The Visitant

A Venetian Ghost Story

By: Megan Chance

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

After she nearly ruins her family with a terrible misstep, Elena Spira is sent to Venice to escape disgrace and to atone by caring for the ailing Samuel Farber. But the crumbling and decaying Ca' Basilio palazzo, where Samuel is ensconced, holds tragic secrets, and little does Elena know how profoundly they will impact her. Soon she begins to sense that she is being watched by something. And when Samuel begins to have hallucinations that make him violent and unpredictable, she can't deny she's in mortal danger.

Then impoverished nobleman Nero Basilio, Samuel's closest friend and the owner of the palazzo, arrives. Elena finds herself entangled with both men in a world where the past seeps into the present and nothing is as it seems. As Elena struggles to discover the haunting truth before it destroys her, a dark force seems to hold Samuel and the Basilio in thrall - is it madness, or something more sinister?

©2015 Megan Chance (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Enjoyable but frustrating

While I enjoyed this book and think that Julia Whelan’s performance was perfection as usual, the story just seemed to be missing something. It felt like we were never given enough information to make up our own conclusion because it went back and forth so many times. While we did get somewhat of a happy ending, or at least a glimpse of Elena and Samuel having happy endings, the ending felt abrupt and hurried. My favorite part of the book is the beautiful imagery setting the backdrop of the story in Venice. It felt as if I was right alongside the characters taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of their home in Venice.

Suspenseful ghost story.

Good story, good ghost suspense, well drawn characters and nice balance between dialogue and internal monologues. The female heroine, Elena, grated on me once in awhile then I reminded myself she is 24 years old and totally responsible for this very difficult patient in really difficult surroundings and stopped my complaining about her decisions/behavior. What kept me involved in the story though was the narration by Julia Whelan. Always excellent.

Creepy and sexy at the same time

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would definitely recommend it, it is creepy and sexy, and nothing as I expected.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was surprised by some things, but I think that it was consequent to the whole story and Iiked it. I'd say it's bittersweet.

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think that she is a great narrator, I have listened to other books read by her and she gives a different nuance to each one.

Could you see The Visitant being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I think this story could fit quite well into a movie or TV series. I haven't thought about any star.

Any additional comments?

It is a creepy story with a mystery that keeps you guessing, There are some sexy moments as well, to sum up, a very enjoyable story.

Great love story!

This was a great mystery/ghost/love story. I only wish I hadn't already heard it so that I could listen to it again for the first time. Loved it!

Very good story!

I really enjoyed this story. It had me guessing up till the end. I kind of suspected who the antagonist was ...but, then again it still had me guessing :)
The narration was perfect! loved all the characters voices

Ah The Grand Canal Revisited

This is the best $7 full dollar spend for a Julia Whelan read. So many of Ms Whelan fans can just about have her read a phone book, but feel good stories Eg Delicious, Girl Underwater,Pretty As A Picture and this lovely historical romance mystery leaves you feeling good about the time spent listening to an adventure. The publisher summary spot on so no need to add to it. I do listen at 1.2 speed to match the mystery. With this novel, you are right back in Venice if you have had the privilege of visiting there. I have had the joy two times over a 20 yr span. The canals are such a unique way to travel.
If you are a fan of author Sandra Brown ‘s Lethal, then you should enjoy this mystery.
Were my comments of help?

Thrilling

From the beginning, this book grabs you. Throw in death and romance and fights with your own soul of what is right and what is wrong, and what is the right thing to do, and you get one amazing story of lust, love, betrayal, confusion, and a supernatural world.

Roller Coaster Ride

Lovely descriptive details of an intriguing setting spark ones interest...sometimes painfully slow to get around the next corner, then very exciting as plot develops nicely into a thriller/romance. Sometimes the reader sounds flat and off, but perhaps that is to effect...a prudish element surrounded by lush, ancient, emotional continentalism..Enthralling elements, unknowable at times, obvious at others. I found myself yelling at the protagonists a few times..lol! Good read.

The Visitant by Megan Chance

Excellent! Both the story and the reading of this were excellent. The crumbling edifice and the people inside were compelling and I heavily identified with the heroine myself most of the time. Ms. Whelan did an amazing job with the reading! Never once is her tone wrong for this atmospheric tale. Just excellent.

Julia! Julia! Julia! How does she do it?

My second listen as phenomenal as the first!
Exceptional narrator again and again and... delivers perfect vocal tones on each and every character, a unique ability (I am proud to have 23 Whelan audiobooks in my Audible library). Author Megan Chance pens a brilliant and charming mysteromance that I found enthralling. I am not one for romance, but this one is impeccably matched with its ghost story. I thought I had the ending figured out. Surprise! I was way off. Tears of sorrow, tears of joy. If one doesn’t shed a tear during this touching and heartbreaking take, one has no heart. My appreciation to both Whelan and Chance, as well as Audible for giving us this exquisite masterpiece! What a deal - I lucked out when I was able to get it for $7+ (it is well worth a treasured credit)! So highly recommended, I can’t see to the top. Epic, I say. EPIC! EPIC! EPIC!
✍🏻👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏✍🏻
Note: Adult subject matter; definitely not for children, but for adults, enjoy!