Book Review: The Ghostwriters by Mickey J. Corrigan

With The Ghostwriters, Mickey J. Corrigan delivers a bold and edgy psychological drama that pulls you in whether you want it to or not.

Jacy McMasters is a struggling writer living in Manhattan who wastes her time on cheap booze and toxic men. Then the ghost of JD Balinger arrives asking her to "channel" a follow-up to his classic coming of age book, The Watcher in the Sky. As they work together, the ghost forces her to confront the dark secrets she has done her best to conceal and hide from.

I'll be honest: if I had written a first chapter review of this novel, my thoughts would have been very different back then than they are now. I'm not sure I would have continued. I'm not a fan of toxic relationships, self-destructive people, or books filled with the F-word. The Ghostwriters has all three. I'm truly glad I stuck with it, however, because once I was engaged, I was fully engaged until the very end.

The Ghostwriters delves deep into the mind of a young woman being destroyed by a lifetime of secrets she has done her best to shut out. It's rough ground that she treads, and the reader treads it right along with Jacy in all its ugliness. The psychology of childhood relationships, parent/child relationships, and true hardship is in the forefront of this novel.

Corrigan's strength lies in her ability to create complex characters. Even Firth, who is a real sweetheart, has his horrible temper to deal with. No one is perfect.

This is stated to be a thriller--which if judging by the sheer pace of the novel, it qualifies--but I truly see it as a drama because of the depth into which we explore Jacy's mind and how these secrets have nearly destroyed her. For the reader, there is a mystery about Jacy's reality.

Despite the fact that I figured out where the plot was headed before it was revealed, I still needed to know all the gritty details. I hung in and found a satisfying ending. I would definitely read more of this author's work.


Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (September 2, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1509209255
ISBN-13: 978-1509209255

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:

First Chapter Review: Fires of Man by Dan Levinson

Fires of Man by Dan Levinson is a sci-fi, action, drama novel I received through Pump Up Your Book.

BLURB:  Supposedly, the war between Calchis and Orion ended decades ago. But upon reporting to an isolated Orion army base for basic training, Private Stockton Finn learns the war still rages, only the weapons have changed—most disturbingly of all, Finn has been selected to become one of those weapons.

Across the border, young Calchan farm boy Aaron Waverly learns all too well just how determined his country is to win the war when he is abducted from his family's property by a sinister government operative known only as Agent. Trapped in dreary new surroundings, learning deadly skills he's never before imagined, Aaron struggles to reconcile his ephemeral faith with his harsh new reality.

As the two nations hurtle toward a resurgence of open hostilities, Finn and Aaron—along with their powerful new mentors—prepare themselves for the inevitable clash. Meanwhile, Calchan archaeologist Dr. Faith Santia unearths a surprising find in the frozen tundra far to the north, which hints that the brewing conflict may only be the first of their worries...

COVER: Love it. The color scheme is great. The burning city in the background speaks to the setting. And the raised gold lettering screams out the genre. Nicely done.

FIRST CHAPTER: A man known only as Agent approaches the farm of Aaron Waverly and kidnaps him.

KEEP READING: A character-driven reader such as I is at a disadvantage when reading a chapter where the central character is a man with no name. Even he only knows himself as Agent. But the author does an excellent job of dropping the reader right into the action. The first chapter is short, but intense. Though this isn't a genre I read a lot of, I'm definitely intrigued and wish to continue.


Series: Psionic Earth (Book 1)
Paperback: 392 pages
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press (June 17, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939967325
ISBN-13: 978-1939967329
Also available for Kindle and Nook!

Dan Levinson is a NY-based writer of speculative fiction. Trained as an actor at NYU's Tisch School of Arts, he also writes for the stage and screen. He grew up immersing himself in fantastical worlds, and is thrilled to now create them. In addition to the Psionic Earth series, he is also the author of the upcoming YA fantasy novel The Ace of Kings, first book of The Conjurer's Cycle.

For More Information

• Visit Dan Levinson’s website.
• Connect with Dan on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Dan at Goodreads.
• Contact Dan.

I received a free copy of the Kindle version of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

For More Information

• Fires of Man is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
• Read excerpt here.