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Michael Talbot Adventures
The Spirit Clearing
After a horrific accident Mike wakes to find himself blind in one eye. He now sees things that others can't and nobody will listen to him.That is until he meets Jandilyn Hollow. Will she be able to pull him out of the depths of his despair?Can love transcend even death?
370 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2012
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2127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 9, 2013
I never write reviews, but had to on this one. If only so I could save one other person from this books misery. This could be one of the worst books ever. The writing is juvenile, the character development pathetic and the ending just plain dumb (it is not deep what-so-ever). I suspect it has been rating so highly b/c the kindle version of the book is available for $1.99. I can't believe I wasted an Audible credit on it--thank goodness they let me return it and credited my account.
Stay away from this book!
Stay away from this book!
July 2, 2015
I love Tufo's writing style in the Zombie Fallout series but when The Spirit Clearing was released I have to admit that I was just the tiniest bit hesitant to grab a copy. And it was because of the love story/romance theme. But my curiosity got the better of me. I fell into this story almost immediately. I’m really not the mushy type but I found myself at times with big tears flowing freely as I read The Spirit Clearing and at several times laughing out loud. All of what I loved about the Zombie Fallout series is still present in The Spirit Clearing (except zombies). It’s has that dark supernatural flavor that Tufo envelopes the reader with so well. This one evening I was reading into the wee hours with only my book light when the story took a particular frightening turn and in that instant I became scared of my surroundings. I actually had to stop reading and check the dark corners of my room. I love when that happens and I’ve not experienced being scared from an author since reading Stephen King’s Salems Lot some twenty years ago! Well, I’m not going to give anything away about the ending because the reader needs to be as surprised as I was. I'm confident he will continue to grow and become a cult/fan favorite in horror. Tufo you have kidnapped my heart with this one! Bless you for keeping me well entertained.
September 9, 2012
When i started to read this one I've got to admit i was a little put out.
Ive only recently started his Indian Hill series, and there was a scene from the first IH and The spirit clearing which coincided with each other. Its basically the same scene but it takes a different road in each book. I was not convinced at all BUT OMG how wrong i was! Genius is all i can say!
I too don't want to give anything away with my review so all i will say is prepare to go on an emotional somersault- yeah not roller coaster that seems to easy a ride for whats in store when you pick up this book- you will be battered from every angle until your either crying or hiding under your duvet!
Mark, as usual does not fail to entertain, and it seems this man can write pretty much anything!
Ive only recently started his Indian Hill series, and there was a scene from the first IH and The spirit clearing which coincided with each other. Its basically the same scene but it takes a different road in each book. I was not convinced at all BUT OMG how wrong i was! Genius is all i can say!
I too don't want to give anything away with my review so all i will say is prepare to go on an emotional somersault- yeah not roller coaster that seems to easy a ride for whats in store when you pick up this book- you will be battered from every angle until your either crying or hiding under your duvet!
Mark, as usual does not fail to entertain, and it seems this man can write pretty much anything!
July 21, 2013
I may be stoned by the masses for this, but I enjoyed The Spirit Clearing even more than the Zombie Fallout series. Don't get me wrong, I totally dig the ZF world (and now the Lycan Fallout!), but this story was something different. This is best described as an alternate-reality-to-an-alternate-reality story.
There are some familiar characters and the story is actually one that readers of ZF have been given a taste of in the past. It involves the infamous car crash with a young Michael Talbot and his friends. I will absolutely give away nothing to spoil your fun here, but what I do suggest is that you take a break from the zombified world and try this one on for size.
There are some familiar characters and the story is actually one that readers of ZF have been given a taste of in the past. It involves the infamous car crash with a young Michael Talbot and his friends. I will absolutely give away nothing to spoil your fun here, but what I do suggest is that you take a break from the zombified world and try this one on for size.
June 10, 2015
I just can't go on. The author's writing style is so distracting that I can't get into the story or connect with the characters. MANY sentences are strung together with commas instead of a period and transition words - or just a conjunction. For example: "He slowly pushed his eyelid up, he could see a large window that faced the nurse's station a few feet past." It's just completely distracting to me after the hundredth time.
Also, the dialogue continues to be questionable. Mike is just opening his eyes after being in a coma. The nurse asks if he's upset about his friends. (How would he know about them?!) And the doctor says, "... you have lost all pigmentation in [your eye]. Is that what is concerning you?" REALLY? How would he know that just coming out of a coma, and what doctor jumps to the cosmetic issues before the physiological or even the emotional?
Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but for these reasons I just can't connect with the story.
Stopped on pg 30 of 358.
Also, the dialogue continues to be questionable. Mike is just opening his eyes after being in a coma. The nurse asks if he's upset about his friends. (How would he know about them?!) And the doctor says, "... you have lost all pigmentation in [your eye]. Is that what is concerning you?" REALLY? How would he know that just coming out of a coma, and what doctor jumps to the cosmetic issues before the physiological or even the emotional?
Perhaps I'm being overly critical, but for these reasons I just can't connect with the story.
Stopped on pg 30 of 358.
December 24, 2014
This book was just strange. There seems to be about three books here which are only related by the fact that our main character is the same. The "second" book, which takes up most of the novel, is more a romance -- though not of the bodice ripping sort -- than horror and doesn't gel with the overall story line. However, I suppose it makes more sense than book "three" which gets back to the main point, but doesn't solve the central mystery -- the what the hell is going on here? -- in a fulfilling way. Instead everything is solved in the last 10 pages (or what seems like it) and I was left scratching my head as to how the whole thing made any sense. I can't be any more specific since it would give everything away and despite the relatively major flaws described above, I ended up liking the book (that is the strange part) and wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone since it is worth reading -- for free at least (Kindle Unlimited).
September 16, 2023
DNF! I just couldn't push through any more. Started out super good and then just kept getting worse and more boring as it went a long. I felt like I was waiting for the crazy scary stuff to happen or anything at all, but it never happened, lol. Won't continue this author, unfortunately. First and last of his for me.
September 13, 2014
Sep 9 at 12:34 PM
This is my first Mark Tufo book and I was not disappointed. I avoided his other books due to the zombie theme but the supernatural twist to this novel intrigued me enough to risk putting up with the occasional zombie, which turned out to be unnecessary.The book is not free of the living dead of course and Mark Tufo's easy and entertaining narrative style is definitely an encouragement towards trying his other books.
Marks characters are all very well developed, the emotional roller-coaster that is the result of Mark's accident and the way he copes with his new found 'disability' are very well portrayed, as are the relationships that Mike forges with the other characters in the book. While this is clearly a horror, Mike's relationship with Jandilyn and Jed are very uplifting and humorous and it is this humour that crates a 'pleasant' balance between the characteristic tension created by the 'horror' mode and the anticipation of what will befall Mike next. I particularly liked the role of the 'bathroom' in the narrative, it was impossible not to view showers with a bit of suspicion during my listening of this book, Hitchcock has certainly set up our horror expectations in reference to bathrooms and Mark Tufo takes full advantage of this. About half of way through the book, on a midnight bathroom run and just as I was doubting the book's ability to give me the hibijibis, I found even my remarkably ordinary shower curtain threatening and considered quitting reading the book lest I compromised my personal hygiene for ever.
The audio-book is narrated by Sean Runnette who has a very clear and easy to listen to voice, his narration is excellent. This is the first book I've listened to narrated by him and I will certainly look out for his work as his ability to portray emotion definitely enriches the narrative.
Mark Tufo's The Spirit Clearing contains everything a reader will expect form the horror mode of fiction and more, I was not only pleasantly surprised by Mark's easy amalgamation of humour and warmth with the suspense of horror but also that the plot had some very unpredictable twists. This book is well worth a listen
February 22, 2014
About 5 months ago, I picked up my first Mark Tufo book Zombie Fallout 1. I was hooked and downloaded the rest of them and completed the entire series including ZF 3.5. I've read his other books connecting the ZF series but wanted more. Since Mr. Tufo is such a great writer, I decided to read this installment of Michael Talbot set in another time/space/dimension...don't know, care less because the book is so well written, the story line just carries you with him through out his ordeal. You feel for him, cry with him, laugh with him and of course one thing that has not changed in this version is Michael Talbots sarcasm, dry humor and timing in delivering his one liners.
A young Michael Talbot has been involved in a tragic accident that changes his life forever in more ways than one. His attempts to come to gripes with what happens after the accident is heartbreaking and thought provoking. He meets the girl that saves him from insanity and a world that has all but forgotten him or maybe is refusing to acknowledge him, he can't figure out which one. But she sticks with him, despite all odds and naysayers. Their life together is both happy, sad and oh so sweet for both of them. One must read it to understand the depths of pain Michael Talbot feels, the terror and fear that brings everything to a final conclusion. Mark Tufo is a gifted writer who will take you on this journey, make you feel, cry laugh and finally nod your head in acceptance for all the love and hard work he put into this novel. I've read my share of books in almost every genre, Stephen King being the crown prince of horror...Mark Tufo has effectively dethroned him not only in this book but the rest of his other novels. If you've yet to read any of his works, this would be a good start and will make you want to read more of his works. He will not disappoint.
A young Michael Talbot has been involved in a tragic accident that changes his life forever in more ways than one. His attempts to come to gripes with what happens after the accident is heartbreaking and thought provoking. He meets the girl that saves him from insanity and a world that has all but forgotten him or maybe is refusing to acknowledge him, he can't figure out which one. But she sticks with him, despite all odds and naysayers. Their life together is both happy, sad and oh so sweet for both of them. One must read it to understand the depths of pain Michael Talbot feels, the terror and fear that brings everything to a final conclusion. Mark Tufo is a gifted writer who will take you on this journey, make you feel, cry laugh and finally nod your head in acceptance for all the love and hard work he put into this novel. I've read my share of books in almost every genre, Stephen King being the crown prince of horror...Mark Tufo has effectively dethroned him not only in this book but the rest of his other novels. If you've yet to read any of his works, this would be a good start and will make you want to read more of his works. He will not disappoint.
May 18, 2013
Mike, Paul and Dennis were in a car accident. Mike was the only one to survive but woke up with freaky left eye. With this eye, Mike can see or feel bad auras and shadows. With the lost of his friends and seeing dark shadows, Mike struggled to move on until he meets Jandilyn, who he reluctantly tell about his left eye "ability". They move to CA where she goes to school and Mike takes a security guard in a cemetery. This whole time the shadows and voices follow them. Something happened and Mike is again plunged into a void but this time He will have to face... the truth and reality... or is it?
November 9, 2012
This was a different type of book than I am used to from Mark, so it was an interesting read. I was very drawn into the story, but I think I had some idea in my mind of what the story was going to be and it was NOTHING like that. SO I was expecting something to happen that never did. At times I was taken back on how the story was moving, it was so different from the Zombie Fallout series. By the end of the book though, I understood why things happened as they did. This was a different Michael Talbot than I was used to also, but the story was a well written interesting story. I want to read the Indian Hill series as well, and I hope I like them too!
February 9, 2013
The character in this story is not the same Michael Talbot that you may know from Zombie Fallout and Indian Hill. Being a fan of both the previously mentioned series, I had a great deal of trouble relating the Michael character in The Spirit Clearing to the same character in ZF and IH. After listening to the prologue I had an idea of how this story would end. That being said, Tufo still managed to suck me into the story, which I found very intriguing. This was a different side of Tufo than I am used to seeing/listening to. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to readers/listeners. Purchasing The Spirit Clearing, in my opinion, is a credit well spent.
June 3, 2014
My least favorite of Mark Tufo's works. While the characters have that familiarity that makes us feel at home and we've come to enjoy, I always felt like I was waiting for something to happen that never did.
Action / Story - wise, it felt like a let down, but character development was the best he's ever done. Seems like he specifically wrote this story so he could flex his development muscles and be in depth in ways he couldn't in other story lines.
Action / Story - wise, it felt like a let down, but character development was the best he's ever done. Seems like he specifically wrote this story so he could flex his development muscles and be in depth in ways he couldn't in other story lines.
May 26, 2013
Occasionally I like to punish myself by choosing a book semi-randomly from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library. This was my May selection, and I chose well. It was atrocious, really horrible. The storyline reminded me of something I wrote back in 4th grade, but not quite as good. Take my word for it, you do not need to read this book.
October 29, 2012
This book is beyond the 5 star rating. Honestly it is an emotional rollarcoaster and so worth it. Of course the twist at the end left me speechless for at least 5 minutes trying to wrap my thoughts around the whole thing. A must read for anyone who enjoys a paranormal story.
January 24, 2013
This was a very good story. I would have given it a 4, but I kept trying to figure out how it was a Michael Talbott story. It has nothing to do with any of the Zombie Fallout books. I didn't see any reason why the characters needed the same names.
February 25, 2015
It was a interesting read, I like the twist at the end of the book. Out of all the books I've read of Mark Tufo's this is the most serious of them all. I'm not saying that's a good or a bad thing, it just is how it is.
October 11, 2015
I really did like this book! the wreck scene was intense. then sad, then the ending was a wtf moment but I got it.
May 14, 2025
This is the most troubling book I have read in a very long time, inspiring me to think about some very difficult moments in my life. I have read other excellent books by this author, but they came off as standard adventure novels. This one took me someplace deeper and it is still bothering me.
It's the story of a sixteen-year-old named Michael Talbot who goes out with friends to celebrate one of them getting his driver's license and being allowed to take out the family car. They get high and then they drive and there is a terrible car wreck. Two of them die. Mike is thrown through the windshield where he bounces off a tree and caves in the side of his head. He dies three times on the operating table, but he pulls through—although he and his world have changed forever.
Gone is the happy, popular, football star. Replaced is a moody teenager who has one red eye that sees auras and supernatural things that don't make any sense to him. But sometimes, he sees things about people that tell him they are about to die. He starts wearing an eye patch so he doesn't have to see the things and doesn't have to deal with the people freaked out by his weird-looking eye.
An unpopular but sweet girl becomes obsessed with him and they start dating (to her mother's horror) and life slowly starts to get better for Mike. They go away to college together, but even as life in general improves, terrible things happen to them and around them and Mike keeps getting warnings from his weird eye. He also is convinced they are being haunted by a shadowy thing that terrifies both of them.
Then things get really bad. I don't want to spoil the book by telling you what happens, but it seems to push Mike increasingly off the deep end toward insanity as this shadowy thing keeps coming for him.
The end is brilliant, but it's also the place in the story that I went from being totally engrossed to disturbed. It shows real genius on the author's part, and really careful planning of this book. But I also admit that I am somewhat confused by some of the elements in that ending. I listened to it three times in my audio book (even slowing it down to 1x speed) but decided I'm going to have to buy the ebook as well. I find it difficult jumping around the text in the audiobook and I really want to see if the connections I am drawing between post-accident and pre-accident life are really there.
This book is still weighing heavily in my thoughts. I kept waking up at night thinking about people I have lost. I'm really impressed that the author got under my skin this way and still has me thinking about his novel.
It's the story of a sixteen-year-old named Michael Talbot who goes out with friends to celebrate one of them getting his driver's license and being allowed to take out the family car. They get high and then they drive and there is a terrible car wreck. Two of them die. Mike is thrown through the windshield where he bounces off a tree and caves in the side of his head. He dies three times on the operating table, but he pulls through—although he and his world have changed forever.
Gone is the happy, popular, football star. Replaced is a moody teenager who has one red eye that sees auras and supernatural things that don't make any sense to him. But sometimes, he sees things about people that tell him they are about to die. He starts wearing an eye patch so he doesn't have to see the things and doesn't have to deal with the people freaked out by his weird-looking eye.
An unpopular but sweet girl becomes obsessed with him and they start dating (to her mother's horror) and life slowly starts to get better for Mike. They go away to college together, but even as life in general improves, terrible things happen to them and around them and Mike keeps getting warnings from his weird eye. He also is convinced they are being haunted by a shadowy thing that terrifies both of them.
Then things get really bad. I don't want to spoil the book by telling you what happens, but it seems to push Mike increasingly off the deep end toward insanity as this shadowy thing keeps coming for him.
The end is brilliant, but it's also the place in the story that I went from being totally engrossed to disturbed. It shows real genius on the author's part, and really careful planning of this book. But I also admit that I am somewhat confused by some of the elements in that ending. I listened to it three times in my audio book (even slowing it down to 1x speed) but decided I'm going to have to buy the ebook as well. I find it difficult jumping around the text in the audiobook and I really want to see if the connections I am drawing between post-accident and pre-accident life are really there.
This book is still weighing heavily in my thoughts. I kept waking up at night thinking about people I have lost. I'm really impressed that the author got under my skin this way and still has me thinking about his novel.
March 16, 2021
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
This book started out awesome and got worse as it went along. Still, I finished it.
I was so wrapped up in the story from the first few minutes. About 1/3 of the way through, the book changed gears and then took a left turn. Was what, at first, a great listen turned into something that felt confused and tended to meander pointlessly. The writing style started to lose it's focus and the story started to become disconnected. The last 3rd of the book was just plain stupid and unnecessary. Good - to not so good - to stupid. That's this book in a nutshell.
The epilogue helped to wrap things up in a "Last Temptation of Christ" kind of way, if you've ever seen the movie. But, it wasn't enough to redeem the damage that was already done.
Regarding the narration. It wasn't bad, although it was a little Dragnet-esque. Can you say Joe Friday? Although, that could have been more the issue of the writing style. More importantly, however, the narration was miscast. Sean Runnette is clearly in his 40's and sounds even older. But was cast to read the part of a teen - 21 year old. Total mismatch.
All in all, it's too bad. This book had so much promise.
This book started out awesome and got worse as it went along. Still, I finished it.
I was so wrapped up in the story from the first few minutes. About 1/3 of the way through, the book changed gears and then took a left turn. Was what, at first, a great listen turned into something that felt confused and tended to meander pointlessly. The writing style started to lose it's focus and the story started to become disconnected. The last 3rd of the book was just plain stupid and unnecessary. Good - to not so good - to stupid. That's this book in a nutshell.
The epilogue helped to wrap things up in a "Last Temptation of Christ" kind of way, if you've ever seen the movie. But, it wasn't enough to redeem the damage that was already done.
Regarding the narration. It wasn't bad, although it was a little Dragnet-esque. Can you say Joe Friday? Although, that could have been more the issue of the writing style. More importantly, however, the narration was miscast. Sean Runnette is clearly in his 40's and sounds even older. But was cast to read the part of a teen - 21 year old. Total mismatch.
All in all, it's too bad. This book had so much promise.
June 26, 2020
I truly enjoy Tufo's writing from the Zombie Fallout series to the Indian Hill series, and the gory series following a zombie clown, but this was totally & completely different from any of his other books. I know others have not enjoyed it but it is one of those books that stays with you long after reading it. Particularly the twist ending that truly makes you think. My second oldest son has autism & it is rare that he'll read the same books as I do, but he tore through it in 3 hours reading it all in one sitting, yelling WOW, JUST WOW when he was finished. Highly recommend & again, this is also available on audible
May 31, 2017
The Spirit Clearing by Mark Tufo is definitely one of my favorite all time novels. I've read this on multiple occassions and given it out as a gift more than once. The premise is very interesting and I did not see the twists coming. The writing style is nuanced but easy to read and follow for even the casual reader. I found myself cursing at the characters and hating them more and more before the entire thing finally made sense. If you like twists and unexpected turns in a novel that's sure to put you on your last nerve, pick this up. Highly recommended!
September 29, 2018
Mike ! Where have you been?
I have missed Mike T. so much,once his wisecracks started, I felt like my crazy cousin from our of state,was home for a visit! Not knowing the premise of story,(anything by Mark Tufo is a certain purchase) I was feeling like this Mike was a bit off kilter, which is saying something given his literary history! Lol, Just when you think you couldn't be surprised by a new twisted plot line....buckle your seatbelt,because you are in for a helluva bumpy ride!
I have missed Mike T. so much,once his wisecracks started, I felt like my crazy cousin from our of state,was home for a visit! Not knowing the premise of story,(anything by Mark Tufo is a certain purchase) I was feeling like this Mike was a bit off kilter, which is saying something given his literary history! Lol, Just when you think you couldn't be surprised by a new twisted plot line....buckle your seatbelt,because you are in for a helluva bumpy ride!
June 17, 2019
I just love Mr.Tufo's writing and this book does not disappoint! If you are an avid Tufo reader, you know the alternate realities of Mike Talbot, this one starts off exec he is in high school, through young adult. It has creepy twists and turns, just enough to keep you turning the page. I would love to go into detail and talk about what I thought were the best part of the book, but I do not want to spoil anything. I highly suggest you read or listen to it. I have listened 3 times already and plan to do so more.
February 23, 2022
It pains me to give Tufo two stars - I really, really like his Zombie Fallout series - but at the end of this one I was left with, "What the hell did I just read?" The elements that make Tufo enjoyable were there - dark atmosphere, a sense of otherworldliness, lots of humour most of inappropriate and often juvenile - but the story just didn't have a cohesion to it and the, again, that ending was just..WTH? It is certainly not that I disliked the book, it just didn't make sense to me. I'm going to pick up his Indian Hill series and hope for the best.
September 8, 2022
I usually go for horror…supernatural death and mayhem; even an occasional gore fest of death. I picked this book in a hurry before leaving for a road trip. It was AWESOME. It is a little slow, but it is an epic (aren’t they all a little slow now and then?) story of both supernatural and……well, of the love that any guy/girl, man/woman would ever want to have.
This one really surprised me.
I’d have killed for Jandilyn.
This one really surprised me.
I’d have killed for Jandilyn.
February 22, 2024
My second book by Tufo. Well written, but I prefer more action to the horror. This is just a shadow here, glimpse there, noise over there type book. How many times can you describe "the hairs on the back of my neck or goosebumps on my arms" (yawn) The characters are very likeable ...but to sum up the book: Boy gets in car accident, dies, but doesn't realize it, and has a 5 year wet dream. Poof - wake up! Dream over, those 5 years never happened. (blink blink)
September 23, 2019
Good character development plot little slow but came on toward end.
I enjoyed this book. More of horror book than authors other works in apocalyptic adventures. I think the change made him develop the characters longer. I don't care much for horror books but I like this authors style and gave it a go. I was not disappointed.
I enjoyed this book. More of horror book than authors other works in apocalyptic adventures. I think the change made him develop the characters longer. I don't care much for horror books but I like this authors style and gave it a go. I was not disappointed.
July 17, 2020
A slow burn in the beginning, this story is wholly unlike anything else in the Tufoverse. Get ready to return to the Teenage version of Mike from the first third of Indian Hill 1, and follow a very different series of events as this version of Mike develops and encounters very different, and enotionally hard hitting challenges.
September 9, 2022
Okayyyyyy just because you worship an author doesn’t mean every book is a hit. So the first part of the book was like weirdly dragging and then second part was like what??? Don’t worry though I bought 20 something of his other books but this one……just no. Don’t get me wrong I love this author!!!! May even have a crush but nooooo save your time. Read all the others.
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