You don't have to be dead to work here...but it helps.: a supernatural novella

by Michael Christopher Carter

Angharad lives a simple life. Since retiring from working in a care home, she has been very much self-sufficient. Growing her own vegetables, eating eggs from her hens, drinking milk from her goat and even water from her own spring that flows at the bottom of her garden in rural South-West Wales. In many ways it seemed ideal.
But who is it that calls out her name every night when it gets dark , and what could they possibly want?
Angharad doesn’t know, but she fears that she must find out …
Because if she doesn't, it could cost her, her life.

121 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2014

About the author

I grew up in the Home Counties of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. I always felt I wanted to be somewhere else and dreamed of sunny beaches and shady woods. I imagined a move abroad would be the answer but when I visited Pembrokeshire to visit my then fiance's family, I succumbed to the 'Pembrokeshire Pull' and have lived in the National Park ever since.
I have always wanted to be a writer and flirted with the idea, buying a word processor and beginning a number of manuscripts, with very little idea how to actually write a book. When I turned forty something polarised within me, or I just stumbled upon the right advice, and I found the whole thing immensely enjoyable. In fact, I would say I'm only truly happy when I'm writing (I have just completed my fourth book since beginning writing mid-way through 2013!)
Prior to writing I was a dreaded double glazing salesman. I ended up running my own conservatory design and build company for a number of years before the ill-health of a family member meant moving away from the industry.
Opportunities can be found in adversity. It began with studying Welsh language and then Psychology. Then I found my confidence in my own life experiences to know I had plenty to give as an author. I am now able to focus on my writing where the long working hours of my past life never would have allowed.
I live and write in South-West Wales, with my wife, four children and dog!
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Reviews

[Dee Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella. Loved its unique telling of a medium trying to cross over a spirit but I kind of wish that it ended differently. By that I mean that she really would’ve been a confused spirit needing help to realise she had passed over. Still a great little book though.

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3lPRTHB.











After Ann retired she moved into a small stone home where she could be completely self-sufficient and changed her name back to the original use. Everything has been going well, in fact, she was juts approved to work with youths with certain issues to help them with basic life skills. That is until she begins to hear someone calling for her by Ann, even when no one can be around. Just what could this disembodied voice possibly mean about Ann and her life?
I got this eBook on impulse from BookBub in 2017 and thought about it occasionally as I would search for my next read in my lists, but never paid it much mind. I thought it was going to be some kind of vampire/ghoul supermarket thing. I don't know why. I never read the synopsis on the book. It happens when I impulse buy books. I never know what I am getting myself into. Have permanently deleted more than one book in my library as a result of what I have discovered in the pages, that is for sure. This book was...disappointing.

The title is long and sets up a certain expectation. It is just clunky and useless. I know that is harsh and I am sorry. Mostly. I will say that this is a Novella, not a full book. I can't say that I hoped for much more than that, so it didn't disappoint in that way. The book is set in Wales and is understandable and the scenery is depicted beautifully. That's about all the good I have to give. The plot was just...boring. Seriously. I can't give any more away then what I put into my synopsis at the top without telling you all there is to know about the book. It was all just so...expected. There was no thrill. No what happens next. And believe you me. I read this book from start to finish in less than 3 hours.

If you want to find out who is chasing Ann then by all means open the pages.

[Jennifer Denney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is she dead or not?

When Claire keeps seeing someone named Ann, as a clairvoyant she tries to get her to the light. Angarah (Ann) doesn't think she's dead and wants Claire to leave her alone.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual but delightful book this is, I loved this story, thank you Michael Christopher Carter for such a good read, I shall definitely look for more from this author, very enjoyable and a really good read.

[kathy bracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A superb supernatural story. Vanguard heard a voice calling her, saying she doesn't know she is dead. As far as she is aware, she isn't dead and so tries to find outburst is happenin.

[MARILYN RAYNER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought Provoking

If you believe we do not" disappear" when dead or believe in pre cognition, this is a book you must read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Another great read from Michael.

[Ryanne Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done "real life" paranormal read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Anna Douillard]

Well written and a very good tale

[Dorothy Keogh]

I really liked this book, it was a different spin on the paranormal. I really had trouble putting it down, I loved it. Keep up the good work.

[Shell Swinscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very strange, but great read

[nancy flack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe.

Tremendous. Well written. Makes you believe you have control in your destiny. You need to read to understand. These books are worth your time, and your belief.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story!

But I think it needs some editing, although I can appreciate the creative sentence structure, and wording. Maybe some punctuation might help? I’m only a reader but I noticed some sentences when I read them were awkward in the beginning and after that when I got further into the story I didn’t notice it as much.. or it got better or my brain was deceiving me.. wink wink my wavelengths got crossed lol. Anyways, I like the idea of paranormal activity and questions about consciousness that this story brought up.

[Jheneille · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the writing okay enough and even though this is so short, I really felt like it dragged and I was bored a lot of the times. There were a few interesting parts that were a little bit creepy like the first time Ann is contacted by the medium but otherwise, there didn't need to be so many point of view swaps. It felt so intentional just to make the tale longer but served little purpose to the story itself. It took me far too long to finish this.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice take on a character being a psychic. However, it was different and a bit entertaining trying to figure out how Claire and Angharad connected within the story. The story did not really pull me in as I expected. I can only imagine how Angharad felt being called into the light even though she may or may not be dead.

[Angela Rabbetts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually a bit disappointed with this, I was expecting a much better ending than there was. No real conclusion.

[Jean Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off well but the ending seemed a bit weird, no proper conclusion to it.

[Trudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters well developed. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a really good read.

[Chris May · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

This was a quick and entertaining read. Not too many characters but enough to keep you engrossed in their fate. I would definitely recommend it.