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The Legend of Rachel Petersen
Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name!
- GenresHorrorParanormal
Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2011
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 31, 2023
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a wonderfully chilling book which leaps in time between the Civil War era to now, all while telling the horrific tale, legend, real? story about a young girl’s tragic death and a writer’s obsession.
Christian is a sportswriter who has just discovered he’s been passed over for a huge promotion. Angered, he decides to quit his job, and write the great American novel, much to his wife Shelby’s dismay. But with her job, downsizing and pinching pennies, he begins a journey which will change his life.
After a disastrous start, while walking in the woods pondering if he had made the wrong choice, he comes across the grave of a young girl who lived during the 1800’s. He wonders what could have happened to her to have died at such a young age. And with that the Legend of Rachel Petersen is born.
She becomes his muse, his inspiration as he writes, his story now filled with horror and ghosts. And he seems to enjoy the comfort of writing next to her gravestone.
As the reader gets the chance to read what Christian has written, he tells the eerie tale of a lost young girl who is sent to live with people she doesn’t know and the kindness of one boy which gets her through. Then a horrible tragedy occurs, and she dies. Many believe she killed before she took her own life.
When two boys stumble upon her grave, knowing the legend, one of them digs up her remains, but he seems to have also opened up a pandora’s box in doing so. Suddenly Rachel is everywhere, trying to tell him something. But what?
After Christian has finished his book, he is shocked to discover it becomes a best-seller. Not only that, but they want to make Rachel’s story a movie! But be careful what you wish for…some ghosts would rather be left alone!
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a terrifying, unsettling story you will not be able to put down. I suggest you give it a read since Halloween is just around the corner…just don’t tell Rachel!
Thank you #SkyPublishing #J.T.Baroni #TheLegendofRachelPetersen for sending this enjoyable read!
Here’s a YouTube link to a trailer for the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eer54...
Follow the book on its facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thelegendofr...
Christian is a sportswriter who has just discovered he’s been passed over for a huge promotion. Angered, he decides to quit his job, and write the great American novel, much to his wife Shelby’s dismay. But with her job, downsizing and pinching pennies, he begins a journey which will change his life.
After a disastrous start, while walking in the woods pondering if he had made the wrong choice, he comes across the grave of a young girl who lived during the 1800’s. He wonders what could have happened to her to have died at such a young age. And with that the Legend of Rachel Petersen is born.
She becomes his muse, his inspiration as he writes, his story now filled with horror and ghosts. And he seems to enjoy the comfort of writing next to her gravestone.
As the reader gets the chance to read what Christian has written, he tells the eerie tale of a lost young girl who is sent to live with people she doesn’t know and the kindness of one boy which gets her through. Then a horrible tragedy occurs, and she dies. Many believe she killed before she took her own life.
When two boys stumble upon her grave, knowing the legend, one of them digs up her remains, but he seems to have also opened up a pandora’s box in doing so. Suddenly Rachel is everywhere, trying to tell him something. But what?
After Christian has finished his book, he is shocked to discover it becomes a best-seller. Not only that, but they want to make Rachel’s story a movie! But be careful what you wish for…some ghosts would rather be left alone!
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a terrifying, unsettling story you will not be able to put down. I suggest you give it a read since Halloween is just around the corner…just don’t tell Rachel!
Thank you #SkyPublishing #J.T.Baroni #TheLegendofRachelPetersen for sending this enjoyable read!
Here’s a YouTube link to a trailer for the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eer54...
Follow the book on its facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thelegendofr...
January 17, 2024
I love it when a story, especially a horror story, makes me wonder what if? What if something like what happened to the main character, Christian, had happened to me. Not the part where he’s passed over for a promotion or quits his job to write a book. It’s the part where he stumbles upon an old, forgotten grave in the woods. I used to go on hikes all the time. And there was a cabin we spent our summer vacations at that nestled right up against a huge woods. I’d walk for hours, pick berries and follow many faint trails made by the wildlife that lived there. During one of my walks I came upon a clearing with this huge mound of dirt in the center. Being young, I climbed to the top and sat there. I had so many questions about what it was. To this day I never found out. I’ve watched so many horror movies. The New Daughter with Kevin Costner comes to mind when I think about that mysterious mound. That movie made the hairs stand up all over my body. And that’s saying something as not much can do that anymore. That said, the sometimes funny, sometimes sad and very scary tale of Rachel Peterson made those hairs stand up. It probably didn’t help that I read this book at night. And that’s why I did. I wanted the quiet and the dark to help me immerse myself. Not that I really needed it, turns out. The author did a fine job of pulling me.
This was told in more than one time line and was still easy to follow. It added depth to the characters and the story. I could have easily enjoyed each story all by itself. And just look at that cover. If that doesn’t creep you out……..
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
This was told in more than one time line and was still easy to follow. It added depth to the characters and the story. I could have easily enjoyed each story all by itself. And just look at that cover. If that doesn’t creep you out……..
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
September 9, 2012
3.5 stars
This suspense/thriller starts off with the introduction of Christian Kane, our contemporary character, sports journalist turned novelist. Like many present day thrillers, Christian has the happy, sexy marriage, job and house. I was not as excited about the characterization and descriptions penned in the beginning because many felt very much like 'asides' inserted merely as quick background information. This is common in contemporary fiction and is just a personal taste thing that I don't care for, but is not necessarily bad if you go for this approach. Have patience though, because the meat and most intriguing portion of the novel comes when we go back in time. Reading more like a historical fiction than contemporary thriller, we get the details of Rachel Petersen. The dialogue is authentic, the setting believable and I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story. As mentioned in the press release, two twists occur. Without giving away spoilers, the novel transitions at the end to contemporary times (back to Kane and his wife), which journals all the happy rise to the top his best seller novel takes. At first, I was disappointed by the cliche jolt and stark contrast in writing from the style I'd grown to enjoy -- but the twist happens, and then happens again. I believe Baroni succeeded in writing the type of story he set out to do -- however, I preferred the style and voice set in the past, rather than the characters created for contemporary purposes. I did not care for Christian or Shelby, nor did I get attached to them in anyway. I would have liked to seen more development in the present so I could care about both times featured in the book. In my opinion, the book's gem sits solely in the middle where the story of Rachel is told. This is where the stars were earned.
This suspense/thriller starts off with the introduction of Christian Kane, our contemporary character, sports journalist turned novelist. Like many present day thrillers, Christian has the happy, sexy marriage, job and house. I was not as excited about the characterization and descriptions penned in the beginning because many felt very much like 'asides' inserted merely as quick background information. This is common in contemporary fiction and is just a personal taste thing that I don't care for, but is not necessarily bad if you go for this approach. Have patience though, because the meat and most intriguing portion of the novel comes when we go back in time. Reading more like a historical fiction than contemporary thriller, we get the details of Rachel Petersen. The dialogue is authentic, the setting believable and I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story. As mentioned in the press release, two twists occur. Without giving away spoilers, the novel transitions at the end to contemporary times (back to Kane and his wife), which journals all the happy rise to the top his best seller novel takes. At first, I was disappointed by the cliche jolt and stark contrast in writing from the style I'd grown to enjoy -- but the twist happens, and then happens again. I believe Baroni succeeded in writing the type of story he set out to do -- however, I preferred the style and voice set in the past, rather than the characters created for contemporary purposes. I did not care for Christian or Shelby, nor did I get attached to them in anyway. I would have liked to seen more development in the present so I could care about both times featured in the book. In my opinion, the book's gem sits solely in the middle where the story of Rachel is told. This is where the stars were earned.
August 22, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of The Legend of Rachel Petersen for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Note: This review is for the revised edition, which does not have its own listing on Goodreads.
The author of this book once stumbled upon a lone grave in the middle of the woods, inspiring him to write it. As art generally imitates life, The Legend of Rachel Petersen tells the tale of aspiring author, Christian Kane, who stumbles upon an unmarked grave in the middle of the woods, inspiring him to write a novel about it.
Rather than a biographical account of the author writing his novel, this is a creepy ghost story. While there are certainly horror elements, the most horrific acts told in the tale are perpetrated by people. I won't reveal them as it would spoil some of the novel’s major moments, but if you’re likely to be triggered by humanity’s ills, please tread carefully. These aren't the focus; the ghost story is. Rather than outright horror, it features a creepy undercurrent that slowly builds until it reaches its conclusion.
One of the book’s more interesting aspects is its structure. While not broken up into parts, it's told in three distinct acts. The first sets the scene and introduces the book’s protagonist, Christian, and his world, and chronicles his journey to becoming an author, whereby he discovers Rachel Petersen’s grave. The second act is a story within a story, as Christian writes a novel telling an account of Rachel’s story. The third and final act is a chilling tale about what comes after writing the book.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is not a particularly long read, but feels longer thanks to its structure. The first act feels too long, spending too much time on Christian’s life. As much as it fits the three act structure, a more streamlined version would have brought the haunting elements sooner. The second act, which is largely Christian’s novel, serves as a great storytelling device. Had this been expanded into a novel on its own, it would have been an enjoyable read, but nestling it between the other acts adds an extra dimension. There’s not much I can say about the third act without spoiling it, but it amplifies the narrative’s chilling nature and adds some entertaining twists. The three acts feel a little disjointed, but this is to be expected, given the way the book’s broken up.
Through the first and third acts, the prose is written lightly, almost casually. It’s told from Christian’s perspective and fits his character and the modern setting, but it feels at odds with the haunting story. The prose also tells, rather than shows, at various points, but flows better in the second act. Set between the US civil war and the 1950s, it captures the storytelling sensibilities of those eras. The book’s characters all have their own voices, though the dialogue sometimes feels stilted and not entirely natural.
Christian isn’t entirely likeable, and it’s difficult to root for him. Many of the supporting characters feel two-dimensional, but most appear briefly. The characters in Christian’s book, however, are more clearly drawn, and I enjoyed following their escapades.
While a book’s protagonist and supporting characters can often make or break a book, but horror and lighter ghost stories' purpose is to thrill and chill the reader. They're well formulated and paced, instilling an off-kilter sense for the reader as they wonder what will happen next.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a haunting ghost story that offers plenty of twists and turns as it gets into the reader’s head. Despite the first act feeling too long and the prose and dialogue not entirely working for me, it does exactly what a thriller ought to do: thrill. While the novel’s structure feels uneven, its story within a story device adds a layer of complexity that heightens its thrills.
My full review will be available on my website from 23 August, 2023. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
Note: This review is for the revised edition, which does not have its own listing on Goodreads.
The author of this book once stumbled upon a lone grave in the middle of the woods, inspiring him to write it. As art generally imitates life, The Legend of Rachel Petersen tells the tale of aspiring author, Christian Kane, who stumbles upon an unmarked grave in the middle of the woods, inspiring him to write a novel about it.
Rather than a biographical account of the author writing his novel, this is a creepy ghost story. While there are certainly horror elements, the most horrific acts told in the tale are perpetrated by people. I won't reveal them as it would spoil some of the novel’s major moments, but if you’re likely to be triggered by humanity’s ills, please tread carefully. These aren't the focus; the ghost story is. Rather than outright horror, it features a creepy undercurrent that slowly builds until it reaches its conclusion.
One of the book’s more interesting aspects is its structure. While not broken up into parts, it's told in three distinct acts. The first sets the scene and introduces the book’s protagonist, Christian, and his world, and chronicles his journey to becoming an author, whereby he discovers Rachel Petersen’s grave. The second act is a story within a story, as Christian writes a novel telling an account of Rachel’s story. The third and final act is a chilling tale about what comes after writing the book.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is not a particularly long read, but feels longer thanks to its structure. The first act feels too long, spending too much time on Christian’s life. As much as it fits the three act structure, a more streamlined version would have brought the haunting elements sooner. The second act, which is largely Christian’s novel, serves as a great storytelling device. Had this been expanded into a novel on its own, it would have been an enjoyable read, but nestling it between the other acts adds an extra dimension. There’s not much I can say about the third act without spoiling it, but it amplifies the narrative’s chilling nature and adds some entertaining twists. The three acts feel a little disjointed, but this is to be expected, given the way the book’s broken up.
Through the first and third acts, the prose is written lightly, almost casually. It’s told from Christian’s perspective and fits his character and the modern setting, but it feels at odds with the haunting story. The prose also tells, rather than shows, at various points, but flows better in the second act. Set between the US civil war and the 1950s, it captures the storytelling sensibilities of those eras. The book’s characters all have their own voices, though the dialogue sometimes feels stilted and not entirely natural.
Christian isn’t entirely likeable, and it’s difficult to root for him. Many of the supporting characters feel two-dimensional, but most appear briefly. The characters in Christian’s book, however, are more clearly drawn, and I enjoyed following their escapades.
While a book’s protagonist and supporting characters can often make or break a book, but horror and lighter ghost stories' purpose is to thrill and chill the reader. They're well formulated and paced, instilling an off-kilter sense for the reader as they wonder what will happen next.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a haunting ghost story that offers plenty of twists and turns as it gets into the reader’s head. Despite the first act feeling too long and the prose and dialogue not entirely working for me, it does exactly what a thriller ought to do: thrill. While the novel’s structure feels uneven, its story within a story device adds a layer of complexity that heightens its thrills.
My full review will be available on my website from 23 August, 2023. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
September 1, 2023
"The Legend of Rachel Petersen" by J.T. Baroni is a riveting and genre-defying tale that seamlessly blends elements of suspense, horror, and supernatural intrigue. Baroni's storytelling prowess shines through as he weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The story introduces us to Christian Kane, a disillusioned sports writer who embarks on a life-altering journey after being passed over for a promotion at The Post Gazette. Kane's decision to leave behind his career and pursue fiction writing in the tranquil countryside sets the stage for an extraordinary transformation. As the protagonist stumbles upon a forgotten grave in the woods, the inspiration for his magnum opus, "The Legend of Rachel Petersen," takes root.
Baroni masterfully crafts a layered narrative within a narrative, drawing readers into the captivating world of Kane's imagination. The haunting tale of a young girl named Rachel Petersen, who has lain beneath a weathered tombstone for decades, becomes the crux of the novel. The interplay between Kane's real-world experiences and his fictional creation adds depth and complexity to the story, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
"The Legend of Rachel Petersen" isn't merely a work of fiction within the novel; it is a fully fleshed-out story in its own right. Baroni's writing is evocative and immersive, pulling readers into the eerie and mystical world he has crafted. The gradual evolution of Kane's novel into a Best Seller and a blockbuster movie is a testament to Baroni's keen understanding of the publishing and entertainment industries, adding an element of metafictional charm to the narrative.
However, what truly sets this novel apart is its ingenious twist—the resurrection of Rachel Petersen herself. Baroni expertly blends the supernatural with psychological tension, as Rachel rises from her grave to seek revenge on Kane for allegedly slandering her name. This unexpected turn of events injects a chilling sense of urgency into the story, transforming it into a heart-pounding thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Baroni's characters are well-drawn and relatable, making it easy for readers to invest in their fates. Kane's journey from a frustrated journalist to a wealthy, famous author is a compelling character arc, while Rachel's vengeful spirit adds an element of sympathy and horror in equal measure.
In "The Legend of Rachel Petersen," J.T. Baroni has crafted a literary gem that defies easy categorization. It's a tale of ambition, creativity, and the consequences of meddling with the supernatural. Baroni's writing is sharp, his storytelling impeccable, and the novel's audacious premise executed with finesse. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and ultimately unforgettable literary experience. Baroni's narrative mastery is on full display, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder long after they've turned the last page.
The story introduces us to Christian Kane, a disillusioned sports writer who embarks on a life-altering journey after being passed over for a promotion at The Post Gazette. Kane's decision to leave behind his career and pursue fiction writing in the tranquil countryside sets the stage for an extraordinary transformation. As the protagonist stumbles upon a forgotten grave in the woods, the inspiration for his magnum opus, "The Legend of Rachel Petersen," takes root.
Baroni masterfully crafts a layered narrative within a narrative, drawing readers into the captivating world of Kane's imagination. The haunting tale of a young girl named Rachel Petersen, who has lain beneath a weathered tombstone for decades, becomes the crux of the novel. The interplay between Kane's real-world experiences and his fictional creation adds depth and complexity to the story, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
"The Legend of Rachel Petersen" isn't merely a work of fiction within the novel; it is a fully fleshed-out story in its own right. Baroni's writing is evocative and immersive, pulling readers into the eerie and mystical world he has crafted. The gradual evolution of Kane's novel into a Best Seller and a blockbuster movie is a testament to Baroni's keen understanding of the publishing and entertainment industries, adding an element of metafictional charm to the narrative.
However, what truly sets this novel apart is its ingenious twist—the resurrection of Rachel Petersen herself. Baroni expertly blends the supernatural with psychological tension, as Rachel rises from her grave to seek revenge on Kane for allegedly slandering her name. This unexpected turn of events injects a chilling sense of urgency into the story, transforming it into a heart-pounding thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Baroni's characters are well-drawn and relatable, making it easy for readers to invest in their fates. Kane's journey from a frustrated journalist to a wealthy, famous author is a compelling character arc, while Rachel's vengeful spirit adds an element of sympathy and horror in equal measure.
In "The Legend of Rachel Petersen," J.T. Baroni has crafted a literary gem that defies easy categorization. It's a tale of ambition, creativity, and the consequences of meddling with the supernatural. Baroni's writing is sharp, his storytelling impeccable, and the novel's audacious premise executed with finesse. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and ultimately unforgettable literary experience. Baroni's narrative mastery is on full display, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder long after they've turned the last page.
September 11, 2023
In Legend of Rachel Petersen, Christian Kane — an ambitious sportswriter with aspirations that stretch far beyond the press box — navigates a serendipitous series of events. Initially overlooked for a coveted promotion, he takes the reins of his destiny and, alongside his wife, embarks on a journey to fulfill a shared dream: the acquisition of a quintessential suburban home. Their choice, a quaint fixer-upper nestled in the countryside, proves to be more than just bricks and mortar. On a seemingly innocuous walk, they discover an isolated grave, the final resting place of Rachel Petersen. This enigmatic spot becomes the muse for Kane, and without a detailed history of its inhabitants, he crafts a compelling novel that catapults him to bestseller status. However, the ethereal Rachel Petersen is less than pleased with his imaginative take on her story and emerges from the afterlife to confront his artistic interpretation.
The novel serves as a refreshing nod to the bygone era of B-movie horror, juxtaposing comedic flair with classic horror undertones. Unlike the often graphic and hyper-realistic modern-day horror tales, Legend of Rachel Petersen captures the whimsical essence of old-school black-and-white horror films. Its cover art resonates with this spirit, channeling the aesthetics of vintage classics such as "Return of the Living Dead" and "Hobgoblins." For aficionados of traditional horror cinema, this book promises an engaging trip down memory lane.
The character ensemble, though drawing from archetypal molds, enhances the story's distinctive appeal. Christian and Shelby, far from being mere caricatures, possess endearing eccentricities that make them both relatable and intriguing. Christian's transition from an almost-professional footballer to a sportswriter adds layers to his character arc. Shelby, on the other hand, gracefully challenges cliched perceptions, presenting a multifaceted persona. Noteworthy is Christian's intriguing reluctance towards modern technology, adding a dimension of unpredictability to his character without feeling out of place. While enriching, the intertwining of multiple storylines — particularly Thaddeus and Rachel's tales — may strike some as a tad distracting, with a potential preference for a deeper dive into Kane's post-fame life.
Legend of Rachel Petersen is a fantastic concoction of wit, suspense, and imagination. Its amalgamation of timeless horror elements with contemporary narrative techniques promises readers an unparalleled literary adventure.
The novel serves as a refreshing nod to the bygone era of B-movie horror, juxtaposing comedic flair with classic horror undertones. Unlike the often graphic and hyper-realistic modern-day horror tales, Legend of Rachel Petersen captures the whimsical essence of old-school black-and-white horror films. Its cover art resonates with this spirit, channeling the aesthetics of vintage classics such as "Return of the Living Dead" and "Hobgoblins." For aficionados of traditional horror cinema, this book promises an engaging trip down memory lane.
The character ensemble, though drawing from archetypal molds, enhances the story's distinctive appeal. Christian and Shelby, far from being mere caricatures, possess endearing eccentricities that make them both relatable and intriguing. Christian's transition from an almost-professional footballer to a sportswriter adds layers to his character arc. Shelby, on the other hand, gracefully challenges cliched perceptions, presenting a multifaceted persona. Noteworthy is Christian's intriguing reluctance towards modern technology, adding a dimension of unpredictability to his character without feeling out of place. While enriching, the intertwining of multiple storylines — particularly Thaddeus and Rachel's tales — may strike some as a tad distracting, with a potential preference for a deeper dive into Kane's post-fame life.
Legend of Rachel Petersen is a fantastic concoction of wit, suspense, and imagination. Its amalgamation of timeless horror elements with contemporary narrative techniques promises readers an unparalleled literary adventure.
September 29, 2023
When J.T. Baroni asked me to read his book, The Legend of Rachel Petersen, I said yes because I love reading dark fiction in the autumn, and The Legend of Rachel Petersen was a perfect choice.
At first, this book is the story of Christian Kane, a sports journalist who is perceived as being obsolete because of his lack of tech-savvy. He doesn’t own his own computer, and carries a cell phone only because it’s required by his boss. At first, his wife, Shelby, comes across as a bit of a bimbo. The reality is that – tech knowledge aside – neither is true. The Kanes move to the woods and Christian decides to try writing fiction.
Anyone who has ever tried to come up with a fresh take on vampires knows that doing so is incredibly difficult. Christian is no exception, and it’s because of Shelby’s insightful comments that he scraps his formulaic story. On a walk through the woods, he stumbles across the grave of a little girl, and that becomes his inspiration.
At that point what could have been an ordinary ghost story becomes the literary equivalent of nesting dolls, with stories, within stories, within stories. There’s Kane’s own novel about the story of this long-dead child’s grave being discovered by two young boys tracking a deer; then there’s the boys’ story of discovering dead girl’s – the eponymous Rachel’s – identity and the truth of her life and death, and then there’s the dual story told to them, and seen by us, that explains why she was buried in the middle of the woods.
It could be a cheesy set-up, but Baroni never lets us forget which level of the tale we’re in, and his writing voice does a good job at changing to reflect each strata of story.
Also deftly handled is the twist at the end of the novel, which surprised me even though I’d been warned that a twist was coming.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is J.T. Baroni’s debut novel. I look forward to his next work, because this tale was gripping and ghostly in just the right proportions.
Goes well with venison stew and apple cider.
At first, this book is the story of Christian Kane, a sports journalist who is perceived as being obsolete because of his lack of tech-savvy. He doesn’t own his own computer, and carries a cell phone only because it’s required by his boss. At first, his wife, Shelby, comes across as a bit of a bimbo. The reality is that – tech knowledge aside – neither is true. The Kanes move to the woods and Christian decides to try writing fiction.
Anyone who has ever tried to come up with a fresh take on vampires knows that doing so is incredibly difficult. Christian is no exception, and it’s because of Shelby’s insightful comments that he scraps his formulaic story. On a walk through the woods, he stumbles across the grave of a little girl, and that becomes his inspiration.
At that point what could have been an ordinary ghost story becomes the literary equivalent of nesting dolls, with stories, within stories, within stories. There’s Kane’s own novel about the story of this long-dead child’s grave being discovered by two young boys tracking a deer; then there’s the boys’ story of discovering dead girl’s – the eponymous Rachel’s – identity and the truth of her life and death, and then there’s the dual story told to them, and seen by us, that explains why she was buried in the middle of the woods.
It could be a cheesy set-up, but Baroni never lets us forget which level of the tale we’re in, and his writing voice does a good job at changing to reflect each strata of story.
Also deftly handled is the twist at the end of the novel, which surprised me even though I’d been warned that a twist was coming.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is J.T. Baroni’s debut novel. I look forward to his next work, because this tale was gripping and ghostly in just the right proportions.
Goes well with venison stew and apple cider.
October 30, 2023
Christian is a sports writer for a magazine and when he is sidelined by his boss for promotion citing his inability to keep up with latest technology, he wants to try his hands on writing a fiction Novel. He gets inspired by the grave of a child - Rachel, while walking along the woods.
So, this makes it a story inside another story. The remaining story is about the novel written by Christian about Rachel and her death.
This book piqued my interest further as characters are authentic and seemed relatable. The fights between the kids - Seth and Thaddy are enjoyable and of course very much relatable to me.
It is not a like a regular horror story where a ghost haunts a family and takes revenge. When Thaddy digs the grave of Rachel, all hell broke loose. But, interestingly, both the brothers are open minded and not always scared of the ghost. They are good human beings who want to know what Rachel's ghost is trying to tell them.
There are many unknowns - Why Rachel is haunting the brothers? where is she pointing them to? This made me guessing the story till the last page. I love that the book is well written, and easy to understand. The twists are great and unpredictable. The climax is open ended leaving the reader with multiple thoughts.
The book cover is well designed and very apt. Those eyes on the cover are really scary. The title suits the story well.
I would recommend this book to all horror lovers who want to read a different ghost story.
My Rating: 5/5
Here is my voluntary review for a free review copy provided by the author.
So, this makes it a story inside another story. The remaining story is about the novel written by Christian about Rachel and her death.
This book piqued my interest further as characters are authentic and seemed relatable. The fights between the kids - Seth and Thaddy are enjoyable and of course very much relatable to me.
It is not a like a regular horror story where a ghost haunts a family and takes revenge. When Thaddy digs the grave of Rachel, all hell broke loose. But, interestingly, both the brothers are open minded and not always scared of the ghost. They are good human beings who want to know what Rachel's ghost is trying to tell them.
There are many unknowns - Why Rachel is haunting the brothers? where is she pointing them to? This made me guessing the story till the last page. I love that the book is well written, and easy to understand. The twists are great and unpredictable. The climax is open ended leaving the reader with multiple thoughts.
The book cover is well designed and very apt. Those eyes on the cover are really scary. The title suits the story well.
I would recommend this book to all horror lovers who want to read a different ghost story.
My Rating: 5/5
Here is my voluntary review for a free review copy provided by the author.
October 24, 2023
Sports writer Christian Kane quits his job at The Post Gazette after being unfairly passed over for a promotion. He moves to the countryside and stumbles upon a lone grave that sparks his imagination and becomes the inspiration for his best-selling novel, "The Legend of Rachel Petersen." The book's success catapults Kane into the limelight and attracts the attention of Hollywood, leading to a movie adaptation. However, as Kane's fame grows, he begins to question whether his fictional character is seeking retribution for the defamation of a real person.
I found the story to be well-written, easy to read, and fun. The use of Pittsburghese throughout the story added to its excitement and made it even more enjoyable for me as a native of the city. The plot was well-constructed and had a creepy vibe to it. I found the main character, Christian, to be relatable and likable at times. The chilling ghost was quite freaky and added to the overall suspense of the story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.
I found the story to be well-written, easy to read, and fun. The use of Pittsburghese throughout the story added to its excitement and made it even more enjoyable for me as a native of the city. The plot was well-constructed and had a creepy vibe to it. I found the main character, Christian, to be relatable and likable at times. The chilling ghost was quite freaky and added to the overall suspense of the story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.
January 8, 2024
"The Legend of Rachel Petersen" is a captivating story full of mystery and suspense.
Experience a unique storyline that effortlessly stands out among thrillers, leaving you with goosebumps. I really enjoyed the author's choice of building subplots and the process of Christian Kane's writing.As a reader, you will find everything you could hope for in this book - a brilliant concept, diverse characters and the finest writing. A witty, tense and timely thriller. I loved every minute of it!
The haunting tale of a young girl named Rachel Petersen, who has lain beneath a weathered tombstone for a century, is brought to life in this captivating world of Kane's imagination. Baroni has crafted a flawless narrative that is enriched by his insightful language. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and fascinating reading experience. The daring premise of the book is implemented with elegance, leaving readers in awe long after they've finished reading it.
Experience a unique storyline that effortlessly stands out among thrillers, leaving you with goosebumps. I really enjoyed the author's choice of building subplots and the process of Christian Kane's writing.As a reader, you will find everything you could hope for in this book - a brilliant concept, diverse characters and the finest writing. A witty, tense and timely thriller. I loved every minute of it!
The haunting tale of a young girl named Rachel Petersen, who has lain beneath a weathered tombstone for a century, is brought to life in this captivating world of Kane's imagination. Baroni has crafted a flawless narrative that is enriched by his insightful language. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and fascinating reading experience. The daring premise of the book is implemented with elegance, leaving readers in awe long after they've finished reading it.
May 16, 2024
This was a unique read with a vivid world that manages to captivate and submerge the reader from the very start.
Be prepared for an involved ride of a read, it's dark at times in the best way.
It’s a great read that kept me as the reader engrossed.
Be prepared for an involved ride of a read, it's dark at times in the best way.
It’s a great read that kept me as the reader engrossed.
May 2, 2013
Story Overview:
Christian quits his job when he is passed over for promotion on the grounds of not being technical enough. Moving out of the big town he and his wife buy a house that is in need of some serious work while he starts writing a novel. His beginning efforts are ‘terrible’. But one day he stumbles across a gravestone, on it is the name Rachel Petersen. Christian decides to write her story, where she is a murdering ghost. But when the book becomes a best seller, Christian starts to imagine that Rachel is coming after him.
Cover Page: 15/20
The cover has lot of material on the front. The ghostly girl certainly adds to the atmosphere that the author is attempting to create, but the added extras of what I can only presume to be snow (derived from the snow in the storyline) adds to a cluttered cover. Although it will please some people, I don’t personally think it does the cover any good and that it detracts from what should be the main focus of the cover.
Character (and their development): 12/20
The characters are effectively portrayed, but I see little development in them throughout the book. This could be the little amount of time that the characters have with the reader. Christian and his wife are really only in the beginning and the end, while other characters are only in the middle and neither set really interact.
My major concern is that you spend nearly a third of book investing your time into Christian and his wife, almost cheering him on to become a good writer. Then your perspective is changed to that of the Christian’s book characters and in your mind you are wondering how long you have to invest in these characters. This creates a poor relationship between the reader and the characters. But just as you get comfortable again, the character set changes, then changes back, before just for the end, you are back with Christian as he releases his bestselling novel.
Storyline: 16/20
The storyline, in which ever one you wish to concentrate on is not a bad one. It certainly has its uniqueness. In fact I would go as far as to say that with a little refinement to certain areas of the style and characterisation could turn this novel into the bestseller that the author writes about. Even the story within the story is good enough that a little extra would push it up.
I think the concern is that there is no depth to the storyline, nothing compelling the reader to keep reading once you get to the legend of Rachel. Instead the story is driven by whether Christian will or will not become a successful writer and how he fares. And I don’t think that this is what the author intended.
Style: 12/20
The actual writing of the novel is not bad. The style of the sentences and paragraphs is good. But a more descriptive tone would probably have pushed it up a little bit. It did feel at times as if I was reading an account of what was happening line by line. Instead as a reader I want the atmosphere, the actions and the thoughts of the characters to be described so I can imagine the whole world in which the characters live in. This lessens the horror part of the book which could have been on the level of several well known horror books.
Another problem for me was the story within the story, element. It would have been a great story if either of the stories was picked up and ran in throughout the book. But unfortunately the author chose both and the books effectiveness is lost.
Spelling and Grammar: 20/20
I could not see any mistakes so there is nothing more that I can say.
Conclusion: 75/100
This is a book that has a great number of ideas but tries too hard to mesh them all together into a single storyline. This probably would have done better as two short novellas or novels but together they are damage the other. Saying that it is not a bad book and I would say that casual readers of horror may enjoy the book, but not those hard core horror fans or those who like to see the characters develop.
Christian quits his job when he is passed over for promotion on the grounds of not being technical enough. Moving out of the big town he and his wife buy a house that is in need of some serious work while he starts writing a novel. His beginning efforts are ‘terrible’. But one day he stumbles across a gravestone, on it is the name Rachel Petersen. Christian decides to write her story, where she is a murdering ghost. But when the book becomes a best seller, Christian starts to imagine that Rachel is coming after him.
Cover Page: 15/20
The cover has lot of material on the front. The ghostly girl certainly adds to the atmosphere that the author is attempting to create, but the added extras of what I can only presume to be snow (derived from the snow in the storyline) adds to a cluttered cover. Although it will please some people, I don’t personally think it does the cover any good and that it detracts from what should be the main focus of the cover.
Character (and their development): 12/20
The characters are effectively portrayed, but I see little development in them throughout the book. This could be the little amount of time that the characters have with the reader. Christian and his wife are really only in the beginning and the end, while other characters are only in the middle and neither set really interact.
My major concern is that you spend nearly a third of book investing your time into Christian and his wife, almost cheering him on to become a good writer. Then your perspective is changed to that of the Christian’s book characters and in your mind you are wondering how long you have to invest in these characters. This creates a poor relationship between the reader and the characters. But just as you get comfortable again, the character set changes, then changes back, before just for the end, you are back with Christian as he releases his bestselling novel.
Storyline: 16/20
The storyline, in which ever one you wish to concentrate on is not a bad one. It certainly has its uniqueness. In fact I would go as far as to say that with a little refinement to certain areas of the style and characterisation could turn this novel into the bestseller that the author writes about. Even the story within the story is good enough that a little extra would push it up.
I think the concern is that there is no depth to the storyline, nothing compelling the reader to keep reading once you get to the legend of Rachel. Instead the story is driven by whether Christian will or will not become a successful writer and how he fares. And I don’t think that this is what the author intended.
Style: 12/20
The actual writing of the novel is not bad. The style of the sentences and paragraphs is good. But a more descriptive tone would probably have pushed it up a little bit. It did feel at times as if I was reading an account of what was happening line by line. Instead as a reader I want the atmosphere, the actions and the thoughts of the characters to be described so I can imagine the whole world in which the characters live in. This lessens the horror part of the book which could have been on the level of several well known horror books.
Another problem for me was the story within the story, element. It would have been a great story if either of the stories was picked up and ran in throughout the book. But unfortunately the author chose both and the books effectiveness is lost.
Spelling and Grammar: 20/20
I could not see any mistakes so there is nothing more that I can say.
Conclusion: 75/100
This is a book that has a great number of ideas but tries too hard to mesh them all together into a single storyline. This probably would have done better as two short novellas or novels but together they are damage the other. Saying that it is not a bad book and I would say that casual readers of horror may enjoy the book, but not those hard core horror fans or those who like to see the characters develop.
October 4, 2012
Christian Kane is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and tonight is his big night. After putting in years of work, he believes that he is going to be promoted to the new chief sports journalist. With the promotion, he plans to buy a new home and live his dream life with his wife Shelby. What starts off as a night filled with hopes and dreams, ends when the job is given to another man. Christian is livid and the very next day he quits his job. Shelby is naturally concerned but Christian tells her that he has a plan - he is going to write a book, but to do this, they need to sell their home and cash in as much of their savings as possible to live until he can get published. Shelby is not excited by this idea but, decides to support her husband.
Christian buys a new laptop and sits down to write the next big vampire story, but after handing the first chapter to his wife to read, it's clear that all he has done is turn his vampire into a wide receiver. When you have been a sports writer for years, old habits die hard. It's not until he comes across Rachel Petersen's grave on his new property that Christian finally stumbles across the inspiration for his book. He decides that he is going to tell the story of this young girl.
The novel then switches to Christian's book and we learn that Rachel died during the civil war. It is believed in the small Appalachian Mountain Range community where she lived that she killed herself after murdering her family. When Seth and Thaddeus Yoder stumble onto Rachel's grave, they start a chain events which unleashes Rachel's ghost. Is Rachel the vicious murderer, or is she an innocent victim who wants to clear her name?
The Legend of Rachel Petersen, is a scant one hundred and fifty-five pages long and I really enjoyed it. The switch between Christian as protagonist to Thaddeus was really abrupt and I found it hard to get back into the story at first. The setting completely changed, along with the language, and I was not prepared for this. Similarly, the shift back from Thaddeus to Christian was also very abrupt but I found that change easier to deal with, probably because it was a switch back to present day. The story of this terribly wronged young girl was tragic but so completely compelling.
The largest issue with this book was its treatment of women. Though Christian says that he would not have become a successful author without the support of his wife Shelby, she really has no drive beyond keeping Christian happy constantly. In order to ensure that he does not cheat, she buys different sexy outfits and actually binges and purges in order to keep her figure. Christian is absolutely in the dark about his wife's dangerous eating patterns and this admission is treated as nothing but an aside by the author, rather than the serious health concern that it is. Every woman Christian meets, with the exception of the older librarian and his agent, comes on to him and of course, Shelby sees them as a threat and a slut. Shelby also engages in fat shaming and clearly sees her beauty as her only source of power and positive trait. There is also the fact that Rachel, who is the inspiration for this book, is raped and murdered, though she does get her revenge in the end. In The Legend of Rachel Petersen, women are either sex pots or victims and that is problematic.
read more
Christian buys a new laptop and sits down to write the next big vampire story, but after handing the first chapter to his wife to read, it's clear that all he has done is turn his vampire into a wide receiver. When you have been a sports writer for years, old habits die hard. It's not until he comes across Rachel Petersen's grave on his new property that Christian finally stumbles across the inspiration for his book. He decides that he is going to tell the story of this young girl.
The novel then switches to Christian's book and we learn that Rachel died during the civil war. It is believed in the small Appalachian Mountain Range community where she lived that she killed herself after murdering her family. When Seth and Thaddeus Yoder stumble onto Rachel's grave, they start a chain events which unleashes Rachel's ghost. Is Rachel the vicious murderer, or is she an innocent victim who wants to clear her name?
The Legend of Rachel Petersen, is a scant one hundred and fifty-five pages long and I really enjoyed it. The switch between Christian as protagonist to Thaddeus was really abrupt and I found it hard to get back into the story at first. The setting completely changed, along with the language, and I was not prepared for this. Similarly, the shift back from Thaddeus to Christian was also very abrupt but I found that change easier to deal with, probably because it was a switch back to present day. The story of this terribly wronged young girl was tragic but so completely compelling.
The largest issue with this book was its treatment of women. Though Christian says that he would not have become a successful author without the support of his wife Shelby, she really has no drive beyond keeping Christian happy constantly. In order to ensure that he does not cheat, she buys different sexy outfits and actually binges and purges in order to keep her figure. Christian is absolutely in the dark about his wife's dangerous eating patterns and this admission is treated as nothing but an aside by the author, rather than the serious health concern that it is. Every woman Christian meets, with the exception of the older librarian and his agent, comes on to him and of course, Shelby sees them as a threat and a slut. Shelby also engages in fat shaming and clearly sees her beauty as her only source of power and positive trait. There is also the fact that Rachel, who is the inspiration for this book, is raped and murdered, though she does get her revenge in the end. In The Legend of Rachel Petersen, women are either sex pots or victims and that is problematic.
read more
March 28, 2012
This 18 chapter book had me rolling on the floor laughing. It was cool the way the characters’ dry sense of humor was on full display–whether through narration, dialogue, or thoughts. The funniest moments for me were: 1) at the banquet, Christian Kane didn’t get the promotion 2) when Christian quit his job because when he gave the middle finger, his boss’s eyes went cross-eyed to see the gesture 3) when his wife commented on his first vampire story.
Don’t get me wrong. This story was definitely scary. For as many times that I giggled, my eyes became huge with fright. I tried to calm myself plenty of times–’it’s just fiction; it’s not real’. When Thad unburied Rachel Petersen’s remains, all hell broke loose. Her ghost was relentless in torturing him and his younger brother until they decided to help her. And, when she started going after Christian and his wife, I almost fainted. I’ll never look at red-head girls with green eyes, who are 12, the same way again LOL.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I have to say I’m very impressed. JT Baroni was brilliant with characterization. I felt like I knew everyone and understood their motives. I could picture them as real people instead of just characters in a novel.
I absolutely loved that Christian wrote The Legend of Rachel Petersen in this book; readers got a glimpse of the entire story, so we understood why it became a bestseller. When it discussed the Yoder family, the plot was very entertaining. I enjoyed the brother’s back and forth. Plus, my favorite scene was on the bus heading to school–all the kids looked out the back window to see the ghost appear through exhaust vapors. If Rachel’s ghost should’ve been upset with anyone, it should’ve been her friend Sam. He was 100 years old, who kept a secret since the age of 12. He should’ve came forward A LONG TIME AGO to clear her name!
* Getting to see Rachel’s life before she died made me sad for her. I liked that the story got personal in that sense. Poor girl. All she wanted to do was rest in peace, to be left alone. I guess she figured if the town believed she murdered her family (making her an urban legend), then she might as well make the rumors true that she is a killer.
My favorite part is that readers got a glimpse of Christian Kane’s journey, trying to get published. With self-publishing, vanity publishing, beta-readers, etc. mentioned, it felt like I was involved in an inside joke for all writers.
The ending was very creepy. I wonder if Christian’s hell would be reliving the moment at the banquet? To relive it everyday like “Groundhog’s Day”.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
Don’t get me wrong. This story was definitely scary. For as many times that I giggled, my eyes became huge with fright. I tried to calm myself plenty of times–’it’s just fiction; it’s not real’. When Thad unburied Rachel Petersen’s remains, all hell broke loose. Her ghost was relentless in torturing him and his younger brother until they decided to help her. And, when she started going after Christian and his wife, I almost fainted. I’ll never look at red-head girls with green eyes, who are 12, the same way again LOL.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I have to say I’m very impressed. JT Baroni was brilliant with characterization. I felt like I knew everyone and understood their motives. I could picture them as real people instead of just characters in a novel.
I absolutely loved that Christian wrote The Legend of Rachel Petersen in this book; readers got a glimpse of the entire story, so we understood why it became a bestseller. When it discussed the Yoder family, the plot was very entertaining. I enjoyed the brother’s back and forth. Plus, my favorite scene was on the bus heading to school–all the kids looked out the back window to see the ghost appear through exhaust vapors. If Rachel’s ghost should’ve been upset with anyone, it should’ve been her friend Sam. He was 100 years old, who kept a secret since the age of 12. He should’ve came forward A LONG TIME AGO to clear her name!
* Getting to see Rachel’s life before she died made me sad for her. I liked that the story got personal in that sense. Poor girl. All she wanted to do was rest in peace, to be left alone. I guess she figured if the town believed she murdered her family (making her an urban legend), then she might as well make the rumors true that she is a killer.
My favorite part is that readers got a glimpse of Christian Kane’s journey, trying to get published. With self-publishing, vanity publishing, beta-readers, etc. mentioned, it felt like I was involved in an inside joke for all writers.
The ending was very creepy. I wonder if Christian’s hell would be reliving the moment at the banquet? To relive it everyday like “Groundhog’s Day”.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
August 20, 2012
For more of my reviews visit: http://losttobooks.blogspot.co.uk
When I read the description for this book it intrigued me greatly. The book sounded like it was going to be a nail biting thriller and in parts it was. The book follows a few different characters in different time period, which sometimes confused me slightly as it jumped from one time period to the other quite drastically. However this was helpful to understand the background and details of Rachel's death.
I loved the initial concept and the book reminded me of “My Sword Hand is Singing” by Marcus Sedgwick (one of my favourite books). It was exciting, kept me hooked and I found myself not wanting to read it in the dark as I have an over active imagination.
I must say though, I found some parts of the story quite predictable and I struggled with some of the language, especially in the civil war sections as I was unfamiliar with the names and some language (e.g guns, hunting related words). This didn't stop me reading though, it just meant I had to google a few things to help me visualise the story. I was really enjoying the book until I got towards the end. I knew from the request that there was a double twist and as I uncovered one it became obvious what the second twist would be, and sadly I knew I wasn't going to like it. I won't tell you what happens as I don't want to ruin the book but for me the ending didn't satisfy me. It seemed to conclude a well written, enthralling book on a bad note and I came away feeling a bit disappointed.
