DRT

by Eric Thomas

Greg, a reclusive overnight traffic reporter in Washington, DC, has spent his life in fear, avoiding anything that might shatter his tenuous grasp on normal. It turns out Greg has no idea what it really means to be afraid. After witnessing a horrifying fatal crash, a crash Greg believes he had a hand in causing, he begins to see the ghost of the dead driver. The strain becomes unbearable as Greg attempts to determine why the ghost has sought him out, what it wants from him, and whether any of what is happening is even real.

DRT is the second novel from author Eric Thomas. It's an alternating look at the absurd and the shocking as he tells the story of one man's struggle to maintain his sanity.

Genres: Horror, Ghosts, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

I am a talk radio host in Detroit, Mi at night and I write a lot during the day. Kind of like Batman.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

While technically this was a ghost story, fans of traditional horror might be disappointed. To me this was much more of a morality fable on the importance of social connections in one's life than any sort of a haunting situation. It can even be read as a mystery thriller. Nevertheless, haunting does take place and a ghost with unfinished business with liberal helping of guilt drives an antisocial lonely traffic reporter to step out of his shell, do uncharacteristically daring acts and solve a crime. So there are various elements of different genres well blended together for a pretty enjoyable book and a good first impression from a new author. Granted, the moral was a tad heavy handed and it wasn't particularly original, but overall solid entertainment and a perfectly decent way to spend two and a half hours. Yes, it's that quick of a read.

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most poorly written books i've ever read. It read like sub-titles on a chinese kung fu movie or a badly translated instruction book. His imagery and wording simply did not make sense half the time. The plot itself might have been passable had it been presented in a decent way, but it wasn't. Much of it made no sense. There was nothing grounded in reality. In horror, the best writers always make it seem these things could be happening in the real world we all live in. This book had little in it that was believable at all. What a waste of time!

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging story of a man whose anxieties has led him to a solitary existence, that is, until a ghost demands him to take action or die.

Eric Thomas is a talented writer with a unique ability to create true to life characters. The unexpected twists had me turning the pages into the AM hours.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Free on Kindle. Loser night-time traffic radio guy causes/allows an accident which kills the truck driver. He starts haunting him. Leads him to find the guy's family--the wife is a meth addict and her drug dealer is pimping the daughter.

[TMDGReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I read by Eric Thomas. I thoroughly enjoyed his first book, but I have to admit that I liked this one better. The story is so chilling, so grueling, and it engaged my attention completely. I didn't want to put it down. The anxiety and depression felt by Greg are rooted deep in his past and cause him to shut the world out slowly, until he is an invisible man of his own making. The conflict of emotions he felt after witnessing the traumatizing accident that he feels he could have prevented if he was paying attention are absolutely real and compelling. It is perfectly understandable that he is seeing the ghost of the deceased man, if he is indeed seeing it. Is the ghost real? Or is this his manifestation of guilt over an accident he feels was his fault? Is his subconscious forcing him to face and resolve his long time problems with depression and thoughts of suicide? Or is this man who died as a result of his negligence really looming over him from beyond the grave ready to take his life? He feels like this ghost is going to do him a favor by killing him in seven days, until he starts to investigate the life of the dead truck driver and realizes that for the first time in a long time he wants to avoid death. This psychological thriller will have you questioning the truths of Greg's perceptions and second guessing your own belief in ghosts. The descriptions are intense and tangible, the plot twists totally enthralling.
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story, but one full of twists and turns that kept me reading. It was very different about a man who worked nights reporting traffic issues over the radio. Greg starts out as a shut in who only really leaves his house to go to work. During the day he is sleeping and trying to deal with his horrible anxiety.

The book really takes off when he fails to report an accident to someone who calls and asks if the roads are clear. Greg forgets that there is a stalled car on the highway, and the semi slams into it, killing the driver. The driver comes back to haunt Greg, stating he has 7 days to solve his unfinished business or he will die. At first I thought about the movie, The Ring, and how it is a somewhat similar premise. But it is mentioned in the book! Sylvia, his therapist compares his issue to the movie.

There are several twists that caught me off guard. There are some spoilers, so don't read ahead if you don't want to know ----

Sylvia's real job was unexpected. The fact that she turns out to be a massage therapist instead really made the story come full circle. Also, Draven! I was shocked to learn his "role" in the story since he started out to be likable. I guess that's how most psychopaths are described though.

I like the way this story ended. I'm glad that Greg got over his anxiety, came out of his shell, and his life got much better. Him and Sylvia staying together is great, and though most of the book is dark and spooky, at least it ended with him making good of his life and helping stop child prostitution. Great book - I recommend it.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRT (A Ghost Story)Eric Thomas
Thriller/suspense

Greg is an overnight traffic reporter. He is a loner and leads a boring life. Until that night he witnessed a fatal accident. He feels guilt and believes that the accident was his fault.

Soon he starts to see the ghost of the dead driver. He is being haunted by an angry dead man. At first he is not sure if it is real or a dream. He decides to join a group therapy session for people with anxieties. But all the members accept the leader of the group find him creepy and the story bizarre. He starts to question his own sanity.

He begins a quest to find out what the ghost wants of him, and why he was chosen to be the "haunted one". What he discovers is tragic and his life will never be the same as he continues on his quest to fulfill the ghosts wishes.

A fantastic read. I could not put it down. I was hooked from the first page until the last. I look forward to more work from Eric Thomas.
I also recommend his first book :
Fall of the Citizens

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg spends his life hiding away from anything that my stray him from his idea of normalcy and his job as an overnight traffic reporter helps until he witnesses a horrific crash that he may be responsible for. Soon the guilt of his supposed involvment is compounded with the arrival of the ghost of the dead driver.

Greg is a character rooted in anxiety and depression looking to hide from the world and throughout the book I could feel his fear and hopelessnes creeping into my reality. DRT is a creeping atmospheric read that shows just how much guilt can tear someone apart.

The author crafted a bleak and harrowing read that entertained me from start to finish.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if it was the book or where I am in my life but this book started out slow. The first few chapters I really wanted to give up, they bored me. Once the ghost appeared, however, the story became so much better. I went from reading a paragraph a night to stopping myself at 2 chapters so I wouldn't stay up all night.
I will say something that no one else did. I do not feel this book is about Greg coming out of his shell. I feel like that is the sub plot.
Trigger warning. I will not ruin the book and tell you what trigger is in it but if any apply to you be weary of this book.
The ending kind of confused me but it all works out so I guess I don't care.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book earlier today and I've been thinking about what to say about it. The story was ok, I guess.....it ended up being more depressing than I thought it would. I just didn't find most of the characters believable. People just don't act like that in real life....or at least in my real life. I found a lot of typos, which was also distracting. I would give this author another chance, though. 3 stars for me.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting story set in my hometown area of Washington, DC! This book was recommended to me by a friend who also lives in the area, and I have to say it was a good recommendation. The story flowed well and while it was not necessarily a "scary" ghost story, it definitely kept my attention the entire time. I don't want to give anything away, but there are definite surprises as you get further into the book. Highly recommended.

[Vanessa Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way this book was written was excellent -- very dialogue heavy yet with a nice flow. I'll admit it wasn't as scary as I was hoping it would be but the mystery held until end. I mean really, the last 20% of the book could not have taken me by any more surprise. Highly recommended and with such a great ending too!

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on how the mind works when clouded with guilt. It's difficult to say too much because I don't give spoilers, however, I will say that this book was well written, where Greg is both believable and realistic, showing what anyone can go through if faced with the same situation.

A good, worth reading ghost story.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a Kindle freebie that sounded interesting. Truthfully, I didn't expect much. I thought the story was well written and engaging. I couldn't put it down in places. The writing was good. I have to warn others that there is some strong language and a couple of fairly graphic scenes of violence, but all in all, I thought this was a good book. I still don't know what DRT stands for.

[OrchardBookClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest and say i don't do Ghost Storys but I was hooked into Greg's story straight from the start and boy this book did not dissapoint. I loved the twists & revalations and couldnt put it down as i couldnt wait to find out how the book ended. An absolute must read for all book lovers

[Luv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got it free on Amazon. I have a short attention span. There are so many books to read. I got distracted at 12%, No ghost yet, and moved on to other books. Since the TV series "The following" started, I'm been reading books on serial killer instead. I may get back to this later.

[Monolus · Rating 2 out of 5]

well it was not so bad that I suggest nobody read it... but well I can't recommend it as an special book...

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite predictable, very short chapters, and rather patronising towards people with anxiety issues.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good, loved the ending

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book. I liked the story and the mind set of the main character. Not a ling book but a good read.

[Corissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way the story ended. Other than that I thought it was a bit odd.

[Mau Dlra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it is okay, the "ghost" got it's closure.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary, scary, scary!!! Like it.

[Tomideckercomcast.net · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book enjoyed the characters . Very exciting ending

[Shell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, I wish 1/2 stars were an option, I would up this to 3.5 stars. Not really a horror story, more of a mystery with a supernatural twist.

[Eve Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touch of Odd Thomas about this book. Easy to read. Quite a slow start but picked up the pace.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Characters and plot were good, not too predictable.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much different story to the one I expected, but a satisfying if rushed ending!