Title- Angelica
Author-Arthur Phillips
Genre-Historical Fiction
Pages-331
Publisher-Random House

Synopsis-In London in the 1800's the Barton family was
on the brink of collapse. Each of the family members
provoke one another, which causes a tragedy to happen.

In the dark of night, a chilling sexual spectre is
making its way through the house. Are the visions real
or something else?

Constance Barton-Mother
I think she tried as best as she could. She did make
mistakes, but she tried to protect her daughter. She
thought her husband would hurt her and Angelica.

Joseph Barton-Father
I think he tried to hard to please his daughter and
wife. I thought he was at times mean, but at other
times I thought he was a nice guy.

Angelica-Daughter
I think she was a scared little girl, but still wanted
to make her parents happy. I did not think she
deserved some of the things she endured.

I really enjoyed this book a great deal. I liked how
the author wrote about everyone's points of view. It
was a very fast read and I would definitely read other
books from this author. I found that the story flowed
real well together. I would recommend this book for
others to read.

Set in Victorian England, this novel uses four viewpoints to explore class, gender, family dynamics, sexuality and sciences both real and fraudulent, ancient and new.. Joseph Barton, a London biological researcher, orders his four-year-old daughter, Angelica, who's been sleeping in her parents' bedroom, to be moved to her own room. Joseph's wife, Constance, resists this separation from her child and the resumption of a marital intimacy that, given her history of miscarriage, may threaten her life. Soon Constance notices foul odors, furniture cracks and a blue specter that appears to attack Angelica while she sleeps. When she reports these supernatural visitations to Joseph, the rift between them widens. Desperate, Constance turns to actress-turned-spiritualist Annie Montague for help. Phillips captures period diction and detail very well. At its strongest, the multiple-viewpoint narration yields psychological depth and a number of clever surprises; at its weakest, it can slow the book's momentum to an uncomfortably slow pace.

A story that weaves back & forth in time as a woman recalls her first love, & the tragedy that affected the families that lived in a house on an island. Both a love story & a ghost story, "More than you know" shows how the actions of the past can affect the lives of those in the present.

The story that takes place in the late 1800's is so rich and so interesting. The present day part of the book not so much. It is one of the few ghost-based stories I've vaguely enjoyed, but the ending just seemed to drift away into nothing (maybe that's what ghosts do).

Was Claris the ghost? Why was she picking on Hannah and Conary? Who really killed Danial? Why is Hannah with Edith instead of her father? Why didn't Claris just take her kids and go home to her family (they certainly wanted her to)? So many gaps in the story and several too-long narratives (the clamming day, the fair . . .)

This is both a compelling and frustrating book. Gutcheon is a fluent and accomplished writer, but it seemed she couldn't decide how to knit together the disparate elements of this story, which contains (a) a coming-of-age romance with a jarring unhappy ending, (b) a ghost story, (c) an historical murder mystery. The narrative emcompasses two storylines: that of misunderstood, teenage Hannah, vacationing in Dundee, ME, in the 20's; and of the Claris, who lived in the area in the mid-1800's. For me the strongest and richest part of the book were the Claris chapters. Claris herself is an unappealing character: glum, rigid and resentful; however, the portrait of her rollicking, close-knit, musical family is wonderfully drawn. The historical details are carefully observed and richly illustrate Claris' unhappy story as well. But the love story between Conary and Hannah is essentially trite, with its stock characters:the wrong-side-of-the-tracks, sexy rebel (Conary); the sensitive adolescent (Hannah) and her harsh stepmother (Edity). For another, the ghost story and the historical murder mystery remain baffling on many levels. Repeated readings don't clarify who the ghost was supposed to be (Claris seems the mostly likely candidate, but it's never made explicit); why she (the ghost) pursued Hannah so singlemindedly (appearing in different locations and ultimately causing a fatal accident); or who, out of a possible three characters, killed Claris' oafish husband Danial. Claris' drowned son is buried in an apparently secret grave (why?) and someone visits it (who?). A subplot concerning Mercy, a young schoolteacher who boards in Claris and Danial's dysfunctional household, is also puzzling. An intellingent young woman, she nonetheless passively submits to a loathesome regime of inadequate food, Claris' simmering rage, and Danial's sexual deprevations. This last is mentioned almost as an aside; Mercy appears later, pregnant by Danial, but her reactions are left unexplored. The trio of possible murderers (Mercy, Claris and Claris' equally angry daughter, Sallie) meet in the schoolhouse attic, for no apparent reason other than to place Hannah in that same (haunted) attic years later. I would recommend this book as an intermittently gripping (and occasionally scary) story with some good writing and solid historical research on 19th century Maine, but it does leave you wanting a couple more chapters to tie up the confusion.

I love a good supernatural series and these books are always fun to read. I really liked that Jamie Vegas was the main character this time. I also enjoyed seeing her relationship with Jeremy start to come together. Looking fwd to the next book!

Combine Doyle's unparalleled storytelling with a little guidance from the spirit world and the result is this ingenious literary concoction second in sequence only. In the forward readers are greeted with a letter from the author, which explains the origin of the story and includes a special note of thanks to his ghostly housemate, thus setting the stage for a magical reading experience.

Audrey and Garrett Font had been certain this would be the most boring summer ever--but that was before their week long Lighthouse adventure. Now, they were just as excited as dear ol' grandpa to explore the beautiful, colonial-style house tucked into the base of a towering waterfall. Following Great Grandpa, Leo Font's drawings, the trio make their way into the vast forests of Northern California in search of Fakersville. But after sixty years, Grandpa's memories of this picturesque area seem to be the only thing left of this once vibrant mining town. How could they find the house grandpa was so anxious to explore if they couldn't even find the town?
The first, of the new characters to be introduced is the cantankerous, president of the Inventor's Club, Mr. Howard August. Listening to his stories the Font's learn a great deal about the history of Fakersville, from thriving quartz mining area to a deserted ghost town of sorts, where curiosity seekers simply disappear.
Following a series of clues and solving puzzles, with the assistance of a new friend, the Font's begin to uncover the towns long buried secrets. But is it too late? Can they rescue their beloved grandpa and prevent the Mayor from writing another chapter in the mysterious story of Fakersville.
There's a lot going on in this story, much of which has been skillfully layered, so that educational and moral lessons are brilliantly disguised as entertainment. Among the themes beautifully woven into this work are the dangers of scientific irresponsibility, unthinking conformity and the power of choice. Adding depth and realism to the adventure are a myriad of unique drawings throughout the story. The novel is populated by a cast of colorful characters that are complex, three dimensional and well developed. There's an almost tangible innocence in Doyle's writing that allows him to reach across the cynicism that comes with age and transport young and old alike into the wonderful, whimsical world of Edgar Font...if only for a few hours.

At the end of the book there's a puzzle waiting to be decoded, along with an intriguing picture said to be the third destination on Grandpa Font's list of possible haunts. I can't wait!

Happy Reading!

WOW! Wonderful series!

If I told you this story began with an old man pointing the way to a secret door in a dream, what would you say? Yet, that is exactly how Patrick H.T. Doyle discovered the leatherbound journal in the attic of his home. Inside he read the most wonderful stories, each describing the adventures of a trusted grandpa and two adoring grandchildren, Audrey and Garrett. Through his imagination and incredible storytelling abilities, Doyle has delivered a new kind of adventure book, that is destined to be a favorite for young and old alike.

The last time the kids had seen grandpa was three years earlier, at their Mother’s funeral. Garrett remembered his bushy moustache and that he lived in a tree house on an island somewhere. Audrey recalled the fantastic stories he had shared during their visits. How he explored pyramids in Egypt, surfed waves in Australia and climbed Mount Everest, twice. Yes, Grandpa was a true explorer. Now everyone referred to him as eccentric. Which of course to the kids simply meant he was weird. Now they would be spending the entire summer with him at his apartment in The Sterling Oaks Retirement Village. Translated into kids english - “boring, boring, and boring.” But, they could not have been more wrong. This would be a summer they would never forget.

