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The River #5
The Suicide Forest
In these dark, secluded trees in Washington State, it's easy to get lost, and desperation hangs in the air. The Suicide Forest is full of demons, drawn to those who come to kill themselves. Steven and Roy find themselves here, facing down an evil greater than any before.
The evil starts in the haunted Seattle home of June, grandmother to Robbie, a ten-year old boy who shares "the gift" with Steven and Roy. Steven suspects the ghostly attacks on June and Robbie are much more than a mere haunting and soon realize they are in over their heads.
They seek the help of Judith, an elderly eccentric, who guides them to a climactic confrontation in the dark clearing of The Suicide Forest.
The Suicide Forest is the fifth book in The River series.
The evil starts in the haunted Seattle home of June, grandmother to Robbie, a ten-year old boy who shares "the gift" with Steven and Roy. Steven suspects the ghostly attacks on June and Robbie are much more than a mere haunting and soon realize they are in over their heads.
They seek the help of Judith, an elderly eccentric, who guides them to a climactic confrontation in the dark clearing of The Suicide Forest.
The Suicide Forest is the fifth book in The River series.
227 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2014
About the author
Michael Richan
55 books132 followersMichael Richan lives in Washington State. He has written horror fiction for over forty years.
He's the author of several best selling series, including "The River," 'The Downwinders," and "The Dark River." All are set within The River universe.
He's also the author of other best selling titles such as "The Haunting of Pitmon House", "The Coldwater Haunting", and "The Seances".
Visit michaelrichan.com to learn more about the series and to see a suggested reading order. Follow Michael via email and receive the free novella "Residual". You can also follow him via Twitter @michaelrichan.
He's the author of several best selling series, including "The River," 'The Downwinders," and "The Dark River." All are set within The River universe.
He's also the author of other best selling titles such as "The Haunting of Pitmon House", "The Coldwater Haunting", and "The Seances".
Visit michaelrichan.com to learn more about the series and to see a suggested reading order. Follow Michael via email and receive the free novella "Residual". You can also follow him via Twitter @michaelrichan.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 8, 2014
The Darkest Book Yet of the River Series.
The transition from Eximere (book4) to The Suicide Forest is as smooth as turning the page. Don't let this fool you though. The adventures and "characters" that Roy and Steven stumble upon are more incredible than you can imagine. Even the title and cover exude a darkness as they have never beheld.
The story starts by Roy and Steven living up to their promise of returning as many family legacy books as they can identify from those kept as trophies of the gifted ones sacrificed at Usher Estate. They come upon June, her husband had lost his book when he lost his life. As Roy and Steven sit in June's living room trying to weigh out just how much she knew of her husband gifts, the sound of cabinet doors slamming resound through the house, evoking no response from June at all. This was the beginning of a battle they had no chance of winning.
June shares the house with her daughter Evelyn and grandson Robbie. Evelyn wants absolutely nothing to do with Roy, Steven, the book or especially the gift. Roy and Steven convince June that they will help her get rid of this entity under the stipulation that it is only done when Evelyn and Robbie are not around. After a trip into the river they know that they are outmatched so they seek out help and find it through the most peculiar sources.
This is another 5 star work from author Michael Richan. Be prepared for some messy and scary situations throughout the story. It will be easy to empathize with Roy as he takes responsibility for a horrific tragedy. Finally, watch Steven develop his gift and learns secrets about himself that could put everyone around him in grave danger. The adventure continues.
The transition from Eximere (book4) to The Suicide Forest is as smooth as turning the page. Don't let this fool you though. The adventures and "characters" that Roy and Steven stumble upon are more incredible than you can imagine. Even the title and cover exude a darkness as they have never beheld.
The story starts by Roy and Steven living up to their promise of returning as many family legacy books as they can identify from those kept as trophies of the gifted ones sacrificed at Usher Estate. They come upon June, her husband had lost his book when he lost his life. As Roy and Steven sit in June's living room trying to weigh out just how much she knew of her husband gifts, the sound of cabinet doors slamming resound through the house, evoking no response from June at all. This was the beginning of a battle they had no chance of winning.
June shares the house with her daughter Evelyn and grandson Robbie. Evelyn wants absolutely nothing to do with Roy, Steven, the book or especially the gift. Roy and Steven convince June that they will help her get rid of this entity under the stipulation that it is only done when Evelyn and Robbie are not around. After a trip into the river they know that they are outmatched so they seek out help and find it through the most peculiar sources.
This is another 5 star work from author Michael Richan. Be prepared for some messy and scary situations throughout the story. It will be easy to empathize with Roy as he takes responsibility for a horrific tragedy. Finally, watch Steven develop his gift and learns secrets about himself that could put everyone around him in grave danger. The adventure continues.
March 9, 2014
4.5
In this 5th book of Michael Richan's The River series, father and son duo, Roy and Steven, are faced with their darkest, bloodiest, and most disturbing test to date. Roy and Steven come across a family plagued by something that Steven has never experienced before. In this book, Richan holds nothing back and lets the brutality run free. Besides upping the blood and violence factors, this entire story has a distinctly darker tone than its predecessors. Steven has come a long way under Roy's tutelage, and is now discovering mysterious powers unique to himself. Due to this progression, Richan is able to take the series even farther, engaging the duo (and various "gifted" friends) in more "destructive" situations, in addition to their "helping people in trouble" theme that summarized earlier novels.
The progression of Steven's "powers" and strength of his relationship with his father, has allowed for a more complex storyline, while at the same time NOT detracting from the character traits that we have come to know throughout the series. The personalities remain constant, while at the same time, "growing" in a very natural seeming way.
This series continues to improve with each succession, and I look forward to each new installment! I have to add, that this is one novel that I wished had continued on for several more chapters. Not because it wasn't complete, but rather because I just didn't want it to be over.
Highly recommended!
In this 5th book of Michael Richan's The River series, father and son duo, Roy and Steven, are faced with their darkest, bloodiest, and most disturbing test to date. Roy and Steven come across a family plagued by something that Steven has never experienced before. In this book, Richan holds nothing back and lets the brutality run free. Besides upping the blood and violence factors, this entire story has a distinctly darker tone than its predecessors. Steven has come a long way under Roy's tutelage, and is now discovering mysterious powers unique to himself. Due to this progression, Richan is able to take the series even farther, engaging the duo (and various "gifted" friends) in more "destructive" situations, in addition to their "helping people in trouble" theme that summarized earlier novels.
The progression of Steven's "powers" and strength of his relationship with his father, has allowed for a more complex storyline, while at the same time NOT detracting from the character traits that we have come to know throughout the series. The personalities remain constant, while at the same time, "growing" in a very natural seeming way.
This series continues to improve with each succession, and I look forward to each new installment! I have to add, that this is one novel that I wished had continued on for several more chapters. Not because it wasn't complete, but rather because I just didn't want it to be over.
Highly recommended!
March 11, 2014
This is the 5th book in the River Series by Michael Richan. Roy and Steven try to keep their promise about returning as many books to family's who they can identify. Roy and Steven have a book that belonged to June's late husband. While Roy and Steven are sitting in June's living room,they hear cabinet doors slamming closed in the kitchen. June shares her house with her daughter Evie and her grandson Robbie. Evie has the gift but wants nothing to do with the book or Roy and Steven. Roy and Steven convince June that they can help her out but only when Evie and Robbie are not around. Roy and Steven seeks the help of one of Dixon's friends, Judith! She is a expert in trapping demons. Judith supplies the tools that Roy and Steven will need to do this. Roy and Steven are facing one of their greatest challenges yet. The story also shows the bonding of a father and son, who once had a rocky relationship. I high recommend this book.
April 30, 2014
Great book...a bunch of "I didn't see that coming" all through it.
January 10, 2020
Creepy
Stephen and Roy are part of the Gifted, where they are able to see the true nature of things. Normally they deal with hauntings and spirits but when they visit a lady who feels her family is in danger, they realize this is more then just a spirit. These entities are demons and Stephen and Roy do not have the experience to deal with them. They have survived a lot over the years but will this encounter be too much?
Very much hooked on this unique series and highly recommend!
Stephen and Roy are part of the Gifted, where they are able to see the true nature of things. Normally they deal with hauntings and spirits but when they visit a lady who feels her family is in danger, they realize this is more then just a spirit. These entities are demons and Stephen and Roy do not have the experience to deal with them. They have survived a lot over the years but will this encounter be too much?
Very much hooked on this unique series and highly recommend!
August 6, 2019
I liked this book but I read it out of order (I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet) because I was super intrigued by the "suicide forest" aspect of it...unfortunately it had only a small section about the forest. It played a minimal role in the actual story, which was hugely disappointing. I don't really understand why it was the title of the book. As for the rest of the story it was decent if you live the authors other books.
June 12, 2023
Love this series
I have such a soft spot for this series, so I’m not sure there’s a story w the main characters that I wouldn’t like!! This one could have been a bit longer cuz there were so many aspects to it that could have been more detailed or explained, but I enjoyed it very much anyhow! I look forward to more trouble that Steven & his grump, but endearing dad get into as I move in to Book 5 :)
I have such a soft spot for this series, so I’m not sure there’s a story w the main characters that I wouldn’t like!! This one could have been a bit longer cuz there were so many aspects to it that could have been more detailed or explained, but I enjoyed it very much anyhow! I look forward to more trouble that Steven & his grump, but endearing dad get into as I move in to Book 5 :)
July 7, 2017
I think of all of the books this is one of my favorites. How can you choose a favorite when they are ALL amazing books. I have been trying to find another author to take my mind to places that Michael Richan did.. NO luck! I patiently awaits more books from him..
October 27, 2024
An extremely fascinating series!
I love this series! Great characters and fantastic storylines! Always keeps me interested from beginning to the end. I'll be starting on book #6 shortly. Can't wait to see what happens to Jason!
I love this series! Great characters and fantastic storylines! Always keeps me interested from beginning to the end. I'll be starting on book #6 shortly. Can't wait to see what happens to Jason!
Read
May 11, 2021Couldn’t do it.
June 29, 2023
I liked this a lot but the ending left me a little disappointed.
June 29, 2026
Loved it
I love how at the end you had aokigahara forest in. I love that place. Loved the story and how the deal at the end happened was not expecting that at all.
I love how at the end you had aokigahara forest in. I love that place. Loved the story and how the deal at the end happened was not expecting that at all.
March 27, 2014
This book lives up to its name. Creepy.
I recommend this book. Highly. You won't be disappointed.
I recommend this book. Highly. You won't be disappointed.
February 28, 2015
Great addition!!!
I really enjoyed this book. It was extremely scary at certain points in the book, but I suppose that's what makes this series so thrilling.
I really enjoyed this book. It was extremely scary at certain points in the book, but I suppose that's what makes this series so thrilling.
March 5, 2015
Another great read from Mr Richan. I am completely enthralled by the tales he's woven. Very hard to put these books down. I have a new favorite author.
January 1, 2017
FANTASTIC
These books get better and better, and I am on to the next one. Here I come, Roy and Stephen.
These books get better and better, and I am on to the next one. Here I come, Roy and Stephen.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews