“Banks’s debut marks the start of a promising urban fantasy series, something like Ghostbusters with a British accent.” – Publisher’s WeeklyKester Lanner didn’t know what to expect when he followed his mother’s dying request to contact the mysterious Dr. Ribero, but he wasn’t expecting to find his long lost father. Nor was he expecting to join the family business: catching supernatural spirits.… spirits.
Kester is intrigued despite his fear, and finds himself drawn into an ancient ghost story that will test the entire agency.He soon becomes enmeshed in a struggle with the spirit, who is so malevolent and haunting that his first real case might just be his last.
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Slow start but good once you get past the first chapter or two.
I just finished The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost. The British “ghost busters” are only a handful of 6 main characters and they are all very distinct and well developed. I had good visual images of each individual. I learned more about Bloody Mary and enjoyed the quick read. I look forward to the next book.
This was a fun find – I saw it as a kindle deal, but waited to buy it because my To Be Read queue is overwhelming… Then I saw that the sequel was available on NetGalley, requested it, and was approved. Well OBVIOUSLY I had to read the first one before I could read the sequel, so it was bumped out of the “To Buy” list and onto the kindle post haste. I’m so glad I got to it – it was a very fun read. I really love the London (and its surrounding suburbs/exurbs)-has-a-secret-world books – like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series or Paul Cornell’s London Falling series. There’s something extra magical about London/England as the setting for a world-within-the-world story to me – I don’t know why… Perhaps it’s the history inherent in the city – it’s hard to imagine things NOT being possible there, given all that has happened on those handfuls of kilometers over the centuries. Perhaps it’s the magical feel of the city itself. Or perhaps there are just a lot of very talented British writers. Regardless, I tend to fall in love with the worlds within London, much as I have with London itself.
Banks take on this, while not entirely new, is still plenty original and highly entertaining. The hapless Kester Lanner is a delight – he’s Everyman from his head to his toes (which he can’t entirely see because of a love of comfort food and extra sugar in his tea), and is the perfect foil for the debonair Argentinian Dr. Ribero. The two men’s connection is fun to watch play out; the supporting cast is charming and irritating and sometimes just a little over the top – just like every set of office mates I’ve ever had. The writing is clear and engaging. The story unfolds like a bakery cake box: crumbs, frosting, and all. I rolled my eyes at Kester almost as many times as I wanted to grab him in an all-encompassing hug, but it was all good – he’s deliciously endearing. Just like a crumpled cake, there’s just as much sweetness in the crumbly bits (Kester) as in the display model (Ribero).
Now I think I need some cake – I carried that metaphor pretty far, and it’s clearly because I’m hungry… If you’re not, and I lost you, don’t hold it against the book – pick it up, you won’t be sorry!
poorly written
Really a fun book to read.
Unsophisticated and stale. Ghost busters in England. Stupid read.
Fun read
Intesting concept but kept to a surface level. Would have enjoyed knowing the characters better.
I love all kinds of ghost and paranormal books. I find this different and quite entertaining. I will look for future books.
A new twist on ghost hunting with a bumbling nerd who is not sure where he fits into this bizarre new world
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Although i never had a crisp image of our leading young man, Kester, his personality was well crafted.
Very original premise, good character development.
This is a very enjoyable book. I didn’t want it to end.
If you like British Humor/Satire you will love this book.