A Dance of Ghosts vs Far Rockaway

The judge for these two books is Mrs Plant.

In A Dance of Ghosts, Kevin Brooke explores a dark world of violence and corruption. Still numb with pain 16 years after his wife’s death, private investigator John Craine embarks upon an investigation that opens up old wounds.
The character of John Craine, a man who drinks too much and has a reckless disregard for his own safety, is very believable. However, some of the other characters felt a bit too contrived: in particular, a computer geek who would not be out of place in any formulaic Hollywood action adventure film. The plot was well put together and tied up loose ends well, but occasionally took a turn which seemed convenient for the author rather than entirely naturalistic.

It isn't often I read a book from beginning to end without putting it down but A Dance of Ghosts drew me in from the first page. The book is fast paced and taut throughout; overall a very exciting page-turner.

In Charlie Fletcher’s Far Rockaway, Cat and her grandfather are involved in a terrible accident before they could make a long promised journey to Far Rockaway at the end of the subway line. It leaves both gravely ill with Cat in a coma. The story shifts between the hospital and another world populated by characters from books that Cat’s grandfather had been reading to her since she was small, in which she finds herself on a quest to save her grandfather, or so she thinks.
The scenes in the hospital, where the family are watching and waiting, are honestly and painfully written. The characters Cat meets are faithful to the original books and it was a pleasure to be reacquainted with them. Long John Silver was just as I remembered him. In my impatience I googled a character I didn’t know, but needn’t have done so as Charlie Fletcher introduces them all so well that you are left in no doubt as to their true nature. This is a real swashbuckling adventure story in which the landscape, its inhabitants and their emotions are vividly and richly described.


Both books deal with family tragedy effectively and humanly. A Dance of Ghosts kept me reading and on the edge of my seat, but has faded quickly after finishing. Far Rockaway remains rich and colourful and vivid.


My winner is Far Rockaway