Because the word ‘ghosts’ appears in the title we know what they are when they turn up but our protagonist doesn’t.  How he comes to realise this and cope with it is cleverly done in a creepy tale of persecution, war, loss and love very reminiscent of Susan Hill’s creepy tales.  It’s short and atmospheric, a one-sitting read, highly recommended.

Comparison: Susan Hill, Alexandra Sololoff, Jennifer Egan.

Synopsis

The Great War took much more than lives. It robbed a generation of friends, lovers and futures. In Freddie Watson's case, it took his beloved brother and, at times, his peace of mind. Unable to cope with his grief, Freddie has spent much of the time since in a sanatorium. In the winter of 1928, still seeking resolution, Freddie is travelling through the French Pyrenees - another region that has seen too much bloodshed over the years. During a snowstorm, his car spins off the mountain road. Shaken, he stumbles into the woods, emerging by a tiny village. There he meets Fabrissa, a beautiful local woman, also mourning a lost generation. Over the course of one night, Fabrissa and Freddie share their stories of remembrance and loss. By the time dawn breaks, he will have stumbled across a tragic mystery that goes back through the centuries. By turns thrilling, poignant and haunting, this is a story of two lives touched by war and transformed by courage.

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About the Author

Kate Mosse is the author of two previous novels and two non-fiction books. She presented BBC 4's flagship Readers and Writers Roadshow and is a guest presenter of Radio 4's Saturday Review. The co-founder and Honorary Director of the Orange Prize for Fiction, Kate is also a trustee of Arts & Business, Arts & Kids and the Arts Council of England. In 2000, she was named European Woman of Achievement for her contribution to the arts. She lives with her family in West Sussex and Carcassonne. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation