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Wraith
Death wasn’t the end of everything for Warren Sumner, not with unfinished business to attend to and a partner to kill.
Infuriated over the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, Warren returns to the world of the living to take revenge against the trio of street thugs who attacked them, and also against Jordan, his business partner, who has embezzled their investment firm’s assets.
It’s a race against time as Jordan prepares to flee the country, taking millions of dollars with him in an elaborate scheme to elude law enforcement. In order to to keep the firm from collapsing, leaving all of its employees and investors destitute, Warren struggles to find a way to stop him… not an easy task for a disembodied person with no easy way to communicate with the living.
“Bolton gets into the meat of relationships, and makes you care about his characters – which is all too rare, yet essential, in horror. Combined with a cracking story, it makes for quite the read!”
~ Paul Kane – award-winning and bestselling author of Hooded Man, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, and Arcana.
“Raymond Bolton’s Wraith presents an intriguing view of the intersections between the living and the dead. Beginning with a triple murder, this dark paranormal novel explores the consequences of betrayal, greed, infidelity, and vengeance on both sides of mortality…and in each instance, provides unexpected twists that propel readers onward, page after page. Bolton deftly shifts perspectives between the world of the Wraith and those he pursues with a fury that transcends death itself.”
~ Michael R. Collings, named Grand Master at the 2016 World Horror Convention
Infuriated over the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, Warren returns to the world of the living to take revenge against the trio of street thugs who attacked them, and also against Jordan, his business partner, who has embezzled their investment firm’s assets.
It’s a race against time as Jordan prepares to flee the country, taking millions of dollars with him in an elaborate scheme to elude law enforcement. In order to to keep the firm from collapsing, leaving all of its employees and investors destitute, Warren struggles to find a way to stop him… not an easy task for a disembodied person with no easy way to communicate with the living.
“Bolton gets into the meat of relationships, and makes you care about his characters – which is all too rare, yet essential, in horror. Combined with a cracking story, it makes for quite the read!”
~ Paul Kane – award-winning and bestselling author of Hooded Man, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, and Arcana.
“Raymond Bolton’s Wraith presents an intriguing view of the intersections between the living and the dead. Beginning with a triple murder, this dark paranormal novel explores the consequences of betrayal, greed, infidelity, and vengeance on both sides of mortality…and in each instance, provides unexpected twists that propel readers onward, page after page. Bolton deftly shifts perspectives between the world of the Wraith and those he pursues with a fury that transcends death itself.”
~ Michael R. Collings, named Grand Master at the 2016 World Horror Convention
382 pages, Hardcover
Published July 6, 2021
5 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Bolton
12 books124 followersRaymond Bolton lives near Portland, Oregon with his wife, Toni, and their cats, Max and April. Reviewers have been generous with praise, offering such comments as, “Eschewing the more commonly overt manifestations of alien technology and the well toted elements of fanciful magic, Bolton breathes originality into the genre with his singular focus on telepathy.”
His goal is to craft gripping stories about the human condition, whether they are set here or another world. He has written award-winning poetry and four novels. Awakening, an epic, was released in January, 2014, and Thought Gazer, an adventure and first volume of a prequel trilogy, was released on January 1, 2015. The third in the series, Foretellers, came out on March 1 , 2016. Awakening was recently translated into Spanish and was released as El despertar – La saga de Ydron on July 1, 2015. Amazon has already listed El despertar as the Number One New Release in Ciencia Ficción. Triad, the saga's concluding volume, was released on January 1, 2017.
His goal is to craft gripping stories about the human condition, whether they are set here or another world. He has written award-winning poetry and four novels. Awakening, an epic, was released in January, 2014, and Thought Gazer, an adventure and first volume of a prequel trilogy, was released on January 1, 2015. The third in the series, Foretellers, came out on March 1 , 2016. Awakening was recently translated into Spanish and was released as El despertar – La saga de Ydron on July 1, 2015. Amazon has already listed El despertar as the Number One New Release in Ciencia Ficción. Triad, the saga's concluding volume, was released on January 1, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 18, 2021
“Wraith” is a supernatural novel involving Warren Sumner, a successful San Francisco entrepreneur whose professional acumen and ability to predict the market do not successfully transfer to his personal life—he drinks too much. A night out with his family and his business partner, Jordan, leaves him too inebriated to find his car. After several wrong turns, the Sumners wander into the wrong part of town and thugs attack. He and his two children are killed; Brandi, his wife, is hospitalized. Warren dies and heads toward “the white light.” Knowing that his drinking and his pride are the reasons his family has been destroyed, fury engulfs him, so through sheer force of will, he resists the afterworld’s white light to stay in ours.
The reader witnesses Warren’s transformation from an in-between spirit, barely aware of its own existence, to a full-fledged ghost that can interact with us; finally it becomes a justice-seeking wraith capable of murder. Very violent murder. And it’s not just the attack on his family. Shortly before his death, Warren learns truths about his business partner, Jordan, involving personal and professional betrayal. This helps fuel his bloodthirsty need for revenge.
I found Mr. Bolton’s premise novel and was originally drawn into the plot: Would Warren be able to connect enough to the physical world to right his crooked business partner’s wrongs and avenge the attack on his family? It was interesting to watch Warren learn to communicate with the living, then begin manipulating physical objects before finally wreaking havoc.
As it becomes evident that the wraith can taunt, hurt, and kill at its leisure, the question becomes, if he needs his enemy—his crooked business partner, Jordan—to produce passwords to save their business from a financial demise, why doesn’t the wraith just, as gruesome as this sounds, employ torture to get them? Instead, Warren attempts to work through the living (a few junior staff at the firm) in an exercise to find the critical passwords and thwart Jordan’s plans to run with the money. Warren’s wraith-like powers essentially have no limit as the living cannot physically resist his actions. Even Superman feared kryptonite, but the wraith fears nothing and is completely unstoppable.
I didn’t feel a great deal of empathy for our hero, who did, in fact, create the conditions that led to all his problems. Therefore, I found his vicious attacks against the living as heavy-handed, completely one-sided and quite frankly, cruel. There is no offer of redemption for his victims; they are just murdered. There is minor redemption among the support characters, who team together to try to foil Jordan’s plans, but with the wraith’s supernatural powers, this paperchase isn’t necessary.
There were, however, interesting turns in the events of the ghost world. First, we discover that the wraith is not alone in haunting our world; there are others. Each has his reasons for not choosing the light, and most of these reasons aren’t good. There is conflict between these spirits, who can hurt each other. They can hurt each other’s “bodies,” as well as interfere with plans to eventually return to the white light, presumably where Warren’s dead children now reside, after justice is served. And there is another price for Warren’s post-death fury; fury is still a sin, and sin blocks ghosts from the white light. In this one respect, the hero does have a limit, which is an interesting story element. At the story’s end, the reader learns the answer to the all-important question: after the earthly problems are solved, will Warren’s soul make it to the other side? The answer is somewhat nihilistic, so if you need a Hallmark ending, you won’t get it.
I found some of the characters a little hackneyed (for instance, the drug-using thugs’ personalities and motivations seemed stereotypically antisocial). As well, there was an unnecessary lane change into another stereotype—priests are pedophiles—which is thankfully brief.
In conclusion, the novel’s plot is straightforward and Mr. Bolton’s writing style is distinct. It was never in doubt that the all-powerful wraith would triumph; without a real struggle between hero and villain with more or less even odds, the book may disappoint those looking for unpredictable outcomes. However, if you are curious as to what it would be like to die under terrible circumstances, then come back to crush your murderers, then “Wraith” will have the necessary bloodlust for you, and the exploration of the in-between ghost-world is a nice bonus.
The reader witnesses Warren’s transformation from an in-between spirit, barely aware of its own existence, to a full-fledged ghost that can interact with us; finally it becomes a justice-seeking wraith capable of murder. Very violent murder. And it’s not just the attack on his family. Shortly before his death, Warren learns truths about his business partner, Jordan, involving personal and professional betrayal. This helps fuel his bloodthirsty need for revenge.
I found Mr. Bolton’s premise novel and was originally drawn into the plot: Would Warren be able to connect enough to the physical world to right his crooked business partner’s wrongs and avenge the attack on his family? It was interesting to watch Warren learn to communicate with the living, then begin manipulating physical objects before finally wreaking havoc.
As it becomes evident that the wraith can taunt, hurt, and kill at its leisure, the question becomes, if he needs his enemy—his crooked business partner, Jordan—to produce passwords to save their business from a financial demise, why doesn’t the wraith just, as gruesome as this sounds, employ torture to get them? Instead, Warren attempts to work through the living (a few junior staff at the firm) in an exercise to find the critical passwords and thwart Jordan’s plans to run with the money. Warren’s wraith-like powers essentially have no limit as the living cannot physically resist his actions. Even Superman feared kryptonite, but the wraith fears nothing and is completely unstoppable.
I didn’t feel a great deal of empathy for our hero, who did, in fact, create the conditions that led to all his problems. Therefore, I found his vicious attacks against the living as heavy-handed, completely one-sided and quite frankly, cruel. There is no offer of redemption for his victims; they are just murdered. There is minor redemption among the support characters, who team together to try to foil Jordan’s plans, but with the wraith’s supernatural powers, this paperchase isn’t necessary.
There were, however, interesting turns in the events of the ghost world. First, we discover that the wraith is not alone in haunting our world; there are others. Each has his reasons for not choosing the light, and most of these reasons aren’t good. There is conflict between these spirits, who can hurt each other. They can hurt each other’s “bodies,” as well as interfere with plans to eventually return to the white light, presumably where Warren’s dead children now reside, after justice is served. And there is another price for Warren’s post-death fury; fury is still a sin, and sin blocks ghosts from the white light. In this one respect, the hero does have a limit, which is an interesting story element. At the story’s end, the reader learns the answer to the all-important question: after the earthly problems are solved, will Warren’s soul make it to the other side? The answer is somewhat nihilistic, so if you need a Hallmark ending, you won’t get it.
I found some of the characters a little hackneyed (for instance, the drug-using thugs’ personalities and motivations seemed stereotypically antisocial). As well, there was an unnecessary lane change into another stereotype—priests are pedophiles—which is thankfully brief.
In conclusion, the novel’s plot is straightforward and Mr. Bolton’s writing style is distinct. It was never in doubt that the all-powerful wraith would triumph; without a real struggle between hero and villain with more or less even odds, the book may disappoint those looking for unpredictable outcomes. However, if you are curious as to what it would be like to die under terrible circumstances, then come back to crush your murderers, then “Wraith” will have the necessary bloodlust for you, and the exploration of the in-between ghost-world is a nice bonus.
September 10, 2021
I’ve read all of Raymond Bolton novels. He never disappoints readers.I’ve fallen in love with all genre after reading his books. This novel is simply superb as always
📚Even After the death Warren Sumner, there are so many unfinished business to complete .
📚Because of the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, he never thought that his life going to end this way but he decided to take revenge against the person who had attacked them,as well as Jordan, his business partner . ✨
📚A beautiful, heartwarming story of family, love and fighting for yourself and for your family. There is so much heartache throughout this book you will need tissues. A truly beautiful read.
📚A absolutely loved this story. Such an easy and wonderful read which i why i love Raymond Bolton books.. I could not put it down i just had to know what happened next . 😭
📚This is definitely a story about people's feelings and not about crime ,death and destruction . 🤟
📚I can not recommend his books enough. I have read so many times and i love them everytime
📚Even After the death Warren Sumner, there are so many unfinished business to complete .
📚Because of the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, he never thought that his life going to end this way but he decided to take revenge against the person who had attacked them,as well as Jordan, his business partner . ✨
📚A beautiful, heartwarming story of family, love and fighting for yourself and for your family. There is so much heartache throughout this book you will need tissues. A truly beautiful read.
📚A absolutely loved this story. Such an easy and wonderful read which i why i love Raymond Bolton books.. I could not put it down i just had to know what happened next . 😭
📚This is definitely a story about people's feelings and not about crime ,death and destruction . 🤟
📚I can not recommend his books enough. I have read so many times and i love them everytime
June 29, 2023
Wraith
By
Raymond Bolton
Rating:5/5
Description:
Death wasn’t the end of everything for Warren Sumner, not with unfinished business to attend to and a partner to kill.
Infuriated over the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, Warren returns to the world of the living to take revenge against the trio of street thugs who attacked them, and also against Jordan, his business partner, who has embezzled their investment firm’s assets.
