Ghostheart | 
 enlarge | Author: R.j. Ellory
Publisher: Orion
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy New: £1.22
You Save: £5.77 (83%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 12363
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 1
ISBN: 0752864092
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780752864099
ASIN: 0752864092
Publication Date: January 17, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: This book is in brand new mint condition, and has never been used. We deliver all over the world within 4-14 working days. The book may have signs of shelfwear.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 A tale of human longing and cruelty June 12, 2008
This is a wonderful book and has literally so many ingredients (love, betrayal, stark violence, gangsterism, nazi death camps) you would be hard put to fit the story into a genre ; crime? historical saga? love story? One thing is sure, you cannot put it down. This is what the more learned amongst us call "Serious Popular Fiction", I suppose. I read about 52 books a year. My means of evaluating a books' worth is simple : I ask myself "Was it good?". Well, this one was excellent. As a fan of "serious" fiction, I am aware that "crime" fiction is often seen as the poor cousin of literature. Forget that snobbery, this is a brilliantly told story. It is moving, shocking, funny, sad and, above all, rivetting. I fell in love with Annie O'Neill (note to self : hide these comments from wife). I feel lucky. I've just bought all his books and this was my first one to read. I've still got four to go. Yoohoo!!!
5 stars simply aren't enough, it's a stunning read June 4, 2008
Literally just closed this incredible book having reached the end and had to log on & recommend it to everyone before starting it again. It will be the first time I've ever wanted to re-read a book the minute I've finished it purely to enjoy it again but from a different perspective. Like so many of my fellow reviewers, once we'd experienced one of Ellory's books we immediately wanted more. GHOSTHEART is SUPERB .. .. and I thought A Quiet Belief and Candlemoth were both brilliant .. .. how on earth does he consistently dream up such completely absorbing, amazing stories? Like his central characters, especially Annie, I felt emotionally drained at times as I sat alongside them living the roller coaster rides that were their lives. I feel they will stay with me long after I finish Ghostheart for the second time .. .. for me this was so much more than reading a book, it was a stunning, unforgettable experience.
Another great book for RJ Ellory June 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the third of this authors books that I've read and am having to force myself to read other authors books in between. This wonderful English author writes the most amazing American novels and this time with a woman as the central character. He brings his characters to life in the midst of historical events which are not undervalued. He is not afraid to comment on the history and makes he views very clear. It must be extremely difficult for a man to write a woman as his central character and this has been achieved beautifully. If you haven't read one of his books yet - you must.
All The Important Ingredients May 31, 2008
Thankfully Roger Ellory has a new novel out later this year. Otherwise I would now be getting withdrawal symptoms as I read his first five novels in quick order and that really sums up just how good he is.
I was looking to wait before reading this book, but weakened badly and saw it off in a couple of days. I would almost bracket this with the exceptional Candlemoth. It has a similar feel to it. Once again all the Ellory ingredients are here.
This time, however, the main character is female and that called for a more subtle approach. In Annie O'Neill he has brought to life an endearing character. One reviewer on Amazon said that Annie is the kind of girl you would ask for a telephone number. She is engaging but in a fragile way and as the drama unfolds Annie becomes more worldly-wise.
A mysterious stranger arrives at the bookshop owned by Annie, stating that he knew her father. As far as Annie is concerned her father has been dead for 20 years (a close parallel exists here with the situation John Harper finds himself in in "City of Lies").
Slowly a strange and tough story unfolds that includes Annie's relationship with a man who is much more than he seems. Once again we are driven into the world of American gangland, but once again the themes are much more subtle, encompassing loneliness, longing, desire and almost despair.
The author is equally at home writing about harsh violent themes and tender areas and this book takes us from the horrors of Auschwitz to gangland New York but also to the rural idyll of Annie's bolt hole - her book shop. It's a story about books, their power and their meaning by an exceptional writer who brings his world and his characters to life in an exceptional way. Can't wait for number six to be published.
Don't miss this May 29, 2008
"Ghostheart" is beautifully written with sharp and often witty dialogue. On one level you get the highly likeable Annie O'Neil (if she was real I'd want her phone number) and woven within (until they collide in an emotional ending) another riveting story, taking you from Aushwitz to the mean streets of New York. "Ghostheart" is much, much more than a crime novel.
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