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How to Contact the Living
How To Contact The Living is a darkly comic paranormal thriller about learning that in this life or the afterlife, the most dangerous lies are always the ones we tell ourselves.
The living and the dead have finally made contact...turns out that was the easy part.
Detective Owen Hoath spent his life chasing dangerous people, never thinking he would end up a victim, choking to death on his own blood in the house of the infamous Cherry Tree Killer. Now, trapped between this life and the afterlife, Owen is desperate for justice, for one last chance to put right what went wrong - and maybe find a little peace.
Amateur paranormal investigator Wil Tagg has spent his life chasing ghosts, never thinking one would chase him, let alone get his attention by attacking him in a public restroom. When Owen makes contact, Wil can’t resist the opportunity to finally study a real spirit, even if it means helping Owen close his last case. But what begins as a thrilling supernatural partnership quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
As Wil is pulled deeper into the mystery of Owen’s death, he discovers that the living aren't always who they appear to be — and the dead can't be trusted either. With a killer on the loose and Owen's restless spirit growing more desperate by the day, Wil has to decide who to trust before he becomes the next victim.
For How To Contact The Living's bonus Special Features including Official Spotify Playlist, click on my Goodreads Author Profile (just below the book title) where you'll find a link to my website.
The living and the dead have finally made contact...turns out that was the easy part.
Detective Owen Hoath spent his life chasing dangerous people, never thinking he would end up a victim, choking to death on his own blood in the house of the infamous Cherry Tree Killer. Now, trapped between this life and the afterlife, Owen is desperate for justice, for one last chance to put right what went wrong - and maybe find a little peace.
Amateur paranormal investigator Wil Tagg has spent his life chasing ghosts, never thinking one would chase him, let alone get his attention by attacking him in a public restroom. When Owen makes contact, Wil can’t resist the opportunity to finally study a real spirit, even if it means helping Owen close his last case. But what begins as a thrilling supernatural partnership quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
As Wil is pulled deeper into the mystery of Owen’s death, he discovers that the living aren't always who they appear to be — and the dead can't be trusted either. With a killer on the loose and Owen's restless spirit growing more desperate by the day, Wil has to decide who to trust before he becomes the next victim.
For How To Contact The Living's bonus Special Features including Official Spotify Playlist, click on my Goodreads Author Profile (just below the book title) where you'll find a link to my website.
- GenresThriller
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Farrell
2 books14 followersMy new novel, HOW TO CONTACT THE LIVING, is out now!
Devoted reader, angry writer, and lifelong procrastinator. I grew up in Ireland, spent many years in Australia, and my twin passions are punk music and all things paranormal. I read all genres and write in some of them.
Feel free to Friend and/or Follow me on Goodreads where I maintain a (too) active presence and will mostly be found chatting in movie discussion group threads instead of doing anything vaguely productive. You can also visit www.bryanfarrellauthor.com for free stories and bonus content!
Devoted reader, angry writer, and lifelong procrastinator. I grew up in Ireland, spent many years in Australia, and my twin passions are punk music and all things paranormal. I read all genres and write in some of them.
Feel free to Friend and/or Follow me on Goodreads where I maintain a (too) active presence and will mostly be found chatting in movie discussion group threads instead of doing anything vaguely productive. You can also visit www.bryanfarrellauthor.com for free stories and bonus content!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 29, 2024
I intentionally started 2024 with the decision to read what I want to read, and spend less time reading ARCs. With that said, I've remained very true to that intention. I've read books I had set aside for years. But there have been a few exceptions to that rule. "How to Contact the Living," I'm happy to say is one of those exceptions!
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a Goodreads friend asking me if I'd be interested in reading his first novel. Knowing we have many shared tastes in reading material, I gladly accepted. I'm always curious to see what a fellow reader writes. At the same time, accepting an offer to read the first book of an aspiring author can be a bit daunting. That nagging thought is always in the back of your mind. What if it's awful? How do I break it to them that I just don't like it?
I had no reason to worry about that!
I fell right into the story as it opened with a prologue that firmly caught my attention. It did a great job of setting up the character of the once-living Owen. I felt like I was reading a thriller that could have been written by any of the well-seasoned thriller authors I adore. Then we jump into the heart of the story with Wil and how he came to know the now-ghost Owen. Character development was spot on!
So much happened throughout the story. I never felt the momentum of the story slow. I never wished things would just keep moving. The pacing was near perfect for a thriller. Farrell did something else with this story that was mentioned in the blurb and I wondered if it could be pulled off well. He inserted a bit of humor. What? Humor in a paranormal thriller? This isn't campy, is it? Not campy at all. Farrell's humor was light enough and in just the right places to cause me to chuckle without pulling me completely out of the mood of the story. I'd give a few examples, but instead, I think I'll just insist that you read it! That's right. I insist.
If you enjoy thrillers, give this a try! If you enjoy the paranormal, give this a try! And by all means, if you enjoy paranormal thrillers, you need to read this. I give "How to Contact the Living" four out of five haunting stars. I only hold back that last star because I lost my way a bit in the intense action at the end! I fully believe that was intentional. You'll understand when you read it. But I don't enjoy losing my bearings in a book. Fortunately, it was all explained well in the wrap-up at the end. This book will be published October 8! Go, get a copy when you can and enjoy!
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a Goodreads friend asking me if I'd be interested in reading his first novel. Knowing we have many shared tastes in reading material, I gladly accepted. I'm always curious to see what a fellow reader writes. At the same time, accepting an offer to read the first book of an aspiring author can be a bit daunting. That nagging thought is always in the back of your mind. What if it's awful? How do I break it to them that I just don't like it?
I had no reason to worry about that!
I fell right into the story as it opened with a prologue that firmly caught my attention. It did a great job of setting up the character of the once-living Owen. I felt like I was reading a thriller that could have been written by any of the well-seasoned thriller authors I adore. Then we jump into the heart of the story with Wil and how he came to know the now-ghost Owen. Character development was spot on!
So much happened throughout the story. I never felt the momentum of the story slow. I never wished things would just keep moving. The pacing was near perfect for a thriller. Farrell did something else with this story that was mentioned in the blurb and I wondered if it could be pulled off well. He inserted a bit of humor. What? Humor in a paranormal thriller? This isn't campy, is it? Not campy at all. Farrell's humor was light enough and in just the right places to cause me to chuckle without pulling me completely out of the mood of the story. I'd give a few examples, but instead, I think I'll just insist that you read it! That's right. I insist.
If you enjoy thrillers, give this a try! If you enjoy the paranormal, give this a try! And by all means, if you enjoy paranormal thrillers, you need to read this. I give "How to Contact the Living" four out of five haunting stars. I only hold back that last star because I lost my way a bit in the intense action at the end! I fully believe that was intentional. You'll understand when you read it. But I don't enjoy losing my bearings in a book. Fortunately, it was all explained well in the wrap-up at the end. This book will be published October 8! Go, get a copy when you can and enjoy!
December 28, 2025
This is a book for ghost story lovers of all types. A thoughtfully-crafted tribute to the ghost story, informed by the author's real life training as a paranormal investigator and love for the genre.
I loved the meta-ness of this book, from the prologue (which is notably different from the rest of the book) to the frequent references to ghost film and literary canon.
This book coincidentally corresponds with many of my favorite horror tropes, but moreover executes them well and originally.
Overall: a layered, unpredictable, and heartfelt ghost hunter novel about personal isolation and connection.
I would love to sit down and write a true, fancy review of this book but recognize I realistically don't have time at present 🥲
Thank you to the author for providing a free copy of the book.
I loved the meta-ness of this book, from the prologue (which is notably different from the rest of the book) to the frequent references to ghost film and literary canon.
This book coincidentally corresponds with many of my favorite horror tropes, but moreover executes them well and originally.
Overall: a layered, unpredictable, and heartfelt ghost hunter novel about personal isolation and connection.
I would love to sit down and write a true, fancy review of this book but recognize I realistically don't have time at present 🥲
Thank you to the author for providing a free copy of the book.
October 8, 2024
I was truly honored to be chosen as an “Advanced Reader” for this book, and it did not disappoint! I had a lot of fun with this story. It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel, as the author writes with the voice and confidence of a novelist who has been at it for some time.
This paranormal thriller kept me hooked throughout with its interesting premise, anchored by two main characters (one living, one dead) whose interactions with each other were always entertaining (and often chaotic). It’s a great blend of horror, humor and heart, with a few clever twists along the way. Very well done! I can’t wait to see what Bryan Farrell puts out next.
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this book early. It was a pleasure!
This paranormal thriller kept me hooked throughout with its interesting premise, anchored by two main characters (one living, one dead) whose interactions with each other were always entertaining (and often chaotic). It’s a great blend of horror, humor and heart, with a few clever twists along the way. Very well done! I can’t wait to see what Bryan Farrell puts out next.
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this book early. It was a pleasure!
September 17, 2024
There are no bargains when you bargain with your life. In the book
How to Contact the Living
by Bryan Farrell, Detective Owen Hoath is dead. Killed by a mysterious woman while capturing and killing the notorious Cherry Tree Serial Killer, Owen now faces the unfinished business of finding and capturing his own killer. Robbed of his life and his abilities, his ghost spirit must find and enlist the help of a living partner—someone who can actually move and interact with objects in the real world. Enter Will Tag, a hapless young amateur paranormal investigator with the local Paranormal and Anomalous Research Agency (DAPI). They'll try anything and everything to find evidence of the dead returning, which catches the attention of our deceased detective's wandering ghost.
In the fresh and entertaining novel How to Contact the Living , can the pair—one living, one dead— find Owen's killer? Solve the Cherry Tree killings mystery? Without getting Will killed in the process. Of course, Will would also like to find a productive and fulfilling life too. Good luck with that!
advanced-reading-copy-arc
by
S. S. Jung author of Proximity Factor
1 hour, 22 min ago
In the fresh and entertaining novel How to Contact the Living , can the pair—one living, one dead— find Owen's killer? Solve the Cherry Tree killings mystery? Without getting Will killed in the process. Of course, Will would also like to find a productive and fulfilling life too. Good luck with that!
advanced-reading-copy-arc
by
S. S. Jung author of Proximity Factor
1 hour, 22 min ago
September 17, 2024
I received this book as an ARC, and WOW! I was so invested in Wil and his part in the story. Owen was only secondary to the story (maybe because he was such an a$$).
I was originally thought the author should add a trigger warning because of the missing/murdered children, but as the story progressed that feeling disappeared. The twists he kept putting in just kept the story moving and making me want to know what else Owen was going to throw at Wil.
His Beta team did a beautiful job helping with formatting, spelling and grammar (all things that ruin a story for me). Overall I really enjoyed the story and was very pleased with how it turned out.
I was originally thought the author should add a trigger warning because of the missing/murdered children, but as the story progressed that feeling disappeared. The twists he kept putting in just kept the story moving and making me want to know what else Owen was going to throw at Wil.
His Beta team did a beautiful job helping with formatting, spelling and grammar (all things that ruin a story for me). Overall I really enjoyed the story and was very pleased with how it turned out.
November 12, 2024
This book ticked so many boxes I didn't even know were there to be ticked! This wouldn't be my usual type of read but I'm very glad I went outside my comfort zone. Even if, like me, your usual cup of tea is a good crime novel (sans ghosts) like Rebus or DCI Banks, I think you'll still find a lot of those thriller elements here along with a whole other level that will make you glad you broadened your horizons. Highly recommend!
October 19, 2025
How to describe How to Contact the Living by Bryan Farrell? Suspenseful from the jump? Thrilling? Big-hearted? Terribly funny? Better than most of the stuff you'll find on the Horror shelves at B&N? Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. All of the above.
The author has pulled off something quite unique: a novel that reinvents itself more than once but keeps the reader fully engaged throughout. Equal parts crime thriller and ghost story, How to Contact the Living grabbed me right from the start and kept me turning pages late into the night. I had to purposefully slow myself down as I read so as to prolong the experience. The character development is finely done, and the plot is meticulous, hitting you with twists and turns you never see coming. This is a five-star read on anyone's shelf. Definitely worth your time and money.
The author has pulled off something quite unique: a novel that reinvents itself more than once but keeps the reader fully engaged throughout. Equal parts crime thriller and ghost story, How to Contact the Living grabbed me right from the start and kept me turning pages late into the night. I had to purposefully slow myself down as I read so as to prolong the experience. The character development is finely done, and the plot is meticulous, hitting you with twists and turns you never see coming. This is a five-star read on anyone's shelf. Definitely worth your time and money.
September 21, 2024
A very well written novel, I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in a couple of days. As a fan of paranormal investigation I was hooked, even if you are not into that kind of stuff, the plot of the story will pull you in.
I enjoyed the writing style so much. It was very immersive, not many writers can make me dive into a story because my ADHD will kick in and I get bored quickly but Bryan did the right things, with the descriptions, well used/written prologue and epilogue, the good rounded main character that I got attached to, and the balanced tention.
It was a tiny bit slow at first but it didn't pull me back or make me want to put it down not even a little.
I recommend it for any fiction, thriller and paranormal fan.
I enjoyed the writing style so much. It was very immersive, not many writers can make me dive into a story because my ADHD will kick in and I get bored quickly but Bryan did the right things, with the descriptions, well used/written prologue and epilogue, the good rounded main character that I got attached to, and the balanced tention.
It was a tiny bit slow at first but it didn't pull me back or make me want to put it down not even a little.
I recommend it for any fiction, thriller and paranormal fan.
November 5, 2024
Certainly, a different kind of book. I liked it. The storyline progresses with unexpected twists. Hard to put down since you want to know what happens next.
This book was received from the author through Voracious Readers Only, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was received from the author through Voracious Readers Only, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 3, 2025
'How To Contact The Living' is a genuine gem of a story. I went in cold and came out all hot and fuzzy after this crazy trip! Wil, stuck in his deadend corporate hell, gets pulled into a paranormal thriller mystery. and things get messy and weird. A high tension thriller with a whodunit vibe, it is laugh out loud and heartfelt, while never letting up on action and darkness throughout. The characters are extremely well written and vividly there with the reader, which makes for an additive page turner of a read. If you like your thrillers and supernatural escapades with a dose of laughter...go for this book. Bryan Farrell brings us expertly into a world between the living and the dead. A wholly orginal novel. I highly recommend picking this one up for sure.
October 23, 2025
Get ready for a roller coaster ride! We follow Wil, insurance customer service rep by day, paranormal investigator at all other times, as he stumbles across details involving a deceased serial killer and the deceased police officer who died taking him down. The pace is great, and the surprises many. Just when you think you know how the story will play out. you are forced into a180 turn you didnt see coming. I couldn't put it down. A great read for horror, paranormal and thriller fans.
October 17, 2025
A paranormal investigator gets more than he bargained for!
Wil, a paranormal investigator gets more than he bargained for when he is contacted by a deceased police officer who was murdered by a serial killer; The Cherry tree killer. Its coerces wil into helping him with his investigation from beyong his grave.
This was such a rollercoaster ride and at one point felt like a fever dream. The writing is very intelligent. Theres twists and turns mixed with just the right amount of humour and at the end pulls on the heart strings!
A brilliant read that I would to those intereted in Horror, humour and drama.
Wil, a paranormal investigator gets more than he bargained for when he is contacted by a deceased police officer who was murdered by a serial killer; The Cherry tree killer. Its coerces wil into helping him with his investigation from beyong his grave.
This was such a rollercoaster ride and at one point felt like a fever dream. The writing is very intelligent. Theres twists and turns mixed with just the right amount of humour and at the end pulls on the heart strings!
A brilliant read that I would to those intereted in Horror, humour and drama.
November 18, 2024
Well written with a unique take on a ghost story. Would recommend to anyone who wants a fresh take on the genre.
December 3, 2024
Nothing exciting ever happens for Wil. He works at an insurance call center by day, and in his free time he investigates the paranormal as a member of DAPI. However, unknown to him, Owen Hoath, a police officer killed in the line of duty while trying to save a child who had been kidnapped by the infamous Cherry Tree Killer. Once Owen finally gets through to Wil, he begins to finagle himself into Wil's life, pretending to be a friend. Owen begins to get Wil to agree to take down Owens' real killer; but is there something darker going on? I really enjoyed this book. As the story goes on, the suspense builds, and you get the feeling that all is not as it seems. There is no "feel good" ending. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a paranormal read, but don't want to read hardcore, gorey horror. I received a complimentary copy of these book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
September 30, 2024
Nice read. The author has done well setting the scenes, it’s an intense read at parts that hooks you in
November 23, 2024
This book is a well conceived ghost story that was written with a self-deprecating humor and hilarity by the author. The plot was original and unique. Owen Hoath, a seasoned cop was killed in the line of duty in his encounter with the Cherry Tree murderer. He didn't quite cross over to the light and stayed on earth as a specter. He attempted to communicate with the living for an unimaginable purpose. Wilhelm Tagg (Wil), a socially inept and isolated guy who dabbles in apparition hunting with the Douglas Allen Paranormal Investigations (DAPI) group and has a day job as an insurance agent was an easy target.
The main character Wil was very relatable, memorable and well developed. Despite his weaknesses, he toughly stood up to an overbearing spirit, Owen who was not at peace and had a unfinished sense of duty to his bereaved widow, Ana who did not take well to his untimely demise.
This is a gem of a paranormal thriller! The suspense action and possession scenes with Wil and Owen were tightly and solidly narrated. The theme of the narrative surrounding the afterlife experience is remarkable enough to maintain and arouse the reader's interest and attention.
The main character Wil was very relatable, memorable and well developed. Despite his weaknesses, he toughly stood up to an overbearing spirit, Owen who was not at peace and had a unfinished sense of duty to his bereaved widow, Ana who did not take well to his untimely demise.
This is a gem of a paranormal thriller! The suspense action and possession scenes with Wil and Owen were tightly and solidly narrated. The theme of the narrative surrounding the afterlife experience is remarkable enough to maintain and arouse the reader's interest and attention.
December 9, 2024
W.O.W!
This was not what I was expecting! I wasn't fond of the cover and found the first chapter a bit slow, but continued reading ... am I glad I did!
The story was intriguing and pulled you in, I read the book within 2 days as I couldn't put it down. There were enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat without being predictable. I am usually very good at calling endings but this kept me guessing! I thought it was going to be a bit "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" (ask your grandad!!) which also kept me gripped - it wasn't btw, lol.
One of my new favourites which will go in my library (not many get in there!!). I received this book FoC from Voracious Readers Only.
Fantastic x
This was not what I was expecting! I wasn't fond of the cover and found the first chapter a bit slow, but continued reading ... am I glad I did!
The story was intriguing and pulled you in, I read the book within 2 days as I couldn't put it down. There were enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat without being predictable. I am usually very good at calling endings but this kept me guessing! I thought it was going to be a bit "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" (ask your grandad!!) which also kept me gripped - it wasn't btw, lol.
One of my new favourites which will go in my library (not many get in there!!). I received this book FoC from Voracious Readers Only.
Fantastic x
February 6, 2025
Crazy
I finished this paranormal thriller. I had to ask myself ‘what the heck just happened?’ There was so much going on in this book, with Owen and Wil, Doug and Cal, and the other storylines. It was kind of hard to keep going. Everything changed so quickly and I was left with more questions than answers.
This wasn’t a bad book. It was ok, but way too much happening. And all the lies throughout the book, when it was finally real, I was shocked!
I finished this paranormal thriller. I had to ask myself ‘what the heck just happened?’ There was so much going on in this book, with Owen and Wil, Doug and Cal, and the other storylines. It was kind of hard to keep going. Everything changed so quickly and I was left with more questions than answers.
This wasn’t a bad book. It was ok, but way too much happening. And all the lies throughout the book, when it was finally real, I was shocked!
May 25, 2025
An entertaining read with mystery and paranormal activity, like Scooby-Doo for adults. It reminds me of The Frighteners, starring Michael J. Fox, a movie I always love watching. I never knew where the story was heading, right up until the end. If you’re intrigued by ghost stories, this one’s for you.
March 8, 2025
Bryan is a new up and coming great storyteller. I was sucked into his book from the very first chapters. How To Contact The Living is an exciting read you can not pass up!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews