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Haunted Village #5

Poisonous Whispers

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Trapped between a killer and an army of the dead, Subject B must make a final stand…Marcus Holt is a decorated combat veteran, a survivor of the brutal Vietnam War. But to the brilliant Professor Abel Worthe, Marcus is known as Subject B -- a human lab rat, forced to participate in a deadly experiment. Worthe intends to see just how much fear Marcus can survive, by trapping him in a village stocked with supernatural killers. When a new building appears in the village’s dark, snow-swept streets, Marcus and his team are haunted by the cries of panicked children. After they investigate the decaying cobbler’s shop, they are shocked to find twin boys, cowering in fear. Marcus is determined to rescue these helpless children from the danger that Worthe has unleashed. But the twins are not the only inhabitants in this house of horrors. Marcus and the others soon find themselves stalked by the venomous spirit of a bitter old woman, whose touch brings a painful death to her victims. But as they flee this hateful ghost, they quickly realize they are surrounded by an army of restless spirits. And even Worthe cannot control this horde of deadly wraiths. Marcus’s back is against the wall. He swore he would fight to the death to escape Worthe’s fiendish game. But against these new foes, this may be a battle he cannot win.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2019

263 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

Ron Ripley

252 books514 followers
Ron 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.

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5 stars
204 (69%)
4 stars
63 (21%)
3 stars
21 (7%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for BookLoversLife.
1,838 reviews9 followers
September 19, 2020
Reading this edition in the series broke my heart!! The levels of depravity Worthe will go to for his experiment is chilling. This time he aquires a house with a ghost who can mimic any poison through her touch. She revels in killing people slowly. Worthe kidnaps twin boys and puts them in the house with her. It doesn't stop there though, he does something to Marcus' home that will test him, Joyce and Alex to the limit.

My heart was in my mouth pretty much the whole way through this. There is so much going on and everything seems to be ramping up that I had trouble putting this down. Worthe is a vile character and what he puts his "subjects" through is evil. I love that this author can evoke such strong emotions from me! He writes his characters so well!!

Anyway, another fast paced and edge of your seat read. There is a lot of information coming out on Marcus and I love reading his back story. Timmy is another character that I'm so intrigued with and I can't wait to read more. Poor Alex though, he showed so much spirit and my heart broke for him!

Bring on the next one!! I'm itching to see Worthe get his comeuppance.

As always, Thom Bowers shines. His array of times and voices is stunning and his inflections and cadences truly bring the story alive.
Profile Image for David.
604 reviews14 followers
May 4, 2019
In this fifth book of the Worthe's Village series, we see Able Worthe fall to a new level of depravity. His subjects this time are children. He finds a particularly nasty ghost who loves to torture and kill children. This leads Marcus Holt and Alex to attempt a rescue. As Able becomes more evil, Marcus and Alex become braver, especially Alex, who shows his true mettle.
I am constantly impressed by the originality with which Ron Ripley develops his characters, especially the ghosts. Some are benevolent and helpful, true, but most are deliciously evil and their methods of delivering death never fail to astound me.
These books are short but pack plenty of punch. I highly recommend this series and this author.
Profile Image for Brandie Lea Slicer.
337 reviews4 followers
April 2, 2019
Resolutions?

I really hope there are more books in the series. I definitely saw many ways the plot could have played out better if this is the last book. There were many plot clues inserted that haven't been followed up on. I have faithfully followed the series and enjoyed all of the books so far, I'm hoping to see more books and some closure with some hope for at least a few of our stalwart characters? Maybe some karmic payback for some of the evil ones? Maybe tie up some of the story lines? I know this is a collaborative project, so I'll check out some other reviews and see what others say.
26 reviews
December 21, 2019
Worthe's soldiers are feeling the pinch
Twin boys become the new victims to Worthe's village. On the killer's side, is the venomous angry spirit of an old woman. When that wasn't bad enough, Marcus and his team realize they are surrounded by an army of spirits. At least these other newcomers are causing trouble for Worthe's soldiers as they are unable to control or direct these long-dead warriors. And we find out one of Worthe's close soldiers has a secret past of his own, that may make or break Marcus.
35 reviews
May 24, 2020
It turned out to be a pretty good storytelling I had a great deal of trouble trying to figure out which character I was reading. So many of the characters just seemed to jump all over the place. I know it's probably just me but honestly I have never experienced this before. Now for the story. I really did like it but the end of the book took me totally by surprise. The characters we good and I love ghosts. The bad were really bad and the good really good. I love reading Mr. People's books of which I have read many of them. Keep em coming.
Profile Image for Rebecca Hill.
Author 1 book66 followers
January 9, 2023
Marcus, Alex, and Joyce are aware of two younger boys brought into the village, and are determined to rescue them. However, Worthe has upped the stakes, and made it harder for the trio to help the young boys.
They are still determined to escape the village, but they are finding it to be more difficult than they first thought.

This was a good read, although, as a mother, it was difficult at times. Overall, still loved it. Ron Ripley is one of my favorite authors.
Profile Image for Patricia Harris.
596 reviews6 followers
October 20, 2019
Book 5 of the series. Another ghost and 2 more subjects brought into the village. You would think the story would be repetitive, but not at all. Still learning a lot of background on Marcus. I loved the bombshell dropped in this book, can’t wait to see how that affects things. Another Awesome book by Ron Ripley. On to the next!
131 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2020
He's done it again

I do love Ron's writing it never fails to keep me on my toes. I love Marcus and Alex and Joyce so much. I love how they interact with one another and their bonds. Constance was something else and I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her yet. If you want something that keeps to awake and not wanting to stop reading you've found it.
261 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2020
The chilling thrilling series goes on apace.

The torturing of the newest inhabitants to the village makes Marcus, Alex and Joyce take risks to rescue them, but not without great cost to themselves!

As usual this was gripping from start to finish.

Now straight on to book 6 ........what will see?
Profile Image for Laura.
94 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2021
Ahhh where to begin

Yes I don’t like Worth or his loyal assistant David nah nope.

I’m in deep with Marcus, Alex and Joyce I love the little ‘family’ thing they have going on.

Alex is getting brave, Joyce is starting to show her colours and Marcus is just trying to keep it all together.

I hope Timmy helps them escape and Worth gets gutted by his ghosts
Profile Image for Audrey.
439 reviews6 followers
September 27, 2021
Ron Ripley delivers another page turning horror extraordinaire.

This selection features Professor Worthe's acquisition of a cobbler's shop haunted by an expert poisoner. She has learned through death how to mimic all the poisons and does so deftly. Worthe chooses 2 twin boys to be subjects within the house and seeks to drive the previous subjects into attempting rescue.
925 reviews
April 2, 2019
Brilliant series great characters how much more can Marcus and his friends take can't stop reading can't wait for the next book !!How will Timmy fair i do like him .Not giving anything away waiting with anticipation !!
Profile Image for Tam French.
167 reviews
April 5, 2019
No spoilers

I don't give away much when writing my reviews and I will stay true to form, but there is a HUGE surprise lurking in this awesome story! More fine writing from Mr. Ripley and I'm waiting (somewhat)patiently for the next book!
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,150 reviews15 followers
May 30, 2019
Chilling read

This one was different because children and the homeless were involved ! The creep factor was there but so was psychological torture and terror. I wonder what will happen with Elaine and Marcus.
4 reviews
August 15, 2021
Brilliant and very scary.

I read the 1st book and needed to know what happens to the three. Still can't put the books down till I finish the last. There's always a new danger to go with the old ones. Brilliant and very scary. Will 3 become four?
163 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2019
Wow

I am getting antsy!!!! Could owner of the new house that the professor wants be non other than Shane Ryan
3 reviews
March 31, 2019
Amazing

Amazing series!!! Can't wait for the next book in the haunted village series. Addictive series, extremely hard to put down
Profile Image for Sue.
161 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2019
I absolutely love this series!!! It's official, I'm addicted to #RonRipley!
Profile Image for Lottie.
942 reviews6 followers
November 3, 2019
Great reading! I was not disappointed with this paranormal mystery!
Profile Image for Michelle Dinkins.
210 reviews
September 10, 2020
As I continue to read this series, it becomes more evident that the Professor is worse than Hannibal Lector and Ted Bundy combined!!!

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Profile Image for Natasha Brown.
70 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2021
I am loving this series! Worth's terrifying village has them prisoner and in this episode, the death awaiting comes from poisons. Will they all survive? Its just brilliant!
Profile Image for Debbie Mcnally.
980 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2022
I was lucky enough to have gotten a free audio book code from Scare Street. I am volunteering to leave this review. Fantastic book plenty of twist and turns that will keep you entertained.
Profile Image for Edna Ritchie.
20 reviews
June 10, 2019
Another nail biter

So far twists and turns is Marcus, Timmys father ,is Alex going to kill worth can't wait to find out.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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