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Levin's Ghost
When Ashley and Mark Carlin come home from vacation, they’re greeted with disturbing someone entered their house while they were away. Even more unsettling, the man matches the description of a murderer who vanished from that very home two decades ago.
Already struggling with pressure to start a family, tension with in-laws, and growing suspicion toward her husband, Ashley’s reality begins to crack. The neighbors whisper. Her job overwhelms. And now, her house feels haunted.
As Ashley seeks answers, a mysterious local historian may hold the key—if she can be trusted. Is Ashley spiraling under stress, or is something truly sinister at work?
A chilling, slow-burn thriller in the tradition of Rosemary’s Baby and The Haunting of Hill House, Levin’s Ghost is a harrowing descent into family secrets, supernatural dread, and the terror of becoming someone you no longer recognize.
Already struggling with pressure to start a family, tension with in-laws, and growing suspicion toward her husband, Ashley’s reality begins to crack. The neighbors whisper. Her job overwhelms. And now, her house feels haunted.
As Ashley seeks answers, a mysterious local historian may hold the key—if she can be trusted. Is Ashley spiraling under stress, or is something truly sinister at work?
A chilling, slow-burn thriller in the tradition of Rosemary’s Baby and The Haunting of Hill House, Levin’s Ghost is a harrowing descent into family secrets, supernatural dread, and the terror of becoming someone you no longer recognize.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2025
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September 15, 2025Review of Levin’s Ghost by author Russell Richardson Review by Danielle Jolene Kane
Author Russell Richardson pulls you into Levin’s Ghost with lines such as: “A peace offering— all conditional of course, on his willingness to divulge the dirty details of his wicked family and all their wicked friends.” And honestly, doesn’t every family have dirty laundry hidden somewhere?
Richardson masterfully intertwines language, humor, and character development to craft a rich narrative. His deliberate word choice, characterized by playful alliteration and vivid imagery, enhances the mood and creates an engaging atmosphere that draws readers in. One memorable line is, “Perfect paranoia is perfect awareness.”
I enjoyed analyzing how Richardson’s use of “juicy words” shapes the thriller’s atmosphere. Some examples include: reticence, dashiki, flotsam, feinted, petrichor, fusillade, supercilious, spectral fumigation, and soylent green salad. These carefully chosen words contribute to both mood and tone. I especially loved the playful alliteration of short sentences like: “Brumble brumble bluh” and “the loon leading the loony.”
Richardson weaves music into the book, creating a kind of soundtrack for Levin’s Ghost. Cultural references and songs enrich the atmosphere and deepen our understanding of characters and themes. Among the tracks mentioned: “Ohm” by Yo La Tengo, “Float On” by Modest Mouse, “This Year” by the Mountain Goats, “Videotape” and “Nude” by Radiohead, and “I Put a Spell on You” by Screaming Jay Hawkins.
On a separate short note, I can picture the actress Carol Kane playing the wild part of Zelda the Witch.
Richardson pays homage several times to Broome County, NY, by referencing Sole City—a coffee house in Binghamton—and the old Endicott Johnson shoe factories. His wit and dry, sarcastic humor shine in lines like Officer Kane’s “Not a game.” Humor is woven throughout the narrative, lightening the mood and making the characters more relatable and engaging, allowing readers to connect with their flaws and quirks.
I found it fascinating to follow Ashley, the main character, as she responds to challenges and grows throughout the story. Slowly, Richardson reveals insights not explicitly stated, showing Ashley’s evolution as a young wife. Lines such as “The illusion of control let her breathe more easily” and “Her soul craved simplicity and she had never before realized the satisfaction of crisp decisiveness” highlight her growth and resilience.
Simultaneously, the author’s word choices create a playful and intriguing atmosphere, enhancing the thriller’s tone by building anticipation and curiosity. The line, “The illusion of control let her breathe more easily,” reflects Ashley’s internal struggle and her gradual
realization of the limits of her control. It marks a pivotal moment as she learns to face her challenges with newfound resilience.
Ashley is a complex, challenging character who keeps readers engaged. I especially enjoyed the powerful marital fights throughout the book, which sounded remarkably similar in tone to my own marital discussions.
I think many readers in relationships will relate to Ashley and her gaslighting husband Jim’s arguments and marital discourse. This comes through in observations such as, “In the café, as with all areas of her life, an excess of choices led to indecision.”The interactions between Ashley and Jim, particularly during their disputes, mirror real-life relationships. Their dialogue captures the tension and vulnerability inherent in partnerships, reflecting the frustrations and conflicts many couples experience.
By the end of the book, you too will have learned of Wiccan spells…and the dark secrets they can uncover about family and loved ones.
Author Russell Richardson pulls you into Levin’s Ghost with lines such as: “A peace offering— all conditional of course, on his willingness to divulge the dirty details of his wicked family and all their wicked friends.” And honestly, doesn’t every family have dirty laundry hidden somewhere?
Richardson masterfully intertwines language, humor, and character development to craft a rich narrative. His deliberate word choice, characterized by playful alliteration and vivid imagery, enhances the mood and creates an engaging atmosphere that draws readers in. One memorable line is, “Perfect paranoia is perfect awareness.”
I enjoyed analyzing how Richardson’s use of “juicy words” shapes the thriller’s atmosphere. Some examples include: reticence, dashiki, flotsam, feinted, petrichor, fusillade, supercilious, spectral fumigation, and soylent green salad. These carefully chosen words contribute to both mood and tone. I especially loved the playful alliteration of short sentences like: “Brumble brumble bluh” and “the loon leading the loony.”
Richardson weaves music into the book, creating a kind of soundtrack for Levin’s Ghost. Cultural references and songs enrich the atmosphere and deepen our understanding of characters and themes. Among the tracks mentioned: “Ohm” by Yo La Tengo, “Float On” by Modest Mouse, “This Year” by the Mountain Goats, “Videotape” and “Nude” by Radiohead, and “I Put a Spell on You” by Screaming Jay Hawkins.
On a separate short note, I can picture the actress Carol Kane playing the wild part of Zelda the Witch.
Richardson pays homage several times to Broome County, NY, by referencing Sole City—a coffee house in Binghamton—and the old Endicott Johnson shoe factories. His wit and dry, sarcastic humor shine in lines like Officer Kane’s “Not a game.” Humor is woven throughout the narrative, lightening the mood and making the characters more relatable and engaging, allowing readers to connect with their flaws and quirks.
I found it fascinating to follow Ashley, the main character, as she responds to challenges and grows throughout the story. Slowly, Richardson reveals insights not explicitly stated, showing Ashley’s evolution as a young wife. Lines such as “The illusion of control let her breathe more easily” and “Her soul craved simplicity and she had never before realized the satisfaction of crisp decisiveness” highlight her growth and resilience.
Simultaneously, the author’s word choices create a playful and intriguing atmosphere, enhancing the thriller’s tone by building anticipation and curiosity. The line, “The illusion of control let her breathe more easily,” reflects Ashley’s internal struggle and her gradual
realization of the limits of her control. It marks a pivotal moment as she learns to face her challenges with newfound resilience.
Ashley is a complex, challenging character who keeps readers engaged. I especially enjoyed the powerful marital fights throughout the book, which sounded remarkably similar in tone to my own marital discussions.
I think many readers in relationships will relate to Ashley and her gaslighting husband Jim’s arguments and marital discourse. This comes through in observations such as, “In the café, as with all areas of her life, an excess of choices led to indecision.”The interactions between Ashley and Jim, particularly during their disputes, mirror real-life relationships. Their dialogue captures the tension and vulnerability inherent in partnerships, reflecting the frustrations and conflicts many couples experience.
By the end of the book, you too will have learned of Wiccan spells…and the dark secrets they can uncover about family and loved ones.
Displaying 1 of 1 review