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The Haunting of Maddy Clare
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist a ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis-rich, handsome, scarred by World War I, and obsessed with ghosts- has been summoned to investigate the spirit of nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is haunting the barn where she committed suicide. Since Maddy hated men in life, it is Sarah's task to confront her in death. Soon Sarah is caught up in a deperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Can Sarah and Alistair's assistant, the rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, discover who Maddy was, whereshe came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance-before she destroys them all? Winner of two RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America and the Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada
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jackilynn
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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That's a wrap on book 1 for #readyourkindle #readyourebooks.

And now on to the next one....maybe 🤔🤷‍♀️📚

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SomedayAlmost
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

As suspense, the book was disappointing in the middle. The romantic subplot gets a bit over the top, and I think the narration of the audiobook exacerbated that. The first third and the final third are well-written and suspenseful. Exciting ending. Preferred this author‘s previous book in paperback.

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SomedayAlmost
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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At chapter 19, I am feeling a little tired of the romantic subplot. Get back to the ghosts & the other crimes (no spoilers), Sarah & Matthew! The Broken Girls was one of my favorite reads this year, so my expectations were high…. #historicalfiction #audiobooks

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SomedayAlmost
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Am listening. #audiobooks

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Gissy
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Last book completed during the month of October. Read for AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

I liked it but not loved the story. The story behind why these places were haunted, was a sad one, terrible. The main character seems so unreal sometimes too naive🙄There is some romance, but also some triggers, dysfunctional relationships and sexual assault. 3.5 ⭐️

#20in4 Readathon @Andrew65
October #BookSpinBingo (#7) @the AromaOfBboks

bthegood love the mug - looks like you read a lot of good books for the month of October! 5mo
Gissy @bthegood Spooky reading month 👻 I need to add to a couple of books in this genre to my monthly tbr. I realized I have a big stack of that genre and books with fall vibes. Let‘s see...too many books....to little time... (edited) 5mo
bthegood @Gissy 😂 👍 5mo
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 She write such great books. 5mo
55 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Soubhiville Yay! 5mo
Read4life 🍁👻🎃 5mo
42 likes2 comments
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hes7
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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“Soon, Sarah is caught up in a desperate struggle. For Maddy‘s ghost is no hoax—she‘s real, she‘s angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Now, Sarah and Matthew must discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance—before she destroys them all....”

#haunt #scarathlon #blackcatcrew

BookwormAHN Fantastic 🐈‍⬛️ 5mo
50 likes1 comment
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Jas16
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

The mystery not have been very mysterious and the romance not very romantic but I enjoyed every moment reading this book. The ghost was the perfect amount of creepy for me (not overly scary) and I love a character finding their sense of self worth. #authoramonth

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Andrew65
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Set shortly after the First World War, where an innocent girl is thrown into the world of ghosts that she has an eerie talent for. She must try to release a ghost and to do this must find out more about Mandy‘s life and the shocking events that happened to her. Another very good read for #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

A lowly 1630 word search points #Scarathlon

AnnR Sounds like a good one, despite the word search count. 5mo
Andrew65 @AnnR Yes a good read but you‘d think a ghost book would get more points. They found every way possible to avoid saying the word ghost 😂👻 5mo
See All 8 Comments
AnnR @Andrew65 😁😂😃 Good point! At least it looks like your internet service is working okay today. 👍 5mo
Read4life 🍁👻🎃 5mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🦇🧡 5mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 5mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5mo
56 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Susanita
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Compelling ghost story with a bit of romance. Set in post WWI England among characters who all carry some trauma from the war or otherwise. Suspend your disbelief for supernatural activity. Not my typical genre but I enjoyed it. #authoramonth

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BarkingMadRead
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Starting my #authoramonth book tonight

Bklover Oh thank you! I forgot all about #aam with all my creepy books and #buddyreads 6mo
58 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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Pickpick

Sarah accepts a temp job not knowing she‘ll be expected to talk to ghosts. Turns out, she‘s quite capable, finding herself helping to solve a town‘s dark secrets under dangerous circumstances. A compelling story with nonstop propulsive action, & some steamy parts, it‘s a fast good read. I‘d happily read more from this author. Probably my fave book for #authoramonth so far this year. #scarathlon #batbrigade

DeeLew I‘ve had this book for over a year and haven‘t read it yet. I think I need to move it up on my TBR! 6mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Broken Girls by same author was really good! 6mo
Soubhiville Oh good! Glad you liked it so much! 6mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🦇🧡 6mo
60 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Susanita
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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1. I like the idea of pumpkin spice coffee better than the taste of it, so I guess I‘ll go with dessert.
2. I‘m not a big fan of spooky stories, but I‘m enjoying the tagged book.
#two4tuesday

TheSpineView Thanks for playing 🧡🎃📖 6mo
squirrelbrain Thank you for my voucher Suzanne; it just arrived! 😘 6mo
29 likes3 comments
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Nessavamusic
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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37 likes1 stack add
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Gissy
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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#Scarathlon photo challenge day 10

#orange Yes you guessed correctly, books that I want to read. When? 🤷🏽‍♀️These books has a shade of orange color in their covers or spine.

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Liatrek
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick
dabbe Hello there, gorgeous kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
TheDaysGoBy Adorable kitty! 6mo
Nessavamusic Cute kitty, great book! 6mo
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Texreader I just finished it today too and I agree!! 6mo
Leftcoastzen 👏😻 6mo
GondorGirl I'm reading this right now! 6mo
79 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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GondorGirl
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Doing the spooky reading thing tonight. 🎃

dabbe Sheer awesomeness. 🧡🎃🧡 6mo
46 likes1 comment
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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Aaargh! It‘s the sentence no decent writer or editor would let appear in a book anymore it being so overused: “I let out a breath I had not realized I had been holding.”

I read the same line in Operation Nicaragua last night, and thought: “Amateur!” But shouldn‘t St James know better?

#batbrigade scarathlon #authoramonth

Catsandbooks Always holding their breath...🙄 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 6mo
Bookzombie Maybe, but I think this was her first book. It was originally published in 2012. 6mo
52 likes2 comments
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Deblovestoread
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Sounds like there maybe a lot of ghosts in this story with a handsome ghost hunter.

#Scarathlon #Ghost #BatBrigade

@Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks 🖤👻🧡 6mo
41 likes1 comment
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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I need help with British pronunciation. How does one pronounce “Falmouth”? I‘m reading it like “Foul Mouth.” Surely that can‘t be right??

#authoramonth #scarathlon #batbrigade

Bookishgal71 It‘s Fal (rhymes with pal) muth (like us with a lisp) I think 6mo
Catsandbooks 😂 I would have been saying it the same as you! 6mo
Susanita I think the one in Virginia is pronounced the “British” way. 6mo
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Teresereading In Tasmania we say Fal-muth 6mo
Sapphire @Teresereading this is the way I have always heard it too 6mo
reading.rainb0w Lol I say Fail-Mooth. I am from Michigan though, so not sure if this helps 😆 6mo
42 likes6 comments
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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Tonight. Yes it‘s still in the 90s here and I‘m having hot chocolate. I‘m willing colder weather to arrive. #authoramonth #scarathlon #batbrigade

CSeydel That‘s the spirit! We had a lovely mild weekend but I died a little when I saw the forecast for 90 tomorrow 6mo
Catsandbooks I agree! I'm so ready for the cooler temps! 🤞🏼 6mo
dabbe @CSeydel Me, too! We're hitting TRIPLE digits again this weekend! 😒 6mo
Christy2318 I‘m anxiously awaiting the rain and cool front this weekend. I‘m ready to have soup and biscuits for dinner. 6mo
MatchlessMarie Thank you for your service I think it worked 😜 6mo
66 likes5 comments
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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I‘m excited to start this book tonight for #authoramonth

BarkingMadRead I‘ll be reading this as well!! 6mo
57 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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This one I had to set up. I didn‘t have as many orange books as i thought! #goclemson #autumnplease #photochallenge #scarathlon @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @LiseWorks #teamcryptkeepers

LiseWorks Nice 6mo
Eggs Lovely 🤗🧡🎃 6mo
40 likes2 comments
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Bookzombie
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Simone St. James is #aam for October. This is the first book I read by her and I really enjoyed it. I love this cover too!

@Soubhiville Tagging you in case you want to tag the #authoramonth crew. 🙂

See All 14 Comments
TheBookHippie Nothing she writes it bad! I‘ve read it all! 7mo
Bookzombie @TheBookHippie I agree! I have two from her backlist that I‘m saving for October. 🙂 7mo
dabbe Thanks for the tip! 🧡💜💛 7mo
SamAnne I‘m skipping this month but hope to joint on the next round! 7mo
AmyG I am skipping as I have read all her books. All are good! 7mo
Amiable Ooh, thanks! 7mo
Karisimo I think this is the only Simone StJames book I haven‘t read yet, so definitely will next month! 7mo
Bklover Yay!!! Thank you! 7mo
Andrew65 This is one I will be targeting. 7mo
61 likes2 stack adds14 comments
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Nessavamusic
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

A solid horror story that takes place post WW1. Our main character Sarah is called into what she seems is a typical temp job and it turns into unlocking the mystery of a angry ghost. There is also a romance that develops throughout the story. Definitely an entertaining quick read. 4⭐️
#doublespin pick done!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
52 likes1 comment
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Texreader
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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I didn‘t have a book by this author, and after doing some research I picked this one for #authoramonth in October (I plan ahead). @Soubhiville

Soubhiville I like to plan ahead too 😊. 1y
64 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Home alone while William is at drill 🇺🇸 so I decided to start organizing and wrapping Christmas presents for my book friends!

Check out your email #LitsyLove family!!

📚🎁🎉🍁📮📦

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CharismaRaven13
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Great Ghost Story! This book has it all, a raging ghost, strong female lead, a good plot, a bit of romance, and a who-done it! I highly recommend this for the spooky season! 5 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

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MaleficentBookDragon
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Thank you @Nessavamusic for this spooky #AHRS #AllHallowsReadSwap package! I‘m exciting fur the tagged book and the one you recommended sound great! I dove right into the Halloween mix and I am addicted to fun socks.

Nessavamusic Yay! I hope you enjoy everything! 🎃 1y
LeahBergen I really liked Maddy Clare. 👍 1y
51 likes2 comments
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Charityann
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this one! It is different than her other books I‘ve read, but it was still very good. Also my pick for “haunted”. #ominousoctober @egg @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #scarathlon #teamslaughter @Clwojick

IndoorDame Ooh, I read this one earlier in the month and loved it too! 1y
TheBookHippie @IndoorDame I believe this is her first novel it just rereleased with that cover. 1y
TheBookHippie I‘m just waiting on new books from her 😂 1y
46 likes3 comments
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Charityann
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Beautiful day today, and I went outside to read while drinking my apple crisp macchiato! 🍎☕️🎃📖🍂 Two more bucket list items crossed off my list!😄 #fallbucketlist #scarathlon #teamslaughter @Clwojick

5feet.of.fury Oooh perfect setup! 1y
44 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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DavidDiamond
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

Its 1922 and a young woman named Sarah Piper gets hired as an assistant to a ghost hunter investigating a haunting in an English village. The ghost named...yup...Maddy Clare committed suicide in real life & now is hell bent on vengeance. Its up to Sarah and the ghost hunting team to solve the mystery.

Not my favorite of St. James's books as the mystery wasn't that hard to figure out and the romantic interludes were too many and felt like filler.

kspenmoll Love your picture- and the book! 1y
DavidDiamond @kspenmoll Thank you!! 1y
25 likes2 comments
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TheBookHippie
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Every Simone book I read I try to find clues 💀👻🕵🏻
Never works 🙃

Later post CLUE #SCARATHON #TEAMSLAUGHTER

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bookishdawg
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

The *perfect* ghost story… even some steamy scenes to boot. Loved this one!

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Magpiegem
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

50/22 Yesterday in our very non autumnal October weather I finished my first book of #scarathlon #teammonstermash. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for a little while and I‘m so glad I got round to finally reading it (and making my book club read it too). I rarely read books set around the world wars, but it really added to the Depth of the characters. I found it a quick and compelling read and it did make me blush a few times too!

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IndoorDame
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

I completely adore Simon St. James! She‘s never disappointed me and I plan to read her entire catalog. This ghost story was properly spooky though simpler than some of her later mysteries. I have 2 more by her on my list this month.

53 likes1 stack add5 comments
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IndoorDame
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Listening to this spooky audiobook at night. #Scarathlon2022 #BucketList #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious

39 likes1 stack add
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eanderson
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Had a coupon for B&N and decided to treat myself for not buying a book last month outside of BOTM. I‘m excited about these! 😍

Cinfhen Well done 👍🏽 1y
TrishB Great haul 👍🏻 1y
Ncostell The Stationery Shop was a good one! I haven‘t read any of the others but they look good as well! 1y
EKonrad I always reward myself for not buying books by buying books. 😂 1y
41 likes4 comments
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Magpiegem
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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It was a dark and stormy night… so I stayed in with my book, super thick socks and cod & chorizo jambalaya. It has been Ill kid / birthday kid central here since the beginning of Oct so I‘ve been a bit quiet on Litsy. But fear not #teammonstermash I‘ve been quietly working behind the scenes stacking up points on reading and podcasts. Currently reading this as my first #scarathlon book which also works for todays #scarathlondailyprompts #ghost 👻

kspenmoll Love all books by this author! (edited) 1y
EvieBee That looks so good!! 1y
26 likes2 comments
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TamTracy
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

Kept my interest enough to know what happened but was also a little dull. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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TheRiehlDeal
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

With this being my first St. James book, I wasn‘t too impressed. Nothing really stood out to me or had a “wow” factor. I don‘t recall ever reading any ghost stories, so maybe I‘m being a little too over critical. 🤷‍♂️

3⭐️
8/5/22

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MelKelsey
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Book 81

I listened to The Haunting of Maddy Clare, a ghost story/mystery featuring World War I vets turned ghost hunters. I love books about hauntings! Even as a child they were some of my favorites. This novel is more focused on the mystery of the ghost, Maddy, as well as the ghost hunters themselves. Though it was well-done, it could have been more engaging with more likable, dynamic characters. 3.5 stars

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AmyG
Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St James
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1. I do.
2. To me, a “moody” book is one that has a vibe, a mood. I tend to like a darker mood or the mood of a specific time. I tagged a favorite “moody” author.
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

Tagging all who want to play.

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! Happy Tuesday! 2y
49 likes1 comment
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CBee
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Spooooooooky - perfect time of year for ghost stories! This plus Inquiry have so many parallels but to be honest, I‘m glad she branched out to other types of stories. I‘ve read four books of hers now, she‘s fantastic! ⭐️ 👻 🎃

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Kimbono
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Got my booster shot two days ago and it KNOCKED ME OUT. Waaaay more than the second dose. So, I‘ll spend most of today sitting in the backyard listening to this 😀

MicheleinPhilly I‘ll be eligible next weekend but I‘m trying to be strategic with my scheduling. 2y
Kimbono @MicheleinPhilly None of my friends had it as rough as I did and I hope it goes well for you! In the end, it‘s well worth it 😃 2y
16 likes2 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Today's #LittensDressedInBlood prompt is #Ghostbusters and this was the first book that came to mind.

Sarah takes a job helping ghost hunter Alistair remove the spirit of servant girl Maddy Clare from the barn where she committed suicide. Simone St James does creepy very well.

@MidnightBookGirl

MidnightBookGirl I own this on audio just haven‘t read it yet! 3y
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Although this debut isn't perfect, it delivered a really good ghost story. Our ghost is 19 year old Maddy Clare and she is haunting the barn on the property where this young servant girl found some refuge in her final years. Alistair is gaining notoriety as a ghost hunter and needs someone to assist him on the Maddy Clare job. Enter our heroine, Sarah Piper, a lonely gal trying to make a life for herself in post-WWI England. She takes the job⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick She takes the job and away we go! We meet Matthew, Alistair's gruff assistant, as well as some townsfolk who are definitely hiding something, and Mrs. Barry, who has some sort of connection to Alistair's past. The ghostly part of the story certainly provided some chills and the mystery behind the WHY of Maddy's hauntings is pretty well done despite a bit of an abrupt ending, but the unnecessary romantic sub-plot is where this struggles. ⬇️

3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick It started with some promise, but a few actions left this reader questioning the rationale behind their actions. I guess we know why St. James writes ghost stories and not romances. Overall, this is a pretty solid story and a good introduction to the author's work if you have yet to read her.

May review backlog #SundayBuddyRead @TheBookHippie and one of May's #bookspinbingo slots @TheAromaofBooks

3y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Allylu
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

Just finished the audiobook version of this book. I bought the physical book to read as part of the May #SundayBuddyRead, but alas, I couldn‘t keep up. I enjoyed the audiobook though. It was well-done, in my opinion. The characters voices fit them well. Kind of a sad story, but then these stories often are. #100YEARS100BOOKS #75 #BookSpinBingo #25 #BFC21 #TALESandTAILSforADULTS #2 #BUZZWORDATHON #AUDIOJUNE #2

TheBookHippie 🤍🤍🤍 3y
TheBookHippie Feel free to go back to the discussions a lot of people do 🤍 3y
Allylu @TheBookHippie I was thinking of doing that! 3y
26 likes4 comments
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DanaManiac
The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
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Mehso-so

3.75 ⭐️
This was a different kind of historical fiction read for me, but I would revisit paranormal/fantasy historical fiction in the future. The plot was very interesting and the mystery was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end. The romance subplot was bizarre, awkward and disturbing. I think that the book would have been better without it. I wouldn't really recommend this, but I'd consider one of her later works for sure!