The Ghost Notebooks

A Novel

By: Ben Dolnick

Narrated by: Graham Halstead, full cast

A supernatural story of love, ghosts, and madness as a young couple, newly engaged, become caretakers of a historic museum.

When Nick Beron and Hannah Rampe decide to move from New York City to the tiny upstate town of Hibernia, they aren't exactly running away, but they need a change. Their careers have flatlined, the city is exhausting, and they've reached a relationship stalemate. Hannah takes a job as live-in director of the Wright Historic House, a museum dedicated to an obscure 19th-century philosopher, and she and Nick swiftly move into their new home. The town's remoteness, the speed with which Hannah is offered the job, and the lack of museum visitors are barely a blip in their consideration.

At first, life in this old, creaky house feels cozy - they speak in Masterpiece Theater accents and take bottles of wine to the swimming hole. But as summer turns to fall, Hannah begins to have trouble sleeping and she hears whispers in the night. One morning, Nick wakes up to find Hannah gone. In his frantic search for her, Nick will discover the hidden legacy of Wright House: a man driven wild with grief, and a spirit aching for home.

Read by Graham Halstead, with Carol Monda, Richmond Hoxie, Michael Crouch, and an ensemble cast.

©2018 Ben Dolnick (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"For all its curiosity about things that go bump in the night, the most notable features in The Ghost Notebooks are its qualities of light. Ben Dolnick's charm, lucidity, and insight will come as no surprise to his growing band of fans. Count me one of them." (Garth Risk Hallberg, author of City on Fire)

"In this compelling mix of love story, detective story, and ghost story, [Dolnick] takes a haunting look at what might follow life." (Michele Leber, Booklist)

"Hannah loses her job and applies to be live-in caretaker of the Wright Historic House upstate. She and her fiancé Nick leave Astoria with dreams of a simpler, reinvigorated relationship. And then Hannah disappears. This Brooklyn author delivers an affecting and original take on love, loss, and grief in assured writing that is both poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes in the same sentence." (Cory Oldweiler, AM New York's "Must-Read Books in 2018")

Not what I expected.

I thought at first that this was going to be way different that it was. As such, it was a good story but not what I really vibed with. But give it a listen. It’s a good story regardless

a little difficult to stay on track.

the ending made the confusing plot development worth the wait. I was hooked and landed.

Unsatisfied

This story started out strong and had me intrigued, but then lost me about half way through and I had to push myself to finish. This story isn't scary, so don't expect that. It sort of starts out as a romance, then explores mental health and then by the end it's about spirits. Overall I felt unsatisfied and kind of just sad about the events.

Not a good ghost story.

I was hoping for a good ghost story, or maybe a decent thriller but this came across to me more like a slow build story with a flop of an ending. I'm sorry but ghosts torturing you with visions of your good life and living into a ripe old age isn't maddening enough to drive people to suicide.
This really feels lacking to me.
On the flip side the main performer is really good.

Really talented writer spinning his wheels...

Ben Dolnick is a really talented writer. I've read his 3 earlier books, enjoyed them all, and was knocked out by "At The Bottom Of Everything", which was a beautiful story, beautifully told.

So, I came to "The Ghost Notebooks" with high expectations. Once again, the writing was evocative, and there were sentences that stopped me in my tracks. But, for me, at least, the plot never took hold and, at the end, I was left with the impression that Mr. Dolnick was just spinning his wheels here.

Even so, I look forward to his next book and to his continued growth as a writer.

Disappointing

Not much to it. If you’re expecting to get a cozy chair and a big scare, forget it.