Unknown's avatar

The Bank of the River

I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating story, and I found myself immersed in the characters as they were gradually introduced. Last year, I read book 11, drawn in by its Christmas setting, which made it a perfect addition to my holiday reading list. I enjoyed it so much that I was eager to journey back to the beginning to uncover the origins of these characters and understand their development leading up to that point.

From the very first page, the narrative held my attention with its charm, despite its relatively simple and straightforward plot. The main characters are vividly portrayed, making it easy to connect with their personalities right away. The world they inhabit feels remarkably familiar—akin to our own lives—which adds an extra layer of relatability. Although there were a few moments of confusion regarding which character was speaking, that was a minor issue in an otherwise engaging story.

At the center of the tale is Steven Hall, a character who has always been dubious about anything supernatural or paranormal. His skepticism even extends to religion, shaped by his mother’s intense obsession. This aspect of his upbringing provides a deeper understanding of his complex personality. Upon purchasing an old house, Steven suddenly finds himself tormented by the restless spirits of murdered children. This eerie experience begins to challenge and sway his long-held views on the unseen world around him.

Desperate for answers and support, Steven turns to his father, Roy, who has always possessed a sense of the extraordinary that Steven never quite understood. Roy steps in to assist his son in confronting the malevolent entities haunting their home while simultaneously guiding him toward discovering his own latent abilities regarding the supernatural. Yet, as is often the case, just when they begin to find clarity, their situation seems to spiral further into chaos.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, as I found it to be an enjoyable read, and I believe the series will only grow increasingly rich and engaging as it progresses. Dive into the River and enjoy the adventure that awaits!

My rating: 💖💖💖💖

Unknown's avatar

Mom, I’m Scared

The narrative took a while to resonate with me, which diminished my enjoyment. Initially, I felt disconnected from the protagonists due to their lackluster backstories. As a short story, the failure to captivate from the start is a critical flaw, given the brief window to engage the reader. Although the pace improved towards the end, the story struggled to reach a satisfying conclusion. The lack of explanations for the events left the resolution feeling incomplete.

Allison Bright, a single mother, sought a new beginning. She and her teenage daughter relocated to a dilapidated farmhouse on Maryland’s eastern shore. Soon, they began to realize the reasons behind its affordability.

Moreover, the story lacked any element of horror.

My rating: ⚝⚝

Unknown's avatar

Eve: A Christmas Ghost Story

Eve: A Christmas Ghost Story
(Psychic Surveys #0.5)
by Shani Struthers 

OK, this took me a while to get through but I liked it none the less. The story and the execution are rather slow moving which is what held me back. The characters are interesting even before you get their full story because they start out strong. I can see both women very clearly for who they are and what they stand for immediately upon meeting them.

What do you do when a whole town is haunted?

In 1899, in the North Yorkshire market town of Thorpe Morton, a tragedy occurred; 59 people died at the market hall whilst celebrating Christmas Eve, many of them children. One hundred years on and the spirits of the deceased are restless still, ‘haunting’ the community, refusing to let them forget.

In 1999, psychic investigators Theo Lawson and Ness Patterson are called in to help, sensing immediately on arrival how weighed down the town is. Quickly they discover there’s no safe haven. The past taints everything.

The investigation into what is happening in Thorpe Morton makes for not a lot of drama but some good human interest. This is a story about the people of the town as well as about the women who come to help them. What they face sets the tone for future stories about our psychic investigators. I think it at least gives enough of a look that you may want to see what happens when they finally start to really work together.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories of ghosts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars