Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Wounded Air
AUTHOR: Rick R Reed
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
RELEASE DATE: 3 May 2021
LENGTH: 171 Pages
BLURB:
Rick and Ernie found the perfect apartment on Chicago’s West Side. Before they’re settled, Rick begins having all-too-real disturbing “dreams.” Each time, an emaciated young man with sad brown eyes appears, terrifying and obsessing him.
From their next-door neighbor, Paula, Rick learns about Karl and Tommy, who lived there before them. Tommy’s mysterious disappearance pains her. When she shares a photo of her with Tommy and Karl, Rick is shocked and troubled. Tommy is the man who appears to him in his dreams.
The ghostly visitations compel Rick to uncover the truth about Tommy’s disappearance. It’s a quest that will lead him to Karl, Tommy’s lover, who may know more about Tommy’s disappearance than he’s telling, and a confrontation with a restless spirit who wants only to—finally—rest in peace.
REVIEW:
On a cold Chicago day, Rick sees the sign he’s been waiting for on his dream apartment – FOR RENT. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Rick signs on the dotted line. What Rick didn’t sign up for was the dreams of an emaciated human. Rick soon determines that there is a paranormal mystery to be solved.
What follows is a story told from multiple viewpoints, tenses, and timelines. Basically – before and now. The world-building is exemplary and gave me a good sense of the scene on the page. There was a lot to like about this story, and I enjoyed it, but I questioned some things.
The overall character base is beautifully varied, including Rick’s indulgent partner Ernie. Rick comes across as a likable, compassionate leading man. Sensing ghosts is new to him, which puts him on a personal journey. I liked everything about him until later in the story where he decided on something that left me thinking WTF. I’m all for character growth. But given that this story is not billed as part of a series (present or future), I couldn’t fathom the reasoning behind the choice. Unless, of course, a sequel or series depends on the success of this story.
During the opening chapters, I got a sense of foreboding but Wounded Air turned out to be different from the promoted horror/thriller/suspense that I was expecting. When it comes to the horror genre, I tend to shy away because I am the kind of person who used to hide behind the settee at the music for Dr. Who. But I was up for reading something different and feeling brave, so I picked up the novel. I expected to be hugging my pillow while I turned the page with my heart in my mouth. What I got was an emotionally sad tale that made me cry – highlighted the tragically destroyed lives behind addiction. The paranormal twist was a bonus. However, I felt that at least two viewpoints were too fleeting to be of much assistance in progressing the plot. For me, the drug dealer and detectives’ perspectives were distractions at best – unless they are going to be used in future installments.
I gave Wounded Air 3.5 hearts because the story did not live up to its horror/thriller/suspense advertising and felt more like a setup for future sequels. Although, 3.5 is a better than average rating, indicating my enjoyment of the story. The promotional blurb says ‘touching on addiction’ is a trope of the tale. The spine holding the book together is addiction. It is an enlightening story that gives an insight into the tragedy behind drugs and how they can destroy lives. This aspect was excellently written. The story saddened me by at no time did I have my heart in my mouth or fear for anyone’s mortality.
RATING: 
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