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The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird
A woman’s ability to see ghosts draws her into a journey of redemption and unexpected friendship in this unforgettable story from the acclaimed author of A Secret History of Witches.
Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.
In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.
For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.
Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.
In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.
For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2023
About the author
Louisa Morgan
6 books1,368 followersLouisa Morgan is the author of A Secret History of Witches, The Witch’s Kind, and The Age of Witches. She's looking forward to the publication of The Great Witch of Brittany in 2022!
Louisa is a yogini, a musician, a mom, and a dog lover. She lives in scenic Northern Idaho with her family and her spirit familiar, Oscar the Border Terrier. Visit her at www.louisamorgan.net.
Louisa is a yogini, a musician, a mom, and a dog lover. She lives in scenic Northern Idaho with her family and her spirit familiar, Oscar the Border Terrier. Visit her at www.louisamorgan.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
October 5, 2023
I picked this book up because I had read both A Secret History of Witches and The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan and enjoyed them both. This, to me, is the best yet!
Description:
Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.
In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.
For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.
My Thoughts:
The story is told from three points of view: Beatrice, Anne, and Anne's son Benjamin. The story moves between the present and past experiences of Beatric and Anne. Beatrice is a has the gift of "second sight" which allows her to see ghosts, but her gift becomes stronger to the point of overwhelming to her. She retreats to live on an island cutoff from everyone. Anne has traumatic experiences she is trying to escape and finds herself on the same island. When Beatrice and Anne are thrown together by circumstance, they each find strengths in each other to help them deal with their situations. This is a story of friendship and redemption - overcoming and dealing with difficult hurdles.
Thanks to Redhook Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 21, 2023.
Description:
Beatrice Bird is plagued by ghosts. It’s a gift she’s had since she was a small child. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that has grown more intense, shifting from flashes and feelings to physical manifestations she can’t escape.
In a desperate attempt for relief, Beatrice flees her home, her partner, and a psychology practice in San Francisco for a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company. She sees as few people as she possibly can. She doesn’t call home. Then she meets Anne Iredale, a timid woman who has lost everything that matters to her.
For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. The path to healing awaits both of them—if Beatrice can find the courage to take the first step.
My Thoughts:
The story is told from three points of view: Beatrice, Anne, and Anne's son Benjamin. The story moves between the present and past experiences of Beatric and Anne. Beatrice is a has the gift of "second sight" which allows her to see ghosts, but her gift becomes stronger to the point of overwhelming to her. She retreats to live on an island cutoff from everyone. Anne has traumatic experiences she is trying to escape and finds herself on the same island. When Beatrice and Anne are thrown together by circumstance, they each find strengths in each other to help them deal with their situations. This is a story of friendship and redemption - overcoming and dealing with difficult hurdles.
Thanks to Redhook Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 21, 2023.
December 27, 2023
Ahoy there mateys! Unpopular opinion time! This is a standalone book about Beatrice Bird who has second sight. It was the ghost angle that I was interested in the most. I really loved the beginning of the book and learning about Beatrice's childhood and life in San Francisco. When Beatrice's gift becomes too overwhelming, she moves to a small island to avoid others in an attempt to keep her sanity. When Anne, a traumatized woman shows up on the island, I found the book less compelling. Anne is a battered woman and while I could sympathize with her position, I didn't particularly like her storyline or the easily guessable mystery about her husband. I did love the nuns on the island. This was a pleasant read but ultimately the ghosts didn't make a ton of sense in how they worked. I do think the majority of readers would love this book though, even if it was just okay for me. Arrrr!
December 6, 2023
Beatrice Bird is a psychologist who after taking LSD starts seeing ‘ghosts’ around every person. She was always a bit ‘fey’ but now as she’s seeing these spirits everywhere it’s driving her nuts so she withdraws to a small cottage on an isolated island. Set mostly in the 1970s the story jumps around a bit in time and character point of view. Another strand of the story is Anne married to a judge, who is almost a caricature of a controlling violent husband and her five year old son. I enjoyed the story but there was something about it that didn’t work for me, too long maybe?too nice? set in a historical time but domestic violence is still with us so why not set it now? Not sure but I love the cover.
November 30, 2023
I loved this book! It was beautifully written and emotional. It is filled with mystery and vividly brought to life in such an atmospheric setting.
I adored how Anne and Beatrice came together to help pull each other out of the messes their lives had become. Mother Maggie was such a calming, supportive influence on both women's lives. She was an amazingly strong character.
This was definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year. I loved how it hit on so many tough subjects and showed the feminist movement at a critical time. When things were beginning to change but there was still so much work to be done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I adored how Anne and Beatrice came together to help pull each other out of the messes their lives had become. Mother Maggie was such a calming, supportive influence on both women's lives. She was an amazingly strong character.
This was definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year. I loved how it hit on so many tough subjects and showed the feminist movement at a critical time. When things were beginning to change but there was still so much work to be done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 27, 2023
This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum!
I received an ARC from Orbit in exchange for an honest review.
When I learned that a new Louisa Morgan book was coming in 2023, I got excited. I think it’s safe to say The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird was one of my most anticipated reads this year. The first novel I read from her was The Great Witch of Brittany in 2022, which I requested on a whim, without knowing anything about Morgan or her previous books. And even though I read it early in the year, it set a really high bar for anything coming after it – not surprisingly it landed on my top 10 reads, easily. I was hoping to catch up with her other books, but things didn’t go that way. Oh well. At least had her latest, and boy I’m so happy I did get my hands on a review copy. Morgan is definitely making her way on my favorite authors’ list and I have zero regrets about that.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is mostly set in 1977, with flashbacks into the past as we get to know Beatrice and Alice’s stories. Beatrice is in her late forties, has a PhD in psychiatry and she voluntarily left behind her life in San Francisco to live as a recluse on a small island where there is nothing but a small community run by nuns. She has a cottage with a view and a lonely life as she tries to have as few contacts with people as possible. Dr. Bird has a curious ability to see people’s ghosts as she calls them, and have feelings or rather intuitions into their lives and emotions. Throughout the book, we learn how her ability started and how it got so out of hand that she ended up closing herself off from everyone. Her peaceful life is disturbed when Anne shows up on the island, and Mother Maggie (a senior nun), asks Beatrice to shelter her for a night. Anne is in her early thirties, and quite clearly troubled. Beatrice can barely bear to be near her due to her oppressive and sorrowful ghosts. Their meeting starts a chain reaction of events which forms a bond between the two women.
I’ll not go into more details than that regarding the plot because I believe this is a book everyone has to experience for themselves. Morgan waves the plot masterfully, and though it’s not a book I would call fast-paced, there is not a moment that feels unnecessary or out of place. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird grabs you at the very first page and never lets you go. I could barely set it down, I was so invested in these ladies’ stories, and how it all would end. And even though I had hopes for the ending, I could never be sure what it might be, and that kept me on my toes. I don’t know what it is in Morgan’s writing that appeals to me, but at this point, I really don’t care what she is going to write about next, I will read anything she puts out. You know I don’t usually write gushing reviews, but I literally have no complaints whatsoever about The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird.
I loved the clever choice of time in which this book is set and the atmosphere Morgan created with the island life including the cows, the nuns, and everything. The way she was able to paint the scenes in simple ways that still felt very real, like you were right there with the characters. There are a lot of elements here that many people will be able to identify with. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is not an easy read though. Morgan touches upon a lot of hard topics, some are only mentioned, some are hinted at and some are explored more deeply. Such as child abuse, domestic abuse, mental health problems, societal issues (the roles of men (toxic masculinity!) and women within and without a relationship, people living together without marriage, and the effects of the summer of love among other things). But the focus is on relationships in general – we see a lot of examples of a toxic relationship but there is also a balance of a relationship where people are equals. There are examples of dysfunctional families, and also examples of how a parent-child relationship should be.
There were times when I could see myself in some of these character’s situations. I think I mostly identified with Anne when it came to her relationship with her parents. There is a scene where Anne mentions she visited the family of her friend on a holiday and how astonished she was to see a different type of family dynamics, and how it unsettled her. That got under my skin.
As for Beatrice, I could identify with her because of her well, let’s call it intuitions. I usually call it my sixth sense, and even though I don’t have anything like Beatrice, but I still tend to know things I have no explanation for. It’s pretty hard to surprise me because of that. I have a handful of stories, some that still dumbfounded me to this day. I’m not sure I myself believe in ghosts and spirits as I never had any experiences in that area, but I do believe in some people having unexplainable abilities. Maybe not on such an extreme level as Beatrice Bird, but still. I sure as hell don’t believe in coincidences.
The hardest parts of The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird to read are the ones that are written from Benjamin’s POV, who is Anne’s 5-year-old son. Boy, those cut deep. And after everything is said and done, it’s just impossible not to have some kind of emotional reaction to this book. It’s written with such precision and care to have the maximum effect, that nearly a day later of finishing it, I’m still under its spell. And I don’t think The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird will leave me anytime soon. I really hope that people will pick up this book and experience Louisa Morgan‘s genius.
I received an ARC from Orbit in exchange for an honest review.
“Beatrice was unused to isolation. She had chosen this loneliness, and it brought relief of a sort, but it was the kind of relief that comes from the cessation of pain. She was learning that the absence of pain left space for other discomforts, like the weight of unrelenting silence and the yearning for places and people she loved.”
When I learned that a new Louisa Morgan book was coming in 2023, I got excited. I think it’s safe to say The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird was one of my most anticipated reads this year. The first novel I read from her was The Great Witch of Brittany in 2022, which I requested on a whim, without knowing anything about Morgan or her previous books. And even though I read it early in the year, it set a really high bar for anything coming after it – not surprisingly it landed on my top 10 reads, easily. I was hoping to catch up with her other books, but things didn’t go that way. Oh well. At least had her latest, and boy I’m so happy I did get my hands on a review copy. Morgan is definitely making her way on my favorite authors’ list and I have zero regrets about that.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is mostly set in 1977, with flashbacks into the past as we get to know Beatrice and Alice’s stories. Beatrice is in her late forties, has a PhD in psychiatry and she voluntarily left behind her life in San Francisco to live as a recluse on a small island where there is nothing but a small community run by nuns. She has a cottage with a view and a lonely life as she tries to have as few contacts with people as possible. Dr. Bird has a curious ability to see people’s ghosts as she calls them, and have feelings or rather intuitions into their lives and emotions. Throughout the book, we learn how her ability started and how it got so out of hand that she ended up closing herself off from everyone. Her peaceful life is disturbed when Anne shows up on the island, and Mother Maggie (a senior nun), asks Beatrice to shelter her for a night. Anne is in her early thirties, and quite clearly troubled. Beatrice can barely bear to be near her due to her oppressive and sorrowful ghosts. Their meeting starts a chain reaction of events which forms a bond between the two women.