It’s a race against time as Jordan prepares to flee the country, taking millions of dollars with him in an elaborate scheme to elude law enforcement. In order to to keep the firm from collapsing, leaving all of its employees and investors destitute, Warren struggles to find a way to stop him… not an easy task for a disembodied person with no easy way to communicate with the living.
“Bolton gets into the meat of relationships, and makes you care about his characters – which is all too rare, yet essential, in horror. Combined with a cracking story, it makes for quite the read!”
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive . writing style is awesome.It's a long book and has been divided into 35 chapters. Each chapter is written flawlessly and narrated appropriately.The story begins with a crime scene, some strangers killing Warren Summer and his children, while his wife Brandi is admitted in ICU after the late night attack.The twist comes when Warren returns from the death to the world of living to seek revenge.Who killed Warren and his children?How can somebody return from the death anyway?How will Warren seek revenge and if he succeeds, will he still remain in the world of living?
The author's imagination will take you to the whole new different world which made this book interesting. I highly recommend this book. Once you start reading you won't get disappointed.
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173581...
Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book
👉I just loved reading the book
Happy reading
By
Raymond Bolton
Rating:5/5
Description:
Death wasn’t the end of everything for Warren Sumner, not with unfinished business to attend to and a partner to kill.
Infuriated over the late night attack that has left him and his children murdered and his wife fighting for her life in an ICU, Warren returns to the world of the living to take revenge against the trio of street thugs who attacked them, and also against Jordan, his business partner, who has embezzled their investment firm’s assets.
It’s a race against time as Jordan prepares to flee the country, taking millions of dollars with him in an elaborate scheme to elude law enforcement. In order to to keep the firm from collapsing, leaving all of its employees and investors destitute, Warren struggles to find a way to stop him… not an easy task for a disembodied person with no easy way to communicate with the living.
“Bolton gets into the meat of relationships, and makes you care about his characters – which is all too rare, yet essential, in horror. Combined with a cracking story, it makes for quite the read!”
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive . writing style is awesome.It's a long book and has been divided into 35 chapters. Each chapter is written flawlessly and narrated appropriately.The story begins with a crime scene, some strangers killing Warren Summer and his children, while his wife Brandi is admitted in ICU after the late night attack.The twist comes when Warren returns from the death to the world of living to seek revenge.Who killed Warren and his children?How can somebody return from the death anyway?How will Warren seek revenge and if he succeeds, will he still remain in the world of living?
The author's imagination will take you to the whole new different world which made this book interesting. I highly recommend this book. Once you start reading you won't get disappointed.
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173581...
Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book
👉I just loved reading the book
Happy reading
March 17, 2023
The blurb of Wraith is an accurate surface description, but doesn't even come close to describing what this book is really about: the truest kind of love, which can come from even the most flawed human beings. Yes, this is a horror novel, no question, and it's one of the best I've ever read.
As with Bolton's other novels, the first portion of the book moves along very well and introduces us to this reality and all the unnatural and scary things that are possible here. Then as the story progresses, the characters themselves flesh out into something much deeper than archetypes or plot devices. Each major player in this book is so perfectly fleshed-out, it's easy to begin believing that this story is true and that we are seeing the inner dialog of real people.
And so, while my first impression was simply that this was a great, addictive book, the final third proves that this is truly a beautiful work of literature, with much to say about the human condition, particularly the strange, confusing, and often conflicted love that a man has for his family, even after his demise. It's rare that I am truly moved by any book, and never before have I been moved by a horror novel.
Equal parts fantasy and horror, Bolton has created a masterpiece of modern literary entertainment with such perfect pacing, characters and resolution. Horror and dark fiction fans should know, Raymond Bolton is an awesome writer in his own right. Whether you come to him because of his other novels or you discover him completely by chance, you'll quickly find that he's an amazing talent. And if you're not reading him yet, you should be!
As with Bolton's other novels, the first portion of the book moves along very well and introduces us to this reality and all the unnatural and scary things that are possible here. Then as the story progresses, the characters themselves flesh out into something much deeper than archetypes or plot devices. Each major player in this book is so perfectly fleshed-out, it's easy to begin believing that this story is true and that we are seeing the inner dialog of real people.
And so, while my first impression was simply that this was a great, addictive book, the final third proves that this is truly a beautiful work of literature, with much to say about the human condition, particularly the strange, confusing, and often conflicted love that a man has for his family, even after his demise. It's rare that I am truly moved by any book, and never before have I been moved by a horror novel.
Equal parts fantasy and horror, Bolton has created a masterpiece of modern literary entertainment with such perfect pacing, characters and resolution. Horror and dark fiction fans should know, Raymond Bolton is an awesome writer in his own right. Whether you come to him because of his other novels or you discover him completely by chance, you'll quickly find that he's an amazing talent. And if you're not reading him yet, you should be!
May 29, 2024
This book changed my world. I have not looked at writing the same way since. an amazing example of how art and literature can mesh to impact the reader. It took me over a month to read the entire book and it was worth every second. I don't know where to begin with this book. Just pick up a copy, flip through the pages, be intrigued and then read it.
What captivated me the most about this book was its unique blend of supernatural elements with a gripping revenge thriller. Warren's journey as a disembodied spirit navigating the challenges of the physical world is both poignant and exhilarating. His struggle to communicate with the living and exact his vengeance is portrayed with a haunting realism that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The character development is another highlight of the novel. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the climax was both satisfying and unexpected. This book blew me away. It has the ability to blur the lines between the reader, the story, fact, and fiction. Raymond Bolton has created an alternate reality here that is at once self-contained and specific enough to be genuine but also universal and significant enough to be really freaking creepy.
A great book if you can sit down and get through it on a weekend, because the experience of reading it definitely enhances the story itself. If you're looking for a book that combines supernatural intrigue with a thrilling revenge plot, this is a must-read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, suspenseful narrative with deep emotional undercurrents.
March 24, 2023
This is the best horror story that will punch you in every possible way ! It’s a perfect combination of paranormal and thriller events.
The story revolves around Warren and his family, the whole family was attacked by someone which left the complete family dead in a virtual world, it’s a story of entering a world of living from dead. The family was affected leaving his wife in ICU. He was a rich businessman with everything going smooth but life had some other plans for him but he was all ready to take the revenge from the person who attacked. It’s a story of life vs death. Who was the person behind the attack ? What was the reason ?
I mean it’s a heart wrenching read and it seemed like watching a movie with every passing incident. On the other side, it portrayed his love for his family, it’s a dark read which will reveal many mysteries and secrets. It’s full roller coaster read. The title is intriguing with a perfect cover. The book is available in both kindle and paperback edition !
Go and order your copy now !
The story revolves around Warren and his family, the whole family was attacked by someone which left the complete family dead in a virtual world, it’s a story of entering a world of living from dead. The family was affected leaving his wife in ICU. He was a rich businessman with everything going smooth but life had some other plans for him but he was all ready to take the revenge from the person who attacked. It’s a story of life vs death. Who was the person behind the attack ? What was the reason ?
I mean it’s a heart wrenching read and it seemed like watching a movie with every passing incident. On the other side, it portrayed his love for his family, it’s a dark read which will reveal many mysteries and secrets. It’s full roller coaster read. The title is intriguing with a perfect cover. The book is available in both kindle and paperback edition !
Go and order your copy now !
June 6, 2023
Wraith offers a fresh take on the horror genre, incorporating intriguing twists. The protagonist, Warren, is the vengeful ghost seeking justice. Along the streets of San Francisco, he and his children fell victim to despicable criminals. While his wife survived the brutal attack, she was engaged in an affair with Warren's business partner, who intended to flee the country with both her and the stolen investor funds.
As the story progresses, the characters evolve and developed perfectly.
Combining elements of fantasy and horror, Bolton has crafted a masterful work of contemporary literary entertainment, boasting impeccable pacing, well-rounded characters, and a satisfying resolution. Fans of horror and dark fiction should be more than satisfied with this book.
The author's vivid descriptions and characters' development were compelling. Recommended.
As the story progresses, the characters evolve and developed perfectly.
Combining elements of fantasy and horror, Bolton has crafted a masterful work of contemporary literary entertainment, boasting impeccable pacing, well-rounded characters, and a satisfying resolution. Fans of horror and dark fiction should be more than satisfied with this book.
The author's vivid descriptions and characters' development were compelling. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews