What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ghost Ring: Specters of Caligo Woods
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
3 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Tom Hoffman
26 books37 followersA veteran author of thrilling young adult and middle grade adventure stories, Tom Hoffman received a B.S. in psychology from Georgetown University and a B.A from the now-defunct Oregon College of Art. He has lived in Alaska with his wife Alexis since 1973. They have two adult children and four amazing grandchildren. Tom has been a graphic designer and artist for over 35 years. Redirecting his imagination from art to writing, he wrote his first novel, The Eleventh Ring, at age 63.
The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse adventures are multi-leveled stories and have been compared to classics such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and Neverending Story. The books were written for his grandchildren to first enjoy as thrilling adventure tales; then as adults to discover the underlying themes of ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, quantum physics, and spirituality. A common theme is the idea that there is no magic, only science we don't understand. The books were written to provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see all life as a single force, all life equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!
Visit me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Hoffman-...
The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse adventures are multi-leveled stories and have been compared to classics such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and Neverending Story. The books were written for his grandchildren to first enjoy as thrilling adventure tales; then as adults to discover the underlying themes of ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, quantum physics, and spirituality. A common theme is the idea that there is no magic, only science we don't understand. The books were written to provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see all life as a single force, all life equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!
Visit me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Hoffman-...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 20, 2026
“They’re baaaack …” (Marketing tagline for Poltergeist 2)
It is patently unfair to compare the brilliantly inventive efforts of author Tom Hoffman to the much inferior media attraction that purports to explain paranormal activity while preparing to discuss this fourth addition to the writer’s highly popular Ghost Ring Series: Specters of Caligo Woods. Still, Clara Barley and Simon Moody are indeed back in all their charming and humorous glory, and this latest installment detailing their spectral investigations into ghastly affairs only deepens one’s fascination with events “beyond the grave.” For the attentive, this episode comes with a few little cautionary snippets, such as that itty-bitty, teeny-weeny blurb tucked beside a back-cover image of a haunting waif-child and her bunny. It doesn't bode well for any reader brave enough to venture inside.
“The brightest of angels cast the darkest of shadows.”
Indeed, Mr. Hoffman and his protagonist cohorts gravitate toward dark shadows that grow ever darker as the series progresses. After all, there is that Foul Beast that haunts the depths of Devil’s Lake, not to mention the murderess matron revisited from earlier episodes. Meanwhile, Clara and Simon are becoming inseparable as friends, partners, and possibly more, continuing to flirt and play around the edges of a deep, serious commitment. All of these ingredients—including the essential dash of Hoffman humor—combine to illuminate the darkness and resolve many age-old mysteries in the quaint, lovable, and darkly haunted town known as Caligo Falls. Angels can indeed cast dark shadows.
It is patently unfair to compare the brilliantly inventive efforts of author Tom Hoffman to the much inferior media attraction that purports to explain paranormal activity while preparing to discuss this fourth addition to the writer’s highly popular Ghost Ring Series: Specters of Caligo Woods. Still, Clara Barley and Simon Moody are indeed back in all their charming and humorous glory, and this latest installment detailing their spectral investigations into ghastly affairs only deepens one’s fascination with events “beyond the grave.” For the attentive, this episode comes with a few little cautionary snippets, such as that itty-bitty, teeny-weeny blurb tucked beside a back-cover image of a haunting waif-child and her bunny. It doesn't bode well for any reader brave enough to venture inside.
“The brightest of angels cast the darkest of shadows.”
Indeed, Mr. Hoffman and his protagonist cohorts gravitate toward dark shadows that grow ever darker as the series progresses. After all, there is that Foul Beast that haunts the depths of Devil’s Lake, not to mention the murderess matron revisited from earlier episodes. Meanwhile, Clara and Simon are becoming inseparable as friends, partners, and possibly more, continuing to flirt and play around the edges of a deep, serious commitment. All of these ingredients—including the essential dash of Hoffman humor—combine to illuminate the darkness and resolve many age-old mysteries in the quaint, lovable, and darkly haunted town known as Caligo Falls. Angels can indeed cast dark shadows.
Displaying 1 of 1 review