Thursday, July 14, 2016

Mini Review: What the Dead Want by Norah Olson

Title: What the Dead Want
Author: Norah Olson
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books (July 26, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
16 -year-old Gretchen takes photographs to understand the world around her, a passion her mother Mona fostered and encouraged when she was still around. Since her mom disappeared years ago, Gretchen and her dad have lived on their own in New York City, haunted by Mona’s absence.

When Gretchen’s great aunt Esther calls unexpectedly to tell her that she has inherited the pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s side of the family in upstate New York, Gretchen understands nothing except that her aunt needs her help. But what she finds there is beyond her imagination. The house is crumbling apart, filled with stacks of papers and journals from decades, even centuries past, and it’s crawling with rodents. It’s also full of secrets and a legacy of racism and violence so reprehensible that the ghosts of the past are exacting revenge on the living.


Somehow the mystery of Mona’s disappearance and the atrocities that happened on the land during the Civil War are inextricably intertwined, and it’s up to Gretchen to figure out how…before even more lives are lost. 







I was in the mood for something different, fun, and hopefully spooky with just the right amount of paranormal woo hoo and mystery to keep me turning the pages and be on edge.

With a slight creepy undertone and mystery galore, this really was a good read that was different from the norm. A read to take you away for a few hours and give you something with just enough of the creepy factor to keep you on edge and just enough of that mystery that lovers like me crave to keep you entertained and wanting more.

A good read for fans of the genre and those that want to try it for the first time.






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

61 comments:

  1. That does sounds different and a bit creepy. But I'd love to inherit an old mansion with rodents. I'd be like, come here my little friends while I set bowls of food out for them. But then I'm strange like that. lol

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  2. It was nice, but I agree a bit too

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    1. It was good just not super creepy or exactly what I was expecting. ;)

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  3. Creepy! There's something about reading these type of books in the bright sunlight. The incongruity of it amps the creep factor more. Lol. Is that weird?

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  4. OOh what a spooky cover and premise. Thanks Kindlemom

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  5. This sounds different for sure and a great way to try out this author. Thanks for the review!

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    1. It wasn't very long so it is a good way to get a feel for their writing Tyler.

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  6. Sounds like it was just what you were in the mood for Ali! I do love a good mystery:)

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  7. Love that cover! Glad it fit for what you were looking for!

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  8. I've been in the mood for something like this lately, so it definitely looks like one that I can get lost in for a few hours. Great review!

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  9. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Ali! It's coming up on my list as well and I was really trying to find some enthusiams for it. You helped. Wonderful review.

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    1. Thanks Maja and I do hope you like it. It isn't perfect but it was fun nonetheless.

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  10. This sounds like one I would like. Perfect Fall reading!

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  11. Great review! I do always like something that will spook me so may have to give this a try ♥

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  12. I love your review but three stars makes me nervous...only because when I rate something three it means it was so so for me. It sounds really good though

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    1. The rating was more for the fact that it wasn't as creepy or mysterious as I wanted it to be but it was still good, just not blow you away good.

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  13. Doesn't sound too bad! I do really like "spooky" stories more these days than when I was younger.

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    1. It wasn't bad just not quite what I was hoping it would be. ;)

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  14. That;s all we need to know. Thanks!

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  15. Oh very curious about this one now. I haven't heard of it but love that cover and your review. Yea, I do think I can handle that level of creepy. :D

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    1. It wasn't too bad so I bet you would be okay with it. ;)

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  16. You always find the most interesting books. I love how creepy the cover looks.

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    1. LOL I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing and I do blame Christy for a lot of it. :P

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  17. It sounds pretty good? Sometimes for me a YA mystery is a bit easy to solve so they don't always do it for me. At least in my experience-and not that I have that much! So what do I know? :)But I do like that it's creepy!

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    1. I know what you mean. I usually feel that way as well about them.

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  18. I love a little spook and woo hoo during the summer to take my mond of the 105 degrees outside, lol! This sounds like a great escape.
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Ali :)

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  19. I alway love to see you excited over a book, Ali! <3 It's always so fun to see you fan girl! <3 I'm so glad you liked this one and once I looked at the cover, I knew I had to read it. It seems like its' the perfect amount of spookiness and creepiness!

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    1. LOL thanks Keionda! I really hope you like it. ;)

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  20. Those YA - mystery aren't usually what I like, because they can be so obvious at times, but this sounds like a fun and fast read. Glad you actually enjoyed it ^^

    "Book Addict"

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    1. They can be for sure but for some reason they always have the best descriptions and draw me in.

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  21. I'm glad you could enjoy this one :).

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  22. This sounds like an interesting book! But I am not sure If I am going to read but I am happy that you enjoyed this.
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  23. Sounds like a good one, but not a great one. Maybe a good one to borrow from the library! :)

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  24. What Gretchen unfolds is a mystery and may just help her find her mother. This is a great read that I read in two days.

    Mariz
    Get Best Info for Maid Services San Antonio Company

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  25. Sounds interesting. I don't know about YA though. My last two YAs weren't great for me. Maybe someday. I love that cover though. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  26. I do enjoy some good paranormal woo hoo. :)

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  27. Ooooooh, not one I would normally read, but consider me intrigued!! Such a pretty cover too! :)

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  28. The cover looks really cool! I'm glad you enjoyed this one :)

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