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The Quentin Strange Mysteries #1
Chasing Ghosts
Haunted pasts. Terrifying apparitions. Dark secrets.
Quentin Strange is … well, strange. But it isn’t just his anachronistic sayings and dress sense, the fact that he’s a socially awkward, book-loving loner who’s possibly still a virgin at nearly thirty. He’s seeing and hearing things. Odd things. Ghostly things.
Getting the gig as photographer for The Cricklewood Gazette, he travels with his new partner, journalist Katrina (make sure you call her Kat) Brannigan, to Hilderley Manor, an enormous manor house nestled in the remote countryside of Northern England that is believed to be one of Britain’s most haunted buildings. The pair join a ghost hunting team and a group of fellow guests for a long weekend of ghostly activities.
But something dark haunts the draughty corridors of the house. And it links to a decades-old mystery that is about to be uncovered.
A mystery like no other. A story of the supernatural. Of death, and what it does to the living. The first book in a new series, Chasing Ghosts is a quirky British mystery that explores the supernatural elements of our world with touches of LGBT romance, humour and horror.
Quentin Strange is … well, strange. But it isn’t just his anachronistic sayings and dress sense, the fact that he’s a socially awkward, book-loving loner who’s possibly still a virgin at nearly thirty. He’s seeing and hearing things. Odd things. Ghostly things.
Getting the gig as photographer for The Cricklewood Gazette, he travels with his new partner, journalist Katrina (make sure you call her Kat) Brannigan, to Hilderley Manor, an enormous manor house nestled in the remote countryside of Northern England that is believed to be one of Britain’s most haunted buildings. The pair join a ghost hunting team and a group of fellow guests for a long weekend of ghostly activities.
But something dark haunts the draughty corridors of the house. And it links to a decades-old mystery that is about to be uncovered.
A mystery like no other. A story of the supernatural. Of death, and what it does to the living. The first book in a new series, Chasing Ghosts is a quirky British mystery that explores the supernatural elements of our world with touches of LGBT romance, humour and horror.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2020
104 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Dean Cole
5 books171 followersJust a weird little wordsmith from the United Kingdom. I write funny stuff that's sometimes dark, which is sort of how I look at life.
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 20, 2020
5 Stars
“The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls.”
- Edgar Allan Poe
Wonderfully atmospheric! I devoured this in one night; it was, by turns, chilling, amusing, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
Author Dean Cole has crafted a startlingly scary mystery novel that deftly captures the menacing and gloomy essence of the literary Gothic tradition. Set in a purportedly haunted house in a remote countryside of Northern England, the story is steeped with atmosphere and ambiance. As in all great Gothics, this setting plays a key role in evoking feelings of dread, fear, and anxiety by both the reader *and* the main characters.
And what an interesting group of characters they are!
Quentin Strange, described as “a socially awkward, book-loving loner who’s possibly still a virgin at nearly thirty,” is such a sweetheart. A deeply sensitive soul with a troubled past who has such a budding sense of self and his inner strength. I could never be as brave as Quentin! You know that character in every scary story who hears a strange noise and goes off to investigate the sound? Uh-Uh, no way, nope. Not me. I would be the character hiding under the covers in bed! And while I would never go off investigating scary noises, I do admit to enjoying Gothic inspired novels and tv shows (from the safety of my brightly lit and cozy room).
Author Cole first captured my heart and my attention with his debut novel, His Boy That story has sass and snark in spades, but what stood out to me were the deeply emotional moments. I felt a similar draw with this story. Several moments in this story broke my heart. Cole has the talented knack of being able to make me smile, feel melancholic, and remain thoughtfully hopeful at the end of the story.
There are also some fantastically fun meta moments in the story where characters talk about being in a Gothic horror movie, and another character (an author of paranormal mysteries) talks about the writing process. These delightfully clever moments of self-reference felt like the author was sharing a smile and a wink with his readers.
Those of my GR pals who follow me know that I adore romance novels. This is not a romance novel, but there are some intriguing hints of romance (with the possibility of more as the series continues).
What a fantastic start to a new series with characters I look forward to getting to know even further!
“The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls.”
- Edgar Allan Poe
Wonderfully atmospheric! I devoured this in one night; it was, by turns, chilling, amusing, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
Author Dean Cole has crafted a startlingly scary mystery novel that deftly captures the menacing and gloomy essence of the literary Gothic tradition. Set in a purportedly haunted house in a remote countryside of Northern England, the story is steeped with atmosphere and ambiance. As in all great Gothics, this setting plays a key role in evoking feelings of dread, fear, and anxiety by both the reader *and* the main characters.
And what an interesting group of characters they are!
Quentin Strange, described as “a socially awkward, book-loving loner who’s possibly still a virgin at nearly thirty,” is such a sweetheart. A deeply sensitive soul with a troubled past who has such a budding sense of self and his inner strength. I could never be as brave as Quentin! You know that character in every scary story who hears a strange noise and goes off to investigate the sound? Uh-Uh, no way, nope. Not me. I would be the character hiding under the covers in bed! And while I would never go off investigating scary noises, I do admit to enjoying Gothic inspired novels and tv shows (from the safety of my brightly lit and cozy room).
Author Cole first captured my heart and my attention with his debut novel, His Boy That story has sass and snark in spades, but what stood out to me were the deeply emotional moments. I felt a similar draw with this story. Several moments in this story broke my heart. Cole has the talented knack of being able to make me smile, feel melancholic, and remain thoughtfully hopeful at the end of the story.
There are also some fantastically fun meta moments in the story where characters talk about being in a Gothic horror movie, and another character (an author of paranormal mysteries) talks about the writing process. These delightfully clever moments of self-reference felt like the author was sharing a smile and a wink with his readers.
Those of my GR pals who follow me know that I adore romance novels. This is not a romance novel, but there are some intriguing hints of romance (with the possibility of more as the series continues).
What a fantastic start to a new series with characters I look forward to getting to know even further!
June 25, 2020
Where to even begin with this. I was reeled in from the start with the story or a thin, lanky, bespectacled boy all gangly and awkward. I loved Quentin. He stood up for himself and he didn’t back down when confronted. And he was kind of amazing in reality.
So, when Quentin attends a mansion that is allegedly haunted and finds out for himself it’s true, things start rising to the surface and ghosts come out of the woodwork.
It took me a moment, but I really grew attached to the characters and their motivations. I found them intriguing and delightful. There were just so many elements of this story that I loved. It was more than just one story. It was snippets of lives and tales passed down from time. It was ghost stories and banging in the night. Crushes and dreams. Believing in yourself. Learning to forgive. Learning to love. Paying for your sins.
Dean Cole is a brilliant writer and he certainly has a way of pulling me into a story and not letting me go. This isn’t just a good book...this is a must read!
So, when Quentin attends a mansion that is allegedly haunted and finds out for himself it’s true, things start rising to the surface and ghosts come out of the woodwork.
It took me a moment, but I really grew attached to the characters and their motivations. I found them intriguing and delightful. There were just so many elements of this story that I loved. It was more than just one story. It was snippets of lives and tales passed down from time. It was ghost stories and banging in the night. Crushes and dreams. Believing in yourself. Learning to forgive. Learning to love. Paying for your sins.
Dean Cole is a brilliant writer and he certainly has a way of pulling me into a story and not letting me go. This isn’t just a good book...this is a must read!
June 21, 2020
Chasing Ghosts is a beautiful book.
A lovingly crafted modern take on classic ghost stories, the book builds atmosphere and tension steadily throughout, and delivers a satisfying conclusion that leaves you longing for more.
We are rewarded with more diversity than the more classic tales of this style, and get to enjoy taking the journey with a collection of vibrant and complex characters. The technical skill of this book is outstanding, steadily drawing you in to the characters and story alike. There is a constant edge of suspense, and I was compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading many more books from this author, and in the Quentin Strange series.
A lovingly crafted modern take on classic ghost stories, the book builds atmosphere and tension steadily throughout, and delivers a satisfying conclusion that leaves you longing for more.
We are rewarded with more diversity than the more classic tales of this style, and get to enjoy taking the journey with a collection of vibrant and complex characters. The technical skill of this book is outstanding, steadily drawing you in to the characters and story alike. There is a constant edge of suspense, and I was compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading many more books from this author, and in the Quentin Strange series.
June 18, 2020
A really great read
I hate reviews with spoilers so I will do my best not to reveal anything, it is a mystery after all.
I don't normally read this type of book (paranormal,mystery) but after reading a lot of prerelease reviews extolling it's greatest, I thought I would give it a shot. I'm so glad I did!!
I fell in love with Quentin almost immediately and seriously couldn't put the book down as I was dying to find out what happens to him and the other characters. He's sweet and kinda nerdy and beautifully written and I was rooting for him through the entire book.
The plot and mystery are done perfectly and the ending took me by surprise and had me in tears with goosebumps!I
I can't wait for the rest of this series as this is definitely going to be one of those that I will be glued to. And who knows, maybe I'm now a paranormal mystery lover!!!
I hate reviews with spoilers so I will do my best not to reveal anything, it is a mystery after all.
I don't normally read this type of book (paranormal,mystery) but after reading a lot of prerelease reviews extolling it's greatest, I thought I would give it a shot. I'm so glad I did!!
I fell in love with Quentin almost immediately and seriously couldn't put the book down as I was dying to find out what happens to him and the other characters. He's sweet and kinda nerdy and beautifully written and I was rooting for him through the entire book.
The plot and mystery are done perfectly and the ending took me by surprise and had me in tears with goosebumps!I
I can't wait for the rest of this series as this is definitely going to be one of those that I will be glued to. And who knows, maybe I'm now a paranormal mystery lover!!!
June 16, 2020
Great start to a new series. Quentin Strange is a geeky introvert struggling to understand why he’s started to hear and see unexplained things. He is haunted by the tragic death of his first love and hopes/fears that these are messages from the grave.
His ghostly photography wins him a position at a small newspaper hoping to expand their readership. Quentin’s first assignment is to photograph a ghost hunting investigation at Hilderley Manor with Kat, a young, ambitious reporter.
The book reads like a somber episode of Scooby Doo. There’s a creepy groundskeeper and a host of possible “suspects” (an eccentric psychic, a wealthy couple with a spoiled purse dog, a ghost hunting crew, an author with writers block and a suspiciously cheery Scottish housekeeper).
It took a while to warm to the characters. They start as shallow caricatures, but eventually develop depth and character. I look forward to their next supernatural adventure.
His ghostly photography wins him a position at a small newspaper hoping to expand their readership. Quentin’s first assignment is to photograph a ghost hunting investigation at Hilderley Manor with Kat, a young, ambitious reporter.
The book reads like a somber episode of Scooby Doo. There’s a creepy groundskeeper and a host of possible “suspects” (an eccentric psychic, a wealthy couple with a spoiled purse dog, a ghost hunting crew, an author with writers block and a suspiciously cheery Scottish housekeeper).
It took a while to warm to the characters. They start as shallow caricatures, but eventually develop depth and character. I look forward to their next supernatural adventure.
June 27, 2020
Full disclosure I have been a huge fan of Dean’s since I read His Boy. So much so that I dived straight into Chasing Ghosts without question even though I haven’t read a book with paranormal elements in it since I was a teenager. And I am so, so glad I did!
Even though it’s completely different, Chasing Ghosts maintains so much of the magic that can be found in His Boy, from the characters to the elements of humour. I fell in love with Quentin almost instantly and once snippets of his backstory started coming to light I was obsessed. There’s some dark undertones to this story that I don’t want to spoil, but were completely my jam.
In fact all the characters have well developed, compelling back stories.
I also enjoyed how there was such a realism to the ghostly parts too. From character’s scepticism, to the reason Quentin is at Hilderley Manor.
Capturing Magick cannot come quick enough!
Even though it’s completely different, Chasing Ghosts maintains so much of the magic that can be found in His Boy, from the characters to the elements of humour. I fell in love with Quentin almost instantly and once snippets of his backstory started coming to light I was obsessed. There’s some dark undertones to this story that I don’t want to spoil, but were completely my jam.
In fact all the characters have well developed, compelling back stories.
I also enjoyed how there was such a realism to the ghostly parts too. From character’s scepticism, to the reason Quentin is at Hilderley Manor.
Capturing Magick cannot come quick enough!
July 11, 2020
There is so much packed into this book. The story hits the ground running and you’re turning the pages eager to get to the end all while the story unravels around you. Dean Cole is a very good story teller and I cannot wait for the next instalment. There is a lot of descriptive detail here which adds to the eerieness and darker elements. You really do feel submerssed in it. I read it twice!
June 24, 2020
Quentin Strange is a very unique and original character, and this book is the first of hopefully many adventures featuring the intrepid photographer with the extrasensory abilities. I hoped for more steam, in fact for more romance , but as this is the first in the series, that aspect may develop further in future books. Now I am waiting for the second book!
August 11, 2023
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Chasing Ghosts (A Quentin Strange Mystery, 01) by Dean Cole
★★★★★
282 Pages
POV: 1st person, past-tense, one character POV
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Horror, LGBT
Content Warning: haunting, death of secondary character, historical emotional/domestic abuse of secondary character
Chasing Ghosts is the first in an intriguing new series from Dean Cole. With a dash of romance, a touch of chills, and a whole lot of mystery, Cole brings together a group of diverse characters to experience a ghost hunting weekend they'll never forget, weaving a spell over each and every one.
Giving off vibes that blend The Haunting, Rose Red and a dash of Shaun of the Dead, there is just enough romance and humour to balance out the creep-factor. Meaning even I – who really doesn't like to be scared – was able to read this at night, without nightmares. Which I'm extremely grateful for.
I've been a fan ever since I read “His Boy” in 2018, and I've been eagerly anticipating another novel, since. I'm super late getting round to reading it, due to work and life, but as soon as I started it, I devoured it.
From the start, our MC and protagonist, Quentin, is an intrigue. A touch morose and naive, a whole lot hypochondriac, and a little bit broken on the inside, Quentin is the perfect blend of sceptical but open-minded. He wants to believe in the supernatural, has experienced a little of it already, but he's also scared of what that means, so shields himself behind scepticism and trusting others to lead the way.
Our side characters are a ragtag team: the Freaky Foursome of paranormal investigators, psychic Esther, rich couple Ash and Matt, grumbling writer Will, the household staff Mrs Brown and Stan Crouch, and last but never least, Quentin's work partner and loveable super-bitch, Kat. The people we see the most are Kat and Will, as Quentin's work colleague and love interest, but we get to see quite a bit of Mrs Brown, Stan plays the creepy caretaker, and the cutesy couple take a backseat to Ash's troublesome mutt, Cottonball.
I utterly fell in love with Quentin from the start. I grew to love Will. It took some time to connect to Kat and appreciate her. But, most of all, what I really loved was that the story might have had a sliver of romance, but it was *real*. It wasn't insta-love or insta-lust, even. Quentin was mourning someone who owned his whole heart, and Will was recovering from a 3-year-long relationship that had crushed his trust in other people. I would have hated, and disbelieved everything about their feelings for each other if they had jumped into bed instantly or even started dating and sneaking around. There is a little romance – the kind of looks-across-the-room, I-want-you-but-I'm-not-ready need to be close to each other, and a whole lot of wishing for something they think they can't have – but it's not an HEA. Not yet. You can see that it might be, that it has strength and both are willing to put in the work and the effort to make it possible. But, both need to heal first. They're not in a rush to fall in love again. They're not even ready to date, yet. But that's the beauty of it. You know it's there. This relationship is blossoming, even if they're not ready, but they're smart enough to take their time. And that's something I really look forward to watching grow in the next book.
The plot is intricate. You don't really realise how intricate until the end, but there is a lot of foreshadowing that is cleverly woven into the plotting. So, though it begins slowly and there isn't much paranormal activity or action until maybe 30% of the way in, that's for a reason. There are a lot of characters, and we need time to get to know Quentin, as well as the kind of people he's going to be spending the weekend with. It's especially important, when it comes to learning his history and his motivation for attending the ghost hunt.
While some writers might have info-dumped that right at the start, Cole is building a series, here. They're not just going to spoon-feed up everything we want to know immediately. The whole book is about building and growing suspense, for the big reveal and the big twist at the end, so that takes time and I appreciate that Cole took that time to really explore the characters, the possibilities, to really delve deep into the complex world they were creating.
The attention to detail within the paranormal investigation was astoundingly brilliant. It's clear a lot of research when into the ghost hunt and the paranormal team's equipment and methods. It really let me feel immersed in the story, and the hunt for answers.
When it comes to mistakes? I noticed one editing issue, which was Giles labelled as Miles. That's it. But, that's the kind of attention to detail I expect from Cole, who takes such care in their craft.
The flashbacks that were included were perfectly separated not only by italics, but also by a slight shift into present tense. This was perfect, to single them out as “different” without trying to dupe the author into one of those “it's real until you discover it's a dream” scenarios.
In the end, Chasing Ghosts went from a story I expected to be mysterious and scary, to a story that captured my heart and made me eager for the next Quentin Strange mystery. The memory with Amy and that final goodbye were touching; the mystery with Joe made me cry; and the flutter of romance with Will gave me hope. All built together to make me love Quentin's quirks and his subtle charm. I went from not liking Kat to being firmly rooted to her character development, and eager to see her succeed.
“If you would like to purchase Chasing Ghosts in paperback,” – Well, don't mind if I do. This is one book I'll be reading again, and a series that I'll be following closely, in the future.
~
Favourite Quotes
“'Perhaps it's time you give men another go,' she suggested. 'Life's short, and Prince Charming won't sit around waiting until you're ready. He's out there looking for his prince, too. Let's just hope he has bad eyesight, or an equally awful dress sense in your case.'”
“Letting me go doesn't change a thing. I'm already gone and yet I'm still here. All you have to do is light your flame again and you'll see that.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Chasing Ghosts (A Quentin Strange Mystery, 01) by Dean Cole
★★★★★
282 Pages
POV: 1st person, past-tense, one character POV
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Horror, LGBT
Content Warning: haunting, death of secondary character, historical emotional/domestic abuse of secondary character
Chasing Ghosts is the first in an intriguing new series from Dean Cole. With a dash of romance, a touch of chills, and a whole lot of mystery, Cole brings together a group of diverse characters to experience a ghost hunting weekend they'll never forget, weaving a spell over each and every one.
Giving off vibes that blend The Haunting, Rose Red and a dash of Shaun of the Dead, there is just enough romance and humour to balance out the creep-factor. Meaning even I – who really doesn't like to be scared – was able to read this at night, without nightmares. Which I'm extremely grateful for.
I've been a fan ever since I read “His Boy” in 2018, and I've been eagerly anticipating another novel, since. I'm super late getting round to reading it, due to work and life, but as soon as I started it, I devoured it.
From the start, our MC and protagonist, Quentin, is an intrigue. A touch morose and naive, a whole lot hypochondriac, and a little bit broken on the inside, Quentin is the perfect blend of sceptical but open-minded. He wants to believe in the supernatural, has experienced a little of it already, but he's also scared of what that means, so shields himself behind scepticism and trusting others to lead the way.
Our side characters are a ragtag team: the Freaky Foursome of paranormal investigators, psychic Esther, rich couple Ash and Matt, grumbling writer Will, the household staff Mrs Brown and Stan Crouch, and last but never least, Quentin's work partner and loveable super-bitch, Kat. The people we see the most are Kat and Will, as Quentin's work colleague and love interest, but we get to see quite a bit of Mrs Brown, Stan plays the creepy caretaker, and the cutesy couple take a backseat to Ash's troublesome mutt, Cottonball.
I utterly fell in love with Quentin from the start. I grew to love Will. It took some time to connect to Kat and appreciate her. But, most of all, what I really loved was that the story might have had a sliver of romance, but it was *real*. It wasn't insta-love or insta-lust, even. Quentin was mourning someone who owned his whole heart, and Will was recovering from a 3-year-long relationship that had crushed his trust in other people. I would have hated, and disbelieved everything about their feelings for each other if they had jumped into bed instantly or even started dating and sneaking around. There is a little romance – the kind of looks-across-the-room, I-want-you-but-I'm-not-ready need to be close to each other, and a whole lot of wishing for something they think they can't have – but it's not an HEA. Not yet. You can see that it might be, that it has strength and both are willing to put in the work and the effort to make it possible. But, both need to heal first. They're not in a rush to fall in love again. They're not even ready to date, yet. But that's the beauty of it. You know it's there. This relationship is blossoming, even if they're not ready, but they're smart enough to take their time. And that's something I really look forward to watching grow in the next book.
The plot is intricate. You don't really realise how intricate until the end, but there is a lot of foreshadowing that is cleverly woven into the plotting. So, though it begins slowly and there isn't much paranormal activity or action until maybe 30% of the way in, that's for a reason. There are a lot of characters, and we need time to get to know Quentin, as well as the kind of people he's going to be spending the weekend with. It's especially important, when it comes to learning his history and his motivation for attending the ghost hunt.
While some writers might have info-dumped that right at the start, Cole is building a series, here. They're not just going to spoon-feed up everything we want to know immediately. The whole book is about building and growing suspense, for the big reveal and the big twist at the end, so that takes time and I appreciate that Cole took that time to really explore the characters, the possibilities, to really delve deep into the complex world they were creating.
The attention to detail within the paranormal investigation was astoundingly brilliant. It's clear a lot of research when into the ghost hunt and the paranormal team's equipment and methods. It really let me feel immersed in the story, and the hunt for answers.
When it comes to mistakes? I noticed one editing issue, which was Giles labelled as Miles. That's it. But, that's the kind of attention to detail I expect from Cole, who takes such care in their craft.
The flashbacks that were included were perfectly separated not only by italics, but also by a slight shift into present tense. This was perfect, to single them out as “different” without trying to dupe the author into one of those “it's real until you discover it's a dream” scenarios.
In the end, Chasing Ghosts went from a story I expected to be mysterious and scary, to a story that captured my heart and made me eager for the next Quentin Strange mystery. The memory with Amy and that final goodbye were touching; the mystery with Joe made me cry; and the flutter of romance with Will gave me hope. All built together to make me love Quentin's quirks and his subtle charm. I went from not liking Kat to being firmly rooted to her character development, and eager to see her succeed.
“If you would like to purchase Chasing Ghosts in paperback,” – Well, don't mind if I do. This is one book I'll be reading again, and a series that I'll be following closely, in the future.
~
Favourite Quotes
“'Perhaps it's time you give men another go,' she suggested. 'Life's short, and Prince Charming won't sit around waiting until you're ready. He's out there looking for his prince, too. Let's just hope he has bad eyesight, or an equally awful dress sense in your case.'”
“Letting me go doesn't change a thing. I'm already gone and yet I'm still here. All you have to do is light your flame again and you'll see that.”
June 26, 2020
I'd read another book by Dean Cole, so when the author offered me this one for review I was happy to accept!
The first thing that jumped out to me about the book was the atmosphere. It has your usual creepy aesthetic, with crows and mysterious sounds coming from the attic. I appreciated that the descriptions were always present to remind you of the creepiness, but not set out in giant block text. It's going to be a setting that's familiar to anyone that reads the genre, but it's a pretty good addition to it.
The best part, for me, was the protagonist. I connected with Quentin much more than the previous Cole protagonist I'd read (although there are definitely parallels between the two). He was open and trusting, not quite believing wholly in ghosts yet but very much open to it. It was a breath of fresh air from so many ghost stories where the whole of the protagonist's arc is overcoming skepticism. His arc is instead much more bittersweet and sad, but in a beautiful way. I also appreciated that his sexuality was both an integral part of his character, but only a part. LGBT+ themes also played in a bit more with plot-type things, though I can't reveal that without spoilers.
As for the other characters: a lot of them felt underdeveloped. Esther got some slight insights, but she was mostly there for exposition on ghost stuff. The main three, Quentin, Kat, and Will, got much more depth with backstories and explanations of their inner thoughts. Seeing as this is the beginning of a series and those three will be recurring characters, I would rather have had only hints and saved the big reveals for later books. That way there would be more free time to focus on the characters that would only be in this book and make them feel less like cut outs.
This is definitely a philosophical story. The ghosts are scary at times, yes. But there's much more emphasis on things like ESP and life after death and the metaphysics of it all. If you're looking for sheer scares, you might want to look somewhere else. This is a "ghost as food for thought" book.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was bittersweet, the budding romance adorable, and it has a pretty good set up for a series. I would happily continue with it.
The first thing that jumped out to me about the book was the atmosphere. It has your usual creepy aesthetic, with crows and mysterious sounds coming from the attic. I appreciated that the descriptions were always present to remind you of the creepiness, but not set out in giant block text. It's going to be a setting that's familiar to anyone that reads the genre, but it's a pretty good addition to it.
The best part, for me, was the protagonist. I connected with Quentin much more than the previous Cole protagonist I'd read (although there are definitely parallels between the two). He was open and trusting, not quite believing wholly in ghosts yet but very much open to it. It was a breath of fresh air from so many ghost stories where the whole of the protagonist's arc is overcoming skepticism. His arc is instead much more bittersweet and sad, but in a beautiful way. I also appreciated that his sexuality was both an integral part of his character, but only a part. LGBT+ themes also played in a bit more with plot-type things, though I can't reveal that without spoilers.
As for the other characters: a lot of them felt underdeveloped. Esther got some slight insights, but she was mostly there for exposition on ghost stuff. The main three, Quentin, Kat, and Will, got much more depth with backstories and explanations of their inner thoughts. Seeing as this is the beginning of a series and those three will be recurring characters, I would rather have had only hints and saved the big reveals for later books. That way there would be more free time to focus on the characters that would only be in this book and make them feel less like cut outs.
This is definitely a philosophical story. The ghosts are scary at times, yes. But there's much more emphasis on things like ESP and life after death and the metaphysics of it all. If you're looking for sheer scares, you might want to look somewhere else. This is a "ghost as food for thought" book.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was bittersweet, the budding romance adorable, and it has a pretty good set up for a series. I would happily continue with it.
July 16, 2020
Great spooky atmosphere!
Loved it! This book had the parts I absolutely love in the series – awkward and cute MC with troubled past, spooky house mystery, sexy love interest, thoughtful conversations.
The only thing I felt weird about was the epilogue, 10 weeks seems like a way too long time for things described there to happen: no way an article takes that long to publish. XD
Anyway, looking forward to the next book!
Loved it! This book had the parts I absolutely love in the series – awkward and cute MC with troubled past, spooky house mystery, sexy love interest, thoughtful conversations.
The only thing I felt weird about was the epilogue, 10 weeks seems like a way too long time for things described there to happen: no way an article takes that long to publish. XD
Anyway, looking forward to the next book!
June 18, 2020
Emotional, funny and spooky
November 4, 2022
This was very good and very well written. And honestly a whole lot more than I expected.
I mean, I expected a spooky sort of story with a quirky cast of characters and it was that but it was so much more.
Chasing Ghosts is a very fitting title.
This story dug deep and then dug deeper. And that wasn't even the ghost story. But a lot of it was just as frightening.
All of it was a lot heartbreaking or at least painful. All of it. Not too much funny happening in this story honestly and not a lot of romance. Just a heads up.
I won't say anything else, no spoilers here. It's a book that should be read and interpreted and how you walk away from it I'm sure will vary.
So, at the end, there is a cover and a blurb for the next book but I can't find any activity from this author anywhere. Anyone know anything? Are they still writing? I'd definitely pick up the next one and will be bummed, with that huge set up for more, if there wasn't.
Side/personal note. This looks like it took me forever to read but it was just timing. Halloween, the Phillies in the World Series, work and some other stuff just got in the way. Once I was able to read though, I read most of it in one sitting and if I could have stayed awake I'd have finished it.
I mean, I expected a spooky sort of story with a quirky cast of characters and it was that but it was so much more.
Chasing Ghosts is a very fitting title.
This story dug deep and then dug deeper. And that wasn't even the ghost story. But a lot of it was just as frightening.
All of it was a lot heartbreaking or at least painful. All of it. Not too much funny happening in this story honestly and not a lot of romance. Just a heads up.
I won't say anything else, no spoilers here. It's a book that should be read and interpreted and how you walk away from it I'm sure will vary.
So, at the end, there is a cover and a blurb for the next book but I can't find any activity from this author anywhere. Anyone know anything? Are they still writing? I'd definitely pick up the next one and will be bummed, with that huge set up for more, if there wasn't.
Side/personal note. This looks like it took me forever to read but it was just timing. Halloween, the Phillies in the World Series, work and some other stuff just got in the way. Once I was able to read though, I read most of it in one sitting and if I could have stayed awake I'd have finished it.
July 10, 2020
Actual plot, no insta-love, character growth. A yay from me.
May 14, 2022
4⭐= Good
There was something about this that made me smile. There wasn't a great deal going on but I enjoyed the humorous edge and the written word.
In places, it made me think about the 'afterlife' and what DO I actually believe. A thoughtful ending, which made me smile and choke back a tear at the same time.
There was something about this that made me smile. There wasn't a great deal going on but I enjoyed the humorous edge and the written word.
In places, it made me think about the 'afterlife' and what DO I actually believe. A thoughtful ending, which made me smile and choke back a tear at the same time.
June 14, 2020
Atmospheric and suspenseful, and funny in parts
June 15, 2020
I enjoyed this first entry in a new mystery series that centers on Quentin Strange, a mild-mannered photographer with the local paper who accompanies his reporter partner, Kat, to cover a weekend of ghost hunting at a classic English manor house. Like most introductions to a series, we spend a fair amount of time getting to know our detective hero as well as the secondary characters that I assume will figure in future mysteries. Quentin is still trying to deal with a traumatic event he experienced in his youth that has cast a pall over his entire life. The most affecting parts of the book for me were Quentin trying to finally process and come to terms with this as well as his evolving appreciation for his own unique gifts. Some of the bit players were a little hazily sketched but the psychic Esther Hill, who is part of the ghost hunting team is a fascinating character, not at all what you think she'll be when you first meet her. There are some interesting philosophical musings on life and death and the veil between, some good old-fashioned ghostly chills, and some very positive messages on moving on with life and learning to appreciate your own strengths. Nice slow-burn romance and humor round out what looks like it will be a very enjoyable series!
February 21, 2021
If you’re looking for a fun paranormal jaunt in the English countryside, this book is for you. In this promising series debut, Cole skillfully crafts a modern take on the familiar, “weekend at the scary mansion” theme. Paranormal suspense is not one of my typical grabs, but I thoroughly enjoyed the elevated writing and the story’s smart formation. The cast of characters is particularly well-formed, lead by our awkward, but endearing protagonist, Quentin Strange. With a few skeletons in the closet to reconcile and phantoms abound, the narrative strikes a perfect balance between compelling storytelling and guilty pleasure. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next installment.
June 27, 2020
Yummy! Víc takových knih. Už se nemůžu dočkat dalšího dílu.
Na konci jsem fakt brečela. To už se mi hodně dlouho nestalo!
Na konci jsem fakt brečela. To už se mi hodně dlouho nestalo!
July 8, 2020
One look at the cover and I almost gave it a pass, thinking it was about a throuple with 2 men and a woman. Glad I read the blurb and decided to give this a go though.
It was pretty delightful to say the least. The writing was good, descriptive and atmospheric, playing up on the gothic factor just so. The characters were fairly intriguing, but at times they blend and meld into one. But of course Quentin Strange stood out, this being his namesake series after all. I warmed up to Quentin fairly quickly, liking his quirks, his preferences for being a loner and his heartbreaking back story of losing his first love. From the very beginning though it was subtly implied that Quentin was special, and the process of him discovering just how special he was and accepting his gift was an interesting journey to follow him through.
This was romance light, though hints of a blossoming romance were scattered about. It might detract from many who wants more romance heavy and horror/mystery light, but it works for me in this. It is after all a beginning of a series, and the reason was very obvious why the romance had to wait, as it had to make way for Quentin to let go of the past. It did help though, of the almost-erotic dream Quentin has of Will.
As for Will, I will be withholding judgment, as in this, he read more like a secondary character rather than an equal footed romantic partner for Quentin. Hell, even Kat was more multi-dimensional and rounded than him.
Overall I did enjoy this and am definitely looking forward to the next one. I just hope that it would be just that little bit more. Little bit more scary, little bit more gothic and a little bit more gripping. Its this niggling business of the just a little bit more that almost made it a 5 star for me.
It was pretty delightful to say the least. The writing was good, descriptive and atmospheric, playing up on the gothic factor just so. The characters were fairly intriguing, but at times they blend and meld into one. But of course Quentin Strange stood out, this being his namesake series after all. I warmed up to Quentin fairly quickly, liking his quirks, his preferences for being a loner and his heartbreaking back story of losing his first love. From the very beginning though it was subtly implied that Quentin was special, and the process of him discovering just how special he was and accepting his gift was an interesting journey to follow him through.
This was romance light, though hints of a blossoming romance were scattered about. It might detract from many who wants more romance heavy and horror/mystery light, but it works for me in this. It is after all a beginning of a series, and the reason was very obvious why the romance had to wait, as it had to make way for Quentin to let go of the past. It did help though, of the almost-erotic dream Quentin has of Will.
As for Will, I will be withholding judgment, as in this, he read more like a secondary character rather than an equal footed romantic partner for Quentin. Hell, even Kat was more multi-dimensional and rounded than him.
Overall I did enjoy this and am definitely looking forward to the next one. I just hope that it would be just that little bit more. Little bit more scary, little bit more gothic and a little bit more gripping. Its this niggling business of the just a little bit more that almost made it a 5 star for me.
August 10, 2020
Dean Cole is a fantastic writer. I’m in agreement with the other reviewers, in that his characters are complex, his world-building is unique, and that he takes us on a journey through a genre we’ve loved and read time and again, and he makes it a totally new experience.
I think one of the things that really impressed me is the author’s ability to create tortured, yet realistic men who aren’t the typical one-dimensional, flat characters we’re so used to seeing. Quentin especially has a heart-wrenching past that Cole unravels bit by bit to the reader, teasing it out slowly so that once it’s in the open, your heart aches for him.
And the spooky bits? Hell yes!!
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author. Can’t wait.
I think one of the things that really impressed me is the author’s ability to create tortured, yet realistic men who aren’t the typical one-dimensional, flat characters we’re so used to seeing. Quentin especially has a heart-wrenching past that Cole unravels bit by bit to the reader, teasing it out slowly so that once it’s in the open, your heart aches for him.
And the spooky bits? Hell yes!!
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author. Can’t wait.
July 28, 2022
Chasing Ghosts is the perfect murder mystery story injected with just the right amount of romance and LGBTQ+ rep.
This book has been on my TBR list for ages and I’m kicking myself for taking so long to get to it. I loved everything about this book from the plot, to the characters, to the prose itself. Cole is an incredible author and he does an amazing job bringing this story to life.
Channeling a sort of angsty Scooby-Doo vibe, Chasing Ghosts immediately grabs your attention and sucks you into the story. Complete with an ending that ties everything up in the best way and just the right amount of a cliffhanger, I am left eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
This book has been on my TBR list for ages and I’m kicking myself for taking so long to get to it. I loved everything about this book from the plot, to the characters, to the prose itself. Cole is an incredible author and he does an amazing job bringing this story to life.
Channeling a sort of angsty Scooby-Doo vibe, Chasing Ghosts immediately grabs your attention and sucks you into the story. Complete with an ending that ties everything up in the best way and just the right amount of a cliffhanger, I am left eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
February 11, 2021
Chasing Ghosts is a spectacular combination of a slow-burn mystery and modern ghost story, all wrapped up in haunting scenery and dynamic characters. As someone who loves shows such as Ghost Hunters, I was drawn in by the premise, but stayed for the depth of content. The prose is lovely, with beautiful description and a flare for keeping the reader constantly eager to read more. I always appreciate reading characters that are relatable, and Quentin was just that. I loved him. His quiet, shy, and shuttered demeanor was not only relatable, but a big driver to the plot and his interactions with everyone he came across. I wanted to see Quentin grow out of his comfort zone almost as much as I wanted to follow the ghost story to its surprising end. The relationships are carefully built and realistic, and it's easy to see yourself in more than one of the characters as the story progresses. The mystery itself was masterfully done, with little hints trickled throughout, but never enough to give anything away. This book is perfect for people who love a good, old-fashioned ghost story and compelling mystery. An adult Scooby-Doo mixed with Ghost Hunters and a splash of drama and unexpected emotion, I couldn't ask for anything better.
June 26, 2020
Because a big part of the story has to do with the mystery elements, I’m going to avoid substantial commentary and deliver the easy, breezy review:
+ Quentin, Kat, and Will are all great characters. Love the attention to detail and the layered personalities.
+ The dry, classically British tone and especially the humorous observations worked well for me.
+ I want to read what happens next
- Broken Fourth Wall Moment: the exposition Will provides Quentin at one point is found verbatim in the first paragraph of that subject’s Wikipedia entry. (I was curious, so I looked it up and happened to notice....)
- Some parts are a bit longer than needed; the middle didn’t feel like it was moving as much, then the mystery is wrapped up fairly quickly and neatly right before the end.
+ Quentin, Kat, and Will are all great characters. Love the attention to detail and the layered personalities.
+ The dry, classically British tone and especially the humorous observations worked well for me.
+ I want to read what happens next
- Broken Fourth Wall Moment: the exposition Will provides Quentin at one point is found verbatim in the first paragraph of that subject’s Wikipedia entry. (I was curious, so I looked it up and happened to notice....)
- Some parts are a bit longer than needed; the middle didn’t feel like it was moving as much, then the mystery is wrapped up fairly quickly and neatly right before the end.
July 13, 2020
Definitely not a romance book, there Is a kiss barely. However, the premise is good. Quentin and his journalist partner arrive for a weekend ghost hunting at a country house.
I liked the mystery and will read book 2.
I liked the mystery and will read book 2.
June 22, 2020
Disappointing but I might give the next book in the series a chance. The first 1/2 of the book seemed quite amateurishly written but by the second half I was interested in the story. There is potential for these characters but overall I don’t recommend based on this first book.
August 29, 2023
Spookily Special
Chasing Ghosts is clevely written, covering topics of bereavement, LGBT, love, death issues, murder and the supernatural. The unique story is paced perfectly with tension and a subtle hint of humour that brings all of the above together into the perfect ghostly mystery.
The cover is also bang on the nose - Quentin is exactly how I imagined him.
The Quentin Strange Mysteries is definitely one to look out for - Dean Cole has gained a fan in me. We’ll done!
Chasing Ghosts is clevely written, covering topics of bereavement, LGBT, love, death issues, murder and the supernatural. The unique story is paced perfectly with tension and a subtle hint of humour that brings all of the above together into the perfect ghostly mystery.
The cover is also bang on the nose - Quentin is exactly how I imagined him.
The Quentin Strange Mysteries is definitely one to look out for - Dean Cole has gained a fan in me. We’ll done!
October 29, 2020
A great parrnormal cozy. I loved that this book uses so many of the classic haunted house tropes. The haunting was creepy and fit into the story. Quentin is a great character with relatable flaws and foibles. I also liked the deeper layers given to Kat. As a bonus, I loved the hints of romance and hope to see it advance as the series progresses.
October 29, 2020
I'm hooked!
This is a fabulous series start! I'm a lover of ghostly mysteries and this book is exceptional! I absolutely adore Quentin Strange's character and the other characters in the book are great as well. Dean Cole is a terrific writer and I'm very, very excited for book 2. If you love paranormal investigation mysteries and lgbtq romance you'll love this series start! Five stars!
This is a fabulous series start! I'm a lover of ghostly mysteries and this book is exceptional! I absolutely adore Quentin Strange's character and the other characters in the book are great as well. Dean Cole is a terrific writer and I'm very, very excited for book 2. If you love paranormal investigation mysteries and lgbtq romance you'll love this series start! Five stars!
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