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Disturbed
As Seen in Scream Magazine
Disturbed is set in the Coal Region of Northeast Pennsylvania, a grimly haunted region with a bloody history of conflict between oppressed miners and wealthy coal barons. Many believe that even today, the ghosts of the Molly Maguires – a secret Irish organization that waged war against oppressive labor practices in the 19th Century – still roam the landscape.
Into this setting arrives Jonah Frost, a young man with a history of mental illness. Little does he know his new home is inhabited by its former resident, hell-bent on continuing her life’s vendetta. Even as Jonah attempts to forge a new life and friendships, he must battle both his own demons and those from beyond the grave.
Disturbed is set in the Coal Region of Northeast Pennsylvania, a grimly haunted region with a bloody history of conflict between oppressed miners and wealthy coal barons. Many believe that even today, the ghosts of the Molly Maguires – a secret Irish organization that waged war against oppressive labor practices in the 19th Century – still roam the landscape.
Into this setting arrives Jonah Frost, a young man with a history of mental illness. Little does he know his new home is inhabited by its former resident, hell-bent on continuing her life’s vendetta. Even as Jonah attempts to forge a new life and friendships, he must battle both his own demons and those from beyond the grave.
- GenresHorror
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2018
139 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 25, 2018
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
With a touch of history, some paranormal malevolence and some wonderful writing, Joseph J. Swope brings the dark and eerie world of DISTURBED to life.
When Jonah Frost, a mentally disturbed young man purchases a house in the heart of Pennsylvania coal country, he had no idea what evil lurks in the heart of his new home, or of the history that he would unearth.
Joseph Swope has done more than write an intriguing and dark fantasy, he incorporated characters that are less than perfect and they know it. His handling of these characters, Jonah, with his mental instability, Oliver with his autism and Sarah with her MS prove that people (and characters) can be so much more than the labels they are given. But can they overcome the entity that seeks to destroy them all in a twisted vendetta against the past?
Dark reading, filled with some fabulously entertaining facts and fancy, as well as characters that come to life! Start to finish, I was entertained, educated and impressed with this read.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing; 1 edition (May 23, 2018)
Publication Date: May 23, 2018
Genre:Dark Fantasy | Horror
Print Length: 270 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
With a touch of history, some paranormal malevolence and some wonderful writing, Joseph J. Swope brings the dark and eerie world of DISTURBED to life.
When Jonah Frost, a mentally disturbed young man purchases a house in the heart of Pennsylvania coal country, he had no idea what evil lurks in the heart of his new home, or of the history that he would unearth.
Joseph Swope has done more than write an intriguing and dark fantasy, he incorporated characters that are less than perfect and they know it. His handling of these characters, Jonah, with his mental instability, Oliver with his autism and Sarah with her MS prove that people (and characters) can be so much more than the labels they are given. But can they overcome the entity that seeks to destroy them all in a twisted vendetta against the past?
Dark reading, filled with some fabulously entertaining facts and fancy, as well as characters that come to life! Start to finish, I was entertained, educated and impressed with this read.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing; 1 edition (May 23, 2018)
Publication Date: May 23, 2018
Genre:Dark Fantasy | Horror
Print Length: 270 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 26, 2018
Thank you NetGalley for letting me review a copy of this novel.
2.5 stars. I liked the story, but I didn't love it.
There was clearly a lot of research done to write this novel. I learned a lot about the coal mining history in Pennsylvania and the Molly Maguires. I've been to Jim Thorpe but didn't know much of its history. I liked how the author weaved in the history into the story, I think that was the book's greatest strengths.
I appreciated that the story was inclusive. Jonah, the main character, was battling mental illness; Oliver is autistic; and Katie has MS. I think the story sensitively handled these characters and they were more than just their disability. It's good to have this representation in stories. Oliver was actually my favorite character (and his mom!). I liked Katie as well. She was a strong character.
2.5 stars. I liked the story, but I didn't love it.
There was clearly a lot of research done to write this novel. I learned a lot about the coal mining history in Pennsylvania and the Molly Maguires. I've been to Jim Thorpe but didn't know much of its history. I liked how the author weaved in the history into the story, I think that was the book's greatest strengths.
I appreciated that the story was inclusive. Jonah, the main character, was battling mental illness; Oliver is autistic; and Katie has MS. I think the story sensitively handled these characters and they were more than just their disability. It's good to have this representation in stories. Oliver was actually my favorite character (and his mom!). I liked Katie as well. She was a strong character.
May 31, 2018
Joe Swoop caught my attention on the first page. His in depth knowledge of the Molly Maguire’s bloody history of conflict between oppressed miners and wealthy coal barons in Northeast Pennsylvania during the 19th Century had me flipping through pages wanting to know more. I was both intrigued and heartbroken by the harsh conditions in which the Irish coal miner’s had to suffer through, many of them dying. Many believe that even today, the ghosts of the Molly Maguire’s still wage war against oppressive labor practices.
Modern day protagonist, Jonah Frost, a young man with a history of mental illness moves into his new home. Little things start happening in his new home which he can’t explain away. Little does he know his new home is inhabited by its former resident, hell-bent on continuing her life’s vendetta. To this reader she was one creepy woman.
Joe Swope knows how to spin a story. If you’re looking for a new author pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed. What a great read.
Modern day protagonist, Jonah Frost, a young man with a history of mental illness moves into his new home. Little things start happening in his new home which he can’t explain away. Little does he know his new home is inhabited by its former resident, hell-bent on continuing her life’s vendetta. To this reader she was one creepy woman.
Joe Swope knows how to spin a story. If you’re looking for a new author pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed. What a great read.
June 10, 2018
I read an advanced reading copy thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing.
This is the story of Jonah, a young man with mental illness who moves into a house in a small town in northeast Pennsylvania. He soon becomes friends with an autistic man who lives across the street and with a woman who has MS.
Jonah quickly discovers that his new home is haunted by the previous owner, and his struggles against her malevolence are hampered by both his mental illness and the opinion of others around him that the haunting may be a symptom of this mental illness.
The story itself was okay; Jonah’s experience with the evil spirit are pretty standard within the haunted house trope, including bad smells, inanimate objects moving on their own and unexplained sounds. The final confrontation with the evil spirit is slightly unusual in form, but still adheres to standard horror trope elements.
What was more enjoyable about this book was the affectionate description of the setting-northeast Pennsylvania and the coal-mining regions. Although the author is describing an area that has suffered greatly from the misconduct of the mining companies, and the move away from coal as a source of energy, there is not a sense of depression in the description of the area. Instead, the reader learns and comes to appreciate, along with Jonah, the eccentricities, idioms, food and other elements of this area.
The history of the Molly Maguire movement that impacted the mining industry of the area is outlined in a readable yet thorough way, and plays an important role in the story itself.
And last, but not least, I really enjoyed the way the author incorporated the mental and physical disabilities of the main characters into the novel. Especially for Jonah, it was interesting to see how the hallucinations that were symptoms of his mental illness interacted with the malevolent spirit haunting his house.
I really enjoy Sharon Mccrumb’s Appalachian Ballad series, and this book reminded me a bit of those novels. According to the author’s note, this is Swope’s first novel. I hope to see further novels from him, with slightly more sophistication and less reliance on standard tropes, and have a new favorite reading series to look forward to in my future.
This is the story of Jonah, a young man with mental illness who moves into a house in a small town in northeast Pennsylvania. He soon becomes friends with an autistic man who lives across the street and with a woman who has MS.
Jonah quickly discovers that his new home is haunted by the previous owner, and his struggles against her malevolence are hampered by both his mental illness and the opinion of others around him that the haunting may be a symptom of this mental illness.
The story itself was okay; Jonah’s experience with the evil spirit are pretty standard within the haunted house trope, including bad smells, inanimate objects moving on their own and unexplained sounds. The final confrontation with the evil spirit is slightly unusual in form, but still adheres to standard horror trope elements.
What was more enjoyable about this book was the affectionate description of the setting-northeast Pennsylvania and the coal-mining regions. Although the author is describing an area that has suffered greatly from the misconduct of the mining companies, and the move away from coal as a source of energy, there is not a sense of depression in the description of the area. Instead, the reader learns and comes to appreciate, along with Jonah, the eccentricities, idioms, food and other elements of this area.
The history of the Molly Maguire movement that impacted the mining industry of the area is outlined in a readable yet thorough way, and plays an important role in the story itself.
And last, but not least, I really enjoyed the way the author incorporated the mental and physical disabilities of the main characters into the novel. Especially for Jonah, it was interesting to see how the hallucinations that were symptoms of his mental illness interacted with the malevolent spirit haunting his house.
I really enjoy Sharon Mccrumb’s Appalachian Ballad series, and this book reminded me a bit of those novels. According to the author’s note, this is Swope’s first novel. I hope to see further novels from him, with slightly more sophistication and less reliance on standard tropes, and have a new favorite reading series to look forward to in my future.
September 5, 2019
Who doesn't love a good ghosty story?
This one, taking place in small town in PA is filled with abandoned mines and enough creepy details to keep you up at night, or at least looking over your shoulder while you read!
This one, taking place in small town in PA is filled with abandoned mines and enough creepy details to keep you up at night, or at least looking over your shoulder while you read!
April 6, 2020
Slow to get going but once you get through the first part it is extremely immersive and very well depicted backgrounds. A very interesting read.
May 26, 2025
I don't consider myself a literary expert but I know what words such as interesting and exciting mean when storytelling. This book is not storytelling. It doesn't have an identity. It's actually very young-reader material, not at all for an adult who is not screen obsessed. Back to the book material, I actually don't know if it's trying to be a ghost story, a horror story, a history primer or an explanation of the reasons the coal industry eventually failed, sort of a compressed economic status platform.
It just baffles along, going from one vague point to another. The characters on a whole are completely without depth. I didn't like a single one of them.
I did not see what plot point it served to have a young woman dismiss her MS as insignificant as a lost newspaper. .
As someone who has had MS for more than 20 years, what on earth was the point? Does she suddenly turn into a ghost, or hang herself in an attic? Will she fall down a stone step or into a dungeon because of an unsteady gait? Who cares that she has MS? This is not a medical mystery. (I hope).
Secondarily, what on earth was the issue of using the diagnosis of spectrum deviation, i.e. Asperger's Syndrome (autism) for another character?
Alongside those issues, we have a protagonist experiencing issues of "being crazy" as the definitive hallmark of mental illness? Is this a medical compendium or a novel? It struggles to define itself. I just could not continue to plow through this mess.
If felt like there might be some identity crisis on the part of the author, including in characters those issues dealt with in real life? Is this the novel-adaptive state of Munchausen by proxy? Geeze, IDK, but I hope not.
What I do know is that all of it made for an increasingly boring and dry story, about 280 ppg. I gave up at page 66. No point reading what I thoroughly disliked.
Quit reading, deleted. Won't bother to find out if there's anything else by the author. Once was enough.
It just baffles along, going from one vague point to another. The characters on a whole are completely without depth. I didn't like a single one of them.
I did not see what plot point it served to have a young woman dismiss her MS as insignificant as a lost newspaper. .
As someone who has had MS for more than 20 years, what on earth was the point? Does she suddenly turn into a ghost, or hang herself in an attic? Will she fall down a stone step or into a dungeon because of an unsteady gait? Who cares that she has MS? This is not a medical mystery. (I hope).
Secondarily, what on earth was the issue of using the diagnosis of spectrum deviation, i.e. Asperger's Syndrome (autism) for another character?
Alongside those issues, we have a protagonist experiencing issues of "being crazy" as the definitive hallmark of mental illness? Is this a medical compendium or a novel? It struggles to define itself. I just could not continue to plow through this mess.
If felt like there might be some identity crisis on the part of the author, including in characters those issues dealt with in real life? Is this the novel-adaptive state of Munchausen by proxy? Geeze, IDK, but I hope not.
What I do know is that all of it made for an increasingly boring and dry story, about 280 ppg. I gave up at page 66. No point reading what I thoroughly disliked.
Quit reading, deleted. Won't bother to find out if there's anything else by the author. Once was enough.
July 18, 2024
This read like a creative writing term paper that required a minimum number of words. The exhaustive history at the beginning was unneeded and, frankly, boring. A condensed version apropos to the story would have sufficed. I didn't need to know what the Mollies had for breakfast every morning. I love history but I was scratching my head trying to figure out how this was supposed to add to the horror.
The fight scenes, where Jonah is battling the ghosts, were terribly drawn out and didn't add anything to the story except words. The end came too abruptly and didn't really make much sense, except hurry up and end this (for which I was grateful). Then the epilogues were just more words and I was waiting for the aliens to land because it was just tropes and drivel.
Horror needs to be believable and scary to work, not just throwing around ghosts.
The fight scenes, where Jonah is battling the ghosts, were terribly drawn out and didn't add anything to the story except words. The end came too abruptly and didn't really make much sense, except hurry up and end this (for which I was grateful). Then the epilogues were just more words and I was waiting for the aliens to land because it was just tropes and drivel.
Horror needs to be believable and scary to work, not just throwing around ghosts.
August 11, 2018
Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reading copy of this book!
Subjectively, I didn’t like this book. I read a lot of Stephen King and I think that’s spoiled me as far as reading horror.
There was obviously a LOT of research that when into writing this book, but the end result is very, very wordy. A plethora of history and quotes from various places.
If this were a film, it would be one that I would say does too much talking and not enough “showing.”
Subjectively, I didn’t like this book. I read a lot of Stephen King and I think that’s spoiled me as far as reading horror.
There was obviously a LOT of research that when into writing this book, but the end result is very, very wordy. A plethora of history and quotes from various places.
If this were a film, it would be one that I would say does too much talking and not enough “showing.”
November 28, 2020
A Ghost Story Filled With Facts
This book was hard to put down! I loved it!
The story was filled with very interesting facts about the Coal Era in Pennsylvania blended with a young hero that any mother would be proud of. (Don’t forget the ghosts!)
A gripping story, Joseph! Keep ‘em coming!
This book was hard to put down! I loved it!
The story was filled with very interesting facts about the Coal Era in Pennsylvania blended with a young hero that any mother would be proud of. (Don’t forget the ghosts!)
A gripping story, Joseph! Keep ‘em coming!
June 6, 2022
This story had a great premise, and overall interesting story, but it fell flat in some areas. Some of the characters were hard to resonate with, but the story kept me rolling along.
I did enjoy the read overall, just needed a little oomph in places to push it to a five star read for me! Great for late night reading!
I did enjoy the read overall, just needed a little oomph in places to push it to a five star read for me! Great for late night reading!
July 26, 2024
Disturbing is the perfect name for this book. Love the historical information in the prelude, which leads directly into the story line. Excellent characters! I can picture them as I read. Interesting plot with more than expected twists and turns. Highly recommend, but don't read it at night before bed when you are home alone.
June 9, 2021
Review
I loved this story. Jonah was such a wonderful person. Dealing with his illness is understandable to me. I've heard of the Mollie Mcquires but now have a better understanding of what they represented. Great story and on so sad.
I loved this story. Jonah was such a wonderful person. Dealing with his illness is understandable to me. I've heard of the Mollie Mcquires but now have a better understanding of what they represented. Great story and on so sad.
June 9, 2022
lovely Story about a demon infested house.
Thank you Mr Swope for a wonderful read about Northeast Pennsylvania, in particular the history of the coal mines. My family was from that area and attested to the authenticity of the times. The characters were outstanding.
Thank you Mr Swope for a wonderful read about Northeast Pennsylvania, in particular the history of the coal mines. My family was from that area and attested to the authenticity of the times. The characters were outstanding.
June 29, 2018
At first
At first was a little boring , but keep reading very good ghost story. I loved it. Even thou was sad, still a good read,
At first was a little boring , but keep reading very good ghost story. I loved it. Even thou was sad, still a good read,
September 2, 2019
This is a great story to read this time of year (autumn). I really enjoyed this book it kept my attention.
Received this from Netgalley free for an honest review.
Received this from Netgalley free for an honest review.
June 15, 2021
Review
It was a book with rarely brought elements, ghosts mental illness, the mining industry love, all ad.next people who were s!lowdying. A very informative and engaging bookly
It was a book with rarely brought elements, ghosts mental illness, the mining industry love, all ad.next people who were s!lowdying. A very informative and engaging bookly
December 2, 2021
I really enjoy reading books written by Joseph Swope!
January 26, 2024
I loved the bits of history given throughout the book. Story was well written. I loved the ending though I felt bad for Oliver. I'd love to see a sequel.
July 30, 2024
Meh
Poorly edited. Repetitive phrasing did nothing to advance the story line. It began as an interesting enough tale but then spiralled down, crashed, and inevitably burned.
Poorly edited. Repetitive phrasing did nothing to advance the story line. It began as an interesting enough tale but then spiralled down, crashed, and inevitably burned.
April 17, 2025
Great read with a lot of history!
I live in the coal region of Pennsylvania andI’m familiar with many of the references in the book. Enjoyed this story immensely! Great read!
I live in the coal region of Pennsylvania andI’m familiar with many of the references in the book. Enjoyed this story immensely! Great read!
May 17, 2025
Disturbed is a new take on the classic haunted house tale. Jonah is a mentally disturbed young man, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. When his parents die, Jonah buys an old home in Clayburn, a small town in the heart of Pennsylvania coal country. Little does Jonah know he just purchased a home haunted by a spirit bent on revenge for a blood feud over 100 years old.
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Joseph Swope has created an interesting and unique tale, which had me entranced almost from the first page. His story revolves around the history of the Molly Maguires. His research of this troubling time in PA history is evident, and intermingled with the haunted house plot in a well-crafted way. The writing itself is a bit rough, but considering that this is Swope's first novel, I can overlook that considering the story itself is so engrossing. This is one author I can foresee great things from in the future. Thank you to Black Rose Writing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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My Rating: 4.25/5
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Joseph Swope has created an interesting and unique tale, which had me entranced almost from the first page. His story revolves around the history of the Molly Maguires. His research of this troubling time in PA history is evident, and intermingled with the haunted house plot in a well-crafted way. The writing itself is a bit rough, but considering that this is Swope's first novel, I can overlook that considering the story itself is so engrossing. This is one author I can foresee great things from in the future. Thank you to Black Rose Writing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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My Rating: 4.25/5
August 1, 2018
Ther are some stories that I like about haunted houses and ghosts, Then there are some that I love. Jonah, has a few issues that he cannot quite control. One of them being the haunted house he lives in owwwhile living in PA. The story seems to add truth to some story telling. The author is authentic with his writing and alllows the reader an inlet to his story. You feel like you are actually there. He is very very descriptive and seems knowledgeable in what he writes about. I love the paranormal and books about such catch my eyes much like this one. There ar a couple places in the story that drag on a little too long but that is not something you can’t get past.
I give this one a 4.5 out of 5
Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I give this one a 4.5 out of 5
Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
August 27, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and Joseph J Swope for the opportunity to read a copy of The novel Disturbed in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I don't know that this book has been classified correctly. I feel that it should have been classed as paranormal, definitely not horror, sci-fi or fantasy.
That is my bug bear over. This book was a really good read. I love a good ghost story and feel this would be up there with some of the best of them. I love that there have been some historical facts interspersed within the storyline. I thought it was well thought out and written with plenty of creepy moments thrown in that will have you questioning that bump you just heard..........
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for lovers of the genre. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I don't know that this book has been classified correctly. I feel that it should have been classed as paranormal, definitely not horror, sci-fi or fantasy.
That is my bug bear over. This book was a really good read. I love a good ghost story and feel this would be up there with some of the best of them. I love that there have been some historical facts interspersed within the storyline. I thought it was well thought out and written with plenty of creepy moments thrown in that will have you questioning that bump you just heard..........
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for lovers of the genre. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 22, 2018
Disturbed follows Jonah as he moves into his new home in Clayburn, Pennsylvania. It starts with his beginning as a baby in his mummys tummy and the picking of his name from the bible story. It then moves on a few years to another couple viewing the house Jonah eventually buys, being scared off by a ghostly presence. Jonah meets and makes a new friend in Oliver, who lives across the street from him. He is autistic and then there is Katie, who has MS. Eventually the ghostly presence makes its presence known to Jonah, sliding into his thoughts through his mental illness and sets him on a personal destruction course. With the help of his new friends, can he turn his life around and rid himself of the ghost for good?
The novel swings between story telling and giving a comprehensive run down on the now defunct coal mining industry, as if its now a history book. When the history part starts it lets the story down because of the way its written. I felt it would have been better if, for example, on the groups trip to the fairground, Katie and Oliver should have explained the place and its history in speech to Jonah as they travelled in the car. Again, its the same with visiting the old jailhouse; let the guide tell you about it as he shows the people around.
I had similar problems when reading about the pills going missing from Jonah's medications; it felt wrong in how it was told to the reader. The information is important but how its told felt uncomfortable to read in the middle of a breakdown. When describing people or places, too much information was imparted; for example the tavern Jonah visits, the trip to the fairground or giving everyone's approximate age and hair colour as Jonah meets them.
So whilst the story is enjoyable and malevolent, I think it needs some polishing to make it more readable and less of a history lesson at times or overly descriptive when it doesn't need to be. The history of the area and Molly Maguire's was interesting and well researched before the novel started, but then seemed to be repeated as the novel unfolded. The research into the autism, MS and mental illnesses the three main characters suffer are well written, but again in other aspects too much detail was imparted as facts not story.
The endings were unexpected, with wrap ups 10 & 15 years later and I had to laugh at the way the characters were portrayed. Up to that point, plausible, then plain silly.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
The novel swings between story telling and giving a comprehensive run down on the now defunct coal mining industry, as if its now a history book. When the history part starts it lets the story down because of the way its written. I felt it would have been better if, for example, on the groups trip to the fairground, Katie and Oliver should have explained the place and its history in speech to Jonah as they travelled in the car. Again, its the same with visiting the old jailhouse; let the guide tell you about it as he shows the people around.
I had similar problems when reading about the pills going missing from Jonah's medications; it felt wrong in how it was told to the reader. The information is important but how its told felt uncomfortable to read in the middle of a breakdown. When describing people or places, too much information was imparted; for example the tavern Jonah visits, the trip to the fairground or giving everyone's approximate age and hair colour as Jonah meets them.
So whilst the story is enjoyable and malevolent, I think it needs some polishing to make it more readable and less of a history lesson at times or overly descriptive when it doesn't need to be. The history of the area and Molly Maguire's was interesting and well researched before the novel started, but then seemed to be repeated as the novel unfolded. The research into the autism, MS and mental illnesses the three main characters suffer are well written, but again in other aspects too much detail was imparted as facts not story.
The endings were unexpected, with wrap ups 10 & 15 years later and I had to laugh at the way the characters were portrayed. Up to that point, plausible, then plain silly.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews