Reviews

Little Ghosts by Gregg Dunnett

chels4956's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

reading2escape's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

fripperychick's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

ashleybelous's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5⭐️
Aside from a few minor things that bothered me towards the end, great book. Enjoyed it much more than I expected to!

kslott27's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

marilynw's review against another edition

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4.0

Little Ghosts by Gregg Dunnett
Narrated by Katie Villa

From the beginning we know that Layla is dead, her murder unsolved. The grief of her family is ever present even two years later and it will always be there in some way or another but right now it could tear the family apart. Jon, the father, rides his bike a LOT, angering Rachel, the mom, with his not being around, not being there more, forgetting appointments between the demands of his job and his need to burn off energy. Rachel can only turn her grief into a smothering control of their ten year old son, Gale.

Gale barely talks even two years after Layla's death. He has weekly therapy, his parents show him he is loved always. But Gale has a secret that keeps him in his room away from others. He knows no one will believe him so he tells no one.

The audiobook narration is so good. I can still hear Gale's voice and Layla's voice, too. Two smart kids that have had to grow up way too soon. But still kids whose creative minds and active imaginations just might make finding Layla's killer possible.

DI Kieran Clarke has been on this case for two years but it's being shunted farther down the priority list with the lack of movement on the case. A TV reenactment might just stir up memories and the parents want it to happen. There are results and from then on we "get" to spend time in the head of a horrible monster. I did have trouble knowing the bad things that happened to Layla and the bad things that could happen to Gale, the subject matter is very disturbing. But I think the story is very well told and now I have a new author to follow.

Pub May 11, 2023

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

alannamagro's review

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5.0

5 ⭐️

thestraubrey's review against another edition

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5.0

What a mix of emotions! I was scared at the beginning, mad and furious in the middle part, and then I'm sad and ugly crying in the end!
 
I love the writing technique. Gregg will really capture all your emotions in this book. I love how the story goes about the family establishing trust, mending hearts even after major losses, and also reassuring that there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
 
I highly recommend this book! I can't wait to get my hands on other Gregg Dunnett's novels.

reading_rhapsody's review against another edition

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4.0

Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd like a book with a hint of the supernatural. It's not my usual read, and I had to give myself a little pep talk to start it. But, I was in for a surprise! The story follows a family dealing with their daughter's unsolved murder, and it's full of unexpected twists.

The characters, the shifting perspectives, and the plot development were all well-done. The writing was clear, not overexplaining things, and it flowed seamlessly between characters. I didn't get bored or want to skim, which is rare for me.

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nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 Rounded up to 4.

The Ghost of the murdered sister who helps her family solve her murder was the kind of fall thriller I crave this time of year.

The book's structure had overlapping timelines when changing the point of view from different characters. It took me out of the story to orient myself as to where we were in the timeline and that was distracting.