Reviews for The Angelus Ghost
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie and Daphne Du Maurier (with a slight frisson of Lovecraft), Karen Treanor has written a novel far more substantive than the usual mystery-romance. Her memorable protagonist might be cheeky, but she also has both feet planted firmly on the ground. Hired as a companion and nurse for an old childhood friend, Tara O'Neill finesses class prejudice, near-indigence and hot-blooded males with great humor and aplomb. Mysterious tolling bells in the night and the sound of crying babies that aren't there give an eerie touch familiar (but just as chilling) to readers of The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Turn of the Screw. Ms. Treanor deftly intertwines the mystery of who is trying (or, perhaps, not trying) to kill Meade Castlereagan with ancient and medieval Irish history and mythology, adding more than a passing nod to the more recent Troubles of the early Twenties.

The entire novel is graced with humor that skews the reader's perception and somehow adds to the suspense. Instead of encountering 'evil incarnate' on a dark and dangerous moor, the heroine is almost murdered near a knot garden that has decayed into a 'not garden'. And the very fact that, with one notable exception, all of the characters are so lively and pleasant gives a sinister turn to mere appearances. The Edwardian love scenes are humorously realistic, the suspense (especially at the end) exceptionally well-done, and the tidbits of lore (even about penguins!) delightful and informative. The rousing finale comes as a complete, but logical, surprise.

An additional bonus is the first-rate writing. Among my favorites:

      "I found five more coffins whose occupants had sufficiently fulfilled the words of the burial service not to be much of a burden."
      "Jeremy offered me a tour of the rose garden but I begged off, saying I had to be up early. Why is it young men always think flowers look best when the light is nearly gone?"
      "Poppies kited untidily about the front door, next to an ancient yew that seemed surprised and a bit pained by its companions' extravagant behavior."
      "A stout young man got up as a penguin by the simple expedient of donning a pair of white mittens with his evening suit and white vest whirled me into a polka. He made up in energy what he lacked in style, and paid me compliments in a fruity voice."
      "The air was crisp and cold, but invigorating, with the astringent tang of new wine."
      "Only brother Aloysius the doorkeeper survived this holocaust, kneeling all the while in the deep embrasure of the West door. When the terrified country-folk arrived at dawn to see what had happened, they found him still kneeling there, ruin all around him and ravens hopping about the High Altar, making an unusually fine breakfast."
Here's a chilling little tidbit from a man intent on killing Tara: "So be a good girl and say your beads for a while--I've a bit more to do before I tidy up the loose ends." And here's proof that the heroine, while just as sharp as a Jane Austen character, is certainly not as prudish: "Do you realize that we seem to have become prone on this beastly rock?"
      "You may be prone: I seem to be supine," I said.

In short, The Angelus Ghost is a terrific novel that I highly recommend to everyone.

        This is a Reader Review from Jim Rogers.

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I read 'The Angelus Ghost', by KRW Treanor and loved it.

What a kicker at the end, wow! I hear people say they read a book and could not put it down, now I know what they mean. I had to find out what Tara, the heroine, would discover next and did not abide many interuptions.

After that I was drawn to re-reading 'Death in the Sea of Grass', by the same author. Different types of stories but really enjoyed them both it is great to get novels with Heroines who are not running around in high heels, screeching at every turn, who can take a few knocks and keep on going.

         This is a Reader Review from Mary McClements.

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Reviewed by Anne K. Edwards - New Mystery Reader Reviews

Attention mystery and romance fans, here is a tale to grab your attention. Guaranteed to satisfy any reader.

A gloomy old house in Ireland owned by Charles Castlereagan is a temporary home to nurse Tara O'Neill when she undertakes the care of her stricken friend, Meade--wife of Sir Charles. Immediately, she is faced with the problem of dealing with Meade's mental confusion. Is her old friend losing her mind as evidenced by talk of ghosts and strange sounds that no one but her can hear?

Crisis follows crisis until Charles is convinced to send Meade away. Tara will be accompanying her, much to the dismay of Jeremy, Charles' younger brother who has pursued her vigorously.

Meade's absense from the house brings about a return to her former health and she returns home blooming and carrying a baby to replace the one ths lost the previous year. Tara has agreed to stay on and report to the doctor the state of Meade's health.

Mixed in her concern for her friend is a growing attraction between Tara and the doctor, a man she'd known some years back. But, until they are sure Meade is safe from further attacks, they will do nothing about their private feelings.

Tara is convinced someone, not a ghost, is haunting the house with evil intent toward Meade. The attacks are resumed with increasing intensity. Does someone want the Castlereagan line to die out?

Lots of mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat as you keep turning pages to see what happens next. Lots of red herrings, twists and surprises in store for the reader. An exciting read.

Highly recommended as something different, a read you will truly enjoy. I sure did.

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