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The Ghost Tracks #1
The Ghost Tracks
A 17-year-old Texan from the wrong side of the tracks starts a supernatural detective agency - this is Fear Street for a diverse America.
Erasmo Cruz is from the wrong side of the tracks. His dad was a junkie who overdosed. His mom chose to run off rather than raise him. His only passion is the supernatural, and his only family is his grandmother, whose aches and pains, he soon learns, aren’t just from old age but from cancer.
Desperate to help his grandmother pay for treatment, Erasmo sets up shop as a paranormal investigator. After witnessing a series of inexplicable events, he must uncover the truth behind his clients' seemingly impossible claims. From hauntings to exorcisms, Erasmo soon finds that San Antonio is a much scarier place than even he knew.
Erasmo Cruz is from the wrong side of the tracks. His dad was a junkie who overdosed. His mom chose to run off rather than raise him. His only passion is the supernatural, and his only family is his grandmother, whose aches and pains, he soon learns, aren’t just from old age but from cancer.
Desperate to help his grandmother pay for treatment, Erasmo sets up shop as a paranormal investigator. After witnessing a series of inexplicable events, he must uncover the truth behind his clients' seemingly impossible claims. From hauntings to exorcisms, Erasmo soon finds that San Antonio is a much scarier place than even he knew.
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First published October 19, 2021
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About the author
Celso Hurtado
2 books50 followersCelso Hurtado was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. His first book, The Ghost Tracks, was praised by NPR and won an International Latino Book Award. He is also a member of the Horror Writers Association. The Devil's Promise is his second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable young adult horror novel involving paranormal investigation. I loved the ownvoices perspective with a Latino American teenager at the center of the story. His love for grandmother really gave the story heart. I also appreciated a YA novel that did not feel obligated to beat the reader over the head with a cheesy romance. I wish the prose had been a bit stronger (the excessive use of ellipses was distracting), but that did not prevent me from generally enjoying the plot.
I would recommend this one to readers of any age looking for an easy paranormal horror read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was an enjoyable young adult horror novel involving paranormal investigation. I loved the ownvoices perspective with a Latino American teenager at the center of the story. His love for grandmother really gave the story heart. I also appreciated a YA novel that did not feel obligated to beat the reader over the head with a cheesy romance. I wish the prose had been a bit stronger (the excessive use of ellipses was distracting), but that did not prevent me from generally enjoying the plot.
I would recommend this one to readers of any age looking for an easy paranormal horror read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 13, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Ghost Tracks spins us a story of three different paranormal experiences and the young man who tries to make sense of it all. Erasmo Cruz has some noteriety in his town. He has been touched by the Ghost Tracks, a local haunt story which makes him considered a credible source when it comes to the paranormal. When he and his friend, Rat, decide to place an ad on Craigslist they are met with three extremely different cases. What horrors await Erasmo, and will he be able to save anyone?
Let me begin this review by saying this: you will either LOVE this book, or absolutely HATE it. I adore this story start to finish in all it's gore and gasps. The way the three cases unfold throughout the book give each a perfect timing, never focusing solely on one for too long. There is massive gore multiple times through the book and one of the instances includes an animal; so if that is not your cup of tea then just steer clear. They absolutely mind-fuckery(for lack of any other word that fits) of this novel is top shelf. It is one that I will be recommending every year to people looking for a good spook. Nothing in this book was unnecessary or under thought making it a masterpiece of the macabre. If you have the stomach for it, make this one a spooky rainy day read.
I recommend this for readers 17+ as the gore is very detailed and can be too much for younger readers. I do not recommend this for those who cannot handle trauma to animals, child abuse, or can be easily triggered by talk of addiction or suicide. Thank you for the amazing ride, Celso Hurtado. I can't wait to see what you bring next.
The Ghost Tracks spins us a story of three different paranormal experiences and the young man who tries to make sense of it all. Erasmo Cruz has some noteriety in his town. He has been touched by the Ghost Tracks, a local haunt story which makes him considered a credible source when it comes to the paranormal. When he and his friend, Rat, decide to place an ad on Craigslist they are met with three extremely different cases. What horrors await Erasmo, and will he be able to save anyone?
Let me begin this review by saying this: you will either LOVE this book, or absolutely HATE it. I adore this story start to finish in all it's gore and gasps. The way the three cases unfold throughout the book give each a perfect timing, never focusing solely on one for too long. There is massive gore multiple times through the book and one of the instances includes an animal; so if that is not your cup of tea then just steer clear. They absolutely mind-fuckery(for lack of any other word that fits) of this novel is top shelf. It is one that I will be recommending every year to people looking for a good spook. Nothing in this book was unnecessary or under thought making it a masterpiece of the macabre. If you have the stomach for it, make this one a spooky rainy day read.
I recommend this for readers 17+ as the gore is very detailed and can be too much for younger readers. I do not recommend this for those who cannot handle trauma to animals, child abuse, or can be easily triggered by talk of addiction or suicide. Thank you for the amazing ride, Celso Hurtado. I can't wait to see what you bring next.
June 24, 2021
Stunning! This debut novel is outstanding! I immediately fell into adoration with the characters and admired the Character Evolution throughout, not limited to just the protagonist but inclusive of other subordinate characters as well. Tantalizing for believers in the Supernatural or/and Afterlife, engrossing for those who don't believe, THE GHOST TRACKS is worth reading for so many aspects! I read it in one session, unable to stop, and I finished with an immense satisfaction, suffused with hope and excitement.
May debut author Celso Hurtado have a long and creatively productive career, because this author is an exceptional wordsmith!
May debut author Celso Hurtado have a long and creatively productive career, because this author is an exceptional wordsmith!
December 19, 2022
Dnf. Skimmed the last half of the book. Not what I was expecting at all. Gross. Crude. Poorly written.
September 17, 2021
DNF at 49%. This is the 19th book I'm reading via Netgalley, and it's the first I am not going to finish. I had issues with the writing style from the get-go (IMO the book reads very amateurish, there's simply no flow to the prose, no rhythm, it's just words strung together in a perfunctory, sometimes downright awkward way), but I was determined to trudge or at least skip read through it nevertheless, if with gritted teeth. I made it all the way to chapter 17, when the little boy eats his Golden Retriever's intestines ("He was gnawing on it, trying to rip the slimy tube open so that he might feast on its contents.").
Now, a decent writer doesn't have to resort to cheap gross-out tactics to scare his/her readers; this kind of would-be manipulation speaks to a serious lack of skills, which becomes even more apparent when we next get the big sister's reaction to this mind-boggling act of carnage: "Echo... He was a good dog..." I was literally falling off the couch with laughter, which is not exactly what I'm looking for in a horror novel. Oh, and by the way, does the sister talk to the authorities about this, or a doctor/mental health specialist, or a priest?
Of course not. She looks at Craigslist.
What with the stilted prose, failed pacing, seriously clunky structure, weird characterization, lack of females (except for grandma; the most unconvincing police officer in literary history; and of course The Girl, who's also the MC's love interest insert eye roll), less than believable storylines, AND a true wet towel of a protagonist who reads like he's no older than 14 and is forever either vomiting or downing glasses of milk, I felt like I was reading some teen's first attempt at a horror novel. I'm sorry, but life's too short.
My apologies to the publisher and to Netgalley, but this novel would have needed a lot more work to make it worthwhile.
Now, a decent writer doesn't have to resort to cheap gross-out tactics to scare his/her readers; this kind of would-be manipulation speaks to a serious lack of skills, which becomes even more apparent when we next get the big sister's reaction to this mind-boggling act of carnage: "Echo... He was a good dog..." I was literally falling off the couch with laughter, which is not exactly what I'm looking for in a horror novel. Oh, and by the way, does the sister talk to the authorities about this, or a doctor/mental health specialist, or a priest?
Of course not. She looks at Craigslist.
What with the stilted prose, failed pacing, seriously clunky structure, weird characterization, lack of females (except for grandma; the most unconvincing police officer in literary history; and of course The Girl, who's also the MC's love interest insert eye roll), less than believable storylines, AND a true wet towel of a protagonist who reads like he's no older than 14 and is forever either vomiting or downing glasses of milk, I felt like I was reading some teen's first attempt at a horror novel. I'm sorry, but life's too short.
My apologies to the publisher and to Netgalley, but this novel would have needed a lot more work to make it worthwhile.
October 25, 2021
3.5 stars.
This was very different than what I expected. Very different, and darker, more gory and frightening than I anticipated when I opened the book. The author deals with the pain and loss of children abandoned by their parents, of wanting to find a rewarding path in life, of confronting one’s fears, and mental health.
In fact, most of the individuals in this gripping story of two seventeen-year old friends most would consider losers because of their family circumstances, and who decide to start a business helping people with their paranormal concerns, are examples of loneliness and some sort of mental health situation.
The three inquiries the pair of friends receive all seem to fit the bill, but over several weeks, main character Erasmo and his best friend Rat discover some ugly things about the situations they’re called to help with. (On a side note, there are a few pretty horrible and deeply disturbing moments in the book as Erasmo digs deeper into the lives of the people in his investigations.)
I had figurative warning bells going off loudly with each bizarre case Erasmo investigated, and kept wondering how he wasn’t having the screaming meemies. So, I can attest that the author had me both turning pages quickly to find out what happened next, while making my skin crawl with the seriously scary people Erasmo was dealing with.
This is primarily a story of a very lonely person and his equally lonely friend who are trying to find meaning and validation for themselves, making some pretty poor choices along the way and getting into bad places, physically and otherwise, consequently. It’s also a story with some hope in it, thank goodness, for its protagonist and his friend.
I should say also that this isn’t something I would normally read, but that I found compelling once I started.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Inkshares for this ARC in exchange for my review.
This was very different than what I expected. Very different, and darker, more gory and frightening than I anticipated when I opened the book. The author deals with the pain and loss of children abandoned by their parents, of wanting to find a rewarding path in life, of confronting one’s fears, and mental health.
In fact, most of the individuals in this gripping story of two seventeen-year old friends most would consider losers because of their family circumstances, and who decide to start a business helping people with their paranormal concerns, are examples of loneliness and some sort of mental health situation.
The three inquiries the pair of friends receive all seem to fit the bill, but over several weeks, main character Erasmo and his best friend Rat discover some ugly things about the situations they’re called to help with. (On a side note, there are a few pretty horrible and deeply disturbing moments in the book as Erasmo digs deeper into the lives of the people in his investigations.)
I had figurative warning bells going off loudly with each bizarre case Erasmo investigated, and kept wondering how he wasn’t having the screaming meemies. So, I can attest that the author had me both turning pages quickly to find out what happened next, while making my skin crawl with the seriously scary people Erasmo was dealing with.
This is primarily a story of a very lonely person and his equally lonely friend who are trying to find meaning and validation for themselves, making some pretty poor choices along the way and getting into bad places, physically and otherwise, consequently. It’s also a story with some hope in it, thank goodness, for its protagonist and his friend.
I should say also that this isn’t something I would normally read, but that I found compelling once I started.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Inkshares for this ARC in exchange for my review.
July 4, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of The Ghost Tracks in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't really enjoy The Ghost Tracks but I'm not sure if it came down to actual character or plot issues or if it was all just the narration style making me think the characters and plot were wooden, but the narration style felt very underdeveloped and didn't just work for me.
I didn't really enjoy The Ghost Tracks but I'm not sure if it came down to actual character or plot issues or if it was all just the narration style making me think the characters and plot were wooden, but the narration style felt very underdeveloped and didn't just work for me.
November 4, 2023
This one was tough the premises sounded amazing while I loved the main character I wasn't enjoying the actual story It went good to what? Amazing cover
July 7, 2021
This debut novel is really outstanding! I really enjoyed the character evolution and the characters and I love the supernatural elements of the plot. Some parts of this book may be a bit hard to read as there is quite a bit of gore with all horror books but if you can tolerate it, the book is really worthwhile. Please don't get in cars with strangers!
Read
June 28, 2022Engaging writing and a really great central character kept this sprawling supernatural detective tale from rolling off the tracks (no pun intended) and I found myself reading huge chunks of this at a time, wanting to know what came next. When it comes to books, unputdownableness is the thing I look for most. Excellent debut from Celso Hurtado.
September 13, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4.
"The Ghost Tracks" by Celso Hurtado was pitched as "Fear Street for a diverse America", and I can... kind of see it. It's definitely a horror book, but it's much more graphic than I was expecting for YA horror, and the creeping dread...! Oh, the creeping dread was intense. Now, none of these are complaints at all - it's nice to get a YA horror that has teeth - but "The Ghost Tracks" lacks the playful, campy feel of the Fear Street series, and that is where I think it suffers.
Erasmo Cruz puts out an ad with his best friend claiming to be a paranormal investigator. His grandmother is ill, and they need to be able to pay her medical bills. The plot of "The Ghost Tracks" follows Erasmo and his friend as they encounter various weirdos and believers, and have to sort out for themselves who is lying and who is telling the truth regarding their paranormal experiences.
There was probably a little too much going on in this one; there were at least three subplots, and sometimes the plot moved forward more because it felt like it needed to go there rather than a character decision. The boys get caught up in a murder investigation that requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief. If you can let some plot holes go, it's a fun ride. Erasmo is an appealing character and despite the book's overall grim tone, he's a fun narrator. I particularly enjoyed how San Antonio was its own character; this is a town that the author clearly knows well, and it shows. The overall setting was very atmospheric.
A good debut. While it's not without its issues, "The Ghost Tracks" is going to be a fun start to a great horror career, I think. Just... definitely mind that this is harder horror than the average YA. The gore is intense.
"The Ghost Tracks" by Celso Hurtado was pitched as "Fear Street for a diverse America", and I can... kind of see it. It's definitely a horror book, but it's much more graphic than I was expecting for YA horror, and the creeping dread...! Oh, the creeping dread was intense. Now, none of these are complaints at all - it's nice to get a YA horror that has teeth - but "The Ghost Tracks" lacks the playful, campy feel of the Fear Street series, and that is where I think it suffers.
Erasmo Cruz puts out an ad with his best friend claiming to be a paranormal investigator. His grandmother is ill, and they need to be able to pay her medical bills. The plot of "The Ghost Tracks" follows Erasmo and his friend as they encounter various weirdos and believers, and have to sort out for themselves who is lying and who is telling the truth regarding their paranormal experiences.
There was probably a little too much going on in this one; there were at least three subplots, and sometimes the plot moved forward more because it felt like it needed to go there rather than a character decision. The boys get caught up in a murder investigation that requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief. If you can let some plot holes go, it's a fun ride. Erasmo is an appealing character and despite the book's overall grim tone, he's a fun narrator. I particularly enjoyed how San Antonio was its own character; this is a town that the author clearly knows well, and it shows. The overall setting was very atmospheric.
A good debut. While it's not without its issues, "The Ghost Tracks" is going to be a fun start to a great horror career, I think. Just... definitely mind that this is harder horror than the average YA. The gore is intense.
October 13, 2023
I had been hoping for a great spooky October read. I wanted the paranormal feel and the great jump scares. Instead, I got a book with just a lot of violence. I'm sure the point of the kid from the wrong side of the tracks was to make the violence seem "normal." But almost every night he was in a fight with a stabbing or baseball bat beating. There was violence in every form: child abuse, stabbing, domestic violence, rape and even a really (truly) awful scene with a dog (tread lightly if you can't handle animal abuse). And since every person had just entered this kid's life, it was really hard to imagine he went from just sitting on the couch drinking 100 glasses of milk a day and watching tv to talking to a detective daily. But maybe it was just the story didn't give me enough to go on, to make these transitions seem smooth and for me to believe this kid was this tough.
Also, I wish I'd had this kid's job. A hundred bucks for every time he arrives just to talk to someone about the paranormal? Sign me up, I'll listen to all their stories.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Edelweiss. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Also, I wish I'd had this kid's job. A hundred bucks for every time he arrives just to talk to someone about the paranormal? Sign me up, I'll listen to all their stories.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Edelweiss. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 1, 2021
You know how you have to willingly suspend your disbelief when you read fantasy or horror? I could believe the ghost stories in The Ghost Tracks, the weirdos Erasmo attracted after running an ad for being a paranormal investigator, but I couldn't not believe that he and his friend kept ending up in the hospital and were never once asked for proof of health insurance. Just doesn't happen in real life or in your wildest fantasy. What world are they living in where they weren't visited by the hospital's business office?
Seriously, though, I enjoyed this book and the trouble Erasmo and Rat kept getting into. There's a lot a heartbreak and personal growth through the book and the boys come to terms with the life their less-then-desirable parents left to them. Plus, there's cannibalism! Lots of adventure, mystery, ghosts, and cannibalism!
Actually, it is gory. Several incidents of people being beaten with a baseball bat, cut with knives, and cannibalism!
A dog is hurt. The boys end up in the hospital after several gory incidences and the hospital never informs the police. Just ain't gonna happen in real life. But, I still believe the ghost parts.
You know how it is when you see a movie and the audience yells, "Don't go in that house!" This is how Ghost Tracks is. Erasmo just kept getting into cars with the wrong people. I wanted to shout, "Don't get in that car!" Kids. You can't tell them anything.
Good twists. Good mystery. Teenage angst but they work on it. If you can get over the flesh-eating and the fact that the hospital didn't call the police when a teenager has had a chunk bitten out of him (and eaten), then you'll enjoy this book. Just don't get into cars with people you barely know.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares for supplying me with an eARC of The Ghost Tracks in exchange for an honest review.
Seriously, though, I enjoyed this book and the trouble Erasmo and Rat kept getting into. There's a lot a heartbreak and personal growth through the book and the boys come to terms with the life their less-then-desirable parents left to them. Plus, there's cannibalism! Lots of adventure, mystery, ghosts, and cannibalism!
Actually, it is gory. Several incidents of people being beaten with a baseball bat, cut with knives, and cannibalism!
A dog is hurt. The boys end up in the hospital after several gory incidences and the hospital never informs the police. Just ain't gonna happen in real life. But, I still believe the ghost parts.
You know how it is when you see a movie and the audience yells, "Don't go in that house!" This is how Ghost Tracks is. Erasmo just kept getting into cars with the wrong people. I wanted to shout, "Don't get in that car!" Kids. You can't tell them anything.
Good twists. Good mystery. Teenage angst but they work on it. If you can get over the flesh-eating and the fact that the hospital didn't call the police when a teenager has had a chunk bitten out of him (and eaten), then you'll enjoy this book. Just don't get into cars with people you barely know.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares for supplying me with an eARC of The Ghost Tracks in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
What I liked best about this book is that it’s got the perfect tone and pitch for a YA paranormal/ghost novel. I’m middle-aged now, but as I was reading I reflected back on my teenage years and how much I loved ghost, horror, and paranormal novels and this book would have fit perfectly among those books. It has spunk, an interesting premise, and a touch of both occultism and the phenomena of urban legends that I’ve always adored.
One of the most interesting dichotomies in this book is how no main or supporting character in this book is reliable. We can’t even trust the tale of what the book’s protagonist, Erasmos, went through that has made him so notable in his hometown that gives birth to not only the book’s title but also lends him the authority to put the book’s plot into motion. And once that plot is put into motion, Erasmos and his best friend (and business partner), Rat, are suddenly sucked into what seems to be a never-ending series of events that take twists and turns over a series of months that only seem to become creepier and more violent as time goes on. And as events spiral downward, so does the physical and mental health of both Erasmos and Rat.
There is a romantic subplot in the middle of the book that I felt would’ve done the book a world of good had it been left out or changed. It slowed the book down and lessened the nice tension and suspense that permeated the rest of the book. It would’ve made the book shorter, but I think the book would’ve been much better for it.
All in all, it really is a great young adult ghost/paranormal story. If I were a teenager who devoured these sorts of books, I’d definitely pick it up.
One of the most interesting dichotomies in this book is how no main or supporting character in this book is reliable. We can’t even trust the tale of what the book’s protagonist, Erasmos, went through that has made him so notable in his hometown that gives birth to not only the book’s title but also lends him the authority to put the book’s plot into motion. And once that plot is put into motion, Erasmos and his best friend (and business partner), Rat, are suddenly sucked into what seems to be a never-ending series of events that take twists and turns over a series of months that only seem to become creepier and more violent as time goes on. And as events spiral downward, so does the physical and mental health of both Erasmos and Rat.
There is a romantic subplot in the middle of the book that I felt would’ve done the book a world of good had it been left out or changed. It slowed the book down and lessened the nice tension and suspense that permeated the rest of the book. It would’ve made the book shorter, but I think the book would’ve been much better for it.
All in all, it really is a great young adult ghost/paranormal story. If I were a teenager who devoured these sorts of books, I’d definitely pick it up.
October 10, 2021
The Ghost Tracks was not what I expected. But in a good way. It’s a spooky mix of horror and YA with some nice twists. The main character is very likable. You really root for him. This is a nice one to read during the spooky season or anytime you’re in the mood for something scary.
Thank you @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
Erasmo Cruz is about to make a decision that will not only put him in a whole bunch of danger, but also change his life..
Erasmo has decided that he needs to make money to help pay for his grandmas cancer treatments.. So because he had this thing happen to him, that we learn about further into the story, and has done a ton of research. He decides that he is going to be a paranormal investigator and help move earth bound spirits to where they belong.. After he puts up the add he and his friend Rat came up with he finds 3 people with stories that seem like they could be up his alley.. Each of these cases puts Erasmo into super dangerous situations., where he ends in the hospital, and has the police asking questions.. I really like how even though he is advertising himself as a paranormal investigator, he does look for normal explainations for everything..
My favorite of the three investigations was with Nora and Sonny.. and I definitely didn't expect the way that one turned out. The other two cases were very interesting.
I just wish there were more actual paranormal things happening.. What we did get I really liked, I just wanted more. I think this was a really good debut book, and I will look for other things this author writes in the future.
Erasmo has decided that he needs to make money to help pay for his grandmas cancer treatments.. So because he had this thing happen to him, that we learn about further into the story, and has done a ton of research. He decides that he is going to be a paranormal investigator and help move earth bound spirits to where they belong.. After he puts up the add he and his friend Rat came up with he finds 3 people with stories that seem like they could be up his alley.. Each of these cases puts Erasmo into super dangerous situations., where he ends in the hospital, and has the police asking questions.. I really like how even though he is advertising himself as a paranormal investigator, he does look for normal explainations for everything..
My favorite of the three investigations was with Nora and Sonny.. and I definitely didn't expect the way that one turned out. The other two cases were very interesting.
I just wish there were more actual paranormal things happening.. What we did get I really liked, I just wanted more. I think this was a really good debut book, and I will look for other things this author writes in the future.
October 29, 2022
There are a lot of gory details in this book that make it not appropriate for young adult which is how it’s categorized. A lot of violence and disturbing content.
April 14, 2022
"The Ghost Tracks" by Celso Hurtado
Erasmo Cruz has set up shop as a paranormal investigator with the intent of helping his grandma pay for her cancer treatment. With the help of his friend Rat, they set out together to answer some of the responses they receive to Erasmo's online ad. These two will deal with everything from hauntings to legit exorcisms before your through.
This was an enjoyable young adult novel. It had some great character interaction and a very intriguing premise. I loved both main characters and what they had set out to do. I also loved that the urban legend of the ghost tracks was a part of the story as well. If you enjoyed A Good Girls Guide To Murder then this book is for you! 3 🌟
Erasmo Cruz has set up shop as a paranormal investigator with the intent of helping his grandma pay for her cancer treatment. With the help of his friend Rat, they set out together to answer some of the responses they receive to Erasmo's online ad. These two will deal with everything from hauntings to legit exorcisms before your through.
This was an enjoyable young adult novel. It had some great character interaction and a very intriguing premise. I loved both main characters and what they had set out to do. I also loved that the urban legend of the ghost tracks was a part of the story as well. If you enjoyed A Good Girls Guide To Murder then this book is for you! 3 🌟
June 30, 2022
I couldn’t even finish this book. I made it about 100 pages and had to give up. On page 68, they talk about the body of a young girl, Sandra Rosales, that was found by a homeless guy after a night out on a Tinder date. On page 89, the main character finds the body of the same girl under a bed in the home where he’s doing a paranormal investigation.
With this big of a plot point miss and the amateur writing, it wasn’t worth the time to finish it.
With this big of a plot point miss and the amateur writing, it wasn’t worth the time to finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2021
CW: Intense and detailed depictions of gore, drug use, child abuse/neglect, sexual assault, murder and attempted suicide.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tl;dr: The Ghost Tracks is a solid tale of the macabre for experience YA horror fans, but it's marred by a confused identity and uncertainty of when to end.
The ghost tracks follows 17-yr old Erasmo as he desperately tries to monetize his knowledge of the paranormal to help pay for his Grandmother's soon-to-start cancer treatment. This leads to him taking on 3 cases, none of which being what they seem. First comes Nora, a teenage girl singularly caring for her younger brother, whom she believes a demon has possesed. Then Billy, a quick-tempered hulk, claims to have visions of the future and asks Erasmo to be his witness. Finally comes Leander, who claims to be haunted by a girl who was murdered after leaving the bar with him one night.
Overall. I'm not too sure what to think about The Ghost Tracks. While certainly thrilling and entertaining in parts, it also fell short in many instances.
I did find the story to be overall compelling. The details put into the various horrors were surprisingly solid and dark. The Ghost Tracks is not afraid to get disturbing, which I honestly appreciate in a YA horror novel. There were times that I was shivering in anticipation of what was about to happen. Saying Erasmo and his friend, Rat, get it rough is a gross understatement. While perhaps too extreme to be considered "gateway horror," I feel that this book is a solid choice for YA's already well-experienced in horror media.
It also tackles some real issues, including addiction, neglect, suicidality, and socioeconomic struggles, but not in the feel-good way you often see. Instead, we see the ugly side of the issues, with no real resolutions offered. Instead, we are merely given a glimmer of hope that the issues may be endured. This is a breath of fresh air that may show readers struggling with similar issues that they are seen and not alone in these struggles, without trivializing their own experiences.
Of course, The Ghost Tracks is not without problems. The beginning and ending had some pacing issues: For the former, events happened back-to-back with a semblence of cause-and-effect, but it felt as if these connections were loose plot threads tied together instead of conscious decisions by the MC. As for the ending... It felt like the ending could have occured at many different points in the book. Additionally, it often felt like The Ghost Tracks didn't know quite what kind of book it wanted to be. Multiple times, the book tries to make a "twist" by claiming the cases are paranormal, then switching back to a "humans are the real monsters" trope, and back.
All that being said, the most common complaint I have lies within the writing style: Feelings are all described in the exact same way, and they are described in almost every other sentence. A direct example would be, "Uneasiness still slithered in his gut." The emotion is always directly named, passively affecting a character with some minor imagery attached at the end. It comes off as trying to follow the old "Show, don't tell," but ends up just telling in an indirect way. There's also some minor odd points that took me aback that most probably wouldn't worry about, such as why veins are described as green.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tl;dr: The Ghost Tracks is a solid tale of the macabre for experience YA horror fans, but it's marred by a confused identity and uncertainty of when to end.
