Review - Ghost on Black Mountain

Ghost on Black Mountain
BY: Ann Hite
PUBLISHED BY: Gallery Books
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-45160642-3
Pages: 344
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Ghost on Black Mountain is a haunting tale set in North Carolina during the depression-era, and is told through multiple narrators, all who have been emotionally affected by a hateful-spirited man named Hobbs Pritchard. Nellie Clay’s mother warned her not to marry Hobbs, but she was head-over-heels for him. Shortly after marrying and moving to Black Mountain, Nellie discovered her husband was indeed a horrible person. Nellie befriends a young girl, Shelly Parker, who has a special gift of seeing the lost spirits that roam the mountain. Shelly warns Nellie of bad things to come, but Nellie has faith in her marriage, until Hobbs begins beating her. With only one way out of the marriage, Nellie makes a drastic decision that will not only change her life, but the lives of other women.

I read Ghost on Black Mountain in one sitting, as I was instantly pulled into Nellie’s story. Ann Hite has crafted a character, Hobbs, which every reader will despise. The plot does involve the supernatural, as there are lost spirits that haunt the mountain and can be seen by the young Shelly Parker. Through out the book the narration changes several times and is not told chronologically. Each narrator is a woman whose life has been destroyed or altered by Hobbs. I enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it everyone!

*I would like to thank Gallery Books for sending me a copy to review.

About the Author

Ann Hite has written short stories, personal essays, and book reviews for numerous publications and anthologies. Ghost on Black Mountain, her first novel, is inspired by generations of stories handed down through her family. She lives in Atlanta.