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The Ghost Ring: Lost Souls of Caligo Falls
329 pages, Paperback
Published July 6, 2026
About the author
Tom Hoffman
27 books38 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-...
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
July 16, 2026
“Simon did not like the idea of whispering ghosts.”
Simon may be uncomfortable with many aspects of paranormal investigation, but he is most certainly in love with his partner in crime, Clara Barley. Indeed, their relationship has blossomed most beautifully since their introduction in Book One of Tom Hoffman’s exquisitely crafted series, The Ghost Ring. Here, in Book Five, the inseparability of the series’ two endearing protagonists is vital to their success in solving some really gruesome murders. They may poke each other relentlessly, with Clara especially fond of stirring Simon’s latent paranoia, but when it “comes to the crunch” or “push comes to shove” (often literally, in the author’s deftly quirky hands), they are bonded as strongly as the ring they often share to see the ghosts they might rather not—like that mangled girl eternally stranded in the abandoned hotel elevator.
What I say next must include the declaration that Book One of this marvelous Ghost Ring series already commands a 5-star rating for excellence and fascination; nonetheless, each book gets better and better, and Book Five is no exception. I state unreservedly that this latest chapter in Simon and Clara’s ghostly adventures is the best so far (and I entreat Mr. Hoffman to heed the words, ‘so far’). Partly because our two lovebirds’ relationship continues to mature so nicely, partly because the mysteries involved are even more complex and intriguing, and largely because the cast of characters becomes ever more beguiling with each addition—including the thoroughly unexpected and delightful appearance of Detective Watson—one must add a limitless plus-sign to the 5 stars already explicitly awarded.
Simon may be uncomfortable with many aspects of paranormal investigation, but he is most certainly in love with his partner in crime, Clara Barley. Indeed, their relationship has blossomed most beautifully since their introduction in Book One of Tom Hoffman’s exquisitely crafted series, The Ghost Ring. Here, in Book Five, the inseparability of the series’ two endearing protagonists is vital to their success in solving some really gruesome murders. They may poke each other relentlessly, with Clara especially fond of stirring Simon’s latent paranoia, but when it “comes to the crunch” or “push comes to shove” (often literally, in the author’s deftly quirky hands), they are bonded as strongly as the ring they often share to see the ghosts they might rather not—like that mangled girl eternally stranded in the abandoned hotel elevator.
What I say next must include the declaration that Book One of this marvelous Ghost Ring series already commands a 5-star rating for excellence and fascination; nonetheless, each book gets better and better, and Book Five is no exception. I state unreservedly that this latest chapter in Simon and Clara’s ghostly adventures is the best so far (and I entreat Mr. Hoffman to heed the words, ‘so far’). Partly because our two lovebirds’ relationship continues to mature so nicely, partly because the mysteries involved are even more complex and intriguing, and largely because the cast of characters becomes ever more beguiling with each addition—including the thoroughly unexpected and delightful appearance of Detective Watson—one must add a limitless plus-sign to the 5 stars already explicitly awarded.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review