Book Review (36).

Haunting Violet

by Alyxandra Harvey 

Publication: 1st August 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia

Pages: 344

Genre: Paranormal/Historical

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My Thoughts.

This is the first book I've ever read by Alyxandra Harvey and if all her books are like this one it definately won't be the last.

The story takes place in the late 1800's and Violet helps her mother scam people into believing she's a pyschic, her and Colin a boy who was orphaned when he was younger and taken in by Violet's mother Celeste to work for her, set up the room's that seances are going to be held in so people hear knocking, smell perfume and feel cold air.

They are invited to a Lord Jasper's estate to perform some seance's in front of some of the elite of society and it's there that Violet sees her first ghost a girl Rowena who everybody believes accidentaly drowned but was in fact murdered and once she realises that Violet sees her she doesn't leave her alone.

Adding to that is a relationship that is being pushed on her by her mother with Xavier who Violet finds very handsome but dull and Colin makes his feelings known to Violet and she realises she feels the same.

Throughout the book we have Violet with the help of her best friend Elizabeth trying to solve the murder of Rowena while also coming to terms with having to deal with all the spirits that want to get her attention.

Anyone who loves gothic, historical stories with a paranormal slant and a bit of romance thrown in do yourself a favour and check this book out.

I give this 4/5

A big thanks to Sonia @ Bloomsbury Australia