Not my favorite read. Too many characters with A names, story out of sequence (but randomly), unrelatable characters, and disconjointed plot structure:( ( )

3.5 Stars

Shelley Parker has a gift. She is able to see people after they crossover into the next life. She lives with her mother and brother on Black Mountain in North Carolina in the 1930’s and they work for the malevolent Rev. Dobbins and his family. Shelley has never liked Faith Dobbins, the Reverend’s daughter. But after a persistent spirit in a yellow dress asks Shelley to ‘finish her story’, she realizes she may have more in common with Faith then she realises.

The Storycatcher is a dark, brooding tale of the search for truth and justice in politically unjust times, and to uncover a family secret that links all the characters together.

Ann Hite writes simply, yet eloquently and creates a realistic voice for her characters. At first I found it quite difficult trying to keep up the all the different narrative voices. I found myself flicking back to the beginning trying to find out how they were all connected. But as I continued through the book I realised this was unnecessary; Hite explains all eventually.

The Storycatcher is a female dominated story. The women are strong, although it takes time for them to stand up to the Pastor. Most of the men (with the exception of Will) are mean and tyrannical, or play minor roles.

My biggest quarrel with the book is that too many characters had ‘special gifts’. And if everyone has one (sight, spells, clairvoyance, ability to predict the future) then the gift doesn’t seem so special anymore. There were also, in my opinion, way too many ghosts. There only needs to be one or two mysterious ones to have me hooked.

Hite, very successfully, creates a sense of time and place. The language and the descriptions transport you to the Depression-era South. Her story is very ‘visual’; you can picture the mysterious Black Mountain and the spooky cemetery.

The Storycatcher is a hauntingly beautiful tale and worth a read if you like a bit of the supernatural with your historical fiction.
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Ann Hite’s previous novel, GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN, is one of my favorite books, and I think I enjoyed THE STORYCATCHER, set a few years after the first, even more. The book is told from the point of view of several strong, compelling female characters, some living and some ghosts.

The main character is Shelly Parker, a teenage girl living with her mother, Amanda, on Black Mountain. They work for Pastor Dobbins, his wife, Lydia, and their daughter, Faith. Shelly has the gift of sight, and she can see restless haints all over the mountain. These ghosts were wronged in life, and they need someone to tell their stories so others won’t meet their fate.

THE STORYCATCHER is Southern Gothic fiction at its best, complete with dark family secrets, a haunting setting, an eerie murder mystery, enchanting folklore, and complex characters whose stories are pieces of an intricate puzzle. I grew up in the South, but I wasn’t familiar with storycatchers, granny women, and death quilts. Now, I know! The big reveal at the end of this book was a jaw-dropper. I did not see that coming. 5 stars!

I listened to most of this book (95%) on audio CD that I borrowed from the library. The narrator, Allyson Johnson, was A-MAZING! There were numerous characters in this book, and she captured the essence of each and every one beautifully. THE STORYCATCHER is going on my top three favorite audiobook performances.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The first 20% of this book happened and I thought I would probably give up. I was so confused. The story is told from multiple view points and my copy wasn't completely edited correctly (Mine is an advanced copy) I realized that there is another book I should have read first called The Ghost on Black Mountain. I figured what the heck I would keep going.
At 24% I came to this passage..."I read a lot. I can live the rest of my life out alone if I have my books and garden. Both feed me, Shelly. My book nourish my soul. When I open a cover and begin to read, I go to new places, to worlds I never knew existed. I time travel to the past and up into the distant future." The book started changing for me.
I love southern folklore with a passion. This book combines some of my favorite things about it together. Our rich folk history with haints, Granny women and planting by the "signs" as some examples. The main character of this book is a young black girl Shelly. She is stubborn as a mule so I just fell for her. Shelly has the "sight" and a strong case at that. She sees ghosts and spirits in the mountain surrounding her home. One comes to her warning of bad things coming to her home on Black Mountain. The time period is set when blacks were treated horribly in the whole US not just the south. At times this really got to me and I wanted to rage and rant. The thing is..it is part of our history. So we must learn from it as to never repeat it.

The book is completely spooky without being horror. There were several times that I felt a chill crawl up my back and didn't like walking my dog tonight in the dark drizzle. I started this book this morning with low hopes and was very pleasantly surprised to find out that I could not put it down to get into bed on time tonight. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's works.
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Ann Hite continues her story of Black Mountain in this companion novel to Ghost on Black Mountain. In this second novel, The Storycatcher, we learn the haunted history of Black Mountain and its people.

Taking place during the Great Depression, young Shelly Parker works for the overbearing and controlling Pastor Dobbins on Black Mountain. Shelly is gifted with the ability to see and hear people who have passed over to the other side. The dead speak to her, giving her warnings to heed. She does not feel comfortable with this gift and tries to ignore the spirits. However, the spirits persist, watching over her and communicating things she needs to know.

When Pastor Dobbins' daughter, Faith, develops a supernatural bond with a spirit, Shelly cannot deny the spirits any longer. She must face her own fears and listen to them. She realizes that it is the only way that she can help everyone. Together, Faith and Shelly travel to Georgia. From the haunted cemetery on Black Mountain to the saltwater marshes of Georgia, there are horrible secrets beyond what one can imagine. Ultimately, these two young women hold the answers to solving the mysteries that have entangled many lives for several generations.

Ann Hite has a magical gift. Her Southern Gothic novels hold the reader spellbound. The stories stay with you long after you close the book. This is an amazing author that you should not miss. ( )