However, overall the main body of this book is great. Once you've wrapped you're head around which character belongs to which time period it is quite simple to follow and the story keeps you hooked. The story had me on edge and it was certainly a thriller. It unfortunate about the ending but I would recommend this for anyone interested in this genre.
When I read the description for this book it intrigued me greatly. The book sounded like it was going to be a nail biting thriller and in parts it was. The book follows a few different characters in different time period, which sometimes confused me slightly as it jumped from one time period to the other quite drastically. However this was helpful to understand the background and details of Rachel's death.
I loved the initial concept and the book reminded me of “My Sword Hand is Singing” by Marcus Sedgwick (one of my favourite books). It was exciting, kept me hooked and I found myself not wanting to read it in the dark as I have an over active imagination.
I must say though, I found some parts of the story quite predictable and I struggled with some of the language, especially in the civil war sections as I was unfamiliar with the names and some language (e.g guns, hunting related words). This didn't stop me reading though, it just meant I had to google a few things to help me visualise the story. I was really enjoying the book until I got towards the end. I knew from the request that there was a double twist and as I uncovered one it became obvious what the second twist would be, and sadly I knew I wasn't going to like it. I won't tell you what happens as I don't want to ruin the book but for me the ending didn't satisfy me. It seemed to conclude a well written, enthralling book on a bad note and I came away feeling a bit disappointed.
However, overall the main body of this book is great. Once you've wrapped you're head around which character belongs to which time period it is quite simple to follow and the story keeps you hooked. The story had me on edge and it was certainly a thriller. It unfortunate about the ending but I would recommend this for anyone interested in this genre.
September 24, 2012
I was contacted by J.T. to read this and I was glad I did. In this story we find Christian Kane a spots writer who thinks he's getting a promotion and finds out he's been passed over because he hasn't adapted with the times and become a techie *technical savy. He doesn't have a laptop, a cell phone only cause his job requires ones.
After finding out he's been passed over, he quits in a unique way. He decides he's going to move to a country setting to write. He tries his hand at Vampires which doesn't exactly work out well. While out on a walk with his wife he stumbles upon a grave sight of Rachel Petersen and decides he has to tell her story, whatever that maybe.
This is where the Yoker boys step in the story goes back to when boys went hunting in the woods, and stumble upon Rachel's grave sight, and curiosity gets one of them and decides to see what he can get out of her casket. Then the two boys find themselves having "Rachel" sightings. They end up talking to a hundred year old man named Sam who knew of Rachel and what happened to her. This is bitter sweet as back then in Rachel's time wars were happening between Yankees and the South and people were deserting war when enough became enough. We learn about Rachel, her family how she wound up in the the care of her Aunt and her Aunt's family. The connection Sam has with her.
When the story is told Christian fights to get it published trying all sorts of avenues, eventually one of them pans out and he's been published and becomes famous. But at what price? The ending of this was amazing I can't even leak any of it without spilling it all out. I just have one word A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Total edge of your seat oh my god did that just happen!
J.T. is my breakout writer for 2012-2013 This book was awesome and he is an incredible author who weaved paranormal, thriller, mystery and suspense all into one great read!
After finding out he's been passed over, he quits in a unique way. He decides he's going to move to a country setting to write. He tries his hand at Vampires which doesn't exactly work out well. While out on a walk with his wife he stumbles upon a grave sight of Rachel Petersen and decides he has to tell her story, whatever that maybe.
This is where the Yoker boys step in the story goes back to when boys went hunting in the woods, and stumble upon Rachel's grave sight, and curiosity gets one of them and decides to see what he can get out of her casket. Then the two boys find themselves having "Rachel" sightings. They end up talking to a hundred year old man named Sam who knew of Rachel and what happened to her. This is bitter sweet as back then in Rachel's time wars were happening between Yankees and the South and people were deserting war when enough became enough. We learn about Rachel, her family how she wound up in the the care of her Aunt and her Aunt's family. The connection Sam has with her.
When the story is told Christian fights to get it published trying all sorts of avenues, eventually one of them pans out and he's been published and becomes famous. But at what price? The ending of this was amazing I can't even leak any of it without spilling it all out. I just have one word A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Total edge of your seat oh my god did that just happen!
J.T. is my breakout writer for 2012-2013 This book was awesome and he is an incredible author who weaved paranormal, thriller, mystery and suspense all into one great read!
February 8, 2013
Even as I write this review, I'm torn as to how to rate The Legend of Rachel Petersen. This book is completely "outside of the box" and spans several genres throughout the course of the novel. The main story reads mostly as a contemporary novel, but has a paranormal twist. Not a fan of contemporary novels, this part dragged for me. The characters were well-developed, the plot was sound, and the writing was great. I'm just not a fan of contemporary novels.
The story within the story I absolutely enjoyed. Christian Kane writes a novel about two boys who stumble upon a gravestone in the woods and awaken the ghost of Rachel Petersen. Had the novel been the story that Christian Kane wrote and not the story of Christian Kane writing the story, I would have gave it a solid four stars, because Christian Kane wrote a compelling ghost story.
But regardless of how I felt about the outer story, which was about Christian Kane's midlife crisis, I have to applaud the author on writing a story within a story through three separate time periods and not once confusing the reader. Each time period felt authentic and the characters well-rounded.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen bounced around several genres. It switched from horror to paranormal to contemporary with no regard to genre expectations. This cross-genre approach definitely told one hell of a story, however it might test the comfort limits of some readers.
I'm torn on my rating, because I simply haven't figured out whether I like the ending or not. I can't decide whether I feel cheated or out-played. The double twist at the end was definitely not predictable, despite the very revealing blurb. Solely on the fact that The Legend of Rachel Petersen is haunting me long after I finished it, I can't give this book any less than 4 stars. (B-)
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
The story within the story I absolutely enjoyed. Christian Kane writes a novel about two boys who stumble upon a gravestone in the woods and awaken the ghost of Rachel Petersen. Had the novel been the story that Christian Kane wrote and not the story of Christian Kane writing the story, I would have gave it a solid four stars, because Christian Kane wrote a compelling ghost story.
But regardless of how I felt about the outer story, which was about Christian Kane's midlife crisis, I have to applaud the author on writing a story within a story through three separate time periods and not once confusing the reader. Each time period felt authentic and the characters well-rounded.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen bounced around several genres. It switched from horror to paranormal to contemporary with no regard to genre expectations. This cross-genre approach definitely told one hell of a story, however it might test the comfort limits of some readers.
I'm torn on my rating, because I simply haven't figured out whether I like the ending or not. I can't decide whether I feel cheated or out-played. The double twist at the end was definitely not predictable, despite the very revealing blurb. Solely on the fact that The Legend of Rachel Petersen is haunting me long after I finished it, I can't give this book any less than 4 stars. (B-)
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
October 23, 2012
What an interesting twist to a story. Really cool plot line, definitely keeps you guessing the entire way through. And then the ending comes out from nowhere, which I thought was great.
First of all the characters are really great. Starting with the writer who really is having some issues putting more of himself into the story.
The actual story he comes up with is another legend about Rachel Petersen. The characters in this story within the story are great. The two main characters, Thaddeus and Seth are fantastic. You can tell straight away that they are really close and enjoy each other’s company but what I enjoyed most about them is the razzing they give each other.
The best part is when they stumble upon Rachel’s grave. The boys knew the story and although it scared them, like everyone just thought that it was a legend, not something based off of real life. As the boys learn more about Rachel the story intensifies and the boys wind up trying to learn exactly what did happen to such a young girl nearly 100 years ago. They soon discover that she is real and is haunting them making this both hilarious and scary all at the same time.
The plot jumps between three different stories. The story of the writer, the story of the boys and then Rachel’s story. I got so wrapped up in the boy’s telling of Rachel that I completely forgot that this was being written! It’s very smoothly done and never was I confused about who was doing the explaining or which story we were in. I just got lost IN the actual story, which is fantastic!
It’s scary, it’s fun, there are a few twists. Kept me reading into the night! And I have to admit, I actually jumped a few times while reading!! I should have made popcorn!
Definitely suggest this to horror fans that love a Crypt Keeper sort of a tale.
First of all the characters are really great. Starting with the writer who really is having some issues putting more of himself into the story.
The actual story he comes up with is another legend about Rachel Petersen. The characters in this story within the story are great. The two main characters, Thaddeus and Seth are fantastic. You can tell straight away that they are really close and enjoy each other’s company but what I enjoyed most about them is the razzing they give each other.
The best part is when they stumble upon Rachel’s grave. The boys knew the story and although it scared them, like everyone just thought that it was a legend, not something based off of real life. As the boys learn more about Rachel the story intensifies and the boys wind up trying to learn exactly what did happen to such a young girl nearly 100 years ago. They soon discover that she is real and is haunting them making this both hilarious and scary all at the same time.
The plot jumps between three different stories. The story of the writer, the story of the boys and then Rachel’s story. I got so wrapped up in the boy’s telling of Rachel that I completely forgot that this was being written! It’s very smoothly done and never was I confused about who was doing the explaining or which story we were in. I just got lost IN the actual story, which is fantastic!
It’s scary, it’s fun, there are a few twists. Kept me reading into the night! And I have to admit, I actually jumped a few times while reading!! I should have made popcorn!
Definitely suggest this to horror fans that love a Crypt Keeper sort of a tale.
October 31, 2012
A thrilling and creepy journey into the world of a very angry ghost!
Have you ever grabbed a book, sat down to read it, and half way through it (during the scary part) realized that you’re reading in total darkness with only a small lamp illuminating the pages and had a cold chill run down your spine? Or had the feeling that someone was staring at you? That’s exactly how I felt when I stumbled upon The Legend of Rachel Petersen. Needless to say, I kind of freaked out a little.
The spook however, was much welcomed because it’s been a while since I was sincerely spooked by a story and this one did for me. There were times when I actually felt as if I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
The author did a fantastic job describing each scene and building up anticipation. Although Rachel’s story is a sad one, the fact that she can’t rest in peace makes it even sadder.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is the perfect Halloween tale (not for underage children though so keep that in mind).
As a fan of stories that are scary with a hint of humor and even downright creepy at times, I give this one two thumbs up.
Have you ever grabbed a book, sat down to read it, and half way through it (during the scary part) realized that you’re reading in total darkness with only a small lamp illuminating the pages and had a cold chill run down your spine? Or had the feeling that someone was staring at you? That’s exactly how I felt when I stumbled upon The Legend of Rachel Petersen. Needless to say, I kind of freaked out a little.
The spook however, was much welcomed because it’s been a while since I was sincerely spooked by a story and this one did for me. There were times when I actually felt as if I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
The author did a fantastic job describing each scene and building up anticipation. Although Rachel’s story is a sad one, the fact that she can’t rest in peace makes it even sadder.
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is the perfect Halloween tale (not for underage children though so keep that in mind).
As a fan of stories that are scary with a hint of humor and even downright creepy at times, I give this one two thumbs up.
January 8, 2012
I just finished the Legend of Rachel Peterson and all I can say is wow! it was one of the best stories I have read in a long time.
I was hooked from the beginning when Christian had to go to Sheraton at Station Square for yet another banquet with the Post Gazette.
Anyway, the story within a story, that all turns out to be in a story/dream was an amazing way to weave a tale that would eventually end up with Christian and Shelby seeing Rachel, just as he described her during the Civil War, as a "new neighbor." It really makes you think, did Rachel get in his mind and plant the story, or was it something he just dreamed in the endless time it took his wife to get ready? I don't know if i'm wrong, but I think that Rachel had more to do with it than it only being a dream.
Again all I can say is wow. I actually have a smile on my face (despite it being a murder/crime/supernatural tale). That's something that hasn't happened in a long time after reading anything.
Thank you for your fabulous story. Please write more!
Good luck in future writing endeavors.
I was hooked from the beginning when Christian had to go to Sheraton at Station Square for yet another banquet with the Post Gazette.
Anyway, the story within a story, that all turns out to be in a story/dream was an amazing way to weave a tale that would eventually end up with Christian and Shelby seeing Rachel, just as he described her during the Civil War, as a "new neighbor." It really makes you think, did Rachel get in his mind and plant the story, or was it something he just dreamed in the endless time it took his wife to get ready? I don't know if i'm wrong, but I think that Rachel had more to do with it than it only being a dream.
Again all I can say is wow. I actually have a smile on my face (despite it being a murder/crime/supernatural tale). That's something that hasn't happened in a long time after reading anything.
Thank you for your fabulous story. Please write more!
Good luck in future writing endeavors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2012
Rachel Petersen's story takes place over many years, hundreds of them. It's the story behind the birth of Rachel's evil legend as a killer and then as a vengeful spirit who terrified the area where she used to live. When her story came to Christian Kane, he diligently wrote it as it happened. Was it fiction? Did he dream it or imagine it?
The author has created a multi-layered tale; each time I figured I figured out the truth, a new layer appeared and I sat to (reveal) read it. Each layer is as fascinating as the one before it. I had fun reading this book. It was an entertaining mix of history, murder, suspense, and horror. The words drew vivid images of the era/s, and the ending was a total surprise.
J.T. Baroni, if you ever read this, here's wishing you all of Christian's success and none of the suffering.
The author has created a multi-layered tale; each time I figured I figured out the truth, a new layer appeared and I sat to (reveal) read it. Each layer is as fascinating as the one before it. I had fun reading this book. It was an entertaining mix of history, murder, suspense, and horror. The words drew vivid images of the era/s, and the ending was a total surprise.
J.T. Baroni, if you ever read this, here's wishing you all of Christian's success and none of the suffering.
October 13, 2012
Nicely creepy, this was just the sort of book I was looking to read on a gloomy day. To be honest, this is a hard book to review without giving away all the important bits. But I'll give it try.
I liked the division between what people believed about Rachel and what really happened. I liked that we got to see the mystery unfold through the eyes of two boys who wanted to help. I liked that there was a story within a story within a story here -- Christian's quest to write her story, the picking away at the mystery of what happened, and her story itself. Was it complex? Yes. Was I able to follow along? Yes, again.
Without going into too much detail, I thought the ending worked nicely. Twisted enough to keep me guessing and dark enough to make me grin. Both things I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
I liked the division between what people believed about Rachel and what really happened. I liked that we got to see the mystery unfold through the eyes of two boys who wanted to help. I liked that there was a story within a story within a story here -- Christian's quest to write her story, the picking away at the mystery of what happened, and her story itself. Was it complex? Yes. Was I able to follow along? Yes, again.
Without going into too much detail, I thought the ending worked nicely. Twisted enough to keep me guessing and dark enough to make me grin. Both things I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
March 10, 2013
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a quick, interesting read. It’s a book within a book: the aging sports writer turns his hand to fiction writing, drumming up a story of a young girl whose grave is discovered by two hunting brothers in rural Pennsylvania around 1950. [See full review at http://cellardoorians.com/the-legend-...].
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