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Blue Moon Investigations #18

Jailhouse Golem: A Novella

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Incarcerated for a crime he gladly committed, paranormal detective, Tempest Michaels, has been enjoying the peace and quiet. But all that is about to change …

… there’s a monster roaming the prison’s passageways at night and it’s just taken a life.

The legend of the jailhouse golem is more than two hundred years old and though it has been investigated in the past, no one has ever come close to solving the mystery. He won’t get paid for this one, but there’s something more valuable at stake … his life.

Surrounded by inmates who want to kill him, facing a creature that cannot be killed because it isn’t alive, and worried the very guards employed to protect him might be the ones behind it all, Tempest Michaels faces his toughest challenge yet. Worse yet, he’s all alone.

Get ready for a tale so fast-paced you’ll lose your breath!

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2021

193 people are currently reading
109 people want to read

About the author

Steve Higgs

541 books793 followers
Let's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.

All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...

When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.

At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.

Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.

Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...

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5 stars
589 (68%)
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203 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Simon Howard.
355 reviews
October 15, 2021
Jailhouse Golem: My review.

Jailhouse Golem is the first book of Steve Higgs that I have read (I know now out of order) and I have to say I really enjoyed this short foray into the world of Tempest Michaels.
Tempest is serving a short prison sentence for a crime he gladly committed and whilst in minimum security is enjoying regular meals, exercise and a rest. But all that changes when the warden charges him with solving a 200 year old mystery that has come back to haunt the prison.. A Golem is roaming the prison and killing prisoners and guards and escaping at will. In order to motivate Tempest he is thrown into Maximum security, the one problem with that is that a lot of the people there have scores to settle with Tempest. What's a paranormal detective supposed to do? Well solve the crime or at least die trying...
This was so much fun, Tempest was easy to like, prison life seemed believable, the mystery whilst hardly a case for Sherlock Holmes was fun and well thought out. The action was hard fast and flowed nicely. All in all a great introduction into the world created by the author and I will definitely be reading more.
Profile Image for R.
360 reviews5 followers
April 30, 2021
Tempest Michaels is in jail. To be fair, he did punch a police Detective in the face.

After a beginning like that, you just know this book is going to be good!

Tempest Michaels is an investigator at the Blue Moon Paranormal Investigations office.
He had just successfully saved his friend and colleague from a serial killer and her partner plus a women who had been taken too. But he had a bone to pick with Chief Inspector Quinn who had put the three victims at risk, by delaying the investigation overnight whilst being aware that the case was time sensetive. He did this for two reasons, one because he hates Tempest and wants to hinder his investigation, and two so that he could be the one to arrest the serial killer.

Now Tempest is in jail but he accepted that as part of punching a police officer. Either way it was worth it, and boy had it felt good! Putting that pompous ass on his butt was worth every day of the 8 week sentence Tempest was given.

Now things are getting weird in the cells and Tempest thinks that maybe someone is trying to put the frighteners on someone else. It appears that something supposedly made of clay but animated to do the evil will of another was wandering into cells at night. Everyone in the prison is calling the killer a golem but no one has been able to catch it.

Tempest only heard about it once he was incarcerated. However, he is asked by the prison warden to find out how it was getting into the prison and out again after it killed. In the few days that Tempest had been in the prison a guard had been found folded in half in the shower block and was very, very dead.

The prison warden has put Tempest into the most dangerous part of the prison in order to further incite him to hurry up and solve the case. Tempest has a serious issue on his hand. He is now in the part of the prison which contains most of the criminals he has helped put away! To say he's in danger is an understatement!

This book is AWESOME! I loved the clever plot, the exciting fight scenes and the interesting characters, plus the mystery of who the golem was had me hooked. It's a brilliant story, and it totally fired up my imagination!
Profile Image for Joan.
966 reviews
June 12, 2022
Tempest is one week into his 8 week sentence for punching Inspector Quinn, and is quite enjoying his time in the medium security prison. The food is good (French toast for breakfast), there are excellent gym facilities, and he is getting fit and enjoying the rest - that is until the warden tells him that there has been a death in the maximum security area of the prison, caused by a 200 year old golem. In spite of Tempest's concern about being transferred to the area where half the hard core inmates are people he personally is responsible for being there, off Tempest goes to share a cell with a hulk named Claude. Claude just happens to be the size of the golem. In spite of Tempest's concerns about his cell mate, it is Claude who comes to his rescue twice when he is attacked. Who can you trust in prison? Surely you should be able to trust the guards!
Profile Image for Lyn Moffett.
62 reviews
May 1, 2021
Steve has excelled himself with this one. Tempest is sent to prison for punching Quinn ,the police officer who is a thorn in Tempest’s side. Being an investigator who put a lot of guys behind those bars is dangerous enough, but when the Governor of the prison decides to put Tempest among the violent population of the prison to catch a ghost. Life becomes tricky for Tempest. A golem was the legend of the prison 100 years prior to today and somehow it has managed to come back and kill one of the prison guards. Tempest has been challenged to find the golem before it kills again. Brilliant book and one that you lose sleep over because you just cannot put it down. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
378 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2021
Read books in order
Wow lots of twisted turns, talk about whos your friend, allies, frenemies, enemies.
Trust no one- seems like the name of the game.
I really liked Claud the quiet type who just wants to do His time and be left alone.
The return of the Jailhouse Golem, and Tempest is tasked with finding and stopping it Now he is also placed among people that he put there, who want to hurt him-no support!
Great story as usual.
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
771 reviews5 followers
April 30, 2021
Critical thinking is a must
Not all seemingly supernatural events can be easily accepted or even dismissed. To end up in a prison with a short sentence should have been a breeze, but not when it involves Tempest Michaels - no. What should have been a walk in the park or even a short holiday turns into the nightmare from hell. Lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing! Brilliant!
I received this free book from the author and this is my honest review.
182 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2021
Normally I’m not really a fan of paranormal fiction. However, in this series Tempest Michaels and his team are actually trying to solve crimes by real people that are allegedly caused by paranormal entities or events. Jailhouse Golem finds Tempest in the Nick without his team to help and scores of baddies he’s put in jail out to get him. Plenty of action. A quick, enjoyable read.

I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
May 1, 2021
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Judi.
283 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2022
Tempest is in jail for punching out DI Quinn. (Quinn deserved a long time ago but Tempest held his temper...until he nearly got Jane killed in the last book.) So how is he going to catch the golem, surrounded by people who'd love to see him dead? My favorite character in this one is Claude Monet (hmmm, that name seems familiar), the gentle giant. Satisfying, but not as funny as some of the earlier books. Recommended.
Profile Image for Lesley Hewitt.
832 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2021
Really good

I really enjoyed reading this book. Tempest is in prison and there is a Golem killing people. Tempest with the help of his cell mate end up in the thick of it. Plenty of action and some people from other books in this series are in the prison with Tempest. Well worth five stars.
48 reviews
May 18, 2021
Can't get enough

In Jailhouse Golem Steve Higgs has a new twist for Tempest. His team is not there to help and he can definitely use some help. Targeted by the Golem and cut off from all aid, what's a guy supposed to do? Come up with a wild and crazy plan, of course! I for one am thrilled that Steve Higgs is writing full time. More stories more laughs and more mystery.
78 reviews
August 28, 2025
Oh wow!

Intermountain last book I said it was the best but this makes it to the top of the list also. You will never see the ending coming, trust me. I couldn't put this one down either. I am loosing a lot of sleep due to this author. Oh well, it is with it. I just have to know how it ends with each book.
Profile Image for Terry Polston.
812 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2025
Even in prison, Tempest gets injured. His cellmate, Claude, would be a great new recruit for his business.
Doing time for decking Quinn, Tempest is tasked with finding out who the Golem in the prison is. But ...who in the prison can he trust? The crooks from his previous cases that were sent to prison are all out to get him. He is in a no-win situation.
Profile Image for Margarita Rose.
1,181 reviews11 followers
May 1, 2021
Something is up. Someone or something is killing people at the prison. Tempest is right in the middle ordered by the warden to use his talents and investigate whether its paranormal or not. With odds stacked against him he steps out and finds the truth.
507 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2021
Good addition to series

This is a short addition to the Blue Moon series. The plot and subplots move quickly. Tempest is serving his time and explores the mystery on his own. Good series!
136 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2021
Loved it

Read this in 1 night. It's 2am lol. Getting into a bad habit of reading late but I can't help it! His books are THAT GOOD!! Now I have to wait until October for book 19!! Oh well...he has other books to read!
77 reviews
May 31, 2021
A must read

Creative and exciting as usual, Steve Higgs has done it again. A nonstop action adventure through the prison system, Jailhouse Golem will keep you guessing if will Michael make it out of this one alive!!
877 reviews25 followers
August 6, 2021
Golem in jail

I enjoyed this short story very much. It’s hard to believe the problems Mr Michaels can get into. He makes you feel like you are right by his side helping out when possible! Love reading these books from Mr Higgs!!
Profile Image for Geraldine M.
254 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2021
Page Turner

Great action as Tempest is in jail to serve his 8-week prison term in minimum security. That is until a golem kills a guard and he is transferred to maximum security. Fast moving and action filled novella. You'll love it!
Profile Image for Chili Diane Evance.
387 reviews3 followers
September 20, 2023
My goodness. How in the world does Tempest Michaels get in these predicaments? Set up in a prison, in maximum security no less, he has to find out if the Golem exists. What he finds is a lot of deception going on.
Profile Image for Alexandria.
273 reviews
December 16, 2024
Another great adventure!

This is the 18th book in the Blue Moon series by Steve Higgs, who has joined the ranks of one of my favorite authors! The guys are at it again and this one is funnier than ever! Enjoy!
29 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2025
A great sequel

This episode of the Tempest Michaels series is a worthy one, with many twists and turns, and surprising good and bad characters swapping places to save Tempest, or put him in jeopardy
1,302 reviews16 followers
April 30, 2021
Whopper of a prison story with lots of action and scary scenes. Perfect characters and dialogue make for an exciting view of life behind bars...shared with a ghost! Highly Recommended.
83 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2021
A good read

This author always has some unpredictable but very believable twist to the story so you never quite sure what's coming up next. To me that makes a great story
141 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2021
Mr Higgs never fails, another great story. Lots to figure out or try to figure out. Action packed with some chuckles keeps you till the end
679 reviews13 followers
May 1, 2021
Michaels is ‘in it’ again. This time it is a golem. Just who is the bad guy and what is his endgame? Non-stop action from start to finish!
174 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2021
Expect the Unexpected

Now this really was a plot with a different twist... trying not to give anything away here, but Good Grief!
16 reviews
May 1, 2021
Great fast read.

A very gripping story. I was making supper but found time to finish reading. Works well as a novella. I want to see more of Claude.
Profile Image for Rita Whinfield.
1,577 reviews
May 1, 2021
Short but packs a punch

How can Tempest get into bother in a minimum security prison? And they call Patricia a danger magnet! Short but most exciting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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