The Ghost Slept Over

By: Marshall Thornton

Narrated by: Jason Frazier

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

When failed actor Cal Parsons travels to rural New York to claim the estate of his famous and estranged ex-partner, he discovers something he wasn't expecting - the ghost of his ex! And, worse, his ex invites Cal to join him for all eternity. Now.

As Cal attempts to rid himself of the ghost by any means, he begins to fall for the attractive attorney representing the estate. Will Cal be able to begin a new relationship, or will he be seduced into the ever after?

Runner Up 2014 Rainbow Awards - Best Romantic Comedy

©2014 Marshall Thornton (P)2018 Marshall Thornton

Funny Love Story

I was a little sceptical at first becouse of the cover, bjt this turned out to be a really funny story. Its about Cal; a pritty much failed actor who live in his car when he get a call from his x-lovers lawyer Dewie, who tells him he is now the heir of millions. Cal and Mac had a relationship 15 years ago but when Macs carrere started up he said goodbye to Cal and drove of.
The funniest with this book is Cals determination to get rid of Macs ghost, and Macs attempts to convince Cal they are ment to be together and that he should join him in the after life. The book could probably be better if it had been told from Macs prespective insted of Dewie. The whole plot of the theater group made me a little annoyed, stop plotting and just ask Cal to found you guys. But ofcourse, without them the book would be a little dead.
Still a funny love comedy with not to much drama, and Jason Frazier did a good job with it! Defenately getting more books from him.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good narration. Fun story.

The narration: It’s been a while since I listened to this narrator. What I remembered was that Jason Frazier could produce some very delicious tones in his voice that could make me melt. And at times I think he could sound too sexual at times when it wasn’t quite right. I didn’t experience that in The Ghost Slept Over, though. I remembered how very talented he is at female voices. It is so different from his regular voice that I almost can’t believe it’s the same person. Overall, I was pretty pleased with his narration. I hope to hear some others from him soon.

The story: I have to explain that most of my experience reading Marshall Thorton is with his Nick Nowak Mysteries. I have read nine books in that series and I am used to that narrative. I always worry about checking out other books by an author who I associate with a certain series or set of characters. I shouldn’t have worried about this book though.

At first, the book did seem a bit slow for me. Cal isn’t really a likeable character. He is homeless but still trying to achieve his dream of acting. Usually that is the type of character I’m rooting for. Cal is just a bit full of himself though. Since I listened to the book and didn’t read it, it’s hard to say that that is the way the author wanted him to be or if that is more narrator portrayal. But I didn’t really care for him. As soon as the action started, though, I was jumping aboard this kooky ghost story.

Most ghost stories are a little more on the spooky side and I am a chicken. This story is more of a comedy. It brought back memories of watching Blackbeard’s Ghost when I was younger. Crazy ghost hijinks. I love that kind of story. The ghost of Mac is pretty egocentric and that narration is just right for him. Mac isn’t ready to get rid of his house or his ex, Cal. His attempts to stop the sale made me laugh. I didn’t really like him but enjoyed his character. His attempts to help Cal into the afterlife with him are a little bit menacing but overall, I think he just didn’t want to spend eternity alone.

There is a bit of romance in this book when Cal meets Mac’s lawyer, Dewey. I guess I like Dewey. He is pretty straight forward and wants to help others. He doesn’t seem to be your typical lawyer shark, but he is lacking a little bit of depth. His family moved out of the country and even though he is involved with the local drama group, he doesn’t seem to have any close friends. I guess since Cal is kind of a loner, too, that they make a pretty good pair. There isn’t anyone to keep them from each other and maybe they can fill the emptiness in their lives. The part that feels undeveloped is that neither of them really acknowledge being lonely. Maybe it doesn’t bother them, but I just wished for just a little bit more emotion in the story.

I am definitely glad I got this audio copy for review. There were parts that I found so funny and sweet. The narration was really good, too. I definitely think this is a good rec when you want something fun and less complicated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Too Funny

I had been eyeing this book for some time after FEMME became one of my favorite audiobooks. This was a romantic comedy with a side of paranormal. I love Marshall Thornton's dry, yet subtle humor for me he has a way of easing so many funny lines in. It is "paranormal" but not your typical OTT story, it being a comedy the Ghost is one of the best parts. I enjoy his writing so much, as well as the narration was fantastic.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An actor, a lawyer and a ghost walk into a bedroom

4.5

This charming book is full of delightfully flawed characters, ghostly shenanigans and wit. At the apex of this spiritual love triangle is Cal Parsons, a struggling actor living out of his truck and performing his one-man show in coffee shops along the California coastline. Enter Dewitt “Dewey” Morgan, the somewhat stiff and straight-laced lawyer who informs Cal that his ex-boyfriend, award-winning playwright McCormack “Mac” Williams has died and left Cal his estate. When Cal visits his new home, he soon comes face to face with the recently deceased Mac, the man who unceremoniously dumped him fifteen years ago and who now insists Cal is the love of is life and is determined to start their eternity together as soon as possible.

Cal is a bit self-absorbed and hilarious and certainly shows how unglamorous being a working actor can be. His and Dewey’s relationship is definitely not love/lust at first sight. There’s no instant chemistry or connection pulling them together, and their initial interactions and first dates are awkwardly funny and relatable. Mac is a selfish, snarky and spiteful delight. He is unrepentantly egotistical, demanding, manipulative and steals every scene he is in. Between Mac’s attempts to alternatively woo or force Cal into the afterlife with him and the story arc involving the local theater troupe and its amusing cast of characters, this was such a fun, entertaining book. Moreover, Jason Frazier does an excellent job matching the voices to the personality traits and characteristics in the book and bringing the comedy and snark to life. I plan on reading much more of Mr. Thornton’s work.

I voluntarily reviewed an audiobook copy of this book provided by the author.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Lololol lol 😂😂😂

seriously !I don't know what to write about this book😂😂
I laughed so much.... I was laughing so so hard in thsome moments in the book.
Michael is the most hilarious ghost out there 😂😂😂
the story as a story maybe a little bit weird ...but I did enjoy it. I laughed a lot, and though the book wasn't the most romantic book or the most obvious book... seriously it was like listening to renovating yaoi ! the intimate scene was a yaoi scene !!!!!!!!
it was hilarious ,and disturbing at the same time. but it was good!
I think I it's the same feeling I have while I'm reading yaoi manga.... you enjoy it but you're feeling disturbed and your asking your self w**!!!!! same here I enjoyed the book but I had what the heck moments.
the narrator did a great job I loved his voice quite much.
so overall I'm giving this book 5 stars and I'm taking one star from the story only because two little things that annoyed me but I won't write about them because they would spoiler you...
but the story as an LGBT book was cute and hilarious I'm very nice....
if you like yaoi like I do or did when I was a teenager you will like the story quite much

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fun reminiscent of the 1930s movies

Entertaining clever story with great narration. Just right for pleasant journey while driving or chilling

When Your Ex Haunts You From Beyond the Grave

A number of readers, including several of my fellow reviewers on this blog, have been encouraging me to try Marshall Thornton. When I discovered ‘The Ghost Slept Over’, I leapt at the chance to listen. Cal Parsons has a problem. Well, several, actually. First, he’s broke. Really broke. Like living-in-his car broke. Second, he wants to turn his one-man show about Rock Hudson’s love life into a Broadway show. His agent doesn’t see the vision, but Cal’s convinced if he can just get the quarter-of-a-million dollars, everything will be fine.

Oh, and his ex-lover has just died and now Cal has to get across the country to claim his inheritance. Since their parting was, well, acrimonious, and Mac had humiliated him, Cal’s convinced this is all a sick joke. That Mac is going to continue the humiliation doesn’t surprise Cal.

Dewitt ‘Dewey’ Morgan is the late McCormack Williams’ lawyer. Mac, after leaving Cal, became a prolific and critically acclaimed playwright. During his later years, Mac developed a friendship with Dewey and became the patron of the local amateur theatre group. The troupe has never been financially stable (as in they have never broken even on a show), so Mac’s money was always appreciated and necessary. His untimely demise – along with leaving all his considerable estate to Cal—, has put in jeopardy not only the future of the playhouse, but its current production as well. So Dewey’s goal is to get the apparently mercenary Cal to stick around long enough to fall in love with the theatre and the town.

That is a tall order because Cal is a California boy and has rarely left SoCal, let alone lived in the Northeastern United States in the dead of winter. Snow? He doesn’t even own a winter coat, let alone boots that will withstand the weather. He plans to hightail it to New York City as soon as possible to launch his show.

Well, just as soon as he gets the estate and rids himself of the ghost.

Yep. Cal isn’t just the beneficiary of Mac’s estate – he’s apparently inherited the man as well. To say this is fodder for much humour would be an understatement. I’ll give you a taste:

“Just because HE didn’t meet you at Heaven’s Gate, doesn’t mean HE doesn’t exist.”
“You think someone would have met me. Even Walmart has greeters.”

And so it goes. Mac feels obligated to Cal and is going to do everything he can to atone – including hanging around until Cal dies and they can be together for time immemorial.

Oh, and Dewey and Cal are, uh, attracted to each other.

I loved the antics, especially when Cal tries to enact Mac’s final wishes for his remains. Who knew ice fishers were so helpful?

I participated in amateur theatre for years – acting, props, costumes, and – most importantly – stage manager. I loved the job of coordinating everything and apparently I made good coffee, although I never drank the stuff myself. This book threw me back into that world. I loved it. And I am very grateful I never had to deal with a ghost in any of my theatres.

Jason Frazier was the perfect narrator for this book. I adore his work and he brought this story to life. And the first love scene? Perfection.

I have several more of Mr. Thornton’s books in my library and I plan to listen to them soon.

Cute , goofy and wonderfully narrated

Good liste, liked very much , comedy and ghost story.
Jason Frazier it’s a masterful narrator.

Fun and entertaining

*I won this audio book in the fifth anniversary celebration of Love Bytes Reviews.*

This book was kind of over the top (in a good way). It was a hilarious and fun experience to listen to. I guess, it had a lot to do with the way Jason Frazier read the book. Especially Cal and Mac were portrayed very well. Overall, this was a cute little story, which didn't take itself too serious, though characters like Mac certainly did ;)

Funny Ghost Story!! :-)

Hilarious! I think I love anything Mr. Thornton writes. And the narrator, Jason Frazier? Ah -- maaaa -- zing! Match made in heaven!

*I voluntarily reviewed this audiobook which the author provided.*

A Ghost of a Problem

What made the experience of listening to The Ghost Slept Over the most enjoyable?

It is just a really great story with an excellent narrator.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cal. He was just so real. Thoughtful but determined and quite bolshy at times but in a good way.

Have you listened to any of Jason Frazier’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No - first time

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh. I laughed and smiled all the way through.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It is really amusing and great fun to listen to, with an excellent narration.

Cal Parsons is a struggling actor living out of his truck and performing his one-man drama wherever he can. He isn't famous, or at least not in the way he would like to be, but he does have a kind of notoriety. People remember Cal as the young ex lover of the famous playwright McCormack Williams and they also remember Cal from a porn movie he starred in some years ago.

Life is tough and so Cal is very surprised when he finds out that he is the sole beneficiary of McCormack's estate. Cal travels to rural New York to claim the estate and he finds that he is now a very wealthy man because McCormack has left Cal a house, a car and money galore, but the only downside of all this is that McCormack himself hasnt left.

Cal is shocked to find that McCormack is still around as a ghost and this is where the fun begins because Cal wants to get on with his life, but McCormack thinks they should revive their relationship.

Needless to say Cal isnt interested. He came to terms with his split from McCormack and it happened when he was 25. Cal is now 40, much older, much wiser, very much interested in staying alive and very, very interested in McCormack's lawyer Dewey.

Dewey Morgan is executing McCormack's estate. He is quite happy to give Cal advice and act as his lawyer even if Cal is a bit weird and talks to himself, and does odd things like spreading salt on the doorstep. Dewey thinks Cal is grieving and so he decides to support him as much as he can.
Meanwhile Cal is trying his best to get rid of the ghostly McCormack but salt and exorcists don't seem to be effective.

Cal also has to think about his future (now that he is financially secure) and this includes getting used to the local community and theatre group who unbeknownst to Cal are trying their best to see if Cal will give them some of the money he has inherited because they are broke and they have a drama to put on.

Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Cal!

Cal negotiates ghosts, towns people, ex boyfriends, lawyers and everyone else and as he does so he gets to know more about McCormack, Dewey and himself, but how do you get rid of an ex when the ex can pop up anywhere, any time and any place too?

Cal has a ghost of a problem!

I really enjoyed listening to this. It is like cinema for the ears. The narrator brings this romantic comedy to life in a really creative way. As I listened each character came to life and I laughed and smiled was thoroughly entertained. I think this was exactly what I wanted from this story.

This is a pick-me-up audiobook. It is one I will listen to whenever I need to laugh. I really hope there will be a sequel at some point because not only do I want to know what happens to Dewey and Cal in the future, I also want to know what happens to the ghost and the Barnyard Players.

More! More!

Many thanks to the author for providing this via Audiobook Boom in exchange for an unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

Charming and funny story. The romance is low key and takes second place to the amusing ghost story. Narrator does an excellent job.