Ghoster by Jason Arnopp

 Kate has met the perfect guy… Scott is witty, fun, and beautiful. They can sit together and not even say a word, and she will be happy forever. Yet, when she drops her life in Leeds to move in with him, poof, he’s gone. Without communication for 24 hours. No texts. No calls. She’s made her way down to Brighton with the movers just a few hours behind her. But his apartment is empty. What’s happened?

The narrative evolves several times as Kate’s character becomes drawn deeper into the obsession to find out where Scott Palmer has gone. It is revealed that she has an addiction to her smartphone and has abstained for several months. But the desire comes back when she finds Scott’s phone. Ghoster is a contemplation on modern courting, the screens we place in front of us, and our deep need for connection.

I describe this book as a horror-thriller because there as some aspects of the supernatural that creep into the dark atmosphere Arnopp draws. Did this element cause to maybe suspend my disbelief a bit more than I would in straight thriller? Yes, I sat back and enjoyed much of the book because I was ok with the jumps the author was making from time to time.

But one thing I couldn’t stop is wanting step into the pages and get in Kate’s face. She is as frustrating a character as they come. I definitely think there are people out there in our big world like this. They see a goal in front of them and take countless missteps over and through others, and themselves, to try to get there. She’s mindful and at times uses the skills to step back and acknowledge the craving and bad choices she makes, but will that be enough to help her get through this situation?

Although the book slowed a bit in the middle, I really liked the opening where Arnopp switches back and forth between the courtship stage of the relationship and what happens after Kate shows up to the empty apartment. And the last 25% of the book is lightning fast. So many things happening and threads crossing, it’s great!

A good thrill ride that made me think about my own click, swipe, and like habits… In Arnopp’s Ghoster, dopamine kills!

4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Orbit books and the author for an advanced copy for review.