Architect: The Goodpasture Chronicles

by R.J. Halbert

Genres: Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

R.J. Halbert is a sixteen-time award-winning, and best-selling husband and wife team who have collaborated as authors of The Goodpasture Chronicles, a supernatural fantasy trilogy that blends mystery, suspense, endurance, and triumph into an epic adventure. Book one in the series, CARETAKER, received the 2025 Bill Fischer Silver Award, and book two, SERVANT, received the coveted Blue Star from Kirkus Reviews.

Jason Halbert, one-half of R.J. Halbert, is an Emmy and Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter. His songs have reached millions of listeners worldwide through multiple #1 and Platinum selling albums. In addition to his 23+ year career as Music Director and Producer for Kelly Clarkson, he has left his creative mark on numerous works in film and television, and as well as a copious amount of recording artists over the years. When not creating music, he loves bee-keeping, Sci-Fi, and is known to be quite a storyteller.

After homeschooling their two children around the world on a tour bus, Rhonda Halbert, the second half of R.J. Halbert, has spent the past 15 years as a successful music and television manager, guiding her clients’ relationships with labels, networks, and producers. She is also a published photographer, music supervisor, passionate cook, garden enthusiast, and spiritual practitioner.

Together, Jason and Rhonda have woven their 33+ years of life together into a riveting story, based somewhat on truth and experience, but even more so, brimming with imagination.

Reviews

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architect by R.J. Halbert is a supernatural fantasy novel with strong threads of mystery, family drama, faith, and time travel. As the third book in The Goodpasture Chronicles, it follows the Keane family after Zach returns from an ancient world, while Akolo’s story continues across years, grief, love, and strange divine purpose. The book moves between the haunted pull of the Goodpasture house and a much older world of temples, artifacts, kings, and impossible choices. At its heart, though, this is a story about home. Not just the house you live in, but the people, memories, wounds, and hopes that make a place matter.

I enjoyed the way Halbert lets the supernatural sit right beside the ordinary. One moment, I was reading about portals, ancient power, storms, and voices in the wind. The next, I was with a family trying to eat breakfast, survive school, clean up a chicken coop, or figure out how to talk to a teenager who feels deeply hurt. That balance gives the book its warmth. The fantasy elements are big, but the emotions are close to the ground. I also liked how the writing gives different characters room to be confused. Nobody has all the answers, and that feels honest. Zach is trying to piece together memories. Ariel is angry and scared. Lyana and Ian are doing their best while clearly not knowing what “best” even means anymore. That uncertainty makes the story feel lived-in instead of staged.

I was also struck by the author’s choice to build the book around legacy. Akolo’s long journey could have been only a fantasy device, but it becomes something sadder and richer. Immortality is not treated like a prize. It’s heavy. It costs him. It stretches love and loss over time until both become almost unbearable. That gave the book more weight than I expected. The faith language is direct, but the sincerity worked for me more often than not. The book is not trying to be detached or ironic. It believes in healing, restoration, and purpose, and it says so plainly. There is something refreshing about that.

I would recommend Architect most to readers who enjoy faith-centered supernatural fantasy, especially stories where mystery and suspense are tied to family history and emotional healing. It will probably land best for those who have read the earlier books, since this feels like a closing movement in a larger piece of music. Readers who like time travel, ancient history, haunted houses, hidden identities, and redemptive endings will find a lot to enjoy here. I came away feeling that the book is less about solving every strange event than about learning to trust that broken stories can still be gathered into something whole.

[Andrew Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen To The Whispers!!
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Book 3 in The Goodpasture Chronicles brings us back to the Keane family, along with characters we first met in Book 2 (Servant). The story weaves together drama, history, and long-buried secrets, gradually revealing new layers of information as the mystery unfolds.
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I really enjoyed the fast-paced, dramatic ending and the way the family came together to uncover what was happening in their home and the strange experiences each of them faced. The deeper history explored for one of the characters was especially well written and added an intriguing layer to the story.
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Overall, this is a strong third installment, and I’m looking forward to seeing what R. H. Halbert releases next.

[Marianne Pestana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architect is a gripping and beautifully written novel that draws readers into a world filled with mystery, hidden truths, and the enduring impact of family legacy. The story unfolds with remarkable depth, keeping the tension high while revealing layer after layer of intrigue and emotion. The characters are richly developed, and their journeys feel authentic, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Themes of courage, consequence, faith, and destiny are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, creating a reading experience that is both entertaining, timeless, and meaningful. With its compelling storytelling and powerful emotional resonance, Architect is a book that lingers long after the final page has been turned.

[Gracie Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architect is a strong and satisfying conclusion to The Goodpasture Chronicles, bringing together the mystery, history, faith, and emotional depth that have shaped the series. The story keeps its haunting atmosphere while expanding the stakes beyond the house itself, giving the final book a larger and more meaningful sense of purpose. I especially enjoyed how Zach, Ariel, Lyana, Ian, and Akolo’s storylines continue to connect across time, memory, and family legacy. The novel balances suspense with reflection, making the supernatural elements feel tied to healing, truth, and restoration rather than simple scares. Overall, this is a thoughtful, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant finale that gives the trilogy a sense of closure while still leaving readers with plenty to think about.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible ending to this trilogy! This was my favorite book in the series, I think because I was already so invested in the story and characters and needed to know how it ended. There's so much I love about it, the little Easter eggs hidden (starting from book 1!), the twists and turns, the historical and modern storylines. R.J. Halbert has a way of writing that makes it feel like they're inside your life, I related so much to this topics covered in this book. In the end, they're telling a story of hope.

I recommend this series to random strangers in bars, I want everyone to enjoy it as much as I did. Manifesting many more projects from these authors!

[KRISTEN CONNELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architect: The Goodpasture Chronicles immediately stands out with its strong reader reception and the intrigue suggested by its title and series positioning. As the opening of The Goodpasture Chronicles, it carries the appeal of a story designed to establish a larger narrative world while giving readers a reason to continue. The 4.83 rating from early readers is a promising signal, and the book’s June 2026 publication makes this an important stage for converting that early interest into sustained visibility.

[Pam Morarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in a wonderful trilogy. I enjoy ancient history, and there is a fair amount of it in these books, but more importantly it is well written and has a strong story line with really great characters. The world building in the scenes set in ancient Sumeria is very strong; clearly the Halberts did their research. I highly recommend these books, but I also recommend starting with book one, Caretaker.

[Henry Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great trilogy

It has been a long time since I've read a series of books that have a compelling story and great characters. This last book in the trilogy gave both a satisfying conclusion to the story line and a desire for more books by these authors!

[Terri Jeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Architect pulled together this trilogy into a complete package. Clarifying the characters stories and having them blend into the eams of the story wonderfully!
I'll be looking to the future for the next 'trilogy' !
I'll be passing this onto my family and friends to enjoy!!

[Carol Looker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

The story line holds your attention. The characters are written with very descriptive words to allow better understanding of the story. Very well written. 5 stars for the authors!

[Peri R Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great way to end a series! I am going to miss these characters, but I cannot wait to see what R.J. Halbert does next.