A strange message. A deserted beach house. A shocking incident from the past … Rina.
Rina? I stare at her name. How long’s it been? Four years without a word. My best friend Marina Polivanova. Rina for short. And then she abandoned me to chase after that creep Frank. I was gutted. Still am. And I was worried about her, worried what Frank would do to her. There were a few texts, then she stopped writing altogether.
Hey, babe, I text back. Long time. Welcome back. How did you guess I’ve got a free weekend? Spooky.
We were always saying that: spooky. Especially when we ended each other’s sentences like twins. It reminds me just how much I’ve missed her.
The reply is swift.
Help me at Crystal Cottage. Rina.
The same words again. Spooky is right. It’s as if some troll has hacked my phone. Is the message from Rina at all? And why Crystal Cottage, the scene of that unspeakable weekend? What happened there still gives me nightmares.
Read Laying Ghosts for a 60-minute adrenaline rush and as a taste of the Secrets of Selkie Moon Series: Planting Pearls, The First Lie, The Second Path, The Third Note and The Fourth Door.
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You can also discover the chilling power of folklore in the companion book of adult folktales that inspired Laying Ghosts: Leaving Birds.
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Laying Ghosts is a Selkie Moon prequel story. It’s short, but packs a lot of story into it. Selkie receives a text message from an old friend that she hasn’t spoken to in years. The text is a call for help and to meet up at a place they’d visited 4 years earlier. Selkie drops everything to go help her friend. As the story unfolds, you learn about the past and the present.
I think that the story is brilliant and well-told. Right from the start, you know how you feel about Selkie and about her husband. I really thought that I knew how this story was going to end, but I was surprised.
I’d tell you more, but I have the next Selkie Moon book to go read.
Such a great cover and tagline for Laying Ghosts, The Secrets of Selkie Moon #0.5 by Virginia King, I couldn’t resist grabbing it. It’s a quick read at 48 ebook pages.
Selkie’s home along, after declining an invite to spend time at a beachside resort with her honey, Andrew, who has to attend a conference. She has no use for beaches, other than to fear them and stay as far away from them as she can BUT…
She ends up at the beach anyway, when she receives a text:
Help me at Crystal Cottage. Rina.
She had lost touch with Marina, when she left with Frank and his band to go to London. Something doesn’t feel right and she has very bad memories of Crystal Cottage, but that won’t stop her.
Most of the characters leave a lot to be desired, even the possessive Andrew, who monitors her every move.
Wow, that was every which way of weird and surprising. I was tossed here and there, never knowing where I was going until I got there. I want more of Selkie…a lot more.
Love it!
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In King’s series, we first meet Selkie Moon after she’s left her old life. This story shows us that old life and why she decided to leave it. Strong writing. Fast paced. Surprise at the end.
Wow, what a great start to a series!
This was the first book I read by this author. It was disturbing, spooky, and very well written. I grew to like the main character who has her own issues with a controlling husband. I was left wanting to know more about Selkie which is what the author ultimately hopes they can achieve. I definitely want to read more.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Leaving Birds – A companion to Laying Ghosts consisting of four different stories, of which one is a true event. An interesting note is how these four items were the sparks of a fire known as Laying Ghosts. These were well written, intriguing stories; all different. The author did a wonderful job with Peig’s Place. I would recommend reading this after reading Laying Ghosts, The First Lie, The Second Path and The Third Note. I received this after reading the above listed books. 4*
Laying Ghosts – The beginning of the story repulsed me, but I hung in there and ending up liking the short story. The text gave me a heads up and I figured out the ending. Well-written, repulsive and good characters, good ending to the story for a worthy character. 4*
The First Lie – A well written, intriguing, paranormal suspense with believable and quirky characters and a rich plot that draw you in and you can’t put the book down. This book picks up where Laying Ghosts ended; the main character starting her new life in a new country. There’s a prologue, which I appreciate and a glossary of Hawaiian words. Laying Ghosts is a must read before First Lie; a good foundation short story. 5*
The Second Path – This is a wonderfully intriguing, suspense filled sequel to The First Lie and Laying Ghosts. It was hard to put the book down, so when real life called I couldn’t wait to start reading again. I savored the complex story, taking longer to read it then I usually do with good books. The reader is mesmerized by the flowing, surprised filled plot. The original characters keep growing in their development as the pages flow past. There are some wonderful new characters that make the story more magical and their friendship and guidance help Selkie discover the meaning of her quest.
Included after TSP is a glossary of Hawaiian terms and the short story Laying Ghosts. This short should be read before TSP and The First Lie, it lays a foundation that the other stories build upon. 5*
The Third Note – Another well written, complex novel that’s full of intrigue and suspense. Selkie continues to grow and develop her talents, with the help of her great-grandmother. The complex plot keeps the reader on edge and the components make a well blended mix to keep the reader mesmerized. The characters are realistic and don’t follow the usual stupid formula, and Ms. King’s descriptions paint vivid pictures as the scenes unfold.
For some reason, the Epilogue is separate from TTN, but has a link at the end of the story to obtain it from Bookfunnel. There’s a glossary of various terms. I look forward to reading more of Ms. King’s books; she’s doesn’t disappoint the reader. The Epilogue to The Third Note is very short, but entertaining and clears the air between some of the people who threatened Selkie throughout the story. 5*
On The Spooky Trail: Travels in Supernatural Wales – A very short read containing a few snippets of places of the supernatural stories of Wales. The reader will probably be disappointed in this brief, simplistic read after reading her other books. The snippets aren’t complex, just informative – like a casual conversation. There are three photographs that along with the snips fill 61 percent of this book; the rest is peeks into her other books and a free offering of Laying Ghosts. It’s entertaining enough for a coffee break. 3*
I contacted the author to review her books.
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It gave just enough information to want to read more about Selkie Moon. I really do believe that some people have such a connection that you get a feeling that something might be wrong or maybe you’re needed. I look forward to more from this author.