The Ghost Orchid by CAROL GOODMAN
Posted: 15 Sep 2015, 09:28
The Ghost Orchid tells the story of a group of seemingly random artists, four writers and an architect, who visit a popular art retreat, Bosco, near the Hudson River to get some inspiration and produce creative work. All of them are doing some work which is related to the mysterious history of the retreat that was built in the 1890s. During their stay they experience very strange and sometimes supernatural incidents which are linked to a century old mystery of the retreat: the disappearance of the last remaining daughter of the founders of the retreat. Through these incidents they discover the truth about the disappearance and their link to the people involved in that century old incident.
When I bought the book at a book sale, I did not know if I would really like the story in spite of the very interesting and mysterious synopsis. I thought even if I don’t like it I will not regret it financially. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by the story: well balanced and with unpredictable turns in the plot. The story reads very smoothly although it changes from past to present scenes each with their own flashbacks. Also a good balance between atmosphere (summer and winter weather) and scenery description (the mansion and its elaborate garden and maze) and also the character description and the interaction between the characters. The story gradually progresses with every scene presenting a piece of the century old mystery without being forced or predictable. The characters themselves and the relationships between them are quite credible. The development of the relationship between the characters are also not predictable or forced, especially between the character Ellis and Nat in the present time. As my first time trying to review a book I could relate to the character Ellis who is a first time novel writer and as I, she had her insecurities regarding her writing skills in the presence of seasoned and highly acclaimed writers and artists.
The Ghost Orchid is a good recommendation for suspense and mystery novel readers who also like the combination with romance, poetry, myths and legends.
Published in 2006 by Ballantine Books, New York
Paperback version of 2007 includes a discussion guide of The Reader's Circle
ISBN 978-0-345-46214-5
336 p
When I bought the book at a book sale, I did not know if I would really like the story in spite of the very interesting and mysterious synopsis. I thought even if I don’t like it I will not regret it financially. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by the story: well balanced and with unpredictable turns in the plot. The story reads very smoothly although it changes from past to present scenes each with their own flashbacks. Also a good balance between atmosphere (summer and winter weather) and scenery description (the mansion and its elaborate garden and maze) and also the character description and the interaction between the characters. The story gradually progresses with every scene presenting a piece of the century old mystery without being forced or predictable. The characters themselves and the relationships between them are quite credible. The development of the relationship between the characters are also not predictable or forced, especially between the character Ellis and Nat in the present time. As my first time trying to review a book I could relate to the character Ellis who is a first time novel writer and as I, she had her insecurities regarding her writing skills in the presence of seasoned and highly acclaimed writers and artists.
The Ghost Orchid is a good recommendation for suspense and mystery novel readers who also like the combination with romance, poetry, myths and legends.
Published in 2006 by Ballantine Books, New York
Paperback version of 2007 includes a discussion guide of The Reader's Circle
ISBN 978-0-345-46214-5
336 p