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Within the Winter Garden: A Queer Supernatural Mystery
The truth is buried beneath the snow—and it’s more dangerous than ever.
After a deadly confrontation atop the campus bell tower, Dr. Richard Bellamy is dead. Jason Havelock—Ethan Hernandez’s boyfriend—is missing. And Ethan’s own telepathic powers are growing more unstable by the day.
At Summit State University, nothing is what it seems.
As Ethan searches for answers about Jason’s disappearance, he uncovers chilling government experiments, secret societies, and a prophecy that connects him to an ancient force known only as the Five Anchors. With the help of fierce campus reporter Asako Kato, Ethan must navigate betrayals, buried histories, and a mounting body count—all while trying to survive the power he never asked for.
But when another student is found murdered, it becomes the university isn’t just hiding secrets. It is the secret.
★ If you
Dark academia with a supernatural twist
Queer characters in high-stakes mysteries
Psychic powers, found family, and fast-paced tension
LGBTQ+ thrillers with conspiracies, disappearances, and emotional depth...
…then you’ll devour Book 2 of the Spire Novels.
queer supernatural thriller, dark academia, gay psychic mystery, MM college romance, LGBTQ+ conspiracy fiction, haunted university, missing boyfriend, paranormal suspense, found family thriller, secret societies, winter mystery
Get your copy today and return to Summit State University—where every secret comes at a cost.
After a deadly confrontation atop the campus bell tower, Dr. Richard Bellamy is dead. Jason Havelock—Ethan Hernandez’s boyfriend—is missing. And Ethan’s own telepathic powers are growing more unstable by the day.
At Summit State University, nothing is what it seems.
As Ethan searches for answers about Jason’s disappearance, he uncovers chilling government experiments, secret societies, and a prophecy that connects him to an ancient force known only as the Five Anchors. With the help of fierce campus reporter Asako Kato, Ethan must navigate betrayals, buried histories, and a mounting body count—all while trying to survive the power he never asked for.
But when another student is found murdered, it becomes the university isn’t just hiding secrets. It is the secret.
★ If you
Dark academia with a supernatural twist
Queer characters in high-stakes mysteries
Psychic powers, found family, and fast-paced tension
LGBTQ+ thrillers with conspiracies, disappearances, and emotional depth...
…then you’ll devour Book 2 of the Spire Novels.
queer supernatural thriller, dark academia, gay psychic mystery, MM college romance, LGBTQ+ conspiracy fiction, haunted university, missing boyfriend, paranormal suspense, found family thriller, secret societies, winter mystery
Get your copy today and return to Summit State University—where every secret comes at a cost.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 15, 2025
Great story telling.
December 8, 2025
My goodness, Lewis Roberts is a compelling writer. The second novel in his Spire series, Within the Winter Garden, is as engaging as the first - and, once again, I raced through the read.
MC Ethan, his partner Jason, and graduate reporter Asako are pulled deeper into the supernatural world that revealed itself in Book One. Ethan and Jason's powers are growing - and dangerous consequences accompany their development. With a diverse cast of characters that embody good, evil, and the liminal (Godly/Goddess-y) space in between, this thriller novel is impossible to put down.
Roberts' is a master of suspense, emotional poignancy, action-packed plots, and tasty cliffhangers. Seriously, I'm drooling as I dangle over here, waiting for Book Three's release.
Kudos to Roberts. Thrilled to have stumbled upon this Indie Author.
MC Ethan, his partner Jason, and graduate reporter Asako are pulled deeper into the supernatural world that revealed itself in Book One. Ethan and Jason's powers are growing - and dangerous consequences accompany their development. With a diverse cast of characters that embody good, evil, and the liminal (Godly/Goddess-y) space in between, this thriller novel is impossible to put down.
Roberts' is a master of suspense, emotional poignancy, action-packed plots, and tasty cliffhangers. Seriously, I'm drooling as I dangle over here, waiting for Book Three's release.
Kudos to Roberts. Thrilled to have stumbled upon this Indie Author.
April 7, 2025
This is the second book in a trilogy and you really need to read all 3 to get the full story. There are so many twists and turns and some brilliant characters. I've been swept up in the entire storyline and I cannot wait to see what the final installment brings.
Jason and Ethan fell in love and then their lives were turned upside down, in this second story Ethan is searching for Jason who was kidnapped and is being held and drugged, this is affecting Ethan's ability to remember him and it's so heartbreaking because he knows he means something to him he just can't remember what.
The writing is so clever and for such a detailed story it's a very easy read.
Jason and Ethan fell in love and then their lives were turned upside down, in this second story Ethan is searching for Jason who was kidnapped and is being held and drugged, this is affecting Ethan's ability to remember him and it's so heartbreaking because he knows he means something to him he just can't remember what.
The writing is so clever and for such a detailed story it's a very easy read.
April 1, 2025
In this second book, and you must read the first, you see Ethan's struggle after Jason is taken and with Asako's help, they find out just what is going on. You are in stasis as this book builds to a crescendo and sets up for the third book's conclusion. It is a fast paced fantasy and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wonder if Ethan and Jason will ever reunite or be the same. You once more will experience frustration and need that third book to find out the thrilling conclusion. I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.
April 3, 2025
OH.... WOW..... Within the Winter Garden by Lewis Roberts is book two in this absolutely brilliant supernatural series following on from the first book Jason as been taken by dark forces all all Ethan thinks of is rescuing him with the help of reporter Asako they uncover more secrets and lies it's a race against time to unravel the mystery and suspense of what's coming next in the thrilling conclusion of the third book can't wait.
June 10, 2025
I am in love with this series. The plot thickens, the twist and turns will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves a fabulous read that will make you feel apart of the story. I feel the emotions of the characters like I am right there with them. Amazing read and cannot wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews