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Eddie McCloskey #3
The Accused and the Damned
When the police arrest Anson Ketcher and charge him with murdering his wife, all he keeps saying is: "The ghost killed her."
Nobody believes him. And nobody should, given Anson's violent past and rocky relationship with his dead wife. Everyone wants to see Anson convicted.
Except Eddie McCloskey, paranormal investigator turned expert witness. Only Eddie can prove the man's innocence, but in doing so, can he find the real killer?
The Accused and the Damned is the first of its kind, a paranormal legal thriller. It is approximately 80,000 words and is specifically formatted for Kindle, with an active table of contents.
Nobody believes him. And nobody should, given Anson's violent past and rocky relationship with his dead wife. Everyone wants to see Anson convicted.
Except Eddie McCloskey, paranormal investigator turned expert witness. Only Eddie can prove the man's innocence, but in doing so, can he find the real killer?
The Accused and the Damned is the first of its kind, a paranormal legal thriller. It is approximately 80,000 words and is specifically formatted for Kindle, with an active table of contents.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2014
105 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Evan Ronan
46 books25 followersI write thrillers. I've studied the masters and hopefully I've learned a few things from them.
Ideas are never in short-supply. Time and talent (or lack thereof) are my only constraints.
My stories don't always fit neatly into categories, but that's what readers seem to like about them.
Ideas are never in short-supply. Time and talent (or lack thereof) are my only constraints.
My stories don't always fit neatly into categories, but that's what readers seem to like about them.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 18, 2015
“Eddie meant to hold up all his fingers at her, but only the middle one listened”. GOLD :-D
I have come to the conclusion that I am undoubtedly addicted to this series, and that I can no longer live without it. If there were no other books in this series (thank Evan Ronan that there are!), I would dig myself a hole and live in it while crying like a deranged addict who can’t get their next fix.
The Accused and the Damned is about a woman named Alice Ketcher who turns up dead in her home with a broken neck, and her husband Anson claims a ghost is the culprit. Eddie McCloskey is now the expert witness in Anson’s defense, as a favor to his old friend Giles Tyson. After Alice and Anson start experiencing strange paranormal incidents in their home, they enlist the help of Giles Tyson to get rid of the ghost. As Alice starts to notice that the presence of Giles is making the ghost appear more, she starts to visit a psychic that teaches her about reverse possession in the hopes that it will help get rid of the spirit. The story takes the reader through the investigation of the murder and the trial of Anson Ketcher, while Eddie works to find out who the real murderer is or if a ghost actually did it.
Usually, by the third or fourth book in a series I start to get a little bored with the same characters and the predictable direction that the series is going. If I said that this was how this series has played out, I would be telling you a terrible lie that would only hinder the satisfaction you would experience from reading these books...and I just COULDN’T do that to you guys. I LOVE this series, and this book The Accused and the Damned is my favorite thus far. Not only is the title KILLER, but the book is dripping in mysterious paranormal experiences and crazy murderous character twists. Evan Ronan’s style of writing has improved SO MUCH through this series. As I had said in my reviews of the previous books in this series, he was using a strange writing style way too much in the first book and there was a lot of grammatical errors in the second. I found maybe one or two grammar mistakes in this book, and the author has really sculpted his “Instant Messaging” dialogue style of writing so that it flows smoothly with the story and isn’t overused to a point that it confuses the reader.
While reading this book I was taking notes for my review (key characters, descriptions, clues, etc.) and I found myself taking side notes about who I thought had done it. I will say I had a hunch since the start of the book of who had done it, and I was right, but there were so many other things that twisted the story that it made me second guess MY GUESS. I also found myself writing done hilarious quotes in the book, as well as some very unique ones (see opening quote above). Not only is the authors writing style improving and making the read more enjoyable, but his character development is way more in depth. I am obviously attached and invested in Eddie’s character, but I felt like I knew the characters in this book much more than the characters in the past two books. I do wish the author would have elaborated more on the couple that occupied the house before the Ketcher’s though, you can never have too much background info and history in a story. So READERS, if you haven’t purchased this series yet then I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re not thinking clearly! This is an AMAZING series and it is only getting better as the books go on!
I have come to the conclusion that I am undoubtedly addicted to this series, and that I can no longer live without it. If there were no other books in this series (thank Evan Ronan that there are!), I would dig myself a hole and live in it while crying like a deranged addict who can’t get their next fix.
The Accused and the Damned is about a woman named Alice Ketcher who turns up dead in her home with a broken neck, and her husband Anson claims a ghost is the culprit. Eddie McCloskey is now the expert witness in Anson’s defense, as a favor to his old friend Giles Tyson. After Alice and Anson start experiencing strange paranormal incidents in their home, they enlist the help of Giles Tyson to get rid of the ghost. As Alice starts to notice that the presence of Giles is making the ghost appear more, she starts to visit a psychic that teaches her about reverse possession in the hopes that it will help get rid of the spirit. The story takes the reader through the investigation of the murder and the trial of Anson Ketcher, while Eddie works to find out who the real murderer is or if a ghost actually did it.
Usually, by the third or fourth book in a series I start to get a little bored with the same characters and the predictable direction that the series is going. If I said that this was how this series has played out, I would be telling you a terrible lie that would only hinder the satisfaction you would experience from reading these books...and I just COULDN’T do that to you guys. I LOVE this series, and this book The Accused and the Damned is my favorite thus far. Not only is the title KILLER, but the book is dripping in mysterious paranormal experiences and crazy murderous character twists. Evan Ronan’s style of writing has improved SO MUCH through this series. As I had said in my reviews of the previous books in this series, he was using a strange writing style way too much in the first book and there was a lot of grammatical errors in the second. I found maybe one or two grammar mistakes in this book, and the author has really sculpted his “Instant Messaging” dialogue style of writing so that it flows smoothly with the story and isn’t overused to a point that it confuses the reader.
While reading this book I was taking notes for my review (key characters, descriptions, clues, etc.) and I found myself taking side notes about who I thought had done it. I will say I had a hunch since the start of the book of who had done it, and I was right, but there were so many other things that twisted the story that it made me second guess MY GUESS. I also found myself writing done hilarious quotes in the book, as well as some very unique ones (see opening quote above). Not only is the authors writing style improving and making the read more enjoyable, but his character development is way more in depth. I am obviously attached and invested in Eddie’s character, but I felt like I knew the characters in this book much more than the characters in the past two books. I do wish the author would have elaborated more on the couple that occupied the house before the Ketcher’s though, you can never have too much background info and history in a story. So READERS, if you haven’t purchased this series yet then I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re not thinking clearly! This is an AMAZING series and it is only getting better as the books go on!
January 19, 2015
This is the third book in The Unearthed series and I am still very much obsessed! Evan Ronan has done another great job at amazing me with this Paranormal legal thriller. The Accused and The Damned is the first of it's kind – that's probably why I never heard of a paranormal legal thriller before this.
I was skeptical at first because I don't usually find the legal system entertaining. However, that courtroom scene may have won me over because that was exciting. I was hooked to it with wide eyes and an open jaw by then end of it. That was more surprising to me than all the plot twists dwelling in this book. The paranormal aspect is still there, it wasn't as strong as with the first two though. At first I didn't like that, I didn't want to know about all the police stuff. I just wanted to know about Eddie but once the ending came I better understood why it was all important.
It's weird to think of a character maturing but that is exactly what Eddie is doing. Before my eyes he has become a grown man trying to make a living like everyone else – just in a job field that most people don't believe in. The old Eddie still poked through the new more mature exterior making him a very interesting lead character. With every book I fall more and more in love with Eddie – I'm going to be a mess when this series comes to an end.
I didn't think I was going to like Gracie at first because I thought she was going to be trouble for Eddie – And I can't stand for that. But she ended up being quite the opposite. They became allies and lets face it Eddie's career wouldn't have been able to stand a chance if she was his enemy.
Giles was finally introduced after he was mentioned in the first two books, I knew it was going to happen. He was not what I expected him to be, I got creeped out by him from the get go. I think for the first time ever I figured something out that was not yet said in the book. I was proud of myself, then the ending came and I was shocked because that was not what I thought was going to happen. I think I finally managed to pick my jaw up from the floor.
The Accused and The Damned ended in a way that made told me there is going to be another book. I am so thrilled and I can't wait to read it.
For more of my reviews go to http://www.hyperashley.com/
I was skeptical at first because I don't usually find the legal system entertaining. However, that courtroom scene may have won me over because that was exciting. I was hooked to it with wide eyes and an open jaw by then end of it. That was more surprising to me than all the plot twists dwelling in this book. The paranormal aspect is still there, it wasn't as strong as with the first two though. At first I didn't like that, I didn't want to know about all the police stuff. I just wanted to know about Eddie but once the ending came I better understood why it was all important.
It's weird to think of a character maturing but that is exactly what Eddie is doing. Before my eyes he has become a grown man trying to make a living like everyone else – just in a job field that most people don't believe in. The old Eddie still poked through the new more mature exterior making him a very interesting lead character. With every book I fall more and more in love with Eddie – I'm going to be a mess when this series comes to an end.
I didn't think I was going to like Gracie at first because I thought she was going to be trouble for Eddie – And I can't stand for that. But she ended up being quite the opposite. They became allies and lets face it Eddie's career wouldn't have been able to stand a chance if she was his enemy.
Giles was finally introduced after he was mentioned in the first two books, I knew it was going to happen. He was not what I expected him to be, I got creeped out by him from the get go. I think for the first time ever I figured something out that was not yet said in the book. I was proud of myself, then the ending came and I was shocked because that was not what I thought was going to happen. I think I finally managed to pick my jaw up from the floor.
The Accused and The Damned ended in a way that made told me there is going to be another book. I am so thrilled and I can't wait to read it.
For more of my reviews go to http://www.hyperashley.com/
July 7, 2015
The more I read about Eddie’s cases, the more attached to him I become. This book opens up with him wrapping up a case and he just has so much integrity; after Book 1 kinda portrayed him as a “loser”, even though I read between the lines and saw plenty of integrity, he still makes me smile as he just oozes it at at times.
Ronan has brilliantly created some extremely likeable and relatable characters and he is just a pleasure to read. As it happens, he graciously supplied me with this book to read when he learned how addicted I am to this series (upon loving Books 1 and 2). So I did receive this book in exchange for honest review – and I am grateful, as I likely would’ve had to purchase it otherwise.
This is a book that manages to become a bit more mysterious as it goes on – with more craziness springing up faster than the existing shenanigans are solved / brought to light. It has kept me up more than one night as I am just unable to put it down. It has mystery, courtroom drama, action and of course, paranormal activity that is done in a very fun way.
I'm still mildly bitter about the loose ends in Book 2, was hoping they'd be resolved here. They were mentioned briefly but not resolved. A seriously good ready though ! Fun and fast.
Ronan has brilliantly created some extremely likeable and relatable characters and he is just a pleasure to read. As it happens, he graciously supplied me with this book to read when he learned how addicted I am to this series (upon loving Books 1 and 2). So I did receive this book in exchange for honest review – and I am grateful, as I likely would’ve had to purchase it otherwise.
This is a book that manages to become a bit more mysterious as it goes on – with more craziness springing up faster than the existing shenanigans are solved / brought to light. It has kept me up more than one night as I am just unable to put it down. It has mystery, courtroom drama, action and of course, paranormal activity that is done in a very fun way.
I'm still mildly bitter about the loose ends in Book 2, was hoping they'd be resolved here. They were mentioned briefly but not resolved. A seriously good ready though ! Fun and fast.
December 23, 2014
I am hooked on this series. I love how Eddie has grown and changed through out the last 3 books. He is almost completely different in this book, than how he was in the first. He is still Eddie though, just more mature with his decisions and he's staying away from drugs and alcohol.
This book is filled with twists, which are great! We finally meet the famous Tyson Giles, who has been mentioned in the previous books. He has been made out to be a fraud now though. He was outed by Gracie, on her tv show that sets up paranormal investigators to find the frauds.
Eddie gets a call from Giles to come and help out with the trial of one of his best friends, who is being charged with the murder of his own wife. He is claiming a ghost did it. But ghosts don't/can't kill. Right? Right!
Like the other books, we are given a bunch of puzzle pieces and try to put them all together with Eddie. I love the suspense and the twists in this story. I will definitely be reading the next ones in this series, when they come out.
This book just shows that if you think you need the Ghost Busters, call Eddie McCloskey first.
This book is filled with twists, which are great! We finally meet the famous Tyson Giles, who has been mentioned in the previous books. He has been made out to be a fraud now though. He was outed by Gracie, on her tv show that sets up paranormal investigators to find the frauds.
Eddie gets a call from Giles to come and help out with the trial of one of his best friends, who is being charged with the murder of his own wife. He is claiming a ghost did it. But ghosts don't/can't kill. Right? Right!
Like the other books, we are given a bunch of puzzle pieces and try to put them all together with Eddie. I love the suspense and the twists in this story. I will definitely be reading the next ones in this series, when they come out.
This book just shows that if you think you need the Ghost Busters, call Eddie McCloskey first.
January 2, 2015
Enjoyed the series
Great editing, interesting storytelling. More murder mysteries then paranormal. I'd love more writing on hauntings with this character. Easy reading. Worth the time.
Great editing, interesting storytelling. More murder mysteries then paranormal. I'd love more writing on hauntings with this character. Easy reading. Worth the time.
June 20, 2015
Thank you
I am enjoying this series. I am going to read the next book and look forward to more to come.
I am enjoying this series. I am going to read the next book and look forward to more to come.
January 10, 2018
This book was much better than the first two. The writing has improved greatly, we got more complicated words, better pacing and the characters are a little more developed. Eddie is at least showing something resembling adulthood. I do wish the secondary characters had more depth. I also wish Eddie had more of an internal filter. Flipping people off and telling them to fuck off when in conversation is just juvenile. I did enjoy Eddie matching wits with Gracie. The mystery was really creative.
December 6, 2017
GOODREAD
Mr. Ronan, I really enjoyed reading this. I am a paranormal believer and have watched quite a few ghost hunting shows in tv and have read a lot of ghost hunting books. I have to admit I really didn't know what happened until the end. You have certainly done a lot of research. Keep up the good work. Best wishes.
Mr. Ronan, I really enjoyed reading this. I am a paranormal believer and have watched quite a few ghost hunting shows in tv and have read a lot of ghost hunting books. I have to admit I really didn't know what happened until the end. You have certainly done a lot of research. Keep up the good work. Best wishes.
December 10, 2017
A big surprise for me. I usually avoid paranormal novels
I wasn't expecting much but the legal thriller caught my attention and it was free so I gave it a try. What a Terrific surprise. It was so well done I can't wait to read another in this series. So believable. Five stars. Couldn't put it down!
I wasn't expecting much but the legal thriller caught my attention and it was free so I gave it a try. What a Terrific surprise. It was so well done I can't wait to read another in this series. So believable. Five stars. Couldn't put it down!
May 16, 2022
Eddie McCloskey is running his own paranormal business, when a friend from the past, who he owes, asks for a favour. He is asked to investigate when a man accused of murdering his wife says a ghost did it. As Eddie investigates, the case becomes complicated and all is not as it seems. Good book, that moves at a nice pace, with Eddie trying to do the right thing.
July 30, 2021
Awesome author
I loved this book! I'm a person interested in the unexplained. This book is right up my alley. There was nothing I disliked about it. I would recommend it to all my fellow ghost-hunters!
I loved this book! I'm a person interested in the unexplained. This book is right up my alley. There was nothing I disliked about it. I would recommend it to all my fellow ghost-hunters!
October 3, 2024
Okay!
February 22, 2017
OK!
This was an enjoyable story with many twists and turns. It was well written with a good plot. Like this. Writer!
This was an enjoyable story with many twists and turns. It was well written with a good plot. Like this. Writer!
September 25, 2016
No Regrets and No Negatives
What an enjoyable read that kept me hooked all the way through despite the fact I figured out who done it and sort of why the perpetrator did the deed halfway through the book. But there were a couple of questions I needed answered and so knowing who did the deed midway through wasn't enough to stop me continuing. I had to see this book through the end, not only to have my questions answered, to see how our protagonist would handle the revelation and how he would convince others to believe his conclusion.
I also really loved the mention of book "The Unearthed" and author Evan Ronan's own name in this thriller, as if it was part of this fictional thriller, very meta.
This supernatural thriller is more detective story with a splash of the other worldly and a likable main character. I like that the writer focused more on the investigation part and didn't go too far on the supernatural element. It gave it balance.
This book is a 3rd in a series and my first read of this author's 'Eddie McCloskey book series'. It was a book suggested to me by Amazon Kindle because I read two books in the 'Linger' series, another supernatural detective thriller. Amazon did well with this suggestion as it was right up my ally. And now I'm interested in ready Books 1 and 2 to see where it all began and to maybe get to know Eddie's brother before his demise.
Good read and wouldn't mind reading it again.
What an enjoyable read that kept me hooked all the way through despite the fact I figured out who done it and sort of why the perpetrator did the deed halfway through the book. But there were a couple of questions I needed answered and so knowing who did the deed midway through wasn't enough to stop me continuing. I had to see this book through the end, not only to have my questions answered, to see how our protagonist would handle the revelation and how he would convince others to believe his conclusion.
I also really loved the mention of book "The Unearthed" and author Evan Ronan's own name in this thriller, as if it was part of this fictional thriller, very meta.
This supernatural thriller is more detective story with a splash of the other worldly and a likable main character. I like that the writer focused more on the investigation part and didn't go too far on the supernatural element. It gave it balance.
This book is a 3rd in a series and my first read of this author's 'Eddie McCloskey book series'. It was a book suggested to me by Amazon Kindle because I read two books in the 'Linger' series, another supernatural detective thriller. Amazon did well with this suggestion as it was right up my ally. And now I'm interested in ready Books 1 and 2 to see where it all began and to maybe get to know Eddie's brother before his demise.
Good read and wouldn't mind reading it again.
June 1, 2016
Unique Paranormal adventure!
This author brings you into the world of the unknown with a bang! For those that don't believe in ghosts, great points are made about their being a well known and worshipped ghost better known as Jesus. Many people would be uncomfortable with the comparison but I thought it was brilliant. Well written with new explorations into well traversed territories! Characters well developed and I will look for other work from this author! Any fan of this genre will be satisfied with this read!
This author brings you into the world of the unknown with a bang! For those that don't believe in ghosts, great points are made about their being a well known and worshipped ghost better known as Jesus. Many people would be uncomfortable with the comparison but I thought it was brilliant. Well written with new explorations into well traversed territories! Characters well developed and I will look for other work from this author! Any fan of this genre will be satisfied with this read!
March 13, 2016
Good read!
The Accused and the Damned by Evan Ronin is good! I was drawn into the book immediately. Connected with the main character & road that wave all the way through the book. The characters are well developed & interesting. The plot is good & I really enjoyed the story. Each time I had to put it down I did not want to & each time l picked it back up I fell right back into it. That to me is one of the marks of a good book. And this is one.
The Accused and the Damned by Evan Ronin is good! I was drawn into the book immediately. Connected with the main character & road that wave all the way through the book. The characters are well developed & interesting. The plot is good & I really enjoyed the story. Each time I had to put it down I did not want to & each time l picked it back up I fell right back into it. That to me is one of the marks of a good book. And this is one.
February 18, 2016
Big Improvement
With this book, Eddie seems to have really come into his own. Unlike the two previous books in the series, this one features well-developed female characters and a plot that is far from predictable. I hope the next book is as good as this one, and I would love to see the new, mature Eddie find a romantic interest that lasts.
With this book, Eddie seems to have really come into his own. Unlike the two previous books in the series, this one features well-developed female characters and a plot that is far from predictable. I hope the next book is as good as this one, and I would love to see the new, mature Eddie find a romantic interest that lasts.
April 8, 2016
Excellent on-the-edge-of your-seat story!
This is my first book from this series but it can stand alone. Now, however, I want to read the next one! I DO like paranormal mysteries and this was off the beaten track, making it that much more intriguing. Keep 'em coming, Evan Ronan!
This is my first book from this series but it can stand alone. Now, however, I want to read the next one! I DO like paranormal mysteries and this was off the beaten track, making it that much more intriguing. Keep 'em coming, Evan Ronan!
May 4, 2016
Legal paranormal, indeed. Free downloads are always a 50/50 chance. This time Lady Luck was on my side. Despite not having read either of the first two books in the series, I didn't feel lost or that the author kept beating me over the head with a "previously on Unearthed". The story is intriguing enough that I do want to find out what happened, so I'll probably pick up the first two.
April 12, 2016
More mystery than paranormal
I expected more of a ghost story but was disappointed to find it was more of a mystery involving some paranormal activity. I gave it four stars because it was still a good story and we'll written.
I expected more of a ghost story but was disappointed to find it was more of a mystery involving some paranormal activity. I gave it four stars because it was still a good story and we'll written.
June 12, 2016
Book three
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one, however, there was not enough "ghost" in this ghost story. I will be venturing on to book four and expect it to be at least a four star.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one, however, there was not enough "ghost" in this ghost story. I will be venturing on to book four and expect it to be at least a four star.
August 3, 2016
He did it again another rollercoaster thrill ride
I didn't think he could top the other books but he did! What a thrill ride, could not read it fast enough. Page turning gripping thrill ride that will blow your mind. Highly recommend this series!
I didn't think he could top the other books but he did! What a thrill ride, could not read it fast enough. Page turning gripping thrill ride that will blow your mind. Highly recommend this series!
March 11, 2016
very good
March 20, 2016
There were parts of the first half this book I felt were just drawn out but I still enjoyed it enough to stick with it. Once I hit the halfway point though, I couldn't put the book down!
July 5, 2016
Good book
This book details the maturing of Eddie McCloskey. He is finally clean and sober and trying to figure out this thing called life.
This book details the maturing of Eddie McCloskey. He is finally clean and sober and trying to figure out this thing called life.
November 22, 2016
This was fun to read, but contained like, zero surprises. You pretty much get told who the "bad guy" is right off the bat. Still enjoyable though.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews