Eighth grader Gilda Joyce has found a way to ease the pain of losing her father and maintain a connection with him; she has decided to become a psychic investigator. With her Master Psychic's Handbook and the typewriter her father gave her, Gilda is ready to take on the spiritual world.
This summer Gilda's psychic sensibilities (a tickle in her left ear) lead her to San Francisco to a distant relative’s house. At the end of the school year, Gilda's teacher asks everyone what they are doing for summer vacation. When Gilda suddenly blurts out that she is going to San Francisco to visit her relative, Lester Splinter, she must quickly devise a plan to get her mother, and Lester, to agree. However, in true Gilda fashion, she successfully gets herself invited and sets off for the unknown.
While in Lester's house Gilda encounters footsteps that seem to emanate from the walls and is haunted by the memory of death. With Lester's daughter, Juliet, as a companion, the two forge a friendship with one common goal: uncover the mystery surrounding the death of Juliet's Aunt Melanie.
The story teases the reader with its ghostly sightings, eerie sounds and settings; ghostly footsteps that come out of the wall, forbidden, locked towers and a mysterious death. Each spooky element is quietly slipped in and threaded throughout the story like a tapestry. From the moment you open the book to the very last chapter, Allison grabs you. The prologue is written by Gilda and she begins it this way: "If you've ever been in a real haunted house (not one of the fake ones with recorded screams and ghosts projected from cameras), you know that they're very quiet."
What's different about Allison's book from your typical ghost story is that there is an element of truth to it. Everything has an explanation, and rather than bang us over the head with it, Allison allows us, and her characters, to discover the real truth behind the hauntings.
But it's more than just the thrill of the narrative that keeps this story going. The characters are both plausible and likeable.
Article comments
1 - Shakia Williams
I absoulutely am in LOVEwith this book. It's gripping funny and emotional wrapped in on extravagent gift box. I loved reading this book.
2 - Kate
Hey,
I'm glad you liked this book. I enjoyed it as well and have read most of them. I think there are three, that I know of.
If you liked Gilda Joyce you may also like the next one I'm going to review-about am eleven year old girl who has the ability to see magic surrounding ancient Egyptian artifacts. It's quite a good read and takes place in the 1800's, I believe. Keep an eye out for the review.
3 - bibrick
it is ok
4 - Kate
Bibrick,
What was it that you liked or didn't like about Gilda? What kind of books do you like to read?
I like mystery and although I liked Gilda Joyce, I like Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos better. The time frame is much earlier, 1800's, and the central focus is on Egyptian artifacts. It's a fascinating book if you like mystery and Egyptian lore.
5 - Lisah
Yes, this book was nice. I recommend it to anyone under the age of 17. x)
6 - Kate
I think that definitely this one is good for fourth grade and up. There is another one, the second one, that deals with the theme of hazing, that may be better for older readers but overall the Gilda Joyce books are very good.
7 - Katie
Hey im a seventh grader from Naples, Florida and this is one of the best books i have ever read. The thrill and the suspense is so creepy in this book your going to want to read the other Gilda Joyce Books its so cool!!!!!!!
8 - Kate
Hi Katie,
Yes, I agree with you. I liked the Gilda Joyce books as well. I just checked some of my resources and couldn't find any more Gilda Joyce books (I'm hoping that the author will write more). If you're looking for something else to read that's like Gilda Joyce, try Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, by R.L. La Fevers. Supposedly there's a sequel coming out soon.
9 - Zion Lee
This book is awesome!!!
I did my english book review on all three of these books.
My teacher read them, and they were fantastic!
10 - Kate
Zion Lee,
What was it that you liked about Gilda? I really liked how the author let the story unfold on it's own rather than try to force the explanation. Gilda Joyce has a nice rolling feel to it as far as the story goes.
Again, I hope there's more coming from this author.
Kate
11 - Samantha Burlington
I liked the book but ddi hey evere solve the mystery?????????
12 - Kate
Yes, they did solve the mystery but it's been so long since I've read it that I can't remember how.