I’ll not go into more details than that regarding the plot because I believe this is a book everyone has to experience for themselves. Morgan waves the plot masterfully, and though it’s not a book I would call fast-paced, there is not a moment that feels unnecessary or out of place. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird grabs you at the very first page and never lets you go. I could barely set it down, I was so invested in these ladies’ stories, and how it all would end. And even though I had hopes for the ending, I could never be sure what it might be, and that kept me on my toes. I don’t know what it is in Morgan’s writing that appeals to me, but at this point, I really don’t care what she is going to write about next, I will read anything she puts out. You know I don’t usually write gushing reviews, but I literally have no complaints whatsoever about The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird.
I loved the clever choice of time in which this book is set and the atmosphere Morgan created with the island life including the cows, the nuns, and everything. The way she was able to paint the scenes in simple ways that still felt very real, like you were right there with the characters. There are a lot of elements here that many people will be able to identify with. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is not an easy read though. Morgan touches upon a lot of hard topics, some are only mentioned, some are hinted at and some are explored more deeply. Such as child abuse, domestic abuse, mental health problems, societal issues (the roles of men (toxic masculinity!) and women within and without a relationship, people living together without marriage, and the effects of the summer of love among other things). But the focus is on relationships in general – we see a lot of examples of a toxic relationship but there is also a balance of a relationship where people are equals. There are examples of dysfunctional families, and also examples of how a parent-child relationship should be.
There were times when I could see myself in some of these character’s situations. I think I mostly identified with Anne when it came to her relationship with her parents. There is a scene where Anne mentions she visited the family of her friend on a holiday and how astonished she was to see a different type of family dynamics, and how it unsettled her. That got under my skin.
“She, Anne Iredale, had buried her true self under layers of propriety and convention, and she had no idea how to exhume it.”
As for Beatrice, I could identify with her because of her well, let’s call it intuitions. I usually call it my sixth sense, and even though I don’t have anything like Beatrice, but I still tend to know things I have no explanation for. It’s pretty hard to surprise me because of that. I have a handful of stories, some that still dumbfounded me to this day. I’m not sure I myself believe in ghosts and spirits as I never had any experiences in that area, but I do believe in some people having unexplainable abilities. Maybe not on such an extreme level as Beatrice Bird, but still. I sure as hell don’t believe in coincidences.
The hardest parts of The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird to read are the ones that are written from Benjamin’s POV, who is Anne’s 5-year-old son. Boy, those cut deep. And after everything is said and done, it’s just impossible not to have some kind of emotional reaction to this book. It’s written with such precision and care to have the maximum effect, that nearly a day later of finishing it, I’m still under its spell. And I don’t think The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird will leave me anytime soon. I really hope that people will pick up this book and experience Louisa Morgan‘s genius.
January 21, 2024
A haunting and strange book about a woman named Beatrice Bird. She has the strange ability where she can see peoples ghosts. Although they are more like the emotional conglomeration of trauma and sadness that people have experienced. She moves from San Francisco to a small island to try and run away from seeing these ghosts.
She seems to be accomplishing this decently by avoiding most people. But then one day she meets Anne and things all start to unravel again or so she thinks. What actually ends up happening is the two women are able to finally start working out their trauma together and becoming all the stronger for it as they start to heal. A beautiful and sad story that pulls you in and will leave you haunted.
She seems to be accomplishing this decently by avoiding most people. But then one day she meets Anne and things all start to unravel again or so she thinks. What actually ends up happening is the two women are able to finally start working out their trauma together and becoming all the stronger for it as they start to heal. A beautiful and sad story that pulls you in and will leave you haunted.
March 19, 2024
Went into this not sure what to think. I’m a big fan of Louisa Morgan but also this one was sans witchery. I was hesitant.
I shouldn’t have been, though, because this is my favorite of her work so far. A gripping story with some family drama that usually makes me very uncomfortable but it had enough supernatural elements to make it good for me. Loved it.
I shouldn’t have been, though, because this is my favorite of her work so far. A gripping story with some family drama that usually makes me very uncomfortable but it had enough supernatural elements to make it good for me. Loved it.
November 26, 2023
This was a lovely, if terribly sad, book. Even with how sad it is, I found it almost impossible to put down because the writing is just so elegant and the story is engrossing.
It’s interesting how sometimes the same old story can captivate you just being packaged in a slightly different way. Here, Morgan takes a basic plot we’ve definitely seen before: two women who are both running from their own kinds of ghosts and end up fighting them together in some sort of way, and keeps one woman’s ghosts mundane and turns the other woman’s ghosts supernatural. I also found myself surprised to be as invested in the story as I was, given I knew what was coming most of the time and knew most of what was going to happen in this book. Did I know it all? No. But I knew enough that there were few surprises. Usually, this would make me whine and moan, but I kept on being just as invested as I was from the beginning. I think that may have been because the writing was just that good and because I cared about the characters that much.
Two things that I loved so much about this book: One, the time period this book is set in. I love a good historical fantasy setting, and books set in the late 1960’s are some of my favorites. It was a time of so much social, political, and religious upheaval. It makes for excellent storytelling fodder. The second thing is the geographical setting of this book. The isolated, gothic-like setting of a very isolated island somewhere (I’m guessing from the text) in Puget Sound made not only for picturesque passages full of evocative imagery, but it also matched the mood of our protagonists and gave the story the supernatural feeling of liminal space that I found to be essential to the story being told.
There’s this ribbon woven through the text of this story about the spirit world and whether or not it’s tied to religion and faith or not, or whether it matters at all. Is it a gift or a curse? Burden or blessing? This question goes unanswered and I believe that’s the moral of the story. It’s all in what you carry with you.
I recommend this for fans of elegant prose, books about women fighting back without violence, books about unlikely and fast female friendships, and fans of 1960’s historical fantasy.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review was written without compensation.
File Under: Domestic Thriller/Ghost Fiction/Gothic Fiction/Historical Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Psychological Fiction/Supernatural Fantasy/Suspense Fiction/Women’s Fiction
It’s interesting how sometimes the same old story can captivate you just being packaged in a slightly different way. Here, Morgan takes a basic plot we’ve definitely seen before: two women who are both running from their own kinds of ghosts and end up fighting them together in some sort of way, and keeps one woman’s ghosts mundane and turns the other woman’s ghosts supernatural. I also found myself surprised to be as invested in the story as I was, given I knew what was coming most of the time and knew most of what was going to happen in this book. Did I know it all? No. But I knew enough that there were few surprises. Usually, this would make me whine and moan, but I kept on being just as invested as I was from the beginning. I think that may have been because the writing was just that good and because I cared about the characters that much.
Two things that I loved so much about this book: One, the time period this book is set in. I love a good historical fantasy setting, and books set in the late 1960’s are some of my favorites. It was a time of so much social, political, and religious upheaval. It makes for excellent storytelling fodder. The second thing is the geographical setting of this book. The isolated, gothic-like setting of a very isolated island somewhere (I’m guessing from the text) in Puget Sound made not only for picturesque passages full of evocative imagery, but it also matched the mood of our protagonists and gave the story the supernatural feeling of liminal space that I found to be essential to the story being told.
There’s this ribbon woven through the text of this story about the spirit world and whether or not it’s tied to religion and faith or not, or whether it matters at all. Is it a gift or a curse? Burden or blessing? This question goes unanswered and I believe that’s the moral of the story. It’s all in what you carry with you.
I recommend this for fans of elegant prose, books about women fighting back without violence, books about unlikely and fast female friendships, and fans of 1960’s historical fantasy.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review was written without compensation.
File Under: Domestic Thriller/Ghost Fiction/Gothic Fiction/Historical Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Psychological Fiction/Supernatural Fantasy/Suspense Fiction/Women’s Fiction
January 29, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is an excellent Gothic horror novel, written by Louisa Morgan, and published by Orbit Books. Beatrice Bird always had a second sight to see the "ghosts" around other people; a gift that helped to be a better psychologist in San Francisco, but after using LSD this second sight has become a problem, as now those ghosts are everywhere, and living in San Francisco has become difficult for her. In order to ease her suffering, she flees to an aisled cottage on an island, where cows and some nuns are the only company.
But when Anne Iresdale arrives to the island, a woman that has lost everything and it's running away from hell, Beatrice feels herself being drawn towards helping her, using her gift for the best. Discovering the truth behind Anne's fleeing and taking her out of the situation will become key for the own Beatrice's healing; two troubled souls who will become the pillar of each other.
Morgan expertly created two great characters, two damaged people by their circumstances, whose strength is there but need help to treat their wounds. Beatrice is an overgiver, a doctor who really connects and cares about her patients; when she discovers the root of Anne's troubling, she will protect her even if that means her own pain. In comparison, while Anne might look weaker, but she has endured too much just for her son; she just need somebody that listens to what she has lived and supports her, as loneliness has been a big part of her marriage.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is an excellent shell to analyze and bring the spotlight to themes that are still prevalent today (be mindful of the content warnings); even if now they might seem less common, the abusive relationships and the lack of mental health care are a reality that many times are hidden by the environment and the relatives. Anne's backstory is heartbreaking, seeing how she's just abused and not believed because of the position of his husband; using her son as a blackmail piece is the last nail in the coffin.
A captivating novel, a piece of Gothic literature with a excellent prose; The Ghost of Beatrice Bird is, simply, excellent.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is an excellent Gothic horror novel, written by Louisa Morgan, and published by Orbit Books. Beatrice Bird always had a second sight to see the "ghosts" around other people; a gift that helped to be a better psychologist in San Francisco, but after using LSD this second sight has become a problem, as now those ghosts are everywhere, and living in San Francisco has become difficult for her. In order to ease her suffering, she flees to an aisled cottage on an island, where cows and some nuns are the only company.
But when Anne Iresdale arrives to the island, a woman that has lost everything and it's running away from hell, Beatrice feels herself being drawn towards helping her, using her gift for the best. Discovering the truth behind Anne's fleeing and taking her out of the situation will become key for the own Beatrice's healing; two troubled souls who will become the pillar of each other.
Morgan expertly created two great characters, two damaged people by their circumstances, whose strength is there but need help to treat their wounds. Beatrice is an overgiver, a doctor who really connects and cares about her patients; when she discovers the root of Anne's troubling, she will protect her even if that means her own pain. In comparison, while Anne might look weaker, but she has endured too much just for her son; she just need somebody that listens to what she has lived and supports her, as loneliness has been a big part of her marriage.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is an excellent shell to analyze and bring the spotlight to themes that are still prevalent today (be mindful of the content warnings); even if now they might seem less common, the abusive relationships and the lack of mental health care are a reality that many times are hidden by the environment and the relatives. Anne's backstory is heartbreaking, seeing how she's just abused and not believed because of the position of his husband; using her son as a blackmail piece is the last nail in the coffin.
A captivating novel, a piece of Gothic literature with a excellent prose; The Ghost of Beatrice Bird is, simply, excellent.
July 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this paranormal ghost story about a psychiatrist who can see the ghosts haunting her patients. Great suspense read!
November 14, 2023
Set largely in 1977, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a moving tale of female friendship overcoming abuse and past trauma. Even if some of the suspense and creepy elements fell flat for me, the central drama between the characters was consistently interesting and powerful.
As a psychological thriller/ghost story, the novel mostly misses its mark. There are certainly some creepy scenes, and the abuse can be gut-wrenching. However, with lulls in the action and prose that lacked visceral immediacy, I never felt drawn into a consistent atmosphere.
Fortunately, the novel is really more of a drama, so any shortcomings in the thriller department are far from fatal. Beatrice Bird is haunted by ghosts. Representing loss and guilt and other unresolved emotions, they trail behind everyone she sees. She leaves behind her life as a therapist and flees San Francisco to a sparsely inhabited island. Her solitude is interrupted when Anne Iredale, fleeing her powerful and abusive husband, also finds her way to the island. Beatrice takes Anne in, and the two bond through the telling of their stories.
Their journey—Anne learning to come to terms with the abuse and Beatrice finding strength in Anne’s resolve—is hard fought, real, and a moving testament to the strength of women coming together. The two women are well-drawn, as are the side characters, and it is easy to root for (or against) the characters. (The chapters with Anne’s child, Benjamin, were a particular highlight for me.)
The ending’s plot elements are perhaps a tad too convenient, but it fully brings all the emotional elements together for a resounding close. If you’re looking for a moving feminist tale about women triumphing over abuse, you certainly don’t want to miss The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird.
Thank you to Redhook and NetGalley for the ARC.
As a psychological thriller/ghost story, the novel mostly misses its mark. There are certainly some creepy scenes, and the abuse can be gut-wrenching. However, with lulls in the action and prose that lacked visceral immediacy, I never felt drawn into a consistent atmosphere.
Fortunately, the novel is really more of a drama, so any shortcomings in the thriller department are far from fatal. Beatrice Bird is haunted by ghosts. Representing loss and guilt and other unresolved emotions, they trail behind everyone she sees. She leaves behind her life as a therapist and flees San Francisco to a sparsely inhabited island. Her solitude is interrupted when Anne Iredale, fleeing her powerful and abusive husband, also finds her way to the island. Beatrice takes Anne in, and the two bond through the telling of their stories.
Their journey—Anne learning to come to terms with the abuse and Beatrice finding strength in Anne’s resolve—is hard fought, real, and a moving testament to the strength of women coming together. The two women are well-drawn, as are the side characters, and it is easy to root for (or against) the characters. (The chapters with Anne’s child, Benjamin, were a particular highlight for me.)
The ending’s plot elements are perhaps a tad too convenient, but it fully brings all the emotional elements together for a resounding close. If you’re looking for a moving feminist tale about women triumphing over abuse, you certainly don’t want to miss The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird.
Thank you to Redhook and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 30, 2023
A brilliant read. While there are sad and depressing parts of the book (trigger warnings for domestic violence) it is written so well that I was compelled to see what happened to the characters next. I love the way Louisa Morgan writes and this book is as insightful and as captivating as her other books. This author will always be an instant buy for me.
June 9, 2024
I have enjoyed all of Morgan's "witch" novels and I enjoyed Beatrice Bird too. While it's a bit of an outlier in not making overt use of the same witchy mythos, with the supernatural here being less clearly delineated and understood, the theme and tone in very similar and Bird succeeds in giving us both a slightly creepy tale and the account of a woman suffering from controlling, collusive patriarchy. (As to the latter, the position of the women here is in many respects even more constrained than in the earlier, historically based novels where they at least had some freedom of action within an understood domain of their own).
Beatrice is a successful doctor, a therapist practicing in San Francisco among the happenings of the late 60s (there are some drug-related themes) and the downer years of the early 70s. The novel's "present" is 1977, but there are many flashbacks, both to Beatrice's earlier life (as a child, and then to her practice and patients) and to that of Anne Iredale, of whom more in a moment.
Beatrice has a special skill/ talent/ sense in that she can perceive "ghosts", as she calls them. These aren't chain clanking, sheet-waving spectres, rather they are "hauntings" that express truths about people, emotions such as their sorrow or anger. This talent developed early - Morgan shows us its beginnings in Beatrice's rural childhood - and one would imagine that it would be useful to her in her practice, but in truth she has become more sensitive to these "ghosts" than she can bear, seeing them tag along not only with her patients but in every street and shop too. As the story opens, has retreated to a small island off the US West Coast where there are few people and so, few ghosts. Beatrice does though have her two cows, and is trying to live a peaceful life, supplying milk to the island convent whose sisters, happily, leave her mostly alone.
It's to this island that Anne comes, fleeing domestic abuse. Of course that means she brings with her fear, guilt, and regret, things that Beatrice would rather not have to cope with, especially not personified as her "ghosts", - but also something even nastier, something with a real sense of horror to it. Is it an actual thing, or has Beatrice tipped over and begun losing her mind?
How these two women come to know and trust one another, and build on that trust to address (rather than running away from) their problems is the heart of this book. But first we have to learn what both, especially Anne, have been through, in scenes that some readers may find distressing. These show how Anne falls into the control of a manipulative bully of a man, how she blames herself, and what she is up against more widely - her abuser is a judge, a Big Man in the small world he inhabits and his word dictates her future (she has no friends, having been cut off by her abuser from any support network).
Such behaviour and its indulgence hasn't of course gone away in the 21st century, but by locating her story in the 70s I think Morgan makes the stakes very high, with little public or official awareness of the issue and no support for its victims. Anne gets some help from the Roman Catholic nuns - in passing I have always enjoyed how Morgan's novels, even with their witchy heroines, refuse to subscribe to a binary world where organised religion is simply demonised - but it's only once Anne and Beatrice are able to understand one another that they can both begin to heal and to address the formidable difficulties - no, dangers - that threaten. The supernatural twist to the story means that Beatrice has unusual resources to draw on here, but it doesn't magically resolve everything, that takes human courage, solidarity and not a little cleverness.
Another great, and rather different, book from an author I rely on to give me a fresh view on life.
Beatrice is a successful doctor, a therapist practicing in San Francisco among the happenings of the late 60s (there are some drug-related themes) and the downer years of the early 70s. The novel's "present" is 1977, but there are many flashbacks, both to Beatrice's earlier life (as a child, and then to her practice and patients) and to that of Anne Iredale, of whom more in a moment.
Beatrice has a special skill/ talent/ sense in that she can perceive "ghosts", as she calls them. These aren't chain clanking, sheet-waving spectres, rather they are "hauntings" that express truths about people, emotions such as their sorrow or anger. This talent developed early - Morgan shows us its beginnings in Beatrice's rural childhood - and one would imagine that it would be useful to her in her practice, but in truth she has become more sensitive to these "ghosts" than she can bear, seeing them tag along not only with her patients but in every street and shop too. As the story opens, has retreated to a small island off the US West Coast where there are few people and so, few ghosts. Beatrice does though have her two cows, and is trying to live a peaceful life, supplying milk to the island convent whose sisters, happily, leave her mostly alone.
It's to this island that Anne comes, fleeing domestic abuse. Of course that means she brings with her fear, guilt, and regret, things that Beatrice would rather not have to cope with, especially not personified as her "ghosts", - but also something even nastier, something with a real sense of horror to it. Is it an actual thing, or has Beatrice tipped over and begun losing her mind?
How these two women come to know and trust one another, and build on that trust to address (rather than running away from) their problems is the heart of this book. But first we have to learn what both, especially Anne, have been through, in scenes that some readers may find distressing. These show how Anne falls into the control of a manipulative bully of a man, how she blames herself, and what she is up against more widely - her abuser is a judge, a Big Man in the small world he inhabits and his word dictates her future (she has no friends, having been cut off by her abuser from any support network).
Such behaviour and its indulgence hasn't of course gone away in the 21st century, but by locating her story in the 70s I think Morgan makes the stakes very high, with little public or official awareness of the issue and no support for its victims. Anne gets some help from the Roman Catholic nuns - in passing I have always enjoyed how Morgan's novels, even with their witchy heroines, refuse to subscribe to a binary world where organised religion is simply demonised - but it's only once Anne and Beatrice are able to understand one another that they can both begin to heal and to address the formidable difficulties - no, dangers - that threaten. The supernatural twist to the story means that Beatrice has unusual resources to draw on here, but it doesn't magically resolve everything, that takes human courage, solidarity and not a little cleverness.
Another great, and rather different, book from an author I rely on to give me a fresh view on life.
November 1, 2023
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
"The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" by Louisa Morgan is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that seamlessly blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural. With its captivating characters and haunting atmosphere, this book is a must-read for fans of both genres.
Set in the late 19th century, the story follows protagonist Beatrice Bird, a young woman burdened by a tragic past and a mysterious ability to communicate with the dead. When she is hired as a governess for a wealthy family, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and ghostly encounters that will test her courage and challenge her beliefs.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is Louisa Morgan's exquisite prose. Her writing is lyrical and evocative, transporting readers to the Victorian era with its richly detailed descriptions and vivid imagery. The author's ability to capture the essence of the time period adds depth and authenticity to the story, immersing readers in a world filled with both beauty and darkness.
The characters in "The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" are complex and well-developed, each with their own secrets and desires. Beatrice, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose journey of self-discovery and redemption is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her ability to communicate with the dead adds an intriguing supernatural element to the narrative, allowing for moments of both sorrow and hope.
Morgan's exploration of themes such as love, loss, and forgiveness is masterfully done. The emotional depth of the story is palpable, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fates of the characters. The author's portrayal of the ghosts and their interactions with the living is both eerie and poignant, adding an extra layer of complexity to the narrative.
While the pacing of the book is generally well-balanced, there are moments where the story feels slightly slow, particularly in the middle section. However, this allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' inner struggles and adds to the overall atmospheric tone of the novel.
"The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" is a haunting and enchanting tale that will captivate readers from beginning to end. Louisa Morgan's beautiful prose, well-drawn characters, and skillful blending of historical fiction and the supernatural make this book a compelling and memorable read. Fans of atmospheric and emotionally charged stories will find themselves swept away by the haunting world of Beatrice Bird.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for sending this review copy. All opinions are my own.
"The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" by Louisa Morgan is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that seamlessly blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural. With its captivating characters and haunting atmosphere, this book is a must-read for fans of both genres.
Set in the late 19th century, the story follows protagonist Beatrice Bird, a young woman burdened by a tragic past and a mysterious ability to communicate with the dead. When she is hired as a governess for a wealthy family, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and ghostly encounters that will test her courage and challenge her beliefs.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is Louisa Morgan's exquisite prose. Her writing is lyrical and evocative, transporting readers to the Victorian era with its richly detailed descriptions and vivid imagery. The author's ability to capture the essence of the time period adds depth and authenticity to the story, immersing readers in a world filled with both beauty and darkness.
The characters in "The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" are complex and well-developed, each with their own secrets and desires. Beatrice, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose journey of self-discovery and redemption is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her ability to communicate with the dead adds an intriguing supernatural element to the narrative, allowing for moments of both sorrow and hope.
Morgan's exploration of themes such as love, loss, and forgiveness is masterfully done. The emotional depth of the story is palpable, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fates of the characters. The author's portrayal of the ghosts and their interactions with the living is both eerie and poignant, adding an extra layer of complexity to the narrative.
While the pacing of the book is generally well-balanced, there are moments where the story feels slightly slow, particularly in the middle section. However, this allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' inner struggles and adds to the overall atmospheric tone of the novel.
"The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" is a haunting and enchanting tale that will captivate readers from beginning to end. Louisa Morgan's beautiful prose, well-drawn characters, and skillful blending of historical fiction and the supernatural make this book a compelling and memorable read. Fans of atmospheric and emotionally charged stories will find themselves swept away by the haunting world of Beatrice Bird.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for sending this review copy. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2024
BOOK REVIEW 📚
I absolutely adore Louisa Morgan's books! I got this one for Christmas and couldn't wait to dive into it! I started it yesterday and finished it early this morning!! I could NOT put it down!
Beatrice Bird is a psychologist and she has a gift (or a curse) of seeing "ghosts" around people. An experience she has seems to heighten her ability, and as a result she decides to withdraw from life and live in solitude. She moves into a cottage on an island, inhabited mostly by Nuns. On the island, she encounters Anne. Who has a lot of ghosts around her. However, Anne's ghosts seem more ominous than others.
Together Anne and Beatrice find a balance. They open up to eachother and an unlikely friendship is formed! This story was incredible!
TW: domestic violence, child abuse (not horrific but it's there), murder, brief mention of animal abuse but it's not described in detail. The triggers in this were not off-putting at all.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theghostsofbeatricebird
#louisamorgan
#spookyreads
#bookphotography
#booksofinstagram
#booksaremylife
#readingtime📖
#reader
#readingpastmybedtime
#ilovebooks
I absolutely adore Louisa Morgan's books! I got this one for Christmas and couldn't wait to dive into it! I started it yesterday and finished it early this morning!! I could NOT put it down!
Beatrice Bird is a psychologist and she has a gift (or a curse) of seeing "ghosts" around people. An experience she has seems to heighten her ability, and as a result she decides to withdraw from life and live in solitude. She moves into a cottage on an island, inhabited mostly by Nuns. On the island, she encounters Anne. Who has a lot of ghosts around her. However, Anne's ghosts seem more ominous than others.
Together Anne and Beatrice find a balance. They open up to eachother and an unlikely friendship is formed! This story was incredible!
TW: domestic violence, child abuse (not horrific but it's there), murder, brief mention of animal abuse but it's not described in detail. The triggers in this were not off-putting at all.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#theghostsofbeatricebird
#louisamorgan
#spookyreads
#bookphotography
#booksofinstagram
#booksaremylife
#readingtime📖
#reader
#readingpastmybedtime
#ilovebooks
March 11, 2024
4.5 ⭐️Such a good story and beautifully written
March 23, 2024
In the beginning, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book. It got so much better. Really liked it.
December 31, 2023
Audible version narrated by Lily Emil Lammers
Rated 3-3.5 rounded down
I pre-ordered this new title from Louisa Morgan and listened to it within a few days of release. But, it has taken me a bit to come and write the review. I just didn't feel great excitement to revisit or discuss it. And that about sums up my feelings regarding the book.
I was interested in the characters and story and there were moments of (enjoyable) edge-of-my-seat intensity. But, overall it felt like a simple Hallmark movie; including predictability and, unfortunately, plot contrivance. Critical events happened at the exact right moment, improbably. Yes, it's a ghost story...that includes extrasensory perception but still. There are too many characters with second-sight abilities and a few too many times when characters show up at precisely the right time, all of a sudden in pivotal moments. I would easily score the book as a good solid 3...overflowing a bit to 3.5.
Unfortunately, I am sure it did not help my experience that the Audible narration could be much better. I took time twice to clip and note comments about the narration speed and poorly completed edits (anyone who routinely listens to Audible books knows it can be an ordeal to stop and take time to make a note since I'm usually "in motion" while listening). It was obvious that the narrator is inexperienced and I didn't appreciate it for a full-priced book. Her reading speed was way too fast and her cadence was erratic. I tried slowing down the speed of the book but that was awful. All of it was distracting and took away from the overall experience, so much so that I will sadly steer clear of any titles narrated by Lily Emil Lammers.
Rated 3-3.5 rounded down
I pre-ordered this new title from Louisa Morgan and listened to it within a few days of release. But, it has taken me a bit to come and write the review. I just didn't feel great excitement to revisit or discuss it. And that about sums up my feelings regarding the book.
I was interested in the characters and story and there were moments of (enjoyable) edge-of-my-seat intensity. But, overall it felt like a simple Hallmark movie; including predictability and, unfortunately, plot contrivance. Critical events happened at the exact right moment, improbably. Yes, it's a ghost story...that includes extrasensory perception but still. There are too many characters with second-sight abilities and a few too many times when characters show up at precisely the right time, all of a sudden in pivotal moments. I would easily score the book as a good solid 3...overflowing a bit to 3.5.
Unfortunately, I am sure it did not help my experience that the Audible narration could be much better. I took time twice to clip and note comments about the narration speed and poorly completed edits (anyone who routinely listens to Audible books knows it can be an ordeal to stop and take time to make a note since I'm usually "in motion" while listening). It was obvious that the narrator is inexperienced and I didn't appreciate it for a full-priced book. Her reading speed was way too fast and her cadence was erratic. I tried slowing down the speed of the book but that was awful. All of it was distracting and took away from the overall experience, so much so that I will sadly steer clear of any titles narrated by Lily Emil Lammers.
May 14, 2024
Beatrice Bird and her husband run a psychology practice, offering counselling services to those living on the streets of San Francisco and others who see the value of what the husband and wife team offer.
When Beatrice gets the idea of using LSD to enhance and deepen her ability to provide her patients with insight, it backfires on her, instead plaguing her with visions of countless ghosts, including those in the lives of her patients. Unable to tolerate the onslaught of visions, which only gain in intensity the more people she is near, Beatrice travels to a remote island far from San Francisco. The only other residents are nuns and the cows who live on the tiny farm Beatrice purchases. Beatrice finds some peace surrounded by the cows, trees, ocean, and only occasional visits from Mother Maggie, one of the nuns.
Across the country, Anne Iredale escapes her abusive husband, and takes refuge with nuns near her home. She's terrified and bereft, as she's had to leave her beloved and young son Benjamin behind her with her husband, whom she knows has already begun emotionally abusing the boy. Knowing she needs a safe place to regain her physical and mental strength before she can provide a safe home for Benjamin, she travels to west across the country to meet with the other nuns of the same order. Mother Maggie convinces Beatrice to take Anne in, and the two begin a quiet life together, with Beatrice sharing knowledge of her gift with Anne.
The two find strengths and skills in each other that help them with their fears and losses: Beatrice learns how to gain control over her gift, while Anne gains the equanimity and strength she needs to save her son.
This was a lovely story of friendship and growth. The tone is quiet, even contemplative, which makes sense as so much of the story takes place in the silences the two women share and need to heal. We get Beatrice's and Anne's perspectives as we discover their plights and how they gain strength. The other perspective is five-year-old Benjamin, who suffers at his father's words; this is a man with no redeeming qualities, and is the one part of this enjoyable story that I wish would have had a little more nuance. Not that I wanted to empathize with the abuser, but he was pretty much one-note in his evil.
I loved how even after I finished this book, I was left with a sense of calm and peace.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Redhook Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
When Beatrice gets the idea of using LSD to enhance and deepen her ability to provide her patients with insight, it backfires on her, instead plaguing her with visions of countless ghosts, including those in the lives of her patients. Unable to tolerate the onslaught of visions, which only gain in intensity the more people she is near, Beatrice travels to a remote island far from San Francisco. The only other residents are nuns and the cows who live on the tiny farm Beatrice purchases. Beatrice finds some peace surrounded by the cows, trees, ocean, and only occasional visits from Mother Maggie, one of the nuns.
Across the country, Anne Iredale escapes her abusive husband, and takes refuge with nuns near her home. She's terrified and bereft, as she's had to leave her beloved and young son Benjamin behind her with her husband, whom she knows has already begun emotionally abusing the boy. Knowing she needs a safe place to regain her physical and mental strength before she can provide a safe home for Benjamin, she travels to west across the country to meet with the other nuns of the same order. Mother Maggie convinces Beatrice to take Anne in, and the two begin a quiet life together, with Beatrice sharing knowledge of her gift with Anne.
The two find strengths and skills in each other that help them with their fears and losses: Beatrice learns how to gain control over her gift, while Anne gains the equanimity and strength she needs to save her son.
This was a lovely story of friendship and growth. The tone is quiet, even contemplative, which makes sense as so much of the story takes place in the silences the two women share and need to heal. We get Beatrice's and Anne's perspectives as we discover their plights and how they gain strength. The other perspective is five-year-old Benjamin, who suffers at his father's words; this is a man with no redeeming qualities, and is the one part of this enjoyable story that I wish would have had a little more nuance. Not that I wanted to empathize with the abuser, but he was pretty much one-note in his evil.
I loved how even after I finished this book, I was left with a sense of calm and peace.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Redhook Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
October 21, 2023
I love a spooky ghost story. This book has the spooky vibes with a well written story of friendship and redemption. The story drew me immediately and I couldn’t put it down.
December 31, 2023
The nitty-gritty: Ghosts, family trauma and close-knit relationships make Louisa Morgan's latest a delightfully nuanced and layered story.
Louisa Morgan always writes the most comforting stories, even though her characters face dangers and challenges, and The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is another shining example of this. At its core, the story is about two women, lost and dealing with trauma in different ways, who find each other and through friendship, begin to heal. I absolutely loved this book, and even though there is some heavy subject matter (spousal abuse) and some sections are very hard to read, Morgan manages to deftly combine the good with the bad and pull off an unforgettable, feel-good story.
The story is told in dual timelines and alternates among three main characters. In the present day, 1977, we meet Beatrice Bird, who has left her boyfriend Mitch, her therapy practice, and her beloved city of San Francisco behind and moved to “the island” (which is never named), a bucolic, secluded location accessible only by ferry. Beatrice’s remote cottage affords her privacy from other people, with only two milk cows, Alice and Dorothy, for company. And the reason Beatrice doesn’t want to be around people? She can see “ghosts,” emotional manifestations that hover around everyone, and because she keenly feels the emotions they’re tied to, it’s overwhelming and even debilitating for her. On the island, she rarely encounters anyone other than the nuns who live in the nearby monastery, and their ghosts are faded and easier to deal with.
The second point of view is that of Anne Iredale, a young woman who has run away from her abusive husband and finds herself at the doors of the monastery, begging the nuns for sanctuary. Mother Maggie doesn’t have any extra beds, but she does know someone who might be able to help. She introduces Anne to Beatrice, asking if she can put Anne up for just one night until the next ferry arrives in the morning. Beatrice is reluctant at first. Anne has two terrifying ghosts attached to her: one is a dark storm cloud, a menacing presence hovering over her shoulder, while the other is a sad and scared child, clinging to her leg. Of course Anne doesn’t see these ghosts, but Beatrice can barely look away. Still, it’s only one night, so she grits her teeth and invites Anne into her home.
In a third point of view, we meet five year old Benjamin, whose mother has been sent somewhere “to rest” after a traumatic event. Benjamin doesn’t understand why his mother left him alone with his father, who scares Benjamin and sometimes locks him in the closet. With only his grandmother as a buffer, and a ghost he calls “the lady” to watch out for him, Benjamin longs to get his mother back.
Eventually, the reader learns why and how Anne escaped a terrible fate, and the reason Beatrice is haunted by other people’s ghosts, as the two women begin to bond over their different traumas. Through flashback chapters Morgan fills in the blanks of Beatrice’s life as a therapist, living and working in San Francisco, and her satisfying relationship with her doctor boyfriend Mitch. We also dip back into Anne’s past, meeting her future husband James, being pushed into marriage by her parents, and how she slowly lost control of every part of her life, due to James's high powered job and abuse. I loved how each woman finds solace in the other, despite their age and circumstance differences, and their slowly blooming friendship was my favorite part of the story.
As for side characters, Mother Maggie is a very special nun with a wry sense of humor and a penchant for justice. I loved Beatrice’s milk cows, who added some lighter moments to the story. Beatrice sells their milk to the monastery, which was a nice connection between her and Mother Maggie.
I loved the time period as well. Beatrice’s story unfolds during the “summer of love,” when San Francisco was a hot spot for free love and drugs, and the events of that time play a big part in Beatrice’s predicament. Her relationship with Mitch was a breath of fresh air. She and Mitch are older, in their forties, I believe, and neither one feels the desire to marry and have children. They enjoy each other’s company and trust one another, and even when something happens to compel her to leave Mitch, she still loves and misses him terribly.
Anne, on the other hand, is in a terrible spot, made even worse because of her son Benjamin. Her chapters were so hard to read, but she is a lifelong Catholic who finds comfort in her religion, and her faith is one reason she’s able to survive. It takes a while before the author reveals exactly what happened to separate her from Benjamin, and the sections leading up to this reveal were tense and exciting. I really enjoyed Benjamin’s chapters as well, although he’s not as prominent a character as Anne and Beatrice. It was heartbreaking to experience abuse through the eyes of a child, but Benjamin is a strong little boy with an unusual champion: a ghost.
And speaking of this ghost, its identity is only hinted at until Morgan’s big twist later in the story, when the reader learns some shocking things that tie everything together. I loved how at this point the story morphs into a domestic thriller/murder mystery, and the last twenty percent was an exciting page-turner of a story that was nearly impossible to put down.
Watching the characters grow and change made me wonder how on earth Louisa Morgan could possibly wrap things up, but she does so brilliantly, giving her readers an ending that was completely satisfying and heartwarming. And yes, I’m not ashamed to admit I cried at the end. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird has it all: heartfelt relationships, thoughtful explorations of trauma recovery, lighter, funnier moments, ghosts, a villain who is truly terrifying, and best of all, characters you wish you knew in real life. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a well written, immersive story.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Louisa Morgan always writes the most comforting stories, even though her characters face dangers and challenges, and The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is another shining example of this. At its core, the story is about two women, lost and dealing with trauma in different ways, who find each other and through friendship, begin to heal. I absolutely loved this book, and even though there is some heavy subject matter (spousal abuse) and some sections are very hard to read, Morgan manages to deftly combine the good with the bad and pull off an unforgettable, feel-good story.
The story is told in dual timelines and alternates among three main characters. In the present day, 1977, we meet Beatrice Bird, who has left her boyfriend Mitch, her therapy practice, and her beloved city of San Francisco behind and moved to “the island” (which is never named), a bucolic, secluded location accessible only by ferry. Beatrice’s remote cottage affords her privacy from other people, with only two milk cows, Alice and Dorothy, for company. And the reason Beatrice doesn’t want to be around people? She can see “ghosts,” emotional manifestations that hover around everyone, and because she keenly feels the emotions they’re tied to, it’s overwhelming and even debilitating for her. On the island, she rarely encounters anyone other than the nuns who live in the nearby monastery, and their ghosts are faded and easier to deal with.
The second point of view is that of Anne Iredale, a young woman who has run away from her abusive husband and finds herself at the doors of the monastery, begging the nuns for sanctuary. Mother Maggie doesn’t have any extra beds, but she does know someone who might be able to help. She introduces Anne to Beatrice, asking if she can put Anne up for just one night until the next ferry arrives in the morning. Beatrice is reluctant at first. Anne has two terrifying ghosts attached to her: one is a dark storm cloud, a menacing presence hovering over her shoulder, while the other is a sad and scared child, clinging to her leg. Of course Anne doesn’t see these ghosts, but Beatrice can barely look away. Still, it’s only one night, so she grits her teeth and invites Anne into her home.
In a third point of view, we meet five year old Benjamin, whose mother has been sent somewhere “to rest” after a traumatic event. Benjamin doesn’t understand why his mother left him alone with his father, who scares Benjamin and sometimes locks him in the closet. With only his grandmother as a buffer, and a ghost he calls “the lady” to watch out for him, Benjamin longs to get his mother back.
Eventually, the reader learns why and how Anne escaped a terrible fate, and the reason Beatrice is haunted by other people’s ghosts, as the two women begin to bond over their different traumas. Through flashback chapters Morgan fills in the blanks of Beatrice’s life as a therapist, living and working in San Francisco, and her satisfying relationship with her doctor boyfriend Mitch. We also dip back into Anne’s past, meeting her future husband James, being pushed into marriage by her parents, and how she slowly lost control of every part of her life, due to James's high powered job and abuse. I loved how each woman finds solace in the other, despite their age and circumstance differences, and their slowly blooming friendship was my favorite part of the story.
As for side characters, Mother Maggie is a very special nun with a wry sense of humor and a penchant for justice. I loved Beatrice’s milk cows, who added some lighter moments to the story. Beatrice sells their milk to the monastery, which was a nice connection between her and Mother Maggie.
I loved the time period as well. Beatrice’s story unfolds during the “summer of love,” when San Francisco was a hot spot for free love and drugs, and the events of that time play a big part in Beatrice’s predicament. Her relationship with Mitch was a breath of fresh air. She and Mitch are older, in their forties, I believe, and neither one feels the desire to marry and have children. They enjoy each other’s company and trust one another, and even when something happens to compel her to leave Mitch, she still loves and misses him terribly.
Anne, on the other hand, is in a terrible spot, made even worse because of her son Benjamin. Her chapters were so hard to read, but she is a lifelong Catholic who finds comfort in her religion, and her faith is one reason she’s able to survive. It takes a while before the author reveals exactly what happened to separate her from Benjamin, and the sections leading up to this reveal were tense and exciting. I really enjoyed Benjamin’s chapters as well, although he’s not as prominent a character as Anne and Beatrice. It was heartbreaking to experience abuse through the eyes of a child, but Benjamin is a strong little boy with an unusual champion: a ghost.
And speaking of this ghost, its identity is only hinted at until Morgan’s big twist later in the story, when the reader learns some shocking things that tie everything together. I loved how at this point the story morphs into a domestic thriller/murder mystery, and the last twenty percent was an exciting page-turner of a story that was nearly impossible to put down.
Watching the characters grow and change made me wonder how on earth Louisa Morgan could possibly wrap things up, but she does so brilliantly, giving her readers an ending that was completely satisfying and heartwarming. And yes, I’m not ashamed to admit I cried at the end. The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird has it all: heartfelt relationships, thoughtful explorations of trauma recovery, lighter, funnier moments, ghosts, a villain who is truly terrifying, and best of all, characters you wish you knew in real life. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a well written, immersive story.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
November 30, 2023
I had high hopes for this book at the beginning. I loved the stories of Bea’s childhood, her life in San Francisco during the 1960s and her patients. Unfortunately, when the focus of the book shifted to Anne, it went downhill fast. Such a predictable story! And Anne was such a dreary character, only interrupting her bouts of crying or drinking to cook a five star meal. James, her husband, was a cartoon-like villain, easy to envision him twirling his mustache as he plotted his next diabolical act. The author should have stayed with Bea, Mitch & Mother Maggie and kept Anne in the background.
September 30, 2023
Splendid. A beautifully written and atmospheric page turner. I’ll be looking for more of Morgan’s work!
November 23, 2023
4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2023/11/23/th...
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Emotionally satisfying tale of friendship
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a beautifully told mystery circulating around the lives of two women who are both trying to escape something.
The story is told through three POVs, Beatrice Bird, Anne Iredale and her pre-school age son Benjamin.
Beatrice is the driving force for the story. During her chapters we cast back and forth and pretty soon discover that since being a small child, and for as long as Beatrice can remember, she has had ‘feelings’, I suppose premonitions really although she doesn’t ‘see’ anything specific, more that she just understands that something may go wrong, or someone is upset, etc. As she grows into a young woman she moves into the role of therapy, and although her ability sometimes leads her to become too emotionally attached and anxious for her patients her life overall is happy. She has a partner, a doctor called Mitch and they have a respectful and well rounded and loving relationship. That is until Beatrice dabbles with drugs and this opens up her ‘gift’ making it much more real. Beatrice can see shades or forms that are attached to people and this sight eventually leads her to flee her home and seek sanctuary on a small, island where the inhabitants are few and Beatrice spends more of her time in the company of the two cows that were attached to the property she bought.
Anne then enters the scene. She has run away from an abusive relationship and one in which the husband carried a lot of sway and was forcing her into a sanatorium, leaving their 4/5 year old son Benjamin alone with his father. Anne was a trophy wife. With stunning looks and a fantastic figure her husband chose her to look good in front of his friends but has no love for her and no respect for anything she thinks or does. For a while Anne tries to be happy, her parents are proud of the marriage and wealth that she has achieved and have no time for her grumbling about her husband’s little whims (as they see them). She has no friends to speak of and is completely isolated. She eventually runs away and seeks sanctuary within a nunnery, before winding up on the small island where Beatrice now lives. The two are thrown together, just for one night at first, but from there a tentative friendship begins to grow and although Beatrice can see the same shades attached to Anne, and in fact can see something that seems a lot more threatening, she takes the decision to try and help this young woman.
Finally, we have Benjamin. Anne’s lovely little boy. Benjamin has been traumatised by his father and can barely speak in his presence having now developed a stutter. His storyline is lovely and much as you would imagine a small boy’s pov to be. This particular pov allows us a view about what’s going on in the background of Anne’s life, an element that we would otherwise lose sight of and I very much appreciated that the author chose Anne’s son (and not her husband) as the third narrator. Benjamin’s presence brings a lovely innocence to the story.
Now, it may be that you don’t like ghost stories or perhaps you’re worried that this might be too creepy. For me, this was more about the mystery involved. We get to understand and learn more about Beatrice’s abilities and it soon becomes clear that these are not ghosts that she sees attached to people. They’re more akin to burdens and unresolved emotional issues that people carry around with them. However, there is a ghost in the story and this is something that both Beatrice and Benjamin can both see – in quite different ways. But, this isn’t really scary, this is a ghost with a story and, well, unresolved issues of it’s own.
The writing is lovely and well paced. The island and cottage in which Beatrice now lives have a lovely cosy feel and in fact in some respects the setting is idyllic – remote and perhaps a little bit lonely – but also peaceful and perfect in many ways for reflection.
The last third becomes quite tense as the action picks up and certain characters try to take desperate action but the author manages to pull everything together in a very satisfactory way.
I really enjoyed this story. I felt a strong emotional attachment and I loved the way the story develops plus the resolution is really pleasing.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
https://lynns-books.com/2023/11/23/th...
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Emotionally satisfying tale of friendship
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a beautifully told mystery circulating around the lives of two women who are both trying to escape something.
The story is told through three POVs, Beatrice Bird, Anne Iredale and her pre-school age son Benjamin.
Beatrice is the driving force for the story. During her chapters we cast back and forth and pretty soon discover that since being a small child, and for as long as Beatrice can remember, she has had ‘feelings’, I suppose premonitions really although she doesn’t ‘see’ anything specific, more that she just understands that something may go wrong, or someone is upset, etc. As she grows into a young woman she moves into the role of therapy, and although her ability sometimes leads her to become too emotionally attached and anxious for her patients her life overall is happy. She has a partner, a doctor called Mitch and they have a respectful and well rounded and loving relationship. That is until Beatrice dabbles with drugs and this opens up her ‘gift’ making it much more real. Beatrice can see shades or forms that are attached to people and this sight eventually leads her to flee her home and seek sanctuary on a small, island where the inhabitants are few and Beatrice spends more of her time in the company of the two cows that were attached to the property she bought.
Anne then enters the scene. She has run away from an abusive relationship and one in which the husband carried a lot of sway and was forcing her into a sanatorium, leaving their 4/5 year old son Benjamin alone with his father. Anne was a trophy wife. With stunning looks and a fantastic figure her husband chose her to look good in front of his friends but has no love for her and no respect for anything she thinks or does. For a while Anne tries to be happy, her parents are proud of the marriage and wealth that she has achieved and have no time for her grumbling about her husband’s little whims (as they see them). She has no friends to speak of and is completely isolated. She eventually runs away and seeks sanctuary within a nunnery, before winding up on the small island where Beatrice now lives. The two are thrown together, just for one night at first, but from there a tentative friendship begins to grow and although Beatrice can see the same shades attached to Anne, and in fact can see something that seems a lot more threatening, she takes the decision to try and help this young woman.
Finally, we have Benjamin. Anne’s lovely little boy. Benjamin has been traumatised by his father and can barely speak in his presence having now developed a stutter. His storyline is lovely and much as you would imagine a small boy’s pov to be. This particular pov allows us a view about what’s going on in the background of Anne’s life, an element that we would otherwise lose sight of and I very much appreciated that the author chose Anne’s son (and not her husband) as the third narrator. Benjamin’s presence brings a lovely innocence to the story.
Now, it may be that you don’t like ghost stories or perhaps you’re worried that this might be too creepy. For me, this was more about the mystery involved. We get to understand and learn more about Beatrice’s abilities and it soon becomes clear that these are not ghosts that she sees attached to people. They’re more akin to burdens and unresolved emotional issues that people carry around with them. However, there is a ghost in the story and this is something that both Beatrice and Benjamin can both see – in quite different ways. But, this isn’t really scary, this is a ghost with a story and, well, unresolved issues of it’s own.
The writing is lovely and well paced. The island and cottage in which Beatrice now lives have a lovely cosy feel and in fact in some respects the setting is idyllic – remote and perhaps a little bit lonely – but also peaceful and perfect in many ways for reflection.
The last third becomes quite tense as the action picks up and certain characters try to take desperate action but the author manages to pull everything together in a very satisfactory way.
I really enjoyed this story. I felt a strong emotional attachment and I loved the way the story develops plus the resolution is really pleasing.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
December 18, 2023
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird marks Morgan’s first standalone novel (her previous four “Witch” books are all connected), and it was a beautiful and poignant read. I admit, I got as far as Louisa Morgan + ghosts, and I just had to read/review it. However, I wasn’t prepared for the depths of sadness, poignancy, empowerment, and courage it features.
The titular character, Beatrice, is a psychologist who works with vulnerable young adults in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s. Through one of her clients, she becomes curious about LSD; her resulting drug-induced experiences allow her to make some giant mental leaps and realisations with regard to her clients’ problems, and she becomes fascinated with how it could be used to further psychological understanding. However, a side-effect from her trips is that she can now see “ghosts”, even when sober.
Naturally gifted as a child with an empathic ability to know people’s inner feelings in a situation, Beatrice has used this knowledge throughout her life, but the LSD has intensified it. Now she sees nebulous mists or shadows hovering around everyone she meets, and the power of the emotions fuelling these shapes terrifies her. Beatrice closes her practice, leaves the man she loves, and moves to a remote island where she can live in solitude on a smallholding, with her two cows (Alice and Dorothy) for company. If she can keep her interactions with other people to a minimum, she may not feel like she’s going mad.
Arriving to disturb the peace that Beatrice craves is Anne, a young mother fleeing her abusive husband. She arrives on the Island to beg sanctuary from the community of nuns living there. Unable to take her in, Mother Maggie opts for the next best thing: she takes Anne to stay with Beatrice. The only problem is Anne’s ghosts: one small and filled with pain; the other large and filled with malice.
And that’s when the smallholding experiences a haunting from an actual ghost, a woman filled with fury and seeking vengeance.
Slowly, Beatrice coaxes Anne’s story from her — and Anne does the same with Beatrice. In this pairing of women, a connection forms between the two of them which invites truths to be spoken aloud, and hurts healed through the power of friendship and community.
This is beautiful book with exquisite prose. The settings are so evocative that I felt that I was truly there, whether it be San Francisco, The Island, or Oak Hill. The Island, in particular, has a rich and gothic atmosphere that I adored, especially around the smallholding, the cottage there, and the weather (I got the feeling the Island is off the Pacific North West coast, but I could be wrong). The book is told through three different points of view: Beatrice’s, Anne’s, and that of Anne’s young son, Benjamin, who has secrets of his own. The latter were the hardest to read, as they are told through the experiences of a traumatised child; I think Morgan captured his voice brilliantly.
The characters are well drawn out and I could resonate with so many of them. I particularly loved Mother Maggie and her compassionate but no-nonsense attitude. I found James to be charmingly dislikable, which is perfect for him, and I loved Mitch’s steadfast love and sense of justice. Both Beatrice and Anne are women with hidden strengths that they believe to be weaknesses; through supporting each other, they realise how wrong they are. And Beatrice’s father is just so soothing and supportive, even when he is no longer around.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a poignant novel which tackles big issues with a gentle touch — mental health problems, addiction, LSD, grief, domestic ab*se, emotional ab*se, child ab*se and neglect, divorce, spousal ab*se, t*xic masculinity, societal expectations around the roles of women, marriage, and single-parenting — even m*rder. But don’t let this list put you off reading this gem of a novel. It’s quiet and haunting, and blisteringly sad — but it is also so affirming and empowering and filled with hope. This is one of Morgan’s finest novels, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received an ARC from the publisher, Orbit, in exchange for an honest review. Furthermore, in the interests of transparency, I know the author via Facebook.
The titular character, Beatrice, is a psychologist who works with vulnerable young adults in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s. Through one of her clients, she becomes curious about LSD; her resulting drug-induced experiences allow her to make some giant mental leaps and realisations with regard to her clients’ problems, and she becomes fascinated with how it could be used to further psychological understanding. However, a side-effect from her trips is that she can now see “ghosts”, even when sober.
Naturally gifted as a child with an empathic ability to know people’s inner feelings in a situation, Beatrice has used this knowledge throughout her life, but the LSD has intensified it. Now she sees nebulous mists or shadows hovering around everyone she meets, and the power of the emotions fuelling these shapes terrifies her. Beatrice closes her practice, leaves the man she loves, and moves to a remote island where she can live in solitude on a smallholding, with her two cows (Alice and Dorothy) for company. If she can keep her interactions with other people to a minimum, she may not feel like she’s going mad.
Arriving to disturb the peace that Beatrice craves is Anne, a young mother fleeing her abusive husband. She arrives on the Island to beg sanctuary from the community of nuns living there. Unable to take her in, Mother Maggie opts for the next best thing: she takes Anne to stay with Beatrice. The only problem is Anne’s ghosts: one small and filled with pain; the other large and filled with malice.
And that’s when the smallholding experiences a haunting from an actual ghost, a woman filled with fury and seeking vengeance.
Slowly, Beatrice coaxes Anne’s story from her — and Anne does the same with Beatrice. In this pairing of women, a connection forms between the two of them which invites truths to be spoken aloud, and hurts healed through the power of friendship and community.
This is beautiful book with exquisite prose. The settings are so evocative that I felt that I was truly there, whether it be San Francisco, The Island, or Oak Hill. The Island, in particular, has a rich and gothic atmosphere that I adored, especially around the smallholding, the cottage there, and the weather (I got the feeling the Island is off the Pacific North West coast, but I could be wrong). The book is told through three different points of view: Beatrice’s, Anne’s, and that of Anne’s young son, Benjamin, who has secrets of his own. The latter were the hardest to read, as they are told through the experiences of a traumatised child; I think Morgan captured his voice brilliantly.
The characters are well drawn out and I could resonate with so many of them. I particularly loved Mother Maggie and her compassionate but no-nonsense attitude. I found James to be charmingly dislikable, which is perfect for him, and I loved Mitch’s steadfast love and sense of justice. Both Beatrice and Anne are women with hidden strengths that they believe to be weaknesses; through supporting each other, they realise how wrong they are. And Beatrice’s father is just so soothing and supportive, even when he is no longer around.
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a poignant novel which tackles big issues with a gentle touch — mental health problems, addiction, LSD, grief, domestic ab*se, emotional ab*se, child ab*se and neglect, divorce, spousal ab*se, t*xic masculinity, societal expectations around the roles of women, marriage, and single-parenting — even m*rder. But don’t let this list put you off reading this gem of a novel. It’s quiet and haunting, and blisteringly sad — but it is also so affirming and empowering and filled with hope. This is one of Morgan’s finest novels, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received an ARC from the publisher, Orbit, in exchange for an honest review. Furthermore, in the interests of transparency, I know the author via Facebook.
November 24, 2023
4 Stars
One Liner: A poignant and atmospheric read
Beatrice Bird has had a gift since she was a child. She can see ghosts or rather physical manifestations that get stronger as she grows. Unable to handle the pressure, she leaves her home and partner to live on a remote island in a secluded cottage.
Soon, Anne Iredale arrives at the island, bringing her share of ghosts. She has lost everything that matters to her and doesn’t know what to do. Despite her hesitation, Beatrice begins to talk to Anne and thinks she might help her. Maybe both women can heal themselves if they can take the much-needed steps.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Beatrice and Anne, with a few chapters from Benjamin.
My Thoughts:
The story, though majorly set in 1977, has a few chapters from different years to show Beatrice and Anne’s pasts. The progression is non-linear but is easy to track and follow. This is done to provide the necessary information at the right time.
Even though the setting is atmospheric, the story is mostly ‘told’. It suits the content as things are dark and could have gotten unnecessarily graphic. Right now, there is enough information to understand the characters and empathize with them.
The book deals with themes like DV, past trauma, controlling behavior, manipulation, family, relationships, etc. There are very few lighthearted scenes, and even those have a layer of darkness, much like the fog on the cover. (Check the TW list at the end of the review)
There’s quite a lot about God and faith as well. This comes as a surprise since the blurb didn’t hint at it. Thankfully, it’s not preachy, but I still had to get used to repeated references to God and some discussions around the theme (and also get a friend’s help to clarify a couple of doubts. Thanks, Rosh).
However, the concept of ghosts is quite intriguing in this one. It has literal ghosts but also metaphorical ones with literal manifestations (trying hard to not reveal spoilers). I like how these two blend as the plot progresses.
The pacing is moderate and dips in the middle. However, the action picks up in the last quarter. It is intense and ups the paranormal element without being spooky (at least to me). Though a few developments are convenient, I don’t mind. The plot needs to come together somehow.
I like the characterization of the leading women, Beatrice and Anne. One of them has what the other would have considered unconventional. They are flawed but have their share of vulnerabilities and can inspire empathy in the readers. And oh, there are two cute cows, too!
Benjamin, the five-year-old kid, gets the most love. His POV, though in the third person, is written to suit his age. These chapters are almost heartbreaking in some places.
The ending is hopeful and ties up the loose ends. Some things are glossed over, but do the job. We knew enough to not have any lingering doubts, though the book does leave us thinking about a lot of things.
To summarize, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a poignant and atmospheric read about friendship, healing, love, loss, moving on, and starting afresh. Pick it up when you are in the mood for a slightly heavy read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit (Little Brown Group), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheGhostsofBeatriceBird
***
T.W.:
One Liner: A poignant and atmospheric read
Beatrice Bird has had a gift since she was a child. She can see ghosts or rather physical manifestations that get stronger as she grows. Unable to handle the pressure, she leaves her home and partner to live on a remote island in a secluded cottage.
Soon, Anne Iredale arrives at the island, bringing her share of ghosts. She has lost everything that matters to her and doesn’t know what to do. Despite her hesitation, Beatrice begins to talk to Anne and thinks she might help her. Maybe both women can heal themselves if they can take the much-needed steps.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Beatrice and Anne, with a few chapters from Benjamin.
My Thoughts:
The story, though majorly set in 1977, has a few chapters from different years to show Beatrice and Anne’s pasts. The progression is non-linear but is easy to track and follow. This is done to provide the necessary information at the right time.
Even though the setting is atmospheric, the story is mostly ‘told’. It suits the content as things are dark and could have gotten unnecessarily graphic. Right now, there is enough information to understand the characters and empathize with them.
The book deals with themes like DV, past trauma, controlling behavior, manipulation, family, relationships, etc. There are very few lighthearted scenes, and even those have a layer of darkness, much like the fog on the cover. (Check the TW list at the end of the review)
There’s quite a lot about God and faith as well. This comes as a surprise since the blurb didn’t hint at it. Thankfully, it’s not preachy, but I still had to get used to repeated references to God and some discussions around the theme (and also get a friend’s help to clarify a couple of doubts. Thanks, Rosh).
However, the concept of ghosts is quite intriguing in this one. It has literal ghosts but also metaphorical ones with literal manifestations (trying hard to not reveal spoilers). I like how these two blend as the plot progresses.
The pacing is moderate and dips in the middle. However, the action picks up in the last quarter. It is intense and ups the paranormal element without being spooky (at least to me). Though a few developments are convenient, I don’t mind. The plot needs to come together somehow.
I like the characterization of the leading women, Beatrice and Anne. One of them has what the other would have considered unconventional. They are flawed but have their share of vulnerabilities and can inspire empathy in the readers. And oh, there are two cute cows, too!
Benjamin, the five-year-old kid, gets the most love. His POV, though in the third person, is written to suit his age. These chapters are almost heartbreaking in some places.
The ending is hopeful and ties up the loose ends. Some things are glossed over, but do the job. We knew enough to not have any lingering doubts, though the book does leave us thinking about a lot of things.
To summarize, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a poignant and atmospheric read about friendship, healing, love, loss, moving on, and starting afresh. Pick it up when you are in the mood for a slightly heavy read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit (Little Brown Group), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheGhostsofBeatriceBird
***
T.W.:
December 30, 2023
TWs: Abuse. Domestic Violence, Neglect, Alcoholism
I picked this up after being sent the ARC by orbit’s influencer program. I love ghosts, and ‘Haunting of Hill House’ tormented themes, and so I was instantly drawn into this story. I’d like to thank Redhook Publishing and Orbit Influencer for being sweet enough to provide me with a copy for my honest opinion.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Louisa Morgan and it was impossible to put this book down. It is a slow start of a book. It took up to 100 pages for me to get into it, as it was a rather slow build of characters. It can be a bit info-dumpy, but the author NEVER shies away from showing rather than telling. These characters are all about action. A simple fact that gets you extremely invested in their well being.
While I appreciated the methodical building of the characters Beatrice and Anne, as well as their struggles, it was almost too technical for me as an introduction. I expected ghosts and spooks, but got the point of view of women at the end of their rope. This may put a lot of people off, it’s a little too unexpected. I was close to DNF’ing in the first few chapters - but once I hit 100 pages, I was absolutely hooked. You will have nothing to complain about if you read this book, PERIODT.
Overall, the story is predictable once you reach a certain point but the journey the author takes you on is masterfully unique. It took me a while until I fully realized I was actually sucked into who both characters were as people, and that the plot was secondary to me. So I was not at all having my experience eclipsed by the predictability of the twist. By then, I was completely involved body, mind, and soul into the well being of Beatrice and Anne.
I identified more with Beatrice than I did any other character, though I found Anne to be just as equally endearing. The author takes enough time to make them both stand on their own, with unique backgrounds and boundaries. Yet they share the same compassion for those around them, something that eventually leads to us being carried on this journey with them throughout the book. Still, Beatrice has a well-read, keen drive and assertiveness I admired. She is the supportive wall Anne must lean on to stand up for herself. Similarly, she is the supportive beam that drives the plot forward. The story itself can be filed under feminist fiction, as there is a noticeable focus on the woman’s liberation movement, which was just reaching it’s peak during the years this story takes place in.
I felt like the setting added a sense of loneliness and melancholy to the story, and helped set the atmosphere. As someone who regularly visits the Bay area, the level of consistent gloom is almost indescribable - but Morgan captures it within the story without overfilling her pages with flowery lengthy descriptions that choke the end result. It isn’t hard to believe as a setting.
I also added a star because there is cows.
Thanks again to Redhook for the advance copy.
I picked this up after being sent the ARC by orbit’s influencer program. I love ghosts, and ‘Haunting of Hill House’ tormented themes, and so I was instantly drawn into this story. I’d like to thank Redhook Publishing and Orbit Influencer for being sweet enough to provide me with a copy for my honest opinion.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Louisa Morgan and it was impossible to put this book down. It is a slow start of a book. It took up to 100 pages for me to get into it, as it was a rather slow build of characters. It can be a bit info-dumpy, but the author NEVER shies away from showing rather than telling. These characters are all about action. A simple fact that gets you extremely invested in their well being.
While I appreciated the methodical building of the characters Beatrice and Anne, as well as their struggles, it was almost too technical for me as an introduction. I expected ghosts and spooks, but got the point of view of women at the end of their rope. This may put a lot of people off, it’s a little too unexpected. I was close to DNF’ing in the first few chapters - but once I hit 100 pages, I was absolutely hooked. You will have nothing to complain about if you read this book, PERIODT.
Overall, the story is predictable once you reach a certain point but the journey the author takes you on is masterfully unique. It took me a while until I fully realized I was actually sucked into who both characters were as people, and that the plot was secondary to me. So I was not at all having my experience eclipsed by the predictability of the twist. By then, I was completely involved body, mind, and soul into the well being of Beatrice and Anne.
I identified more with Beatrice than I did any other character, though I found Anne to be just as equally endearing. The author takes enough time to make them both stand on their own, with unique backgrounds and boundaries. Yet they share the same compassion for those around them, something that eventually leads to us being carried on this journey with them throughout the book. Still, Beatrice has a well-read, keen drive and assertiveness I admired. She is the supportive wall Anne must lean on to stand up for herself. Similarly, she is the supportive beam that drives the plot forward. The story itself can be filed under feminist fiction, as there is a noticeable focus on the woman’s liberation movement, which was just reaching it’s peak during the years this story takes place in.
I felt like the setting added a sense of loneliness and melancholy to the story, and helped set the atmosphere. As someone who regularly visits the Bay area, the level of consistent gloom is almost indescribable - but Morgan captures it within the story without overfilling her pages with flowery lengthy descriptions that choke the end result. It isn’t hard to believe as a setting.
I also added a star because there is cows.
Thanks again to Redhook for the advance copy.
October 2, 2023
The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a riveting new novel from Louisa Morgan, the acclaimed author of A Secret History of Witches. Beatrice Bird, a woman born with special empathetic abilities, flees her psychology practice to seek solace on a sparsely populated island in the Pacific Northwest. Since trying acid at the suggestion of a patient, Beatrice’s empathy has begun to manifest in the form of “ghosts” that trail behind the people she sees, and she hopes to escape the pain and turmoil of feeling other people’s trauma. When a young woman named Anne Iredale arrives on the island hoping to escape her own traumatic past, Beatrice and Anne become partners in solving a mystery which helps to bring both of the women peace.
The novel unfolds with alternating focuses on Beatrice, Anne, and Anne’s five-year-old son Benjamin. The plot bounces between the present day on the island and the women’s past experiences. Readers learn how Beatrice’s gifts develop from her childhood, and they understand Anne’s trauma through the lens of her own early experiences. Although some of the shades that Beatrice sees are ghosts, others are simply manifestations of fears and feelings that hang upon the living who have not yet processed their emotional pain. The novel is both a haunting story about two women’s lives and a commentary on the way we all carry pain with us even after we believe we have recovered.
I loved The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird. I found the characters engaging and the ideas insightful. Although Beatrice has been blessed with the fairy gift of “second sight”, the book has a real-world and true crime feel that grounds the fantasy elements in reality. The book’s message about overcoming trauma is admirable, and the relationship between the women who help each other to process the past and look toward the future is inspiring. If you like novels that delve into human psychology while offering a touch of mystery and Gothic detail, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
The novel unfolds with alternating focuses on Beatrice, Anne, and Anne’s five-year-old son Benjamin. The plot bounces between the present day on the island and the women’s past experiences. Readers learn how Beatrice’s gifts develop from her childhood, and they understand Anne’s trauma through the lens of her own early experiences. Although some of the shades that Beatrice sees are ghosts, others are simply manifestations of fears and feelings that hang upon the living who have not yet processed their emotional pain. The novel is both a haunting story about two women’s lives and a commentary on the way we all carry pain with us even after we believe we have recovered.
I loved The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird. I found the characters engaging and the ideas insightful. Although Beatrice has been blessed with the fairy gift of “second sight”, the book has a real-world and true crime feel that grounds the fantasy elements in reality. The book’s message about overcoming trauma is admirable, and the relationship between the women who help each other to process the past and look toward the future is inspiring. If you like novels that delve into human psychology while offering a touch of mystery and Gothic detail, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
January 24, 2024
I loved listening to this book because it made me anxious to listen to it. When a book is so well-written that the reader/listener becomes totally immersed and sympathetic/empathetic with the characters and become so anxious that one hesitates to start it each time, dreading what might happen. That is an exceptional book.
This was me. I love reading Louisa Morgan/Louise Marley since reading The Glass Harmonica and I am always enthralled with her books, but this one was the most riveting.
The main characters, Beatrice and Anne, pulled me in immediately. The setting is mostly in 1977 and mostly on an island in PNW. There is some background time spent in other locales but the nexus is mostly on this remote island.
Beatrice has fled here to come to grips with her ability to see ghosts but gets slowly drawn back into other's lives when Anne appears on her doorstep. Anne is escaping from an abusive family situation. This is the part that caused me to be so anxious each time I readied myself to listen to more of the story. It wasn't just Anne's husband who was abusive, she was raised in an abusive family. Not physically but mentally. Overbearing male figure, submissive female. It angered me so much to see how Anne's father behaved as much as Anne's husband, The Judge [as he always seemed to be in career and demeanor] who was abusive mentally and physically. Controlling every aspect is abuse to the point of isolation as much as physical abuse. Anne's parents concurring as "James is a Judge after all and it's just the way things are" left Anne alone.
The story is told through Anne, Beatrice and Anne's young son Benjamin and it's necessary to have the different voices.
For anyone who is squeamish about ghosts/spirits, the paranormal aspect is part of the story but it doesn't overwhelm. The whole story is key.
I can absolutely recommend this book and author.
This was me. I love reading Louisa Morgan/Louise Marley since reading The Glass Harmonica and I am always enthralled with her books, but this one was the most riveting.
The main characters, Beatrice and Anne, pulled me in immediately. The setting is mostly in 1977 and mostly on an island in PNW. There is some background time spent in other locales but the nexus is mostly on this remote island.
Beatrice has fled here to come to grips with her ability to see ghosts but gets slowly drawn back into other's lives when Anne appears on her doorstep. Anne is escaping from an abusive family situation. This is the part that caused me to be so anxious each time I readied myself to listen to more of the story. It wasn't just Anne's husband who was abusive, she was raised in an abusive family. Not physically but mentally. Overbearing male figure, submissive female. It angered me so much to see how Anne's father behaved as much as Anne's husband, The Judge [as he always seemed to be in career and demeanor] who was abusive mentally and physically. Controlling every aspect is abuse to the point of isolation as much as physical abuse. Anne's parents concurring as "James is a Judge after all and it's just the way things are" left Anne alone.
The story is told through Anne, Beatrice and Anne's young son Benjamin and it's necessary to have the different voices.
For anyone who is squeamish about ghosts/spirits, the paranormal aspect is part of the story but it doesn't overwhelm. The whole story is key.
I can absolutely recommend this book and author.
November 21, 2023
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Everywhere Beatrice Bird looks, she sees ghosts. It has been that way since she was a child, but the "gift" has amplified over the years, and now it has made her life unbearable. The only thing she knows to do is leave her psychology practice in San Francisco, along with her best friend and partner, and move to a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company.. She is perfectly content in her solitude, when the nuns ask her to shelter a woman named Anne Iredale, who is seeking sanctuary from an abusive spouse. For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. But the ghosts have taken on an even darker edge—and there is something sinister lurking in the shadows. Beatrice may not be enough to stop what's coming for them.
I am a huge fan of this author. All of her other books have been about witches, and I love a good story with witches in it. This book did not have a single witch in sight, but it did have ghosts, and I can say with confidence she also writes great books about those as well. This book drew me in from the beginning and kept me riveted until the very end. There was suspense, as well as a bit of a mystery in it, when it came to who the female ghost was that seemed so malevolent. My heart really went out to Anne. You could feel her pain coming off the pages in waves. As someone who has been a victim domestic abuse, it was hard to read at times, and it could be triggering for some. There was also some drug use, if that is a trigger. This was an excellent book about two women who came together, both needing a fresh start, and a ghost that showed them the way. I highly recommend it.
Everywhere Beatrice Bird looks, she sees ghosts. It has been that way since she was a child, but the "gift" has amplified over the years, and now it has made her life unbearable. The only thing she knows to do is leave her psychology practice in San Francisco, along with her best friend and partner, and move to a remote island with only nuns and a few cows for company.. She is perfectly content in her solitude, when the nuns ask her to shelter a woman named Anne Iredale, who is seeking sanctuary from an abusive spouse. For the first time in a long time, Beatrice's gift will be called on to help someone in need. But the ghosts have taken on an even darker edge—and there is something sinister lurking in the shadows. Beatrice may not be enough to stop what's coming for them.
I am a huge fan of this author. All of her other books have been about witches, and I love a good story with witches in it. This book did not have a single witch in sight, but it did have ghosts, and I can say with confidence she also writes great books about those as well. This book drew me in from the beginning and kept me riveted until the very end. There was suspense, as well as a bit of a mystery in it, when it came to who the female ghost was that seemed so malevolent. My heart really went out to Anne. You could feel her pain coming off the pages in waves. As someone who has been a victim domestic abuse, it was hard to read at times, and it could be triggering for some. There was also some drug use, if that is a trigger. This was an excellent book about two women who came together, both needing a fresh start, and a ghost that showed them the way. I highly recommend it.
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