Simone St. James

Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist a ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis-rich, handsome, scarred by World War I, and obsessed with ghosts- has been summoned to investigate the spirit of nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is haunting the barn where she committed suicide. Since Maddy hated men in life, it is Sarah's task to confront her in death. Soon Sarah is caught up in a deperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Can Sarah and Alistair's assistant, the rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, discover who Maddy was, whereshe came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance-before she destroys them all? Winner of two RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America and the Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada

The Haunting of Maddy Clare

This was a really enjoyable ghost story to read, especially at the beginning of October. 

I thought the ghost aspect of the story was well done. It’s not scary and definitely won’t keep you up at night, but it worked. I honestly appreciated that about it. I thought Maddy Clare’s story was heartbreaking, even if a little predictable. I liked how Maddy haunting the town was connected to the trauma she experienced there. 

I also liked that there was romance in this story. It was part of the reason I choose to read it. Matthew is a typical grumpy guy and has experienced a lot of pain in his past, especially post WWI. I liked the soft side of him that Sarah brought out. I honestly didn’t expect their relationship. I thought Sarah was going to end up with Alistair in the beginning.

I thought the characters were pretty good too. We could’ve definitely gotten to know them better, but that didn’t bother me too much in this story. 

Kendall Deranek

This was a really enjoyable ghost story to read, especially at the beginning of October. 

I thought the ghost aspect of the story was well done. It’s not scary and definitely won’t keep you up at night, but it worked. I honestly appreciated that about it. I thought Maddy Clare’s story was heartbreaking, even if a little predictable. I liked how Maddy haunting the town was connected to the trauma she experienced there. 

I also liked that there was romance in this story. It was part of the reason I choose to read it. Matthew is a typical grumpy guy and has experienced a lot of pain in his past, especially post WWI. I liked the soft side of him that Sarah brought out. I honestly didn’t expect their relationship. I thought Sarah was going to end up with Alistair in the beginning.

I thought the characters were pretty good too. We could’ve definitely gotten to know them better, but that didn’t bother me too much in this story. 

Colleen

3 Stars

*A paranormal mystery whose rushed beginning takes a while to catch up with the rest of the story*


Simone St. James is a recently discovered author for me, but one I have come to enjoy greatly. After reading a couple of her more recent books, I decided to check out her breakout book, The Haunting of Maddy Clare.

I enjoyed the book overall but not nearly as much as Silence for the Dead or The Broken Girls. The main problem I had with The Haunting of Maddy Clare is that the story jumps right in. The paranormal aspects start almost immediately, and they go full throttle. I absolutely missed the slow, suspenseful buildup present in her other works. The atmosphere and suspense of whether or not the paranormal elements were real were what hooked me. So between that lack of atmosphere and the fact that the plot jumps right in without allowing any initial character development, the start of the book was only ok. 

It was not until the later part of the books when I had gotten to know the characters and when the mystery aspect of the plot gained momentum that I became engrossed in the story. From that point, I couldn’t put it down. But admittedly, that point did not come until well after the halfway mark. The bottom line is that this is still a serviceable paranormal mystery even if it isn’t my favorite by St. James. And although The Haunting of Maddy Clare was not as enjoyable as her other books, I am not the least discouraged since it is clear that her writing has greatly improved since then!


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

After taking a job assisting a ghost hunter, 1920s Englishwoman Sarah Piper becomes caught up in researching a girl named Maddy Clare who committed suicide in a barn and whose spirit is very real, extremely powerful and bent on vengeance. (historical fiction).

Kristen Claiborn

I absolutely loved this book! St. James does such a good job of combining historical romance, murder mystery, and ghost story. This story's ghost does such a good job of interacting effectively with the "alive" characters that it was almost forgettable that she wasn't one of them.

Not my favorite Simone St. James(too much romance for me), but I liked the spooky vibes.

Cheri McElroy


Not my favorite Simone St. James(too much romance for me), but I liked the spooky vibes.

Moon of Pages

4,25 stars!!

Simone St.. James is becoming a new favorite author of mine.

It was very atmospheric and creepy. I think it just got bogged down in the romantic subplot. It started with almost a Sherlock Holmes or Doctor Who type of vibe, with the protagonist drawn into a new job by someone who not only loves his work but could be considered an expert on it. It just lost it by the end with the forced love story.

It was okay but it definitely could have been better.

Anastaciya

I liked this book and I'm feeling generous, so 4 stars. That's a real ghost story, nice and spooky; the writing is good, the ending is satisfying. Couldn't ask for more.

Jana Pashovska

A dark and tragic gothic ghost story, perhaps a bit clichè but thoroughly mesmerising from start to finish, with good characters, a good plot-line and good writing style, making it a perfect choice for my short "break" from reading classics.

Hunty

Erin Goss

Tayler Wright

Kristina Sanders

Ellie Vail

jenn kause

After taking a job assisting a ghost hunter, 1920s Englishwoman Sarah Piper becomes caught up in researching a girl named Maddy Clare who committed suicide in a barn and whose spirit is very real, extremely powerful and bent on vengeance. Original. 35,000 first printing.

The Haunting of Maddy Clare

Reviews