Salem's Ghosts

Rating:
Summary: Breaks its intriguing conceptual promise
Review: As a direct descendent of one of those defendants executed during the Salem witch trials, this reviewer took a special interest in SALEM'S GHOSTS. Even if it is just fiction, the attraction is natural when the plot description talks about those persecuted spirits protecting their posthumous families in contemporary times. If only this novel kept its promise.

Two populations overlap in the general area of Salem, Massachusetts. One belongs to the living and the other the dead. Ghosts of its past inhabitants who have died unfairly are given another chance to exist again, particularly those who were executed during the Salem witch trials. Philip and Mary English, two of the hundreds accused, preside over the ghostly court that wanders around Salem Village and Salem Town. It is Philip who wields the power to release the dead of the locale from their graves. Unfortunately, George Corwin, arresting officer during those macabre 17th century trials, is on the loose during the rites of All Hallow's Eve.

Trying to make sense of this plot is a reader's greatest challenge. The setup of how this ghost community works isn't at all clear. During the story's opening, Mary has to sacrifice a contemporary life to fully release Bridget Bishop from her grave. It gives these undead creatures an intriguing streak of amorality, similar to how Anne Rice's vampires need to drink blood from living beings to survive. Towards the end Mary makes a meek excuse and regrets the incident. It is the only time in this story she acts on her own initiative.

What these ghosts can and cannot do is never really defined. At one point, Mary's spirit separates from her ghostly body. Isn't a ghost a spirit that leaves its earthly body? What is a "ghostly" body? This novel really needs to explain the strengths and weaknesses of its interpretation of ghosts. Many readers are willing to suspend their disbelief for the sake of a gothic mystery, but they need be aware of the ground rules.

The characters have no depth or development. There is a complete lack of sensitivity to the rape of two young women. This is an act of violence that would traumatize a woman of any age. One would think the violent death of a teenager would be enough in itself to turn her into a ghost. Both victims are unrealistically lucid immediately after major trauma. The mother who loses her only child takes it remarkably rational as well.

There is little comparison between the 1690s to the 1990s. It also has a glaring oversight. Wanting to disassociate the city from its dark history of the witch trial, the citizens of Salem Village changed its name to Danvers. The bulk of this story takes place in contemporary Massachusetts and the name Danvers never comes up. Using the old names, Salem Village and Salem Town, during a flashback sequence is certainly appropriate, but it poorly reflects modern times.

Author Rose Earhart's narrative style needs more polish. There is little--if any--distinction in character viewpoint. The overabundance of dialogue attributives is crudely handled and in some places incorrect. The numerous typos and editorial mistakes that flood the text make it almost unreadable.

The concept of SALEM'S GHOSTS definitely had potential. There are plenty of people who are fascinated by the Salem witch trials and would enjoy another fictional interpretation. It's just disappointing that the focus of Mary English "protecting her young" shifted midstream in the novel's plotline to an unforeshadowed villain whose abrupt appearance changes where the story goes.

Rating:
Summary: a page turner
Review: I found Salem's Ghosts to be a wonderfully well crafted and spell binding book. As a teacher of English Literature, I was very impressed by the character and plot development that Ms. Earhart accomplished so brilliantly. Being an avid reader of ghost stories and a student of Salem history, especially during the witch trials, I found the book chilling yet true to the history at the same time. I highly recommend Salem's Ghosts.

Rating:
Summary: a truly wonderful book
Review: I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and very well written. The treatment of the idea of ghosts of the Salem Witch Trials mingling with the population of Salem MA was extremely well handled by the author. The book was hard to put down. I'd recommend it to any one who is a fan of ghost stories.

Rating:
Summary: a truly wonderful book
Review: I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and very well written. The treatment of the idea of ghosts of the Salem Witch Trials mingling with the population of Salem MA was extremely well handled by the author. The book was hard to put down. I'd recommend it to any one who is a fan of ghost stories.

Rating:
Summary: Salem Lovers
Review: Salem's Ghosts was magical! This book is no "hokey" Witch book - it was full of facts and I could place myself in all the landmarks as I was reading it. Very educational and a wonderful read - I highly recommend it for those of us who are more than just fond of Salem and it's history.

Rating:
Summary: Salem Lovers
Review: Salem's Ghosts was magical! This book is no "hokey" Witch book - it was full of facts and I could place myself in all the landmarks as I was reading it. Very educational and a wonderful read - I highly recommend it for those of us who are more than just fond of Salem and it's history.

Rating:
Summary: Salem Lovers
Review: Salem's Ghosts was magical! This book is no "hokey" Witch book - it was full of facts and I could place myself in all the landmarks as I was reading it. Very educational and a wonderful read - I highly recommend it for those of us who are more than just fond of Salem and it's history.