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Troubled Spirits #9
After She Fled: A Troubled Spirits Novel
A chilling haunted house mystery inspired by a true crime... For six long years, Max has avoided Draven, her hometown that holds the remnants of a ghastly accident. But when her brother dies, she is drawn back into the clutches of her haunted past. In the wake of her family's shattered happiness, Max is caught in a nightmarish whirlwind of horrors that defy the laws of our world. The epicenter of these malevolent forces resides within the crumbling walls of an abandoned farmhouse, burdened by a sinister history. The house harbors secrets, both old and new. Secrets that might just reveal the fate of a young woman who has gone missing. A woman with ties to Max’s own former life in Draven. As Max digs deeper a series of unexplained deaths strecthing back a century, she comes face to face with an evil intent on destroying her. Don't miss this heart-pounding paranormal murder mystery.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2023
252 people are currently reading
4770 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Erickson
39 books882 followersJ.R. Erickson writes novels that blend murder mysteries with haunted houses. Her Northern Michigan Asylum series are novels of paranormal suspense inspired by a real former asylum in Traverse City. Her current books, the Troubled Spirits series, are all inspired by real crimes, which she covers in her true crime podcast, Bitter Endings.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 17, 2024
Another great read! My last of the Troubled Spirits series and this was my favorite. I enjoyed all and can’t wait to start another series by Erickson. She has become one of my favorites.
August 14, 2023
While this may not be my favorite of the series thus far, this sure delivered on the thrills. I had the rug pulled out from under me and a lot of it has to do with the turns this book takes-I just did not see them coming. The bad guy was a little obvious but the background information and what caused the turn of events that led the heroine to flee were up in the air. Oddly it reminds me of the It movie which is also something I was not expecting. What's interesting is this book definitely delves into more supernatural territory (IMO) than some of the previous books but does also have the villainous human element. Horrors/Thrillers warn you that even showing a titty will likely get you killed, unfortunately the heroine has to learn the error of her ways and if she's lucky escape with her life!
June 30, 2023
Max returns home for her brother's funeral. There is a mystery surrounding her brother and Max discovers something horrendous and devastating. It's to do with the old Freddy House and her brother's connection to it. A gripping thriller which had me completely glued. Good world building and depiction of the creepy atmosphere in the town.
June 27, 2023
I say this every time I read a JR Erickson book, but I’m gonna say it again, this is my favorite! I could not stop reading. This book was fast-paced, mysterious, and creepy, right from the start. It will keep you guessing and enthralled from page 1 all the way to the end. You don’t want to miss out on this story. Another must read!
September 13, 2023
I could not stay engaged with this story and DNF. It has a lot of really great elements but did not work for me.
July 28, 2023
I do love the Troubled Spirits book and from the sounds of this one thought it would be my favourite so far. But although I'm giving this 4 stars, it wasn't my favourite.
Max's voice in this book... She grated on me. I cannot even imagine the things she's gone through with her brother, her family and everything that happened. But jeez, I just wanted to beat some sense into her. To tell her if she lets people treat her the way she does, no wonder she's almost invisible to them (Or feels that way). She made this book a lot harder for me to read and keep going that needed. I just didn't warm to her at all. The other characters were full colour like every Troubled Spirits novel and you won't know who to trust, which is why I'm telling you nothing of my thoughts on them. Did I work it out? No. And for once I'm glad I didn't.
These books are brilliant, not because they are good supernatural mysteries (Believe me they really are) but I love reading the end notes on what the story is loosely based on (Which is true). Can I also add these books are all on kindle unlimited (I've not checked the earlier ones, but they originally were so should be still) so free to read if you subscribe to the service. This may not be my favourite book of the series, but it's still worthy of the 4 stars. Now if only I could find Freddy's House....
Max's voice in this book... She grated on me. I cannot even imagine the things she's gone through with her brother, her family and everything that happened. But jeez, I just wanted to beat some sense into her. To tell her if she lets people treat her the way she does, no wonder she's almost invisible to them (Or feels that way). She made this book a lot harder for me to read and keep going that needed. I just didn't warm to her at all. The other characters were full colour like every Troubled Spirits novel and you won't know who to trust, which is why I'm telling you nothing of my thoughts on them. Did I work it out? No. And for once I'm glad I didn't.
These books are brilliant, not because they are good supernatural mysteries (Believe me they really are) but I love reading the end notes on what the story is loosely based on (Which is true). Can I also add these books are all on kindle unlimited (I've not checked the earlier ones, but they originally were so should be still) so free to read if you subscribe to the service. This may not be my favourite book of the series, but it's still worthy of the 4 stars. Now if only I could find Freddy's House....
June 29, 2023
This Troubled Spirits book is my favorite yet! It kept my attention from the beginning, and it had just the right amount of spooky and mystery. I wasn't 100% sure until the end who would end up the villain...and that usually does not happen to me. I'm pretty good at picking the bad guy! The only thing that bothers me about all of the books in this series is that the mood is so gloomy...Gothic is the word that comes to mind. But I still love them and will continue to read them as they come out. I do love that that are loosely based on true stories, too. Some I am familiar with..like this one..and some I have never heard of! I am already looking forward to the next one!
October 29, 2023
Hard to put down
I quickly got pulled in once I started reading. I felt so bad that Max had to go thru all that heartache. I was really surprised with how the story developed/went. Once things started getting crazy, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to find out how it ended.
Definitely recommend this!
I quickly got pulled in once I started reading. I felt so bad that Max had to go thru all that heartache. I was really surprised with how the story developed/went. Once things started getting crazy, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to find out how it ended.
Definitely recommend this!
July 29, 2023
Amazing!! I really think this is the best one out of the whole series!! I almost didn't know who it was!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
Be carful what you wish for…. It could have deadly consequences.
This book is a slow burn on the thriller side of things. We spend a lot of time following Max as she returns to her hometown after her brother’s death. Though the tragedy happened years ago when a horrific car accident left him alive but not aware. Max is haunted, and seems to be making nightly trips in her dreams to the old abandoned house down the road that is well known to be haunted in someway. Though it may not be all in her dreams.
As the story unfolds more and more tragedy is piled on and the more she investigates the strange connection between her brother and the house, the more danger she is in.
Not everything is as it seems , and she isn’t the only one haunted by the past. The truth will set her free… or kill her. Depends which gets to her first and the evil..travels real fast.
I loved this book even though it took me a bit longer to devour. Definitely worth the read for the spoopy lovers and horror /thriller buffs
This book is a slow burn on the thriller side of things. We spend a lot of time following Max as she returns to her hometown after her brother’s death. Though the tragedy happened years ago when a horrific car accident left him alive but not aware. Max is haunted, and seems to be making nightly trips in her dreams to the old abandoned house down the road that is well known to be haunted in someway. Though it may not be all in her dreams.
As the story unfolds more and more tragedy is piled on and the more she investigates the strange connection between her brother and the house, the more danger she is in.
Not everything is as it seems , and she isn’t the only one haunted by the past. The truth will set her free… or kill her. Depends which gets to her first and the evil..travels real fast.
I loved this book even though it took me a bit longer to devour. Definitely worth the read for the spoopy lovers and horror /thriller buffs
September 19, 2025
Every small town likely has that one house that sits steeped full of legend; it’s true history is unknown, but its paint-peeled walls and empty air of abandonment create the scariest of stories. This book uses such a house as it’s central character. It’s a place where teenagers sneak off to…and then mysteriously befall curse after curse of tragic accidents or grisly deaths.
I love that this author highlights Michigan small towns as settings. Being from one, myself, I could easily picture similar spooky old homesteads dotted throughout the countryside. This book is a slowburn that spirals into something that feels like an urban legend come-to-life and plays into the dark side of greed and ill-gotten gains. Step inside Freddy’s House…beware the bones, the dark shadows, and what’s hiding in the hellish hole of the home.
Shoutout to @angie_the_narrator for an exceptional job giving life to the audiobook! We definitely had our share of adventures in our hometown. 🙌🏻
I love that this author highlights Michigan small towns as settings. Being from one, myself, I could easily picture similar spooky old homesteads dotted throughout the countryside. This book is a slowburn that spirals into something that feels like an urban legend come-to-life and plays into the dark side of greed and ill-gotten gains. Step inside Freddy’s House…beware the bones, the dark shadows, and what’s hiding in the hellish hole of the home.
Shoutout to @angie_the_narrator for an exceptional job giving life to the audiobook! We definitely had our share of adventures in our hometown. 🙌🏻
June 27, 2023
After She Fled is one of those novels that will stay with you long beyond the final chapter. Part of J.R. Erickson's Troubled Spirits collection, this, like the others, is a standalone. This time we follow a grizzly tale, filled with mystery, misery, pain, secrets, despair, death, murder, intrigue, subterfuge, adventure and blossoming romance. Max is a fantastic character, relentless in her search for the truth behind the mystery, even if it shatters her world. The storyline unwinds in such a marvelous way, filled with so many twists and turns that your head will spin. It is fast-paced and very well written. It is easy to get wrapped up in the story, so that you feel as if you are right there alongside Max--seeking the truth despite the possible cost. Overall, After She Fled is one of my favorite novels to date from the extremely talented author J.R. Erickson!
June 29, 2023
I enjoyed this Troubled Spirit book by JR Erickson. I have read many of them so far. We meet Maxine (Max), who returns to her hometown of Draven after her brother passes away. There is an old, abandoned house where teens used to go. She saw her brother Tony and a girl, Varena, go there one night. Varena is not his girlfriend. That very night, a teenager, Addison, disappears. Shortly after, Tony and his girlfriend Mia have a car accident, killing Mia and leaving Tony in a vegetative state for years. When Max comes home for the funeral, Varena disappears. How many secrets will she find and how will she find them all out? Max has been waking up with mud on her feet as if she had been out of the house in the night. What is actually going on? I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
January 3, 2025
Although fast-paced in the latter half and full of mysteries, this wasn't my favorite book in the series.
1. The story line was depressing. Max, our main character, has returned home because her brother died. He had been in a near-vegetative state since a car accident seven years prior. Having lost my own brother years ago, this brought back some unpleasant memories for me.
2. I never warmed to Max. I did not find her a sympathetic character.
3. Not a fan of the cats being killed. 😾
4. What about the therapist? Max was supposed to follow up with her in a week. I was disappointed that Max didn't offer her some closure. And for sure, Max could have benefited from additional therapy after what she experienced.
5. The overuse of "murmured" still grates on me. I counted 38 instances in this book.
Erickson is an excellent writer; this just wasn't my favorite.
1. The story line was depressing. Max, our main character, has returned home because her brother died. He had been in a near-vegetative state since a car accident seven years prior. Having lost my own brother years ago, this brought back some unpleasant memories for me.
2. I never warmed to Max. I did not find her a sympathetic character.
3. Not a fan of the cats being killed. 😾
4. What about the therapist? Max was supposed to follow up with her in a week. I was disappointed that Max didn't offer her some closure. And for sure, Max could have benefited from additional therapy after what she experienced.
5. The overuse of "murmured" still grates on me. I counted 38 instances in this book.
Erickson is an excellent writer; this just wasn't my favorite.
June 29, 2023
Whoa! I mean Jacki is an amazing author and she always surpasses what I think she’s gonna do next. EVERY time it’s so intense and this one was no different. The paranormal part grabs you from the very beginning and boy does it keep you til the end. You wonder if it’s this person or that or WHO ? And her brother, Tony, wow I get the chills even as I write this. LOVED LOVED this book !! Definitely a MUST read. Paranormal, definitely sad at times, creepy, chilling and so much more ! You will NOT be disappointed in this book.
I received this as an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received this as an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 7, 2023
I love this author, and this series! I read this book straight through, and was not disappointed. I am confused by the “based on a true story” account at the end of the book though. It references the Villisca axe murders and also claims this incident happened in Ohio. It did not, it was Villisca, Iowa. Poor Iowa always getting confused for Ohio. So, I felt I should take one star off for that. The Villisca axe house is a popular place, tours and ghost investigations continue to take place there. And, it shouldn’t have been too hard to confirm the murders happened in Iowa, not Ohio, as the author stated.
August 30, 2023
Max returns to her hometown of Draven, after her brother's death. Back home, sleeping in her childhood bed, she begins to sleepwalk. Each time, she finds herself near her town's haunted house, "Freddie's House." Why does the house call to her? And what is it with the bruises on her body? Not to mention the odd behavior of her mother.
This is a dysfunctional family drama, spooky story, and mystery all wrapped up in one. And it was so good! It's now my favorite book by J.R. Erickson.
I listened to the audio version of this book. Angie Tripp did an amazing job with the narration. I will definitely look for more books that she reads.
This is a dysfunctional family drama, spooky story, and mystery all wrapped up in one. And it was so good! It's now my favorite book by J.R. Erickson.
I listened to the audio version of this book. Angie Tripp did an amazing job with the narration. I will definitely look for more books that she reads.
June 24, 2023
To date, I think this is my very favorite book of this author. This book was dark, terrifying and heartbreaking. The supernatural element only made the book that more appealing. I gasped at quite a few places within this novel. When I saw Finn in front of Max, I cried out “No! No! No!” But then I read on and I was glad I was wrong. This book masterfully detailed why wishes are not necessarily a good thing. The final letter from Tony to Max made me cry. I think people have a way of looking out for our loved ones, even from the afterlife.
February 12, 2024
I want to start by praising the author, J.R. Erickson. Her depiction of Midwest small town paranoia, ghost stories, and lore sucked me in immediately! Like the author, I have grown up in Michigan my whole life. My brain was immediately going back to my small town as a kid and the creepy house down the street that all the kids tried to break into at some point, stories about possession & hauntings threatening to follow if you were to go in and snoop around too long. This story was filled with great character descriptions, twists & turns that kept me guessing where the build up was leading to, and it all wrapped up in an emotionally satisfying way. I can't wait to read more books in this series!
June 24, 2023
Again, wow! What a great read. Every book, I swear it's my favorite...till her next book. Absolutely an amazing author. This book just kept you thinking .. ..who could it be??? A definite page turner. I told my husband, only have a few chapters left....then I'll be sad because it's over. I have been reading a very long time...but lately..I can't get swept away with a storyline...until I started reading this author. You think you have it figured out, no, you don't...
July 9, 2023
Darkly Brilliant!
A beautifully written descent into darkness. One of the best from J.R. Erickson, she only gets better.
From the first page, I was hooked. Max was a great MC, as her return to her hometown takes her down a rabbit hole of mystery, horror and darkness while trying to find out what actually happened to her brother.
The atmospere is chilling and eerie, the plot and pacing eccellent.
Definitely recommended and looking forward to the next one!
A beautifully written descent into darkness. One of the best from J.R. Erickson, she only gets better.
From the first page, I was hooked. Max was a great MC, as her return to her hometown takes her down a rabbit hole of mystery, horror and darkness while trying to find out what actually happened to her brother.
The atmospere is chilling and eerie, the plot and pacing eccellent.
Definitely recommended and looking forward to the next one!
June 11, 2024
This novel is the embodiment of Mystery. I think I would have had a nervous breakdown with all that Max has been through. She left to have a better life, but she couldn’t get over the past. And now that she’s back in her home town, she is determined to find out what really happened all those years ago. But someone, or some THING, is making sure that won’t happen. This is the eighth book in a set of ten Troubled Spirits stand-alone books, and I love the theme running throughout.
June 28, 2023
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 27, 2023
Another amazing paranormal book by Erickson! This will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are easy to relate to, especially since I recently lost my own daughter I always look forward to reading the next book and this one is no different. I love that, her stories are tied into true crime with a touch of that eerie paranormal. Get ready to be hooked and plan to binge!!
December 1, 2023
I’ve gotta be honest… I think this was my least favorite so far. It’s not bad. It just took a while to get going. Once it did, I was into it, but that was probably around 70% of the way through. I think the big reason for that was that it felt a bit repetitive. Still, I love the series. Gotta keep going! I’d give this one 3.5/5, but I’m rounding up. 😊
January 4, 2024
After She Fled is another amazing story!
I couldn't put this one down! I absolutely love how the author has intertwined the characters in the stories. I love characters and seeing them throughout the series of Troubled Spirits. How very clever! I was was pleasantly surprised and impressed! I can't wait to read next book! 😊
I couldn't put this one down! I absolutely love how the author has intertwined the characters in the stories. I love characters and seeing them throughout the series of Troubled Spirits. How very clever! I was was pleasantly surprised and impressed! I can't wait to read next book! 😊
April 23, 2024
Loved!
If you’re looking for a spooky book to curl up with on a rainy day, this would be it! The detail that went into this book was amazing. It had everything; murder, paranormal, family drama, and romance. I have a favorite book list, this title and author has just been added. Can’t wait to read the next book, Scream Sisters!
If you’re looking for a spooky book to curl up with on a rainy day, this would be it! The detail that went into this book was amazing. It had everything; murder, paranormal, family drama, and romance. I have a favorite book list, this title and author has just been added. Can’t wait to read the next book, Scream Sisters!
May 10, 2024
Excellent Read
This was an awesome read. I couldn't put this book down. Very well written and put together. The characters and story line are really decent, somewhat sad though.
I absolutely love J.R. Erickson's books anyway, she doesn't disappoint her readers.
I highly recommend this book!
This was an awesome read. I couldn't put this book down. Very well written and put together. The characters and story line are really decent, somewhat sad though.
I absolutely love J.R. Erickson's books anyway, she doesn't disappoint her readers.
I highly recommend this book!
May 27, 2024
Another brilliant book by this author! It had me hooked from the start. The eeriness and supernatural elements were extremely compelling and well-written! Reading back on those scenes of Max’s house at night with a certain someone creeping about gave me literal chills. Such a great journey! I love this series and the way the author ties in true crime and the supernatural. Chef’s kiss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews