Haunting Megan

by Rebecca Reilly

After suffering years of abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother, Megan wakes to screams, cries of murder, and the room splattered with blood. Sent to the mountains to live with the grandfather who d once abandoned them, Megan must learn to care for her young sisters and manage Wind Hollow Lodge. Megan tries to ignore the haunting memories of her past as she struggles to live a normal life. But she can t ignore the ghosts who terrorize her, nor can she calm the fear that her sanity is slipping away. When deputies discover the bodies of men murdered on Wind Hollow land, people start to wonder just how crazy Megan Wilson really is.

The investigation at Wind Hollow Lodge is just another case to Deputy Jason Belt until he sees Megan. Drawn to her beauty and her wounded spirit, his oath to protect and serve takes on new meaning. But why did she lie to him? What does she have to hide?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

334 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2014

About the author

Rebecca loves a challenge; consequently, she worked as a Pastor, a Health Coach, a Massage Therapist, a Zumba Instructor, a musical theater Director/Producer, and a Writer – all at the same time!

She took on three, wildly different genres for her first three novels – a murder mystery at sea, a humorous look at sex and marriage, and a children’s chapter book on bullying (under the pen name, Becky Reilly). Rebecca's latest work is a non-fiction self-help manual for marital intimacy: Christian Sex and Marriage--It's Complicated.

As much as Rebecca loves sitting at her computer creating characters and universes for others to enjoy, she is happiest outside biking, hiking, kayaking, or cruising the Pacific.

You can find Rebecca Reilly on Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down for a second, I had to see what bizarre happenings would happen next! A romance, craziness, ghosts and murder! Makes for a perfect romantic suspense!

[Brian O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart-stopping Story from a Gifted Writer

Review of Haunting Megan

I don’t understand it! My reading preferences have long veered to hard uncompromising thrillers, loaded with action. I love to read of Jason Bourne using his extraordinary fighting abilities to overcome silent and nerveless assassins trying to kill him. I delight in seeing Jack Reacher dispatch six burly hoods, leaving them scattered on the ground while he walks away without a scratch.

So I definitely don’t understand it. Why is it that I am blubbering all over the pages of Haunting Megan, torn with empathy for the taciturn but hurting old Clint, throat straining as Megan tries to find a way to confess to Jason, and heart clutching when Jason has to distance himself from her.

Open the pages of Haunting Megan at your peril. To do so is to surrender your emotions, your heart, your mind, your very spirit to the mesmerising pen of Rebecca Reilly as she weaves her spellbinding magic. The emotions are dragged through misery, through the paranormal, through romance, through murder, through mystery…all the while totally vested in what is unfolding because of the skilled writing and creative imagination of the author. Reilly can pull at the heart strings like a world class harpist. She is an exceptional writer who has long ago learned to make words her slave and, in doing so, enslaves her readers as well. Beautifully formed sentences, as crisp as the mountain snow that is so much a part of the story’s background, flow from every page. Scene after glorious scene fill the inner eye even as the psyche recoils, fearing that nothing will ever come right for the beleaguered Megan.

And then comes the tense, suspense-filled race to the final climactic scenes. Reilly’s pen never lets up as the reader hurtles, breathless and fearful, until the reverberations of the story’s thunderous ending stop thumping in the reader’s mind to be replaced by regret that there is nothing more to come.

It is a long time since I enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed this one. I’m not sure of its genre…a murder mystery, a ghost story, a suspense romance…whatever it is I cannot imagine anyone who enjoys reading not loving it. A wonderful story from the pen of a gifted writer. Do yourself a favour. Buy it now.

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping thriller with an element of a ghost story, this is a real page turner and very well written. At the heart of the story are great characters and the author maintains the suspense, not letting us know who is guilty of the murders until very near the end. The story is quite dark in places, especially the beginning when Megan brings her friend home and we discover she has an alcoholic mother and her childhood is far from normal.
I loved Clint, who initially is a gruff, uninterested and unwelcoming grandfather but becomes the rock in his grandchildren's lives. There is great depth in his character as there is in Megan, who has been traumatized by her childhood but manages to find romance.
I should give special mention to the descriptions of the Lodge and surrounding countryside, which painted a vivid picture of a beautiful location. Great work by the author!

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Months ago, when this book went on a Rave Review Book Club tour, I promised to take a look. Then it was chosen as Book of the Month, with lots of recommendations. I decided, not to just take a look, but to delve in. I am happy I did.

Any one planning to read this book must be ready, because it is one of those reads you cannot put down until you finish it. I was drawn into it from the very beginning. It opened with a very dramatic scene between Megan and her drunken mother, and that drama held on till the end.

Megan’s story, and that of her sisters is heart breaking. That they came from a completely broken home and survived, thanks to their grand father, is a rare occurrence in real life. See how Carrie, who only had a one time glimpse into the horror that was Megan’s life, allowed that one time experience to define her life. This is a very driving and beautiful read. Beautiful and enjoyable…I recommend it any day.

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down (as evidenced by my overflowing piles of laundry and dirty dishes). My genre of choice is romance, so I appreciated the romantic story that develops, but I was completely caught up in the excitement of the suspense and mystery. The characters were well-developed and intriguing. It was easy to root for Megan and her family; as a matter of fact, it was hard to let them go when the last page was turned! The setting was described beautifully - I felt like I was right there. The storyline was fast-paced and sprinkled with a healthy number of unexpected twists. A great read all around!

[D.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very opening of this book your heart really goes out to the main character Megan. I could really feel the pain of the young girl who brings a friend home for what should be a normal sleep over and instead has to let someone else into the dark secrets of her family and the truth behind her abusive alcoholic mother. As if that wasn't painful enough for poor Megan the sudden and brutal murder of her sister tears the lives of Megan and her family apart, with her mother the apparent killer Megan and her two younger sisters have no option but to move to the home of their grandfather, Wind Hollow Lodge, and try to build their lives anew.


I loved how the story then gave us glimpses of the lives of the three girls as the years pass and the horror of that night is put behind them, well most of them, in times of stress or upset Megan finds herself visited by the ghost of her murdered sister.


Megan develops into a character who is both strong and yet fragile, she would do anything she could to protect those she loves, namely her sisters and grandfather, but when the handsome Deputy tries to get close Megan is far too afraid to let herself feel anything in return for if he really got to know her surely he would run a mile?


When bodies begin appearing in the hills around the lodge many eyes turn to Megan, but she isn't a killer... is she? The Deputy may have feelings for her but that doesn't mean he can save her from the truth and if she is guilty where does that leave any of them?


I won't spoil anything by revealing the ending except to say that I was very satisfying and concluded what was an incredibly enjoyable read. I would happily recommend this to anyone... Give it a read, I think you'll enjoy it :)

[Gordon Bickerstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like a story with reasonable amount of complexity to keep my mind on overtime. This a well paced and well written story of Megan and her tragic family. I like authors who can mix genres to provide a unique story, and this book contains paranormal (haunting) suspense, romance, and murder/mystery - in a great package because they are well integrated. It is all served with a strong emotional pulls. The characters are well drawn, consistent and believable. The setting is very well described so you can imagine it easily. I like a book to end well, and this book didn't disappoint. There is some head hopping that caused me to slow down and re-read, but that didn't detract from otherwise excellent writing.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Stopping, Dark, Tense, Spine Tingling & Haunting! An Exciting Read! I Loved It!

[Kim Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold Onto Your Seat for an Emotional Ride

Haunting Megan pulls at the heartstrings as Megan struggles through an abusive family life. When she finally feels safe, life happens and throws her into turmoil again.

I absolutely loved this story. Cried, laughed, and celebrated with the main characters. This book had a little of everything romance, paranormal, suspense, family drama, and mystery all wrapped in a well-written, well-paced novel. I couldn’t put it down.

[Jessyca Garcia]

The book “Haunting Megan” by Rebecca Reilly is a murder mystery that keeps you guessing. Twelve year-old Megan’s life suddenly changes when her older sister is murdered in the room next to hers and her abusive mother is the accused murderer. Megan and her two younger sisters are forced to live with their grandfather that they do not know. The story then takes Megan and her sister through the years, all the while Megan is being haunted by ghosts from the past. When another murder occurs near Megan, her life begins to slowly fall apart again.

I really enjoyed “Haunting Megan”. I was not sure what to expect after reading the first chapter I thought for sure Megan’s life was going to turn out worse. Reilly surprised me with how well Megan and her sisters do in life. I like it when a story offers hope to the characters. It forces me to like the characters and form an invisible bond with them. I loved Megan and thought she was a strong female. I also liked how close she was to her sisters. My favorite thing about this story was the little twists that Reilly threw in the story. They made me keep guessing as to who the murderer actually was. I also liked that the romance part of the book was taken slow. Too often the romance is rushed in a story but Reilly handled it beautifully. I thought the ending of the book was perfect. The only thing I wish there was more of in this book is updates as to what happened to the bad guys. Overall I considered it a good murder mystery. I hope that Reilly writes more mysteries like this in the future.
*I reviewed this book for Readers' Favorite.

[Anita Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it a fascinating idea to have a ghost in a murder mystery story, but it worked very well. The author includes so much in her writing, and the pace is just fast enough to suspend all doubts. I have not read a book before where time seems to pass so quickly, and I am sure this helped to build the tension.
You are along for the ride of your life, with no time to question or ponder any of the details. Just one thing I spotted in chapter six. Three twin beds were mentioned to accommodate the new arrivals at their grandfather’s Lodge, but surely, this is six beds?
The plot was complicated and full on but worked brilliantly, no holes or misdirection that I could see, and the characters were very real, no cardboard people in this book! I loved the way Clint, the grumpy grandfather gradually softens towards the younger girls, giving them the chance for a better life.
Wind Hollow Lodge, situated in a small mountain town was described brilliantly. I walked among the trees in the snow and heard the crunch under my feet, the cold seeping through my clothes. The author must know the area very well to have captured so much detail.
I usually don’t like to discuss the details of the plot when I review, as I think too much information can be off putting, but the subject matter, at times brutal, includes so much more than basic horror, there is the supernatural, romance, murder and mystery all combining to make one hell of a story. At the end, finding out who the killer was, came as a complete surprise, as I would not have suspected them at all.

[Robin Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that twists and turns but never fails to pluck at the heart strings. Its refrains are involving – haunting and chilling – but what gives it its power is how securely it is rooted in reality. It is heart-stopping at times because you know the author is right: the world isn’t fair, mistakes are made, and the innocent are routinely crucified.
But Rebecca Reilly IS scrupulously fair: it is such a relief that the psychos aren’t all men and the victims all women. I know from personal experience, as does she, that damage does not discriminate when done to or by every possible combination of gender residing in the bodies and minds of human beings. “Man hands on misery to man…” Philip Larkin observed, but it wasn’t a gender-specific generalisation. Abuse takes many forms, with appalling consequences, sometimes generations down the line, and it affects both genders alike.
“Haunting Megan” is a well-crafted, well-researched and well-written book, with important questions to ponder after you’ve read it. It is that best of combinations: hugely entertaining AND deeply thought-provoking. I thoroughly approved on every level and recommend it without reservation.

[Susan Liston · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear, Crabby Appleton here to rain on the parade of a glowing recommendation from a friend and a line of five star reviews! Where to begin, well, I appreciate "spare" writing, pared down to what is essential, but there is that, and there is this..which sometimes sounds like a synopsis of a book rather than the actual thing, particularly in the beginning. No, not of a book, of a "Lifetime" movie. This would make a GREAT Lifetime movie that I could not watch. It has plenty of the typical sort of ingredients, a shy but by golly spunky heroine,the gruff grandpa who of course softens up to his little granddaughters, a cornball, predictable romance, (no, two barf-ola romances, if you count grandpa's) a silly ghost element, mean girls, an alcoholic parent, misplaced suspicion that flashes "misplaced suspicion!", a series of murders which make so little sense in so many ways, I cannot even think about listing them all...well, I could go on and on but I've beat on this enough. ( I will say I didn't guess the ending, but only because it was so ridiculous.)

[Natalie Ducey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Haunting Megan” by Rebecca Reilly is a suspenseful thriller that grips you right from the beginning with a dark, tragic scene of an alcoholic mother and then the brutal murder of Megan’s sister. Megan and her younger twin sisters are ripped from their home because their mother is deemed the killer. But is she guilty? Broken and fragile the girls are forced to move to Wind Hollow Lodge under the guardianship of their cold and distant grandfather. We witness Megan’s struggle to build a normal life while her past continues to haunt her – literally.

Reilly takes you on a journey full of suspense, murder/mystery, paranormal, and bidding romance. The characters have depth with relatable characteristics, and the scenes are so brilliantly crafted you can easily imagine the sights, sounds, and smell of the mountain air and lodge.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller this is it. I highly recommend it!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting Megan is both gripping and suspenseful right from the beginning. Megan can't escape her tragic history, even at the idyllic Sierra Nevada lodge of her Grandfather. The lines of reason are blurred as she is forced to uncover old wounds in her pursuit of truth. Matters are complicated further, when a handsome deputy comes along and adds a twist of romance.

I found Megan's character to be developed with exceptional depth. The far reaching effects of her emotional trauma are painfully painted, and the reader empathizes with her. Deputy Belt provided an enjoyable romantic angle while he worked to uncover an alarming string of murders. Wind Hollow Lodge, nestled in the forest, was an ideal place for murder and suspense. It's seemingly serene, but also so remote and isolated. Murder, ghosts, suspense, passion, I enjoyed it all in Haunting Megan...highly recommended!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting Megan is both gripping and suspenseful right from the beginning. Megan can't escape her tragic history, even at the idyllic Sierra Nevada lodge of her Grandfather. The lines of reason are blurred as she is forced to uncover old wounds in her pursuit of truth. Matters are complicated further, when a handsome deputy comes along and adds a twist of romance.

I found Megan's character to be developed with exceptional depth. The far reaching effects of her emotional trauma are painfully painted, and the reader empathizes with her. Deputy Belt provided an enjoyable romantic angle while he worked to uncover an alarming string of murders. Wind Hollow Lodge, nestled in the forest, was an ideal place for murder and suspense. It's seemingly serene, but also so remote and isolated. Murder, ghosts, suspense, passion, I enjoyed it all in Haunting Megan...highly recommended!

[Jk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program and I would like to thank everyone who made that possible - especially the author for the lovely handwritten note.

I really enjoyed the fun and entertaining ride that this book provided. The short chapters and brisk pace made it a real page turner. The mystery and suspense were very well done - I loved the twists and turns at the end and I was kept guessing all the way through.

This was well written and well edited (there were just a few small typos, spread few and far between but nothing that hampered my enjoyment of the story) and I would highly recommend it! I would love to check out other books by this author.

[Sarah Hovatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book! Ghost stories are not usually my thing, but this is more a story about a young girl broken by tragedy. The spooky elements are fun and surprisingly believable. The murder mystery and the romance take Haunting Megan over the top. Rebecca Reilly’s voice and writing style is similar to Nora Roberts. Highly recommend!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book free thru Goodreads. It is an excellent thriller. Took only a couple of days to finish. Your heart will ache for Megan, Emily and Sarah and you will fall in love with Clint and Jason and all the other characters at Wind Hollow Lodge. I believe this is Rebecca Reilly's first novel and she has done a good job. I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Kyle Hovatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. This has really dynamic, believable characters with which you wish you could read more

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book and I enjoyed it. There were a few parts of the were a bit choppy. The end was a bit predictable but I really liked the twist. I wish there a bit more about some of the villians.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one! It grabbed my interest from the beginning and threw me off at the end. If you're looking for a good mystery, check this out.

[Clare Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Haunting taken keeps you hooked. A troubled girl has to bear witness to the murder of her sister, the only person who was really a mother to her.
This chance occurance comes back to haunt her years later. What if a spate of murders was your fault and you didn't know it? I loved this book, read it!

[Mae Clair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A psychological drama/thriller, Haunting Megan is the story of a girl who struggles with memories of an horrific event from her past. Part murder mystery, family drama and romance, this book even has a touch of the paranormal.

It reads quickly and has a diverse cast of characters. I particularly liked Megan’s grandfather and her sister, Emily. The dynamics of the girls interacting with their grandfather comprised some of my favorite parts of the book. There is a fair amount of head-hopping that goes on which I found jarring, and the formatting is off in a several places which made several scene breaks an issue.

I guessed the murderer earlier on based on how certain things were presented, but I still wanted to see the story to conclusion. There were also several items I felt were overlooked or not entirely believable at the beginning of the novel. Overall, many readers will find the tale intriguing.

[Robert Paul Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt this book take hold of me from the very beginning, and I found the only intermission around two thirds of the way through. From the first page you realize this is not a normal family, and you suspect the worst when the three girls are delivered to their Grandfathers lodge in the mountains. Everything changes though, and things fall into place as they become a family aside from Megans haunting thoughts. Then a body is found and fear strikes out, as you find it hard to understand the actions of these women. New characters come in to play and your taken on an emotional roller coaster right through to the end. This book contains it's fair share of murders, is filled with suspense, a great ghost, and even a passionate romance. I thought this was a gem from Rebecca Reilly, enjoy...........

[D.M. Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real surprise to me. I picked up the e-version knowing nothing at all about the plot or author and decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed reading it and would definitely be interested in reading more by Rebecca Reilly. This book bridges the genres of horror and suspense thriller and definitely had the best of both worlds! Creepy and unnerving, with a 'The Shining' vibe, this book had me guessing from start to finish. The character of Megan was well developed and interesting and I enjoyed her journey to find out what really happened to her mother and sister one fateful night in her youth. I felt that the twin sisters were not as well developed and I found myself considerably less interested in them than in Megan. However, the book was well-written and I would definitely read more by Rebecca Reilly.

[Christina Steiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. The story has a tragic beginning and spans for 13 years following Megan and her twin sisters. Moving in with their grandfather has its own challenges. In spite of the stark start in life and the hurdles they have to overcome, they manage to prosper in their new surroundings. Though ghosts and enemies from the past are hunting.
Rebecca Reilly moves the story along quickly and smoothly. Complications and twists weave their way into the narration, always keeping you on the edge of your seat. The characters are authentic and interesting.

[Rhian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★ firstly thank you to the author for the lovely hand written card, not quite 4★ but and enjoyable ghost story, and I'll definitely be reading another book by Rebecca Reilly