Title: The Ghost Orchid: A Novel

Author: Carol Goodman

This was my first Carol Goodman book and I am sure that it will not be my last. The language, characters, and setting were so magical that I couldn’t help but be captivated. She has a way of telling a story within a story within a story without you getting lost or confused. 

As the story unfolds she reveals layer upon layer of mystery, much like the estate of Bosco, which first appears to be like just another house and garden when we first read about it. But then we discover the maze, the grotto, the tunnels, the cemetery, the secret peepholes, etc, and we realize that nothing is as straightforward and simple as we thought. Even time… past and present… is not static. The two stories entwine and overlap and we begin to see the patterns and parallels between them.

When a first-time novelist is invited to this upstate New York artists’ colony, she becomes convinced that the real story lies within the gardens and underground tunnels of the Bosco estate, where years before, a famous medium held a seance, which involved the disappearance the children who belonged to Bosco’s complex founder, Aurora Latham.  The young author learns while writing her story that she has a personal connection with the history of the estate and that she is not the only one.

 What I liked about it:

 I love stories that make me think and wonder about what the main character might discover or learn next. Carol Goodman’s writing kept me engaged the entire time. The way she went back and forth between the time periods was what constantly propelled me on in the story.

I found that I would get so involved with the storyline that I was reading, that when she changed gears to the parallel story I had to read on to get to the next chapter to see where the characters left off. Only to start the cycle over again with that newer storyline.

 I would have been happy to see it go on forever.

What I didn’t like about it:

 I have to be honest there is nothing that I didn’t like about this book. As a matter of fact, I even brought it to my Book club and only one person said they didn’t enjoy the book. I would call that a Win in recommendations! 

It is safe to say that I loved this book. I have read it several times and would completely recommend it to anyone that enjoys a Mystery that Spans several generations.

I give this book 5 Stars – *****

I hope that I get you to read this book with my recommendations!

Much love … Your favorite BookMistress,

Zen ❤