Categories: Literary Fiction | Historical Fiction

The Girls and the Ghosts of The Old Manse Revisited

by Ruth Skilbeck.

Excerpt. © Ruth Skilbeck, 2025. All rights reserved.

Look Inside the Book. Click this book2look link to read the first 36 pages This is the start of the paperback, it is the same book as the ebook with minor differences on the copyright page (the publisher address).

When Roxanne and her family move into The Old Manse, a former 19th century manse in the countryside in Northern Ireland, a new chapter of exciting adventure and peril opens for the almost-thirteen year old budding writer. The Girls and the Ghosts of The Old Manse Revisited by Ruth Skilbeck will take readers on a journey with Roxy, her family, her new friend Margy, and girls from earlier times; over three years from the conflict of the early 1970s Troubles, at home and on road trips including a near fatal van crash in a Swedish blizzard (back cover).

“In Skilbeck’s haunting coming-of-age novel, a teenager comes to grips with the past of her new home in the Northern Irish countryside… Skilbeck’s prose has an appealingly sharp tone throughout, especially in its rendering of the young protagonist’s breakthroughs: “Was it better to live in blissful ignorance, enjoying life as you lived it, or to prepare for your death, the inevitable end?” The novel’s historical grounding also stands out, addressing tensions in Northern Ireland, shaped by sectarian identity, as well as the Irish Potato Famine. The result is a multifaceted portrait of the setting with plenty of mystery, wonder, and alluring, gothic unease… An engaging read that’s illuminated by skillful worldbuilding.” — Kirkus Reviews‍ ‍(Read the full review at Kirkus Reviews website here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ruth-skilbeck/the-girls-and-the-ghosts-of-the-old-manse-revisited/).

“I have been so immersed in The Girls and the Ghosts of The Old Manse Revisited by Ruth Skilbeck. It is so vivid. I was transported and could really see what her protagonist, Roxanne/‘Roxy’ was going through. The parts that really stand out for me are when Roxy evaluates migrating to Australia, which I can relate to, and the van accident, I've never read anything like it before, it's so well written. But also how Roxy was impacted by that, and how back then people just brushed it off as almost nothing. What Roxy had to go through! Also, the characters, like Roxy's mum and her sister Lily, they really come to life, and it's an absolute joy to imagine them as well. Whatever happened to Margy? Did they stay in touch? And Elvis? That was so sad about the bombing in Ireland. But what a 'romance'. And all the historical connections to the story…amazing! Skilbeck is a great writer. It's a great read. I’m going to buy and read Sayonara Baby. (The second book in the series, to find out what happens next). It sounds intriguing.” – VEE MALNAR, award-winning playwright. Edna Ryan Award for Creative Feminism in the Arts winner. Literary Manager, Short + Sweet International.

“With an intriguing premise, this novel brings Irish history vividly to life, told with an arresting voice through the eyes of a 15-year-old girl.”– ERINA REDDAN, author of novels Deep in the Forest and The Serpent’s Skin. Walkley Award winner.

This is the third book in Ruth Skilbeck’s Australian Fugue series, each of which can be read as a standalone novel.

Read as a series, the novels proceed through recursion, going back in time, with The Girls and the Ghosts of The Old Manse Revisited also moving forward decades in its ending.

The Girls and the Ghosts of The Old Manse Revisited: An Australian Fugue Novel

Edition: First Edition; Series Edition

Date of publication: 2025

Publisher: Borderstream Books

Place of publication: Newcomb, VIC 3219, Australia. Current publisher address: PO Box 124 Newcomb, Victoria 3219, Australia. info@borderstreambooks.com.au (Prior address detail: Whittington VIC 3219).

ISBN: 9780645194142 (ebook-pdf)

Novel text and design, and cover design and image by Ruth Skilbeck, Copyright ©2025 Ruth Skilbeck