Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (Ghost Hunter Mysteries, No. 5) Review

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(More customer reviews)...to downgrade this book. I really love Laurie's books, and this one was still enjoyable. But in working overtime to convey the menace of the phantom, all her characters seem to have completely taken leave of their usually acute intelligences. It's hard to describe this without major plot spoilers -- what I CAN say is that in a "paranormal mystery," you still have to use standard investigative techniques, and you have to use them thoroughly and consistently. There are such big holes in this aspect of the plot that I'm surprised the book doesn't fall into a vortex and devour itself.
The other problem is Gilley. Some reviewers are complaining about gay stereotyping. To me, the problem is more that he is being portrayed as completely unhinged. Any ONE of his neuroses could be used for character development. OK, maybe not screaming in panic because of TALKING ANIMALS ON TV???!! Best ditch that one altogether. As it now stands, though, he has no character EXCEPT for neuroses AND he no longer shows any charming or redeeming characteristics. Even worse, M.J. is starting to sound like a 5-year-old herself whenever she deals with him. Earlier in the series, I thought Laurie might have been inspired by Dill (in To Kill A Mockingbird -- that character having been inspired by Truman Capote). Gilley, however, has become not a person at all, but a collection of diagnostic indicators.
In terms of writing skill, these are actually fairly minor fixes that I think Laurie has more than enough talent to make -- and I hope she will. When she's plotting tightly and writing well, she's an absolute joy to read.

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When M.J. Holliday and the crew of her cable TV show, Ghoul Getters, venture to the haunted ruins of Dunlow Castle in Ireland, drawn by the legend of hidden treasure, they hope the road will rise up to meet them, that the wind will always be at their backs-and that the resident phantom won't push them off a cliff. If they treasure their lives, M.J. and her ghost busters need to get the drop on the menacing phantom...

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