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The Anatomy of Ghosts Audiobook
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(3.01) - 650 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
1786, Jerusalem College, Cambridge. The ghost of Sylvia Whichcote is rumored to be haunting Jerusalem, since disturbed fellow-commoner, Frank Oldershaw, claims to have seen the dead woman prowling the grounds.
Desperate to salvage her son's reputation, Lady Anne Oldershaw employs John Holdsworth, author of The Anatomy of Ghosts, a stinging account of why ghosts are mere delusion to investigate. But his arrival in Cambridge disrupts an uneasy status quo as he glimpses a world of privilege and abuse.
And when Holdsworth finds himself haunted not only by the ghost of his dead wife, Maria, but also Elinor—the very-much-alive Master's wife—his fate is sealed.
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"One day I'll learn not to be put off books about ghosts... I don't like ghost stories but mysteries including ghosts are rarely actual ghost stories. I've liked pretty much everything Andrew Taylor has ever written and have searched out much of his back catalogue. In short I liked this too but not as much as other things. I did feel the book could have done with one of those "casts of characters" lists in addition to the map in the front of the book as I kept losing track of who was who."
— Kirsty (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Selected for the February 2011 Indie Next List
The Anatomy of Ghosts Listener Reviews
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" This was the winner of some type award called Diamond Dagger 2009. Unfortunately, I found it to be so slow and so so boring. It was quite a disappointment to me and I would probably avoid this author in the future as a result. "
— Katherine, 2/14/2014 -
" Gave up without finishing. Fairly awful--trying to be too many things. Ghosts, historical fiction, sex? Really? Again, I can't for the life of me remember why I added this to my list! "
— Kathleen, 1/29/2014 -
" Three and a half stars rounded up. "
— Robert, 12/31/2013 -
" Widower is given job of investigating the alleged sighting of a ghost at Jerusalem College - becomes involved with the tutors/students/Holy Ghost Club - Enjoyable, not scary, well written. "
— Lou, 12/31/2013 -
" I just finished this book last night it starts slow but once it draws you in it is hard to put down. It is a good mystery period piece that will keep you guessing to the end. "
— Bob, 12/29/2013 -
" The ending was very different than what I expected "
— Daniel, 12/27/2013 -
" Wonderful historical mystery - loved the details of Cambridge, the servant boys, the clubs and the gardens. This was a fun read full of well developed characters and a good mystery. "
— Gigi, 12/12/2013 -
" superb. Effortlessly transports you into the 18th Century. Rather a lot on toilet habits - you would swear you can even smell them! (Don't let this put you off the book). It's a beguiling story , skilfully told. "
— Lynne, 12/4/2013 -
" disappointment avoid reading this book. "
— Andreas, 12/2/2013 -
" couldn't get into it. maybe next time... "
— Isabel, 10/31/2013 -
" Now I understand why Inspector Lewis dislikes Oxford so much... such an insular, nasty little place this Cambridge college was... "
— Carrie, 6/14/2013 -
" An unusual ghost story mystery set in the eighteenth century. The plot flows smoothly and the characters fit the time period with their uniquely own quirks. Twist and turns with a good ending. "
— Theresa, 5/2/2013 -
" Some nice period details of Cambridge. "
— Martin, 2/6/2013 -
" An interesting historical mystery, set in Cambridge University. Ultimately a better character study and a nice dissection of Georgian class than a mystery. Worth reading, but the end, and the rather distant protagonist, didn't whelm me. The other characters are all interesting. "
— Mackay, 1/28/2013 -
" I'm usually never completely pleased with endings and although Taylor's The Anatomy of Ghosts is fantastic, the ending left me wanting. I don't need unrealistic closure, but after dedicating this much time to a book, I need more finality. "
— Mike, 9/28/2012 -
" I enjoyed this new book very much. It was confusing at times due to the large number of characters in and around the university setting, but it was intriguing and well written and I very much enjoyed it. "
— Alison, 2/22/2012 -
" Some nice period details of Cambridge. "
— Martin, 6/30/2011 -
" I must admit that I am normally not a big fan of "period" pieces, but this book really caught my interest. I was lucky enough to get an advance readers edition and I enjoyed it. The characters were well defined and the storyline was very inventive. I definitely recommend it! "
— Sherri, 6/16/2011 -
" Wow, Well written mystery. <br/>Several intertwining threads, Full of sorrow from losses of loved ones that accumulates to a satisfactory ending. "
— Ghostchaser, 6/9/2011 -
" I enjoyed this new book very much. It was confusing at times due to the large number of characters in and around the university setting, but it was intriguing and well written and I very much enjoyed it. "
— Alison, 5/25/2011 -
" Andrew Taylor's dialogue makes you feel like you are living in the 18th century...very enjoyable book "
— Sharon, 5/19/2011 -
" Another dissapointing book. Good beginning, interesting characters, nicely captured period and place, but as a mystery not v. good. "
— Kat, 5/1/2011 -
" I normally do not like historical mysteries and have little patience with ghost stories. This is a little of both and I ended up liking it quite a lot. "
— Lynn, 4/26/2011 -
" Adequately written but dull. Subject matter may offend some. Really good evocation of the era, and some decent characterization. "
— Gail, 4/25/2011 -
" An interesting historical mystery, set in Cambridge University. Ultimately a better character study and a nice dissection of Georgian class than a mystery. Worth reading, but the end, and the rather distant protagonist, didn't whelm me. The other characters are all interesting. "
— Mackay, 4/8/2011
About Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor is a British author best known for his crime novels, which include the Dougal series, the Lydmouth series, the Roth trilogy, and the historical novel The American Boy. He has won the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award twice.
About John Telfer
John Telfer, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actor best known for playing the character of Willy Pettit in five seasons of Bergerac. He has appeared many times in various television dramas, while his parallel theatrical career has involved him in leading roles at the Bristol Old Vic, the Royal National Theatre, the Old Vic in London, and many regional theaters. He has made hundreds of radio broadcasts, and he plays the part of Alan, the vicar, in The Archers.