Book Review: Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls

by Nicole Etolen | Feb 14, 2011 | Books | 45 comments

I’ve been a huge fan of Victoria Laurie since I read the first Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye book a few years ago. I adore reading about that feisty psychic detective and her often near-fatal mishaps. However, when I read the first MJ Holliday book, I was completely hooked. If you haven’t read the other books in the series (you really should), MJ Holliday is a medium/ ghost buster. In the early books, she worked more or less alone, with only the assistance of her trusty sidekick Gilly. In the later books, she is accompanied by a more expansive team as she earns her own cable-network TV show (think Ghost Hunters).

In Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls MJ, her new co-star/”are they or are they not” boyfriend, Gilly and the crew of Ghoul Getters head off to a remote part of Scotland to bust a particular nasty ghoul living in Dunlow castle. In fact, it’s the worst ghoul they’ve ever faced (until the next book). To make matters worse, their producer is missing and the castle is only accessible (or escapable) twice a day for a few hours.

The plot was fun and easy to follow, like all of Laurie’s books. The atmosphere was particularly creepy (pretty much any Scottish, Irish or English castle always comes across as creepy!), and I really liked the development between MJ and Heath. I enjoyed reading this book, but I do have a few complaints. First, Gilly is getting more annoying and less charming with each book. He used to be just a little off in a fairly comedic way. Now he’s a downright raving lunatic, busting into a complete psychotic meltdown at the sight of talking animals on the television. Seriously? The guy deals with ghosts for a living (albeit reluctantly and outfitted in a sweatshirt filled with magnets), but talking animals reduce him to hysterics? I’m terrified of clowns. I hide my eyes when particularly frightening ones come on TV. I don’t start screaming and acting like a loon though, especially in the midst of a particularly frightening investigation (not that I do much ghostly investigating). He’s becoming a hindrance to the other main characters to the point of distraction. Please Ms. Laurie, if you somehow manage to stumble across this little review blog, I beg of you, return Gilly to his usual slightly whacked by still charming self.

Second, I miss Doc, the wise-cracking African Gray that usually travels with MJ and crew. He’s been all but written out since MJ started production on her show. I understand that it is unrealistic to bring her parrot along on trips across the continent, but his presence is still missed.

Overall, “Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls” was a quick, entertaining read. I hope Laurie addresses some of the issues with the ever unraveling Gilly (based on Amazon reviews, I’m not the only one who thought it was over the top) and brings back my beloved Doc, even if just for a few pages. But regardless of the issues with this particular book, I’ll be snapping up her next one the day it comes out, as always.

The giveaway portion of this post is closed and has been removed.

45 Comments

Rita M on February 14, 2011 at 8:42 pm

I’d love to have the 1st in the Ghost Hunter series – I recently discovered Vicoria Laurie & am working my way through her Psychic series but would love to check out her other stuff!
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Jessica Wilde on February 15, 2011 at 6:51 am

I’d choose MJ Holliday. (the first one you recommended.)
jessicaannewilde at gmail dot com
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Jessica Wilde on February 15, 2011 at 6:52 am

I follow you through GFC
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Jessica Wilde on February 15, 2011 at 6:53 am

I follow Pretty Nameless through GFC
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Jessica Wilde on February 15, 2011 at 6:53 am

I follow pretty nameless through networked blogs
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Nicole C. on February 15, 2011 at 1:33 pm

I would choose What’s a Ghoul to Do?.
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Deborah Wellenstein on February 15, 2011 at 7:40 pm

I would love the first in the Ghost Hunter series. Thanks!

dwellenstein at cox dot net
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Deborah Wellenstein on February 15, 2011 at 7:40 pm

I follow you via GFC as dwellenstein.

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Deborah Wellenstein on February 15, 2011 at 7:40 pm

I follow Pretty Nameless via GFC as dwellenstein.

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Deborah Wellenstein on February 15, 2011 at 7:41 pm

I follow Pretty Nameless on Networked Blogs as Debbi Otto Wellenstein.

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Deborah Wellenstein on February 15, 2011 at 7:42 pm

I like Pretty Nameless on Facebook as Debbi Otto Wellenstein.

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Nicki Woo on February 17, 2011 at 4:15 pm

I’d choose What a Ghouls to Do?

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NGS on February 19, 2011 at 7:05 pm

I think I’d go with What’s a Ghoul to Do? My mom and I would both get a kick out of this series!
cheatingpiggies at hotmail dot com
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Libby on February 19, 2011 at 7:16 pm

I’d choose the first book in the Abby Copper series, Psychic Eye.
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Libby on February 19, 2011 at 7:17 pm

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Libby on February 19, 2011 at 7:18 pm

I follow Pretty Nameless with GFC. Username jcsjcs.
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Mama Zen on February 19, 2011 at 11:52 pm

I would choose Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls!
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Debra Hall on February 20, 2011 at 4:04 am

my first time here great site
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AEKZ2 on February 20, 2011 at 7:03 am

I’d choose What’s a Ghoul to Do? (Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 1)
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AEKZ2 on February 20, 2011 at 7:03 am

Google follower
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AEKZ2 on February 20, 2011 at 7:04 am

Google follower of Pretty Nameless
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Renee G on February 21, 2011 at 5:16 am

I haven’t read her books before, but I would love to start with the first book in her ghost hunter series.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
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Stephanie on February 21, 2011 at 12:56 pm

I’d like to try “What’s a Ghoul to Do?” I haven’t read her books yet, so I’ll start with the first. Thanks for the opportunity!
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Stephanie on February 21, 2011 at 12:57 pm

GFC follower (Stephanie)
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Stephanie on February 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm

GFC on Pretty Nameless (Stephanie)
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Stephanie on February 21, 2011 at 1:01 pm

I like Pretty Nameless on FB
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Roseann K. on February 21, 2011 at 3:03 pm

“What’s a Ghoul to Do” sounds like a good read. Thanks!
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Diana Bradford Hatch on February 21, 2011 at 3:19 pm

Would like to read What’s a Ghoul to do?
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Diana Bradford Hatch on February 21, 2011 at 3:19 pm

I follow Pretty Opinonated on GFC
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sarah l on February 21, 2011 at 8:09 pm

I would like the first Abby Cooper book
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sarah l on February 21, 2011 at 8:09 pm

GFC sarah_roxy_21
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Diane Baum on February 21, 2011 at 8:19 pm

What’s a Ghoul to Do please
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Melissa B. on February 21, 2011 at 10:10 pm

I would take the first book in the series because I haven’t read any.
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Ed Nemmers on February 21, 2011 at 11:15 pm

“Demons Are A Ghoul’s Best Friend”!
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susan smoaks on February 22, 2011 at 12:30 am

i would choose the first book in the Abby Copper series Psychic Eye
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Beckee on February 22, 2011 at 2:19 am

I would want the first book in the Ghost Hunters Series! These look fantastic! I am so glad you posted this and introduced me to this author!
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Beckee on February 22, 2011 at 2:20 am

GFC follower of this blog
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follow your other blog on GFC
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