Bloggin' 'bout Books: Unlikable Characters + Unsatisfying Ending = Meh

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama

- Alaska

- Arizona

- Arkansas

- ~~California~~ (4)

- Colorado

- ~~Connecticut~~ (1)

- Delaware

- Florida

- ~~Georgia~~ (1)

- Hawaii

- Idaho

- ~~Illinois~~ (1)

- ~~Indiana~~ (1)

- ~~Iowa~~ (1)

- Kansas

- ~~Kentucky~~ (1)

- Louisiana

- ~~Maine~~ (2)

- ~~Maryland~~ (1)

- Massachusetts

- ~~Michigan~~ (2)

- ~~Minnesota~~ (2)

- Mississippi

- Missouri

- Montana

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- New Hampshire

- New Jersey

- New Mexico

- ~~New York~~ (2)

- North Carolina

- North Dakota

- ~~Ohio~~ (2)

- Oklahoma

- ~~Oregon~~ (1)

- Pennsylvania

- ~~Rhode Island~~ (1)

- South Carolina

- ~~South Dakota~~ (1)

- Tennessee

- ~~Texas~~ (1)

- ~~Utah~~ (1)

- ~~Vermont~~ (1)

- ~~Virginia~~ (1)

- Washington

- West Virginia

- Wisconsin

- Wyoming

- Washington, D.C.*

International:

- England (6)

- Ireland (1)

-Scotland (1)

Unlikable Characters + Unsatisfying Ending = Meh

12:28 PM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Em Moore has always been the quieter, less dynamic part of the successful writing duo, T.E. Blakemore. Now that Teddy Blake, her business partner and only real friend, has died, Em's not quite sure how to proceed. Unmoored but determined to finish T.E. Blakemore's latest project—a biography of famed actor and movie director Garrett Malcolm—Em convinces their reluctant publisher to let her continue solo. If she can't prove her ability to carry on alone, she could lose what little she has left in her lonely life.

Determined to prove her worth, Em talks handsome, intimidating Garrett into letting her finish his book. In order to gain closer access to her subject, she moves into a guesthouse on his property. Although the celebrity is less than forthcoming, Em is managing to slowly get to know him. Hints of skeletons in Malcolm's closet pique Em's interest even more. Scintillating secrets will ensure the book is a bestseller. When the police launch an investigation into Teddy's death, Em has to grapple with the shocking secrets of more than one man. Can she make sense of it all while completing the most important project of her career?

Despite dragging a bit in places, The Perfect Ghost by Linda Barnes is a compelling novel which took at least one turn I didn't see coming. I can't say I loved it, though. The characters are almost wholly unlikable, the story is depressing, and I found the surprise ending unsatisfying. All in all, then, I just didn't care for The Perfect Ghost much. Bummer.

(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language (a half dozen F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual content

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

7 comments:

Ethan20 April, 2020 16:49
It is really tough to get into a book when you don't like the characters. The premise does sound strong, but those characters might be deal breakers for me.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Reading Ladies Book Club20 April, 2020 16:49
So disappointing! I need a few likable characters and a satisfactory ending.....doesn’t need to me happy....but satisfactory!
ReplyDelete
Replies
(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea21 April, 2020 05:12
Such interesting covers; sorry to hear these were a bit of a bomb.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Annette Mills21 April, 2020 05:31
I think it is all about my mood. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to read about unlikable characters and a depressing story. I’m for sure not up for that right now! Hope you are doing okay!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Lark 21 April, 2020 09:38
Unlikable characters and an unsatisfying ending kills a book for me. I'll be passing on this one.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Katherine P22 April, 2020 15:01
I can handle unlikable characters but only in a can't put down suspense type read. While this doesn't sound like the worst book I think I'll pass.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Carole's Random Life23 April, 2020 18:50
I do like it when a twist can surprise me but I have a hard time falling for a book if I don't like some of the characters.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.

P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!