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Paper Ghosts

By: Julia Heaberlin
Narrated by: Catherine Taber
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Publisher's summary

A Texas map marked with three red dots like drops of blood. A serial killer who claims to have dementia. A mysterious young woman who wants answers. What could go wrong?

Finalist for the ITW Thriller Award

"Fast and furious... You'll never see what's coming." (The Washington Post)

Years ago, her sister Rachel vanished. Now, she is almost certain the man who took Rachel sits in the passenger seat beside her. He claims to have dementia and no memory of murdering girls across Texas in a string of places where he shot eerie pictures. To find the truth, she proposes a dangerous idea: a 10-day road trip with a possible serial killer to examine cold cases linked to his haunting photographs.

Is he a liar or a broken old man? Is he a pathological con artist - or is she?

You won’t see the final terrifying twist spinning your way until the very last mile.

Praise for Paper Ghosts:

Paper Ghosts is a riveting summer read that shows Texas in a powerfully intimate light.” (The Austin Chronicle)

“[An] artful and elegiac psychological thriller...riveting.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“[Paper Ghosts] elevates the often tawdry genre of the serial killer novel to a work of art.” (Sunday Express, UK)

“Texas has yet again bred a major American noir writer.” (D Magazine)

“[Heaberlin has] developed a distinctive literary voice, one that is on full display in Paper Ghosts.” (Houston Chronicle)

“Entertainingly unnerving.” (The Dallas Morning News)

"Strong characterisation, haunting images, a wonderful sense of place, and some dark comedy make this travelogue-cum-psychological thriller well worth the read.” (The Guardian)

©2018 Julia Heaberlin (P)2018 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

"[An] artful and elegiac psychological thriller... Heaberlin brilliantly combines travelogue with a heartbreaking portrait of the damage done by childhood.... [She] wields words like weapons, with each one chosen to heighten tension, underscore emotion, or foreshadow doom." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Paper Ghosts

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wish I could give Paper Ghosts 10 stars!

I loved this story from page one. Grace and Carl were so well fleshed out. I found myself attached to both of their character's. Having loved family members with Alzheimers had a bitter sweet feel. I adore this writers style and stories. An excellent ten star read. Narrator Ms. Taber is fantastic!!!

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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad, not great

Not exactly fine literature and it takes far too long to get to where it is going. But it had entertainment value and Carl is a wonderfully written character

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

ehh

I loved the book but the ending was so fast and felt last minute.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Paper Ghost

So good! I have read all of Julia’s books. This is the best one yet. The characters work so well and her attention to detail weaves a wonderful story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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surprising

A great book, fantastic twists and turns. this one really kept me on my toes

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Really liked this book

I really enjoyed this book and I’m fast beginning to love this authors work. I had a personal connection with dementia and photography so it personally stood out to me

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting story

While it took me awhile t really get into this book, once I did, I could not stop listening. It is a good listen!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A slow drip of suspense

This novel was great from beginning to end. When I thought I hadn’t figured it, I was wrong. Really enjoyed it.

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Fantastic book ! Scratched my itch for a perfect suspenseful book

Suspense , great plot , kept me wanting more! Humor , mixed with twists and turns I never saw coming

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

confusing and slow

at the very end of the book, I decided I liked it. It did start slow and was hard to understand or get into....a weird book.

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