Angel of Death

Vengeful Spirits #1

by Michelle Godard-Richer

On the night of Friday the 13th, all the townsfolk hide inside their homes, leaving the streets of Gideon’s Hollow empty.

The locals believe the spirits of the witches from nearby Salem roam on this cursed night, seeking revenge on the descendants of those who burnt them at the stake. Maya dismisses the legends as silly superstition and walks the silent streets, but something sinister lurks in the shadows, watching her, ready to pounce.

When Maya screams for help, nobody comes. Alone and afraid, she has to face off against monsters both human and inhuman in a desperate bid to survive.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2024

About the author

Michelle Godard-Richer is a multi-award-winning and Amazon bestselling author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.

Reviews

[Michelle Godard-Richer]

Hello Readers,

Thank you for taking the time to read book one of the Vengeful Spirits series. Available FREE at all ebook vendors! I'm a lifelong horror fan, and I absolutely love all things that go bump in the night. Look for book two in the series, Spine Chilling if you're brave enough to read about a possessed used book.

Happy Spooky Season,
Michelle

[Jenny Coyne]

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned". - William Congreve

This phrase immediately came to mind when reading this story. This is a tale of vengeance and what can happen when the pure hearted are turned towards darkness.

This is book one in the Vengeful Spirits series, but each book is it's own tale sharing a common theme. I enjoyed this book and enjoyed the second book, "Spine Chilling", even more! I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Ash Adam]

I really enjoyed this book! It is short, i read it in one sitting but I still felt like the story was complete. I related to the main character. This book was definitely a page turner, keeping you on your toes wondering whats going to happen next. I'm excited to read the second book in the series!

[Rhonda Bobbitt]

Oh, what sweet revenge. This was a fast-paced story filled with witches and revenge. Maya was cursed by a witch. And now she has to do what the witch wants.

[Louise Storey]

Great short read about vengeance, witchcraft and good vs evil. Will be following the series

[Kim Ligon]

Short but action packed evil

Maya is innocently on her way home when a horrific act ends her life. What happens next is a tale of evil taking human form, revenge for the murder of innocence, and redemption. This is a short read but emotionally charged. The author starts with a normal everyday event and it morphs into a frightening tale. Very well done. Highly recommended.

[Janis Perry]

wonderful book

Wow I read this book in 1 night I couldn’t put it down. The author got right into the action great book you’re gonna be on the edge of your seat from the start

[Ivanka Fear]

Lock your windows and doors and settle in for the magic and folklore. Here’s a supernatural horror thriller to chill out with. There are days of the year that are more dangerous than others, especially in Gideon’s Hollow. On Friday 13th, residents of the small town shelter inside, fearing the spirits of witches burned at the stake in nearby Salem return to seek revenge for those who wronged them. In book one of the Vengeful Spirits series, the main character, Maya, faces the consequences of not adhering to local beliefs when she encounters malevolence on a dark, silent street.

I was immediately drawn to Maya and her bravery and felt her struggle with the good inside herself and the evil forces attempting to gain control. Maya’s quest for justice takes her down a conflicted path filled with moral ambiguity, and I kept rooting for her to find peace and resolution to her grim circumstances. A strong female character who fights to the end, she’s a force to be reckoned with herself.

Author Godard-Richer creates a spooky atmosphere with her descriptions of the setting and the suspenseful scenes that egged me on to the next chapter and the next. Well-written with the right amount of ‘scare factor’, Angel of Death is a fast-paced, short novel that I read in one sitting. The satisfying ending left no loose plot threads, making it a complete story even though Vengeful Spirits continues with subsequent books.

A perfect Halloween read to treat yourself with, but any dark and quiet night works. Horror fans and those who love to be pleasantly spooked will love this book. And what’s more to love is that it’s a series. Looking forward to the next book!

[N.N. Heaven]

Maya walks the streets of Gideon’s Hollow alone on Friday the 13th, not realizing the danger she’s in. Fighting monsters (both human and otherworldly) puts her life in peril. But the real question remains: will she survive when she comes face-to-face with the angel of death?

Angel of Death is an eerie horror story that sent shivers all across my body. Michelle Godard-Richer is masterful at creating spooky stories that will thrill and chill you. This novella is short but is a complete story. The descriptive narration pulls you in while the paranormal elements add just the right amount of scare factor. Take my advice, read this in the daytime or be prepared for nightmares.

The characters are well-written and add the perfect human element to this story. I connected with Maya right away. She’s your average woman living in a small town. Her reactions to what happen is realistic. I kept screaming at her to run. laughs

The pacing of this novella is flawless, as is the writing. I found myself glued to the story and whipped through the pages at a frantic pace. Fans of Stephen King and Paul Tremblay will clamor for more.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Julia Sutton]

A chilling tale of murder and supernatural vengeance.

Set in Gideon’s Hollow, Massachusetts. Level headed 20 year old Maya has finished work for the evening and is walking alone heading for home. When her safe cosseted world is turned upside down after a terrifying incident takes place with an unhinged would-be suitor.

This is the story of the shocking aftereffects of human brutality, it was a frightening well written read which had me turning the pages, eager to find out what was going to happen next.

Although a short read, it certainly packed a punch. The author deployed great engagement of the senses in her writing which added to the overall macabre atmosphere of the book. I liked the theme of vigilante justice and vengeance. It was written with lots of bloodcurdling action which made for a riveting read.
Great read for Halloween 🎃

[Liz Ellyn]

It's fun to occasionally read outside my favorite genre

This fast-paced horror novella was a fantastic surprise! I picked it up for Spooktober, even though I typically stick to romance, and it did not disappoint.

What I appreciated most was how quickly the author dove into the action. There was no unnecessary fluff or overly flowery prose—just enough detail to get you emotionally hooked on the characters and immersed in the eerie atmosphere. She struck the perfect balance, creating suspense and tension without dragging things out.

This story even kept me calm during some stomach-churning turbulence on a recent flight—so, thank you for that!

If you're looking for an entertaining read, this is one to grab. And it's not just for Halloween—this novella will keep you on edge any time of year!

[Tina Transformation]

Angel of Death

Dark. Cinematic. Unforgettable.
From the very first page, this story grabs you by the spine and doesn’t let go. What starts as a terrifying, real-world attack turns into a chilling supernatural rebirth with a vengeance. The blend of horror, trauma, witchcraft, and power is absolutely breathtaking. The resurrection scene is one of the most vivid and intense I’ve ever read.

Maya’s transformation from victim to a force of death is both satisfying and haunting. The writing is sharp, visual, and emotionally charged. Every scene feels like a movie you can’t look away from. If you love dark paranormal revenge stories with a strong female lead and horrifying justice, this is a must-read. Easily five stars.

[Krystal Neumann]

Angel of Death was a quick and enjoyable read that I finished in a single sitting. Michelle Godard-Richer creates a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, and I loved the imagery, setting, and the overall concept of Gideon's Hollow. The blend of local legends, suspense, and supernatural elements kept me engaged throughout the story.

My only criticism is that I wanted more detail. For example, I would have loved to see Maya's initial meeting with Rand and the interaction where she rejects his advances, as I feel this would have added more depth to the characters and their motivations. The story had so much potential for further development, and I found myself wishing it had been longer so I could spend more time with the characters and world.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and its unique premise. While it left me wanting more, that's also a testament to how invested I became in the story.

[Michele Northwood]

The townsfolk of Gideon’s Hollow don’t like Halloween. The night of Friday the thirteenth sees empty streets and families huddled in their homes. Why? Because they believe the witch spirits from the nearby town of Salem walked the earth, looking for revenge.

Maya doesn’t believe the hype and ventures outside, where a wannabe suitor sees his chance
A witch comes to her rescue, but she isn’t as kind as she first seems. So begins Maya’s revenge.

It’s a quick read, but well worth investing in the story. An intriguing, well-written storyline that will have you turning the pages.
Highly Recommended.

[Ali O]

Angel of Death by Michelle Godard-Richer
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an interesting and entertaining supernatural short horror story.
Maya is on her way home, when she is attacked and her life is changed forever!
This story is creepy and it’s revenge at its finest!!
I actually would have enjoyed the book to be longer, to have a more in-depth storyline.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job!
This is a fast and exciting read, packed with a lot of action!
This book will be good for a fun fall read! 🧙‍♀️Check it out!!

[Rachel Browning]

“Angel of Death” by Michelle Godard-Richer is a great, quick listen that hooked me right away. The story follows Maya, a girl who dares to ignore the town’s chilling legends about witches who roam the night of Friday the 13th seeking revenge on the descendants of those who once burned them at the stake. It’s fast-paced, eerie, and full of tension, with some shocking twists that kept me engaged until the very end. I really enjoyed listening to this one and loved how it blended folklore, suspense, and supernatural chills.

[Jess]

This was a fast-paced revenge story filled with feminine rage. I read this in one sitting because I needed to see how Maya would survive. If you are looking for a survivor story with magical elements, than this will be the story for you.

The only issues I had with this story were how the author portrayed the dark witch. She seemed like a sympathetic character in the beginning, so I struggled with how she was made into a villain.

[DA]

Great story!

Very much enjoyed this witchy feminine rage vengeance story. It's a fast paced quick read that doesn't let up on the action. This story isn't extreme but definitely gets the brutal point across and I wasn't left unsatisfied with how Maya gets her revenge. Check it out if you like vengeance stories but aren't into a lot of gore or explicit scenes.

[Lissie Balog]

Michelle Godard-Richer is a talented writer. Loved this story! Couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to read more of her work.

If you like spooky things involving witches and revenge? This is for you! Think The Craft but also with a badass vigilante. Love it!

[Charlotte Jones]

It was a good, quick read. It was sad that so much violence had to happen to become a vengeful spirit. But it ended up having a good ending even after the trauma. Worth a quick read.

[Misty Feccia]

Good Read!

I love thrillers and paranormal, and this book checks both boxes.
It’s a short story so I was able to read it in a day. Not a bad thing since I didn’t want to put it down.
This easily could have been a full length novel and even a series without making it feel forced or dragged out if the author had wanted to take it in that direction.
I enjoyed the author’s writing and the storyline was good. I have actually added other books by Michelle Godard-Richer to my TBR.

[Jenni Vee]

nice quick read!

[Elizabeth]

Vengeful spirits anyone?

[Janet]

Excellent short story! The perfect spooky read.

[Finnegan]

Laughably bad

[Jen Patton]

This is an awesome book.