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A baby's cry echoes in the basement of Proudshire Estate, yet there is no one left to hear her. At the request of an old friend, Clyde Barker, a private investigator, launches into a dangerous investigation at the Proudshire Estate. The south Georgian family bands together to find their missing cousin. However, nothing is what it seems. Clyde Barker's loyalties are tested as he fights to uncover the truth behind Dorothy-May Proudshire's vanishing, but not even the dead are willing to help him. One after another, the family starts to dwindle. Clyde will give it his all to stop the onslaught... but should he?

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2020

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J.S. Donovan

96 books139 followers

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5 stars
180 (53%)
4 stars
91 (27%)
3 stars
51 (15%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Mary.
2,754 reviews23 followers
July 24, 2020
This is a gripping and intriguing story that is full of twists, shocks and an unbelievably unseen ending. When Clyde's buddy contacts him to help find his sister, Clyde grabs his sometimes partner Sarah and takes her to his buddy's family home. Not long after, weird things start happening, and then people start disappearing. While Clyde and Sarah investigate, which is more of waiting for something to happen, then trying to find out who did it. The story gets more intense as it goes, and you really can't guess who is guilty, because they all have secrets. While it is slow at times, I enjoyed reading it.
238 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2020
PLEASE....Proofread

This is the third book in this series and I enjoyed the storyline as much as the last two. I'm happy to see a stronger Sarah presence and hope it continues in the next book. But this book was difficult reading since it had not been proofread. I can tell that spell check was used, but sentence structure sucked.
170 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2025
Interesting plots

I will not do a synopsis of this series; you can get that from the descriptions. However, I will say that J.S.Donovan had created an interesting character in Clyde Barker and each of the books I have read so far are individual in their plots, and create enjoy suspense to be consistently a hood read. The only negative comment would be the need for adequate proofing and editing. Each book is littered with editing issues and changes in things consistent in each book. This is distracting.
35 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2026
Make it past the first chapter

An unwilling paranormal investigator and a spunky sidekick make this puzzle one continuous guessing game - IF you can make it past the first clunky, cliche chapter. If you slog through that you will find characters full of secrets and a story line that moves, unfolding in the drama. Did I guess Whodunit ? Yes, in the very beginning but the author artfully throws possibles in the way, so I kept guessing. An entertaining read for a rainy weekend.
Profile Image for Sheila Walker.
485 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2026
Vengeance or jealousy

I can't name all the people in the family it would take up the page. To many suspects to wade through, this is a good mysterious story,an investigator who can see the dead but some of them wants to kill him to and family members dying or going missing will Clyde manage to point the finger, oh yes there is more a lot more well done author J.S.D. I enjoyed this book
24 reviews
July 2, 2026
investigators, investigators, investigators...that word must have been in this book 1000 times and in the wrong situations. poorly written, weak, slow, and unengaging. it wasn't even a ghost story, just a murder mystery with ghosts as supporting cast. so many implausible and confusing situations that wouldn't happen in real life (and i'm not talking about the ghosts). i was wondering if the author had ever even engaged with other people. i can't believe this is #3, i won't read another.
4 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2020
Decent

The plot was interesting but they were quite a few grammatical errors with the wrong names given to the characters. The author seem to be confused with his characters names and often mistook them. It needs a good proofreader and the author should spend time reading before publishing and definitely turn off auto type.
109 reviews
May 3, 2020
Twist & turns

I've read all 3 books in the series,they have lots of twist & turns. I enjoyed the characters & story , & I would have given 5 stars but there were a lot of editing mistakes in all 3 books, definitely needs fixed. But other than that I liked the books & hope there will be a 4th but please double check the editing!
Profile Image for Xena Johnson.
6 reviews
May 16, 2020
Love the series...

The grammer in this book was distracting but the plot and story was great. I love this series and would love to know where it would go next. Please get a better editor for your next books...in the earlier part of the book them family name changed and then changed back. That is a huge oversight. I will totally continue to read her books irregardless!
7 reviews
May 24, 2020
Engaging story!

Great story line! Really enjoyed the Main character . I like reading a book where there's actual morality included in the story, and a great mystery to boot! Mix in a little bit of the paranormal and some ghosts and I was hooked. Highly recommend it your looking for a great storyline and some very likable characters.



371 reviews5 followers
May 27, 2020
Something lost

The author lost something from book 2 to book 3. I rated the first two books a 5 star. I think part of it was in the plot; but another seemed to come from the main character (or lack there of). Maybe the author rushed the novel; but it came off as messy, and wandering.
68 reviews
February 21, 2020
The Oath

There were so many errors! I couldn't keep my mind on the story because I was always correcting things in my head like shuttered to shuddered. Whoever proofread this did a lousy job.
7 reviews
April 13, 2020
Proofreading?!

I've read other Clyde Barker stories, they're fun to read! But the editing, proofreading, transcribing, whatever on this one is awful!!! It's hard to read when every other page reads like someone's spellchecker has gone haywire!
49 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2020
Unbearably sloppy writing and editing.

The story was completely lost in the endless errors. Get a good proofreader to be taken seriously. Someone familiar with the English language would help. Best wishes.
Profile Image for Tamara Liggins.
19 reviews6 followers
November 18, 2020
Rich people bring drama it seems

It seems like no amount of money can outrun the desires of the heart, this book shows a lot of vulnerability amongst the have and have nots. It’s a great haunting novel but also has a lesson.
Profile Image for robin .
122 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2021
In spite of the fact that Clyde is 1% likeable and 99% douche, I have read all three in the series and look forward to another. This one definitely had suspense and a complicated but interesting plot.
I would like to see more of the Rachel Halloway books come out though .. hint..hint!!
319 reviews6 followers
August 11, 2021
Wonderful interesting

I think of Clyde and I wonder if I had known him years ago I think our world would have been interesting. Tell you what you keep writing them and I will keep reading them sincerely christinedunne Harlingen tx
Profile Image for Laura.
5 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2021
The story started off well and had potential but just got a little crazy at the end. Also so many typos it was annoying. I enjoyed the first two books but kept getting caught up with all the mistakes in this one.
25 reviews
May 28, 2026
interesting story

This book reminded me of one of my favorite movies “Knives Out”. It could be a sequel with a paranormal twist. The ending left an opening for further character development of Clyde and Sarah.
Profile Image for Janet Yates.
1 review
April 14, 2020
Good cliff hanger.

Loved the storyline, had a problem with all the typos. I might consider another book. I have to use my imagination I some spots.
7 reviews
April 17, 2020
Captivating

The third in the series kept me spellbound , terrified and couldn't put it down. Hope to see Clyde again in the near future and get caught up in the next adventure.
Profile Image for Deborah Morgan.
70 reviews
July 28, 2020
The oath

The third book of this series. Still drew you in, adventure, thrilling, just as good as the previous books, good to see the same great work throughout this series.
32 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2021
Great Ghost Story

I love paranormal stories. This one has lots of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end. Good reading!
105 reviews
August 20, 2021
Hold on to your seat

Roller coaster ride!!! This book is put together with a lot of suspense, action and page turning excitement. Will definitely be reading more of Clyde Barker!
Profile Image for Susan Polinski-Barnes.
10 reviews
December 13, 2023
Didn't see that ending coming!

Fun mystery to read. If you like a good puzzle this is the perfect weekend read. A great supernatural mystery with twists and turns.
18 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2026
The awesomeness continues

Book three of the Clyde barker series did not disappoint! I can’t wait to read book 4 next! Lets go!
1 review
June 13, 2026
Good read

Was not what I expected, but definitely enjoyed. Take a chance on it, you won’t be disappointed. I will have to look for others from him.
1 review
April 23, 2021
Editing Disaster

This book need serious editing. Mistakes in every chapter. It may have been edited by a poorly designed computer program. The book has an interesting story line but the most sentences that make no sense of any book I have ever read, and I read two books a week.
6,098 reviews46 followers
February 16, 2020
a favor for an old friend turns out to be lethal for several parties.

When old family money, and weapons trade are involved, global connections, and supernatural ones, come into play,

What happens to a psychic who feels others' deaths? How does he know when he is actually dead?

Intense paranormal and psychological thriller!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,794 reviews72 followers
February 17, 2020
A baby’s cry echoes in the basement of Proudshire Estate yet there is no one left to hear her.
Investigator Clyde Barker uses his gifting to stop killers and give rest to the wayward dead. Stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, he is contacted by an old friend and hired to find his missing twin sister. However, secrecy tightly surrounds the case and his friend fails to provide much information. Arriving at the Proudshire Estate, Clyde cautiously approaches the nineteen-room, three-story-tall plantation house. Inside, the other heirs anxiously anticipate his arrival, but not for the reason he expects…

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews