Wow. A friend reccommended this one and I can see why. I loved it and once I started it couldn't put it down. The pacing and feel of it is not fast but it suits the story and characters perfectly. The descriptions are wonderful - I could very well imagine being there. Not sure why it's in the library as mystery/detective - it's a ghost story, but so much more and I love the role that music plays in it.
April 7, 2008
This is a good ghost story - sort of creepy in parts but you can still sleep after. However, I didn't connect with the characters at all. I thought they were over analytical and almost pious. Maybe it is because the author is English and I didn't really get the phrases they used. However, I know people who loved this book.
June 13, 2010
I got this in my attempt to move away from some of the paranormal reading. How was I to know this was a ghost story? I loved the texture of the countryside, the glimpse into British culture, and learning about the structure of British society. Loved how the characters didn't get in the way of the story, yet still liked the characters.
April 3, 2008
This whole series of books is excellent. It's historical fiction woven with mystery and modern day occurances. I really enjoyed the Haunted ballad series and now need to find the new book that just came out- New Knight. Can't wait to read it...when I have the time! :)
May 9, 2008
Written with energy and verve, this ghost story/mystery takes its inspiration from the ballad of the title (this is the first in a series of five "Haunted Ballads") and its lush prose from the English countryside and the world of British folk music. Can't wait to read the rest of them.
November 13, 2010
Book was a suggested reading from the library and my introduction to Grabien's Ballad series. A modern murder based on an old ballad. Subsequent books on this series were well written and dug some of the research on how certain ballads came to be and how a murder in the present could relate to it.
July 24, 2011
I enjoyed this book- it was a quick read and I think this will be an interesting series. I liked how the mystery of the two ghosts evolved and how they were tied into the folk ballad. I believe Ringan, Penny and the rest will be intriguing characters going forward.
July 23, 2007
Though I adored the setting (and especially the cottage), I didn't find myself caring very much for the main characters. Luckily, the story was interesting enough I didn't mind.
January 21, 2008
This book actually gave me goosebumps. It was creepy, but not downright terrifying.
July 31, 2008
An interesting ghost story.
December 16, 2009
main characters Penny Wintercraft-Hawkes a theatre director, Ringan Laine a folk musician and architectural historian/restoration consultant
Want to Read
October 28, 2011Sounds interesting. Brit folk has a special place in my heart thanks to Bert Jansch and some of his drinking buddies. This may be the book to set me off in search of a books on tape service.
May 5, 2012
Great fun and a quick read.
October 19, 2012
Beautiful tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews