What do you think?
Rate this book
Berkley Street #5
Kurkow Prison
Shane, and Frank, two ghostblasting military vets, have a new job – the gruesome ghosts of Kurkow Prison. When one of the clueless new owners cuts the iron chains that keep the deadly ghosts locked inside the prison, the property becomes hell on earth! Shane and his brother-in-arms can’t believe the inherent stupidity of the new owners. Fools, Pete and Ollie, forge ahead, ignoring Shane’s warnings and unleash a spectral horde on Gaiman, New Hampshire! Taking over the town, the undead kill everyone in sight. Shane and his comrades wonder why the ghosts are focused on Mulberry Street. As the battle rages on, the men discover the town is covered in a shroud of secrecy. Hoping to stop an Armageddon, Shane and Frank wage war against time, a winter freeze and vengeful ghosts. It’ll take all their combined battle skills, supernatural experience and the courage to be as savage as their unholy enemies to save the few brave survivors waiting on a savior. As the truth about Mulberry Street unravels, Shane and crew unearth the deepest secret … which lies very, very close to home!
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2016
234 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Ron Ripley
252 books512 followersRon Ripley is a husband and father surviving in New England, a place which seems to be getting colder every day. He grew up across from a disturbingly large cemetery where he managed to scare himself every night before going to bed. Mostly because of the red lights that people put in front of the headstones. Those things are just plain creepy to a kid.
Ron enjoys writing horror, military history and driving through the small towns of New England with his family, collecting books and giving impromptu lectures on military history to his family, who enjoy ignoring him during those dreadful times.
Ron enjoys writing horror, military history and driving through the small towns of New England with his family, collecting books and giving impromptu lectures on military history to his family, who enjoy ignoring him during those dreadful times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 24, 2025
When greedy brothers open up the old Kurkow prison they release something evil. Time to get help from ghost killer Shane. Fast paced with new characters to add to the familiar ones of this series. Horror fans would like this book and series. I know I sure do. Now I look forward to reading the next book in this great series.
January 27, 2023
An old prison offers a chance of a lifetime for new opportunities - that is, until the ghosts inside are awoken. Having been killed in a horrific accident, one where the person who started it feels no guilt, the ghosts are angry, and they are looking for vengeance.
Shane and Frank are determined to stop the ghosts, but they are going to find that it is harder than they first thought, and the number of dead are about to increase.
Fantastic read! This one was a clear winner all the way around!
Shane and Frank are determined to stop the ghosts, but they are going to find that it is harder than they first thought, and the number of dead are about to increase.
Fantastic read! This one was a clear winner all the way around!
February 8, 2021
Another Terrifying Read From Ron Ripley
I'm bingeing the author's Berkley Street series and am stoked to move on to Lake Nutaq. Like all of his other books, Ripley has managed to take what could be a tired premise in the hands of a less talented writer and instead written an intelligent, discerning, horrifying, and original thriller. His characters have depth and believability, and I've grown to like the central characters immensely--the living ones and the dead.
I like how Ripley doesn't allow his books to be a simple ghost story. He adds crime or disaster to the plot, either element being plenty scary and suspenseful on their own, but adding another dimension to his books that make them favorites for horror fans. I love the settings chosen by the author as well. I presently live in central Texas, but spent my first 30 odd years (very odd) living in upstate New York. I don't miss living with snow, but in the midst of all this heat, it's refreshing to be transported to wintery New Hampshire. I wouldn't care for the kind of adventures the author writes about, but I've really liked all the spots he's taken me in the Moving In series and especially in Berkley Street.
As for Shane Ryan, he's truly one of a kind. I've begun reading the next book in the series, Lake Nutaq, and I wish that he was real. If I could, I'd like to smack him upside the head and tell him that he should know he's going to run into ghosts everywhere he goes, so he'd better be prepared!
I'm bingeing the author's Berkley Street series and am stoked to move on to Lake Nutaq. Like all of his other books, Ripley has managed to take what could be a tired premise in the hands of a less talented writer and instead written an intelligent, discerning, horrifying, and original thriller. His characters have depth and believability, and I've grown to like the central characters immensely--the living ones and the dead.
I like how Ripley doesn't allow his books to be a simple ghost story. He adds crime or disaster to the plot, either element being plenty scary and suspenseful on their own, but adding another dimension to his books that make them favorites for horror fans. I love the settings chosen by the author as well. I presently live in central Texas, but spent my first 30 odd years (very odd) living in upstate New York. I don't miss living with snow, but in the midst of all this heat, it's refreshing to be transported to wintery New Hampshire. I wouldn't care for the kind of adventures the author writes about, but I've really liked all the spots he's taken me in the Moving In series and especially in Berkley Street.
As for Shane Ryan, he's truly one of a kind. I've begun reading the next book in the series, Lake Nutaq, and I wish that he was real. If I could, I'd like to smack him upside the head and tell him that he should know he's going to run into ghosts everywhere he goes, so he'd better be prepared!
October 30, 2017
I started out liking this series, but it's moved from ghost story to a gore fest. Way to much mindless violence.
June 17, 2022
Scariest one yet!!
March 8, 2020
If the author writes "see through" one more time, Im gonna go nuts! How many times can you use the same description, not only in one book, but in your whole saga!!! Aghhh!!!
Im done!!
Im done!!
July 28, 2020
Still a little entertaining, but Ripley's writing style and the dialogue is starting to irritate me. Way too many repetitions of the same information and the dialogue is laughable at times.
March 18, 2021
I didn't intend to read this series as I did with the Collecting Death series but because my library is still closed, I was running out of books to read, haha. But this and the last one weren't so good so I'll take a break. The way Shane is pulled into encountering ghosts is getting a bit contrived. It would make more sense if he was specifically called in like in The Lighthouse.
I was frustrated by a lot in this book:
I was frustrated by a lot in this book:
April 30, 2025
"""BOOK 1 (BERKLEY STREET) - I really enjoyed this book. I read this book after meeting Shane in the MOVING IN series. This has been a very good series so far.
BOOK 2 (THE LIGHTHOUSE) - This has to be my favorite Ron Ripley story so far. The characters are all very well done.
BOOK 3 (THE TOWN OF GRISWOLD) - A nice book. The characters continue to be well done. So far I am enjoying this series more than the MOVING IN series....and I also enjoyed that series.
BOOK 4 (SANFORD HOSPITAL) - This is probably my second favorite book in this series. I really like the addition of one character in particular. The way this book ended makes me wonder if that person will be a returning character in the series....
BOOK 5 (KURKOW PRISON) - This book was a good read too. It was not one of the better books in the series. I may have to read it again because I feel like there are some things that I missed the first time.
BOOK 6 (LAKE NUTAQ)
BOOK 7 (SLATER MILL)
BOOK 8 (BORGIN KEEP)
BOOK 9 (AMHERST BURIAL GROUND)"""
BOOK 2 (THE LIGHTHOUSE) - This has to be my favorite Ron Ripley story so far. The characters are all very well done.
BOOK 3 (THE TOWN OF GRISWOLD) - A nice book. The characters continue to be well done. So far I am enjoying this series more than the MOVING IN series....and I also enjoyed that series.
BOOK 4 (SANFORD HOSPITAL) - This is probably my second favorite book in this series. I really like the addition of one character in particular. The way this book ended makes me wonder if that person will be a returning character in the series....
BOOK 5 (KURKOW PRISON) - This book was a good read too. It was not one of the better books in the series. I may have to read it again because I feel like there are some things that I missed the first time.
BOOK 6 (LAKE NUTAQ)
BOOK 7 (SLATER MILL)
BOOK 8 (BORGIN KEEP)
BOOK 9 (AMHERST BURIAL GROUND)"""
December 9, 2023
Idea and concept? 5 STARS! What a great idea! However, once again this is NOT a horror story. If any one cares there will be spoilers so stop reading. It is a prison break story with innumerable ghosts which once again makes them have no fear factor or substance (pun intended). The main character is a sociopath. Shane has been getting more and more unlikable as a chain-smoking drunk, but he is a complete psychopath (i.e. chronic mental disorder with violent social behavior) and a sociopath (he has no conscience). So these two contractor brothers buy an old prison. Okay so far. Then Ollie, one of the brothers, who does NOT believe in ghosts (hard to believe in Ripley's world where literally everyone turns into a ghost) hires a group of college student amateur ghost sleuths. Okay still. Well, unfortunately there are ghosts in the prison and they kill 3/4 of the girls and one is seriously mauled (again the ghosts are really full flesh and blood being who can go through walls but also grab and maim in Ripley's psychopathic world). Well, what does psychopathic, sociopathic Shane do? Goes and tortures the hell out of poor Ollie. Now, if he knew there were real ghosts there and sent them in, maybe. Shane has one response to everything, violence. He is a horrible representative of vets, he is a total a-hole and the writing of these books is mediocre at best. Then later the same Shane inexplicably goes postal on the ghosts trying to kill the guy responsible for everything (also a complete psychopath on the spectrum). Ronald was a horrible person and Shane suddenly doesn't want the ghosts to hurt him (see above and how he went to town on Ollie)? Absolutely nonsensical. Why am I continuing? I happened to buy all 9 and I am poor so, on to #6.
December 15, 2018
Wow. This one was a beast.
All hell breaks loose when a prison is purchased and a couple of brothers get involved in things best left alone....
People familiar with Ron Ripley will be well aware of his no nonsense, brutal and fast paced stories. This one is along those lines, but also incorporates elements of brutality from a human perspective, as well as pain caused by personal loss and heartache.
Shane is really starting lose things now. His once disciplined character has an element of brutality that is coming out to play more often, leaving a question mark over how things will pan out in future titles. The constant barrage of fights with ghosts and humans alike is certainly taking its toll....
Bring on the next book!
All hell breaks loose when a prison is purchased and a couple of brothers get involved in things best left alone....
People familiar with Ron Ripley will be well aware of his no nonsense, brutal and fast paced stories. This one is along those lines, but also incorporates elements of brutality from a human perspective, as well as pain caused by personal loss and heartache.
Shane is really starting lose things now. His once disciplined character has an element of brutality that is coming out to play more often, leaving a question mark over how things will pan out in future titles. The constant barrage of fights with ghosts and humans alike is certainly taking its toll....
Bring on the next book!
November 2, 2022
Entertaining horror listening 🎶🔰
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror ghost 👻 adventure thriller novel by Ron Ripley and Scare Street (Berkley Street Series book 5). Two brothers but Kurkow Prison in northern New Hampshire. When they go into the prison they find it haunted by ghost 👻 of a chemical accident that happen years ago. The ghost 👻 are released on the town and the killing spree begins. Help arrives and a few town people survive, the ghost 👻 are sent back to the prison. I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 👒😢😯
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror ghost 👻 adventure thriller novel by Ron Ripley and Scare Street (Berkley Street Series book 5). Two brothers but Kurkow Prison in northern New Hampshire. When they go into the prison they find it haunted by ghost 👻 of a chemical accident that happen years ago. The ghost 👻 are released on the town and the killing spree begins. Help arrives and a few town people survive, the ghost 👻 are sent back to the prison. I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 👒😢😯
November 29, 2025
Terrifyingly Scary Ghosts
I have more to read. These books I've read so far are uniquely and quietly, unbelievably terror filled. Never ending ghosts that terrorize and terrify.
I'm totally in love with the hero Shane and his partner Frank. Super killers of those evil ghosts. I am unable to stop reading. Worth ever penny I'm spending to read this series.
Try it. It delivers the best reading of ghosts I've ever read. And it's a lot of reading. I read every day from 7 pm to midnight or later. (I'm a speed reader)! Be prepared to get delightful chills and the need to look around before sleeping.
I have more to read. These books I've read so far are uniquely and quietly, unbelievably terror filled. Never ending ghosts that terrorize and terrify.
I'm totally in love with the hero Shane and his partner Frank. Super killers of those evil ghosts. I am unable to stop reading. Worth ever penny I'm spending to read this series.
Try it. It delivers the best reading of ghosts I've ever read. And it's a lot of reading. I read every day from 7 pm to midnight or later. (I'm a speed reader)! Be prepared to get delightful chills and the need to look around before sleeping.
December 20, 2017
My least favorite so far in this series, too much violence. I prefer my ghost stories creepy and eerie, not like this one. I won't give away anything (I hate that), but seemed like a lot of gratuitous murder. And Shane is really, really deteriorating. This 'business' he's in is turning him into another person, which I guess is not too hard to believe, but not a likable one. How much worse can he get though? I hope this series finishes up soon with, somehow, Shane being redeemed and getting his life back (but I don't really believe that will happen) ;-)
September 9, 2018
Book 5 in this series is even more scary, violent and heartbreaking for Shane making it a great goodread. I thought the writing, characters and storyline of Sanford Hospital, book 4 was the best and it couldn’t get any better, but Kurkow Prison comes close. Shane always faces danger, but Ripley stepped up the violent action against him and it’s a must read to see the outcome. I do like a bit of love between characters and the storyline of Courtney becomes more sad than when she became a ghost. It’s an unbelievable twist that is definitely a must read. It’s book 6 for me now.
February 8, 2019
I am (and always will be) a fan of Ron Ripley's writing. Kurkow Prison is the fifth book in his Berkley Street series and does not disappoint. Yes, you can read them singly or out of succession but I do think reading them in order will bring the most enjoyment. The characters aren't perfect people, the situations are rough and characters you like die. It's real life wrapped in a ghost story. So, if you like a good ghost tale but don't need a "rainbows & unicorns" happy ending, Ripley is your guy.
January 27, 2020
Another great Ron Ripley book. The characters continue. You have Frank and Shane and of course the ghosts. You will love how tough Shane is. This story is well developed with believable and interesting characters and ghosts withmany twists. Shane is going to clean out the ghosts from the prison with his friends. You learn to know some of the ghosts behaviors at Berkley Street house. I could not stop listening to this book Thom Bowers Narrator keeps you interested and wanting more. I highly recommend this book.
February 28, 2020
I love the Berkeley St. series! They’re all fast-paced and action packed. Shane Ryan makes a fantastic protagonist.
Pete decided to invest his and his brother Oliver’s inheritance on an old abandoned prison. It’s sealed and hasn’t been opened in ages. Rumor has it that the place is haunted. So he convinces his brother’s friend Frank to go with him to check it out. It doesn’t take long before the dead arrive. Shane is tasked with using his expertise in not just getting in and getting through the deceased, but making sure they’re gone for good.
Pete decided to invest his and his brother Oliver’s inheritance on an old abandoned prison. It’s sealed and hasn’t been opened in ages. Rumor has it that the place is haunted. So he convinces his brother’s friend Frank to go with him to check it out. It doesn’t take long before the dead arrive. Shane is tasked with using his expertise in not just getting in and getting through the deceased, but making sure they’re gone for good.
December 15, 2021
Another Great Story featuring the ever so Likeable Shane Ryan
Shane Ryan is funny, strong and as always complex character. This time Shane and friends have to fight a prison full if ghosts that have overrun a town. With great writing and awesome death scenes, its a great ride from start to finish. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there wasn't enough character development for the many new characters introduced. Nevertheless I love this series and cannot wait to read the next one.
Shane Ryan is funny, strong and as always complex character. This time Shane and friends have to fight a prison full if ghosts that have overrun a town. With great writing and awesome death scenes, its a great ride from start to finish. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there wasn't enough character development for the many new characters introduced. Nevertheless I love this series and cannot wait to read the next one.
May 28, 2024
I was wondering how this guy could write so many books. Now I know. They are 90% filler. This storyline took place over several days. Why? There wasn't anything happening to make it stretch that long. No action. No story. No plot. Just a bunch of people sitting around waiting to get killed. The beginning and end were good. The 200 pages in between could disappear without affecting the story. And can Shane go one book without damned near dying? It's no longer believable that can even walk. Now he has missing fingers and an ear?Try to make it somewhat believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2018
I liked the direction this tale went and I can see a broader story developing instead of just a series of terrible experiences for Shane and his surrounding cast. I envisioned a direction that had to happen to make this series successful for me and I can see something similar to that expectation being realized. It is a fun group or stories and I am excited to see how it all pans out. Now, on to Lake Nutaq. I bet it will be a nice time and very relaxing.
December 21, 2019
Who would make an old prison into a resort? Not what I would envision for a relaxing atmosphere. And neither would our hero, Shane Ryan, and his co-horts as they attempt to curtail the envasion of the worse criminals and corrupted guards, all past the point of 'Dead man walking,' on the nearby population. It's not like you can threaten the ghosts with time behind bars, so Shane must become more creative, and often more violent, in order to achieve a semblance of order.
November 6, 2020
Good story. I really liked the motivation of the ghosts and found it to be pretty believable. I think this will be my last story until next October. I'm getting tired of seeing Shane and friends getting beat on and leaving the last remaining pieces of them human. While I like the gore I miss the spinetingling feeling of uncertainty the question of possible ghosts raises. The creepy factor of almost seeing something that may or may not be there is long gone from this series.
November 22, 2018
4.7 stars and probably more but Kurkow was very brutal & scary
Each book in the series explores new perspective to ghostly hauntings and makes it more frightening. I like being frightened, but I prefer less realism. I am ready to read something different for a while, but a too hooked. Don't miss out on a terrific series. Enjoy!
Each book in the series explores new perspective to ghostly hauntings and makes it more frightening. I like being frightened, but I prefer less realism. I am ready to read something different for a while, but a too hooked. Don't miss out on a terrific series. Enjoy!
August 1, 2019
Continues the background story which has been developing since book 1. This was a great story about the stupidity and carelessness of one man. But other people have to pay for his mistake. This story is a good scare. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a great human ghost hunter.
November 13, 2019
It was ok. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd have been able to listen to it more often; I've been too busy and had to leave it for days at a time.
I'm moving on to book 6 and I'll try to make time to get through it faster!
All my reviews can be found on my blog http://www.shelllouise.co.uk
I'm moving on to book 6 and I'll try to make time to get through it faster!
All my reviews can be found on my blog http://www.shelllouise.co.uk
April 13, 2020
Brilliant!
This was absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t put the book down.
After the 4th one I was wondering what new elements would be brought into the story to keep it fresh and original. And this book blew my mind! So unexpected.
Love love loved it. I’d love to see this turned into a movie.
Also, Edmund was my favorite character. So relatable.
This was absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t put the book down.
After the 4th one I was wondering what new elements would be brought into the story to keep it fresh and original. And this book blew my mind! So unexpected.
Love love loved it. I’d love to see this turned into a movie.
Also, Edmund was my favorite character. So relatable.
October 14, 2021
Oh god ... this was so damn scary! 😱 And action packed as always with our intrepid hero and his motley collection of helpers being military trained. But a whole prison full of demented ghosts? I couldn't think of anything worse. My only complaint is that after all the build up to the final confrontation the ending was slam!, bam!, thank you ma'am! ..... and over. It fell very flat. 🤨
December 30, 2021
Love the dynamic duo of Shane and Frank, but this story was over just as it got really good. I felt like there was plenty of dialogue that was just wiped from existence. Heart wrenching moment with Courtney at the end though, will be interesting to see what kind of lasting effect it will have on Shane in the next exciting tale.
June 4, 2022
This book was so well written that I finished it the same day I purchased it. It's a work of fiction written so realistically that I was genuinely spooked out of my skin. The story grips you from the get go and doesn't let go till you reach the last page. The action is non stop & story is very well conceptualized. I highly recommend reading this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews