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suneaters's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book made me super bummed. I thought it would be a fun mystery but it left me contemplating my own mortality. Also kind of ridiculous that that many insane lunatics happened to live in the building.
The end where you find out Luke ended up killing her…so she wouldn’t leave? When he meant to scare her? Was honestly weird and unsatisfying. I buy it, but it wasn’t satisfying. And then we find out Will actually killed Jay after stalking him and Kae/Rachel for some time was meh. Why is he even here then was never really answered. Glad Melody made it out ok, but how she did escape Oliver wasn’t really mentioned.
A lot of the apartment dwellers weren’t super memorable aside from Alexei, Clark, and Sabryna. The French people were just depressing. Catalina was a good character though and I enjoyed her.
A lot of the apartment dwellers weren’t super memorable aside from Alexei, Clark, and Sabryna. The French people were just depressing. Catalina was a good character though and I enjoyed her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child death, Grief, Blood, Car accident, and Self harm
weemargaret's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
buntatamilis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
gloomynomad's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook provided by NetGalley
Audiobook - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The concept of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place by Helen Power immediately captured my attention and held it throughout the entire book. The characters are expertly crafted and fully developed, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. The use of an audiobook format enhanced the overall reading experience, as the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. I would go as far as to say that I might not have fully appreciated the depth and nuance of the characters had I read it in a text format alone.
The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the very end. The book itself is a character in its own right, with an eerie atmosphere that is both unsettling and captivating. Powers' writing style is engaging and draws the reader into the story, making it easy to get lost in the world of the book.
In addition to being a thrilling ghost story, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is also a commentary on what we see isn't always what it may seem like. The author explores themes such as depression, abuse, and the dangers of superstition, adding an extra layer of depth to the story and making it much more than just a simple ghost story.
Overall, I highly recommend The Ghosts of Thorwald Place to anyone who enjoys haunted tales. The book is well-written, engaging, and will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories or just appreciate a well-crafted narrative, this book is sure to leave you feeling scared, yet satisfied when you reach the end.
Audiobook - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The concept of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place by Helen Power immediately captured my attention and held it throughout the entire book. The characters are expertly crafted and fully developed, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. The use of an audiobook format enhanced the overall reading experience, as the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. I would go as far as to say that I might not have fully appreciated the depth and nuance of the characters had I read it in a text format alone.
The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the very end. The book itself is a character in its own right, with an eerie atmosphere that is both unsettling and captivating. Powers' writing style is engaging and draws the reader into the story, making it easy to get lost in the world of the book.
In addition to being a thrilling ghost story, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is also a commentary on what we see isn't always what it may seem like. The author explores themes such as depression, abuse, and the dangers of superstition, adding an extra layer of depth to the story and making it much more than just a simple ghost story.
Overall, I highly recommend The Ghosts of Thorwald Place to anyone who enjoys haunted tales. The book is well-written, engaging, and will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories or just appreciate a well-crafted narrative, this book is sure to leave you feeling scared, yet satisfied when you reach the end.
armlesscarl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place
by Helen Power, narrated by Rachel Fulginiti
Rachel Drake has been hiding since her husband was murdered. Her nice multistory apartment building has elevators, a gym, basement storage, and a concierge. But what it can't do for Rachel is keep at bay her fear that her husband's murderer can find her. She's changed her name, cut off contact with everyone she knew, and never leaves the apartment building. She does hotline volunteer work from her apartment and has made only one friend and she keeps even him at a distance.
And then she is murdered in one of the apartment elevators and her life becomes a different sort of nightmare. That elevator is now the center of her life...I mean, death. Tethered to that elevator, she goes where it goes, her leash only so long. But the things she learns! The secrets her neighbors were hiding! She isn't the only one living a life of agony and grief. She isn't the only one who felt threatened, was threatened. And Rachel is sure that one of her neighbors is her killer. But what to do? How to communicate with the living and how to avoid the dead and the dark, shadowy thing that looms over everyone?
You would think that living in a fancy, expensive apartment with all kinds of amenities would be a nice, safe, existence. But this story shows that danger lurks around every corner and in the homes of most of the people that Rachel now watches. There are so many potential murderers here, the put together wife isn't so put together, the ordinary man is anything but ordinary, even Rachel's own neighbor doctor is hiding something. But every time Rachel gets close to learning something new that elevator yanks her to another floor.
That narrator does a good job of voicing the many characters that populate this story. Rachel appears to be in a hopeless situation, with no way of moving on or communicating with those who need to be warned of their own dangers. It was interesting trying to ferret out the potential killers and finding out that this apartment was never a safe place for anyone.
First published October 5, 2021
Thank you to CamCat Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
by Helen Power, narrated by Rachel Fulginiti
Rachel Drake has been hiding since her husband was murdered. Her nice multistory apartment building has elevators, a gym, basement storage, and a concierge. But what it can't do for Rachel is keep at bay her fear that her husband's murderer can find her. She's changed her name, cut off contact with everyone she knew, and never leaves the apartment building. She does hotline volunteer work from her apartment and has made only one friend and she keeps even him at a distance.
And then she is murdered in one of the apartment elevators and her life becomes a different sort of nightmare. That elevator is now the center of her life...I mean, death. Tethered to that elevator, she goes where it goes, her leash only so long. But the things she learns! The secrets her neighbors were hiding! She isn't the only one living a life of agony and grief. She isn't the only one who felt threatened, was threatened. And Rachel is sure that one of her neighbors is her killer. But what to do? How to communicate with the living and how to avoid the dead and the dark, shadowy thing that looms over everyone?
You would think that living in a fancy, expensive apartment with all kinds of amenities would be a nice, safe, existence. But this story shows that danger lurks around every corner and in the homes of most of the people that Rachel now watches. There are so many potential murderers here, the put together wife isn't so put together, the ordinary man is anything but ordinary, even Rachel's own neighbor doctor is hiding something. But every time Rachel gets close to learning something new that elevator yanks her to another floor.
That narrator does a good job of voicing the many characters that populate this story. Rachel appears to be in a hopeless situation, with no way of moving on or communicating with those who need to be warned of their own dangers. It was interesting trying to ferret out the potential killers and finding out that this apartment was never a safe place for anyone.
First published October 5, 2021
Thank you to CamCat Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
megaeralwrites's review against another edition
5.0
When a book opens with the gruesome death of its protagonist, you know you’re in for an interesting time. Helen Power’s The Ghosts of Thorwald Place certainly delivers on that score, plunging the reader into an atmospheric, dreamlike narrative where the main character, Rachel Drake, must try to solve her own murder from beyond the veil.
One of the most fascinating elements of this story for me is the premise of a ghost who is confined to a limited expanse of territory around the site of her death—in this case, a mobile one, since Rachel died in the elevator of her high-rise luxury apartment building. As she explores the building and gets to know the dark secrets of its many residents (both living and otherwise), she’s constantly at the mercy of the elevator’s movements. The limitations of her range of movement, as well as her inability to interact with most of the building’s occupants, are a source of tension and frustration for both Rachel and the reader as she struggles to assemble the missing pieces of the puzzle.
As the story progresses, the mystery of Rachel’s own death almost takes a back seat to the other enigmas that begin to emerge. It soon becomes clear that almost everyone in Thorwald Place is hiding something, and unmasking some of those secrets may be the key to Rachel finding the closure she really needs.
I had the sense from the start that this would be a story where nothing is quite what it seems, and it kept me guessing about where it was headed up to the end. With its dark humor, rich cast of eccentric characters, and a handful of truly creepy specters, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a unique and enjoyable read.
One of the most fascinating elements of this story for me is the premise of a ghost who is confined to a limited expanse of territory around the site of her death—in this case, a mobile one, since Rachel died in the elevator of her high-rise luxury apartment building. As she explores the building and gets to know the dark secrets of its many residents (both living and otherwise), she’s constantly at the mercy of the elevator’s movements. The limitations of her range of movement, as well as her inability to interact with most of the building’s occupants, are a source of tension and frustration for both Rachel and the reader as she struggles to assemble the missing pieces of the puzzle.
As the story progresses, the mystery of Rachel’s own death almost takes a back seat to the other enigmas that begin to emerge. It soon becomes clear that almost everyone in Thorwald Place is hiding something, and unmasking some of those secrets may be the key to Rachel finding the closure she really needs.
I had the sense from the start that this would be a story where nothing is quite what it seems, and it kept me guessing about where it was headed up to the end. With its dark humor, rich cast of eccentric characters, and a handful of truly creepy specters, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a unique and enjoyable read.
nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
It had all the aspects of a thriller novel, but it was done in such a way as to stand out in an over-saturated market of books that have a tendency to all feel the same.
Rachel Drake's death was only the beginning. Her Spirit In the afterlife, tied to the place of her murder trying to find out who killed her is the hook that got me to pick up this book. The writing and the playout of what happens next were well done and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
It had all the aspects of a thriller novel, but it was done in such a way as to stand out in an over-saturated market of books that have a tendency to all feel the same.
Rachel Drake's death was only the beginning. Her Spirit In the afterlife, tied to the place of her murder trying to find out who killed her is the hook that got me to pick up this book. The writing and the playout of what happens next were well done and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
talkingchicle's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for this audio ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book. This is told from the perspective of someone who was murdered in their building who is watching her murder investigation play out in real time. She gets to see the other residents of her building lie so that they can conceal the truth about their not so perfect lives. Powerless to do anything else but travel the lifts and walk the floors to find evidence, Rachel has no choice but to watch everything unfold.
I completely got Rachels' frustration, there's nothing worse than watching things happen and all you can do is sit on the side lines. I was eager to finish this and find out who was behind her murder and to also find out what happened with the other residents in the building who were pretending that everything was fine.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book. This is told from the perspective of someone who was murdered in their building who is watching her murder investigation play out in real time. She gets to see the other residents of her building lie so that they can conceal the truth about their not so perfect lives. Powerless to do anything else but travel the lifts and walk the floors to find evidence, Rachel has no choice but to watch everything unfold.
I completely got Rachels' frustration, there's nothing worse than watching things happen and all you can do is sit on the side lines. I was eager to finish this and find out who was behind her murder and to also find out what happened with the other residents in the building who were pretending that everything was fine.
bookswithemily's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an exciting book. I found there was a lot of depth to this plot, I really enjoyed reading in the perspective of a ghost.
I thought the plot was very intricate and very detailed. We got to follow Rachel as a ghost and see into the lives of the other residents at Thorwald Place. I enjoyed reading about the snippets of these residents as we travel up and down the elevator. It was also interesting to see Rachel observe her murder investigation. It must have been really frustrating for Rachel to hear everything and not be able to give her input! I also thought the idea around Rachel being a ghost and her spirit being trapped in the elevator was a great. That also must have been annoying for Rachel being pulled back to the elevator whenever anyone pressed the button for it.
I thought Rachel was a great character. I really felt like I could connect with her and understand how she was feeling. I felt so sad for her both as a human and as a ghost. I thought the other characters were good. While reading the book and getting to know the other residents, it really shows that you never know what happens behind closed doors. Some characters I felt so sorry for and others were very mysterious and a bit strange.
It was exciting when the book built up to find out what happened to Rachel. Along the way there were a lot of plot twists, which I found were very unexpected. I loved the ending of a book, it was very satisfying, to say the least.
I thought the plot was very intricate and very detailed. We got to follow Rachel as a ghost and see into the lives of the other residents at Thorwald Place. I enjoyed reading about the snippets of these residents as we travel up and down the elevator. It was also interesting to see Rachel observe her murder investigation. It must have been really frustrating for Rachel to hear everything and not be able to give her input! I also thought the idea around Rachel being a ghost and her spirit being trapped in the elevator was a great. That also must have been annoying for Rachel being pulled back to the elevator whenever anyone pressed the button for it.
I thought Rachel was a great character. I really felt like I could connect with her and understand how she was feeling. I felt so sad for her both as a human and as a ghost. I thought the other characters were good. While reading the book and getting to know the other residents, it really shows that you never know what happens behind closed doors. Some characters I felt so sorry for and others were very mysterious and a bit strange.
It was exciting when the book built up to find out what happened to Rachel. Along the way there were a lot of plot twists, which I found were very unexpected. I loved the ending of a book, it was very satisfying, to say the least.