 150 years ago, Lady Olivia Kent and Lord Richard
Abbotsford are lovers, but she is betrothed to another, Lord Worthington, who –
with an eye on her fortune – will not set her free. Fast forward to the present and Richard is a ghost haunting
the Kent Estate - once Olivia's home, now a hotel. Claire and Holly are
visiting England, and are very excited to be staying there. But
immediately on their arrival, they join a tour of the old stately home and
Claire is terrified by a man's touch and voice – though there is nobody there.
We, the reader, know that Richard has recognised her as the reincarnation of
Richard's lost love, Olivia Kent, but Claire has no idea. This is a traditional ghost story with a twist, expertly told. Debbie
McClure tells her readers just enough to instill a sense of suspense and the
desire to know what happened to Richard and Olivia. Her characters, both past
and present, are well-drawn and the build-up to the haunting is plausible and
well-paced. Mysteries soon unfold as it transpires Worthington was
murdered after arguing with Richard Abbotsford, who disappeared the same night.
Exactly one year later, Olivia also disappeared though took no belongings with her.
Richard is blamed for the murder yet cannot remember anything; and if Olivia
ran off to join him why is he haunting her old home and why did she leave everything behind? Abbotsford appears to Claire on her first evening at Kent
Estate, and talks to her as Olivia. She is disbelieving, shocked and
incredulous. In the morning she believes the encounter a dream, and we feel
Abbotsford's frustration as he tries to get through to her. The interaction between the 150 year old ghost and the
modern woman is well done with great attention paid to the differences in
language: both UK/US and modern/historical. Debbie McClure also successfully
highlights how attitudes and behaviours have changed as the two main characters
repeatedly clash as they get to know each other.  This is an intriguing murder-mystery, ghost and love
story and a very enjoyable read that was difficult to put down, and I'm looking
forward to book two. Watch out for an interview with Debbie A McCLure coming soon! In The Spirit Of Love is available from:  Debbie A. McClure's website: |
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