Reviewed by Cheryl

TITLE: Into the Dark

SERIES: OutFoxing the Paranormal #3

AUTHOR: Jordan L Hawk

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 227 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 8, 2025

BLURB:

OutFoxing the Paranormal’s benefactor, Ms. Montague, has a new assignment for the team: to investigate the haunted asylum Oscar’s grandmother died in. But upon arriving at the site, they find a rival duo of ghost hunters already there.

Between unexpected competitors and the murderous ghost of a former nurse, the pressure is on for Oscar to live up to his family’s heritage and lay the asylum’s ghosts to rest. Can he prove himself by putting an end to the nurse’s reign of terror, or will the asylum claim yet another victim?

REVIEW:

One of the things I like best about this author is that they teach me something in every story they tell. In this series, the subjects are paranormal research and the historical treatment of mental health. Throw in a little about what happens when boom towns grow up around one or two industries which then close down, and you have a wealth of knowledge presented to you in such an entertaining way you hardly realise you’re learning something.

The glimpses into the past of mental health treatment were sometimes harrowing, and very thought-provoking. The author certainly did not pull any punches and I’m grateful for that. It was a dark time that deserves a non-sugar-coated re telling. The purpose of retelling history is not about making us feel comfortable but to prevent us from reliving it, and the messages are very relevant today.

However, this is not an educational book. If we learn something, it’s secondary to the enjoyment of a truly gifted storyteller with a compelling story to tell. I very much appreciate the balance between providing information about the subjects and the interweaving of their stories. It is rare to find an author who is skilled at both providing a myriad practical details and relating them all to a deeply personal story with deep insights into the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

And let’s not forget how integral those characters are, They’re a quirky bunch representing a wide cross section of the LGBT+ community. Every single one of them, even the ghosts, are given a distinct identity and personality and they all play vital parts in the story, Even if their page time is small their impact is great,

This author has a real flair for bringing characters to life and placing them into situations that are both natural and supernatural. Of all the other stories I have read from this author this one had me sitting closest to the edge of my seat, The twists and turns are breathtaking and even more mundane things like research are tinged with enough danger to make me want to read on instead of closing the book to deal with the chaos of my own life.

This is undoubtedly one of the best books I have read for quite a while, and most of the rest are by the same author. I would highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in the topics covered or who just want a damn good story peopled by vibrant and diverse characters in a breathtaking setting. Be prepared for shocks and tension with a very satisfying ending.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon