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Phantom Reunions
All Danielle Walton wanted was a relaxing solo trip to Las Vegas, within the anonymous confines of her favorite casino—meeting someone wasn't part of the plan. But she did meet Lindy Parker, and for one night in Vegas, they experience some laughs—and more—without a care. Except Lindy Parker did care about the one-night stand they had. Greatly.
While Danielle makes a fast friend in Vegas, her troubled life back home unglues her. When she and her friend Big Al concoct a plan of vengeance against the druggy boyfriend who hurts her, Danielle's world is supposed to be right again. When the plan of revenge goes awry, there's no undoing the disaster that was initiated.
Unforgettable characters and several twists and turns make "Phantom Reunions" a memorable page-turner.
While Danielle makes a fast friend in Vegas, her troubled life back home unglues her. When she and her friend Big Al concoct a plan of vengeance against the druggy boyfriend who hurts her, Danielle's world is supposed to be right again. When the plan of revenge goes awry, there's no undoing the disaster that was initiated.
Unforgettable characters and several twists and turns make "Phantom Reunions" a memorable page-turner.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Sal Nudo
19 books35 followersSal Nudo is the author of several fiction and nonfiction books available on Amazon. Drawing on his master’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his work often explores journalism techniques and creative nonfiction.
Nudo earned the "What I Believe" Essay Award from Townsend Press in 2025 and was a winner in the 2026 "One Room One Challenge" contest for his essay, "Intermittent Light." He also received the Marian and Barney Brody Creative Feature Article Writing Award in 2015. His writing has been featured in Illinois Alumni magazine, the Mahomet Citizen, and Smile Politely.
Nudo earned the "What I Believe" Essay Award from Townsend Press in 2025 and was a winner in the 2026 "One Room One Challenge" contest for his essay, "Intermittent Light." He also received the Marian and Barney Brody Creative Feature Article Writing Award in 2015. His writing has been featured in Illinois Alumni magazine, the Mahomet Citizen, and Smile Politely.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 17, 2023
"Phantom Reunions" by Sal Nudo is a captivating and thought-provoking supernatural thriller that had me completely engrossed from the first page to the last. This book is a true gem that masterfully blends elements of mystery, the paranormal, and heartfelt emotions, delivering an unforgettable reading experience.
Sal Nudo's writing is not only immersive but also deeply evocative, making it a standout in the realm of supernatural fiction. The author's ability to create vivid scenes, multi-dimensional characters, and an atmospheric setting sets the stage for a gripping and emotionally resonant story.
One of the standout features of the book is its intricate and suspenseful plot. The way Nudo weaves together supernatural occurrences, unexplained mysteries, and the complexities of human relationships is nothing short of brilliant. The constant sense of anticipation and intrigue kept me hooked from start to finish.
The characters in the novel are exceptionally well-developed, each with their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Nudo's skillful portrayal of human emotions, grief, and the unbreakable bond between friends creates a sense of authenticity that adds depth to the narrative.
Moreover, "Phantom Reunions" is not just a supernatural thriller; it's a powerful exploration of loss, love, and the intricacies of the human heart. The emotional depth of the story resonates on a profound level, making it much more than a typical ghost story.
As a reader who enjoys both mystery and the paranormal, "Phantom Reunions" exceeded my expectations in every way. Sal Nudo's ability to interweave the supernatural with genuine human emotions made this book a truly exceptional read.
In conclusion, "Phantom Reunions" by Sal Nudo is a five-star masterpiece that deserves accolades for its intricate plot, emotional depth, and the seamless fusion of the supernatural with the deeply human. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that tugs at the heartstrings. I wholeheartedly recommend "Phantom Reunions" to those who appreciate a blend of mystery, the paranormal, and a heartfelt exploration of the human experience. Prepare to be transported to a world where the lines between the living and the supernatural blur in an enthralling and emotionally charged tale.
Sal Nudo's writing is not only immersive but also deeply evocative, making it a standout in the realm of supernatural fiction. The author's ability to create vivid scenes, multi-dimensional characters, and an atmospheric setting sets the stage for a gripping and emotionally resonant story.
One of the standout features of the book is its intricate and suspenseful plot. The way Nudo weaves together supernatural occurrences, unexplained mysteries, and the complexities of human relationships is nothing short of brilliant. The constant sense of anticipation and intrigue kept me hooked from start to finish.
The characters in the novel are exceptionally well-developed, each with their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Nudo's skillful portrayal of human emotions, grief, and the unbreakable bond between friends creates a sense of authenticity that adds depth to the narrative.
Moreover, "Phantom Reunions" is not just a supernatural thriller; it's a powerful exploration of loss, love, and the intricacies of the human heart. The emotional depth of the story resonates on a profound level, making it much more than a typical ghost story.
As a reader who enjoys both mystery and the paranormal, "Phantom Reunions" exceeded my expectations in every way. Sal Nudo's ability to interweave the supernatural with genuine human emotions made this book a truly exceptional read.
In conclusion, "Phantom Reunions" by Sal Nudo is a five-star masterpiece that deserves accolades for its intricate plot, emotional depth, and the seamless fusion of the supernatural with the deeply human. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that tugs at the heartstrings. I wholeheartedly recommend "Phantom Reunions" to those who appreciate a blend of mystery, the paranormal, and a heartfelt exploration of the human experience. Prepare to be transported to a world where the lines between the living and the supernatural blur in an enthralling and emotionally charged tale.
January 23, 2025
"Phantom Reunions" grabs the reader from the very start, when in a Vegas casino the main character, Danielle, meets an odd man, Lindy, who essentially pursues her. They wind up hanging out and spending the night together, although Danielle immediately regrets it. She flees Vegas, little knowing the man will essentially stalk her (from a distance) even after she returns home to San Diego, where she works as an exotic dancer.
Her life deteriorates around her. The author does a great job painting pictures of various lowlife venues, from the casinos to strip clubs, and populates them with a host of despicable types. The story spends a lot of time following Danielle as she interacts with those folk. Receiving particular emphasis is her often-boring relationship with Wendy, her mother; and her violent relationship with boyfriend Todd, a scummy, abusive, totally unlikable bum.
Generally speaking, this novel is quite a good effort but unfortunately goes flat for a number of reasons. For one, there isn’t a single character in the novel compelling a reader’s empathy. It is hard to root for Danielle who, from the start, isn’t very approachable or sympathetic. It is hard to become invested in her problems. She also doesn’t seem to move forward, learning or changing. All the characters she meets at the strip club are also horrendous, so one also can’t really root for them to solve their issues. And the boyfriend, Todd, well he’s just a monster. One has to question Danielle’s sanity for ever getting involved with the despicable degenerate.
The book is very clean, with no egregious typos, etc., so kudos for that. But it does tend to drag at times. There is a feeling of too much padding, with extended nonessential conversations and lengthy descriptions of unimportant, everyday events.
The surprise ending DOES revive things a little, but it is already too late and buried inside a lengthy “tell all” phase in the book, where no scenes or action unfold while wrapping things up like a newspaper summary, including leap-forward segments five and ten years into the future, which hide much of the payoff readers deserved.
Nudo's undeniable writing skills are on display in PHANTOM REUNIONS, but the work is spotty. Perhaps a strong developmental edit would have allowed this to become a true five-star piece of fiction.
Her life deteriorates around her. The author does a great job painting pictures of various lowlife venues, from the casinos to strip clubs, and populates them with a host of despicable types. The story spends a lot of time following Danielle as she interacts with those folk. Receiving particular emphasis is her often-boring relationship with Wendy, her mother; and her violent relationship with boyfriend Todd, a scummy, abusive, totally unlikable bum.
Generally speaking, this novel is quite a good effort but unfortunately goes flat for a number of reasons. For one, there isn’t a single character in the novel compelling a reader’s empathy. It is hard to root for Danielle who, from the start, isn’t very approachable or sympathetic. It is hard to become invested in her problems. She also doesn’t seem to move forward, learning or changing. All the characters she meets at the strip club are also horrendous, so one also can’t really root for them to solve their issues. And the boyfriend, Todd, well he’s just a monster. One has to question Danielle’s sanity for ever getting involved with the despicable degenerate.
The book is very clean, with no egregious typos, etc., so kudos for that. But it does tend to drag at times. There is a feeling of too much padding, with extended nonessential conversations and lengthy descriptions of unimportant, everyday events.
The surprise ending DOES revive things a little, but it is already too late and buried inside a lengthy “tell all” phase in the book, where no scenes or action unfold while wrapping things up like a newspaper summary, including leap-forward segments five and ten years into the future, which hide much of the payoff readers deserved.
Nudo's undeniable writing skills are on display in PHANTOM REUNIONS, but the work is spotty. Perhaps a strong developmental edit would have allowed this to become a true five-star piece of fiction.
April 18, 2025
“Phantom Reunions” is the second book I’ve read by Sal Nudo. So far, all they have in common is writing that’s easy to process and quick to rope you in. Well, that, and an interest in seedy characters. Another potential commonality is the idea that a character might be so hung up on how life should or could be (rather than dealing with what it is), that the belief could act to his or her detriment.
I enjoyed this book very much – more so than the last, which was still good enough that I’d said I’d happily read another. This book has one character that happens to function as a literary device, adding the fear that the other shoe could drop at any time. The character also serves to contrast with another character, perhaps playing on the notion that one’s potential cannot be judged by his or her origin story – he or she can rise above if they work hard and really want to change. But sometimes the person is so attached to the status quo, that he or she does not want to rise above it.
It was effective for me as a reader for the author to have dangled a far-away threat that could harm a main character someday, only to surprise me with a spasm of violence involving other characters that was satisfying in part, sad in part, and shocking in its sequence.
I’ll happily read another by this author.
I enjoyed this book very much – more so than the last, which was still good enough that I’d said I’d happily read another. This book has one character that happens to function as a literary device, adding the fear that the other shoe could drop at any time. The character also serves to contrast with another character, perhaps playing on the notion that one’s potential cannot be judged by his or her origin story – he or she can rise above if they work hard and really want to change. But sometimes the person is so attached to the status quo, that he or she does not want to rise above it.
It was effective for me as a reader for the author to have dangled a far-away threat that could harm a main character someday, only to surprise me with a spasm of violence involving other characters that was satisfying in part, sad in part, and shocking in its sequence.
I’ll happily read another by this author.
June 21, 2025
Author Sal Nudo writes both non-fiction and fiction. His fiction books tend toward tales of the dark side of life. “Phantom Reunions” proves once again that Mr. Nudo is the master of dark fiction. “Phantom Reunions” is a story of bad choices, compounded by more bad choices. None of the characters are truly likeable. Who is telling the truth? For some, redemption may be possible. Others continue on a futile, downward spiral. Danielle’s short getaway to Las Vegas from her troubled life in San Diego ends up not being the break she hoped for. Her brief encounter with Lindy, there for an insurance convention, leaves her feeling unsettled. She had no idea then of the dramatic consequences that would result from her brief trip. Danielle longs to escape from her work as a stripper and the strip club’s slimy owner. Then there is her abusive relationship with Todd, her dug addicted boyfriend. Though, she’s got addiction problems herself and is estranged from her family. There are plenty of twists and surprises in this story that are often shocking. This book holds little back, with scenes of abuse, self-harm, and seedy criminal activity. The story and the characters' journeys are compelling, and you may find yourself reading this novel in one sitting. “Phantom Reunions” is a well-crafted novel for those who are ready for armchair traveling to the dark, tragic realms of human existence.
February 25, 2026
I was surprised how much the prologue sucked me in. I was so into the story that I forgot it was just a prologue. The protagonist, Danielle is a fascinating character while being far from perfect. I also liked, though, that her actions were genuine. She was not an anti-hero- just a person with problems and trying to deal with them without much skill for it.
In other words, like a real person.
Some of the other characters were larger than life. Still realistic.
The story kept me turning pages and thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. Exactly what you want out of a story. It was well written with lots of twists and turns. I can understand other reviewers talking about not feeling empathy with the characters, but I still rooted for them. I suspect that is a function of writing realistic characters. For example, Danielle uses drugs and gets herself into trouble. Yet, there is a lot of people like that.
I have to rate Phantom Reunion as a fun read, though it is more than that. It has grittiness to it.
As an aside, I praise the author for admitting the cover is not enticing. That’s an acknowledgement of how hard it is to change covers. I came to Amazon to read the book, so it did not influence my purchase of the book one way or another, but not using it as a reason not to buy the book.
I recommend getting this book.
January 19, 2025
From the opening page to the very last, "Phantom Reunions" by Sal Nudo is a gripping supernatural thriller that kept me completely absorbed. This novel is truly extraordinary, skillfully intertwining elements of suspense, the mystical, and deep emotions, resulting in an unforgettable read.
The book's standout aspect is its intricate and captivating plot. Nudo skillfully combines supernatural elements, puzzling mysteries, and the intricacies of human connections in a brilliantly executed manner. The ever-present anticipation and curiosity held my attention from beginning to end.
The characters in the book are remarkably well-crafted, each possessing their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Nudo skillfully captures human emotions, grief, and the unwavering loyalty between friends, lending an authentic layer to the story.
In addition, "Phantom Reunions" is not solely a supernatural thriller; it delves deeply into the themes of grieving, affection, and the complexities of human emotions. The profound emotional impact of the narrative elevates it beyond a simple tale of ghosts.
The book's standout aspect is its intricate and captivating plot. Nudo skillfully combines supernatural elements, puzzling mysteries, and the intricacies of human connections in a brilliantly executed manner. The ever-present anticipation and curiosity held my attention from beginning to end.
The characters in the book are remarkably well-crafted, each possessing their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Nudo skillfully captures human emotions, grief, and the unwavering loyalty between friends, lending an authentic layer to the story.
In addition, "Phantom Reunions" is not solely a supernatural thriller; it delves deeply into the themes of grieving, affection, and the complexities of human emotions. The profound emotional impact of the narrative elevates it beyond a simple tale of ghosts.
August 9, 2023
As a reader from the UK, I was tempted by this book because (like its main character, Danielle) I once took a trip to Las Vegas all by myself. Fortunately for me, though, that’s where the similarity between me and Danielle ends! I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into the book, probably because the style of writing, the settings and the characters are a bit different to what I am used to (English settings, conventional English police officers and villains). But the book grew on me, and I ended up very much invested in the outcome and really feeling for the two main characters (both of whom are, in their very different ways, convincingly and sympathetically portrayed). I found the epilogue (which takes place 10 years after the main action of the book) genuinely moving and, although I hadn’t anticipated it, a natural conclusion to what has gone before.
April 9, 2024
This book is a very well written account of the majesty and tragedy of human existence. It's somehow just a recounting of normal people living their lives but also a completely off the deep-end catastrophe of lives spiraling into the ditch after a few small coincidental encounters. You are given the feeling that this story is one that does happen all the time all over the world, but it's also a mad, mad tale. I was drawn in, and the book lived in my head even when I wasn't reading it.
The characters are the best part, being very real. None are heroic, the main characters are self-absorbed, and the bad characters don't see their cruelty through their own pain.
It's pain, and sadness, and the escapism of drugs, booze and sex tightening the noose of pain even tighter. Redemption is a long shot that only matters to a few - but you hope for it anyway, and maybe that's the point.
The characters are the best part, being very real. None are heroic, the main characters are self-absorbed, and the bad characters don't see their cruelty through their own pain.
It's pain, and sadness, and the escapism of drugs, booze and sex tightening the noose of pain even tighter. Redemption is a long shot that only matters to a few - but you hope for it anyway, and maybe that's the point.
May 14, 2019
Excellent book!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews