The Ghost Files

This is an incredible story and I loved it. The intricacies of the storyline are simply amazing. I loved the whole ghost interaction and Dan is a great character. Our Mattie certainly has to figure out her life and abilities doesn’t she?!

Please be aware that this review will likely contain spoilers.I would probably be more inclined to give this 3.5 stars if half stars were possible. It was a good enough read that I went through it in one sitting, but it wasn't mind blowing. I will say that first person, present tense is usually not for me. I find it hard to get into and generally just distracting. I was ten pages into this story before I realized it was first person present. Most of the time I forgot, though there were moments I was sort of startled by the present tense suddenly becoming overpowering. Still, I enjoyed it far more than I usually enjoy this point of view and that was due to the author's careful prose avoiding giving me a list of events rather than showing me a story.What I liked about the book was, primarily, the set up of the initial chapters and the staging of the mystery to come. I also did enjoy the author's writing style, which was consistent throughout. The main character is a flawed young woman but for the most part the author avoids the pitfall of trying to justify her flaws. Mattie admits that she can be mean, snarky and bratty. Other characters do as well and while several people like her in spite of those flaws, few act as though her brattiness is cute or endearing when it is aimed at them.What I didn't like is that it feels like several plots are dropped halfway through with only halfhearted efforts to tie off loose ends. Sally is the catalyst for much of what happens but she is largely forgotten through a large portion of the book, as Mary take precedence. Sally's wrap up feels rushed and unsatisfying. Likewise, I disliked how the situation with Mattie's boyfriend is just dropped. He seems like a nice guy, and is never shown in a bad light but after he's taken aback by Mattie abruptly punching someone in the nose, she seems to forget him entirely within a few hours. That might be typical of some teenage girls (though definitely not all), but it made for a really unsatisfying end to that relationship. Perhaps the author meant to tie up that loose end in the next book, but I felt that after seeing this guy be so patient and nice, the reader deserved some closure there.It also felt incredibly unrealistic how, after he seemed vaguely upset about her punching someone--but more justifiably upset and jealous that she was repeatedly ignoring him in favor of another attractive guy--Mattie seemed to find every single guy she met after him "cute". She seemed to have an attraction to Dan, sure. They actually had a decent build up to their attraction to each other--and it always seemed to teeter between platonic and romantic. But Mason? She met the guy, thought he was cute...super cute even. She mentioned several times how she totally connected with him. They spent several pages flirting with each other, then all mention of him ceased. Then suddenly she is attracted to the angsty ghost, Eric. To the point she felt fluttery thinking about how well they could have worked, and silly for hankering after a ghost. And this was over the course of maybe 24 hours? I really hated seeing her flip flop between guys when it seemed blatantly out of character for someone with "trust issues."There were also a couple of side episodes that seemed unnecessary and very plot devicey--the incident with the snake, and even the meeting with the parapsychologist (the entire point of which seemed to be a pages long info-dump).The climax of the book held a twist I knew was coming, but was curious to see how the author would work out. She did not hold back when it came to brutally torturing the main character and definitely leaving her scarred both physically and mentally. I didn't feel like she copped out in that regard at all. Still, I found the latter half of the book less entertaining due to character inconsistencies with Mattie, and her weird attraction to all these random guys being thrust in my face constantly. I didn't entirely like how Eric so quickly went from a terrifying apparition, to the poor ghost boy the MC could never be with.Overall, it was not a bad book. The latter half was bogged down by plot and characterization issues that could have been avoided. But by then, I was invested enough that I kept reading through to the end anyway. I'm not sure I'd be interested in reading more of the series because it seems like the juvenile relationship drama may continue to hog the spotlight and I feel that Mattie, as a character, shines brightest when she's not ogling the most recent guy (Human or ghost) to catch her eye.

Literally the only issue I had was that everyone had blue eyes. It made no sense. Entertaining read. I recommend.

Wow! This book was far better than I could have imagined! Well done April Baker. Thank you for the great read and entertainment. BTW. I don't think you are crazy, you just have a great talent and vivid imagination!

The book started out suspenseful and had twisty times. Very good descriptions of the characters so I could visualize them. The ending had me say what? I would recommend book. Looking for next one to answer my what?

This is a hair raising, gore filled ghost haunting well written book. That is sure to please, it kept me up til all hours of the wee night. It keeps you guessing all the way to the end.

This review was originally posted on my blog at:[...]The Ghost Files Cherry blossom lipstick: check Smokey eyes: check Skinny jeans: check Dead kid in the mirror: check. For sixteen year old Mattie Hathaway, this is her normal everyday routine. She’s been able to see ghosts since her mother tried to murder her when she was five years old. No way does she want anyone to know she can talk to spooks. Being a foster kid is hard enough without being labeled a freak too. Normally, she just ignores the ghosts and they go away. That is until she see’s the ghost of her foster sister… Sally. Everyone thinks Sally’s just another runaway, but Mattie knows the truth—she’s dead. Murdered. Mattie feels like she has to help Sally, but she can’t do it alone. Against her better judgment, she teams up with a young policeman, Officer Dan, and together they set out to discover the real truth behind Sally’s disappearance. Only to find out she’s dealing with a much bigger problem, a serial killer, and she may be the next victim… Will Mattie be able to find out the truth before the killer finds her? (Copy and pasted from Amazon.com)Let me start by saying that I have an unusual obsession with the paranormal so I am always looking for cool and unique books that deal with the paranormal. When I first read the description for The Ghost Files I have to admit I thought it was a bit cheesy sounding, but hey it was a free ebook from Amazon so why not? Besides if I didn't like it I could always delete it with no money out of my pocket, plus I really liked the cover. I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover, but in this case it paid off.After I started reading I have to admit that I got hooked really quick and couldn't put it down. I took my Kindle everywhere with me so I didn't have to stop reading. The first thing that got me about this book is the plot and the twists that I never saw coming. I have always been a big believer in ghosts and the take that this book took on them and being able to commune with them was very interesting and got me thinking about what could really be possible. The lead is a girl in foster care, she is strong and relate-able (for a girl her age), this lead character gives you a look into foster care. This look into the foster care system is one that I am not familiar with but would love to know more about.Apryl Baker was amazingly descriptive in some parts that you actually felt as if you were there experiencing what Mattie was experiencing right there with her. Also on the flip side of that there were parts of the story that begged for more detail but none was given leaving those parts a little lacking and a little disappointing.All in all I would give this book four stars and would recommend to anybody who likes books about the paranormal, YA book lovers, and mystery book lovers.About The Author:Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama you were seen kissing a particular boy on a particular day just a little too long. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters. For more about Apryl Baker check out one of these sites:[...][...][....][...]

It's actually interesting.

For a FREE read it is well worth readingOk this book probably wouldn't earn a 5* rating if it was a serious contender for Crime and Paranormal fiction. But for a YA read that features crime, ghosts and a hint of romance - it's decent.I read this during the night (my boyfriend was away on business) and I actually had to sleep with the lights on ;-)There are plot holes, clichés, factual errors, and also the omnipresent Officer Dan appears to appear everywhere Mattie is. However, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book - plus it's free so who cares.----------------------------------------------Characters:Mattie Louise Hathaway: 16yo, ghost-interacting heroine extraordinaire who is proficient with a fist, bratty, extrovert/ confident, a tad angst-y and apathetic, sarcastic (occasionally irritating), tries too hard to be the jaded-"I'm-so-cool" bada$$, however, also a sweet kid who has suffered sufficient trauma to warrant a lack of trust with the system and people (not to mention being vulnerable to attacks from the living and dead).Some of the things she stays is pretty nafff (although I imagine the author was going for profound and sophisticated) like "trust must earned Officer Dan" blah blah.She also appears to have almost every young male within eye-contact vicinity in lust or in love with her (her best friend's boyfriend Tommy, Jake her kind-of-boyfriend, Dan, Dan's friend Mason and even the ghosts aren't exempt from becoming infatuated with her stunning good-looks and riveting personality e.g. Eric Cameron).Officer Dan Richards: or Officer Dan (as Mattie *sarcastically* calls him) is a 20yo rookie (newly recruited) police officer and university student (studying forensic sciences), plays in a rock band and has a bimbo girlfriend (whom Mattie detests). I'm hoping he and Mattie eventually end up together but we shall see what happens when she's no longer "jailbait". I won't say too much about him as it'll give away too much of the story. He's the only person to be aware of Mattie's ghost-interaction abilities (although later on there is a Doc - but he's an expert not really a "friend").Supporting CharactersJake Owens: 18yo jock at Mattie's school, totally hot and her boyfriend. A very nice guy, however, he fizzles out towards the end (he's just too nice for Mattie). Unaware of Mattie's crime fighting and ghost actives (although he does visit her in hospital)Megan: 16yo rich girl (daddy is the Mayor) and Mattie's best friend. Makes a few appearances in the book. Unaware of Mattie's crime fighting and ghost actives (she doesn't even visit her in hospital).Tommy: 18 yo pervert and Magana's boyfriend. Has a roving eye and also has a thing for Mattie (this however afflicts most young men). Mattie detests him. Not much else going for him in this book.Eric Cameron: 17yo ghost who appears to have a thing for Mattie (no surprise there, seems to be a running theme).The Olsen: are Mattie's foster parents.Sally: is Mattie's foster sister whom she sees as a ghost gloating about with a bullet hole in her head which commences Mattie's crime-fighting and ghost-interacting activities.-----------------------------------------------PlotDecent plot, fast-paced enough to be interesting, but also rather erratic at times. Like researching ghosts suddenly after all these years of experiencing sightings was rather too convenient - I appreciate she did it because her murdered foster sister was making ghostly appearances but surely one would expect her to be a tad interested prior to that?Disenfranchised after a series of foster homes and abuse isn't a new theme and rather stereotypical of the Foster Care system, but the author manages to execute it without it turning into a tearjerker.There are plot holes, and the manner in which Mattie suddenly decides to trust Dan with her secrets seemed to quick and random. Something a but more meaningful (like him saving her or having met her previously and committed a good deed that she remembered years later) would have sufficed to bring some clarity as to her sudden confession.

Excellent read and the surprise at the end wow wasn't expecting that can't wait to read the next one x

"Ghost Files" a spooky thrill- ride begins when sixteen year old Mattie Hathaway a foster kid after her drug- addicted mother tries to murder her at five years of age, sees the apparition of her foster sister Sally at a party she's attending with her boyfriend Jake Owens. Bound, gagged and with a bullet hole in her head, Mattie knows that Sally's been murdered even though the police report has her disappearance classified as a runaway. Mattie with the help of rookie policeman Officer Dan Richards is determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearance only to discover that she could be the next victim of a serial killer.Apryl Baker sets the stage with Mattie Hathaway a teen who winds up in foster care after her heroin addicted mother tries to kill her. Abused in some of the foster homes where she`s stayed, Mattie has quickly learns not only to defend herself and keep people at arm's length, but to ignore the bloody apparitions looking for help. Cleverly the author touches on the dangers that lie in some foster care homes as well the damage a drug addicted parent can inflict on a child in a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.The plot heats up when Mattie is visited by the bloody ghost of her foster sister Sally who's believed to be a runaway after the police's slipshod investigation of her disappearance. Suspecting that the ghosts of several murdered children who harass her are connected to the same crime, Mattie and Officer Dan are swept up in a search for the truth and she realizes that she can be hurt by the dark anger of Shades; discovers a pathway to the In-Between; and is wrapped up in the deadly coils of a boa constrictor.The action never stops in a frighteningly real and chilling murder investigation that has Mattie uncovering her responsibilities to the ghostly spectres and searching for clues to the killer while being drawn to the protective officer and learning to accept his failings. The intensity and suspense quickly builds when she`s captured and tortured only to have her ghostly visitors help her in an unusual way.Apryl Baker has created characters that are complex, dynamic and powerful, like Mattie Hathaway who's a cocky, tough, sarcastic smart-ass because of the hostile environments she's had to adapt to. Feisty, feeling unwanted and highly suspicious she finds it strange that she quickly cares for and feels comfortable with Dan Richards who's dependable, honest and stands by her even when she tries to shove him away. Her high school boyfriend, good-looking, athletic Jake Owens is kind, patient and non-judgmental until her scuffle with obnoxious Tommy James. Even though Jake knows Mattie loves being with him, he becomes jealous when she spends time with Dan."Ghost Files" is a thoroughly mesmerizing story with its ghostly spectres and a murder mystery with a twist at the end. I look forward to reading the next ghostly file to see what happens next to Mattie and her friends.

Overall the narrative is very good and engrossing. The protagonist is Mattie Hathaway who sees ghosts, and based on this storyline the story evolves. It gets spookier when she has to communicate with the ghosts in order to find her friend Sally who is missing and is presumably dead. The pace of the novel is good, thus keeping the intrigue factor alive. However, more attention should be paid to grammar and syntax.Additionally, Mattie's behaviour is sometimes conflicting where her love life is concerned, and also with Officer Dan with whom she is sometimes friends and at other times not-so-friendly. Breaking up with her boyfriend for a silly reason does not go down well, when she is the one who keeps secrets from him. Mattie is also portrayed as a convincing liar who also uses swearwords or alternative swearwords which are even more offending than actually using swearwords. Mattie can defend herself very well and can bring down a man thrice her size, but in climax at the end when she has to get away from the killer woman, Mrs. Olson, she cannot do much. Okay, admitted, she is injured but still... During the whole novel, Mattie is portrayed as brave but where does all the bravery go when the reader expects at least some of it to show.Officer Dan's character is not that strong either. Does he not have any other case besides Mattie's wherein he has to figure out what happened to Sally and the others? And why is not any other cop involved in Mattie's case since Officer Dan is very new on the job (just few weeks)? Officer Dan does not seem cop-like. He never returns Mattie's calls but somehow he is always around Mattie in public places when she is out with her friends.The guys in the novel (Jake, Officer Dan, Tommy, Mason, and the ghost Eric) are all attracted to Mattie and Mattie feels the same attraction towards them all except Tommy. Now how can that be? How can one fall in and out of love so easily? Some things like these in the narrative are hard to digest but overall the author has done a great job with the narrative on the whole. Will I read another novel by the same author? Yes, I was captivated by the narrative and how the story evolved. I recommend reading the novel.