Reiko - A Japanese Ghost Story

by James Avonleigh

It was a story that shocked Japan. In the remote village of Izumi five high school friends died within the space of a fortnight.The circumstances were never explained. Four years later a British paranormal researcher travels to Izumi in an attempt to unravel the mystery. There he encounters much more than culture shock. He encounters the dark side of Japanese culture – the side they don't talk about in guidebooks. He encounters Reiko.

Genres: Horror, Japan

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight, easy to read horror story set in Japan. The ending was a little curt, there is a too much repetition and the odd plot hole here and there, but an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, nonetheless.

[Frankie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable, but largely uneventful. The horror moments are very cliché, and it doesn't feel like there is a genuine threat, and the resolution happens way too quickly; it's as if the writer waffled for too long then realised the word limit was fast approaching.

[Sad_eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a somewhat interesting story slowly unraveling. For a ghost story it is too benign. There is no horror, or tension that builds up. The end is predictable, being spoiled at the very obvious hints in the last third of the book. I've read worse, but I have read better.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me of The Ring and The Grudge. Despite it being an English book, I think it had that same eeriness of Japanese horror (plus another ghost-girl). Not bad.

[Ben Giddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the creepiest books of all time. It was so creepy, I was reading it in dim room with candles and there was knock at the door... Thud.. Thud.. Thud... Literally too scared to open it!!! Great plot twist also.. A must Read and highly underrated book.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I couldn't put it down. Gave me chills, and I could picture everything that happened in amazing detail. Highly recommend to anyone that likes Japanese ghost stories, or just ghost stories in general.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reiko-A JapanReiko-A Japanese Ghost Story by James Avonleigh

James was a 23 year old student who had gone to Japan to study Ghosts. He had taken a course of Japanese back home in England for the past year as part of his degree and was trying to get some cash so he could do his post-graduation study in japan. By some strange fate he was offered a deal. If he would argue to study about the difference in perceptions of supernatural phenomena between the Buddhist tradition and the western Christian tradition. He would be given the money for the study so off James goes into the unknown.

Once he get to the University that he will be doing his study at James finds out the the person who was studying the same subject previously had killed himself after coming back from a visit to the famous haunted town of Izumi in Fukushima Prefectures and everyone in Japan knew about the Strange going on in Izumi.
There is a couple of weeks to go be for term start so against advice he makes a decision to follow and the footsteps of his predecessor and go’s to see what all the fuss is with Izumi. The professor that he will be studying with gives him a name of and English language teacher call Sarah who is stays with Sarah is a teachers at the Izumi high School.

This is where is all kicks off I am not going to tell you any more of the story as you know I do not like to give the plot away. But what I will say is that that you will be unable to put the book down. James Avonleigh had me on the edge of my seat it was full of atmosphere and the ending of the book was just so unexpected. My advice would be not to read it in the dark! I am very happy to recommend this book its one that is worth reading time and time again.

[L.J. Bale · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Japanese fiction, Japanese movies, Japanese horror... and most things Japanese... I loved this book. The story flowed nicely and kept me engaged through out, so much so I was sad to leave the setting of the story when it finished. I hope James writes more like this and even if he doesn't follow up with a Japanese themed story I will likely pick up his other work. Thank you Mr Avonleigh, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

[Dan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping drama with an eerie mix of east and west. I found characters I can empathize with, and frightening glimpses of madness. The story seemed to visually unfold as I read, and it held onto me through each page.

[Rich Padzik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ghosts of different cultures

How one town in Japan dealt with ghosts, keeps you moving along. Though it slows down the story and gets boring. It is. A needed item in th book. E get a story of culture difference

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Check out my review of this book here:

https://izzysinkwell.wordpress.com/20...

Thank you! :)

[Shell Swinscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was totally hooked by the blurb, wondered if I'd be disappointed... not a chance! Absolutely awesome story AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR THOSE THAT LIKE GHOST SUSPENSE STORIES!!