⭐️ 3/5 stars
📖 Length: 271 pages
📱 Format: Kindle
⏳ Read Time: 5 days
Synopsis
Nestled in the small village of Ringwood is a peculiar shop that sells the souls of the departed.
In life, Quill never stood up for himself or broke the rules, not even when it really mattered. Now, as the two-hundred-year-old proprietor, he dutifully matches each customer with the perfect soul—so long as they can pay the price and are willing to sign the contract.
When Erin’s soul arrives at the shop, it becomes clear that she’s more than just inventory. Somehow, she’s able to maintain a connection to the living world. Quill takes Erin on as his apprentice, hoping to understand her mysterious abilities. But digging too deep will mean breaking the rules, and if The Boss finds out, someone’s going to pay with their very soul.
Will Quill be able to do what he never could in life, or will he stay forever bound by the rules that have always restrained him?
What I thought
I first heard about The Ghost Merchant on social media, after stumbling across one of the authors Instagram stories promoting the book, and instantly fell in love with the storyline. I mean what’s not to love about a cosy little shop, tucked away in the quaint village of Ringwood that sells souls to those in need? It immediately gave me perfect autumn read vibes – and I was here for it!
However, when I tried to track it down in Bath, I quickly learned it was self-published (note to self: do more research!) and not readily available in Waterstones, which was a bit disappointing. Sulking for the rest of the day, I ended up picking it up on Kindle (and treated myself to another book as consolation!).
The opening chapters absolutely pulled me in. Quill’s story had this melancholic charm, and the concept of the shop was everything I’d hoped for: atmospheric, unique, and full of potential. But unfortunately, that’s where my excitement started to fade.
Once the main characters were introduced, the story seemed to branch off into four or five subplots. Instead of building tension and depth, it felt rushed—a whirlwind from one character to another without enough time to truly connect. Personally, I would have preferred the narrative to focus more deeply on a single storyline, allowing us to really explore Ringwood, understand the rules of this world, and get to know Quill and Erin much better.
For a short story, it was enjoyable in parts, although I couldn’t help but wish for more detail, worldbuilding, and breathing room for the characters. I did notice there’s a novella about Alma, one of the side characters, and while I’m undecided on whether I’ll pick it up, I do think there’s potential for this world to grow in future instalments.
I’ve come across some incredible self-published gems in the past, and while The Ghost Merchant didn’t fully land for me, I still appreciated the originality of its concept and the imagination behind it.
Curious about the souls of Ringwood? Grab your copy of The Ghost Merchant by Ben Andrews on Kindle or paperback and step inside Quill’s mysterious shop.
Until next time, happy reading 📖🌙
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