She found the novel's literary allusions, however, to be its strong point: "Maguire's book is cleverly written and filled with mentions of childhood poems, stories and passages that remind you of watching a movie with many movie-star cameos. These appearances add depth to the story and character, rather than star-power." Rob Thomas, writing for the Capital Times, was highly laudatory. Also pleased with Maguire's creation of an entirely original character, Thomas found Maguire's novel to be "his most mature, subtle and entertaining. It weaves a spooky ghost story with a very human tale of regret and grief. ... You may physically put this book down, but it haunts your imagination until the last page is turned." An unidentified reviewer in The Boston Globe had equally high praise for the book, saying that it "brilliantly illuminates how life exacts a cost in ghosts." References 2001 American novels A Christmas Carol American mystery novels Novels by Gregory Maguire Novels about writers Novels set in London