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Transfer: A Supernatural Horror Novel
WHERE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN GOING?
School guidance counselor Laine Waterman has noticed students transferring out of PS 12 at an unusually high rate. Their destinations seem random, the reasons unknown.
What is first suspected to be a bureaucratic conspiracy eventually reveals itself to be a far deeper and darker threat crawling through the community. Her investigation into the children's circumstances takes her far off course, beyond school and into the belly of a deadly secret, hidden in a forgotten, urban wasteland.
Can Laine put the lid on a spreading menace before the secret gets out?
Turns out, she has some secrets of her own.
This supernatural horror thriller will keep you guessing until the end. Step inside now!
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2019
20 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Sean Oliver
6 books8 followersSean Oliver is the author of the non-fiction Kindle Bestseller "Kayfabe." "Sophie's Journal" is Sean’s first novel. He has worked in film and television for 25 years with over a hundred credits on major motion pictures and television series. Sean is also co-owner of Kayfabe Commentaries, a pro sports oriented production company. He is also a stock trader and teacher. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 10, 2020
'Transfer by Sean Oliver' is a supernatural thriller with a dense plot and hidden mysteries which unfolds in an exciting climax.
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I must say I liked this book before starting my review. After reading Sophie's Journal, I was a bit sceptical, but I saw a lot of improvement in this novel.
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Laine Waterman a school guidance counsellor notices students getting transferred out of PS12 at an unusually high rate. She is curious to find out the reason behind it. And answers are hidden in the school itself. The alarm went off when a four-year-old was found dead in the classroom.
--
What follows in Oliver's novel is a nail-biting unfolding of mysteries. The supernatural element was surely required to solve the conflict of the book. It wasn't a humanly possible crime done in that school.
The author has been very careful in writing certain episodes which can be visually disturbing. I liked the cold, dark vibe this book created while reading. The grey setting, supernatural terrorism and vulnerabilities made it although more an enjoyable read.
--
What could have been better? The depth of the Supernatural element and writing structure. It isn't bad or unreadable. In fact, for a beginner, it will be enjoying one. My idea is somewhere things are over-described or ignored, which needs to be revised. But you can surely ignore that side and enjoy this read.
--
I must say I liked this book before starting my review. After reading Sophie's Journal, I was a bit sceptical, but I saw a lot of improvement in this novel.
--
Laine Waterman a school guidance counsellor notices students getting transferred out of PS12 at an unusually high rate. She is curious to find out the reason behind it. And answers are hidden in the school itself. The alarm went off when a four-year-old was found dead in the classroom.
--
What follows in Oliver's novel is a nail-biting unfolding of mysteries. The supernatural element was surely required to solve the conflict of the book. It wasn't a humanly possible crime done in that school.
The author has been very careful in writing certain episodes which can be visually disturbing. I liked the cold, dark vibe this book created while reading. The grey setting, supernatural terrorism and vulnerabilities made it although more an enjoyable read.
--
What could have been better? The depth of the Supernatural element and writing structure. It isn't bad or unreadable. In fact, for a beginner, it will be enjoying one. My idea is somewhere things are over-described or ignored, which needs to be revised. But you can surely ignore that side and enjoy this read.
September 18, 2019
Although this book is not what we would call a pure "horror" genre example, it is extremely well-written and offers a lot of diversity and realism. It transgresses into the boundaries of mystery, thriller and action genres, and the actual horror, be it supernatural or biological, often shifts into a secondary role in the story.
The characters are beautifully and masterfully delivered, with the only annoyance being the protagonist's son, Jason, whose absence would not be noticed by anyone and whose chapters are utterly irrelevant to the narrative.
The author adheres to the Gothic tropes of claustrophobia, spectral and physical malevolence, dungeons, death and decay, and is very diverse and equal in his treatment of any and all characters.
This is a very good read and it gets more interesting the more you read into it.
The characters are beautifully and masterfully delivered, with the only annoyance being the protagonist's son, Jason, whose absence would not be noticed by anyone and whose chapters are utterly irrelevant to the narrative.
The author adheres to the Gothic tropes of claustrophobia, spectral and physical malevolence, dungeons, death and decay, and is very diverse and equal in his treatment of any and all characters.
This is a very good read and it gets more interesting the more you read into it.
June 16, 2020
Oliver’s masterful latest effectively combines the excellent elements of traditional mystery with the grit of supernatural horror, spinning a spellbinding tale of an ominous secret that reaches from beyond the grave and threatens to destroy multiple innocent lives.
When a 4-year-old dies in a classroom under mysterious circumstances, the school guidance counselor Laine Waterman steps in to help other students and the staff deal with the trauma. Students transferring out of PS 12 at an unusually high rate gets Laine’s attention, and soon she finds herself entangled in a full-blown mystery that leads her to a long-forgotten urban wasteland. But trying to stop the evil from spreading is not so easy, especially when her own secrets are getting in the way.
Oliver excels at creating a thoroughly atmospheric setting as well as revealing his characters' inner turmoil with nuance and skill. The traditional elements of supernatural terror: decaying bodies, claustrophobic situations, evil lurking in shadows among others provides the mandatory understated menace to the bleak setting.
He sensitively portrays his morally-complex characters’ apprehensions, qualms, and grief while plunging the reader deep into a deadly mystery surrounding their lives. Laine with her vulnerabilities, fears, and her deep-set love for Jason, her son, is both genuine and convincing. Other characters are sketched with credibility and will stay in readers’ minds long after they finish the novel. The satisfying finale does justice to the suspense-filled, gritty setups.
With its complex, twisty plot and intriguing storyline, the book makes for a brilliant supernatural thriller.
When a 4-year-old dies in a classroom under mysterious circumstances, the school guidance counselor Laine Waterman steps in to help other students and the staff deal with the trauma. Students transferring out of PS 12 at an unusually high rate gets Laine’s attention, and soon she finds herself entangled in a full-blown mystery that leads her to a long-forgotten urban wasteland. But trying to stop the evil from spreading is not so easy, especially when her own secrets are getting in the way.
Oliver excels at creating a thoroughly atmospheric setting as well as revealing his characters' inner turmoil with nuance and skill. The traditional elements of supernatural terror: decaying bodies, claustrophobic situations, evil lurking in shadows among others provides the mandatory understated menace to the bleak setting.
He sensitively portrays his morally-complex characters’ apprehensions, qualms, and grief while plunging the reader deep into a deadly mystery surrounding their lives. Laine with her vulnerabilities, fears, and her deep-set love for Jason, her son, is both genuine and convincing. Other characters are sketched with credibility and will stay in readers’ minds long after they finish the novel. The satisfying finale does justice to the suspense-filled, gritty setups.
With its complex, twisty plot and intriguing storyline, the book makes for a brilliant supernatural thriller.
September 26, 2019
Disgusting, gross, and I loved it
I don't normally read books like this, but it was good. Intriguing, disgusting and gross in places but a very well written story line. Well done. I will read the others, this author has written now
I don't normally read books like this, but it was good. Intriguing, disgusting and gross in places but a very well written story line. Well done. I will read the others, this author has written now
July 20, 2020
Warning: some parts aren't pleasant to read. It's not graphic, just not pleasant.
🦄🦄🦄
Everyone adds inflection to lifeless texts—no one really knows what anyone is saying, save for I love you and f*** you.
🦄🦄🦄
When a 4 year old boy mysteriously paases away in PS 12, Laine Waterman, the guidance counselor is incharge of answering any questions kids might have during a stressful time like this.
But, she starts to notice a strange occurunce. Children from PS 12 are being transferred without any indication as to why.
They have good track records but are still being shifted.
Laine puts it on herself to get to the bottom of this and the mysterious death of the child.
Something sinister is in the air and Laine can feel it.
🦄🦄🦄
Transfer is a supernatural horror story by Sean Oliver.
I did like this book better than Sophie's Journal (it's not a series but another book by the same author) and this was comparatively well written with a better story to tell.
It did however disappoint in terms of what kind of book I was expecting because of the genre. Although this is supposed to be a horror novel, it fell more in the genre of thriller for me as there wasn't anything particularly scary, just unusual.
There is of course the ghostly element to it, but it could have been implemented in the story a little bit more.
The ending when the whole mystery is solved is interesting because I tried so hard not to picture certain instances in my head, but it was an unusual concept.
Laine's a bold character, and her job as a counselor for little children is not an easy task. She has a lot of care for them but not only does she listen to them, throughout the story she's open to listening to all sorts of theories from other people, even if they're absurd which shows that she possesses an open mind to the unusual.
Jason, Laine's son, didn't add anything to the story so I did not understand why he was included let alone given chapters of his own because they had no relevance. I do understand her connection with her don, but it could have been just brushed upon and not necessarily given the level of importance he received.
Overall it's a good book if you're looking for something different and has more of a suspense or thriller aspect, not horror.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 7.5/10
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Everyone adds inflection to lifeless texts—no one really knows what anyone is saying, save for I love you and f*** you.
🦄🦄🦄
When a 4 year old boy mysteriously paases away in PS 12, Laine Waterman, the guidance counselor is incharge of answering any questions kids might have during a stressful time like this.
But, she starts to notice a strange occurunce. Children from PS 12 are being transferred without any indication as to why.
They have good track records but are still being shifted.
Laine puts it on herself to get to the bottom of this and the mysterious death of the child.
Something sinister is in the air and Laine can feel it.
🦄🦄🦄
Transfer is a supernatural horror story by Sean Oliver.
I did like this book better than Sophie's Journal (it's not a series but another book by the same author) and this was comparatively well written with a better story to tell.
It did however disappoint in terms of what kind of book I was expecting because of the genre. Although this is supposed to be a horror novel, it fell more in the genre of thriller for me as there wasn't anything particularly scary, just unusual.
There is of course the ghostly element to it, but it could have been implemented in the story a little bit more.
The ending when the whole mystery is solved is interesting because I tried so hard not to picture certain instances in my head, but it was an unusual concept.
Laine's a bold character, and her job as a counselor for little children is not an easy task. She has a lot of care for them but not only does she listen to them, throughout the story she's open to listening to all sorts of theories from other people, even if they're absurd which shows that she possesses an open mind to the unusual.
Jason, Laine's son, didn't add anything to the story so I did not understand why he was included let alone given chapters of his own because they had no relevance. I do understand her connection with her don, but it could have been just brushed upon and not necessarily given the level of importance he received.
Overall it's a good book if you're looking for something different and has more of a suspense or thriller aspect, not horror.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 7.5/10
Melina L.
June 27, 2020
🍷The more I am reading Oliver's books, the more I am falling in love with his concepts and thrilling stories. I read transfer because I was so much fascinated by the blurb, this book totally turns out to my favorite book from all the three, it follows a story of a little kid who is now dead but not just that it follows many dreadful events which are taking place in the book. The most intriguing part of the story is the characters, I truly loved the characters, especially Jason, I loved how each character was built. I love the thrill element that the author used here, it was heart throbbing and made me read more and more of it. I honestly feel, the supernatural element could have been explored more and has much potential. Talking about the plotline, I liked the way things were plotted, especially the events that were taking place, they were totally gripping to plot in and visualize, I enjoyed it because I was curious to know what happens next, so if you are a curious reader like me, I am sure you will enjoy it. As the book proceeds towards the end, my questions were getting answered and slowly all the vague things started to be more and more clear.
.
The end was well written and for me it was satisfactory. A few pages could have been eliminated, of course any avid reader would enjoy it because it never loses the main theme, i.e, thrill!
.
Rating: 4🌟
July 6, 2020
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” - Matthew 6:22
Being a school counselor is hard enough. It’s even harder when one of the young students winds up dead in the classroom under mysterious circumstances. Laine Waterman has never seen a dead kid but that all changes on that fateful day. Investigating a possible corruption in the PS12 school system, Laine dives deeper into a much darker threat than the manipulation of school test scores.
A horror thriller, Transfer keeps you in the dark and on your toes. I truly did not know what to think/believe until the final few pages and even then I was caught off guard. The mystery is intriguing and unique, making you think one thing then throwing you off with the next. The writing is simple so it’s great for ripping through and getting a good eerie story down in your mind. In my opinion, there were some extra characters and storylines I didn’t think needed to be there but the story is well balanced regardless and the ending bittersweet. A great, well rounded book.
If you’re a mystery/true crime junkie and want a book like that mixed in with the grunge of horror, I highly suggest this read!
Being a school counselor is hard enough. It’s even harder when one of the young students winds up dead in the classroom under mysterious circumstances. Laine Waterman has never seen a dead kid but that all changes on that fateful day. Investigating a possible corruption in the PS12 school system, Laine dives deeper into a much darker threat than the manipulation of school test scores.
A horror thriller, Transfer keeps you in the dark and on your toes. I truly did not know what to think/believe until the final few pages and even then I was caught off guard. The mystery is intriguing and unique, making you think one thing then throwing you off with the next. The writing is simple so it’s great for ripping through and getting a good eerie story down in your mind. In my opinion, there were some extra characters and storylines I didn’t think needed to be there but the story is well balanced regardless and the ending bittersweet. A great, well rounded book.
If you’re a mystery/true crime junkie and want a book like that mixed in with the grunge of horror, I highly suggest this read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews