Here's what readers like you are saying about KISS ME, I'M DEAD (formerly titled The Unresolved, and released under pen name T.K. Welsh):
Elvis57 @ Amazon
"Kiss Me, I'm Dead will delight students of history and lovers of mystery. Writing in the voice of Mallory Meer, a ghost, J.G. Sandom has crafted a captivating tale of intrigue, romance, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century Little Germany in NYC, Sandom paints a detailed portrait of life in the bustling German immigrant culture of the Lower East Side, and the ensuing conflict that occurred after a terrible disaster. On June 15, 1904, the General Slocum set sail from New York for a Sunday picnic in Locust Grove. Packed with over 1,300 Germans, the boat caught fire and quickly sank. Mallory Meer, an adolescent infatuated with her first love, drowned in the accident. Kiss Me, I'm Dead is Mallory's story. In death, her search for love is transformed into a quest for truth. An unseen observer to the grief and desire for vengeance in her community, she roams her former home and neighborhood, witness to all. As her story unfolds, the reader is transported to the lower east side in 1904. History students will be thrilled at the insight into life in Kleindeutschland, rich in detail of the German immigrants, and rife with social and religious tensions within this community and between it and the politics and press of NYC. The causes of the shipwreck and the following investigation will resonate with today's readers. Fans of mystery and intrigue will be carried along as the thirst for blame and retribution unjustly target Mallory's first love, Dustin and his family. Fans of J.G. Sandom will be thrilled that he has written a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel for young adults. The cast of characters in Kiss Me I'm Dead is varied and fully developed. Readers will root for the heroes, boo the villains, and gain insight to the motivations of all. This novel would make an excellent book club selection for young adult and adult readers. In addition to the historical aspects of the novel, character development and writer's craft would both be rich seeds for discussion."
IS Librarian @ LibrisNotes
"The Unresolved is a fascinating blend of ghost story and historical fiction...This gripping historical novel held my interest to the shocking end."
Laurie Balderson "Jamesmom" @ Amazon
"I purchased this book as a supplement to a classroom play that I do every year on the General Slocum disaster of 1904. Most people don't realize that this was the worst disaster to hit NY until 9/11; few, if any, have heard about it. Rather than weigh the reader down with technical details, (The Unresolved) gives a heart-wrenching account from the main character's POV (who is dead) of the senseless acts that went on before and right after the burning of the ship."
jlarsonhamilton @ librarything.com
"Mallory thought that life was just beginning, when she finds herself dead and drifting as a ghost through the events and people that led to her death. Will the person or persons responsible for her death and the thousands of others go unresolved or will the culprit be caught? A very graphic and detailed story that takes the reader into that fateful day that really happened. A great way to help students understand a true event, but told through the eyes of a fictional character."
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer @ goodreads.com
"I grabbed this one because I read Edward T. O'Donnell's Ship Ablaze: the Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum a few years ago. This novel is told from the point of view of a teenage girl, Mallory, who died aboard the ship and whose ghost is seeking closure (revenge? resolution?). I really liked the author's description of how Mallory can, as a ghost, travel anywhere, be inside people, appear to people, and know the past and future...I do like T.K. Welsh's writing style, and would like to read more of his/her books."
Jenny @ goodreads.com
"In 1904 steamship General Slocum burned and sank off Manhatten killing over 1,000 people – mostly German immigrants out for a Sunday School outing. (I grew up on L.I. and had never heard of this incident). Narrated by the ghost of Malory – 15 years old when dies on board – Did her young lover set the fire? Will those responsible for the tragedy be punished? Gripping story – read in a single sitting."
Regi @ goodreads.com
"I don’t like ghost stories in particular, but I did enjoy this one. It was dark in a few places and very sad. My favorite quote, 'Not that I was selfish, mind you; just self-preoccupied.'"
Stephanie @ goodreads.com
"Very good historical fiction with a tie-in to today's world that makes it germane."
Lizette @ Barnes & Noble.com
Fantastic Ghost Story
"I loved this book. It was really, really scary and yet full of hope. Mallory is a great character. I couldn't put it down."
Kelly @ Bookshelves of Doom
"I LOVE T.K. Welsh's books. I'm so glad The Unresolved made the (Teens' Top Ten) list. His books are completely crossover, and should be read by adults as well."
Teen Reviewer @ 2007 Teens' Top Ten Book Nominees
"Brilliant story, beautifully written."
ML @ SeeMe4Books
"This was a great book. It really made me feel like I was back in 1904. It's a ghost story and a love story, and it's really creepy but beautiful. I couldn't put it down."
Annie/Winks @ www.goodreads.com
"You start this book thinking that you know the end before you get there because it's clear the narrator is dead. But then she dies right in the beginning of the book and you spend the rest of your time following her and the other still live characters around as she tries to get justice meted out for the burning of the boat she was on with over a thousand others, many of whom also perished. It is an excellent thing to be able to write a compelling book that holds you until the climax, guides you through every turn and provides you with an excellent explanation of historical zenophobia and sexism in turn of the century New York City."
Ben @ www.goodreads.com
"Beautifully written and haunting. I highly recommend this book. Fantastic! Shouldn't be just for young adults. This and Welsh's other so-called teen book (Resurrection Men) transcend the genre."
Sylvana @ the Christian Science Monitor, Book Bits, Readers' Picks
"The Unresolved by T.K. Welsh is historical fiction for young adults based on the real General Slocum steamship disaster. It was one of the best books I've read all year."
Jessica @ BN.com
"The most interesting book ever. I am someone who reads a lot of tec. i think this is the most coolest book ever because it is just a book someone could really get in to."
Bazile @ www.goodreads.com
"This book challanged my expectations of young adult fiction. I read this book because it was assigned it to youth reading club that I moderate and I must say I was happily surprised at how well written it was. The story was engrossing, the characters well defined and I didn't feel as if I had wandered into a pint sized version of a soap opera.
The story revolves around an actual event, the fire and sinking of the General Slocum steamship in 1904 which until 9/11 was the worst loss of life in NYC. As a New Yorker I was appalled that I had no idea about this. A fifteen year old German girl Mallory is on an outing with her family and more than a thousand other German immigrants on the boat. They are on a day cruise, by the end of the day Mallory and over a thousand others will be dead, a Jewish boy implicated in the fire and a witchunt will have begun.
TK Welsh does an amazing job of painting early 20th century New York and all of its issues. Antisemitism, sexism, immigration, zenophobia, love, betrayal, death and redemption are all featured in a plot that moves along breathlessly. Mallory, as a ghost is trying to come to grips with her ever after as well as keeping an eye on her friends and family. As she learns the truth of what happened to her she sets out to make sure that the truth does come out.
The girls in my reading group (Katrina survivors) loved this book and I must say I did also. Mallory's life is changed but she adapts and finds strength in her new status, the world of 1904 New York is not so different than modern day and one voice can move mountains. I've since made my "adult" friends read this book and they've all enjoyed it. Bravo to TK Welsh for bringing history alive with such beautiful language and story. A great book and a must read."
Carol Reinhard @ www.tkwelsh.com
"I loved The Unresolved. In fact loved it so much I have chosen it to be the featured book this month on an on-line book clubI edit for Christie Vilsack, the former first lady of Iowa."
Norgelia @ The New York Times, "Book News and Reviews" Forum
"I just read my daughter's latest book, The Unresolved, by TK Welsh, and it made me think that there may be hope for (the YA) genre. I am so sick of her reading books that are mini versions of Sex and the City. This book dealt with the General Slocum tragedy, which I had never heard of. Well-written, the book dealt with some weighty topics -- anti-semitism, death and dying, justice -- without losing momentum or becoming maudlin. Mallory, the main character, is a great young protagonist and, placed against the backdrop of historical events, I was impressed at how beautiful and evocative the language was. I was encouraged that my daughter would read something which would enlarge her brain rather than deplete my wallet (have you read about the clothing in some of these teen books? Paris Hilton wannabees.) I'm grateful for The Unresolved...."
Carlie, teen librarian, in Hackensack, NJ @ BCCLS Mock Awards
Listed as a nominee for the "Printz Award"
Scarlett @ www.penguin.ca
"The Unresolved is a great book. T.K. Welsh tells the story of the General Slocum, a steamship that sank in NYC. This ghost story really grabs your attention and keeps it throughout the entire book. I would reccomend it to any young adult looking for a good ghost story."
Dee @ www.yabookscentral.com
"This book was very touching because it was based on a true story. It is about love, lies, and death...It is a sad story, but love prevails. I recommend this book!!"
Penny @ www.reads4teens.org
"It was great! I love the way Mallory goes into the different characters and feels what they're feeling and thinks what they're thinking. She's stuck on earth trying to make sure the guilty are punished and because she's so in love with her Jewish boyfriend, Dustin, who's accused of starting the fire on the ship...It's both a love story and a ghost story in one. Creepy and romantic too."
SQUIRREL610 @ www.amazon.com
"(A) mesmerizing, often brilliant new historical YA novel by T.K. Welsh...Caught in that netherspace between this world and the next, there is no place where Mallory belongs...The Unresolved is a story of a love that's so great the rupture of death cannot break it. It's a story of a girl's spirit, unresolved yet resilient, betwixt this and what follows; neither child nor adult; neither lover nor friend. It's a story of the ultimate outsider...What a startling, evocative and promising debut...A must for any teenage girl, aged 13+, who likes historical fiction, who feels uncertain of her place in the world, and who has ever been in love."
S. joseh @ www.amazon.com
"Welsh takes an oft overlooked chapter of New York history and breathes life into it by making his main character otherworldly. The sense of unrest and unease is uniquely potrayed as not just the province of those souls in limbo, but also of the very real flesh and blood cast that are living in early twentieth century New York. The intrigue, jealousies and destructive behavior are taut enough to satisfy any modern millie, (imagine early twentieth century Desperate Housewives angst) while keeping the veracity of the historical perspective...T. K. Welsh proves that you don't have to be a wizard to write a book that both parents and children will read and enjoy."
zora31 @ Powells.com
"What a great book! It's a ghost story and a love story. Mallory Meer dies in the General Slocum steamship disaster. I didn't even know there was such a thing and I live in Manhattan! Anyway, Mallory dies along with 1,000 other people and she spends the book as a ghost looking over the people involved in the disaster and making sure that justice prevails. There's a twist to the book and it's great. I liked that the author didn't use simple language. I mean he uses some really great language in here that brings you right into the story. I think it's an intriguing story that keeps you on edge and teaches you something historical too. I could relate to Mallory and many of the teenagers in the book. I guess nothing has changed in a hundred years. I think everyone would really enjoy reading this, even if you aren't a teenager."
Recent Comments