Sir Edgar Font has lived an exciting life and certainly intends to continue his quirky ways after he passes from this world into the next. So begins his search for the perfect house to haunt. The Retirement Village was filled with lonely, bored ghosts and that was no place for him. As grandpa explained his plans to his wide eyed grandchildren he was met with skeptisim and questions.
Later that night after having seen a ghost at the dinner table, they exited down the emergency steps and made their way to the “Adventure Wagon.” This wagon will take us anywhere we want to go and our first destination will be the Lighthouse, grandpa told them.


The Castle Tower Lighthouse holds many puzzles, secrets, and mysteries, each waiting to be discovered. Beyond all the games there are life lessons being taught through out this book. Dealing with the loss of someone you love, like the death of Audrey and Garrett’s Mother and learning to look beyond that which seems obvious, are only two of the many wonderfully woven stories that both entertain and teach. As a companion and beautifully complimenting the adventures within the book, the website offers many hours of fun and puzzle solving.


Patrick H.T. Doyle has delivered a truly new and refreshing alternative to the books currently available.This could easily be a review filled with all the raving adjectives, because each and every one has been earned. Excellent, engaging, suspense filled, action packed, I could list them all. However, it is far more important to point out that this is not just a children’s book or for young adults. For all the parents out there who have searched for a great story to read to your children before bed, this is it! I have no doubt, children everywhere will be asking, “is it bed-time yet”? For all the children looking for an affordable book that is entertaining and fun, here it is! And lastly for all the adults who enjoy discovering a new author that has truly created something different, look no further, you have found it! And with the second book in this adventure series available in July, this is the perfect time to get introduced to Sir Edgar Font.

Happy Reading!
RJ xx

Submitted & Acknowledged

*Patrick H.T. Doyle’s imagination and ability to bring the true exploits of these three loveable characters to readers is an accomplishment in and of itself. When combined with the multi-layered experience of the book, adventure blog, and website this is truly a one of a kind experience.
Stop by Sir Edgar Font’s Website. There are lots of cool things to explore. And don’t forget to check on the “traveling 5″… Five copies of the book are traveling from reader to reader, around the globe.
Visit the Story Tellers Adventure Blog where Patrick has answered questions, talks about the next book & lots of information.


(My review of Sir Edgar Font's second adventure is coming soon!)

After reading See's book "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" I can't wait to read her new book "Peony in Love." If it is half as good as the first one, I will LOVE it.

Library Journal Review " In 17th-century China, pampered daughters of wealthy families emulated the romantic tragedy depicted in the popular opera The Peony Pavilion. These teenagers, known as the lovesick maidens, starved themselves to death, writing of romantic perfection. Such is the basis for See's extraordinary new novel. During a performance of The Peony Pavilion on her family's estate, 15-year-old Peony (the real-life Chen Tong) has a chaste but daringly forbidden chance encounter with a young poet just as she is about to enter into an arranged marriage. Now unable to bear being wed to a stranger, Peony refuses all sustenance while she writes her thoughts of romance in the margins of the play's script. At her death, Peony, trapped in the afterworld as a tortured "hungry ghost," infiltrates her beloved's subsequent marriages, seeking respite from her torment. See takes another little-known chapter of Chinese history, flavors it with the minutely researched customs and superstitions of the time, and produces a soaring, stunning novel of Chinese women who gave voice to their creative endeavors, no matter what the cost."

Well, this was a surprise to me. I loved it and I didn't. It was fantasy but it wasn't. I learned so much about the folklore of ancestry ghosts and spirits, traditions and rituals of the dead in 17th Century China and the story was mesmerizing. See's writing is totally absorbing. But, I still believe that I liked "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" more. I would read anything this author writes in the future!

This is a small 32 page book on haunted locations around Britain. Full of photos.

Back Cover Blurb:
The subject of ghosts and hauntings has been a controversial topic ever since man saw his first phantom. But in recent years parapsychology has opened up new methods of research and investigation into the hundreds of cases of haunted houses which continue to be reported at the rate of 150 every year. This book describes and illustrates some of the better and a few of the lesser known properties in Britain affected by spectres, phenomenal smells and mysterious footsteps.