A Haunting Between Worlds

by Ashley S. Hattle

Charlie rescues a drowning man, but no good deed goes unpunished. The dead are coming for her.

Charlie and David are strangers. She wants redemption after her mom's suicide. He wants to atone for his crime. But their fates are more intertwined than they realize, thanks to a ghost named Katherine.

Katherine sold her soul for power that reaches into the land of the living. She pushes David off a cliff and puts Charlie in a coma. Her plan gets more nefarious the longer it takes to enact her revenge. Now, she wants more than to settle a score—she wants another chance at life.

Follow David and Charlie on a wild ride from life to death and a place somewhere in between, where dark creatures and spirit guides vie for souls. Their connection is the key to staying alive and getting rid of Katherine for good.

"A Haunting Between Worlds" is a supernatural thriller and horror novel by debut fiction author Ashley S. Hattle. It's a mix of Insidious and Warm Bodies with scary, otherworldly creatures, a vindictive ghost, and soulmates caught in the mix. Fans of Lev Grossman, Darcy Coates, and Rachel Caine may find this book a perfect fit.

Trigger Alcoholism, Death, Domestic Violence Survival, Gore, Murder, Suicide, Violence

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Ashley S. Hattle likes disappearing into dark worlds. Whether it’s Darcy Coates, Riley Sager, Rachel Caine, or obscure horror movies, she turns to the macabre over romcoms for comfort. Her writing career began in third grade when she wrote her first play about teddy bear bandits demanding candy bar ransoms. In high school, it was poetry and songwriting. Now, her passion is writing supernatural romance, thriller, and horror novels. Her genres have changed, but her love for Almond Joys has not. You can find her with her head in the clouds somewhere over Michigan.

Critics of NYC Midnight writing challenges have hailed short stories by Hattle as “exhilarating,” “ingenious,” and “alluring and evocative.” She is a five-time semifinalist of the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. Her debut nonfiction book on cluster headaches won her two awards in 2017 and 2018 for “Exceptional Education in Cluster Headache” and “Advocate of the Year” from nonprofit organizations. Hattle has worked as a full-time writer and editor for nearly ten years. Her work is featured online and in print, including Nature and INvisible Project magazines.

Reviews

[Maddy Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hattle illustrates a version of purgatory, or the “in-between,” that I have never heard or thought of before. I enjoy that she alludes that there is no distinct good or evil but a bit of both, on varying levels, presides in everyone. In common beliefs about the afterlife, the soul either choses or is chosen by a higher entity to move on to a “good” place or “bad” place or stay suspended in purgatory based on the good and bad actions committed in the land of the living. However, in A Haunting Between Worlds, this does not seem to be a deciding factor. Instead, a soul is fought over by agents, either to be sent to the afterworld in peace or trapped as a fright with the Shadows. Not only does this make the idea of the afterlife even more frightening, but also questions whether one’s actions or strengths in character are more important in determining whether one will encounter peace or anguish.
Unlike some other suspense novels that I find are too telling before the punch line, I find A Haunting Between Worlds to be unpredictable in the best of ways. First, in the beginning of the book, it is difficult to determine if we should like Katherine when considering her actions versus her words. She is constantly contradicting herself and the reader experiences such a rollercoaster of emotions and opinions towards her. Believe it or not, this characterizes not just Katherine. Further on in the story, we see those we consider “good” do bad things and vice versa. In a way, this makes the story even more unpredictable as you are not entirely sure who to trust and who to disdain. Although we can almost always assume a happy resolution from all suspense and horror books, this one kept you wondering what would happen next, every step of the way, right up until the very last few pages.
Lastly, Hattle beautifully juggles seriousness and suspense with humor and jubilation. Throughout the story we see a balance of traumatic events and heartfelt reunions. Broken families and sprouting relationships. Enemies and soul mates. There are intermittent twists and turns from the readers’ suspected plot line yet everyone ends up getting what they deserve. Even Beck! Especially Beck. Hattle does a fabulous job at curating towards the Gen Z audience while also including a little something for all audiences.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an advanced readers copy of this book. The writer has you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. The way the story is told is so in depth, you feel like you are there. You really get to know each character and what role they play in the outcome. This book was hard to put down, you just wanted to know what happened next. Plot twists kept you on edge. Such a great book!!

[Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked with Author Ashley as a hired beta reader. I enjoyed her book so much I had to read it twice. You have to check out her work you won’t be able to put it down. Each page builds up the plot till the very end. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Jessica ⚔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in hauntings, possessions, soul mates, and purgatory this story is for you! From start to finish this book is an unpredictable page-turner about Good vs. Evil who will win out in the end. No stone is left unturned; ultimately, fate wins out despite whatever choices we make.

[Allyson Oddis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful well written book! It was hard to put down with great characters and great plot twists. Had me guessing until the very end. A great read for the Halloween season. I definitely recommend this book!!

[Faith Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for letting me read your arc. One this book is so good it was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The twist and turns in this book is so good.

[Elizabeth Lewellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you laugh, cry, and be on the edge of your seat. I hope it becomes a series. I love some characters and hate others because of the excellent writing. Highly recommend this book.