The Touch of Ghosts

View other editions of The Touch of Ghosts.
View books by John Rickards.

Not very good - Rated
A disappointing book whose ending (including the so-called twist) was obvious right from the outset. As well as the almost unlimited access the amateur main character is given by the police and other authorities (as pointed out by other reviewers), the plot clunked along with characters doing whatever was required of them, however unlikely, to serve it. I mean, why does the killer phone the main character at the end? Why? It would never happen. The main character's reaction to the death that starts the plot is equally unbelievable. He puts off following obvious leads because he 'just can't face it' when really it is obviously done to create false tension. I only finished this book because I was on holiday and it was the last book I had. I certainly shan't be reading any more books by this author.

slow moving and very contrived - Rated
This is the first book I have read by this author and as pointed out by another reviewer the kind of spooky sub-plot - became just that - kind of; because nothing happened with it. I found the pace slow and lead character dull and it just didn't get off the ground for me at all. It's also a little disconcerting to think that some bloke can turn up, gain a little sympathy and be allowed access to information, crime scenes, stakeouts and whatever else he wants to go to.

Whilst I understand the need for the lead character to become involved in the murder hunt I felt no passion or desire. Perhaps it was just a little too deep for me and would suit someone who enjoys a slower pace of book with no sparks.

Touch Of Ghosts - Rated
I thought this was a good book, particularly from a new author. I haven't read his first book, but if this is anything to go by, I will do.
Touch of Ghosts had me hanging on not wanting to put it down when I new I had to turn in for the night and had a decent unusual twist at the end...

Disappointing - Rated
I started this book with high expectations, and finished it wishing I'd read something else.

The story follows Private Investigator Alex Rouke as he tries to find those responsible for killing the woman he loves. It's a very unexciting and unoriginal crime thriller.

I actually found myself getting increasingly irritated by this book. Half of it seems to have no relevance to the plot whatsoever, it's almost as if the author felt he needed to bulk it out a bit. Several of the suspects seem to be plucked out of thin air, there's a spooky sub-plot - or at least you think it's a sub-plot - that is never explained, not that that matters because the author seems to completely forget about it anyway. Even more annoying was the willingness of EVERYBODY (including police, doctors, suspects' girlfriends...) to give Alex all the confidential information he requires. Alex isn't exactly piecing together a great mystery here. The ending was pretty obvious from the start.

Suffice to say, I wouldn't recommend it.

A gripping tale from an accomplished author. - Rated
Alex Rourke is believable and human. In this second book he finds himself in a bleak landscape with a murder and a disappearance to solve. The atmosphere is terrific and so is the pace. I couldn't put it down. also, the ending, unlike so many crime novels, is utterly surprising yet not merely conjured up as an afterthought. A writer to watch.