Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum

by Stephen Prosapio

Zach Kalusky, host of Sci-D TV's Xavier Paranormal Investigators, is ecstatic when he's given the opportunity to explore the most haunted site in Chicago for a Halloween Special: Rosewood Asylum, a place long made off-limits by the local government, plagued by decades of mysterious fires and unexplained events. It's Zach's dream investigation- but there's a catch: the network forces Xavier Paranormal Investigators to partner with the more dramatic-but less ethical-Demon Hunters. Now, Zach must fight for both his show's integrity and his team's loyalty while trying to protect his own secret: that he, himself, is possessed.

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

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2011

About the author

Stephen Prosapio received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from DePaul University in Chicago. After reporting for one of the nation’s largest fantasy football websites, footballguys.com, Stephen wrote his first novel, Dream War. Competing against 2,676 other novels, it won a Top Five Finalist award in Gather.com’s 2007 First Chapters contest. Dream War was released as an eBook in July of 2010. Articles about him and his writing have been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, The North County Times, Today’s Local News, San Diego Magazine and the DePaul University Alumni magazine.

Stephen’s second novel Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is a paranormal suspense novel about a paranormal researcher—who is himself possessed—forced to team with a rival TV ghost hunting show investigating a 19th century asylum. He uncovers as many dangerous secrets as he does spirits.

Stephen works as an executive recruiter and resides in Oceanside, California. He is currently crafting a sequel to Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum that chronicles the Xavier Paranormal Investigators next case.

Reviews

[Brett Talley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a reason that the ghost story has been around since the beginning of time (check out First Samuel 28:3-25 if you doubt me). People are obsessed with the unknown, and there is no greater unknown than what happens after death. Sure, plenty of us think we know. Atheists say nothing, people of faith pin their hopes on a life beyond. But we can’t know for sure. Add to that mystery the things that go bump in the night, the shadow that moves in the distance, the figure in the corner of your eye that’s gone when you turn your head, and what do you have? Ghost stories.

That fertile field has attracted writers in legions over the years, and there are more ghost stories out there than you can shake a rusty chain at. Thank goodness then for Stephen Prosapio who has given us Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum, an original take on the classic haunting story that even the most jaded of horror fans can enjoy. Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum tells the story of Zach Kalusky, paranormal investigator and budding television star who is haunted in his own special way. When he was a baby, the spirit of his uncle attached itself to Zach and now acts as a sort of spiritual guide, helping Zach to uncover the truth behind the mysteries he investigates. Now Zach and his team, Xavier Paranormal Investigators, have been given the opportunity of a lifetime—an investigation of Rosewood Asylum, the most haunted location in Chicago. But when XPI is paired with the rival Demon Hunters, Zach begins to suspect he has a traitor in his midst, one that when combined with a growing evil that inhabits Rosewood, could put his entire group in mortal danger.

I think the thing that I loved most about Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is how much is going on. There’s Rosewood itself, of course, the classic “bad place” that seems to attract and amplify evil, the sort of dark locale one would expect from Stephen King’s early work. By itself, Rosewood is the basis for a fantastic story. Mysterious fires, unsolved murders, vengeful spirits. Prosapio takes that story to another level by intertwining several other threads along with it. There is Zach and his affliction, one that goes beyond a mere haunting to something far more spiritually significant and physically dangerous. There’s the conflict between XPI and the Demon Hunters, between the two groups’ methods and the looming mystery over which member of Zach’s group may be manufacturing evidence. Prosapio even manages to throw in some romance. The story is told crisply with believable dialogue, flashbacks that are neither perfunctory nor confusing, and characters that have depth, existing for a purpose other than filling a needed stereotype.

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is the kind of book you start reading and don’t put down. It is easily one of my favorite novels I have read this year, and the single best part of the book? The preview of Prosapio’s next novel, one I cannot wait to get my hands on.

Brett J. Talley, author of That Which Should Not Be

[Tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum – by Stephen Prosapio

This is the first book I’ve read by Stephen Prosapio I love ghost stories so I was quite excited to read and review this novel. Stephen’s writing is good his words flowed effortlessly and he did an excellent job with the character’s descriptions and the plot was unique. He combines a ghost story with a behind the scenes look into a reality TV show that investigates paranormal activity. I was hooked after reading the Prologue and the first chapter of this book.

Zach Kalusky is the main character a student at the Saint Xaviour University in Chicago, working on his PhD in Psychology. To help pay for his education Zach works on a tv show called Xaviour Paranormal Investigators. His team has just been told they are going to be allowed in to investigate the Rosewood Asylum but along with his team they have to work with another show’s cast called the Demon Hunters. Most of Zack’s team believe the Demon Hunters are more or less a fraud and not really sure if they can work together effectively. Having little choice the two teams have a meeting and make plans on how things will work. The Rosewood Asylum has been haunted for over 100 years and Zach cannot wait to get inside to get documented proof of the paranormal activity. During the investigation is where this book gets really good, there is mystery, suspense, hauntings, twists and turns and I was sure I had some of it figured out. I couldn’t put this book down till I hit the last page.

I really enjoyed The Ghost’s of Rosewood, the dialogue between the two tv cast’s made me laugh at times, the behind the scenes look into what it takes to put a tv show together is very realistic and Stephen Prosapio writing these scenes must of been fun but you can tell that the author must of spent a great deal of time researching as it seems very realistic. The Ghost-hunting, the history, and the mystery behind Rosewood Asylum are well written, I would suggest you pay close attention some scenes because there is a lot going on. It was a great read and I truly enjoyed this novel and would recommend to anyone who enjoys ghost stories and paranormal books.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope you all love this one.

[Veronica Morfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is my dream life inside a book.

This is the story of Zach, the host of Xavier Paranormal Investigators, a show that investigates paranormal, visits haunted places and sets the trapped spirits free. Zach is very excited about his next mission. The Rosewood Asylum has been one of the most haunted places around Chicago and has been off limits to everyone. The only thing bad about the new mission is that he has to join forces with another investigating show, The Demon Hunters, and besides that his uncle, who has been possessing him since age three, can't seem to keep his thoughts for himself. Everything is about to go from bad to worse when the investigation begins and a lot of things seem out of place. In order to solve the mystery behind Rosewood and a series of fires, Zach has to first figure out who is on his side.

I really loved this book. It was everything I hoped for and even more. I loved the team of investigators, so many different persons, although at the beginning I could tell which tech guy was which. Maybe to many tech-guys? Anyways, my favorite character, even if we don't get to see a lot of her was Shelly, a kind of CSI girl. I hope there will be more of her in the next book.

The haunted asylum was... well, haunting. I love haunted places, castles, houses, whatever, give me a haunted place and a mystery to solve and I am happy! The mystery was well spread throughout the book, there were so many details add on from chapter to chapter and so many questions and possibilities of what will happen next. Maybe the book wasn't scary enough, since I expected a haunted asylum to be extremely creepy, but the mystery made up for it. I have to say the preview of the next book was damn scary!

[Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-ghosts-of-rosewood-asylum.html

Thanks to my good friend Heidi (@RainyDayRamblings), she has introduced me to the Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum Tour which in turn made me get the book. I love a great ghost story, so I had to jump on this. The synopsis sounded so good, I had to check this out immediately. I am so glad I did and I can assure you will too.

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is about a group of ghost hunters that work for Sci-D TV. The group, Xavier Paranormal Investigators, is a very popular show on the network. The founder and lead, Zach, has dreamed of investigating the old psychiatric hospital, Rosewood Asylum. The hospital has many stories and mysteries connected with it. Zach has been given the chance to uncover those secrets. Unfortunately, given how big the project is, he is forced to work alongside a rival ghost hunters show, Demon Hunters, a team known for sometimes doctoring their “paranormal” discoveries. Not only does Zach have to put up with an extra team that he doesn’t really trust, but he is fighting against time to get all the information he needs from the asylum. And the further they get into the investigation, the more secrets get revealed and Zach hopes it won’t be any of his.

I loooooved this story. It is so complex and intriguing. Prosapio really gives you all sides of the story. There I so much mystery, but we are never really left in the dark. You will really be along for the ride. I love the plot to this. We have a rival ghost hunting team at a very scary asylum that hasn’t been in operation for years, has mysterious fires and a couple of ghosts who may or may not be friendly. Then we have the intrigue of certain characters because we aren’t sure we can trust them or not. There is this lady who seemingly comes out of nowhere wanting to talk to Zach off the record. She knows something about the asylum because her mother used to work there, but there is something very fishy about her. Then we have the mystery of Amelia and Boy (their story is at the very beginning) and many more. I love this fresh look on the paranormal world. Being behind the scenes and getting a feel for reality television was definitely fun and exciting to read.

Now for a horror story, the atmosphere in this book is light at times. All the characters bring such interesting personalities; it makes the book more complex. Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum will have you laughing at one moment and being completely freaked out the next. The dialogue between some of the characters is so refreshing and will bring a smile to your face. I love the friendships between Zach and Hunter or Zach and Ray, they were a fun bunch to follow. There is even some romance in this which I was happy about because I was begging for it.

I honestly can’t think of anything bad to say about this. I must be careful, of course, with this. There are a lot of mysteries and each of them brings a whole new level to the book. The story flows so well and you never feel confused. This is just so well written. It is full of history, personality, horror, laughs, romance, twists and originality. I urge you all to check this out. I was so lucky to have this pretty much drop in my lap. I promise you will not be sorry. I am definitely going to keep my eyes on this author.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghost stories have always been a favorite of mine, and I find ghost hunting shows a bucket of amusing, so when I saw this book was written by a local author I had to pick it up. While not quite what I'd hoped (I admittedly have rather high standards), this book is a good way to kill time.

I found the first few chapters rather rough. The story was trying to allude to too many things at once without giving anything away which made the beginning of story seem rather scattered, and it was easy to figure out Zach's power and what was going on with the local informants. This however didn't detract too much from enjoying the story since the events and writing improved greatly once the story got into the actual investigation portion. The cast is a bit large, and with everyone being introduced at once it was a little bit difficult to keep track of who everyone was at times. Luckily there were only a few characters who you really had to know who they were. Presumably the rest of the cast will become more developed as the series goes on.

Overall the story is enjoyable and fast paced and the mystery is interesting. This book is a good choice is you're looking for light reading.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens, July 4, 1900. A young, precocious girl, Amelia scampers about the grounds of the Rosewood Asylum. Amelia is exploring with her mysterious friend, Boy, he is a fun companion. The two roam the woods, while Amelia tries to keep her dress clean. Suddenly, the pair run into a woman in a long dress. Something isn't quite right about her. The strange woman morphs in front of them, her flesh burns and turns to charred remains, as she reaches out and touches Boy, he is swallowed up, vanishing into thin air. The woman turns toward Amelia, the terrified girl attempts to flee, but her feet are rooted to the ground. She is overcome by terror. Blackness washes over Amelia, as she fades into the realm of the unconscious. Fast forward, to present day, over a hundred years have passed. Rosewood Asylum, stands as an abandoned state protected landmark. Rumors and urban legends churn regarding the hospital's sordid past. Whispers of hauntings, a strange female specter, unexplained fires and a high rate of suicides. Numerous attempts were made over the years to renovate the site but the hauntings interceded, preventing the reconstructions. Now the building stands behind a barbed wire fence, ravaged by dust and decay, a victim of the wheel of time. Zach Kalusky, host of Sci-D TV's Xavier Paranormal Investigators, has longed for a chance to investigate the decrepit Asylum, to uncover the source of the hauntings. Alas, no one has been allowed on the grounds for years. That is until Zach learns he is getting the chance of a lifetime. At last he and his crew are granted access to the Rosewood Asylum and its grounds. There is one catch, his crew won't be exploring the hauntings on their own, in a brazen attempt to boost ratings, the network is pairing his crew with their arch rivals, The Demon Hunters. Zach, has long been suspicious of some of their investigating techniques. He reluctantly agrees to work with the competition, in order to finally be able to set foot in Rosewood. What secrets await Zach and the others in the haunted halls of the Asylum?

What I Liked:
*I admit, I occasionally like to watch those ghost hunter shows, especially around Halloween, so I enjoyed reading about a ghost hunting show. This book provides a behind the scenes look at what goes into the production of a reality ghost show. The author, Mr. Prosapio, obviously did his research because this book is a realistic portrayal. I enjoyed the explanations on the methods, research, equipment and techniques that ghost hunters utilize. I especially liked the way Zach would think of how clips would end up being edited in the final production, to sensationalize the events for the audience. If you have any interest in ghost hunting television productions, you will love this book.
*I appreciated that this book presents layer upon layer of mystery. There are numerous story threads to follow, the main investigation of Rosewood and the secrets of the hauntings, the enigmatic, old lady Evelyn and her mysterious story, the questionable techniques of the Demon Hunters, the possibility of tainted evidence and Zach's secret ability. All of these plots collide to produce a book that is a captivating mystery adventure. Be sure to pay attention, many clues are revealed along the way.
*I liked the characters, Zach and Ray, long time friends. I enjoyed their easy, comfortable friendship. Their companionship allows for plenty of funny banter back and forth between the two. This provides a bit of comic relief and helps lighten the mood. Ray proves to be the type of friend you would want watching your back. Hunter, the psychic, was another fun character, he also adds his own unique brand of humor.
*I appreciated that this book is a a great stand alone novel, no cliffhanger ending. The story resolves neatly, but the foundation is established for future ghost hunting expenditures with Zach and the gang. At the end of the book, there is an enticing sample for Mr. Prosapio's next book. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.

And The Not So Much:
*I am not sure this is really a criticism, but I kept reading waiting for some horrid apparition to materialize and completely scare the bejesus out of me. Thankfully, that never happened. I enjoy a good scare but I don't like to be terrified. This book does have ghosts but nothing that will frighten the pants off you and make you want to sleep with the lights on (ok I admit I was a pantywaist and avoided reading this before bed just in case). If you are looking for a terrifying read, then this book likely will not do it for you. For those of you, like me, who approach ghost books with a bit of trepidation, this one provides just the right amount of chills. I also think that by not going overboard with the ghostly apparitions, the book maintains a more realistic feel.
*Ok so this is me being picky, part of me wanted to be scared while the sane part of me did not, I kept expecting at any moment for something scary to pop out, so I was a bit disappointed when I finished, because I slept soundly. (I know some of you are thinking make up your mind already, *shrugs* I'm a girl.
*This book has an extensive cast of characters, with the two ghost hunting teams. I struggled a bit trying to keep track of everyone, which team they were on and their tasks on the investigation. I think having a list at the beginning of the characters and their descriptions would enhance the reading experience.
*At times, I was a bit confused on the layout of the Rosewood Asylum and all the land protected under the state's historical status. A map of the grounds would help me clarify the area.
*I would like to have a bit more information on Zach and his condition. A little more explanation would have been beneficial to me, as I know very little about the scientific and medical aspects of his affliction.
Most of the mysteries are wrapped up but I had a few lingering questions. What was Sara's full role? What caused Sashza's mishap? Who ratted out Thomas? Does Evelyn find her peace?

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is a book I highly recommend you check out. It is a fun foray into the ghost hunting world. This book packs a punch with its many mysterious elements. Yet, it has just the right amount of scare, enough to frighten but not terrorize. Mr. Prosapio, has established a solid beginning, to what I am sure will be an entertaining series. The best part? You can pick up an ebook for $2.99, a bargain! So, are you ready to do a little ghost hunting?

Favorite Quotations:
"One may smile and smile and be a villain."

"Zach shushed them. No need for spraying lighter fluid into a live cigar butt."

"The smell of rotting plaster and dust was a stale belch into the warm day."

"Zach, something evil is roaming these halls."

"It seemed something should be said. It felt like he should say...something. But all that he wanted to say, all that needed to be said was too much. Anything spoken would come across as trite. So he said nothing to his friends, and they said nothing back."

"It was as if ice water crept up his legs and once it reached his waist, shot up his spine."

"Live together, die alone," Hunter said.
Stop by my blog for a guest post by the author Stephen Prosapio : http://rainydayramblings.typepad.com/

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost stories are the perfect way to send tingles down your spin, but add a creepy run down asylum to the mix and you've got Ghosts of Rosewood by Stephen Prosapio. Part paranormal thriller, part psychological thriller, this book takes you from the first sentence and possesses your mind 'til the final end. A can't put down, stay up all night ride of pure adrenaline...

