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Wray Mallory #1

Hell's Gate

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Wray Mallory knows curses.

Formerly one-half of a team of paranormal investigators, Wray used her gift in psychometry to carve out a lucrative career in television. Objects speak to her. They tell her stories of their pasts. Some of them are cursed, and Wray has worked to break those curses.

Until one comes along which just might break her.


Divorced, out of a job and flat broke, Wray is eking out a new life in Kimotan Rapids. When a shady client brings a painting to the pawn shop where Wray works, she is pummeled by a vision—one of a ghostly woman clawing out of a grave.

Wray is led to a mansion on the edge of town—and ultimately to a cop named Mars, haunted by a suicide he couldn’t prevent. As the two forge an unlikely partnership, they find themselves on the trail of a centuries-old curse threatening the only remaining member of a venerable British family.

Wray and Mars are led to England and into the family’s bloody history. As they struggle to solve the mystery, they’ll need to face some hard truths about their own pasts.

If they can’t, the curse will claim more lives—including their own.

The Wray Mallory series—mystery and suspense with a paranormal twist—includes characters introduced in the Sullivan Gray series and the Braddock & Gray Case Files.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

206 people are currently reading
65 people want to read

About the author

H.P. Bayne

34 books116 followers
Raised on a farm on the Canadian Prairies, words quickly became my means of exploring the world around me and giving life to the one created in my imagination. Fascinated by ghost stories and crime fiction, I have been writing both for well over two decades, drawing on more than fifteen years in a career in a criminal justice setting. When not putting Scrivener through its paces, I enjoy reading, portrait drawing, travel and spending time with family and friends.

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5 stars
321 (70%)
4 stars
102 (22%)
3 stars
27 (5%)
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5 (1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,985 reviews38 followers
March 29, 2023
A wonderful spin-off from the Braddock & Gray Case Files, this book focuses on Wray Mallory. Wray is Emily's great-niece and a psychic in her own right, who is trying to get a new life after a really bad divorce and a media scandal regarding her ability.

Her gif is psychometry, she can read objects and while working she got a very strong read from a picture brought from a very suspicious character. Trying to assess the danger that such an item could bring to unsuspect people she soon gets involved deeply in the mystery of a family curse. While investigating she bumps into Marshall “Mars” Donovan, an officer working in the cold cases department (actually, who IS cold cases department) and who is also somehow involved with the curse because of something that happened 15 years before.

Their relationship is a bit rocky at the beginning, but they get to trust to each other and end up travelling to England to try and solve the curse once and for all. Wray involves her ex-husband in the chase (Yes, it goes as well as you can imagine) although that involvement wasn't long-lasting.

The story is exciting, intriguing, and I really liked the Wray-Mars team. I was hoping that they would keep working together and it looks like I might have got my wish :P

And the final showdown! Oh, that was epic! terrifying and very, very dangerous, to the point that it brought Sully and Dez to help.

Aaaaaaaaand, as much as I enjoy seeing the boys, and even when I understand the need for them to be there, helping... I'd have preferred if Wray and Mars could have dealt with the ghost by themselves. But then, that's just my opinion and subtracts nothing from the story.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
931 reviews
October 2, 2024
Wray Mallory has a gift, or is it a curse, of psychometry. Once part of a successful team on a television show, she has been disgraced by her former partner and now finds herself working in a pawn shop. When someone comes in with a painting, she sees the curse attached to it and the people who surround it. Constant suspense and great characters had me glued to the pages of this paranormal gem. I look forward to reading the next book in this new series.
76 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2023
Intense

At first I was confused, but when I caught on, I really got into it. It was 5:00am when I finished. I just couldn't put it down. Wray's talent is really nerve racking. Nice lead-in to the next book with Wray and Mars.
Profile Image for Karen.
110 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2023
WRAY!!! I LOVE THIS WOMAN!! MORE PLEASE!!

When Wray popped up in Sullivan/Gray, I found her to be a force in her own right! My thought was "I HOPE she is a recurring character!!!" she was tough and funny.. the relationship with Emily put her near and dear to my heart as well! When I realized Wray was getting her own series, I literally, said out loud, "YESSSS!!!"
This first book did NOT disappoint!! I love the familiar setting of course!. (KR is my home away from home now! ♡) getting to know Wray better and the special quirks of her gift . Wray's "gift" truly put her in jeopardy when she is drawn into a vision by an object, cursed by a murdering entity. The vision sends Wray on a quest across the ocean, digging into the past history that started the Entity's murder spree. I found myself HOLDING MY BREATH a few times, lol.. had to remind myself to breath!! Really a great read!!. H.P. Bayne is my FAVORITE go-to author.. hands down, love this lady.
29 reviews
April 24, 2023
terrifyingly good

I’m so glad Wray got her own book. When she first came on the scene for Sully and Dez. I was hoping to see more of her. This was way better, terrifying and sad at the same time. H.P. Bayne does it again. To get more of a back story about Wray and her past life with her ex-husband and what happened. Wray gets some kind closer with that part of her life and can move forward. So goes for Mars and Kathy they other characters in the book. If you loved H.P. Bayne’s Sully and Dez books it’s more of those kinds of stories. You won’t be disappointed. I like that Sully and Dez make it into Wray’s book. I can’t say any more because if I do I just might tell the whole book. Can’t wait for the next book( please say there’s a next book)
292 reviews
June 29, 2025
I love Sully and his books, so was wondering what Wray would be like. Need not worry, it is up to standard and fortunately Sully comes to her rescue so he appears in the book too. Love it.

Wray as we know was stitched up by her ex and needed a new start. She has helped out Sully and had not wanted to use her gift, but she learns in this to reconcile her gift, to put her Ex to rest and also to use her gift for good like Sully, and maybe, hopefully definitely?? She and Mars can become a duo that are as strong and good for each as Dez and Sully. Who needs to appear in the series too.
I found the series wonderful there is only one more so far to read but I am on the case!
I love this new series.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,362 reviews12 followers
March 30, 2023
This is the perfect beginning to a new series. Wray Mallory is a strong female lead who can read objects. She stumbles upon a case that she can't let go. The plot is interesting. The characters are people you would love to be friends with. I liked that Wray called on Dez and Sully for extra help when she needed it. I am looking forward to more excitement with Wray. I would definitely recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
32 reviews
April 2, 2023
If you like the Sullivan Grey series, you love this one too.

I read all the Sullivan Grey series one after the other, once I started I just wanted to find out what was going to happen to him and Dex next.
While I'm waiting on their next adventure just had got read Wray's story, and this was another one I couldn't put down once I'd started.
Looking forward to reading more about her and Mar's .
184 reviews
December 14, 2024
This book was definitely a page turner. Wray’s psychometric abilities really helped pinpoint who was behind the Lawton killings. The history behind why there were so many deaths makes you feel for the spirit causing the deaths but history already happened and two centuries only gave this spirit more power. If you like reading about people with paranormal gifts - this is the book for you. Just bought the next book - what will Wray and Mars unravel next?
Profile Image for Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book.
1,479 reviews35 followers
March 3, 2025
This was absolutely OUTSTANDING. This is my first book by this author. I saw the cover on FB and added it to my KU. I couldn’t sleep last night and decided to try.

I could not put it down. It had everything I love…mystery, suspense, paranormal and great characters. I’m diving into the next. And I’m so excited to go back and read Sully’s book. IYKYK.

I love when I stumble onto a fabulous series.
Profile Image for Lori Potter.
314 reviews11 followers
July 29, 2025
Good read!

Nice mix of mystery and paranormal. Decades old mystery to solve. Paranormal abilities.Police case that needs new help. Loved the blend of all in this book. Characters are interesting and developed well. Flawed but working to help others and themselves . Enjoyed the dialogue and banter between characters. The mystery kept me interested and reading late into the night.
397 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2023
The perfect mix of murder mystery and the supernatural. I was so happy when I saw that the author decided to write a book with Wray Mallory, from the Braddock & Gray Case Files. She’s a fascinating character. This story had me reading into the night, and I hated to put it down. I will certainly watch for a Book 2 in this series.
13 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2023
Hell’s Gate

H.P. Bayne did not disappoint! This book was hard to put down. Excellent storytelling, character building, and the blending of characters from the beginning of this series really put it over. I hope she continues with these characters and adventures. I’m already waiting for the next book!
Profile Image for Margarita Rose.
1,171 reviews11 followers
July 23, 2023
This new series is a great read. Fast paced and action packed thrill ride. Wray really comes out of her shell and you get to know her more. A family has a curse on it and Wray is determined to stop it. Men are dying and being threatened by this entity. Will they be able to stop it before another is killed?
58 reviews
April 11, 2023
Great ghost story

First thing I have to say is I love Sully and Dez, so to have them part of this story was awesome even with them having part rolls in the story it added to the adventure.




Profile Image for Thompson615.
546 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2023
Sooo good!

The first Wray Mallory book was excellent! The story was creepy and unraveled layer by layer. Wray and her visions lead her to England as she tries to stop a spirit from killing more people. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Phthon.
2,279 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2023
I loved reading about Wray and her abilities. I love that she is going to help solve crimes with her ability, I think that she has ignored it way too long and that she will get more fulfillment doing this. I loved this book and would love to read more!
Profile Image for Sharon.
285 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2023
H. P. Bayne sends Malory into really dangerous territory.

WOW, this is rough on Psychics. . Even rougher on men. There's only one problem. But it's one viscous and vengeful spirit. It kills.
Profile Image for Thompson615.
546 reviews5 followers
October 8, 2023
The first Wray Mallory book was excellent! The story was creepy and unraveled layer by layer. Wray and her visions lead her to England as she tries to stop a spirit from killing more people. I’m looking forward to the next book!
557 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2025
I don’t know what it is about this author but I just don’t get invested in their books. The plot should be engaging. The characters should be interesting but I just don’t care and skim the whole thing
2 reviews
March 31, 2025
A great read

Unfortunately, I’m very hard to please BUT…this book did not disappoint. It was well written and the characters came to life in a good way, just enough scary without going over the top. I’m looking forward to reading book two in this series.
Profile Image for Lesley Hewitt.
830 reviews6 followers
April 1, 2023
A really wonderful book

Wow, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, after reading the Sully books. I loved it. I can't wait to read the next one. Definitely worth five stars.
15 reviews
April 3, 2023
Another winning series

Liked the book & the fact I knew the main characters. I'm looking forward to many more in the series
128 reviews
April 5, 2023
Awesome start to a new series. Wray is a great character and I can't wait to read more.
11 reviews
April 6, 2023
hells gate

This book grabbed me and didn’t let go until the final word. Can’t wait for another book. If you like suspense this is the book for you
70 reviews
April 14, 2023
Absolutely Fantastic!

Really brilliantstoryline!! Hope there's more to come ! I really loved this new series by HP Bayne! Just couldnt stop reading! Need more Wray Mallory!!😊
Profile Image for Lottie.
942 reviews5 followers
May 5, 2023
One of my favorite authors, who always writes a good story. I really enjoyed this book!
Profile Image for DollyRockerBooksNmore.
273 reviews
May 12, 2023
wow

What a awesome start for wray and i can smell romance in the air i look forward to her next adventure
24 reviews
June 18, 2023
excellent ghost story

Thank you HP Bayne for yet another great thrilling, scary ghost story. The characters were good & easy to like. Wray Mallory is awesome
140 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2023
Paranormal mystery and action

The Wray Mallory series as a spin off from the Braddock and Gray Case series is a welcome addition for the fans of H.P. Bayne's works.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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