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MORI: The Lost Ones Volume 1
What if the journal the police used to close a missing persons case holds the key to a deeper, more elusive truth?
Miles “Mori” Morhart is considered the prime suspect in a series of Los Angeles disappearances. But instead of a confession, he left behind something unexpected: a meticulously kept journal. A record of events that defy belief—unless they actually happened.
Known to those investigating the case as “Mori’s Logbook,” this haunting document reveals a deeper mystery: a disembodied voice, cryptic coordinates, disturbing voyeuristic photos, and a sense that Mori’s reality is unraveling—one symbol, one vanishing, one revelation at a time.
Mori’s Logbook provides an intimate account of his search for answers to otherworldly questions, joined by his radiant, enigmatic neighbor and her small circle of friends. Together, they tumble into a liminal Los Angeles underworld: haunted canyons, spectral transmissions, and a terrifying figure known only as The LA Lurker.
Blending metaphysical mystery with the pulse of a psychological thriller, MORI is the first entry in The Lost Ones series. It stands on its own as a gripping tale of guilt, grace, and the terrifying beauty of what we don’t understand.
“A thriller that grows stranger, creepier, and more magical throughout. MORI is one of a kind… thoroughly absorbing.” — IndieReader
Editor’s Note: This edition is a faithful reproduction of the journal Mori uploaded online before his disappearance.
Miles “Mori” Morhart is considered the prime suspect in a series of Los Angeles disappearances. But instead of a confession, he left behind something unexpected: a meticulously kept journal. A record of events that defy belief—unless they actually happened.
Known to those investigating the case as “Mori’s Logbook,” this haunting document reveals a deeper mystery: a disembodied voice, cryptic coordinates, disturbing voyeuristic photos, and a sense that Mori’s reality is unraveling—one symbol, one vanishing, one revelation at a time.
Mori’s Logbook provides an intimate account of his search for answers to otherworldly questions, joined by his radiant, enigmatic neighbor and her small circle of friends. Together, they tumble into a liminal Los Angeles underworld: haunted canyons, spectral transmissions, and a terrifying figure known only as The LA Lurker.
Blending metaphysical mystery with the pulse of a psychological thriller, MORI is the first entry in The Lost Ones series. It stands on its own as a gripping tale of guilt, grace, and the terrifying beauty of what we don’t understand.
“A thriller that grows stranger, creepier, and more magical throughout. MORI is one of a kind… thoroughly absorbing.” — IndieReader
Editor’s Note: This edition is a faithful reproduction of the journal Mori uploaded online before his disappearance.
575 pages, ebook
Published March 8, 2024
407 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 5, 2024
MORI by Michael Seagard is like no other book I've read. The story explores territory I know nothing about: Hollywood, cults, life beyond what we know, dimensions and possibilities beyond what we assume to be our reality. I found it strangely compelling, well-written and vivid. It definitely got me thinking. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.
March 9, 2024
I recieved this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I ended up rating this book 2 stars and will not be recommending this book.
This is a cosmic story about a man who stumbles into an adventure much bigger than he could have ever imagined. Mori is a man down on his luck, His wife cheated on him and took his daughter when she was discovered. He moved to LA where he smokes and drinks himself to a slow death, with only a homeless man who likes to harass him and a neighbor who he has never seen to keep him company. When a voice in his head invites him to "commune," Mori thinks it's just a drug induced hallucination. He finds out it isn't. Cosmic fate and life purpose is explored in this pseudo-spiritual debut from Michael Seagard.
The best thing I can say about this is that it marginally reminded me of The OA, a show on Netflix. The power of community, shared vision, and multiple dimensions and how we echo across them are themes found in both pieces of media. The author's writing is solid, not the worst debut novel I've read. The plot is generally interesting.
The main character is terrible. Either the author was intentionally trying to write the most annoying kind of white, cis, straight, privileged white male to center his story around or this was a very bad self-insert on the author's part. I'm hoping it's the former. The way he views every single woman he encounters and interacts with them is very "men writing women badly." There is no sense that we are hearing from an unreliable narrator because whenever we are given the chance to see the woman as a full human, as a three dimensional being, we don't see it. The book can be very self-aggrandizing to the point of annoyance. You can tell the author thought he was writing fire when penning this almost 600 page debut that could have easily been 200 pages shorter. The views on spirituality feel very "white man writing about a religion he only knows about from reading about it on the internet from other white men," This book dripped with unexamined white privilege and weird masculinity.
If this book was approached as more of a third person perspective story rather than a first person logbook entry style story, maybe it would have saved it a little. What we are presented is a story that could be interesting if developed in better hands.
This is a cosmic story about a man who stumbles into an adventure much bigger than he could have ever imagined. Mori is a man down on his luck, His wife cheated on him and took his daughter when she was discovered. He moved to LA where he smokes and drinks himself to a slow death, with only a homeless man who likes to harass him and a neighbor who he has never seen to keep him company. When a voice in his head invites him to "commune," Mori thinks it's just a drug induced hallucination. He finds out it isn't. Cosmic fate and life purpose is explored in this pseudo-spiritual debut from Michael Seagard.
The best thing I can say about this is that it marginally reminded me of The OA, a show on Netflix. The power of community, shared vision, and multiple dimensions and how we echo across them are themes found in both pieces of media. The author's writing is solid, not the worst debut novel I've read. The plot is generally interesting.
The main character is terrible. Either the author was intentionally trying to write the most annoying kind of white, cis, straight, privileged white male to center his story around or this was a very bad self-insert on the author's part. I'm hoping it's the former. The way he views every single woman he encounters and interacts with them is very "men writing women badly." There is no sense that we are hearing from an unreliable narrator because whenever we are given the chance to see the woman as a full human, as a three dimensional being, we don't see it. The book can be very self-aggrandizing to the point of annoyance. You can tell the author thought he was writing fire when penning this almost 600 page debut that could have easily been 200 pages shorter. The views on spirituality feel very "white man writing about a religion he only knows about from reading about it on the internet from other white men," This book dripped with unexamined white privilege and weird masculinity.
If this book was approached as more of a third person perspective story rather than a first person logbook entry style story, maybe it would have saved it a little. What we are presented is a story that could be interesting if developed in better hands.
March 19, 2024
This. book. has. everything!
“MORI”, made me feel every emotion possible. I cried, then burst into legitimate laughter many times. It has intrigue, love, remorse, sorrow, joy, fear, mystery, the supernatural...
The way Seagard writes brings you right into the moment. Moments that made me catch my breath - feeling the tension or pain, & others that had me laughing at the main character’s dry, intelligent wit.
If i told you it was a quick read - it’s because this is a book you do not want to put down. Kinda like that Netflix Series you binge until you’re so tired - you realize it’s “dumb’o clock in the morning” & you should go to sleep - but you keep on watching anyway? That was me, with Seagard’s writing.
This book is brilliantly laced with wisdom and life lessons all the way until the gripping end — that definitely leaves you wanting for more.
Here’s one to you, “Mori,” here’s one to you… 🥃
“MORI”, made me feel every emotion possible. I cried, then burst into legitimate laughter many times. It has intrigue, love, remorse, sorrow, joy, fear, mystery, the supernatural...
The way Seagard writes brings you right into the moment. Moments that made me catch my breath - feeling the tension or pain, & others that had me laughing at the main character’s dry, intelligent wit.
If i told you it was a quick read - it’s because this is a book you do not want to put down. Kinda like that Netflix Series you binge until you’re so tired - you realize it’s “dumb’o clock in the morning” & you should go to sleep - but you keep on watching anyway? That was me, with Seagard’s writing.
This book is brilliantly laced with wisdom and life lessons all the way until the gripping end — that definitely leaves you wanting for more.
Here’s one to you, “Mori,” here’s one to you… 🥃
July 1, 2024
I hate the author for what this book did to me. Right from the start we know the main character will die, right from the start every chapter reminds you of the countdown until his death, and yet somehow you are still in disbelief when you get to the end. I hope the sequels come out soon because I'd love to read what happens next to Sophie (I'm slightly mad he spelt my name wrong thoughout the whole novel) and Geri and Lilly and everybody else who gets entwined in Mori's crazy little world
June 22, 2024
I read. A lot. But I have never read anything quite like this. It starts out fairly slowly but becomes more powerful as you go along. I guess you could consider this a dark fantasy, a psychological thriller. There are a lot of elements to it.
There are scenes that never really get explained, but they're certainly memorable. Mori is presented in such a way as you're not sure if you can trust him. He's often cagey, and you might wonder if he's not even cagey with the reader. Well, I'm not going to tell you.
I'm glad this is Volume 1. I sure hope he resolves some hanging issues in the next one, and that they will satisfy. I hope to see ALL of the characters in the next book.
His characters are memorable and well-fleshed out. I was ambivalent about the book early on, but stayed with it and felt I was highly rewarded for doing so.
I got this through Kindle Unlimited, so it may still be available to you that way.
There are scenes that never really get explained, but they're certainly memorable. Mori is presented in such a way as you're not sure if you can trust him. He's often cagey, and you might wonder if he's not even cagey with the reader. Well, I'm not going to tell you.
I'm glad this is Volume 1. I sure hope he resolves some hanging issues in the next one, and that they will satisfy. I hope to see ALL of the characters in the next book.
His characters are memorable and well-fleshed out. I was ambivalent about the book early on, but stayed with it and felt I was highly rewarded for doing so.
I got this through Kindle Unlimited, so it may still be available to you that way.
June 5, 2024
Mori
This is one of those books, you love to hate, but hate to love, if that makes sense. At least that’s how it started for me. (I personally ended up loving this story and couldn’t put it down.) The story grips you into a dark embrace, one which holds you relentlessly with the turning of each page. As we engage with the relatable characters, they seemingly come to life and enable one to experience a whole gambit of emotions through their stories. Although there is much darkness and fear, ultimately a sense of prevailing hope and loyal friendships, carries through each character and the story overall. I was saddened most when I came to the end, as I wanted to continue to follow the perilous journey which captivated me throughout. Excited for the next adventure.
I would recommend this book to adults with a spirit of adventure and an interest in Magick to boot.
This is one of those books, you love to hate, but hate to love, if that makes sense. At least that’s how it started for me. (I personally ended up loving this story and couldn’t put it down.) The story grips you into a dark embrace, one which holds you relentlessly with the turning of each page. As we engage with the relatable characters, they seemingly come to life and enable one to experience a whole gambit of emotions through their stories. Although there is much darkness and fear, ultimately a sense of prevailing hope and loyal friendships, carries through each character and the story overall. I was saddened most when I came to the end, as I wanted to continue to follow the perilous journey which captivated me throughout. Excited for the next adventure.
I would recommend this book to adults with a spirit of adventure and an interest in Magick to boot.
March 20, 2024
I love the good suspenseful mystery that intrigues me. I had not read Michael Seagard's books before but I believe I'm hooked. I simply could not put the book down. I also have to admit I've experienced emotion after emotion reading Mori. I have to go find other works of Seagard! Mori will take you through the well of emotions till you get you to the end. This is a fast paced page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2025
Mori is a complicated inspiration book recommended by Steven King. Miles "Mori" Morhart is an alcoholic terrible person who in his last month of his life and he leaves a logbook of his experiences. His death date is October 7, 2019. Mori is in despair for his daughter because he smashed her phone and she took something else other than Xanax and died and she could not call for help. Mori moves from Austin to LA. This is logbook accounting for his life in that last month in which he is unemployed and gets a community. He goes to get high and recieves a key (sigil) and 2 cirgarillos which are laced with acid or a combination of psychedelics. He encounters a 450th generation Hackshaw Estoteric, Mori actually communes with him during a drug induced coma and he sets off on a mission to deciper messages. These messages are encoded in a TV show called America Goes Dark: 1981 which has 13 moves from 1981 including the Shining. He is supposed to look for map and a cipher. Sofie is a recovering drug addict with a dog. This is about their adventures with Miguel (the bartender), Lili (the soceress), Sofie (the missing girl) and Hayley (his ex-wife) and Horace (the guide) along with Geri (the Hawshaw Estoric). This is story about the power of love even if it is a hullicination. This is about the supernatural world of Geri and divine enlightenment. We know Mori will die but he has a very interesting story to tell to those who belive in angels and love. This is about lost ones but it is about a long, twisted story about magic and looking beyond the pale to see Sonata and the psychic membrane but also the end of a life. This is book is about hope and despair but told in a great story from for each day from September 7, 2019 - October 7, 2019 and there is someting beyond that is chasing each of us. This is a story of hope even though you know the end. This is good long story.
September 21, 2024
I’m not good at writing reviews but I wanted to try since this book is so dang good, and there aren’t a lot of reviews. More people need to read this book! It’s something special.
As you read, you fall in love with the characters. You get invested in the story immediately. It has perfect pacing so you don’t want to put it down. It has just the right amount of metaphysical stuff that it feels realistic, and doesn’t go overboard. It has the perfect amount of suspense in that you just want to know what happens next. It’s very unique, no other book or story like this. It’s heartfelt. It’s dark. It’s rough around the edges in the right way. It’s honest. It makes you think about life. It’s genre-bending with a bit of horror, tiny bit of romance, psychological thriller, mystery, tiny bit of fantasy, and it’s just fun and satisfying to read. It’s not predictable, you never know what’s happening next.
Mr. Author, where are you!? I’ve googled you and I find no info. I NEED to know that you’re writing another book! I need more of what you can do — this book is so good. The writing is so high quality. The world(s) in this book feel so real. I made my husband buy and read this book and he agrees with me completely. I want everyone to read this story!
As you read, you fall in love with the characters. You get invested in the story immediately. It has perfect pacing so you don’t want to put it down. It has just the right amount of metaphysical stuff that it feels realistic, and doesn’t go overboard. It has the perfect amount of suspense in that you just want to know what happens next. It’s very unique, no other book or story like this. It’s heartfelt. It’s dark. It’s rough around the edges in the right way. It’s honest. It makes you think about life. It’s genre-bending with a bit of horror, tiny bit of romance, psychological thriller, mystery, tiny bit of fantasy, and it’s just fun and satisfying to read. It’s not predictable, you never know what’s happening next.
Mr. Author, where are you!? I’ve googled you and I find no info. I NEED to know that you’re writing another book! I need more of what you can do — this book is so good. The writing is so high quality. The world(s) in this book feel so real. I made my husband buy and read this book and he agrees with me completely. I want everyone to read this story!
August 22, 2024
I actually don't know what to say! It is so different than what I have read before. Mori is interesting, he is a man in his 40's, balding and a severe alcoholic. He has moved to LA and rented a bungalow with a swimming pool which he frequently lays out in the sun nude on his lounger. Then he begins hearing voices. He thinks it is an alcoholic delusion, which it isn't. After so many synchronicities begin to happen, and after he meets his next-door neighbor, Sophie, and her friends Lili and Mig, things are beginning to fall into place, or so he thinks. The story is good, but there are many unanswered questions which pissed me off! I really hope there is a book 2.
All I can say it's a book that is unforgettable!
All I can say it's a book that is unforgettable!
September 4, 2024
long tedious and an unlikeable main character
Stuck with this to the end but don’t know why I bothered. The premise sounded interesting, but the main character was so utterly obnoxious and pathetic that I could not bring myself to have any sympathy with him. This combined with the endless descriptions of alcoholism in a positive light, and the incessant describing what everyone is wearing (which begs the question when did the characters get the time for the multiple wardrobe changes in the middle of what passes for action), made this a marathon where little apart from new age preaching happened.
Stuck with this to the end but don’t know why I bothered. The premise sounded interesting, but the main character was so utterly obnoxious and pathetic that I could not bring myself to have any sympathy with him. This combined with the endless descriptions of alcoholism in a positive light, and the incessant describing what everyone is wearing (which begs the question when did the characters get the time for the multiple wardrobe changes in the middle of what passes for action), made this a marathon where little apart from new age preaching happened.
March 20, 2024
The story of Mori - is this fiction or not? I didn’t want the book to end…and neither will you once your eyes open to the world of Mori, Lorelei, and the rest.
ProTip: double click on the sophisticated / old world grammar references throughout the book as you expand your vocab, along with your mind.
I believe there is a real awakening happening / a recognition that the script we have all been told just doesn’t add up. And the story of Mori begins to unlock many other perspectives about what life could really be about, why we are here, what this means to you. Things that were called dark arts, and our society deemed “dangerous”.
Open your hearts and get ready to expand!
ProTip: double click on the sophisticated / old world grammar references throughout the book as you expand your vocab, along with your mind.
I believe there is a real awakening happening / a recognition that the script we have all been told just doesn’t add up. And the story of Mori begins to unlock many other perspectives about what life could really be about, why we are here, what this means to you. Things that were called dark arts, and our society deemed “dangerous”.
Open your hearts and get ready to expand!
April 11, 2024
Mori
By Michael Seagard
This book purports to be a "logbook" created by a man named Miles "Mori" Morhart. Mori is addicted to alcohol and drugs. He is also mentally ill. He is delusional. He "communes" with an literal elderberry named Gerimiah Ritrovari. He is harassed by an unseen man he calls Mr. Doom Portender. He is shaken by skywriting asking "Where Are You?"… and from here the book just gets weirder.
I confess that I was not able to see the point of the story. I got about halfway through the book and gave up, having lost interest.
By Michael Seagard
This book purports to be a "logbook" created by a man named Miles "Mori" Morhart. Mori is addicted to alcohol and drugs. He is also mentally ill. He is delusional. He "communes" with an literal elderberry named Gerimiah Ritrovari. He is harassed by an unseen man he calls Mr. Doom Portender. He is shaken by skywriting asking "Where Are You?"… and from here the book just gets weirder.
I confess that I was not able to see the point of the story. I got about halfway through the book and gave up, having lost interest.
April 16, 2024
Poor Mori, truly a lost soul. When he finally saw himself it wasn’t a pretty picture, so he tried losing himself in any alcohol he found to dull the image. Things were on track to die of alcohol poisoning when he met Sophie, his neighbor and he found a reason to go on. When we mix in her friends, and quite a bit of otherworldly happenings, his life starts to change.
This is a cliffhanger, and I will wait for the next chapter to hopefully get some answers.
Still can’t believe anyone could drink that much and remain coherent and alive.
This is a cliffhanger, and I will wait for the next chapter to hopefully get some answers.
Still can’t believe anyone could drink that much and remain coherent and alive.
October 5, 2024
Amazing Storytelling!
Author Michael Seagard delivers a deeply emotional, deeply empathetic, deeply riveting descent into the arcane, into dark discovery and discovery of darkness painfully concealed. Character building at its finest! Frailty met with strength, despair met with resolve, the unforgivable met with forgiveness. No shallow, one-dimensional characters here; all bear scars and open wounds. Dark as dark may be there is still hope... And Light! Looking forward to The Lost Ones Vol. 2
Author Michael Seagard delivers a deeply emotional, deeply empathetic, deeply riveting descent into the arcane, into dark discovery and discovery of darkness painfully concealed. Character building at its finest! Frailty met with strength, despair met with resolve, the unforgivable met with forgiveness. No shallow, one-dimensional characters here; all bear scars and open wounds. Dark as dark may be there is still hope... And Light! Looking forward to The Lost Ones Vol. 2
April 9, 2024
I really enjoyed how good of a concept this was for the scifi element that I was looking for. The characters felt like they were supposed to be in this world. I was engaged with what was happening and left me wanting more in the series. I wanted to read more from Michael Seagard.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2024
I bought this book on a whim, and I was so pleased with my purchase! What a phenomenal writer Michael Seagard is. Part Donnie Darko, Part Interstellar.. and a lot of other things mixed in between. I cannot wait for the 2nd and 3rd one to come out. This book was such a mind bending journey both for the main character Mori, and myself the reader.
January 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! I read it in BookFunnel. The storyline & plot of this book is so interesting that you just don’t want to put it down! The way the story develops & the character development of Mori is amazing! Honestly can’t wait to read the other books (if any).
Highly recommend if you like supernatural/ paranormal stuff ‘cause this is FILLED with that!
Highly recommend if you like supernatural/ paranormal stuff ‘cause this is FILLED with that!
March 31, 2024
strange
This story is about a very damaged man who made many harmful mistakes in the past and continues to make mistakes during the story. In the process he is trying to save himself as well as others.
This story is about a very damaged man who made many harmful mistakes in the past and continues to make mistakes during the story. In the process he is trying to save himself as well as others.
November 23, 2024
Refreshingly weird and a creation all of its own. I don't believe in fate or synchronicity, or any cosmic beings and yet I found this incredibly enjoyable.
I'm eager for the next in this series to release.
I'm eager for the next in this series to release.
December 26, 2024
Hipsters, hippies, drugs, nonsense. All written in an inner dialogue through a Mac’s log book.
To sum it up, we have dumb ass adult characters running by around having childlike fantasies. Don’t waste your time.
To sum it up, we have dumb ass adult characters running by around having childlike fantasies. Don’t waste your time.
March 2, 2024
MORI is effortlessly unique and completely engrossing. It's witty, creepy, thrilling, and grows stranger and more complex with each page. A truly amazing read.
May 3, 2024
Beware
It just seems like nonsense until it begins to form a pattern. Like looking at yourself without the pink tinted glasses.
It just seems like nonsense until it begins to form a pattern. Like looking at yourself without the pink tinted glasses.
June 17, 2024
Best book ì have read in a long time. Can't wait for more.
September 3, 2024
Awesome book
One the most different and intriguing books I've ever read. Can't wait for the next one. I recommend this book.
One the most different and intriguing books I've ever read. Can't wait for the next one. I recommend this book.
January 16, 2025
stunning
I thoroughly enjoyed every word. Very original page turner that really had no downside in my humble opinion. Well done!
I thoroughly enjoyed every word. Very original page turner that really had no downside in my humble opinion. Well done!
March 4, 2025
Wow. Just wow. This book will leave you utterly breathless and empty in all the worst and best ways. Loved the characters and the story. Can't wait to read the sequel. Give this a read!
March 30, 2025
I see other people liked it but it was just too rambling to me. I never could get engrossed in the story.
October 15, 2024
I read this book in just a couple of days because I could not put it down. The main character, Mori, is just a normal middle aged dude with his own life of problems and pain and trauma. The entire book is in first person, from the vantage point of Mori's log book. It's a little window into the inner workings of a regular guy who has hit his rock bottom, and has lost almost everything he cares about, but is continuing on an existence that no one seems to care that much about, especially Mori himself. The plot was suspenseful and mysterious, but with just enough pull to keep me turning pages. Not knowing whether Mori was hallucinating his entire existence or if there really was another being communicating to him from a parallel universe was part of the intrigue. Mori is deep down a good person, but life has handed him a shit sandwich and to cope he has gone on to live alone, spending most of his days drinking to black out or smoking enough weed to leave him comatose in his backyard. His neighbor, a nice and friendly woman who befriends Mori despite his odd behavior and unkempt lifestyle, is a great representation of salvation and acceptance. We eventually find that Mori and his neighbor share a string of commonality and the voice in Mori's head while under the influence of shroom blunts recognizes her as his long lost lover and mother to his child. The entire thing is just so chaotic and at the same time makes perfect sense, it's a wonderfully wild ride, and the ending really had me thinking about predestination and free will, and whether or not parallel timelines and universes can actually have any effect on our lives here. Highly recommend, I would read it again, and I would say anyone who likes dimensional exploration, esoterica, supernatural, and the uncanny should read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews