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The Haunted #1
Shallow Graves
Not all houses are made of brick and stone... Robert Watts is having the worst day of his entire life: first he's laid off, then he finds out that his wife is having an affair... with his boss no less. And that's only the beginning.
Before the month is out, Robert finds himself alone to raise his daughter with no money, no job, and a house that is minutes from being repossessed. Just when he hits rock bottom, a strange visitor arrives at the doorstep of his soon to be foreclosed house with a letter from an Aunt he didn't know existed.
The offer is simple: look after Aunt Ruth during her dying days, and in return Robert will be bequeathed the Harlop Estate in which she currently resides. It's a no brainer and Robert jumps at the opportunity, equally motivated by the prospect of financial security as he is for a fresh start.
Problem is, it only takes a few nights in the Harlop Estate before he begins to question Aunt Ruth's claims that they are the home's only inhabitants...
It's the scratching he hears during the night, the voices that he can barely make out over the constant rain, and then there's the girl with the rat...
With their house foreclosed and their bank accounts liquidated, Robert and his daughter Amy desperately need a place to live. But the question Robert soon finds himself struggling with is whether living in the Harlop Estate is worth it... and if he can survive until Aunt Ruth passes to collect his inheritance.
Shallow Graves is the first book in the Haunted Series, chilling, gruesome, and truly haunting tales with a twist that you will never see coming.
Before the month is out, Robert finds himself alone to raise his daughter with no money, no job, and a house that is minutes from being repossessed. Just when he hits rock bottom, a strange visitor arrives at the doorstep of his soon to be foreclosed house with a letter from an Aunt he didn't know existed.
The offer is simple: look after Aunt Ruth during her dying days, and in return Robert will be bequeathed the Harlop Estate in which she currently resides. It's a no brainer and Robert jumps at the opportunity, equally motivated by the prospect of financial security as he is for a fresh start.
Problem is, it only takes a few nights in the Harlop Estate before he begins to question Aunt Ruth's claims that they are the home's only inhabitants...
It's the scratching he hears during the night, the voices that he can barely make out over the constant rain, and then there's the girl with the rat...
With their house foreclosed and their bank accounts liquidated, Robert and his daughter Amy desperately need a place to live. But the question Robert soon finds himself struggling with is whether living in the Harlop Estate is worth it... and if he can survive until Aunt Ruth passes to collect his inheritance.
Shallow Graves is the first book in the Haunted Series, chilling, gruesome, and truly haunting tales with a twist that you will never see coming.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2016
1598 people are currently reading
2301 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Logan
106 books450 followersTo download my FREE book, click here: www.ptlbooks.com/newsletter
True story: I used to cut up bodies. No, not for fun, you sickos–for work. After reaching the age of majority and fleeing the clutches of an overprotective mother, I went to university like a good boy.
More than a decade later and an alphabet soup of letters after my name, I found myself looking down the double-chamber of a microscope at an eyeball. Feeling ironically introspective, I decided that it was time for a change.
After seventy plus novels and more than a million copies sold, I’ve found my true calling, one that also includes a plethora of letters. Hopefully you see something in my catalog that you like, something to feast your eyes on.
I also have two spooky podcasts that are appropriate for ALL ages, so long as you like to be scared: P.T. Logan's Five Minutes of Terror and Camp Fear. Both are FREE and available on all podcast platforms. For MATURE audiences, I've created two fiction podcasts, Nightmare Residue and Bad Priest.
I'm on all socials! Just search for AuthorPatrickLogan.
True story: I used to cut up bodies. No, not for fun, you sickos–for work. After reaching the age of majority and fleeing the clutches of an overprotective mother, I went to university like a good boy.
More than a decade later and an alphabet soup of letters after my name, I found myself looking down the double-chamber of a microscope at an eyeball. Feeling ironically introspective, I decided that it was time for a change.
After seventy plus novels and more than a million copies sold, I’ve found my true calling, one that also includes a plethora of letters. Hopefully you see something in my catalog that you like, something to feast your eyes on.
I also have two spooky podcasts that are appropriate for ALL ages, so long as you like to be scared: P.T. Logan's Five Minutes of Terror and Camp Fear. Both are FREE and available on all podcast platforms. For MATURE audiences, I've created two fiction podcasts, Nightmare Residue and Bad Priest.
I'm on all socials! Just search for AuthorPatrickLogan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
March 3, 2017
This was a good creepy tale! It is about a man that loses everything except his daughter and he is summoned by an aunt that he does not know to come to the Harlop house. Him and his daughter have to live with the ghostly residents of the house. From the first page the book grabs you and doesn't let you go till the end. Four stars for this one.
February 23, 2017
I absolutely enjoyed the ghost story.... I wanted to give the book 5 stars but the main character seemed a bit too whiny and the backdrop (worst "day" ever--make it worst summer ever!) was unreal. I know, I know, I'm such a hypocrite because fiction is the suspension of disbelief, but nobody has that much bad luck.... I look forward to reading the next in the series now that the bad luck is over--let's hope the whining has lessened.
December 28, 2017
This was my first Patrick Logan read. i liked it very much. Robert Watts is having a bad time in his life and what should be a spec of hope turns out to be a nightmare. The story kept me hooked and intrigued. Michael Pauly did a great job narrating. I will definitely continue this story and hope it gets easier for Robert.
September 15, 2025
Ich gebe bei ca. 2/3 auf.
Ich ertrag's nicht mehr. Grundsätzlich ist die Geistergeschichte hier solide, wenn auch nichts besonders. Aber ey, dieser Protagonist!
Da ich immer vermute, dass die Hauptfiguren auch irgendwie die Ansichten des Autors/der Autorin widerspiegeln - immerhin verbringt man Stunden im Schreibprozess damit - ist es umso schlimmer.
Hier werden Frauen ziemlich eindeutig in zwei Kategorien unterteilt: fickbar und unfickbar.
Alles was fickbar ist, wird dann ausufernd beschrieben: absolut willig, feucht, dicke Titten, pralle Lippen. Kategorie unfickbar: alte Frauen. Igitt. Pfui. Wie kann diese Frau es wagen von fickbar zu unfickbar zu werden? Und natürlich werden auch alle noch so kleinen Einzelheiten detailliert beschrieben, was an der alten Frau jetzt so unfassbar ekelig ist.
Außerdem dabei:
Völlig unnötige Sexszenen - auch mit einer Leiche, die aber kurz vorher noch ultra hot in Dessous vor ihm rumgegeistert hat und die er sofort ohne nachzudenken besprang. Alles grottig geschrieben. Der Autor schaut zu viele Pornos. Anders kann ich mir das nicht erklären!
Dieser Typ hat keine Ahnung von Frauen - am besten fand ich eine Szene:
Betrügende böse, BÖSE, Ehefrau des Protagonisten, zieht - kurz vor ihren tödlichen Autounfall (die untreue Schlampe muss weg! Wie kann sie nur dieses Sahnestückchen von Mann nicht wertschätzen und sich stattdessen einen anderen suchen? Und dann auch noch so einen! Der auf ihrer Beerdigung auch noch weint. Der Ehemann nicht.) ihren knallroten Schlampenlippenstift nach. Jetzt kommt's: indem sie mit dem Mund ein O formt und dann losmalt.
Also ich bin keine Make-Up Expertin... aber der Stunt sollte so ziemlich grotesk im Ergebnis ausgehen. Wer bitte trägt Lippenstift auf in dem er den Mund zu einem O knittert? Dafuq?
Hat der schon mal ne Frau gesehen, die sowas kann? Spannende Frage.
Als jetzt noch der Bestie - also noch so ein Incel- aufgetaucht ist und er mit seiner Geisterexpertin-GF, die er nur aus dem Internet kannte, in die Geschichte eindrangt, gebe ich auf. Ich ertrage es nicht, wie er diesen Typ Frau beschreibt und vermutlich gibt's dann noch einen gang bang mit ihr, dem Ghoul von besten Freund, dem Stoffkarnickel der Tochter und allen Geistern, die sich selbst nicht schnell genug ins Jenseits exorzieren konnten. Nein.
Ich ertrag's nicht mehr. Grundsätzlich ist die Geistergeschichte hier solide, wenn auch nichts besonders. Aber ey, dieser Protagonist!
Da ich immer vermute, dass die Hauptfiguren auch irgendwie die Ansichten des Autors/der Autorin widerspiegeln - immerhin verbringt man Stunden im Schreibprozess damit - ist es umso schlimmer.
Hier werden Frauen ziemlich eindeutig in zwei Kategorien unterteilt: fickbar und unfickbar.
Alles was fickbar ist, wird dann ausufernd beschrieben: absolut willig, feucht, dicke Titten, pralle Lippen. Kategorie unfickbar: alte Frauen. Igitt. Pfui. Wie kann diese Frau es wagen von fickbar zu unfickbar zu werden? Und natürlich werden auch alle noch so kleinen Einzelheiten detailliert beschrieben, was an der alten Frau jetzt so unfassbar ekelig ist.
Außerdem dabei:
Völlig unnötige Sexszenen - auch mit einer Leiche, die aber kurz vorher noch ultra hot in Dessous vor ihm rumgegeistert hat und die er sofort ohne nachzudenken besprang. Alles grottig geschrieben. Der Autor schaut zu viele Pornos. Anders kann ich mir das nicht erklären!
Dieser Typ hat keine Ahnung von Frauen - am besten fand ich eine Szene:
Betrügende böse, BÖSE, Ehefrau des Protagonisten, zieht - kurz vor ihren tödlichen Autounfall (die untreue Schlampe muss weg! Wie kann sie nur dieses Sahnestückchen von Mann nicht wertschätzen und sich stattdessen einen anderen suchen? Und dann auch noch so einen! Der auf ihrer Beerdigung auch noch weint. Der Ehemann nicht.) ihren knallroten Schlampenlippenstift nach. Jetzt kommt's: indem sie mit dem Mund ein O formt und dann losmalt.
Also ich bin keine Make-Up Expertin... aber der Stunt sollte so ziemlich grotesk im Ergebnis ausgehen. Wer bitte trägt Lippenstift auf in dem er den Mund zu einem O knittert? Dafuq?
Hat der schon mal ne Frau gesehen, die sowas kann? Spannende Frage.
Als jetzt noch der Bestie - also noch so ein Incel- aufgetaucht ist und er mit seiner Geisterexpertin-GF, die er nur aus dem Internet kannte, in die Geschichte eindrangt, gebe ich auf. Ich ertrage es nicht, wie er diesen Typ Frau beschreibt und vermutlich gibt's dann noch einen gang bang mit ihr, dem Ghoul von besten Freund, dem Stoffkarnickel der Tochter und allen Geistern, die sich selbst nicht schnell genug ins Jenseits exorzieren konnten. Nein.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2016
This made for a really quick ghost story. It wasn't anything overly great but I'm glad I read it. Especially since it was offered as a kindleunlimited. I doubt I will continue you series though. I did LOVE the cover.
July 29, 2021
To me this was just a very thin read. Not in length but in substance. I found the writing style too casual and that there wasn't nearly enough character building. Events occurred where things would go from a to b with very little description. I think had the author digged deeper then this could have been better for my liking. I found myself reading it to try and get to the end.
October 16, 2017
It seems like too much for Robert Walker. He’s lost his wife. He’s lost his job. He’s about to lose his house. How will he take care of his daughter, Amy? Where will they go?
Just when it seems like all hope is lost, Robert is given a life preserver. Sean, a mysterious stranger, knocks on his door and presents him with a letter. An aunt unbeknownst to him requests he come take care of her in her last days. If he does this, he’ll inherit her entire estate. What aunt? He’s not aware he had one. But, with the prospect of being homeless looming, he decides to check out the offer. It can’t get any worse, can it?
Oh boy. I might not have seen this author’s spin coming, but I’ve sure read plenty of books and watched many movies with similar situations. I could anticipate all kinds of ways it could get worse. Wish I could tell you how bad it got, but that spoiler thing, ya know.
I liked Robert, He was in a tough situation but his daughter, Amy, was his first priority and he did everything possible to provide for her and keep her safe. Too bad the house had other things in mind.
The story sometimes reads disjointed. When this first happened I was worried. But I quickly discovered it read that way because I was actually in Robert’s shoes, going through the eerie events as him. Once I caught onto that, it actually made this even more crazy. At one point my nerves were so jangled. Things go so sideways for Robert, and I felt his despair and desperation.
Other characters enter the story as you get to the meat of it. They play some crucial roles in this stories ending and I expect they will keep contributing with each new book. My imagination comes into play and I’m excited to see how the author spins it. Especially after the surprise ending for Shallow Graves.
Just when it seems like all hope is lost, Robert is given a life preserver. Sean, a mysterious stranger, knocks on his door and presents him with a letter. An aunt unbeknownst to him requests he come take care of her in her last days. If he does this, he’ll inherit her entire estate. What aunt? He’s not aware he had one. But, with the prospect of being homeless looming, he decides to check out the offer. It can’t get any worse, can it?
Oh boy. I might not have seen this author’s spin coming, but I’ve sure read plenty of books and watched many movies with similar situations. I could anticipate all kinds of ways it could get worse. Wish I could tell you how bad it got, but that spoiler thing, ya know.
I liked Robert, He was in a tough situation but his daughter, Amy, was his first priority and he did everything possible to provide for her and keep her safe. Too bad the house had other things in mind.
The story sometimes reads disjointed. When this first happened I was worried. But I quickly discovered it read that way because I was actually in Robert’s shoes, going through the eerie events as him. Once I caught onto that, it actually made this even more crazy. At one point my nerves were so jangled. Things go so sideways for Robert, and I felt his despair and desperation.
Other characters enter the story as you get to the meat of it. They play some crucial roles in this stories ending and I expect they will keep contributing with each new book. My imagination comes into play and I’m excited to see how the author spins it. Especially after the surprise ending for Shallow Graves.
April 13, 2017
6 stars for Shallow Graves!
I loved this book, I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The characters were real and the way Patric writes them makes you care, hate, love, and even loathe them. The descriptions were so clear I could see where I was and who was with me on every page.
No spoilers here... The twists and revelations were shocking, the ending...don't even get me started. You know a book is amazing if it can make you cry.
Well done Patric Logan, well done!
I loved this book, I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The characters were real and the way Patric writes them makes you care, hate, love, and even loathe them. The descriptions were so clear I could see where I was and who was with me on every page.
No spoilers here... The twists and revelations were shocking, the ending...don't even get me started. You know a book is amazing if it can make you cry.
Well done Patric Logan, well done!
July 11, 2017
not too bad. never read this author, but will definitely look for more
Want to read
May 1, 2019I had trouble with this. It is me not the author. I shall try again down the road.
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December 29, 2016
Robert Watts is having a terrible day. He just lost his job and the day is not over yet. How will he tells his Wendy and their daughter, that he can no longer afford the house that they are living in. There is a knock on the door and Robert is very hesitant about opening the door. He though to himself, what else could go wrong today. There was an officer standing there. The officer told Robert that he had some terrible news for him.. The officer told Robert, that there was a car accident and his wife had been killed. Robert also learned, that his wife was having an affair with his ex-boss. Robert was lost for words, how would he ever tell his daughter Amy, that her mother is dead. Now Robert must find away to support his daughter and keep a roof over their heads. Shortly after, there is another knock on the door. Standing there, was a strange man with a note from someone who claimed to be Robert's aunt Ruth. Robert tells the man, that there must be some mistake, that he does not have an aunt Ruth. The man tells Robert, that all he has to do, is take care of his aunt Ruth during her dying days and in return, Robert will inherit The Harlop Estates. Robert thinks that this is a perfect way to begin a new life, with his daughter Amy. So they both decide to go to The Harlop Estates and look after the woman, who is claiming to be his aunt. It seems that aunt Ruth, Robert and Amy are not the only ones to inhabit the house. Strange things are happening at the estate that can't be explained. Some locals. say that the mansion is haunted. Can Robert and Amy survive the horrifying spirits that walk the halls of Harlop Estates? Shallow Graves, is the first book in the Haunted Series. This was truly a chilling and haunted tales from the unknown. Shallow Graves, is one hell of a roller coaster ride for the Watts family. This is the first book that I have read by this author. I plan on looking into other titles by Patrick Logan. I recommend this book.
April 17, 2018
It wasn't a bad book and it had a nice twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. I am a sucker for a good ghost story...but I felt that this one just didn't quiet make the grade. You had to feel some empathy for Robert Watts...the main character. Poor guy was just caught up in events but on the other hand he was rather naive....so maybe some of them were of his own making. It would have been nice if Mr. Logan had given us a hint of an explanation for the haunting. I will try another one in this series. As I said I am a complete sucker for a good ghost story.
September 7, 2018
Best to Read On A Dark And Stormy Night
I did peruse the reviews before downloading this book and people seemed very divided.
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book and could find no fault with it. Some people in the reviews said that Logan left it hanging but I don't feel that was the case.
I really enjoyed the twist ending. I did not feel it was predictable and the teasers that were dropped at the end definitely made me want to read more about the characters in the continuing series.
I do feel the beginning was a little slow. So slow in fact that my brain was thinking it was very unnecessary. However, upon reaching the conclusion of the book I could look back and see that all of those incidents that occurred in the beginning were necessary to the plot.
It rains a lot in this story so curl up by the fire on a dark and stormy night to read this one! It will provide the perfect ambiance.
I did peruse the reviews before downloading this book and people seemed very divided.
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book and could find no fault with it. Some people in the reviews said that Logan left it hanging but I don't feel that was the case.
I really enjoyed the twist ending. I did not feel it was predictable and the teasers that were dropped at the end definitely made me want to read more about the characters in the continuing series.
I do feel the beginning was a little slow. So slow in fact that my brain was thinking it was very unnecessary. However, upon reaching the conclusion of the book I could look back and see that all of those incidents that occurred in the beginning were necessary to the plot.
It rains a lot in this story so curl up by the fire on a dark and stormy night to read this one! It will provide the perfect ambiance.
April 25, 2017
Esta novela que adquirí gratis en Amazon, realmente es muy mala, sin embargo, es el la primera en donde los fantasmas se aparecen en carne y hueso, de tal modo que los vivos no saben que están muertos, ja, ja.
October 29, 2017
Surprisingly Good
Downloaded this for free, and not sorry I did. Perhaps I should have seen the end coming, but I got a nice shock instead. Quite an interesting story.
Downloaded this for free, and not sorry I did. Perhaps I should have seen the end coming, but I got a nice shock instead. Quite an interesting story.
December 14, 2017
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Good app but it has great app app for a great app app but it has great app app for a
October 29, 2018
Good read. Enjoyed it, well written, good plot.
November 13, 2017
The spoilers are written so that are not giving out any particulars important to the story and its conclusion.
The story itself isn’t terrible in concept, but it was predictable after reading at least 1/3rd if the story, and there are a lot of things wrong.
Couple of examples:
9/10 year olds typically no longer carry around their stuffed animals. If they do still have an attachment to a toy, they’re typically kept in their rooms; they don’t take them around in public. This is the age where they begin begin to emulate adults, and hide softness/weakness from their peers. I have many cousins under 10 that stopped with the toys in publicly the age of 5; I also worked in retail for over a decade and never witnessed a child out of a stroller carrying around a doll.
Cellphone reception at the manor. It doesn’t work for Robert, but others have internet access enough to show him things on their phones?
Robert’s priorities are also quite screwed up (although he’s going through a lot). After getting the incident in Ruth’s room and the attacker disappearing, he immediately goes to dig a grave instead of checking on his daughter, because, you know, there is a murderous guy who’s whereabouts on the estate aren’t known? Had it been me, and my daughter been attacked, and I didn’t know where the guy was or how to handle him, I would have picked her up and RAN for as fast and as long as I could. Robert is not a believable parent.
I don’t plan on continuing reading this series. I feel that this will be one of the hundreds of books that was unimpressive in either greatness or wretchedness that it’ll be not be memorable for me.
The story itself isn’t terrible in concept, but it was predictable after reading at least 1/3rd if the story, and there are a lot of things wrong.
Couple of examples:
9/10 year olds typically no longer carry around their stuffed animals. If they do still have an attachment to a toy, they’re typically kept in their rooms; they don’t take them around in public. This is the age where they begin begin to emulate adults, and hide softness/weakness from their peers. I have many cousins under 10 that stopped with the toys in publicly the age of 5; I also worked in retail for over a decade and never witnessed a child out of a stroller carrying around a doll.
Cellphone reception at the manor. It doesn’t work for Robert, but others have internet access enough to show him things on their phones?
Robert’s priorities are also quite screwed up (although he’s going through a lot). After getting the incident in Ruth’s room and the attacker disappearing, he immediately goes to dig a grave instead of checking on his daughter, because, you know, there is a murderous guy who’s whereabouts on the estate aren’t known? Had it been me, and my daughter been attacked, and I didn’t know where the guy was or how to handle him, I would have picked her up and RAN for as fast and as long as I could. Robert is not a believable parent.
I don’t plan on continuing reading this series. I feel that this will be one of the hundreds of books that was unimpressive in either greatness or wretchedness that it’ll be not be memorable for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2020
Everyone has a bad day. Robert Watts, the main character, is having a horrible day. Robert finds himself a single parent with absolutely nothing. No job, house, wife, or money.
Is the saying if one door closes, another opens true? Hopefully, it is valid for Robert's sake. Robert has no choice but to take action on the offer a stranger brings him. Robert must take care of an aunt Ruth. An aunt Robert never knew existed. Aunt Ruth is elderly and in poor health. Robert and his daughter must move into the Harlop Estate to live in and care for Aunt Ruth. When Ruth dies, he gets everything. This is not Robert's choice, but it is the only option left.
Robert's duties are full caretaker duties. Robert and his daughter are living in an old mansion that has not
witnessed upkeep in a long time. On top of all these strange things happen. Robert and his daughter Amy realize Ruth is not the only one in this house.
I love haunted house books. Great haunted house books are rare
Shallow Graves is a found treasure. I love it. The plot is unique with well-defined characters.
This as an intense page-turner. I'm looking forward to.future books on this series. People are buried 6 feet under for a reason.
Is the saying if one door closes, another opens true? Hopefully, it is valid for Robert's sake. Robert has no choice but to take action on the offer a stranger brings him. Robert must take care of an aunt Ruth. An aunt Robert never knew existed. Aunt Ruth is elderly and in poor health. Robert and his daughter must move into the Harlop Estate to live in and care for Aunt Ruth. When Ruth dies, he gets everything. This is not Robert's choice, but it is the only option left.
Robert's duties are full caretaker duties. Robert and his daughter are living in an old mansion that has not
witnessed upkeep in a long time. On top of all these strange things happen. Robert and his daughter Amy realize Ruth is not the only one in this house.
I love haunted house books. Great haunted house books are rare
Shallow Graves is a found treasure. I love it. The plot is unique with well-defined characters.
This as an intense page-turner. I'm looking forward to.future books on this series. People are buried 6 feet under for a reason.
February 24, 2018
A ghost story....it was pretty good in parts, but not enough to make me want to continue the series. Many reviewers were impressed by the surprise twist at the end...unfortunately, I've seen versions of this particular "twist" many times in books and movies. Not a shock. I liked that it had a real ending, not a cliffhanger. Praises to the author for that. I enjoyed the female character who shows up late in the story and actually knows what's going on...the main character and his buddy Cal - not so much. The most annoying thing for me was that it was a much shorter novel than I expected -- I read it on my Kindle, and it ended at 85%. The remaining 15%, which should have been the rest of the book I purchased, instead was preview chapters of the next in the series. I never read those. I have to stop being sucked into glowing blurbs about books that are essentially the same ghost story over and over. Guess I'm not so fond of ghost stories anymore.
November 25, 2016
Interesting
To e honest I am not sure how to rate this book. I could feel Robert's pain in the beginning but also knew a good many plot twists prior to the revelations. All in all it kept you reading and was intriguing with plenty of suspense and surprises. Enjoy and have fun reading...I did.
To e honest I am not sure how to rate this book. I could feel Robert's pain in the beginning but also knew a good many plot twists prior to the revelations. All in all it kept you reading and was intriguing with plenty of suspense and surprises. Enjoy and have fun reading...I did.
November 20, 2016
Excellent spook story.
December 25, 2018
Great story
This story found ways to keep me turning pages. It has really good written spooky elements to it and the writing was engaging. An entertaining read!
This story found ways to keep me turning pages. It has really good written spooky elements to it and the writing was engaging. An entertaining read!
February 14, 2018
Robert Watts is having a rough time. On the day he is fired from his job, he finds out his wife is having an affair with his boss after she is killed in an accident. After the funeral, Robert discovers his wife has ran up thousands of dollars in debt and there is no money to pay for the overpriced house she wanted. At this time, a mysterious man appear with a letter from a long-lost aunt asking him to care for her and he will inherit the house when she is gone. Robert packs his daughter and what is left of his life for what is obviously a haunted house.
I had a few quibbles with this book:
1. Robert, like a fair amount of people on Facebook, does not know how to do simple searches on the internet. When a long-lost aunt sends a message by way of creepy carrier to live on her estate, why wouldn't you ping in a few words into a search engine? Later, he is questioned for not doing any homework.
2. The author has never met a nine-year-old girl before. Robert's daughter Amy was nine, almost ten-years-old, but he was describing a four-year-old. She carried and talked to her stuffed bunny, cried out, and had a range of behaviors of a child much younger.
3. In Part II is when f*ck starts being dropped on almost every page or two. I know our main character is going through a lot right now - his harpy of a wife was killed and he is dealing with malevolent ghost, but it's like the author discovered he could now say a bad word without getting in trouble any more and went at it with gusto.
However, there is a good little twist ending. I will probably not carry on with this series, but it was a quick read and not too bad.
I had a few quibbles with this book:
1. Robert, like a fair amount of people on Facebook, does not know how to do simple searches on the internet. When a long-lost aunt sends a message by way of creepy carrier to live on her estate, why wouldn't you ping in a few words into a search engine? Later, he is questioned for not doing any homework.
2. The author has never met a nine-year-old girl before. Robert's daughter Amy was nine, almost ten-years-old, but he was describing a four-year-old. She carried and talked to her stuffed bunny, cried out, and had a range of behaviors of a child much younger.
3. In Part II is when f*ck starts being dropped on almost every page or two. I know our main character is going through a lot right now - his harpy of a wife was killed and he is dealing with malevolent ghost, but it's like the author discovered he could now say a bad word without getting in trouble any more and went at it with gusto.
However, there is a good little twist ending. I will probably not carry on with this series, but it was a quick read and not too bad.
March 15, 2020
Very Odd but Amazingly an Interesting Read
This is the story of Robert, an accountant, who has worked for the same company for many years, has a lackluster life, a mortgage that he can't afford, and a wife who is cheating on him with his boss. Robert is let go from his job the same day that his wife is killed in a car accident on the way home from rendezvous with her lover. The story takes off from there with Robert inheriting an estate that is haunted where he is joined by his best friend and a ghost hunter invited by his friend. The three endeavor to clear the house of the ghosts and lots of weird things start to happen. It is a rollercoaster ride of the paranormal. The characters were interesting, the story was definitely interesting, and it was a fun book to read. Little did I know that it was the first in a series of six soon to be seven books . So, of course, I had to read the whole series to see what other kinds of trouble this trio of misfits could get themselves into. The book was fun to read, and if you are into the paranormal, you would probably like the whole series of books. For me, it was a welcome break from the more cerebral types of books that I read.
This is the story of Robert, an accountant, who has worked for the same company for many years, has a lackluster life, a mortgage that he can't afford, and a wife who is cheating on him with his boss. Robert is let go from his job the same day that his wife is killed in a car accident on the way home from rendezvous with her lover. The story takes off from there with Robert inheriting an estate that is haunted where he is joined by his best friend and a ghost hunter invited by his friend. The three endeavor to clear the house of the ghosts and lots of weird things start to happen. It is a rollercoaster ride of the paranormal. The characters were interesting, the story was definitely interesting, and it was a fun book to read. Little did I know that it was the first in a series of six soon to be seven books . So, of course, I had to read the whole series to see what other kinds of trouble this trio of misfits could get themselves into. The book was fun to read, and if you are into the paranormal, you would probably like the whole series of books. For me, it was a welcome break from the more cerebral types of books that I read.
October 15, 2019
So Robert is a good guy. He’s sheepish, but he loves his wife and daughter. He’s got a great job but he lives in a house he allowed his wife to bully him into. It’s way too big and costs way too much, but she wanted it. This world quickly goes to pot, when an officer arrives on his doorstep with the news of death in his family. Robert is broken...
Until he discovers his wife was on her way home from having an affair. He feels ignorant, confused, lost,and more. But he pushes his way through because he’s got a daughter to take care of, right? Yeah. So as his life proceeds to fall apart about him, he receives a letter from a so-called long, lost aunt. If he cares for her until she dies, he can have her estate and all there is to bequeath. He goes for it. But Robert, his daughter, and his aunt aren’t the only ones residing in the huge manor.
This story was okay, and I admit I may return to the series, but right now, I didn’t like it enough to go deeper into the rabbit hole. There were so many things Robert did wrong, I wanted to bash his head in! Seriously! No wonder his wife was bad-mouthing him in the beginning. He was weak and weak men aren’t attractive. I mean, dude even made out with a dead girl, receiving a mouthful of yuck. I don't know about you, but I'm not in to necrophelia.
Shallow Graves was written well and the narrator was okay, but I just didn’t find myself spooked or engrossed enough. It didn’t do it for me. Now what’s to come may be what captures me, so like I said earlier, I may go into book two. For now, I’m going to settle with what I’ve got.
Be on the lookout for my full review in January 2020!
www.areneehunt.com
Until he discovers his wife was on her way home from having an affair. He feels ignorant, confused, lost,and more. But he pushes his way through because he’s got a daughter to take care of, right? Yeah. So as his life proceeds to fall apart about him, he receives a letter from a so-called long, lost aunt. If he cares for her until she dies, he can have her estate and all there is to bequeath. He goes for it. But Robert, his daughter, and his aunt aren’t the only ones residing in the huge manor.
This story was okay, and I admit I may return to the series, but right now, I didn’t like it enough to go deeper into the rabbit hole. There were so many things Robert did wrong, I wanted to bash his head in! Seriously! No wonder his wife was bad-mouthing him in the beginning. He was weak and weak men aren’t attractive. I mean, dude even made out with a dead girl, receiving a mouthful of yuck. I don't know about you, but I'm not in to necrophelia.
Shallow Graves was written well and the narrator was okay, but I just didn’t find myself spooked or engrossed enough. It didn’t do it for me. Now what’s to come may be what captures me, so like I said earlier, I may go into book two. For now, I’m going to settle with what I’ve got.
Be on the lookout for my full review in January 2020!
www.areneehunt.com
October 22, 2018
There are two kinds of people in the world. Ones that read horror books and enjoy them without getting scared, in fact sometimes they even laugh it off as if it's nothing, and the others who read and watch the same despite getting scared out of their wits, and possibly not being able to sleep in the night. Well I guess it's a no-brainer about which category I fall under.
Usually I'm a bit skeptical about reading horror fiction. I know I'd be hurting majoritarian and popular sentiments, but I am not a huge fan of Stephen King novels. In fact I prefer his short stories. It's due to the simple fact that it feels like he writes in so much detail about the character's life and issues and what nots that the very crux of the story, the paranormal, the ghost or the psycho just exists for about 10% of the book.
So when I came across this book, which is the first in "The Haunted" series, I wasn't expecting much. But oh my, I was so wrong.
Robert Watts must be the unluckiest man on earth, as he seems to have been hit by unemployment and adultery all on the same day, only to be left with a pile of bills and a daughter to take care of with no money in sight, and a house that is about to be seized. So when a mysterious man arrives on his front door with a letter from an Aunt he has never known his entire life, with the simple message that if he is to take care of her in her dying days, the Harlop estate shall be inherited by him after her demise, it seems like a God sent gift. Or is it?
This book grips you from the very beginning of the prologue. It is eerie, mysterious and makes you question everything that is going on till the very end of the story. It will give you goosebumps, and it'll give you twists and turns you will never see coming. I think what I enjoyed a lot is that the author doesn't go on to add unnecessary characters to the story, or give too many sub plots. It's neat, crisp and clean, without much of deviance. I definitely am going to give the entire series a read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a good Halloween month read!
Usually I'm a bit skeptical about reading horror fiction. I know I'd be hurting majoritarian and popular sentiments, but I am not a huge fan of Stephen King novels. In fact I prefer his short stories. It's due to the simple fact that it feels like he writes in so much detail about the character's life and issues and what nots that the very crux of the story, the paranormal, the ghost or the psycho just exists for about 10% of the book.
So when I came across this book, which is the first in "The Haunted" series, I wasn't expecting much. But oh my, I was so wrong.
Robert Watts must be the unluckiest man on earth, as he seems to have been hit by unemployment and adultery all on the same day, only to be left with a pile of bills and a daughter to take care of with no money in sight, and a house that is about to be seized. So when a mysterious man arrives on his front door with a letter from an Aunt he has never known his entire life, with the simple message that if he is to take care of her in her dying days, the Harlop estate shall be inherited by him after her demise, it seems like a God sent gift. Or is it?
This book grips you from the very beginning of the prologue. It is eerie, mysterious and makes you question everything that is going on till the very end of the story. It will give you goosebumps, and it'll give you twists and turns you will never see coming. I think what I enjoyed a lot is that the author doesn't go on to add unnecessary characters to the story, or give too many sub plots. It's neat, crisp and clean, without much of deviance. I definitely am going to give the entire series a read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a good Halloween month read!
October 16, 2017
Shallow Graves...
Interesting tale. Seems to me Wendy got what was coming to her, making a nine year old walk home in the pouring rain.
I know we were supposed to be in the dark with Robert about Amy being dead, but I figured that out when he went to the morgue and there were two bodies in the viewing window.
At times it seemed like I was missing something though. We jumped forward weeks with them living with Ruth. There were a few other instances like that.
There was also some editing issues the biggest being the spelling of the word quiddity, one T is correct, but it went back and forth with use of the single or double TT.
Not sure if I'll read the next, not really left with an ending that has gaping holes and big questions to be answered. Maybe if it came up as a freebie like thus one was.
Interesting tale. Seems to me Wendy got what was coming to her, making a nine year old walk home in the pouring rain.
I know we were supposed to be in the dark with Robert about Amy being dead, but I figured that out when he went to the morgue and there were two bodies in the viewing window.
At times it seemed like I was missing something though. We jumped forward weeks with them living with Ruth. There were a few other instances like that.
There was also some editing issues the biggest being the spelling of the word quiddity, one T is correct, but it went back and forth with use of the single or double TT.
Not sure if I'll read the next, not really left with an ending that has gaping holes and big questions to be answered. Maybe if it came up as a freebie like thus one was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2017
Alright, there were times I got spooked, I will fully admit to that!
The story is quite good, the settings, the descriptions, the general atmosphere of the narration pretty much on point in making the reader anticipate what will happen almost to the point of dreading it. To say I was hooked is an understatement.
For some reasons, though they could be considered short, the length of the chapters were just right in creating that suspenseful tone, of making me turn page after page.
Truly a very good read... especially at night, when it's stormy out and you're all alone in the house... Yeah, I can be a masochist when I want.
I will say that certain scenes, especially the one at the end was viscerally hard for me to read and, yes, as much as I was spooked, I also bawled my eyes out...
The story is quite good, the settings, the descriptions, the general atmosphere of the narration pretty much on point in making the reader anticipate what will happen almost to the point of dreading it. To say I was hooked is an understatement.
For some reasons, though they could be considered short, the length of the chapters were just right in creating that suspenseful tone, of making me turn page after page.
Truly a very good read... especially at night, when it's stormy out and you're all alone in the house... Yeah, I can be a masochist when I want.
I will say that certain scenes, especially the one at the end was viscerally hard for me to read and, yes, as much as I was spooked, I also bawled my eyes out...
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