The Ghost Box

Reagan Moon #1

by Mike Duran

Reagan Moon -- paranormal reporter, terminal underachiever, and staunch cynic of the human race. The only ghosts he really believes in are the ones in his own head.

But his world is about to get an upgrade.

When Moon is hired by a reclusive tycoon to investigate the events surrounding his girlfriend's tragic death, he learns of an impending apocalypse about to flatten Los Angeles. Seems that the Summu Nura, ancient gods from a parallel dimension, are looking for a new stomping ground. And Hollyweird is ground zero. What's worse, Reagan Moon is the only one who can stop them.

With the help of an occult archivist and a carefree guardian angel, Moon is forced to confront an invisible world of toxic parasites and dimensional outriders. But no amount of magic can save him from the monster that awaits… inside him.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Modern, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2014

About the author

MIKE DURAN is a novelist, artist, and freelance writer. Mike writes fiction and non-fiction. He is the author of THE GHOST BOX (Blue Crescent Press, 2014), which was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best indie novels of 2015 and first in a paranoir series that continues with SAINT DEATH (2016), and THE THIRD GOLEM (2020). He's also the author of several novellas, including KEEPER OF THE WOODS (2024), THE VISITANT (2022), and WICKERS BOG (2016). In addition, Mike has written several non-fiction titles including CHRISTIAN HORROR: ON THE COMPATABILITY OF A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW AND THE HORROR GENRE (2023) and CHRISTIANS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES (2023). Mike's short stories, essays, and commentary have appeared in Breakpoint, Relief Journal, Cemetery Gates Media, The Gospel Coalition, The Stream, Relevant Online, Bewildering Stories, Rue Morgue, Zombies magazine, and other print and digital outlets. Mike is interested in religion, science, conspiracism, media, books & monsters. You can learn more about Mike Duran, his writing projects, cultural commentary, philosophical musings, and arcane interests, at his website.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Box (Reagan Moon #1) by Mike Duran is the first book in this great new series. If you like paranormal items, creatures, intrigue, action, magic, and lots of fun, this series is for you. I picked it up because it looked like it might be fun and it sure was! It was so much fun! Just what the fantasy junkie in me needed. I had a blast! A fun ride from start to finish...of course I had to look for book two!

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Mike Duran's since his first book. This is definitely my favorite so far. Urban fantasy, mystery, strange supernatural artifacts, lots of action, and quirky characters. That last especially. I really liked Reagan, totally connected to him, and found the voice of the novel compelling. My favorite character, though, is Bernard :). Sorry, no spoilers--you'll have to read to meet him!

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book 1

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[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghost Box was a refreshing change of pace after several months of giving up on nearly every novel I began. Reading Urban Fantasy is not typically a part of my wheelhouse – not by a long shot – but I think Duran has changed that for me. Reagan Moon is an everyman, stumbling into his unique place in a world of powerful relics and otherworldly nasties. With the ending poised to send Moon on his next adventure, I look forward to reading the upcoming sequel, Saint Death.

In addition to The Ghost Box, I highly recommend Duran’s blog, deCOMPOSE (www.mikeduran.com). It is a thoughtful, engaging conversation on writing and publishing from the perspective of a Christ-follower. Check out The Ghost Box as well as his other fiction and non-fiction work.

[H.A. Titus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Box is the story of a paranormal reporter, Reagon Moon, who is caught up in a supernatural mystery that involves his dead girlfriend, an old relic, and a boatload of trouble.
The book reminded me a little of the old-timey detective novels because of the cynical, sarcastic voice of Reagan Moon and the collection of zany characters he runs into. Though not straight-up horror, there are some genuinely creepy moments and plenty of action to keep you turning pages, but also some humor. Mike Duran does a great job weaving myths and urban legends into a modern-day setting.
Randy Streu does a fabulous job narrating, with a diverse number of voices so that I never got confused as to which character was speaking. All in all, a fabulous novel, and one I'd highly recommend reading or listening to! (Or both!)
~*~I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an epic read, in the way that all stories concerning the fight between good and evil are epic. After delving into the fathoms of my Kindle I came up with this amazing gem that looks to be the start of an enticing series. Mixing history with the mythological and paranormal, the novel had me glued within the first few pages with it's eclectic characters and intriguing plot. I'll definitely be adding the next book of the series onto my TBR pile.

[Johne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to put a finger on what genre to call this - Urban Fantasy? Speculative Thriller? I think it hews closer to Paranormal Noir, the sort of thing you'd get if Frank Peretti channeled Dashiell Hammett and H. P. Lovecraft.

A love for genre fiction runs strong through this novel, as well as a fascination for the weird and the offbeat. And yet Mike Duran makes it all work and keeps the pages turning while his protagonist falls deeper down the rabbit hole. You've got a struggling investigative journalist, arcane relics, a labyrinthine plot, a clever variation on the femme fatale, and an evil so great that it takes your breath away. This novel is audacious, brash, free-wheeling, and utterly fearless.

I had a blast getting to know Reagan Moon and can't wait for him to save the world again. And the sooner the better.

[J.M. Hackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a creepy story! While I don't read horror, I enjoyed this book enough to look for book 2. Is it dark? Yes. But it's well written, with shades of hope and a reluctant hero finding his purpose (or beginning to) at the end of the story. It reminded me of a creepy Ghostbusters, with some cool artifacts of power thrown in.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghost Box is my first Mike Duran book and though it's not my normally preferred genre, I found the book gripping, engaging and thought provoking. It might be called noir paranormal suspense or perhaps supernatural thriller.

Reagan Moon is a severely disillusioned paranormal reporter with a penchant for numerology and a huge dose of cynicism for anything paranormal or supernatural. Moreover, he is finding it hard to move on after the tragic accidental death of his girl friend Ellie less than a year before (and earlier deaths of his mother and father). All that changes on the 18th as he is sent by the mysterious Klammer to investigate Ellie's death as a cleverly concealed murder.

What starts out with what could be a hard boiled detective story rapidly heats up as Reagan finds it harder and harder to deny the paranormal, especially once he gets glimpses into different dimensions. The novel is fast paced, with some striking descriptive passages and wonderfully quirky characters - Bernard, Matisse (the Mad Spaniard), enigmatic Kanya, the chilling Sidra - even Chelsea the cat - and a whole host of paranormal phantasmal manifestations. I wasn't as struck with Volden and towards the end, I felt that Reagan kept giving up way too often ('there is nothing I can do') but he does redeem himself in a climatic, sizzling finish. And overall, I liked Reagan as a character and look forward to more in Reagan Moon mysteries.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent third outing for Mike Duran, easily my favorite of his yet. Duran pretty much mixes it all up in here - Otherwordly creatures from Beyond seeking a foothold in our world, ancient gods and demons preying upon mankind, healthy nods to Lovecraft, esoterica and mythical themes abound - with the eternal battle between Good and Evil raging in earnest. I also loved the portraits of "weird LA." I almost hope Moon's next adventure is not QUITE so big on an epic scale, and that he gets to mix it up a little more with that weird LA on a more human, temporal level.

Very similar in tone to Koontz's Odd Thomas, though Reagan Moon reads a little bit more like an early Harry Dresden, or even a "slacker" version of Kolchak the Night Stalker, and the "divine order" recruiting Moon is a little more defined than you'd find in an Odd Thomas adventure (though not overbearing at all). Also, the cosmic conflict of unseen forces - angels and demons - reminds me of NAMELESS, by Mercedes Yardley.

This is also Duran's first release outside the CBA (Christian Fiction Association), allowing him more freedom in many ways, and he puts it all to excellent use creating enjoyable, believable, flawed characters. I kinda wish I'd written this myself. Regardless, I'll be checking in for Regean Moon's next adventure.

[Lisa Godfrees · Rating 3 out of 5]

A skeptical reporter from a paranormal magazine gets hired to investigate the death of his girlfriend by an eccentric and reclusive billionaire.

The book's occult themes start out as creepy. A serial killer is stalking mediums throughout Los Angeles and something wicked this was is coming. About half-way through the book, creepy turns to fantastical as mystery becomes mission.

The author’s prose is excellent and the story well-conceived, but I didn't connect with the main character. Reagan Moon is a reluctant hero and while I liked other characters in the book, especially Matisse, Reagan never grew on me. Other than mourning his girlfriend, he didn't seem to care much about anything so I didn't find myself caring about him. I forced myself to keep reading because I was curious as to how the book would end. I think this is a reader preference because others have loved this book and rated it highly, but I didn't find it compelling.

There were many things cool about the book- like the Rival’s Curtain and the Asylum. And at the end, I found myself still wanting to know more about Klammer.

I think readers who enjoy supernatural thrillers along the Ghostbusters II variety will enjoy this book.

[Keanan Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Box by Mike Duran is a ghost story, a murder mystery, an urban fantasy, and a love story.

The protagonist — Reagan Moon, reporter for a publication specializing in the paranormal — is the guardian of a Tau left in his care by his girlfriend, Ellie, before she was lost in an explosion. Why is it important?

Why does a famous recluse want Reagan’s help, and why are psychics and mediums being killed?

Framed for the murders and sought by those who want the Tau, Reagan seeks help from Matisse, a former Jesuit priest who is now the keeper of an archive of paranormal arcana. Matisse’s mysterious daughter, Kanya, and a cheeky guardian angel, Bernard, become Reagan’s sidekicks on a mission to take down the forces of evil invading this world and to solve the mystery of his girlfriend’s death.

Along the way, there’s humor, a bit of angst and self-reflection, action, and the introduction of strange goggles that enable Reagan to see into another dimension.

The Ghost Box is what might happen if a rookie Librarian ever met the crew at Warehouse 13 and they all chased down Dracula and The Mummy.

Recommended reading.

[K.M. Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this book since the author breathed word of its existence. It didn't disappoint--gods, monsters, demons, grubs, the LAPD, and numerology. Boy oh boy, this was a fun book.

Once there's a few more books in the series, I think it'll be a fine way to scratch the Dresden itch between books. I've been hunting for an urban fantasy hero with morals, like Dresden has. While not yet as heart-wrenching, Reagan Moon makes an admirable start. I found him much more likeable than the hero of the Iron Druid series, but that's my personal taste.

I do think the book needs more oomph in the emotional reaction department--but then, it's only the first book. I'm sure later books will achieve all kind of gut-wrenching-ness.

I look forward to the next Reagan Moon book!

[J.S. Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wacky, fun read that reminded me of what might happen if Ghostbusters met Warehouse 13. The story's first-person narrator, Reagan Moon, has a distinctive voice that had me giggling on multiple occasions.

[Claire Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun book and i would love to see it as a movie!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit, I was totally a chicken to read this novel. The cover had me intrigued for sure, but ancient gods from a parallel dimension as well as an occult archivist? No, no thank you.

However, here I am writing a review, giving it four stars.

"The Ghost Box" was very well done and really grabbed my attention. Reagan Moon was a great hero to cheer for and despite not being as cynical as he is, I found myself relating to him often. The things he experiences that would be considered other-worldly had me sucked into the "other side" as much as him I think.

As weird as it is to say, I strongly liked the occult archivist. I loved his passion for his mission and found something Moon says about him to be so true of people (it was also convicting, though I won't quote what he said due to spoilers). Plus, a special scene those two had was amazing and almost made me a little teary (again, can't explain further due to spoilers).

Overall, a very good story with an imperfect hero and awesome side characters, even if it all made me jumpy and on edge. I'm excited to see what happens next, especially concerning things that developed at the end.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan Moon is a journalist. Sort of. Actually, Reagan Moon is more or less to journalists what mimes are to actors. He's a tabloid reporter. A paranormal tabloid reporter. Which is a great job if you can get over the insane hours, the pushy editor, and the vague self-loathing that come with it. After the tragic loss of his girlfriend, Moon spends his time muddling through his day job, and going home to muddle through the rest of his life, when out of nowhere he finds the story of a lifetime. Or rather, it finds him.

Moon is contracted by a wealthy eccentric to dig into the rebuilding of the Tower of Babel in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles by the rich man's former partner. Along the way Moon discovers there may be more -- much more -- to his girlfriend's death than he ever suspected, and what begins as a strange assignment through the city's paranormal underworld turns very, very personal.

Moon isn't alone, however. He is aided in their turns by a strange psychic, a Mad Frenchman and his daughter, and an invisible... something... named Bernard.

If I'm being vague, it's for good reason. This piece of paranormal noir -- unique for Duran in both genre and audience (this is Mike's first self-published novel, first paranormal urban fantasy noir, and first book outside the Christian market) -- is one that really ought to be read and discovered on its own terms. Digging through the evidence with Reagan and discovering the invisible reality as he does is half the fun.

And it is a fun book. Part Dresden Files, part Kolchak, with a little bit of Clive Barker thrown in, The Ghost Box and its protagonist Reagan will keep you turning page after page.

Duran is an author who writes rich characters and compelling storylines, and The Ghost Box is no exception. However, because there's so much to discover here, the exposition can at time feel a little long, and some of the characters will leave the reader wanting a just a little more background. That said, Duran tells you what you need to know, and does it in style. There is nothing superfluous in the exposition and he rewards you with a rich, supernatural conspiracy both unique and entertaining.

Already a fan of Duran's supernatural thrillers, his turn at paranoir has made me a believer. I'm looking forward to reading more of Reagan Moon's story in the future.

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan Moon is a reporter who covers paranormal events for his paper, mostly skeptically. He's suffered some loss in his past, losing both his father and his girlfriend, but his head for the most part is on all right. That is, until a shadowy, rich benefactor gets him involved in the mother of all conspiracy cases. Now he's tied up with a mad Spaniard who presides over a large collection of paranormal objects, his daughters, and the owner of a local megacorp who might just be trying to open a gate to hell. Oh, and he has to babysit his neighbor's cat. God, he hates cats.

It's a surprisingly fast read for the 380 or so pages my Kindle version had. Reagan doesn't have the luxury to sit still much, and something is almost always happening to him or near him. I liked the world, and sort of the unusual take it has on the paranormal. People seem to believe in it, and it affects people's lives but it seems to be something people tend to be entirely skeptical about unless they have a gift or take sort of an obsessive interest in it. You may not run into a werewolf at the corner store, but people do know of mediums, and it's not entirely out there to go contact one if you want to speak with the dead. The villain in particular I thought was well done, especially compared to some of Mike's past works; more ironic, more intelligent, but definitely evil and alien.

There are a couple of downsides, though. I think the book is a little too fast-paced. I would have liked a slower, more mysterious book that spent some time describing the interesting world he thought of. There was a lot of concepts, myths, and background in the book that cried out for more exploration, like a certain good secret society or the nature of a supporting character. I think the fast pace also makes Reagan a little less memorable too. He's not a bad character by any means, but I would have liked to know more about him, especially his daily reporting life and his skepticism about the paranormal.

I don't think these really harm the book, though. It's still a good, quick paranormal read and a lot better than many indie paranormal books out there. A good first start to a series that I hope will develop more over time.

(Disclaimer. I'm friends with Mike, but I purchased this copy.)

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of out there but that's what I liked...

Kind of out there but that's what I liked about it. It was grounded in both biblical and the mystical hocus pocus paranormal thing too. I really liked Reagan Moon and Kayla/Cricket. I'm going to miss Matisse but I'm interested in how Felix and Blondie will continue to play out and there is no way that all the monsters are gone. They have just been temporarily been sent home. Spiralled seemed to be loosely based on some of the Speilberg LA Hollywood scene. I mean, having the bad guys based in the Hollywood scene made lots of sense to me. I enjoyed this story enough to read the next book in the Reagan Moon series and if that's not an endorsement to this book then I don't know how to make it any more explainable.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Mr. Duran, I didn't get much done around the house on my day off. Instead, I sat down with this book and couldn't put it down until I finished! The main character is a skeptic, and I began this book in the same mindset, skeptical I could love a genre I don't normally read (paranormal/suspense.) I certainly didn't expect to be sucked into the plotline, falling under the spell of a great story. It takes a talented author to describe darkness so well I could practically smell the stench of evil. Years ago I read Frank Peretti books that left me with this sense of the reality of spiritual warfare. This book is similar in that I expect it will remain with me for many days. I am happy to see it is Book 1 of a planned series. I will definitely read more of this author!

[Robynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read Mike's short stories and liked them. Now I know I like his longer stories, too. I only finish one of every five books I read, so it got an automatic three stars for that. The main character was interesting, if occasionally slow on the uptake. I can't shake the impression that he wore sweat pants through the whole book. I finished it in a reasonable time frame, meaning I didn't put it down for three months and come back to it. I enjoyed the humor, and wondered if I'd missed an earlier book because the history seemed solid. It finished well, and answered all the major questions it raised. Next time I'm looking for a supernatural action/mystery, I'll think of Mike Duran.

[Lelia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I had this book with me as I waited fruitless hours for the furnace repairman. It's the first time I've had a good time while waiting on an appliance repairman. This noir paranormal filled with science-fiction tropes done fresh and with humor made for an exciting read. Satisfying end though there is room for a sequel, which I will also buy. So, if you like noir, paranormal, suspense, thriller, science-fiction, humor, or any combination thereof, you might enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Mark Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're into the semi-serious adventure movies from the 80s and early 90s, then you'll get a kick out of The Ghost Box. Lovecraft meets Indiana Jones meets The Mummy meets WTF?!?! Supernatural bug-a-boo abounds, and any fan of paranormal urban fantasy will eat this up. The protagonist's snarky, cynical commentary did become annoying pretty quickly but the book is set in LA, so an overdose of attitude is to be expected. As the cover suggests, there are more books to come, so bring 'em on!

[Shylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have liked other things by Mike Duran, but this isn't one was not my favorite. The first time I read this book, I pretty much panned. He has since put this it in an audio in audible, and I must say, it was decent.

I still think the presentation of this story is a bit flat, but if you like the urban fantasy genre, you will find this worth reading.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very slow at reading eBooks, but this one was so good that I didn't care it was an eBook.

I can't even explain this amazing book. I couldn't predict what was going to happen, even in the last page. I loved everything about this story, and I'm curious about the next adventure.

Now I'm going to take some time to fangirl with this book! :)

[Rachel Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review incoming...

[TheConsultingWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense, thrills and overall creepiness. This book is paranormal with some horror splashed in. A nice recipe for a book that I can’t put down. Reagan Moon is like a paranormal detective, though his day job is a journalist. I liked the introduction of Rival’s Curtain, to give us a glimpse of another world/dimension. The creatures described, especially those feeding off of humans, were suitably terrifying. From start to finish, the way it was written made it easy to picture each scene, which I love. If only I could take what I imagined while reading and sketch it on paper. The bad guy was great. What can I say without spoiling too much? You’ll have to find out more about him by reading the book. I’d like to see where this series goes. I’m curious about certain characters and have lots of questions. Hopefully those will be answered in the next two books. Thank you, Mike, for not ending on a cliffhanger. As I neared the end, the story’s pace quickened. I worried that things would be left on a cliffhanger. I rarely read that fast to find out what happened. I was happy to read a great ending, plus a little taste of things to come.

[Jason McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the world building for the Reagan Moon novels. The historical and mythical blend together around a guy who just doesn’t want to believe in much of anything. As you can imagine, the skeptic doesn’t stay that way for long. Great villians, believable heroes, and the triumph of good over evil made this a book I would highly recommend.

[Lee]

I didn't actually really enjoy it all that much. Too occult for my tastes. Possibly because it was written by a Christian author. I don't think it would have felt as uncomfortable if not for that? It was okay, but kind of standard and uninteresting, and uncomfy for my taste.

[Melissa Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book! great characters and a good story line..kept me turning the pages to see what happens next..

[Pamela Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots to like in this first book of the Reagan Moon series. Anyone who can pull Tolkien and CS Lewis into their narrative is worth a read by me.