Bedlam Lost

by Jack Castle

You May Never Sleep Again!
Filled with surprises and twists
We double-dare you to put down this thrilling novel
By an amazon best selling author

"Just when you think everything has been said or done, along comes Bedlam Lost. Horror, sci-fi, mystery, suspense, and lots of action, this book kept me guessing right to the end!" - Dennis Bryant

"This book kept me on my toes with every chapter." - Ryan Chidester 

Featuring more twists than a Philly soft pretzel!

HavenPort: Population 492
A town with no roads in or out.

Deputy Hank McCarthy has just moved his family into the remote Alaskan town to replace the local Sheriff. He doesn’t think a small sleepy town like HavenPort will offer much in the way of excitement but, considering what he’s running from, he’s more than happy about that.

New York City ballet dancer Emma Hudson is running from something too. Unlike Hank, she’s not sure what she’ll find in HavenPort, especially when supernatural terrors begin to haunt her dreams, and sometimes her waking hours. The people of HavenPort claim it’s no cause for concern. No need to act crazy. She knows what crazy is like.

When Hank and Emma share a daytime terror they begin to see there’s more to this town than they know. Unfortunately for them it’s already too late. Their paths are chosen. There’s no way out of HavenPort.

A supernatural sci-fi thriller, Bedlam Lost delivers for fans of Dean Koontz and J. J. Abrams’ LOST. Step into this story and you might not be able to leave.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2015

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jack Castle’s novels have been consistently ranked in the Top 100 Bestselling books on Amazon and are available worldwide in e-book, print, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble.

He has been labeled by the Coeur D’Alene Press as the “Man of Adventures!” and traveled the globe as a professional stuntman for stage, film, and television. While working in Orlando (the theme park capital of the world) he met Cinderella at Walt Disney World, and they were soon married.

After moving to Alaska, he worked as a tour guide, police officer, and Criminal Justice professor. He has been stationed on a remote island in the Aleutians as a Response Team Commander, and his last job in the Arctic Circle was protecting engineers from ravenous polar bears.

After spending a decade in Idaho crafting award-winning adventures for Silverwood Theme Park and guiding millions of guests through them, Jack Castle moved back home to his native Central Florida.

These days he splits his time between writing books, going on adventures with his family to fuel them, and helping others get published by teaching classes at local libraries and universities.
www.JackCastlebooks.com

Reviews

[Frank Errington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy

Havenport, Alaska. A very small community with limited access in or out of town, and like the lyrics to Hotel California, "You can check-out anytime you like, but you can never leave."

As I'm reading Bedlam Lost, the first word that pops into my mind is "strange," but in a nice way.

The key players in this book share a common experience, they are new to town and the way each of them came to be in Havenport is shrouded in mystery. And just what is Latitude 61?

As a reader, I don't generally enjoy being left in the dark, but with Bedlam Lost, despite not really knowing what was going on, I found myself enjoying the storytelling. There is an overall surrealness to life in Havenport, Alaska. And the story itself features more twists than a Philly soft pretzel. The end result is an enjoyable read.

Bedlam Lost is currently available as an e-book from Edge publishers. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this one at no additional charge. Plus, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

Recommended.

Jack Castle's live reads more like that of a character in one of his books. He has traveled the globe as a professional stuntman for stage, film, and television. While working for Universal Studios, he met Cinderella at Walt Disney World and they were soon married.

After moving to Alaska, he worked as a tour guide, police officer, Criminal Justice professor, and certified weapons instructor. He has been stationed on a remote island in the Aleutians as a Response Team Commander and his last job in the Arctic Circle was protecting engineers from ravenous polar bears. He has had several Alaska adventure stories published along with articles in international security periodicals.

[Robert August · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Castle's novel BEDLAM LOST is about… Exactly! The first thing you notice when trying to explain Castle’s novel is that it’s hard to pigeonhole. Publisher EDGE lists the genre as: Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller & Suspense and Action & Adventure. Sounds like they can’t decide, right? And to tell you the truth they’re right on all four categories. I might even throw in a few more like: Horror, Psychological Thriller and Theological Phantasm. Is that last one a thing? The novel is so hard to pin down because the narrative has a dream-like quality that really draws you in. It felt like one of Kurt Vonnegut's better works. Every time you think you have a handle on it, Castle’s narrative takes a hard left turn for somewhere else.

The protagonists are New York City ballet dancer Emma Hudson and Deputy Hank McCarthy. Castle draws us into their stories through their actions, which are immediately engrossing. Hank’s tale starts off like it might be a standard new-sheriff-in-town story, but then things get pretty crazy pretty quick. Emma, on the other hand, pegs the weird-o-meter right off the bat. They both end up in a remote Alaskan town called HavenPort where their narratives intersect. By the time things really come unglued, we’ve been immersed within both Emma and Hank long enough to be fully in their corners. Castle does a great job bringing both protagonists to life. As to the surrounding characters Emma and Hank meet in HavenPort, what a weird and wonderful menagerie! The main antagonist is a particularly worthy nightmare, but I won’t go into detail; this character really must be discovered without preconceived notions.

You won’t be disappointed if you pick up BEDLAM LOST. Jack Castle is a writer worth keeping an eye on.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this as a giveaway from www.librarything.com I enjoyed reading it. It was my first book by this author. It had a good story to it. I hope to read more books by this author.

[Robert Bose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightmares. Everyone gets them. Everyone wakes up. Or do they? Hank is a lawman with a cloudy past, Emma a dancer with family troubles. They both arrive in HavenPort, a small town in nowhere Alaska, where everything seems simple and perfect. Appearances, they soon learn, can be deceiving and a worrisome wrongness harries the edge of their perceptions. The more eclectic townspeople they meet, and the more history they learn, the deeper they slide towards both figuring out the mystery and being consumed by it.

Dark and frightening. This is one of those books where you are almost hesitant to turn the page. On one hand you want to know what happens next, but on the other you cringe knowing that it can, and probably will, get more terrifying. Great setting. Intriguing characters. Crazy plot. Just when you think you've figured it out, it takes an expected turn.

A terrific follow up to the Europa Journal. Bring on the White Death!

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.....

Bedlam Lost is a fantastic supernatural thriller. The story wastes no time getting started, and it keeps up unrelentingly until the end. What I loved most is that this novel does not have a "dead zone". Most novels pull the reader in with a thrilling intro, then wrap up with an exciting conclusion, but tend to be rather flat in the middle. This story, however, keeps coming at you, chapter after chapter. The plot is exciting and keeps you socket by each new development, the characters are believable and the wiring is simple and straightforward. I highly recommend this one, and i believe I will give the authors first novel, Europa Journal, a try as well!

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book really takes you on a thrill ride! This is normally not the genre that I read, but I loved Europa Journal so much that I had to read this one too. It is definitely difficult to categorize this book. Its very suspenseful, thrilling, gruesome, scary, and intense. I could not see any way to a resolution, but Jack Castle pulled it off with lots of twists and turns along the way. Even when I thought it was over, there was still more.

[Alisa Rhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every twist and turn this book took me on! Bedlam Lost is packed full of intrigue and keeps you guessing throughout. The story line will satisfy any thrill seeker and the well developed characters draw you in from the start. Not to mention the love/hate/creeped-out relationship that you will find yourself in with regards to the terrifying villain. It's just something you'll have to experience for yourself. This book hooks you from the start and takes you on a journey that is entertaining, unexpected, and twisted! It is wicked fun!

[Samantha Neeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap! One of my favorite Jack Castle books. It's creepy and awesome and it will never leave you! I finished the book over four months ago and I am still contemplating and speculating the plot and characters. He leaves you wanting more. I think at one time I actually screamed in reaction to the feels that were happening. I loved it! Read it. You will love it!

[Jack Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had received this ARC for an honest review and went into the book blind. I had read the blub about the book, but really didn't know what I was getting into. I know that everyone in the book had Nightmares. I didn't know if the characters were dealing with Nightmares, hallucinations or something else. The question, did everyone wake up from their Nightmares or were they in it? Hank McCarthy is a lawman with a cloudy past, Emma Smith, a Ballet dancer from New York with family troubles. They both arrive in HavenPort, a small town in Alaska, and everything seems simple and perfect, except how they got there. They soon learn that everything isn't as it seems. There's a certain wrongness to the place that harries the edge of their perceptions. The more eclectic townspeople they meet, and the more history they learn, the deeper they slide towards both figuring out the mystery and being consumed by it.
The book was dark and frightening and not necessarily my cup of tea. However, I was drawn into the book, wanting to see what would happen next. I cringed with the introduction of some of the crazy characters in the book. I know it was going to get more terrifying. Anyway, it was a great setting. Intriguing characters. Crazy plot. Just when you think you've figured it out, it takes an unexpected turn.The book didn't end the way I would have preferred, but it certainly broke out from predictability.
I look forward to Mr. Castle's next book, White Death.

Jack Murphy

[Terrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bedlam Lost is an interesting book. It is quite scary or is freaky a better word? This is a book that leaves you guessing in the beginning so make yourself keep reading. The first half of the book leaves you wondering who to root for and you have no idea what is going on.

I am glad I kept reading as it got more interesting as it went. If you enjoy suspense novels or ones where you aren't completely sure who is good or bad then this is the novel for you. The ending was definitely a surprise.

I was glad to read a book that didn't have a ton of profanity and detailed sexual content as it has seemed like there's been a lot more of that in recent years.

**a little bit of information about the content- don't read if you want to read it without any background**

It is primarily set in Alaska although that aspect of the book plays a relatively small role. Without giving too much, a disparate or seemingly random group of people find themselves in the small town of Havenport, Alaska. They each experience various terrifying events and are unsure of why they are there or how they got there... the rest you will have to find out for yourself.

I was very dissatisfied with the last chapter and wish that they had ended the book one chapter earlier. Some readers, though, will love the last chapter I expect.

[BookzBookzBookz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by EDGE Publishing.
When I read Jack Castle's first book (Europa Journal 10/12/15), I was wow'd and gave it a raving review. One reason I love his books- there's always a little bit of faith in there! Not enough to deter a reader, but still something to think ab out when it comes to your life lived and what comes next. Cheers to this awesome author.

At first I didn't get the book cover. Some loner walking in a thirsty land, into a light... then as I kept reading, I was like, "OH... okay!" I won't tell you why, because I don't give SPOILERS! But I can say, the cover fits the tale.

Bedlam Lost is about several characters, but I'll give two: Hank and Emma. They're new to the small down in Alaska. They can't seem to remember much and the first day they arrive, some freaky stuff happens. It doesn't seem to shadow their experience in the small town of HavenPort, population: 492. That is, until even more freaky stuff takes place- bigger than before! Then memories are starting to surface, and people aren't who they think/say they are... or are they?

For full review: http://tinyurl.com/jlfrkxf
**Book provided by EDGE Publishing, for an honest review.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance reader’s copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The story takes place in an isolated town in Alaska, and focuses on two characters, each of whom have arrived at the town with no memory of having made the trip. Weirdness ensues. I can’t really talk much more about the plot without giving away spoilers. If I had to pin a genre on this story, I would have to go with “normal people try to figure out what’s going on in a strange town.”

This was an enjoyable read, fast-paced and well thought out. I found myself wanting to know more about the main characters and some of the settings within and around the town. There were a few grammatical and spelling problems – not a huge amount, but it is something that will always take me out of the story no matter what I’m reading and no matter how inconsequential the error. I also ran across some informal narration which I found a little jarring. I don’t think that was a big deal per se, but I expect loose, slangy prose in dialogue, but not so much in narration.

All in all, I did enjoy this story, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good, suspenseful story. I would have added another half star (if I could!) if the grammatical issues were not present.

[Nancy Tuttens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know anything about the book in advance nor did I know the background of the author. Deputy Hank McCarthy who has a cloudy past and Emma, a dancer who has family troubles, end up in a small town of HavenPort. Both have no memory of how or why they got there. From the beginning the book has you sitting on the edge of your seat. The novel has many interesting characters which the author describes well. You can almost imagine seeing them in front of you. The mystery begins right from the first page and continues on right until the last past. Nobody will figure out the ending – it’s a page turner. It’s a quick read, well written and incorporates both mystery and fiction into the storyline. I am glad that I read this book and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense and fantasy. I must admit that this book has some gory scenes, but this is what makes the storyline have a lot of character. I also read the preview of the author’s next book – it also looks like a must read.

[Alice Dinizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank McCarthy, his wife Sarah and their two young children are headed from Wyoming to Haven Port, Alaska, where a new job as sheriff awaits Hank. Now, Haven Port seems to be a charming little town where the United States government built a military fortress back in the years of World War II. But is it? Emma, once a New York City ballerina, is also arriving at Haven Port as she's out of work, addicted to pain killers after being injured in a motorcycle accident. But, as previously stated, Haven Port isn't what it seems and scary things begin to happen, especially in the old fortress, now rundown and in need of repairs. Great dialogue and in-depth, believable characters make "Bedlam Lost" a must read for horror fans everywhere. The spine tingling mystery of who's dead, who is not, and what really happened in Haven Port and in Hank and in Emma's lives will keep readers absorbed until the story's ending.

[Ally Santra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Bedlam Lost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

First off, this is my first experience with the author, Jack Castle, but I would put this book up there with books by my favorite authors: Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The writing style flows very nicely, and I found myself having a hard time putting this book down. The best things about this book for me is the fact that I didn't entirely figure out what was happening in it until close to the end of the book, and I tend to figure out a lot of mystery type novels early on. I was impressed with how the story went by, and found it incredibly engaging. The characters are quite interesting as well, and I found myself easily rooting for the main characters throughout the story.

If you're a fan of either Stephen King or Dean Koontz, or just like a good mysterious type of story, I definitely recommend you give Bedlam Lost a shot. This is definitely an author you should keep an eye out for.

[Angele Gougeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending. Part of me thinks I should have expected it. But I didn't. The author got me. Well done, Jack.

Right from the start, this book had me hooked. The concept of dreams was an intriguing one. What was real? What wasn't? Were they really dreams? Was it reality? It brought to mind countless horror films, but all told with fresh twists and through new eyes. Even in the end, the mystery of it still wasn't quite solved. Who was telling the truth? Would the story ever truly end?

Jack Castle's created a thrilling and driving tale that only gets better the more you read.

One of my favourite lines: “[...]If his hand wasn't already there, he'd have thought he'd been stabbed on both sides of his head with an ice pick.” An entire change of view is told in how we perceive those words, from beginning of book to end.

Bedlam Lost is a truly great read.

[Angela]

First, let me say that I received a ARC of this book free for a honest review. I went into this book blind. I had read the blurb over a month ago, but could not remember what it was about. I was immediately sucked in! The possibilities for why the characters are at this little town range from the supernatural to military experiments. The main characters can't remember why they came or what happened before their arrival. Not only are they dealing with these issues, but we have a murderer running around town, sometimes naked covered in blood, who creates mayhem wherever he goes. Comparisons have been made to Lost TV show and Wayward Pines, and I can see those ties, but, go into this book with a fresh mind and read it with no presumptions.

[Clinton Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by Edge Publishing.

Replaying the publishers blurb doesn't add value to a review - normally.

Reading the blurb for this book does set the stage for this novel introducing us to the protaganist and setting the locale with a sense of foreboding.
The main characters develop well through the story with some back story being included by use of flashbacks and nightmares.
The story has a hardcore science fiction underpinning that isn't resolved (?) until near the end of the book. No spoilers - but if you like your SF scary and with a dark world - this is one great book.

I totally enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this author.

[Michael Prelee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another winner from Jack Castle. Bedlam Lost is a contemporary scifi thriller than starts off quickly and never slows down. We follow Hank and Emma into the small Alaskan town of Haven Port and we immediately know something off. As the story unfolds and clues are dropped, we get a story that would be right at home in an X-Files episode. The reality of the setting draws the reader in so Jack uses the experiences of his personal life to great effect. I look forward to more.

[Rinku Geeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a thrilling read - it felt a lot like Stephen King book and I was not surprised when I read the author is a fan of Stephen King.
At times it gets a little too CRAZY. Also, I would have liked to see some more time invested in getting the readers attached to the main characters.
But let me reiterate, it definitely was a thrilling read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turning, mind twisting assault on reality that leaves you questioning what is real and what is nightmare but more importantly who is alive or dead? I'd love to see a second book in this series with more answers.

[Joe Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, fast paced story. I really enjoyed the life each character was given. I was able to fully visualize each character and their actions in the book. I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved the ending of this book and look forward to more from Jack Castle.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest review in exchange for the ARC I received. This book has you guessing from the beginning and I am truly glad I kept going. It's scary and different both of which are great things is my opinion. But I wouldn't recommend reading it on a dark,cold night if you are alone.

[M Jane Deneen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book

It was not immediately clear whether this was a clear straightforward book and plot or way out there. Turns out the twist in the end made the story quite unique