The ghost tracks follows 17-yr old Erasmo as he desperately tries to monetize his knowledge of the paranormal to help pay for his Grandmother's soon-to-start cancer treatment. This leads to him taking on 3 cases, none of which being what they seem. First comes Nora, a teenage girl singularly caring for her younger brother, whom she believes a demon has possesed. Then Billy, a quick-tempered hulk, claims to have visions of the future and asks Erasmo to be his witness. Finally comes Leander, who claims to be haunted by a girl who was murdered after leaving the bar with him one night.
Overall. I'm not too sure what to think about The Ghost Tracks. While certainly thrilling and entertaining in parts, it also fell short in many instances.
I did find the story to be overall compelling. The details put into the various horrors were surprisingly solid and dark. The Ghost Tracks is not afraid to get disturbing, which I honestly appreciate in a YA horror novel. There were times that I was shivering in anticipation of what was about to happen. Saying Erasmo and his friend, Rat, get it rough is a gross understatement. While perhaps too extreme to be considered "gateway horror," I feel that this book is a solid choice for YA's already well-experienced in horror media.
It also tackles some real issues, including addiction, neglect, suicidality, and socioeconomic struggles, but not in the feel-good way you often see. Instead, we see the ugly side of the issues, with no real resolutions offered. Instead, we are merely given a glimmer of hope that the issues may be endured. This is a breath of fresh air that may show readers struggling with similar issues that they are seen and not alone in these struggles, without trivializing their own experiences.
Of course, The Ghost Tracks is not without problems. The beginning and ending had some pacing issues: For the former, events happened back-to-back with a semblence of cause-and-effect, but it felt as if these connections were loose plot threads tied together instead of conscious decisions by the MC. As for the ending... It felt like the ending could have occured at many different points in the book. Additionally, it often felt like The Ghost Tracks didn't know quite what kind of book it wanted to be. Multiple times, the book tries to make a "twist" by claiming the cases are paranormal, then switching back to a "humans are the real monsters" trope, and back.
All that being said, the most common complaint I have lies within the writing style: Feelings are all described in the exact same way, and they are described in almost every other sentence. A direct example would be, "Uneasiness still slithered in his gut." The emotion is always directly named, passively affecting a character with some minor imagery attached at the end. It comes off as trying to follow the old "Show, don't tell," but ends up just telling in an indirect way. There's also some minor odd points that took me aback that most probably wouldn't worry about, such as why veins are described as green.
November 4, 2021
I was blown away by this twisty thriller from debut author Celso Hurtado.
After his grandmother receives a grim cancer diagnosis, seventeen-year-old Erasmo Cruz must find a way to earn money for her treatment. And fast. But Eramso, along with his down-on-his-luck friend Rat, get more than they bargained for after placing an ad as paranormal investigators on Craigslist.
The stakes are continuously raised as they encounter a man allegedly haunted by his deceased date, a young boy allegedly possessed by a flesh-eating demon, and a man claiming to have disturbing visions of the future. Not to mention that Erasmo must come to terms with his own brush with the supernatural. Was he really rescued by the spirits of the Ghost Tracks on that fateful night?
This gory and gruesome horror novel blurs the lines between perception and reality, and begs the question of just how far Erasmo is willing to go to help these disturbed individuals.
Erasmo Cruz is such an intelligent and likable protagonist. Although initially motivated by money, Erasmo continually puts his own life on the line in the name of family, friendship, and love. Readers realize that his no-bullshit exterior is not a matter of indifference, but rather of caring too much.
And Celso Hurtado writes with such a deft and knowing hand, especially when building feelings of dread throughout the text. Sometimes information that is withheld can be even more powerful than a grisly description.
This is highly recommended reading for genre fans.
After his grandmother receives a grim cancer diagnosis, seventeen-year-old Erasmo Cruz must find a way to earn money for her treatment. And fast. But Eramso, along with his down-on-his-luck friend Rat, get more than they bargained for after placing an ad as paranormal investigators on Craigslist.
The stakes are continuously raised as they encounter a man allegedly haunted by his deceased date, a young boy allegedly possessed by a flesh-eating demon, and a man claiming to have disturbing visions of the future. Not to mention that Erasmo must come to terms with his own brush with the supernatural. Was he really rescued by the spirits of the Ghost Tracks on that fateful night?
This gory and gruesome horror novel blurs the lines between perception and reality, and begs the question of just how far Erasmo is willing to go to help these disturbed individuals.
Erasmo Cruz is such an intelligent and likable protagonist. Although initially motivated by money, Erasmo continually puts his own life on the line in the name of family, friendship, and love. Readers realize that his no-bullshit exterior is not a matter of indifference, but rather of caring too much.
And Celso Hurtado writes with such a deft and knowing hand, especially when building feelings of dread throughout the text. Sometimes information that is withheld can be even more powerful than a grisly description.
This is highly recommended reading for genre fans.
January 8, 2022
The Ghost Tracks is a thrilling and entertaining paranormal mystery written with care by new author Celso Hurtado. I would even go so far as to say that this is a ghost story with heart!
The action in The Ghost Tracks follows Erasmo Cruz, a 17-year-old Texan from San Antonio with a passion for the paranormal and the world beyond. His life story is dramatic, so when the only person that cares for him needs help, Erasmo opens a supernatural detective agency hoping that he will be able to put his skills to work in order to get some money.
But, very soon Erasmo finds out that the life of a paranormal investigator is not easy at all. What follows is a really entertaining adventure filled with strange people, vengeful ghosts, and other fascinating events.
The audiobook version of The Ghost Tracks is narrated by Ivan Jasso, a newcomer in the audiobooks industry who delivers a captivating performance. He does a great job with bringing the characters to life, complete with different voices and credible accents. The Ghost Tracks is his first audiobook and I couldn’t tell that considering Ivan sounds very professional and when thinking about the more than satisfying quality of the audio production.
As I said above, The Ghost Tracks is a ghost story with a heart, beautifully written, entertaining, and expertly performed. If you like this kind of adventure, don’t miss out on The Ghost Tracks! Can’t wait for the next audiobook in this new and thrilling series to be released.
The action in The Ghost Tracks follows Erasmo Cruz, a 17-year-old Texan from San Antonio with a passion for the paranormal and the world beyond. His life story is dramatic, so when the only person that cares for him needs help, Erasmo opens a supernatural detective agency hoping that he will be able to put his skills to work in order to get some money.
But, very soon Erasmo finds out that the life of a paranormal investigator is not easy at all. What follows is a really entertaining adventure filled with strange people, vengeful ghosts, and other fascinating events.
The audiobook version of The Ghost Tracks is narrated by Ivan Jasso, a newcomer in the audiobooks industry who delivers a captivating performance. He does a great job with bringing the characters to life, complete with different voices and credible accents. The Ghost Tracks is his first audiobook and I couldn’t tell that considering Ivan sounds very professional and when thinking about the more than satisfying quality of the audio production.
As I said above, The Ghost Tracks is a ghost story with a heart, beautifully written, entertaining, and expertly performed. If you like this kind of adventure, don’t miss out on The Ghost Tracks! Can’t wait for the next audiobook in this new and thrilling series to be released.
September 23, 2021
CWs: graphic depictions of violence, child abuse, animal abuse, attempted suicide
3.5 stars. I requested this book because it reminded me of the CW show Supernatural, and it did end up being pretty similar to their early, darker MOTW episodes. In fact, I think this story would translate pretty well to a movie. I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
- Erasmo, the main character, and his best friend Rat had a really interesting dynamic. Their friendship felt natural and realistic. They set up a supernatural detective service based on a lot of research, but they had absolutely no idea what they were getting into.
- Also, they're obsessed with the supernatural, but they don't super believe in it.
- The suspense is fantastic; I was on the edge of my seat for the entire time. Mostly the book read like a debut, but the suspense was extremely well-redined.
- It's narrated in 3rd person, but the POV was super close, if that's the right word for it. It worked out pretty well.
What I didn't like:
- The violence was extremely graphic. Like so graphic.
- There are…lots of ellipsis, which was rather distracting.
- I didn't connect super well to Erasmo and Rat, or any of the minor characters. I enjoyed reading about them, but didn't connect super well to them.
For any CW Supernatural fans:
3.5 stars. I requested this book because it reminded me of the CW show Supernatural, and it did end up being pretty similar to their early, darker MOTW episodes. In fact, I think this story would translate pretty well to a movie. I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
- Erasmo, the main character, and his best friend Rat had a really interesting dynamic. Their friendship felt natural and realistic. They set up a supernatural detective service based on a lot of research, but they had absolutely no idea what they were getting into.
- Also, they're obsessed with the supernatural, but they don't super believe in it.
- The suspense is fantastic; I was on the edge of my seat for the entire time. Mostly the book read like a debut, but the suspense was extremely well-redined.
- It's narrated in 3rd person, but the POV was super close, if that's the right word for it. It worked out pretty well.
What I didn't like:
- The violence was extremely graphic. Like so graphic.
- There are…lots of ellipsis, which was rather distracting.
- I didn't connect super well to Erasmo and Rat, or any of the minor characters. I enjoyed reading about them, but didn't connect super well to them.
For any CW Supernatural fans:
December 16, 2021
I'm genuinely torn about my thoughts about this one. There are some validly engaging points throughout the book, and I like our central characters, however, there are some less than pleasant sections that hit very wrong just when we're prepared to be approaching a true resolution to the plot and several subplots that figure into it. As a result some parts of the book come off uncharacteristically bleak and discordant, particularly as we engage with self - destructive actions and denial in a one two punch that comes off as unpleasant and honestly out of true for the characters and their development. There's something genuinely good about Erazmo's narrative here, make no mistake, but I was left feeling like the book could have used a bit more development in the latter half and we could have used a bit more grounding in these resolutions.
June 28, 2021
TW: gory descriptions, sexual assault attempts and death
[in my opinion this book should not be marketed as YA as the descriptions were very um d e t a i l e d]
this was a really good debut novel, especially for a paranormal fiction work. again, like i said, too many detailed descriptions of gore to be a YA novel (but hey as long as you don't faint and hit your head reading this novel, it's all going to be good!)
this book was okay to me. i liked most parts of it and was a bit wry about the others. overall great book it was enjoyable.
thank you netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review <3
[in my opinion this book should not be marketed as YA as the descriptions were very um d e t a i l e d]
this was a really good debut novel, especially for a paranormal fiction work. again, like i said, too many detailed descriptions of gore to be a YA novel (but hey as long as you don't faint and hit your head reading this novel, it's all going to be good!)
this book was okay to me. i liked most parts of it and was a bit wry about the others. overall great book it was enjoyable.
thank you netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review <3
October 8, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for yet another arc.
The Ghost Tracks follows Erasmo Cruz, a teenage boy who has decided to turn a paranormal experience and an interest in the supernatural into a business to help pay for his grandmother's cancer treatments. He and his friend Rat put an ad on Craigslist and receive three responses. A novel ensues.
I read The Ghost Tracks in one day. I enjoyed it very much. I liked the character development and the twists and turns of the plot. It took me a little while to get into, but once I did it was an afternoon well spent.
The premise sounds a little made-for-tv, but the books deals with some very serious themes and goes to some very dark places. The supernatural aspects of the book are handled well, but it's the actions of humans that bring the real horror.
I enjoyed this book a lot.
The Ghost Tracks follows Erasmo Cruz, a teenage boy who has decided to turn a paranormal experience and an interest in the supernatural into a business to help pay for his grandmother's cancer treatments. He and his friend Rat put an ad on Craigslist and receive three responses. A novel ensues.
I read The Ghost Tracks in one day. I enjoyed it very much. I liked the character development and the twists and turns of the plot. It took me a little while to get into, but once I did it was an afternoon well spent.
The premise sounds a little made-for-tv, but the books deals with some very serious themes and goes to some very dark places. The supernatural aspects of the book are handled well, but it's the actions of humans that bring the real horror.
I enjoyed this book a lot.
March 14, 2025
If you like your detective mysteries with a bit of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you. It takes place in San Antonio, and features a young man as the detective. However, Erasmo and his friend friend, Rat, are not guys trying to solve a murder. Erasmo's grandmother--his only family--is in need of cancer treatments, and Erasmo is very into the supernatural. So he and Rat decide to become detectives who investigate the supernatural. They end up involved in some very bizarre cases with some very scary people, and there is some gore. This is the first in a series.
January 29, 2024
This was an amazing story. Filled with suspense and creepy characters. The book flowed from horror to thriller. There were times I felt I was reading two separate stories but when it started to blend together it made sense. There are two plots going on. The MC's involvement in the paranormal and the ghost aspect of the story which they both merge beautifully. This was written with strong plot and character development.
October 15, 2021
Sadly I was disappointed by The Ghost Tracks which centres around a young man called Erasmo who has started a paranormal investigation venture to pay for his Grandmother's medical treatment. The narration felt really flat and the pacing (especially at the start) was either too fast or too slow making the whole novel feel super disjointed.
The horror just wasn't there either. Although it had some particularly gory moments they were not scary/creepy and just felt like an obvious attempt to add a shock factor. I also really did not like the direction the plot took. We follow Erasmo's investigation into three cases and I disliked to conclusions to all of them. At one point in the middle it looked like the plot would take a turn for the better but sadly this was not the case.
Moving onto the characters, there was no good female leads AT ALL and all the male side characters were incredibly unlikeable and one dimensional. Something I did particularly like though, was our protagonist Erasmo. He showed some brilliant growth throughout and I felt his heartbreaks along with him.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for an advanced reader's copy.
The horror just wasn't there either. Although it had some particularly gory moments they were not scary/creepy and just felt like an obvious attempt to add a shock factor. I also really did not like the direction the plot took. We follow Erasmo's investigation into three cases and I disliked to conclusions to all of them. At one point in the middle it looked like the plot would take a turn for the better but sadly this was not the case.
Moving onto the characters, there was no good female leads AT ALL and all the male side characters were incredibly unlikeable and one dimensional. Something I did particularly like though, was our protagonist Erasmo. He showed some brilliant growth throughout and I felt his heartbreaks along with him.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for an advanced reader's copy.
Read
October 13, 2022The Ghost Tracks is a lightning-quick, haunted odyssey through the streets of San Antonio. It follows a young man who had a supernatural experience at the city's famed ghost tracks, the supposed site of a fatal encounter between a bus and a train many years ago. As a child growing up in San Antonio, I recall neighbors showing me their bumpers, dusted with baby powder, clearly showing handprints of ghost children who pushed their stalled cars over the tracks. As author Celso Hurtado reveals, the story is just that, a story, one possibly borrowed from an incident in another city.
Still, something happened at the tracks. Perhaps it was the collective belief of a city of two million souls that powered protagonist Erasmo Cruz through his own deadly encounter there. Having an interest in the paranormal and a documented supernatural event to his credit, Erasmo places an ad seeking to capitalize. His intent is noble, with a caretaker struggling to pay the bills and limited options to make money otherwise. Very quickly, however, Erasmo finds himself at the center of multiple paranormal happenings. As the novel progresses, the stories and clients intertwine, ultimately resolving in a very satisfying way.
Hurtado hit the gas on this novel and never looked back. The story does not linger in one setting, nor does it feel rushed. It is more violent than its YA label would suggest, and Hurtado has a skill for writing those scenes in particular. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its characters, all memorable and vibrant. I can't wait to see what Hurtado has in store for us next.
(To avoid conflicts of interest, I no longer leave star ratings for works in my genre)
Still, something happened at the tracks. Perhaps it was the collective belief of a city of two million souls that powered protagonist Erasmo Cruz through his own deadly encounter there. Having an interest in the paranormal and a documented supernatural event to his credit, Erasmo places an ad seeking to capitalize. His intent is noble, with a caretaker struggling to pay the bills and limited options to make money otherwise. Very quickly, however, Erasmo finds himself at the center of multiple paranormal happenings. As the novel progresses, the stories and clients intertwine, ultimately resolving in a very satisfying way.
Hurtado hit the gas on this novel and never looked back. The story does not linger in one setting, nor does it feel rushed. It is more violent than its YA label would suggest, and Hurtado has a skill for writing those scenes in particular. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its characters, all memorable and vibrant. I can't wait to see what Hurtado has in store for us next.
(To avoid conflicts of interest, I no longer leave star ratings for works in my genre)
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