Drea Burr has experienced more than her share of loss when a stray dog, cat, and rat enter her life. Although the animals start to mend her broken heart, there is something very unusual about them. During a snowstorm, Drea discovers a chilling set of footprints leading to her front window. Both the police and a ghostly messenger warn her about a killer stalking widows. Help comes from her late husband’s best friend, Adam Hale. As the two try to discover answers, more questions arise— about a killer, ghosts, and animals experimented on in a lab.
Can Drea and Adam survive the threats coming from so many directions and save themselves and the animals they’ve grown to love? Or will more tragedy destroy her second chance at happiness? Find out in this thrilling, cozy paranormal adventure.
As an animal lover, any book that includes pets just makes the story better in my opinion – and this one gets serious bonus points. The skillful blend of genres – mystery, paranormal, thriller, sci-fi – also thrilled me. So many of my favorites!
Drea is going through a rough time in her life after the loss of her husband and beloved pets. Her relationship with her son has also been distant and strained lately, and she misses him. She’s alone, grieving, and considering taking drastic measures. Until a stray dog, cat, and rat show up and change her life forever. They aren’t your normal pets – they talk (something I’ve always wished my pets could do!). Even better – they can communicate with spirits.
Besides adjusting to this shocking turn of events, Drea finds herself a target of a killer stalking widows. Footsteps leading to her front window are far too close for comfort. Her newfound family of pets are escapees of a lab where they were subjects of experiments – and someone is still looking for them. Saying Drea has a lot on her plate is an understatement. I loved how strong she is and how she refuses to let herself be a victim.
Just when I thought she and the pets were safe and I could breathe again, the story took another path. Unpredictable storylines make me a happy reader. There’s also a sweet romance brewing between Drea and her late husband’s best friend, Adam, that may be her second chance at love.
There are plenty of tense moments to keep you on the edge of your seat, but at its heart this story is primarily about family. One of my favorite themes is found family, and that’s certainly prevalent in this novel. I also appreciated the glimpse into the future of these characters at the end. It left me smiling.
Keira is ready for her life to return to normal. Though, to be fair, normal is a tall ask when your ability to see ghosts has landed you the job of groundskeeper in a small town’s cemetery.
When Keira receives an invitation to dinner at Dane Crispin’s crumbling ancestral estate, she knows she can’t refuse. The last living descendant of the Crispin family is reclusive. Keira only met him once…on the night he tried to kill her.
The mansion is steeped in history that is equal parts complicated and bloody. Keira senses the presence of restless spirits the moment she steps through its door. And Dane, waiting for her inside, wants to ask for her help.
Although I missed the first book (I read book two and this is the third) in this series, that hasn’t prevented me from keeping up with what went on. The author does a good job of including details that bring the reader up to speed.
I recently read that Coates’s books can be categorized as cozy horror/paranormal. To me, cozies are those mysteries with adorable covers (especially when cats are included) and clever titles. When I read the reasoning behind it being classified that way, it made sense. There’s a mystery, a paranormal element, humor (seriously, Zoe should moonlight as a comedian), and no gore. I think even non-horror fans could appreciate this series.
A lot of things are happening in this novel. There’s progress in the ongoing story arc of who Keira actually is. She learns more about Artec and why she’s on the run from them. Mason’s reason for leaving medical school in his last year is revealed. And Dane Crispin may not be the baddie he seems – he may just be misunderstood. Considering he tried to kill Keira the last time they met, she takes a leap of faith in accepting his dinner invitation and helping him.
The slow burn romance, I’m talking glacier pace here, between Mason and Keira continues. Apparently they need to be hit over the head (maybe by Zoe, who has no filter) to realize how the other feels, because it seems obvious to everyone else. Harry, a very…eccentric character, also gets more page time, and I adore his dry humor.
This isn’t the last book, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next one. If you’re a fan of eerie, atmospheric books with a mystery, you can’t go wrong with this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money–it’s not easy to find safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you.
When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them.
The job calls to Eric, not just because there’s a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it’ll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running. A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father’s love, Johnny Compton’s The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making.
I have a weakness for haunted house stories – especially atmospheric Gothic ones. When I was sent the NetGalley widget for this novel, I immediately downloaded it.
Unemployed Eric Ross and his daughters, eighteen-year-old Dess and seven-year-old Stacy, are on the run. For the past year, they’ve lived in cheap hotels and moved around every few days. Eric picks up odd jobs here and there where no one asks questions. Looking over their shoulder and being paranoid are now habits. Even young Stacy has been trained on an escape plan. When Eric receives an offer to stay in the Masson House, supposedly one of the most haunted places in the state, and keep a record of paranormal activity, he accepts the job. The money is almost too good to be true and will relieve their financial stress. Now he and his family just have to survive.
I didn’t get a strong Gothic vibe from this story, but it sure provides unnerving, atmospheric scenes. Shadows in corners, disembodied voices, possible spirit possessions, creepy ghost children, doors opening and closing on their own – all good things for horror/paranormal fans. Even though Eric is frightened, he puts his family first and is determined to stick it out and earn the small fortune promised if he completes the job. He’s a pretty stubborn guy and very protective of his daughters. Stacy’s ability to see and communicate with some of the spirits will send tingles down your spine.
While reading, I kept wondering what happened to send this family on the run, and when the reason is casually mentioned in a sentence, I immediately halted and said “Wait – what?????” It’s a shocker, folks. I’d also never heard of a spite house, but it’s a building constructed or modified solely to annoy the neighbors. I did a Google search, and there are several across the country.
This is an impressive debut, and an author to watch for horror/paranormal fans. I’m excited to see what Compton does next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Someone is murdering members of the local witches coven. They turn to Lizzie and the hat for their unique skills that might help eliminate the killers.
A religious zealot might be a monster, but is still a human being. This task isn’t the same as staking vampires or shooting zombies. It isn’t the usual project Lizzie takes on for her night work.
This all takes place during a recovery period for Lizzie. She needs to keep her cover band together and find a new way of getting them gigs. More bands and less venues are making finances tight. The hat didn’t make things easier during her absence, by spreading rumors about why she took her sabbatical.
Someone killing others over a point of view insults Lizzie’s sensibilities. She has secrets to keep. Her employers have secrets, too. It doesn’t make for a comfortable working environment, but she agrees to do what she can.
Convincing her strong willed employers to stay indoors during all this poses another problem. Can she keep them alive long enough to finish her task?
Good Liniment is full of magic, magical creatures, and an entire underground community living amongst us.
Lizzie and the hat – they’re among my favorite characters this author has created, so I always look forward to accompanying them on their supernatural adventures. This time someone is murdering witches.
The end of the last book saw Lizzie needing to get away for a while, and she’s now staying with her parents. But the hat isn’t with her. How he makes his way to her is both amusing and creative. It also gives Kevin the vampire an opportunity to make an appearance, and any time he shows up chuckles are guaranteed. Officer Joe Yoder also makes a welcome appearance. A new character, Noodles, easily made my list of favorites. He’s not exactly your typical pet, and it’s hard to describe exactly what he is – you’ll just have to read the book and discover for yourself.
During Lizzie’s absence the band had to take on other jobs to pay the bills. The hat had to come up with a reason for her time away – which isn’t true, but to her credit she goes with the flow. During the course of their investigation, Lizzie experiences something that had me on edge for several pages – I was worried, folks. But no spoilers here. They’ve hunted all sorts of supernatural creatures in the past, but this time is different – their target is human.
As with all the books in this series, the banter between Lizzie and the hat is amusing and snarky. Sometimes they’re like an old married couple. If you’re looking for an entertaining, quick read, paranormal mysteries, and quirky characters (human and supernatural alike) that stick with you long after reading, add this series to your list. The books work fine as standalones, but starting from the beginning allows a broader understanding of this world and its characters.
In 1920s Florida, Spiritualism enjoys renewed interest. Daphne Moultrie, the most powerful medium of her time, receives a warning from the other side, “Find her, and keep her with you. Or you will die.” All Daphne knows about this girl is what her crystal ball showed her — a four-leaf clover, and each leaf had a human eye. . Meanwhile, Daphne’s fiancé has designs of his own. He pressures her to continue séances for a strange and very demanding woman. With each of those séances, Daphne becomes weaker and closer to death. . This novella captures the Roaring Twenties, as only acclaimed author, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene can. Settings, descriptions, and language all come to vibrant life. The ensemble cast has a number of characters, including one you will love to hate. It’s a genre mash-up, part mystery, part suspense, with a dash of light horror.
As a fan of this author’s paranormal series, Atonement, Tennessee, I was excited to see her venture into that genre again.
I love the Roaring Twenties Florida setting for this story. For some reason, that time period has always appealed to me. Daphne Moultrie is a powerful medium, but the séances take their toll on her and she’s becoming weaker – they’re potentially life-threatening. Despite this danger, her supposedly loving fiancé, Crespo, insists she conduct séances for a demanding and horrible woman so she can speak to her deceased son. I didn’t care for Crespo at all. He’s a fortune hunter who puts money above the welfare of Daphne, but I admit he did show up for her near the end. Still, she should send him packing in my opinion.
My favorite characters are Clover, who has a sweet love story with her deceased fiancé and finds a real home with Daphne, and Maisy, a housekeeper who’s cared for Daphne for years. Both are very protective of Daphne and also don’t care for Crespo. Clearly they’re good judges of character.
The vivid writing allowed me to easily picture the beautiful, swaying Florida palm trees and gorgeous sunrises, as well as the thrilling and eerie séance segments. The buildup to the spine-tingling end scene is well worth the wait. This is a quick read I highly recommend to paranormal/supernatural fans.
One founding father. One deathbed curse. A town haunted for generations.
Ward Chatham, founder of Chatham Hollow, is infamous for two things—hidden treasure and a curse upon anyone bold enough to seek it. Since his passing in 1793, no one has discovered his riches, though his legend has only grown stronger.
In 1888, charlatan Benedict Fletcher holds a séance to determine the location of Chatham’s fortune. It’s all a hoax so he can search for the gold, but he doesn’t count on two things—Victor Rowe, a true spiritualist who sees through his ruse, and Chatham’s ghost wreaking havoc on the town.
More than a century later, the citizens of the Hollow gather for the annual Founder’s Day celebration. A paranormal research team intends to film a special at Chatham Manor, where the original séance will be reenacted. Reporter and skeptic Aiden Hale resents being assigned the story, but even he can’t deny the sudden outbreak of strange happenings. When he sets out to discover who or what is threatening the Hollow—supernatural or not— his investigation uncovers decades-old conflicts, bitter rivalries, and ruthless murders.
This time, solving the mystery isn’t about meeting his deadline. It’s about not ending up dead.
Hauntings, mediums, ghosts, séances – it’s like the authors wrote this book just for me. And that cover is everything.
Having read several of Claire’s and Troilo’s books, I’m a big fan of both authors. When I learned they’d co-written a book together, there was no doubt I’d jump at the chance to read it. I didn’t even need to know what it was about.
This story is told in a dual timeline that flows seamlessly. Alexa read this book to me, and I was never confused about which time period I was in. Money is a powerful motivator, and Ward Chatham’s fortune has been a source of greed for over a century. In 1888, Benedict Fletcher is certain he’ll be able to locate the gold after holding a fake séance. What he doesn’t count on is true medium Victor Rowe in attendance and Chatham’s ghost actually making an appearance. And he’s not a spirit you want to mess with. Cue the chaos.
In 2022, the gold still hasn’t been found after a little over a century. With a Founder’s Day celebration on the calendar, a paranormal research team wants to reenact the séance that raised Chatham’s spirit and resulted in several deaths that may or may not have been coincidental.
Both authors have a gift for creating loveable characters, and this novel is no different. With his feelings on spiritualism, ability to sniff out charlatans, and calm demeanor, Victor is my favorite character. I was delighted with the way his story plays out. Aiden is also a favorite, but it’s his grandmother Julia who always has the last word and his dog Levi who steals his scenes.
I generally listen to books while doing chores around the house, but when it came time for the final séance I had to sit down and give it my full attention. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and even caught myself holding my breath at times. And what a scene! Atmospheric, exciting, unexpected – and that’s all I’ll say about that. No spoilers here.
Fans of both authors and readers of supernatural mysteries alike will enjoy this novel. Now I want to know when the next co-authored book is releasing.
Early retirees Maria and Richard Wilcox adore their new home out in the country. The past six months have been sheer bliss as they settled in and prepared for their golden years.
Until the night they answer a knock on their door.
The unexpected visitors are a pair of children. Richard tries to be cordial, but something about the kids is off. Something sinister, something menacing, something inhuman.
And then the children demand to be let in.
What do they want? Is this all a prank? Can Maria and Richard get them to go away, or will their dreams of a peaceful retirement together go up in flames?
I’m a horror fan, but somehow I’ve never come across the urban legend of black-eyed children. After reading this, I can’t believe I missed these creepy evil spawn.
Richard and Maria are at a point in their lives when they’re ready to relax a little – they’ve just bought a farm in the country, and their twin sons are out of the house and away at college. They’re looking forward to enjoying their semi-retirement together. It seems like an idyllic life – until their dreams are shattered after two black-eyed children come knocking at their door one night demanding to be let in.
A lot is packed into this unsettling short read – well-defined characterization, heartfelt moments, and spine-tingling scenes. If you’re brave enough, you might take a peek through your window to see if anyone’s outside in the darkness staring back at you. With this ending, there’s potential for the author to expand on the story, and I’d love to see it continue.
After reading The BEK Curse, you’ll be wanting to double check those doors and windows are locked. If you hear persistent knocking at the door, just make sure to turn on the porch light before answering. And don’t let them in.
Lizzie and the hat are back in action, only this time they’re up against the most tragic monster of all, a werewolf.
This adventure is more like hunting an animal, and the werewolf is unlikely to come to any of their musical performances. This puts Lizzie out in the dark corners and wooded areas of the city. It may be more beneficial to get the monster to hunt Lizzie than to stalk him on his own turf. All she has to do is be quicker on the trigger than the wolf is on his feet.
At the same time, the police think they’re after a serial killer. Lizzie tries to keep them alive while also keeping them out of her way. As the body count rises, so do the pressures. It doesn’t help that people are blaming Lizzie and the hat for the killings. This involves an urban myth about them that the locals call Hellpox.
Pull on your boogie shoes and join the hunt. Designed as an afternoon read, this one is tons of supernatural fun.
I’ve been a fan of this paranormal series from the first book, so I was excited to spend some more time with Lizzie and my favorite hat.
The plot is centered around the Sausage Maker, who racks up a few bodies by the end of book. In addition to Lizzie and the hat’s search for the culprit, police lieutenant Joe Yoder is also in pursuit. My heart went out to Joe, who’s still grieving his wife’s death but continues to talk to her.
One of my favorite things about this series is the clever banter between Lizzie and the hat, and it’s always good for several laughs. Another moment that caused me to let out a very undignified snort was vampire Kevin and his sign regarding the Sausage Maker. Trust me – you’ll just have to read it. I was happy to see him make another appearance in this series and hope to see more of him in the future.
Many reviewers have mentioned this book ventures into a darker territory than the others, and that’s fine with me. I’m a fan of dark stories, and I’m anxious to see where the author takes us next. All of these quick reads can be read as standalones, but I’d recommend reading them in order. If you’re a fan of quirky paranormal stories with a dose of humor, you can’t go wrong with this series.
This author made his BMR debut two years ago with the first book in his Johnny Lycan series, and he returns today with book two that releases in December. Saying Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror? Only at a snooty brunch. But he and The Candyman are acquaintances. Welcome Wayne Turmel!
Have you ever said Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror?
I know what you mean, but the only time I ever said Bloody Mary three times in front of a mirror was at a snooty brunch in West Hollywood, and the waiter ignored me every time. Candyman, on the other hand, and I are on speaking terms.
Would you rather visit a haunted house or a haunted graveyard?
I’d much rather visit a graveyard. They are so much more atmospheric than haunted houses, there’s the smell of newmown grass, and there’s a lot more room for running, dodging and hiding when #%$#^ gets real.
Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?
The Dead Zone freaked me out when I read it the first time, and it still does today, maybe more so. It takes the old “what if you had a chance to kill Hitler?” question and brings it home. There are too many similarities to what’s going on now in the world. I’d rather take my chances with rabid Saint Bernards.
What books did you grow up reading?
I was—and am—bibliographically promiscuous. (I’m a book slut, I’ll read anything.) I grew up with a lot of classic “boy books,” Kim, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, and started reading adult books early. My mom let me read Jaws, because she was fine with me reading the blood and guts. She didn’t know there was a sex scene that left a mark.
Do you regret leaving out something in the final draft of any of your books?
My daughter has too much influence on my writing. When I wrote Acre’s Bastard, it was supposed to be a one-off, standalone book. I had a lovely epilogue saying what happened to Lucca after the Crusades. She told me if I left that in there and didn’t continue the series she wouldn’t look after me in my old age and would put me in a home when I got old. That wasn’t so bad, since I consider the sequel, Acre’s Orphans, some of my very best work.
I nearly ended the second Johnny Lycan book with a tantalizing sexy scenario, and her considered literary opinion was, “ewwwww.”
So, no threesome for Johnny. The world’s loss.
What are you working on now?
I am at about the third-way mark of the third Johnny Lycan adventure. Fun creepiness and hijinks will ensue as he deals with a 400 year old witch finderand a haunted book. Oh and a buttload of rats.
The world’s favorite werewolf P.I. is off to Las Vegas. What could go wrong?
Life’s good for Johnny Lupul. He has a steady gig and a growing reputation as a guy who gets things done. He’s even learning to keep his Lycan side under control—mostly.
But when he’s sent to Sin City on a simple retrieval job, things go sideways. He bumps up against a coven of badass witches, a psychic pawn broker, and a mysterious enemy with a secret darker and more violent than his own.
“Like Jack Reacher with bite. Even more fun than the first installment.”
“Turmel has created a series that’s part detective noir, part urban fantasy, with plenty of snarky humor.”
Wayne Turmel lives and writes in Las Vegas. He’s the author of 10 nonfiction books, but writes fiction to save what’s left of his sanity. He’s a former standup comic, car salesman and still a consultant since he needs to pay the rent. He lives with his wife, The Duchess, and Mad Max, Defender of the Realm, Scourge of Lizards, and Most Manly of Poodles. You can find him at www.WayneTurmel.com, on Twitter @Wturmel, and his Facebook author page
Another BMR debut today! I have a weakness for haunted house stories, and dual timelines make them even more irresistible – and just look at that eerie cover below. This author shares the spookiest ghost story he’s ever heard – but it happened to him. Welcome Steven Rigolosi!
Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?
Firestarter. For me, it fired on all cylinders (pardon the pun). There is something so elementally terrifying about fire and how quickly it gets out of control. I re-learned this lesson not too long ago when my mother’s kitchen burned down in the space of about 3 minutes. Something in the oven ignited, and before she knew it, the kitchen was engulfed in flames. Fortunately, she survived unharmed. But it was such a terrifying experience for everyone that I can’t imagine myself re-reading Firestarter any time soon.
Would you buy a doll that you knew was haunted?
I don’t believe in tempting fate, so the answer is a big No. Also, several years ago I wrote a short story, “Locked in the Basement with Bebe,” about a haunted doll. The doll (Bebe) ended up disturbing me so much that I’ve sworn off haunted dolls forever.
What is the spookiest ghost story you’ve ever heard?
I think this one is the spookiest because it happened to me. When I was in college, I went to Barbados on Spring Break. One night during the vacation, I had a dream about my father’s oldest brother. In the dream we were just sitting at my kitchen table and talking. He kept saying, “You’re a good boy” and “You march to the beat of your own drummer.” The dream was very odd because I was not close to that uncle at all. In fact, he and my father didn’t get along and had almost nothing to do with each other. When I got home, I got a phone call from my mother telling me that my uncle had died—during the night on which I had the dream.
Have you ever traveled as research for any of your books?
Yes, for The Haunting of Kinnawe House, I traveled many times to York County, Maine, visiting towns such as York, Cape Neddick, and Ogunquit. Part of the story takes place in Northampton, Massachusetts, so I went there, too, to soak up the sense of history. Images from all of these places burned themselves into my brain and made their way into the book. Now I’m a big fan of traveling to research my books, though I hadn’t done much of it in the past. For fun, I am also attaching a photo of the real house (now demolished) that inspired Kinnawe House.
What is your kryptonite as a writer?
I can’t write in present tense, so if someone said to me, “You must write a novel in present tense, or you will die,” then I would die.
What books did you grow up reading?
At first I was going to answer this question by mentioning specific writers and books, but then another thought occurred to me. I don’t come from a wealthy family, so money was tight as I was growing up. Of course I made frequent use of the library, but as we all know, there’s nothing quite like buying books. Hardcover books were beyond my budget, and then I discovered the book clubs of that era: The Literary Guild, The Doubleday Book Club, The Mystery Guild, and Book-of-the-Month Club. They made hardcovers affordable, and they helped to form my reading tastes, in that I discovered a lot of writers through them. While I don’t remember them offering a lot of horror selections, there were always a few, and I still have my book-club editions of the classic haunted house stories that inspired my book, including Stephen King’s The Shining, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, and Anne Rivers Siddons’ The House Next Door. I also love mysteries, and the book clubs helped me discover a lot of the greats, including Agatha Christie, John D. MacDonald, Andrew Garve, Michael Gilbert, and Dorothy L. Sayers.
The Haunting of Kinnawe House is a ghost story that spans two eras in U.S. history: the American colonial period and the present. Matthew Rollins, an aspiring singer/songwriter, takes a job as caretaker of Kinnawe House in Agamenticus, Maine. The haunting begins immediately upon Matthew’s arrival. Threatening, ghostly strangers stalk the property. The cellar is filled with mysterious, foul-smelling barrels. And with each day, Matthew’s insomnia gets worse. The story alternates between past and present, as Matthew struggles with increasingly violent hallucinations, and the 1740s, as a dark preacher populates his town with a community willing to sell their souls for a comfortable life. Past and present come together as Matthew learns, little by little, of his family’s ties to Kinnawe House—and why the house will not rest until Matthew has taken his own life.
Steven Rigolosi is the editor-in-chief of Cambria & Calibri, an editorial services firm, where he specializes in editing psychology, economics, and business books. His other published fiction includes four mysteries, including Who Gets the Apartment? and The Outsmarting of Criminals. Both received the David Award for Best Mystery of the Year, andOprah’s editors selected The Outsmarting of Criminals as one of the best mysteries of its publication year. He lives in Northern New Jersey, where he plays classical flute with the Ramsey Wind Symphony. His other books are Circle of Assassins and Androgynous Murder House Party.
Books and Such 