Grounded Spirits (ghost story/mystery set in Ireland)

Grounded Spirits is a new offering from author PD Martin, whose first five crime fiction novels have been published in 13 countries to date.

A tortured face. A haunted ancient hotel. An obsession to solve the mystery. Grounded Spirits is part ghost story, part mystery and part historical fiction—set in Ireland in both the current day and the 1820s. With a teenage central character, Grounded Spirits will appeal to teen readers as well as adults.

Fiona Thomas is sick of trekking after her father on his business trips—but with her options anything but open, she finds herself in Ireland. As usual, she’s thoroughly bored within minutes. But when she comes face to face with what appears to be a haunted painting—and a haunted hotel—her boredom quickly disappears. Captivated by the tortured looking face in the painting, Fiona sets out to solve the mystery. Who owns the face and how did they die?

Fiona discovers Ireland of the 1820s—a world where New English landlords rule over the Irish inhabitants. Things get complicated for one local Irish girl, Caitriona O Flaherty, when she falls in love with her da’s landlord.

Note: This story is based on a real hotel in Ennis, Ireland, that is rumored to be haunted. The painting described in the story does, indeed, exist—a photograph of the tortured face is included in the book and that face appears on the book’s cover.