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This novel takes a wildly improbably premise and then makes it plausible enough so that you accept it while constantly trying to figure out how real it really is. It uses this tool to give a grand tour of human emotions, local politics, business structures and a wide variety of character types.
It’s a fun read and hard to put down. One colorful scene, character or plot turn succeeds another without losing a hint of coherence.

Altogether wonderful!

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WOW

By Sara Sgarlat, posted on Amazon 23 February 2013, Rating = 5 Stars.

I love this detail rich story of apparitions visiting loved ones and Not so loved ones on the Red Line neath the streets of Boston and Cambridge. If you love mystery, the paranormal, and science you will love this novel. Nobody does it better than Shapiro.

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COZY, PSYCHIC, PARANORMAL MYSTERY

By Mallory Anne-Marie Haws (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer), posted on Amazon 24 December 2012, Rating = 5 Stars.

I reviewed an e-book copy provided by the author in exchange for my fair and impartial review.

An intriguing and comfy psychical (and psychological) mystery with a cast that includes not just individuals, but corporations (the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority-MBTA; Blair West International consultants), universities (MIT), and metropolises (Cambridge and Boston), the novel purports the premise: “What if-what if the deceased began to appear to individuals during a subway ride?” Not a wholesale “everybody sees `em,” but rather one departed appearing to one individual at a time, and only the recipient individual can “see,” touch, talk to, the gone person. That’s fine when the visitations are of lost loved ones, dearly missed and grieved; but when those include murdered witnesses appearing to a gangster, and a man dead by his own hand who accuses his brother-in-law, trouble ensues. Not to mention, that crowds upon crowds now want to ride this single line, the Red Line, in hopes of retrieving time with those they’ve lost.

Creative and original, “Ghosts on the Red Line” delves into detail about the subways, the cities, the MBTA, and showcases Harry West, co-owner and partner of Blair West International, the consultancy called in to assist the MBTA in discovering exactly what is happening, and why, and how to bring about its cessation. Readers who like their mysteries wrapped up in cozy, with sufficient intrigue to keep those pages turning, are sure to enjoy “Ghosts on the Red Line.”

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GETTING IN THE “SPIRIT” OF THINGS

by Leaping Literary Lurkers, on Amazon, 14 October 2012, Rating = 4 Stars.

I found this book an entertaining read that—aside from the errant problem with possessives and a couple of minor spelling errors—was refreshingly free of typos.

Since the storyline has been described by others, I will focus on the pluses and also what I perceived as some underlying themes:
1. The author did a terrific job with quick character sketches along quite a continuum.
2. Skeptical readers can relate to how far-fetched a premise the story presents which serves as the perfect foil to describe how political, religious and criminal influence can be brought to bear in affecting situational outcomes.
3. We find an unexpected forum for negotiation between warring factions including gangsters and politicians with assistance from a chocolate-chip-cookie baking psychic.
4. I appreciated the occasional gentle humor and applaud Mr. Shapiro’s creation of a fascinating, multi-level novel that is enjoyable while simultaneously teaching us something about science and human foibles.

It was really a very sweet story.

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HOPING TO SEE A GHOST ON THE RED LINE

by Dutch Girl, on Amazon, 29 August 2012, Rating = 5 Stars.

I highly recommend this book, which I actually found because it was advertised on my Red Line subway car. The book grabbed my attention from the first paragraphs with its unique premise that a subway commuter was encountering a deceased loved one riding on their subway car. Anyone who’s ever ridden the subway will relate to the reactions of other passengers upon observing the individual talking to whom????? The book was suspenseful, funny, and even comforting; it’s packed with authentic Cambridge-Boston locales above and below ground, has insight into the construction of this part of the subway system, and introduces you to some fascinating characters that you feel you’d like to know personally (others not so much!). The only reason to dislike the ending is because you want to read MORE. As a daily rider of the Red Line, I’m hoping to see some beloved ghosts in my subway car some day soon! Can’t wait for the prequel, Trail of Money, due out this fall/winter so I can learn more about the main character’s previous escapades–and I’m certainly hoping for many sequels.

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GHOSTS ON THE RED LINE

by Deb, on Amazon, 18 June 2012, Rating = 5 Stars.

wonderful unlike anything I have read before. If you are looking for something different to take your mind on a journey this is a great book. everyone has lost some one and it makes you think would I really want to go visit a room like that or not.

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LOOKING FOR SEQUELS
By Sindi, on Amazon, 23 February 2012, Rating = 4 Stars.

I really enjoyed this book and I am hoping there will be SEQUELS. Yes – more than one. Considering the subject of this book, an endless number of ‘stories within the story’ could actually be created. My reason for giving it only four stars is because I did not like the ending – at all. It seemed as though the author just got tired of writing and quit. I tapped my Kindle not believing that was the end, but it was! However, I would recommend this book to everyone that loves a good ghost story. Usually I do not read during the day, but with this book I did because it is one of those good ones that you hate to put down. So, please write more! Loved it! Except the ending.

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EXCELLENT BOOK – YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT!

by Stephabarry, on Barnes&Noble.com, 1 January 2012

I really enjoyed this book being from Boston, but it is great for anyone even if you have never have ridden the infamous Red Line!!!!!

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A GOOD COMPELLING READ

By Veeb, on Amazon, 30 December 2011, Rating = 4 Stars.

A great story with surprising twists and turns. Extra fun to read if you’ve ever lived in the Boston area or worked as a consultant. The details and descriptions are spot-on. Reads like a good mystery novel.

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SOUNDS INTERESTING

 by Anonymous Red Line rider, Comment on website, 11 December 2011

Today while I was on my daily trips with my friends on our path to shenanigans, we couldn’t help but notice your poster. Not only are we into the paranormal, we are also into Boston related things! Coming from a teen, who doesn’t read unless assigned, I would actually pick this up on amazon. I also ride the red line daily. I am not sure if this is fiction or not though. Would be interesting if it is true! There are ghosts everywhere around us. We never know.

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UNFORTUNATE

by Dave Bradley, Comment on website, 30 November 2011

I find it very unfortunate that someone would write such a compelling storyline and then feel the need to attack the Catholic Church and Christian believers in such a way as trying to make them sound backwards, superstitious and ignorant. That ruined an otherwise wonderful book for me.

Because of the author’s need to put down the Church in such a fashion, I will not be reading further books written by him.