Review: Ghost Moth by Michele Forbes

Published: August 2014

Synopsis: “GHOST MOTH will transport you to two hot summers, 20 years apart.

Northern Ireland, 1949. Katherine must choose between George Bedford - solid, reliable, devoted George - and Tom McKinley, who makes her feel alive.

The reverberations of that summer - of the passions that were spilled, the lies that were told and the bargains that were made - still clamour to be heard in 1969. Northern Ireland has become a tinderbox but tragedy also lurks closer to home. As Katherine and George struggle to save their marriage and silence the ghosts of the past, their family and city stand on the brink of collapse...”

Rating: ***

I picked up Ghost Moth in my local library simply by chance, as I enjoy a family saga and the added background of the Irish setting was appealing.

Ghost Moth was very well written and was very subtle for example the intimate scenes between Katherine and Tom. I found the entire book to be quite subtle and genteel, the plot progressed slowly but steadily and there weren't any major shocks along the way. Personally I preferred the 1949 plot with Katherine and Tom as their relationship was very well contrasted to the more formal courtship with George and the later domestic home-life with him and the children. I found the scene when Katherine finally told Tom about George very emotional and authentic and this only increased my liking of Tom and started a slight dislike towards Katherine.

The Ghost Moth reference in the title seemed to be aimed at one of Katherine and George's children and I had a suspicion regarding this child. However my suspicion turned out to be incorrect by the time I reached the 140 page mark so I was intrigued to see what the actual outcome would be.

My overall feeling about Ghost Moth was that I just wanted a bit more! A bit more grit and depth. Everything just seemed to skim along the surface, even when Katherine told George about Tom I felt there was so much more that could have been said and so much more emotion that could have been conveyed. This is the main reason I am on the fence regarding Ghost Moth so am giving 3*. But I would definitely read more by Michele Forbes.