Marilyn Levinson is the author of several series, particularly The Haunted Library series, which she writes under the name Allison Brook. You can find out more about her here, and read her last post here.
With Halloween approaching, many readers search for books with paranormal elements—witches, goblins, vampires, and ghosts.
Though I’ve never met a ghost, I’ve read enough about ghost sightings and hauntings to believe they exist. Experts in the field say some spirits remain earthbound because they’ve experienced a brutal or sudden death and don’t realize they’re dead. Others remain here because they have unfinished business or issues they need to resolve before passing on. Ghosts, whether you believe in them or not, have a permanent place in our literary lore. Readers find their manifestations unnerving, thrilling and intriguing. George and Marion Kerby in TOPPER and the sea captain in THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR are three of my favorite literary spirits.
Ghosts appear in my Haunted Library mystery series, my mystery GIVING UP THE GHOST and in my juvenile novel GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. They are fully-developed characters who have remained on the Earthly plane to be of assistance or to settle accounts. In my Haunted Library series, Evelyn Havers is the sixty-something ghost that haunts the Clover Ridge Library where she worked as an aide for many years. Only Carrie Singleton, my sleuth who is head of programs and events, and her little cousin can see Evelyn. Evelyn helps Carrie solve murders.
Cameron Leeds, the ghost in GIVING UP THE GHOST, is a charismatic scoundrel. Cam knows he was murdered. Trouble is, he doesn’t know who did it, and he can’t move on until he does. When Gabbie Meyerson rents his family’s cottage—the only place where he can manifest—Cam nags and cajoles until she agrees to investigate his death.
Twelve-year-old Vannie Taylor, my protagonist in GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, has just lost her mother and her father is a basket case without her. Vannie meets Archie the ghost soon after her father has moved her and her brother to live in a dingy cottage on the estate where he manages events. Archie appears to be carefree and funny, but his story is tragic, as Vannie and her best friend discover when they research his life. Archie asks Vannie to do something she’s reluctant to do, but it may be the only way her life can get back to normal.
What are some of your favorite books and movies that feature ghosts?
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. DEATH OVERDUE, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series. Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place.
You can find out more about Marilyn Levinson on her website, on Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter as Allison Brook and Marilyn Levinson, and BookBub as Allison Brook and Marilyn Levinson.
Growing up, I loved the cartoon, CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST.
I did, too. He was so cute and friendly.
Topper would have to one of then and also The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Then Ghostbusters and Casper
What a fun series Topper was! And the others, too.
I loved Casper and am a big Ghostbusters fan! Thanks for your post, Marilyn!
My pleasure, Margaret. I must admit, I watched Ghostbusters many years ago and don’t remember very much of it beyond the ghostbusters dashing around.
Great post, Marilyn! It left me pondering fictional ghosts, trying to recall the ones I’ve read and haven’t thought about in some time. I was a sucker for the movie “Ghost”. I mean — Patrick Swayze, come on! Three highlights of my travels included ghost tours of Door County Wisconsin, New Orleans and Williamsburg, Virginia.
Joy, That was such a popular movie! And I would love to go on a ghost tour one day.
Hi, Marilyn. I joined BBWs shortly after your “ghost post,” so I’m just now reading this almost a year later. I, too, love Topper and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I think my favorite ghosts are those we never see in The Haunting of Hill House” (Julie Harris, Claire Bloom). We certainly experience the apparitions, feel them, and see the damage they do, but they remain invisible. Makes me shiver!
Sherrill, I knew we had something in common besides writing for kids.:) I love that you’re writing here a year later. Shows the longevity of blogs.
And the longevity of a great topic, aka classic!
Yes! Thanks, Sherrill.