The Others

Haunted from Without #1

by Ian C.P. Irvine

Book One of Two Parts

Who are 'the Others'? Why are an increasing number of people throughout the world developing the ability to see and speak with the dead?

Why have a farmers' guild from Iowa secretly enlisted the help of Scottish reporter Peter Nicolson? If they are correct, is the world stumbling blindly into a disaster that could threaten the survival of the human race? And what is contained within the missing 'GM File' that threatens to destroy some of the world's most powerful companies? To what lengths will these companies go to prevent Peter Nicolson uncovering the truth and publishing it to the world?

Who has kidnapped the Scottish teenager Debbie McCrae? Will she manage to escape, or will she be killed by her mysterious abductor?

What is the secret that Susie's dad tried to tell her as he died? And who is the mysterious Timothy?

Can Peter Nicolson help stop the biggest terrorist attack the world has ever seen and prevent the destruction of the city of London?

Will Peter Nicolson meet Maciek, his nemesis and erstwhile saviour? And if he does, who will survive?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Amazon, Paranormal, Mystery, Ebooks

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2014

About the author

Ian Irvine was brought up in Scotland, and studied Physics for far too many years, before travelling the world working for high-technology companies. Ian has spent a career helping build the internet and delivering its benefits to users throughout the world,...as well as helping to bring up a family. Ian enjoys writing, painting and composing in his spare time. His particular joy is found in taking scientific fact and creating a thrilling story around it in such a way that readers learn science whilst enjoying the thrill of the ride. It is Ian's hope that everyone who reads an I.C.P.Irvine novel will come away learning something interesting that they would never otherwise have found an interest in. Never Science fiction. Always science fact. With a twist.

The first of Ian's novels is a Genetic Conspiracy Thriller which explores the world of Stem Cell Research and encourages us all to ask some very searching questions about the advances that science is making, and how much we, or others, should let it affect society. A contemporary adventure, "The Orlando File" takes the reader around the world and back, and creates a unique moral dilemma that the reader cannot help but get embroiled in: at the end, the reader must ask themself, what would they do in that situation?

His second novel "The Crown of Thorns" explores the power of genetics, explores the questions that the potential to clone humans will raise, and asks the ultimate question...what would happen if a scientist found a way to clone Jesus Christ?

Ian's third novel "London 2012 : What If?" departs from the world of genetics and explores an interesting possibility that Quantum Physics raises:the possibility for parallel worlds to exist alongside each other...and what would happen if a man who wondered what other types of lives he could be living had he made other choices, where unexpectedly to step from one world into another parallel world. "What If" is also an interesting voyage through human emotions, and many readers will find themselves asking themselves similar questions that the lead character does as they read the book. As with both "The Crown of Thorns" and "The Orlando File", at the end of the book the reader is left thinking...and different readers may take away different views on how the novels did, or should have ended... It is hoped that in this way, the novels will make themselves ideal subjects for reading clubs or book clubs.

Ian hopes that if you honour him by spending the time reading one his novels, that you will find it a positive experience, and enjoy it. He also invites you to email him and let him know if you did or did not enjoy the novel. And if you did, what were your favourite parts?

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of typos in these books, despite that I couldn't put it down. Started part 2 immediately

[Darcysmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a good scare reading this book. While it didn't scare me, it did present some interesting and potentially creepy ideas. First, there are The Others - seemingly loved one's a person sees shortly before they pass away. Second, there is the investigation into GMOs and the nefarious doings of the companies that control them. Third, there is what could be the scariest part of the story - a kidnapped girl being held in a basement. How, or if, these threads come together will likely be explored in book two.
Because this is the first half of the story, there is considerable background information and set up. I would definitely like to read the second book to see if things get scary. The potential is definitely there.

[Allison Jane brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I,m totally hooked on this author. Brilliant plots all the books are unique and have got me hooked from page one.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got book one and two at the same time and have finished them, but will try and review them separately

I almost gave up on book one because it is all over the place.

The lead male, Peter, sometime in the recent past had a double kidney transplant, and took an anti rejection drug that caused him to “become” the man he got the kidneys from, a serial killer.

The story starts in Iowa and moves quickly to Scotland

There is a GM crop conspiracy, a fake FBI, fake police and fake firefighters, and a search for a file that could kill the GMO seed company. The hunt for a file. A police investigation in the USA. About farmers suicides.

There is a lunatic, kidnapper Paul.

There is a newspaper trying to publish a “Pulitzer prise” winning story about dead soil.

There is “the others” ghosts of those who you lived and loved you.

There are the mysterious Timothy and his twin.

There is little character development and you are told about the characters rather than getting to know them via their actions.

There is also something evil in the new house

Oh, and religion 🙄

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was good and I enjoyed the story. I don't mind books that are part of a series, but I hate books that end in a cliffhanger, to be continued in the next book. Either finish the story that was started, or have the decency to clearly state that the book is a cliffhanger. I won't be reading any more of Mr. Irvine's books.



The book was good and I enjoyed the story. I don't mind books that are part of a series, but I hate cliffhangers. Either finish the story, or have the decency to clearly state that the book has a cliffhanger ending. I won't be reading any more of Mr. Irvine's books. It's a shame, because I think he's a pretty decent writer, but I don't like being conned into buying even more books to see how a story ends.

[Gary Leibl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot happening in this book. The book delves into the supernatural when it talks about the Others. There's a psychopathic neighbour who kidnaps young girls. The heroine's husband is an investigative journalist who is trying to expose the GM food industry. This book is hard to put down. The book leaves you with a lot of questions that need to be answered and that is why I bought book 2.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thought it was a really good gripping book but was so dissappointed find that it ended so much up in the air, and really ended at what i felt to be the wrong timing. It says you have to read book two to find out what happens to all the relevent strands of the story. Whilst i have no objection to reading another book in a series , i have done this before, but in other books they do at least stand alone in themselves, and have an ending- but in this case it ends so abruptly .

[Mary Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably won't be reading it sequel

Although the book was a good read, it wasn't what I expected from a book with that title. The author used a lot of words to say very little. There were also too many story lines going on at the same time. Hopefully when or if I read book two I'll be able to find a connection and there will be a satisfactory conclusion.

[JJGChandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was about 3/4 through the book when I realized that none of the story lines would be completed in this book, "book 1". Book 1 definitely didn't "keep me up at night". I completed the book but it did not leave me yearning for more. Too much of the book is spent on the seed manufactures plot. I wont be reading book 2.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read i don't normally buy books as i'm on Kindle unlimited but made an exception on this one as i was soo engrossed as to what happens as book 1 leaves on a cliff edge and hopefully book 2 does this !hate it when authors do this normally i check before i start to read any follow up books .

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

nope

This topic of gm foods didn’t interest me at all. Horror I know. I didn’t read much, but it was obvious that this was written because of the authours views, and was bound to get bogged down in all the drama around this subject. I’m so not interested in reading someone’s opinion on gm foods in a fiction book.

[Francene Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well-written novel with a few mistakes, which follows the same path as Haunted From Within in that the ending didn't satisfy. All in all, the premise held my interest and gave me plenty to think about.

[Andy Harvey]

Good story liked, but reading a book and getting to the end and being told the rest of the story is in book 2, it’s same as a scam that it’s the only way the guy can sell books is to do this, should be a warning on any book that does this, I won’t read the second book on principle.

[Trisha Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

A good book and I shall read the next now! Like the plots and of course you cannot read half a good story.

[patricia toms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like this book

Great story line. Very interesting & spot in for today's world. Can't. Wait to get on to the next book two Suzies' story.

[Tracy McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Fab.
Yet again in not disappointed.
A very thought provoking book.
Can't wait to read book two in the series.

[Mrs Barbara Cunliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

What a great read, very good and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, couldn't put it down

[V J Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

Keeps attention. Wish had been stand alone instead of cliff hanger. Have purchased other books and appreciate quick and thoughtful authors.

[S Kilpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic

Very gripping couldn’t put it down, 3 storylines in the one book it seems. Read it in one day, can’t wait to read book 2.

[Martin Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading book 2 👍

[Chris Clapham]

Very disappointing. Read his first book 'I spy I saw her die' - which was gripping. This was disjointed and completely unrealistic ! Made me very cross !!

[Jirinka (sony08) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, left on a proper cliffhanger so make sure you have book two at the ready.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite a good story, but too many plots and subplots.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great page turning book. It kept you guessing. A page turning thriller! The ending had me frustrated!

[Julianne2girls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and interesting book. I wish book one and book two were combined, but worth the read.

[Louise Rudkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Storyline.

I thought this book was a good and different plot. I can't wait to read Book 2. It was easy to follow, an easy read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another thought provoking and enjoyable read. Peter is in Iowa speaking with farmers who have been forced into using GM seeds and are now suffering dire consequences. Susie's father has died and that leads her into an investigation into the Others, who some dying patients see prior to death. A young girl goes missing in North Berwick, where Peter and Susie have bought their first home together. I'm looking forward to seeing how these stories intertwine

[James Mower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome could not put it down and want to read the next book .

It was too short but it was worth reading but you want to much written about to make it worthwhile

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book that is trying to be too many things and so ends up waffling and purposeless, muddled and with no sense of direction. There are at least three completely separate plot lines within the book, none of which seem at all linked to the other so you flit from a fathers death and researching The Others, ghosts from beyond that come in someone’s final hours or days, to a high speed action mystery with people being killed left, right and centre and a stalking agency with insanely high tech, to a psychological thriller with a guy hiding a kidnapped girl in his basement. The author should have picked one and run with it instead of making it so chaotic, particularly when you follow different plots from different perspectives as well.

The writing style wasn’t great and there were errors that could have been picked up by a careful proof read. There didn’t seem to be any emotion behind the writing though, and the writer falls into the trap of telling you what characters are like rather than letting the characters actions depict their personality. Finally related to writing style at least, there was a lot of pointless dialogue or description of movement that could have been cut as it served no purpose except to bulk the word count.

My main critique however is the ending. When I read a book - even a series - I expect the book to actually end. This doesn’t. It stops in the middle without any actual attempt to finish any of the narratives. This is explained by saying that it continues seamlessly in the next novel but that isn’t good enough. If it’s one novel then you need to organise your word count and ideas into one narrative arc. If it’s two novels then you need two narrative arcs rather than two waffling books filling one.

A shame, because the ideas of the Others is interesting, but it clearly tries to be too much and therefore ends up being busy and muddled. A strong editor should have picked up on all the weaknesses here and guided the author into a well rounded novel, but this clearly hasn’t happened.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, and it had me thinking basically all the way through that it was going to turn into something I would really enjoy, but in the end I was disappointed.

The first disappointment for me was the constant demonization of GMO foods. I don't necessarily believe that GMO foods are superior or even harmless, but much of this book felt like a "GMO is evil" lecture disguised as a paranormal thriller. It seemed a little weird.

Looking past that aspect, I liked the paranormal and mysterious aspects of this story a lot. Just when I thought I was going to get through the other weirdness and really enjoy this book, it ended on a total cliffhanger and didn't resolve anything. I understand that it's the first book in a series, but I was expecting the first book in a series, not the first part of a story that ends right in the middle when things get interesting.

There were several things that I liked a lot about this book, but I don't think I'll be purchasing book two. If I came across a free copy, I think I would read the last couple of pages to determine whether or not to read it.