GHOST HOUSE

Chloe’s family is reeling from her mother’s sudden death. At the same time, Chloe realizes that her childhood ability to see ghosts has returned.

To deal with their grief, Chloe and her little brother, Rory, are sent to their grandmother’s English estate. It’s more than a culture shock for Chloe: It exposes her to a great number of ghosts—like the handsome, charming Alexander Reade, dead for over 150 years. Their immediate connection provokes vengeance from Isobel, Alex’s love and fellow ghost. Isobel sees Chloe as a threat, not just because of Alex’s interest, but because of the living girl’s supernatural ability. Chloe doesn’t want any of this, but when Isobel strikes out at Rory and Chloe’s new friend, Joe, not to mention dozens of innocent bystanders, Chloe will have to take a stand—even if it means losing Alex. Chloe’s voice is rarely convincing, and other characters are one-dimensional and inconsistent. Plot inconsistencies and pedestrian prose are likely to deter all but the most persistent paranormal-romance fans.

Even a great idea can be sunk by poor characterization and plotting; this has a standard idea, which makes the poor execution all the more obvious.