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Revenge of the Phantom Press: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
Touch a flame. Feel the fire.
Tom Larsen, a former skeptic, became a paranormal investigative reporter for the Bolingbrook Babbler. A year later, he discovers that covering suburban Chicago's paranormal activity is tougher than debunking it. Despite his family, and the residents questioning his sanity, Tom is determined to succeed.
But Tom's world is upended when the ghosts who used to publish a rival tabloid, the Phantom Press, reappear. Their attacks shock the village’s covert agencies, and even the Babbler’s newsroom isn’t safe from their rage. Tom and the remaining staffers are forced to evacuate Bolingbrook.
Despite his editor's orders, Tom, aided by his mentor Juanita and her anti-psychic cat, investigates the Phantom Press's return. They’re soon attacked by occultists addicted to spirit possession, and face scrutiny from the village’s Department of Paranormal Affairs. Tom begins to suspect there’s a larger conspiracy involved, and wonders if Juanita is hiding something from him.
Will Tom uncover the truth before his hometown is consumed by the Phantom Press’s fury?
Revenge of the Phantom Press is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery novel set in suburban Chicagoland. It can be read as a standalone or as part of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories.
Tom Larsen, a former skeptic, became a paranormal investigative reporter for the Bolingbrook Babbler. A year later, he discovers that covering suburban Chicago's paranormal activity is tougher than debunking it. Despite his family, and the residents questioning his sanity, Tom is determined to succeed.
But Tom's world is upended when the ghosts who used to publish a rival tabloid, the Phantom Press, reappear. Their attacks shock the village’s covert agencies, and even the Babbler’s newsroom isn’t safe from their rage. Tom and the remaining staffers are forced to evacuate Bolingbrook.
Despite his editor's orders, Tom, aided by his mentor Juanita and her anti-psychic cat, investigates the Phantom Press's return. They’re soon attacked by occultists addicted to spirit possession, and face scrutiny from the village’s Department of Paranormal Affairs. Tom begins to suspect there’s a larger conspiracy involved, and wonders if Juanita is hiding something from him.
Will Tom uncover the truth before his hometown is consumed by the Phantom Press’s fury?
Revenge of the Phantom Press is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery novel set in suburban Chicagoland. It can be read as a standalone or as part of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories.
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About the author
William Brinkman
6 books21 followersWilliam Brinkman is the creator of the Bolingbrook Babbler and is a member of the Freethought Blogs network. He's also a board member of a humanistic Jewish congregation in the Chicago area.
He also contributed short stories and background material to White Wolf's Demon the Fallen role-playing game.
He currently lives with his wife and cat in the Chicagoland area.
Despite the current unrest in the world, he still believes that this world is all there is, and all we need.
He also contributed short stories and background material to White Wolf's Demon the Fallen role-playing game.
He currently lives with his wife and cat in the Chicagoland area.
Despite the current unrest in the world, he still believes that this world is all there is, and all we need.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 17, 2025
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
16th December 2025
TITLE: Revenge of the Phantom Press: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
AUTHOR: William Brinkman
Star Rating: 4
“A smartly plotted paranormal mystery fans of the genre will enjoy.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I remember checking out Book 1.5 of this set not so long ago. I enjoyed it; it was ‘vampirey’ (I think I just invented a new word!) if I remember correctly. Although I enjoyed it, it had a BIG problem: it was way too short. Thankfully, Revenge of the Phantom Press is considerably longer, coming out at a respectable 448pp – now that’s more like it! And, I have to say, I enjoyed this story much more.
In this paranormal mystery, the protagonist, Tom (a paranormal reporter), and his mentor and her cat (yes, cat!) investigate the return of the Phantom Press, a newspaper of sorts run by ghosts, and a competitor to the Bolingbrook Babbler. Oddly, the Phantom Press don’t cover ‘ghostly’ news and seem determined for everybody to think it isn’t run by ghosts. Oh, and they love ripping into the staff over at the Babbler. A conspiracy, me thinks! And off we go on a fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek drama that’s anything but predictable.
So, to the writer, Mr Brinkman, I have to say, ‘Job well done.’ This is a super-fun story populated with plenty of over-the-top characters and filled with plenty of ghostly shenanigans. But best of all, there’s humour in the story; as a result, it’s not a dry read, it’s more ‘lively’, with plenty of energy. Fans of Colleen Coleman’s For Once in My Life (love that book), or The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston will find a lot to enjoy here – as did I.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
16th December 2025
TITLE: Revenge of the Phantom Press: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
AUTHOR: William Brinkman
Star Rating: 4
“A smartly plotted paranormal mystery fans of the genre will enjoy.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I remember checking out Book 1.5 of this set not so long ago. I enjoyed it; it was ‘vampirey’ (I think I just invented a new word!) if I remember correctly. Although I enjoyed it, it had a BIG problem: it was way too short. Thankfully, Revenge of the Phantom Press is considerably longer, coming out at a respectable 448pp – now that’s more like it! And, I have to say, I enjoyed this story much more.
In this paranormal mystery, the protagonist, Tom (a paranormal reporter), and his mentor and her cat (yes, cat!) investigate the return of the Phantom Press, a newspaper of sorts run by ghosts, and a competitor to the Bolingbrook Babbler. Oddly, the Phantom Press don’t cover ‘ghostly’ news and seem determined for everybody to think it isn’t run by ghosts. Oh, and they love ripping into the staff over at the Babbler. A conspiracy, me thinks! And off we go on a fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek drama that’s anything but predictable.
So, to the writer, Mr Brinkman, I have to say, ‘Job well done.’ This is a super-fun story populated with plenty of over-the-top characters and filled with plenty of ghostly shenanigans. But best of all, there’s humour in the story; as a result, it’s not a dry read, it’s more ‘lively’, with plenty of energy. Fans of Colleen Coleman’s For Once in My Life (love that book), or The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston will find a lot to enjoy here – as did I.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
February 4, 2026
Review of ARC received from NetGalley.
On the surface, this book looks to have everything that I would like - an alternate universe paranormal mystery plot and, most importantly, a fluffy sidekick. But when you dig deeper, this book has a little bit of an identity crisis right alongside the main character. It feels like this series can't decide which subgenre of paranormal it's going to be so it includes everything. There are aliens, were-people (weredeer, wereskunk, etc), ghosts, witches, vampires, the Illuminati... the list goes on.
The book is overall well written and the supporting characters are very likeable. However, I struggled to connect with the main character and was more interested in his friends than in him. Ultimately it just turned out to not be for me.
On the surface, this book looks to have everything that I would like - an alternate universe paranormal mystery plot and, most importantly, a fluffy sidekick. But when you dig deeper, this book has a little bit of an identity crisis right alongside the main character. It feels like this series can't decide which subgenre of paranormal it's going to be so it includes everything. There are aliens, were-people (weredeer, wereskunk, etc), ghosts, witches, vampires, the Illuminati... the list goes on.
The book is overall well written and the supporting characters are very likeable. However, I struggled to connect with the main character and was more interested in his friends than in him. Ultimately it just turned out to not be for me.
November 11, 2025
Finding books that fall in my absolute favorite genre is getting harder and harder to find, but I requested this for that reason. I knew it was not the first book in the series, but I thought it might work anyway. Generally, I didn’t notice much being the fourth book in the series. Yes, I could tell at places, but it really wasn’t too bad. I did feel a little confused in places, but that could be overlooked as stuff I should already have known. However, I really liked getting to know Tom, and I am interested enough to read more books in the series. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
November 29, 2025
Meh. I really wanted to like this one after hearing the premise and the other reviews. However, it just wasn't for me. The book was well written but just had too many plots that would bounce back and forth. For example, most people being "skeptics" and "believing in science," but the plot ending up with Hillary Cliton winning, a trans person being outed, etc. It also had Tom's parents threatening to institutionalize him, if he doesn't date someone. Or when everyone was afraid of him being by kids and corrupting them. If you like the series, you will like this book.
February 10, 2026
He is now writing about the supernatural world rather than trying to prove it did not exist. A rival papers phantoms have reappeared and want to cause havoc by getting their revenge. Everyone will be forced out of the town but he wants to find out more with their help. Are they hiding something from him? See where it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
February 10, 2026
a short fun read i enjoyed the story
February 16, 2026
Really great read. Can be read as a standalone as I did but would've been better if I read the first two prior. Interesting take on the paranormal. Fantastic world building. 100% recommend.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews