I have "read" this book as an audiobook. Thanks to the audiobook, i was able to finish the book on my commute to and from work, something I would have never accomplished in traditional book.
The author had good reviews and i understand that cozy mysteries are not everyones thing. This is the second audiobook from this author i listened too. The first one was the start of a new series and a bit sluggish and jumping back and forth.So i chose the first book of an established series. Again, good reviews. How that book got good reviews is beyond me.

The main character Abby had no depth. The story line interesting enough given the history of the area. Abby, a teacher, was oblivious to so many things. And as in the previous book i listened to, the author jumped around in the story and the characters jumping to conclusions that kept me rolling my eyes more often than not.

Do yourself a favor and dont read it or read the jacket insert, that should be summing up the book without the need to go into boring details. ( )

The author did a good job on the characterization of the boyfriend. That was the best part of the book. I had a problem suspending belief about the boyfriend’s work situation in that he has only male coworkers. If this was set a few decades ago, that would be more realistic. The main character’s decision-making and behavior doesn’t make sense for the 21st century. It’s not a mystery. It is closest to a romance. ( )

I was caught by the premise of the book: a woman moves to New England because of her boyfriend's new job, and when Abby is out doing a historic homes tour, she starts seeing ghosts. The ghosts seem to be telling her about something that happened long ago, and Abby is determined to figure out the mystery that the past holds. Abby teams up with Ned, a history hobbyist who can guide her through the deep layers of time connected to the New England locales around her, and who also happens to believe that what she's seeing is real.

It sounds fun, right? A girl suddenly learns she has the gift of seeing ghosts, and has to use her power to solve an ancient mystery. Unfortunately, the premise is the most exciting part of this book. I started getting worried when Abby sees her first "ghosts". They are not spooky or supernatural at all. It's more like she's seeing a scene out of history. As the novel progresses, the characters themselves acknowledge that it's not really ghosts, but more like emotional or psychic imprints of moments with strong feelings that have been implanted on places and objects. Abby makes it a point to discuss how the ghost sightings aren't scary at all, and this comes up multiple times in the book. The reason I pick up a mystery with ghosts is because I want a scare. Sure, some good ghost stories can have good ghosts and bad ghosts, but we want the creepy ghosts! They add suspense and excitement. Reading a ghost story without any real ghosts is a disappointment. I ended up feeling like I was reading a dressed up history text book. It was boring. They don't even figure out the historical "mystery" that they're pursuing by the end of the novel. I assume that it will be continued in the next book in the series, but I won't be along for the read to find out.

In addition to my disappointment about the ghosts, I never felt connected to the characters. Abby and Ned are nice enough, but we need more flaws, more fears, and more chemistry to develop feelings for them. The most interesting part of the story was Abby's disintegrating relationship with her boyfriend. Even then, he was a total jerk, and there was never any conflict about Abby's decision to leave him. That was gratifying, because I like seeing an awful partner get what's coming to him, but it wasn't surprising and it wasn't that emotional. More of an "about time" feeling. Abby's connection to Ned, on the other hand, was completely empty in the romance category. She never once mentioned viewing him as attractive or sexy. Then they touch, and a weird mystical connection occurs, and suddenly they're all over each other. It just didn't work for me. Big history enthusiasts might enjoy this read, despite its flaws, but there are far better mysteries and ghost stories to pursue. ( )

After finishing this audio book, I mulled this review over for an entire day before writing it. I wasn't quite sure what to say. I read a lot of books every year and review each one. It's a given that occasionally I'm going to run across a book or series that just isn't for me.

I did not enjoy this book. That doesn't mean it isn't a good book or that I feel nobody should read it. The story and the characters were just not what I enjoy. And I'm going to explain why.

The plot seemed muted. Abby Kimbrell moves to New England with her boyfriend....and starts seeing dead people. She has strange visions of long-dead families and feels their emotions about family tragedies. She isn't afraid of them....there is no interaction with the dead. She just sees them. The only emotion felt by Abby seems to be the recycling emotions of these long-deceased people. Instead of being suspenseful and exciting....the episodes got repetitive and even boring. The paranormal incidents followed by research at the library just never gelled into a compelling plot for me. I get that genealogy was meant to be the focus of the plot line, but it just had no umph to it. It dragged along for me with really no direction.

The main character spent most of the book whining about her obviously bad relationship. The boyfriend character was little more than a caricature of a self-centered jerk to move the plot towards Abby finding her strength to change her life. But really -- Abby showed no emotional investment in Brad. She showed no interest in meeting his friends. She showed little interest in doing anything with him -- never wanted to join in on his activities or relationships. She did a lot of whining about his lack of interest in her and what she enjoys -- while she showed little interest in him either. Toxic relationship for both of them. Brad is a flat, undeveloped male character.....whose only purpose is to antagonize the main character. Bleck.

The writing itself is not bad. The story just never developed into anything compelling or suspenseful. Emily Durante gave a great performance as narrator. Her skilled reading kept me listening to the entire book, even when the plot really wasn't totally engaging me.

This series is just not for me. Others might read it and enjoy the premise, the characters and the plot. But I'm stopping my reading of this series at book one. So many books....limited time. I'm sticking to things that work for me. I have three other series by this author on my to-read shelves....and I'm going to try her other books. I have heard great things about Sheila Connolly's Museum, Orchard and County Cork cozy mysteries. Moving on..... ( )

Shy Abby and her self-centered boyfriend Brad move to New England. He is overly busy at work and at leisure with his new co-workers. Abby, more or less on her own, decides to visit some historical homes, and thus begins a new chapter in her life. Now enters Ned, who rescues and calms her, after Abby witnesses her first vision of ghosts. Ned encourages her delving into her own past, and is in the wings, ready to come to her aid time and again. First in a series, this novel has interesting characters as well as an intriguing plot. But it is not a mystery in the tradition sense, and really, it is pretty easy to guess how the book will end. Still, it is a good beginning for what promises to be an entertaining series, if you like ghosts. ( )