Zach, leader of the XPI, is a mystery in and of himself, haunted and waiting for answers he's not sure he's ready for. His crew, a band of misfits that have become quite the efficient ghost hunting team, though maybe not ready for what this new place entails... The assignment, Rosewood Asylum, a place that has seen its share of suicides, fires, and something even more sinister....

The state wants it cleared out of ghosts, the network wants a big story, and the other team they have to work with just wants their name in lights, even if it means faking the evidence. Best laid plans of mice and men... never had these spirits to deal with...

Ghosts of Rosewood is a gripping read. Starting with the first sentence, the reader is pulled into the story from past to present in a fluid motion and it keeps you interested throughout the story. I felt myself at Rosewood, enjoying the smells of dust and candles, hearing the moans of ghostly hauntings, and seeing the fading shapes of spirits as each word brought me deeper into the climatic end.

Zach and his team as well as many other wonderful characters leaped from the pages, making me feel like I wasn't just watching their lives unfold, but that I was part of them. The spirits were frightening, yet, left the reader to work out the mystery as it unfolded. Clues slowly formed instead of being predictable or giving too much away. It made for an enjoyable read.

This book is not for young children and readers who get scared easily. There is a bit of language, some very scary moment, and some gore, but very little sexual content. I recommend it for anyone looking for a great afternoon read or if one dares, a bedtime read, though I assure once you start, it's really hard to put down. Enjoy the madness, but beware of the Soul Collector!

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to what may be a brilliant series of books. I loved the descriptions of the scenery and the Rosewood Asylum building. I liked we got to know about the background of the Asylum too before all the ghosts were introduced into the book. I also enjoyed all the character descriptions of the people and the ghosts too. I don' t wish to give away spoilers but will say there are a few twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing. There are a mixture of talents within the groups of Xavier Investigators and the Demon Hunters. Xavier's staff are more "honest" in their approach to their program, whereas Demon Hunters seem to be all about sensationalism. This book has a bit of everything, there's mystery, lost love, betrayal, possession, suspense,spookiness, a bit scary, danger from those that are the living and the ghosts too. I think there's a little bit of something for everyone within the book.
The whole concept of Rosewood Asylum is really believable as is the scenario of it being investigated by Paranormal Experts for a TV show. Zach and his fellow investigators are tricked into working with the less credible Demon Hunters. They have to solve the mystery and help the ghosts pass over and be at peace. There are certainly quite a few ghosts to be helped in this tale. Some "good guy" ghosts trying to protect the building of Rosewood Asylum and also the public from the more rogue element led ghosts that exist in the Asylum. Will they help everyone who needs their help? Will everyone be safe? Who or will anyone get hurt in the process?
There is one particular character where I had queried who she really was and when you found out more about her, it was a good twist though I had suspected it for a while.
Zach is a great character who has his own personal issues along with the Paranormal issues he investigates too.
I don't usually read "ghost" type books or mystery orientated ones but I have to say I did enjoy this one. Would I read a book 2? Yes I would!

[Tricia Kristufek · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're not telling you everything.

Zach dreams of investigating Rosewood Asylum, the haunted facility in Chicago. As host for Sci-D TV's Xavier Paranormal Investigators, Zach and his team go into haunted areas to learn the science behind the haunting and to exorcise any ghosts on the premises. But as Zach gets his wish of investigating Rosewood, his team's unity is tested by adding the Demon Hunter team into the mix - the "catch" for getting access to Rosewood.

The large cast used in this book covers every range of person imaginable, blending together to increase the tension between the characters. Along with Zach, the reader finds out details of the haunting, the lies, the deceit, and the paranormal, all while trying to get to the bottom of the mystery of Rosewood.

While there were some predictable moments, they didn't distract me from the story - I was compelled to find out the true reason of the haunting and what the characters were going to do about it, causing me to devour this book. It is a fast read with easy language and enough intrigue to keep you interested. Zach is a deep character, full of conflict and insight, though I do hope that further installments delve a little deeper into the characters, since they have been so well set-up here.

Mystery, ghosts, possession, personal conflicts and behind-the-scenes TV production, Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is a fast-paced trip into the paranormal realm that will leave you asking: Who's next?

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mood for a horror read, I downloaded the preview for this on my Kindle and my interest was piqued. The price was insanely reasonable so after buying it, I couldn't put it down.

Author Prosapio does such an excellent job of giving the reader clues to theorize along with the characters, to where I was surprised when misdirected and felt great satisfaction when my hunch was right - nothing is overly obvious. I felt the story flowed smooth and naturally - nothing seemed forced while the descriptors allowed my imagination to paint vivid scenery and details of the characters. The perspective of the lead character on the behind-the-scenes reality of a "reality" show were interesting.

The lead character, Zach, is highly likeable- relatively normal with a "secret" that is revealed about halfway through, as well as someone who is religious without being a zealot. My only complaint I can think of is some of the characters weren't focused on enough but if this turns into a series (as it appears it will) there is more time for that. I was especially intrigued by the beginning of a potential romance, even though it lasted all of a page- Zach's love interest seems to have a good story behind her and perhaps secrets of her own.

The preview for his next book at the end of this one (Atchinson Haunting) looks very promising - I cannot wait!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competing and conflicting paranormal investigating TV shows unwillingly join forces to investigate Rosewood Asylum. The property and the surrounding town have a disturbing past. During their time there, the heads of both shows do nothing but butt heads. Zach wants to legitimately solve the mystery of Rosewood Asylum by looking into its past while Bryce wants nothing more than to boost the ratings of his show.


I’ve seen my share of ghost hunting shows and this book reads like a behind the scenes look at one of those shows. Along with the ghostly mystery, Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum also has a few small twists that keep you intent throughout the story. I also enjoyed the interesting and sometimes changing dynamic between the characters.


Stephen Prosapio will also be releasing a sequel to Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum titled The Atchison Haunting.

For this review and more, check out my blog at http://lratrandom.blogspot.com/2012/0...

[amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

it started off interesting but man did it quickly go off the deep end. how do you turn a book about ghost hunting in a haunted asylum into such a bore? we learned more about how hot the female characters are and how “manly” the transgender woman looked. except the author doesn’t call her transgender...he repeatedly uses transvestite and emphasizes on how manly she looks :/

that was what made me say enough and drop the book. i cannot abide by transphobia especially in this day and age. one character speaking about how he didn’t want to have sex with the “transvestite” told me that this book isn’t for me and I was wasting my time.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I love the history parts of ghost hunter shows so this was perfect for me. The story got a little scrambled towards the end but picked back up again pretty quickly. There were a few moments where I found myself "yelling" at the main character, "OMG! How could you NOT figure that out on your own!!!!!!"

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing! I wasn't sure what to expect, as I had never read anything by this author before. I was pleasantly surprised! The book kept me guessing, and was definitely a page-turner!

[Jane McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no quicker way to get me to pick up a book than to put Ghosts and Asylum in the same title. Make it a creepy, gigantic, 19th century asylum, and you've probably got me for good. This is a story about TV ghost hunters, 2 groups, in fact, coming together at historic Rosewood Asylum in Chicago to do a Halloween special. One group is led by Zach, who is a no faking needed, ghost talking, honest to goodness stigmatic and visionary. His group is comprised of other psychic-ghostie types and tech people who are very serious about what they do and they believe in it. The other group, The Demon Hunters, are more like a traveling circus freak show. They want drama, excitement, moments of horror and genuine fright, and they aren't above faking evidence to get what they want. I think they wear leather jackets, ride around on Harleys, and are covered with tattoos. Zach isn't happy to be teamed with them, feeling that it decreases his own credibility while increasing theirs.
I believe in ghosts. I grew up in an old house full of ghosts and I kind of like them. I do not believe in ghost hunter shows, at least not the ones that I've seen. They're full of silly drama and special effects, which shouldn't be necessary if there are real ghosts around. I hate watching the players bumble around in the dark, the camera view through the night vision goggles, making THEM look like ghosts and adding to the overall affect. They jump at every sound, and there's always one guy who is trying to convince everyone else that there's nothing there. So, I don't watch 'em. But that doesn't mean that some of these people aren't genuine, as Zach and his crew are, and as some of the people from the other crew are.
The writing was good and pretty well organized. No problems there, and I found no typos. The main character, Zach was pretty indepth and he was believable and real. But the most interesting characters were Hunter, Evelyn, and Sazsha, and they were not nearly explored enough-not even close. That could have been handled instead of the 2/3 of the story that was taken up by ad nauseum technical descriptions of camera placements, setting up camps, taking down camps, people texting each other with technical info, meet me here messages, and living characters walking around doing mundane stuff and thinking mundane thoughts.
There was a fairly complicated 'whodunit' in there too, once Zach discovered evidence was being faked and planted, and he set about finding out who was up to no good. That would have been okay with me if there weren't so many danged people to keep track of. Between the two teams, there were so many people constantly being mentioned, I gave up after a while trying to keep them straight. I realized mid-book that I just didn't care who fabricated evidence, and I even thought, Kudos to them, whoever they are, because they're at least making it look like something recordable and tangible is actually happening. What was really happening, at least as far as ghosts go, was that they were burning stuff, being disruptive, and generally doing things that could easily be explained by something else, and it didn't matter much anyway, since most of the genuine ghost incidents seemed to happen during set-up, while no one was looking (Oh, gee, the stables are on fire, way off in the distance there!) or to Zach alone. I read through to the end of this, mostly waiting for the ghosts! I don't care what camera three was up to on the third floor, or who was wandering around where they shouldn't be. I wanted the history of the asylum, I wanted to know about the people who had committed suicide and crimes there in the asylum, under the influence of the ghosts. I wanted to know way more about the live people who were having things done to them by ghosts. What happened exactly, at the end, to cause little Joey to leave his mother and his house and go to the asylum in the middle of the night? Did the ghost come and get him, talk to him? Yank him out forcibly? Instead it was just Oh, little Joey is missing, Zach thinks he's in the asylum, let's get in there and get him! Joey himself does give a brief explanation for what got him into the asylum, but it wasn't enough. Because of these issues, it took me several weeks to finish this. I kept stopping and going back to it later. It wasn't a page turner for me.
But I liked it, I really did. But I wanted more of what I liked. I wanted more ghosts. I wanted more creepiness. I found very little creepiness here. I think I would recommend it, especially to people who like the 'ghost hunter' type stuff. I just like the 'ghost' stuff.

[Frida Fantastic (book blogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Cross-posted from Adarna SF)

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is a paranormal suspense/contemporary fantasy novel with a fun and original premise. It’s about a reality show that investigates paranormal activity, and the investigators are students from the Catholic Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Zach is a pretty ordinary guy working on his PhD in Psychology… other than the fact that he’s worried about network ratings, he’s possessed by the spirit of his dead uncle, and the abandoned asylum he’s investigating has something in it that’s keen on setting him and his team ablaze.

The prologue was okay, but it was chapter one that won me over. I was instantly charmed by Zach, and the story moves quickly into the world of supernatural investigations, TV production politics, and the creepy grounds of Rosewood Asylum.

I truly enjoyed the TV production aspect to this book–it’s interesting how it structures the investigation and the interactions between the characters. There are several scenes where the characters would have the real interaction (greeting each other or relaying information), then they’d have to do it all over again and adjust their dialogue for the camera. It was enlightening and it cracked me up. The rivalry between the two paranormal groups is amusing (“the Demon Hunters looked like a pack of Hells Angels who’d ridden their motorcycles through the entire length of a circus train”) and a lot of scheming takes place. Other than having an evil spirit/arsonist on the premises, they also have casting/promotion politics and planted evidence to deal with.

An abandoned insane asylum isn’t the most original location for a paranormal investigation, but Prosapio brings such a convincing history to the setting that I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a real place. The causes of the asylum’s haunted fate are tied to real events in Chicago, adding a richness to the world-building.

While the characters, setting, and subplots are great, the central paranormal plot is a bit predictable. There were key points that I saw coming from a mile away. A character was introduced early in the book, and I wrote a comment on my Kindle: “It’s gonna be revealed eventually that this person is dead all along Sixth Sense-style”. Yep–it happened. And I suppose exorcism-style books could only really end in one way, especially if the author is working on a sequel. Maybe I’m just not as attuned with this genre, but I wish that the author would subvert paranormal tropes a bit more.

Also, some lines came off a bit weird at first. In a scene where Zach and a psychic consultant exchange movie lines as they greet each other, the narration explains that these lines are significant because the consultant resembles the lead of the film and “it also mocked the stereotype that black people, at least those not practicing Voodoo in New Orleans, weren’t psychic and never dabbled in the occult.” I was confused by that comment until later on, I realized that consultant was African-American himself, and this is a book where the protagonist is a white Catholic boy possessed by the spirit of his dead uncle. I guess it wasn’t immediately clear to me that this was part of the fantasy world-building.

The central plot could’ve had more surprises, but it’s still fun novel overall and the other story elements make it a refreshing read. Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is a well-written book and it’s recommended if you’re into the paranormal genre. Give the sample a try–I’d be surprised if chapter one didn’t suck you in instantly.

Note: A free review copy was provided by the author.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the beginning, the reader is shown how deeply conflicted Zach is about what he believes he needs to be doing and what the network controlling his show thinks he should do. Whispers of doubt plague him after Zach begins to notice how things aren't adding up. The author does a good job of building the level of anxiety in the character. Although Zach is often a logical thinking, he can be misled by the amount of trust he has in those closest to him.

I was glad to see that all the characters in the book have distinct personalities. When the two groups of investigators merged, I had anticipated a certain amount of blending between the characters. It was great to see each one retain their own flaws and quirks. There are similarities among those that do each type of work in the investigation. The researchers share their passion for accuracy and are determined to find the answers needed. Tech guys seem to have their own common language although they are from different areas and backgrounds. Even Zach and his rival host, Bryce, share leadership qualities though their investigating styles are completely different.

The pacing of the story was well maintained throughout the book. When the story began, the investigation had also started. Things moved slowly before building into a feverish climax. Each chapter brought out a new piece of the puzzle. As both Zach and the reader put them together, it almost seemed as if the reader was a part of the investigation as well. There were a couple of points in the story that I had to go back and reread the passages simply because I had failed to note the date on the entry. Other than those few instances, I had no trouble being carried away by the story.

Overall, I think the author was able to mix present day elements with the known historical events that many people may recognize as they read the book. It was exciting to be able to connect with the story on that level. This book is among those that kept me turning the pages. I wanted, soon needed, to know what happened to the group as events reached their peak. If you are looking for a well-written story about ghost hunting from two points of view with a ton of scares in between, you should consider picking this one up.

[Susan Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Kalusky is the head of the paranormal team, Xavier Paranormal Investigators (XPI) and host of the Sci-D television series with the same name. Zach is considered a professional investigator and his findings are respected within the paranormal community. When Sci-D executives insist that Zach team up with another, less ethical paranormal team he has serious reservations. The Demon Hunters are known for their flashy style and fabricated evidence. Unfortunately, Zach has no choice. Rosewood Asylum has been declared a city landmark and it needs to be declared spirit-free once and for all. The Sci-D network has been commissioned with the task. Will the two teams find evidence of spirit activity? Will Zach's own possession help or hinder the investigation?

Stephen Prosapio is clearly a fan of paranormal shows. As am I, this is why I chose this book in the first place. I wondered at first how much of the main character was fashioned after Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures, but came to the conclusion the two weren't overly similar. The book does read a little like a combination of Ghost Adventures, Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters, but is unique in its own right. The author has included some distinctive differences, as well as several unexpected twists and turns. Zach's possession is more than simple possession - stigmata is involved, which added an additional element to the plot. There are some religious undertones at play - aka good vs. evil, Zach's Catholic background, etc.

The story dragged a bit here and there. There was a great deal of "ruminating" over who had betrayed the team. There were a lot of bros punching each other "in the meaty part of the arm". Some of the banter between characters struck me as somewhat juvenile. All things considered, I'd say Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is worth reading if you enjoy a paranormal story with a twist.

[Matt Schiariti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems like ghost hunting TV shows and novels are at their peak right now. Ghost Adventures, Dead Files, even books like the Experiment in Terror series and The Ghost Files by Nicholson, Rain and Klebert are all pretty popular. I'm sure there are many more than that (some I have on my kindle and haven't even gotten to yet!) that are equally as popular. As a result, Rosewood Asylum couldn't have come around at a better time.

One of the more interesting aspects I found about the book was the fact that not only are all the investigators 'believers' but they're hired by people to actually get rid of the ghosts, not just to investigate. Couple that with a main character, Zach (in homage to Ghost Adventures perhaps?) who's got a pretty interesting and heavy back story and, with the aid of good writing, you've got a pretty good story.

This is actually a pretty complex story, plot wise. Not only is there a century old haunting to investigate and solve but there's in fighting between Zach's team and another team of 'Demon Hunters' they're tasked to work with by their network, but there's problems within Zach's own group. Is all the evidence that they've been witnessing on the up and up? It's like a mystery within a mystery.

I think towards the end the book kind of went off the reservation (this had a lot to do with Zach's back story..I won't spoil it any further than that) and sometimes the dialogue seemed a little forced for lack of a better term but all in all I found it well written and engaging.

It seems as if there's going to be a second in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters have matured and progressed.

All in all a good, fun read with some spooky atmosphere and a collection of well developed characters!

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like to write reviews much anymore, but when I read these Kindle freebies I feel like I owe the author and publisher at least that much, you know? They let me read it for free, so the least I can do is post a paragraph or two.

This is a 'ghost-hunting' mystery, so fans of Ghost Hunters (TAPS) like myself are the target audience, I assume. Zach, the protagonist, is 'gifted' (although I wouldn't want that gift) with stigmata and a cigar-smelling dead uncle who guides him in psychic episodes, which helps him solve mysteries of the paranormal variety. So, it goes a little beyond the normal exploration - EVP - cameras kind of thing. In this story the Xavier Paranormal Investigators, Zach's group of PI's, team up with a rival group (both battle for tv ratings) to explore a long-deserted and famously haunted asylum. Now, all of us who watch Ghost Hunters and other paranormal investigation shows know there are few diamonds more valuable than the proverbial haunted asylum, right? This one seems to have more than its share of fires and suicides, and an evil presence that was once human is still lingering around wreaking havoc on the living.

There were almost two many characters, because between the two teams I couldn't quite keep them all straight. Zach is the main character, and his best friend Ray, whose day job is a bouncer at a strip club as he aspires towards a professional boxing, were the most prominent. Then there was Sara, the tv production assistant or whatever, and Bryce, the head of the other team, and others - Wendy, Matthew, Angel, and Sashza, the transvestite medium.

Good story, interesting protagonist. I liked it.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Unique Ghost Story

While there are ghost stories that may be more creepy, this was a mixture of ghosts, demons, the paranormal, a little religion, history, mystery, betrayal, and TV shows. It was unique in its plots and sub-plots and used a writer’s tool of often hinting at certain abilities or events but leaving them mysteries til further into the story. Basically it is a novel of the TV show “Xavier Paranormal Investigations” who has to do an investigation of the long closed Rosewood Asylum with another TV show “Demon Hunters” as a Halloween Special, demanded by their producers to have a very special TV night. But they only have forty-eight hours to occupy the premiss, set up their equipment and determine if the place truly is haunted and if so, clear it of such ghosts. The State of Illinois would like to sell it but cannot find a buyer because there have been so many unexplained fires through the years, beginning with the one during the time of the Chicago fair called “White City.”

The head of the Xavier group, Zach Kalusky, secretly has some paranormal abilities himself, and his group work with fact and truth and don’t want to work with Demon Hunters because they suspect them of fraudulent scenes. But the two groups are forced to work with each other by the producer and the plot encompasses many sub-plots, leaving mysteries for the the reader, which are cleared up as the sub-plots progress. I was so intrigued by the uniqueness of this novel that I couldn’t put it down and I heartily recommend it to those readers who like ghost stories, the parnormal and some good plot construction.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of my family and friends will most likely not like this type of books - as it relates to paranormal ghosts, being possessed: stigmata, etc.

Rosewood Hospital has always been known to be haunted and surrounded by mysterious fire incidents. It has always been sought after by paranormal investigators but the place was protected and left vacant. Then, for a special Halloween special, the producers finally gained access to the property and decided to join two popular investigating teams, Xavier Paranormal Investigators (XPI) and Demon Hunters, together. Unfortunately, XPI tries to prove facts scientifically and assist people while DH only is in it for the money and popularity by adding their own effects to make it entertaining.

Zach Kalusky is the founder of XPI and has a secret that he does not want anyone else to know - except a priest that helped him gain control through his teenage years. Little by little, the reader learns about the secret with flashes from the past. Near the end, the reader will receive a final revelation of his full secret.

I enjoyed the read - especially during the Halloween holiday. I have read a bit of urban fantasy when I was in junior high school, but have not read anything since. This being my first after more than a decade, I found it to be very good and I would recommend it to urban fantasy readers. However, to those who do not like the paranormal, it is a bit strong on the content of possession and has a reference to stigmata.

The story surrounding the Rosewood Asylum was interesting and a good read, but my mind was focused more on learning about Zach and his secret. Interweaving the two together was well done.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because its description on the Amazon website seemed interesting and like something I would enjoy. I read the reader reviews and one of them likened it to an episode of Sy-Fi channel's "Ghost Hunters," and I am a devoted fan of that show! I was not disappointed.

In the book, we are introduced to the Xavier Paranormal Investigators (XPI), led by Zach Kalusky. Zach is a young man with a Big, paranormal, secret. The group does a TV show for the Sci-D Channel and they are doing an investigation of the reputedly most haunted place in Chicago - Rosewood Asylum.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Zach's secret should have been explained in more detail, a little earlier in the story, I think, and I would have liked to see the minor characters fleshed out a little more, because unlike Ghost Hunters, you only have the space of the book to figure out how they fit into the big picture. Maybe not all of them, but at least the ones that were essential parts of this story, and there were a couple.

All in all, though, the book is a page turner and it kept pulling me back whenever I has a spare moment and made it hard to put it down when I didn't have those moments to spare. The suspense was tangible and the paranormal elements, at time, had that look over your shoulder creepiness. I can hardly wait for their next "investigation." I hope it's soon. This is a good book and I would heartily recommend it.

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to describe this book in one word, it'd be unusual. Prosapio has given us a rather interesting read in Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum in that it's rather hard to pin down to a specific genre. At its heart it's a ghost story but it also has the feel of a nice cozy mystery (minus the murder that always happens at the start of a cozy mystery) as well as a touch of urban fantasy.

The idea of a group of ghost hunting college students (their ghost show takes on the name of the university) is an intriguing one. There's a lot that can be done with this idea as well as with the celebrity angle, which is a good thing since this is going to be a series. I liked that the characters were so varied, although not all of them stood out as much as I'd have liked them to. This is forgivable since there's a rather huge cast in this book and a lot of "first novel" ground to cover. My only true gripe with the book is that it took a while for some of the plot's more basic elements to be explained (such as the reason why the show is named Xavier and that almost everyone in the group is a student at St Xavier).

This novel is a little rough around the edges but it's overall an entertaining read. The book included a sneak preview of the next book, which seemed to be pretty promising. This is a series worth checking out.

4 out of 5 stars


(Reader's copy provided by the author)

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polished confident storytelling characterizes this scary and thoroughly modern ghost story by Stephen Prosapio. Zach Kalusky heads the cast of Xavier Paranormal Investigators and hides a secret. As the team combines with the scorned, and possibly fake, Demon Hunters for a TV special filmed at Rosewood asylum, Zach may not be the only person hiding something. Ghost-hunting details, ethical challenges, and seriously scary mysteries ensue. Someone has been setting fires for more than a century and the council would like to sell the building if only anyone could manage to stick around and buy it. But Zach’s not sure who’s pulling what strings behind the scenes.

With fun details of ghost-hunting and television technique, nicely researched history, and a sympathetic approach to the protagonist’s Catholic faith, this really is a captivating read. There’s a nice balance of the unexpected with the guessed-at, scary with calm, and real with fake, leading to a very visual, exciting conclusion. I certainly hope there’ll be more XPI adventures in the future.



Disclosure: I “met” Stephen Prosapio on Gather, then later on Facebook, and was pleased to get a really good deal on buying this book.

[Debbie Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ghost Stories, and Stephen Prosapio's 'Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum' does not disappoint.
Paranormal research, Ghost Hunting groups and Reality TV shows have become very popular in recent years, so to add them to a recipe for a piece of fiction totally makes sense, and it works!

The idea of two opposing TV groups, Ghost and Demon Hunters investigating on a Halloween TV special at Rosewood Asylum, a derelict, creepy and haunted setting with a disturbing past, is awesome!
The characters living and dead are diverse and draw you in. The story flows, but there are twists and turns, and occasional misdirection which is in keeping with the suspense.

In my opinion Stephen Prosapio's style of writing is descriptive and atmospheric, enabling the reader to build vivid images of characters and scenes.
Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum, has a perfect combination of the paranormal genre, and I would love to see this book made into a modern day ghost film.

[Andrea Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum is basically a behind-the-scenes look in to paranormal TV with a few twists and turns. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Ghost Hunters teamed up with Ghost Adventures to investigate a location like Waverly Hills? This book will give you an idea. The story is well drawn out. The characters are likeable and a few that aren't. Anyone who knows anything about the haunted locations understands the history is a part of its allure. In this book, the history behind Rosewood Psychiatric Hospital is like a character on its own.

The only note I have for potential readers of this book is to pay close attention. In some scenes, there's a lot going on. It all has meaning which will get you to the final leg of the race. This is a suspenseful read, ripe for the Halloween season.

[S. Wideman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, loved the book. It didn't scare me (but so few books do, I think horror is more of a visual medium with me), but it did hold my interest. The main character, Zach, is a fairly good Catholic boy who is possessed by the spirit of his godfather/uncle and has the stigmata. That right there made it worth the read. He runs a scientific ghost hunting/debunking show called XPI, and is given the chance to finally explore Rosewood Asylum. Only drawback, his team has to work with their opposites, the tv show DemonHunters (a group that is not as honest as XPI).

I really enjoyed reading about Zach and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I felt it was well-written, the pacing was slow in some parts but not enough to make me put the book down, and I did like most of the characters. Even the villains.

[Deborah Balsham · Rating 3 out of 5]

But it is a GOOD three stars.

I don't watch any of the paranormal investigation TV shows, and the ghost "hunting" was not all that interesting. What drew me to this book was that is was about a haunted former asylum. The haunting had nothing to do with the inmates of the asylum!

Still, there were aspects of the story that piqued my interest. The protagonist was a devout Roman Catholic. He was possessed by the spirit of his dead uncle/ godfather, who gave him advice and information about the dead. He also suffered from stigmata that were related to visions of spirits. His priest knew all about the stigmata and helped him deal. I found this aspect compelling.

Another aspect that held my attention was the link to the Pullman Strikes. I learn a lot when a book brings up history that I don't know much about. I research it, and maybe even remember some of what I read! :)