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Rachel Blackstone #5
Skinwalker Medium
Finalist, New Mexico Book Awards.
It’s the season of the witch. Are you ready?
Rachel’s interview subjects are turning up dead, but only those connected to a certain the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot of 1980. It’s beginning to look as if something malevolent is involved and it’s threatening everyone linked with the story. Rachel, the Reluctant Medium, must learn Navajo ways to prevent another horrific death – maybe even her own.
Set against the sweeping vistas of the ancient Four Corners in the American Southwest, Navajo wisdom will be required to solve the mystery of the petroglyph clues. As a legendary creature stalks the city streets and remote highways it becomes imperative that Rachel discover who is behind the mysterious deaths. Somehow, they all lead back in time to the prison riot.
It’s the season of the witch. Are you ready?
Rachel’s interview subjects are turning up dead, but only those connected to a certain the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot of 1980. It’s beginning to look as if something malevolent is involved and it’s threatening everyone linked with the story. Rachel, the Reluctant Medium, must learn Navajo ways to prevent another horrific death – maybe even her own.
Set against the sweeping vistas of the ancient Four Corners in the American Southwest, Navajo wisdom will be required to solve the mystery of the petroglyph clues. As a legendary creature stalks the city streets and remote highways it becomes imperative that Rachel discover who is behind the mysterious deaths. Somehow, they all lead back in time to the prison riot.
- GenresFiction
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2025
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
G.G. Collins
12 books74 followersG G Collins loves the southwestern US where many of her stories are located. She can be found hiking through ruins of the ancient ones and enjoying New Mexican cuisine. When not traipsing about, she makes up stories with great friendships, quirky characters and, oh yeah, dead bodies. In real life she shares her time with a man, several neurotic—and psychic—cats and the ongoing struggle to grow a garden.
Inspired by the American southwest, its many cultures and Native American traditions, GG Collins writes two mystery series set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Whether you enjoy chilling paranormal mysteries/thrillers or cozy cat-inhabited puzzles, Collins delivers. The Rachel Blackstone Paranormals are infused with shamans, power animals and spirits while being grounded in contemporary issues and events. Rachel often finds she becomes part of the stories she reports while trying to avoid becoming the headline. The Taylor Browning Cozies are more time-honored. Taylor, a mystery editor at a book publisher, does a little sleuthing on the side. She finds she can’t edit her way out of real murder.
Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries: https://bit.ly/3ay9BsQ
Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries: https://bit.ly/2PjR0tm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GGCollins1
This author does not offer free review copies. Please contact publisher for vetting. Thanks.
Inspired by the American southwest, its many cultures and Native American traditions, GG Collins writes two mystery series set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Whether you enjoy chilling paranormal mysteries/thrillers or cozy cat-inhabited puzzles, Collins delivers. The Rachel Blackstone Paranormals are infused with shamans, power animals and spirits while being grounded in contemporary issues and events. Rachel often finds she becomes part of the stories she reports while trying to avoid becoming the headline. The Taylor Browning Cozies are more time-honored. Taylor, a mystery editor at a book publisher, does a little sleuthing on the side. She finds she can’t edit her way out of real murder.
Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries: https://bit.ly/3ay9BsQ
Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteries: https://bit.ly/2PjR0tm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GGCollins1
This author does not offer free review copies. Please contact publisher for vetting. Thanks.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 30, 2025
I do enjoy paranormal mysteries. This book book didn't disappoint me. I thought the premise was strong and the legend of the Skinwalkers was wonderful. I love that Native Americans were included.
The cover was perfectly designed! I loved the image of the Skinwalker and the opaque image of Kiyiya. It was excellent. I'm loved the colour palette too. Great job with this cover.
The books is well written and flowed nicely. The descriptions and visuals were good too. I loved learning more about Native American tribes (e.g. Navajo) and their legends. The story of the Santa Fe prison riots was interesting too.
The book was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down.
The characters are fantastic. They excel in their roles in the story. Rachel is the FMC and she is a journalist. Her paranormal abilities are excellent. I loved what she did in this one.
The book is written in third person. It's mostly from Rachel's POV abd and this worked just fine.
I really recommend this. It is a great addition to the series.
The cover was perfectly designed! I loved the image of the Skinwalker and the opaque image of Kiyiya. It was excellent. I'm loved the colour palette too. Great job with this cover.
The books is well written and flowed nicely. The descriptions and visuals were good too. I loved learning more about Native American tribes (e.g. Navajo) and their legends. The story of the Santa Fe prison riots was interesting too.
The book was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down.
The characters are fantastic. They excel in their roles in the story. Rachel is the FMC and she is a journalist. Her paranormal abilities are excellent. I loved what she did in this one.
The book is written in third person. It's mostly from Rachel's POV abd and this worked just fine.
I really recommend this. It is a great addition to the series.
June 1, 2025
Skinwalker Medium
by GG Collins.
A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery book 5.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This is the first book by this author that I have read. Even though i haven't read the first four books in the series, I was able to read this as a standalone. I liked the writing style and the story. I did like Rachel's character. I loved the Witch part of this book. I love anything paranormal. I will be looking at the other books in the series.
by GG Collins.
A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery book 5.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This is the first book by this author that I have read. Even though i haven't read the first four books in the series, I was able to read this as a standalone. I liked the writing style and the story. I did like Rachel's character. I loved the Witch part of this book. I love anything paranormal. I will be looking at the other books in the series.
May 27, 2025
This is book 5 in the Rachel Blackmore Paranormal Mysteries series. However, I read it without reading any of the earlier books and was able to follow the story and enjoyed it. There is some reference to previous books but the way it's added means you aren't left confused.
I really enjoyed this story and the focus on Navajo ways and beliefs. It makes this book somewhat unique to me as I hadn't read anything l routed in that culture.
I loved the relationship between Rachel and her best friend Chloe. Everyone needs a friend like Chloe.
A little warning that this story revolves around real events; a prison riot that was incredibly heinous. If you have a weak stomach for violence this book might not be for you, but if you love Paranormal mystery then this is it!!
I really enjoyed this story and the focus on Navajo ways and beliefs. It makes this book somewhat unique to me as I hadn't read anything l routed in that culture.
I loved the relationship between Rachel and her best friend Chloe. Everyone needs a friend like Chloe.
A little warning that this story revolves around real events; a prison riot that was incredibly heinous. If you have a weak stomach for violence this book might not be for you, but if you love Paranormal mystery then this is it!!
June 10, 2025
I didn't realise when I chose to review this book that it was book 5 in a series, I saw the word "witch" and wanted in. Whilst there were hints of previous stories, and there was obviously a lot of history for the main characters, I felt perfectly able to fully follow this book although I wasn't entirely sure who a couple of people were.
This book was fascinating for two reasons.
First, I know very little about the Navajos, so it was really interesting learning a little
more about them. Secondly I hadn't even
heard of the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot and now it's probably my new hyperfixation and I'll be up all night researching it. But that's ok. I love learning about new things.
And so to the actual story. I thought it was well paced and exciting with plenty of tense moments. The characters were well written. I'm not sure how old Rachel is meant to be, but her total inability to cope with any technology made me laugh! That bed!!! I don't know if I want one, or if it sounds terrifyingly complicated.
I found this to be a fairly quick read, and will definitely be going back to catch up on the rest of the series.
This book was fascinating for two reasons.
First, I know very little about the Navajos, so it was really interesting learning a little
more about them. Secondly I hadn't even
heard of the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot and now it's probably my new hyperfixation and I'll be up all night researching it. But that's ok. I love learning about new things.
And so to the actual story. I thought it was well paced and exciting with plenty of tense moments. The characters were well written. I'm not sure how old Rachel is meant to be, but her total inability to cope with any technology made me laugh! That bed!!! I don't know if I want one, or if it sounds terrifyingly complicated.
I found this to be a fairly quick read, and will definitely be going back to catch up on the rest of the series.
May 28, 2025
A Gripping Blend of Paranormal and Mystery – A Must-Read for Supernatural Sleuth Fans!
Skinwalker Medium by G.H. Collins is the fifth instalment in the Rachael Blackstone paranormal mystery series. Rachael, a journalist and medium, has gradually developed her psychic abilities over the previous books, and this latest chapter continues that arc with suspense and intensity.
Although I hadn’t read the earlier books, I found Skinwalker Medium worked well as a standalone. The author weaves in enough context to make the plot easy to follow, while still sparking curiosity about what came before.
The story centres on Rachael’s investigation into a historic prison riot that left numerous spirits trapped in the cellblock. As she digs deeper, Rachael—and those she interviews—become targets of a deadly supernatural force: a powerful witch known as a Skinwalker. What follows is a tense, fast-paced race to unmask the witch before more lives are lost.
I went into the book with no expectations and came away eager to dive into the rest of the series. Collins masterfully blends the eerie world of the paranormal with the grounded tension of a murder mystery. The thriller elements are sharp, with several scenes that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat.
The characters—both living and spectral—leap off the page. Rachael is a compelling lead, and the paranormal lore surrounding the Skinwalker adds a fascinating layer to the story’s universe. Fans of mystery, thrillers, and supernatural tales will find plenty to love here.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent mysteries with a supernatural twist.
Skinwalker Medium by G.H. Collins is the fifth instalment in the Rachael Blackstone paranormal mystery series. Rachael, a journalist and medium, has gradually developed her psychic abilities over the previous books, and this latest chapter continues that arc with suspense and intensity.
Although I hadn’t read the earlier books, I found Skinwalker Medium worked well as a standalone. The author weaves in enough context to make the plot easy to follow, while still sparking curiosity about what came before.
The story centres on Rachael’s investigation into a historic prison riot that left numerous spirits trapped in the cellblock. As she digs deeper, Rachael—and those she interviews—become targets of a deadly supernatural force: a powerful witch known as a Skinwalker. What follows is a tense, fast-paced race to unmask the witch before more lives are lost.
I went into the book with no expectations and came away eager to dive into the rest of the series. Collins masterfully blends the eerie world of the paranormal with the grounded tension of a murder mystery. The thriller elements are sharp, with several scenes that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat.
The characters—both living and spectral—leap off the page. Rachael is a compelling lead, and the paranormal lore surrounding the Skinwalker adds a fascinating layer to the story’s universe. Fans of mystery, thrillers, and supernatural tales will find plenty to love here.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent mysteries with a supernatural twist.
May 21, 2025
This is Book 5 of the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I haven’t read the others but was able to quickly get up to speed on the reoccurring characters.
What caught my interest was the fact that this was set near the Four Corners Monument, I’ve been there, it is a beautiful part of the country steeped in Native American history and culture.
FMC is Rebecca, a journalist that happens to be a medium. When on assignment to write about a terrible prison riot in Santa Fe of 1980, she is overwhelmed with the rage and anger and violence of the penitentiary spirits. But that is just the beginning because that pain, rage and violence have followed to current day so forty years later.
The plot is not only interesting but also educating on the beliefs and traditions of the Navajo. I’ve read other books with the Windigo, the descriptions were interesting for the skinwalker.
The only thing that I found slightly annoying about the character was her aversion to technology which in this day really is just unbelievable and for the age I think she is supposed to be.
What caught my interest was the fact that this was set near the Four Corners Monument, I’ve been there, it is a beautiful part of the country steeped in Native American history and culture.
FMC is Rebecca, a journalist that happens to be a medium. When on assignment to write about a terrible prison riot in Santa Fe of 1980, she is overwhelmed with the rage and anger and violence of the penitentiary spirits. But that is just the beginning because that pain, rage and violence have followed to current day so forty years later.
The plot is not only interesting but also educating on the beliefs and traditions of the Navajo. I’ve read other books with the Windigo, the descriptions were interesting for the skinwalker.
The only thing that I found slightly annoying about the character was her aversion to technology which in this day really is just unbelievable and for the age I think she is supposed to be.
May 23, 2025
✨ Book Review: Skinwalker Medium by GG Collins ✨
It’s set around the Santa Fe Penitentiary, where one of the worst prison riots in history happened — but turns out, it wasn’t just prisoners in there. There were shadow people or skinwalkers.
Rachel Blackstone, a writer for High Desert Country, dives headfirst into the terrifying events at the old penitentiary. As she investigates, those she interviews begin to fall ill, and ancient bones and corpse powders are found. The danger feels so close to Rachel.
I loved watching Rachel navigate the supernatural while learning about Navajo culture. I also really liked Chloe, Rachel’s techie best friend— she’s smart, funny, and always has Rachel’s back.
It’s set around the Santa Fe Penitentiary, where one of the worst prison riots in history happened — but turns out, it wasn’t just prisoners in there. There were shadow people or skinwalkers.
Rachel Blackstone, a writer for High Desert Country, dives headfirst into the terrifying events at the old penitentiary. As she investigates, those she interviews begin to fall ill, and ancient bones and corpse powders are found. The danger feels so close to Rachel.
I loved watching Rachel navigate the supernatural while learning about Navajo culture. I also really liked Chloe, Rachel’s techie best friend— she’s smart, funny, and always has Rachel’s back.
May 31, 2025
Skinwalker Medium is the fifth book in Rachel Blackstone's Paranormal Mysteries. That being said, you do not need to have read the prior four books to pick up the story on this one.
What you will be missing is just the backstory of Rachel and her network.
The story follows Rachel interviewing people from the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot of 1980, so it is based on a truly heinous event. What adds to the hairs standing on end as you read this book is the spirit world in which Rachel lives, the malevolent spirit out to destroy everyone.
A spooky tale to give you goosebumps, a history lesson to humble you and a Navajo way of life to appreciate, the book has many emotions to experience and leave you slightly on edge.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What you will be missing is just the backstory of Rachel and her network.
The story follows Rachel interviewing people from the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot of 1980, so it is based on a truly heinous event. What adds to the hairs standing on end as you read this book is the spirit world in which Rachel lives, the malevolent spirit out to destroy everyone.
A spooky tale to give you goosebumps, a history lesson to humble you and a Navajo way of life to appreciate, the book has many emotions to experience and leave you slightly on edge.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
May 27, 2025
I was attracted to this book by its aspects of Native American history. When Rachel Blackstone, a journalist and medium, sets out on an assignment to write about a horrible prison riot in 1980 at Santa Fe penitentiary, she is unfortunately faced with all the emotions of the spirits who live there. However, all of those emotions have transferred from the past to the present and people have started dying. This was an interesting, gripping story with an unusual plot. I enjoyed reading it and finding out some Native American history, especially about Skinwalkers. I’m hooked on this well written series now and will definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.
April 14, 2025
A skinwalker stalks
Rachel Blackstone accepts the assignment to write of New Mexico 1980's prison riot at Old Main. What led to the riot. The grim imagery followed with native American paranormal activity.
Rachel Blackstone accepts the assignment to write of New Mexico 1980's prison riot at Old Main. What led to the riot. The grim imagery followed with native American paranormal activity.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews