Something evil is living in Serenity, and it wants Shelby Alexander dead. When a movie crew comes to Serenity to shoot a horror flick, the director hires Shelby to provide security, after several unexplained occurrences on set. As Shelby and his partner Mack dig deeper into the mystery, things take a terrifying turn--something Shelby has never before faced.
As he stares down this latest and strangest case of his career, Shelby will have to conquer his own doubts and fears in order to take out this new threat ... and save the life of an old friend.
Craig A. Hart is a writer of thrillers. In a past life, he was also director for Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, a broadcast outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired.
In 2015, Kindle Press published his literary novel BECOMING MOON. NPR affiliate Northern Public Radio featured BECOMING MOON in their Winter Book Series, and it won Best Novel of Summer 2015 from Pinnacle Awards. He is also the author of the historical mystery NIGHT AT KEY WEST, which is based on true events.
In 2016, he publishing SERENITY, the first book in the popular Shelby Alexander Thriller Series. Serenity alone has been downloaded over 400,000 times by eager readers.
In 2022, he launched the Maxwell Barnes Adventure Thriller Series, co-written with S.J. Varengo. The award-winning first book in that series, MAYAN SHADOWS, was published on May 11, 2022. Two more books follow in that series: MAYAN THUNDER and MAYAN TEMPEST.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Craig lives in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife, sons, insane dog, and anti-social cat.
A little different deal for Shelby in this book as he decides the money is good and takes a job as Security for a film group...Becoming involved in some strange, supernatural events surrounding the 'Murder House' in Serenity...The film is shooting there , and the house fills Shelby with haunting feelings as he enters it...This house has always had weird tales told about it, frightening kids who tried to go see it...Then things which are unaccounted for start happening around the film itself....Shelby tries to keep his feet on the ground, and his relationship with Kay on even keel, as she did Not want him working anyway! The feelings that overcome Shelby every time he enters the 'House' have him where he has Never been before....Scared...For the house feels Alive...As if it is breathing...Taking away from all who enter... A story with great characters, intense scenes, and the wonderful Shelby Alexander...Worrying his friends by acting so different than usual....I received an ARC from the author and offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Shelby has settled down and not into going back to work. He thought! But when called upon to work as a security consultant with big dollar signs attached, Shelby decides to take the job. A movie company is shooting in Serenity at a long dead serial killer’s house where strange things are happening.
As a young teen Shelby had been inside the house and experienced extremely uncomfortable sensations. He thought, at the time, that it was an evil place. Now, years later, Shelby enters the house only to experience the same sensations. His friend Max, who will be working with him as a consultant, finds the house creepy, but not evil.
Mr. Hart weaves a tale through time that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. The sensation of evil seeps into the reader bringing him into the realm of fear and anxiety the house exudes. I loved it. This is one creepy tale even with Shelby, a level-headed, grounded man taking you along into his investigation.
If you love goosebumps and chills down your spine you will love this book. It has all the characteristics of the Serenity series, strong characters, humor, mystery, action, plus the unexplained happenings at the old house of horrors causing inexplicable feelings of evil in Shelby. If you are a Serenity fan you owe it to yourself to read this one. Grab it and enjoy!
When Shelby takes a job as the security consultant for a blockbuster movie that's filming in Serenity, it will change his life forever. I love all of the Shelby Alexander stories and this one's among the best. It's an unusual mixture of occult and conventional suspense with an edge-of-your-seat conclusion worthy of the blockbuster movie that features in the plot. I was thrilled to see the return of Shelby's old squeeze Carly, chuckled at the ongoing banter between Shelby and Mack and lost a little sleep because I couldn't bring myself to close the book without reading just one more chapter on more than one occasion. If you're a Shelby Alexander fan. it goes without saying that this one's a must read, but because, at least for the moment, our hero seems to have let behind old enemies, this would be a great opportunity to jump into the series, even if you're just a fan of aging tough guy heroes who don't take themselves too seriously. Either way, this one's a great read.
Shelby is back with a few dilemmas to sort out both personal and professional. A movie set with strange goings on and a full blown relationship, which makes his life happy then an ex returns - what will he do?
A taste of the supernatural would normally put me off reading this but the character of Shelby Alexander is so intriguing that I will always read his books and this didn't disappoint! Good plot twists, great characters, enjoyable friends banter and unexpected elements of suspense, had me hooked - I read this in one sitting, so that my eyes now hurt!!!
I fully recommend this series of books!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Twin storylines entwine throughout S.J.Varengo and Craig A. Hart's new 'Serenity' novel, about the usually peaceful town that's home to Shelby Alexander, his older, long-time pal, ex-cop 'Mack' Mackenzie and current girlfriend Kay too.
Initially Shelby's main problems are impecunity and deciding whether to accede to Kay's suggestion about taking their relationship to the next level. Then he's offered the chance to make a lot of money, by providing security for the film set in the so-called Murder House in Serenity.
'Thereby hangs a tail'(tale), as they say. The film being made is a terror-filled, blood-stained,horrifying, haunting, terrifying, combined homage to The Amityville Horror, The Blair Witch Project, (Sweeney Todd, The Shining, The Salem Witch Trials, etc) that's based on the 'real-life' backstory of the house.
Portraying ancient evil incarnate, Satanism, human sacrifice, witchcraft, jealousy and terror, mixed up with unabating rage, hatred, blood-letting and murder reanimated,when Shelby, (who has seemingly developed psychic abilities) and Mack, are given a guided tour of the set/house, causing the former to feel ill, but part of what makes this riveting tale horrifyingly, inevitably unputdownable.
Who is the real Mrs Chance? What's the link between her and Dr. Michael Parré? Where does Shelby's old flame come into the picture? Why is Colton Matthews so affected by historic events at the Murder House?
An 18+ novel imho due to the gruesome events and acts and four-letter bad language in the 'Shelby' scenes, (though to be fair, the occasional editing failure bothered me more), don't detract from the overall, cleverly-posited actions and outcomes of the whole.
The well-defined and entertaining protagonists, interesting secondary characters and dialogue, etc., make Craig A.Hart and S.J.Varengo's Serenity Possessed a witty and apt title, for a tale you certainly won't forget in a hurry.
Get it now, before the monster in the shadows can beat you to it - or grab you from behind!
Wow….This book really kept me reading. It is a bit Eerie and unexplainable, but it fit will with the story. Shelby and Mack are hired for security for a a horror flick, being filmed in Serenity. They go to the site and find several unexplained occurrences on set. Also Shelby had a bad feeling when he gets to the house where they will be filming. The book jumps back and forth from the 1800’s when the story of the house began, to present day happening. There are twist, and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat want to know more. Will the ghosts keep Shelby from doing his job or are these his ghosts from his younger days. Great book.
Shelby Alexander is back and broke. He reluctantly takes a job running security on a movie production filming in Serenity at the towns "Murder House". As Shelby and his best friend Mack try to figure out all the strange things happening within the house, Shelby has to face his fears and the strangest things he has ever experienced with the feelings he gets while in the house. It seems for some reason the "Murder House" wants him dead.
Wow! The plot for this book was definitely different than most of the Serenity series. The closest book to it was the one dealing with the Ellis clan. The story drifts between two time periods, the reason why becomes apparent as the story proceeds, and you find out more about the historic ‘Murder House’. You’ll need to read it for yourself to find out more. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced copy this book.
A ghost story wrapped in a Shelby mystery? Or a Shelby mystery masquerading as a ghost story? A change of pace here and either description is accurate. Shelby is engaged as security consultant for a movie being shot at the Serenity 'Murder House'. He has always had a sense of unease about the House - ever since he went on a school field trip there. The narrative is interlaced with flashbacks to 1879 when the murders were taking place and eventually most of the questions are resolved, for the reader if not actually for Shelby.
A definite page-turner and that change of pace is not unwelcome, bringing as it does a different antagonist to the page. The usual suspects are present - Mack; Shelby's daughter - and his current partner who seems to be trying to get him to propose... He is in a fragile state, both emotionally and physically, after the 'episode' he experienced in the previous book but is as robust mentally as ever or so he claims...
Shelby and Mack are back together. Shelby is asked to work security for a film company making a film locally in a old house known as the Murder House as there were lots of murders committed there. When Shelby and Mack enter straight away it brings back memories of when he was a child on a school trip there, he feels a deadly presence that Mack does not feel. Shelby gets the feeling the house wants him dead. This book keeps you engrossed through out.
Hart and Varengo channel their inner Stephen King to produce a thriller/horror book in the familiar setting of Serenity. The usual characters are present as they provide security to a movie company. Shelby and Mack go against an unusual foe solving a mystery that is centuries old. Great read, different than the usual Serenity story but stays a compelling read.
These two guys, Shelby and Mack, are a couple of crackpot smart asses and it's fun reading their banter. Whether on a case or just hanging out drinking beer, these two keep me giggling! The story was pretty great, too. I loved the 1879 chapters! Michael was a one sick dude! This was a well written giggle fest! I loved it
Brilliant, absolutely loved this. I've enjoyed all of the Serenity Books so far but this is the best. Different to usual with a ghost horror story included. Mystery, spooky and action packed with the usual dry humour. Recommended.
It saddens me that this book is the end of reading about Serenity, for me. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the previous books. The witty banter between the friends was quick paced and laugh out loud funny. The story lines were engaging, believable and well edited. This book was not. The story was not believable. There are numerous misspelled words and awkward sentence structures. I believe the writing may have been rushed and the ending was too conveniently brought to conclusion.
This book features Shelby Alexander, a character from the Serenity series. He is an ex-boxer and is enjoying life in the town of Serenity in Michigan. He and his friend, Mack, accept a job doing security for a film shoot at the historic “Murder House.” Shelby finds that this house is much more than it seems. The present day story interacts with a story taking place in 1879. The people in the past seem to intermingle with those in the present, especially Shelby. This book was quite different from what I expected, but I found myself intrigued by the story line. Once I figured out what was going on, I found it hard to put the book down. If you enjoy haunted houses, Serenity Possessed will grab your attention.
This is the eighth book in the series. They should be read in order. This is not my favorite Shelby book. Normally I am sucked completely in. But not with this book. It was just different. Not as much action and what not. This book has two story lines. Shelby’s and then one from the past. Shelby is hired to be security on a movie shooting in Serenity. The location is known as the horror house to everyone local. Shelby unknowingly has a connection to the house. While I still love to banter between Shelby and Mac this book just didn’t have what the others did. I do look forward to reading more in the series.
I can't even tell you how good this book is! The authors have such a great sense of humor and it shows is this thriller mystery that is somewhat different from the previous books! The combination of Hart's and Varengo's storyline makes for an interesting twist although at times a little gruesome, a great book nonetheless. A well-written page-turner that will keep you up past your bedtime as we join Shelby as he revisits his past while working on a current investigation. A little paranormal here along with some unexpected developments. Quit reading here and go get this book. Better if you read the others before this but certainly not necessary!
Slightly different from previous Shelby books but non the less a great read. Shelby find himself being drawn out of semi retirement to do what looks on the surface to be a simple movie set security job but little does he know that dark forces are at work. Right from page one you are treated to great characters, scene description that puts you right in the book & a fab story. You don't need to have read the other Shelby books to enjoy this one but you'll want to read them when you've finished. Highly recommend.
I downloaded this book for free. I hadn’t read the other seven previous books, but I had no problem following the storyline at all. The main character, Shelby, takes a job as a security guard for a film crew who are recording in a house renowned for spooky happenings and murders. The story regularly jumps from the present to the past to introduce you to more of the history of the house, which appears to be alive and possessing an actor who is working on the film there. I enjoyed this book. The build-up was well proportioned and the characters believable.
I was disappointed in this book, it wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't like the way it jumped from century to century, it was a bit confusing. I have missed one or two books in between and it was hard to pick up in some places, what had gone on with Shelby before this book. He and Mack are still a good team trying to cope with the supernatural and adding their special brand of humour. I wish you well Craig A Hart with this book, it just wasn't one of my favourites.
Serenity Possessed (The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Book 8) by Craig A. Hart and S. J. Varengo still is about Shelby Alexander, a little more cranky and a little older, but it sure isn't more of the same Serenity adventures! This terrific story jumps right into the paranormal in a creepy old house in Serenity. Shelby's old friend Max hangs on for dear life as Shelby becomes immersed in his creepiest adventure yet. And, Shelby never really understands why.
As much as I enjoyed the first 7 books, I did not like this latest effort! Why the drastic change in your writing style? Sci-fi does not mix with your previous stories. Ghosts and time-travel? Really!?! In addition, you may want to use the services of a proofreader. The errors were a distraction from the storyline...although it was welcomed at times. If there is a book 9, I will need assurance that it is nothing like book 8 before I buy it.
Serenity Possessed (The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Book 8), my second read from author Craig A. Hart and the first I've read in this series. Being a Michigander I'm attracted to all books Michigan and this one just whet my appetite for more in this series & by this author, since I own 20 more books by him that won't be a problem. I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
I waited till I read the whole series to give a review. It was so wonderfully written that I wanted to find out what happened next after every book that I couldn't wait for the next one. I was sad when I finished the last book because there were no more to read. I would recommend these to everyone. I will forever remember the Serenity series as one of my favorite.
Received as ARC Shelby takes what appears to be a simple job, security for a movie being made in Shelby's hometown. As usual, it doesn't turn out that way. They are filming in the Murder House, a local haunted house. Shelby and Mac are faced with strange unexplained occurrences. Shelby experiences a strange fear, every time he enters the house. A fun and slightly different Shelby story.
I am not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book. It started like the other 'Serenity' stories but then it took a turn out of nowhere! I enjoyed the bantering between Shelby and Max, but the sci-fi stuff I could do without. It wasn't a bad story, just not what I was hoping for. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Wow. As always, this book is full of suspense I was thoroughly caught up in the suspense and the action. The characters are absolutely perfect. I was hooked from the first page. Ready for many more books to come.
What turns out to be a simple security gig gets way out of control. The star is more than just an actor. He has big plans . Not just making movies. Shelby gets the feeling something isn't serene in Serenity. If he only knew.