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Cryptic
Psychic David Turley is thrust into a new adventure in this thrilling sequel to Garbageman.
David and his wife, Julie, are recovering from the events of the previous book. Both are doing well in their professional lives, but David’s remarkable telekinetic abilities have disappeared, and he’s eager to find the reason why. Julie, meanwhile, has immersed herself in Southwest Native American art and culture. She is a collector of kachina figures—handmade dolls symbolizing strange and powerful spirits. Her knowledge of mythology will come in handy when the supernatural world comes to call on the couple and David finds himself in possession of a strange Hopi artifact. Little does he know this will be the start of a new adventure into the complex underworld of vampire nightclubs, werewolf cults, and psychic superheroes.
Dogging them both is a serial killer, the Fisherman, and other paranormal demons and enemies. To defeat these dark forces, the couple will have to put their trust in a mysterious new ally.
Like its predecessor, Cryptic is written in author Erik Dean’s signature synthetic style. Science fiction, horror, mystery, the occult, and even the metaphysical exist side by side in Dean’s rich world of the supernatural Southwest.
David and his wife, Julie, are recovering from the events of the previous book. Both are doing well in their professional lives, but David’s remarkable telekinetic abilities have disappeared, and he’s eager to find the reason why. Julie, meanwhile, has immersed herself in Southwest Native American art and culture. She is a collector of kachina figures—handmade dolls symbolizing strange and powerful spirits. Her knowledge of mythology will come in handy when the supernatural world comes to call on the couple and David finds himself in possession of a strange Hopi artifact. Little does he know this will be the start of a new adventure into the complex underworld of vampire nightclubs, werewolf cults, and psychic superheroes.
Dogging them both is a serial killer, the Fisherman, and other paranormal demons and enemies. To defeat these dark forces, the couple will have to put their trust in a mysterious new ally.
Like its predecessor, Cryptic is written in author Erik Dean’s signature synthetic style. Science fiction, horror, mystery, the occult, and even the metaphysical exist side by side in Dean’s rich world of the supernatural Southwest.
376 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2016
2 people want to read
About the author
Erik Dean
17 books14 followersBiography
Erik Dean is an Arizona native and a multi-award-winning author. He is also an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Independent Author Network.
In his spare time, Erik enjoys trying to solve escape rooms, playing the guitar, and spending time with his family and pets. Erik strives to write unpredictable novels with memorable characters.
Awards and Recognitions:
Finalist, Horror - 2018 Book of the Year Award, Independent Authors Network (Cryptic)
Finalist, Action/Adventure - 2018 Book of the Year Award, Independent Authors Network (Garbageman)
First Place - 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Cryptic)
Official Selection, Horror - 2017 New Apple Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing (Cryptic)
Official Selection, Horror-2018 New Apple Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing(CruelerandMoreUnusual) Gold medal winner, Horror-2022 Global Book Awards (Wraith) Gold winner, Horror-2022 Global Book Awards (Devilish Dust) Finalist, Fiction-Anthology-2018 Readers Favorite ( Crueler and More Unusual) Bronze medal winner, Young Adult Horror-2022 (Devilsh Dust)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 2, 2021
This book put me in a real difficult spot as someone who has remained curious and hooked into this ongoing series of books. The dialogue just seems so... 'gee willickers, golly gosh darn' even when the characters are angry, sad or horny. As your typical American dreamer who cut his adolescent teeth on comic books, anime, video games with seven to ten minute cutscenes, I can buy all of the mystical, superpowered theatrics. The addition of the Bradley character with his skinwalking abilities? That was actually the only thing that added any upscale credibility to the plot's mostly lacking authenticity. Still, I remained hopeful that Erik Dean finally portrays his vision credibly to readers in Wraith, the third installment. The addition of vampires and werewolves, even with the pharmaceutical explanation, just stretched things in an uncomfortable way.
November 22, 2019
David and Julie decide to visit a Hopi reservation. Julie likes to add to her collection of kachina figures. While Julie is looking at the rugs while David crosses the road to a man who gives David a corner of a stone tablet in exchange for a drink of water. Why? David has been losing his healing abilities and telekinesis. He goes to see the doctor who save David’s life by giving him a new drug called Neurogen which gave him his abilities. The doctor is working on a new form of Neurogen that won’t give “abilities.” A female vampire, the Fisherman, vampires and werewolves are chasing David. Why? The vampires and werewolves is led by Hellann, the serial killer who wants David. As David and Julie look for a safe place to get away from Hellann, David is introduced to Bradley. Bradley becomes his mentor teaching him to see with his third eye and astral traveling. Bradley is an Hopi Native American who has been traveling to other Native American reservations to learn how to fight Hellann and her group. Will Bradley and David succeed in getting rid of Hellann and her followers?
The novel is a horror story mixed with Hopi Native American culture. It makes for a fascinating story. For those who didn’t know about the first book (I didn’t) this is a second book. I don’t know if it will be a third volume. I found both David and Bradley fascinating characters. There is gore in the novel. It is written excellently.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The novel is a horror story mixed with Hopi Native American culture. It makes for a fascinating story. For those who didn’t know about the first book (I didn’t) this is a second book. I don’t know if it will be a third volume. I found both David and Bradley fascinating characters. There is gore in the novel. It is written excellently.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
September 25, 2019
Supernatural meets twilight
This sci-fi thriller will grab your attention from the first page and pull you through each page as you discover a secret drug from the Vietnam war has been tweaked and now has more effects than bringing a brain damaged corpse back to life. This new version will give that corpse psychic abilities. This book is a sequel and could stand alone as well. The Garbageman is back and the battle over evil persists. David finds himself being hunted by a serial killer and must take on the serial killer and the Neurogen evil as well. This story is well written and kept me turning the pages to discover what would happen next. A real thriller that I recommend. This one does not disappoint the adventure seekers.
This sci-fi thriller will grab your attention from the first page and pull you through each page as you discover a secret drug from the Vietnam war has been tweaked and now has more effects than bringing a brain damaged corpse back to life. This new version will give that corpse psychic abilities. This book is a sequel and could stand alone as well. The Garbageman is back and the battle over evil persists. David finds himself being hunted by a serial killer and must take on the serial killer and the Neurogen evil as well. This story is well written and kept me turning the pages to discover what would happen next. A real thriller that I recommend. This one does not disappoint the adventure seekers.
October 22, 2019
I didn't realize this was a sequel within a series, so I thought I had to read the first in the series to fill in some story holes before I read this. After reading the first story and knowing the events that took place then, Cryptic is very much a standalone with a series and due to the author's style of writing, he has made it so you honestly don't need to have read the first to understand this new installment, although for your curiosity and more backstory to the main characters and what they do, it would help.
Cryptic is a great horror story that falls on Native American, Hopi lore to deliver thrills and chills like no body's business.
It is short and to the point. Delivering to you a story that is meant to not only frighten you, but capture your attention and interest.
Cryptic is a great horror story that falls on Native American, Hopi lore to deliver thrills and chills like no body's business.
It is short and to the point. Delivering to you a story that is meant to not only frighten you, but capture your attention and interest.
October 31, 2019
A fantasy thriller, full of vampires and werewolves. Oh, but we also have the good side, Daniel can power a trash man and his friend Bradley has all the Native American powers behind him. Togerher they must fight the bad side before they overtake the good. Because the bad side can rejuvenate. And create more bad guys.
Years ago a new drug was developed. Neurogen. It was to be used during war for soldiers with fatal head injuries. The drug helped rejuvenate their brains. However, something went terribly wrong. This drug was the start of their problems. Maybe it can help end them
Well written, interesting, not your typical vampire, werewolf story. It's better!!
Years ago a new drug was developed. Neurogen. It was to be used during war for soldiers with fatal head injuries. The drug helped rejuvenate their brains. However, something went terribly wrong. This drug was the start of their problems. Maybe it can help end them
Well written, interesting, not your typical vampire, werewolf story. It's better!!
November 3, 2019
I did not realize this was a series so I started with this one. I feel that although I did not read the first book I was able to step right in. This was a very gripping horror story with believable characters that are most especially like able because they are everyday normal people that are drawn into the supernatural world. This one is a fast ride it holds yours attention and although it is a horror story it has bits of humor mixed in. I really enjoyed it. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I really found th Native American lore fascinating and a great addition to the story.
November 24, 2019
A really enjoyable read that kept my interest throughout. This is a follow on from a previous book which I hadn't read but it still read well as a stand alone novel. I would recommend this if you like a bit of supernatural fun.
September 9, 2020
I unfortunately did not finish this book. I just really couldn't get into it. There was just something about it that didn't click with me. Maybe I just couldn't suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy it
June 9, 2023
We are proud to announce that CRYPTIC by Erik Dean has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
December 19, 2019
Cryptic is the second in the series but it can be read as a standalone. This is a fantastic book and a must read. I will go back and read the first book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews