Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: The Forgotten Dead

SERIES: OutFoxing the Paranormal

AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 178 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 15 2022

BLURB:

Parapsychologist Dr. Nigel Taylor doesn’t work with psychic mediums. Until, that is, a round of budget cuts threatens his job and an eccentric old woman offers him a great deal of grant money. The only catch: he must investigate a haunted house with a man she believes to have a true gift.

Oscar Fox, founder of the ghost-hunting team OutFoxing the Paranormal, has spent his life ignoring the same sort of hallucinations that sent his grandmother to an insane asylum. When he agrees to work with the prestigious—and sexy—Dr. Taylor, he knows he’ll have to keep his visions under wraps, so his team can get a desperately needed pay day.

Soon after Nigel, Oscar, and the OtP team arrive at the house, the questions begin to pile up. Why is there a blood stain in the upstairs hallway? What tragedy took place in the basement? And who is the spirit lurking in the closet of a child’s bedroom?

One thing is certain: if Oscar can’t accept the truth about his psychic abilities, and Nigel can’t face the demons of his past, they’ll join the forgotten souls of the house…forever.

REVIEW:

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of this author, and although it’s a little difficult to step away from SPECTR and Widdershins, this new series is certainly getting off to an explosive start and I’m hooked.

A popular group of ghost hunting influences, a mysterious benefactor and a meek academic seeking to secure funding for his research in order to have a job going forward, seem to be a somewhat hackneyed trope. However, this author is nothing if not surprising, and all you can do us hold on to what you think you know, strap in for the ride and expect the unexpected.

One of the author’s great strength is in their characterisation. They have a talent for making the reader care about the characters, whether they be main protagonists, like Nigel and Oscar, secondary actors like Chris and Tina or bit-part players like Dr Lawson. Without exception they are fully rounded, individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses and voices. In fact, I find myself being left more with a desire to find out more about Chris and Tina, than Oscar and Nigel.

The story, as always, is explosive and consists of gentle relationship building interspersed with sudden and shocking incidents that build to a breathtaking conclusion.

I’m not going to lie, this book spooked me. Even when nothing much is happening on the pages, the author is still raising hairs on the back of your neck with their descriptions and choice of words and focus. The temptation to flick to the end just to make sure was strong and there were times I was so tense I jumped at objectively mild events.

This story is entirely engaging and thrilling. It’s different to the other series, but different only in content, not in quality. I can’t wait to continue with the stories of these characters and exploring the world they build for themselves.

Don’t read this book in the dark with the lights off, and don’t forget to check your attics and walls at the same time you check the doors are locked and the switches off.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon

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