Our Trespasses

by Michael Cordell

Drowning in a meaningless existence flipping burgers, Matthew Davis suddenly collapses from a powerful psychic connection he shares with his twin brother, Jake. The pain is violent and immediate, and Matt knows exactly what it means… hundreds of miles away, Jake has been viciously killed. But instead of severing their connection, the murder intensifies it and Matt begins to suffer the agony of Jake’s afterlife.

Hell bent on solving Jake’s murder in order to break the connection, Matt travels to his troubled hometown of Hatchett, Nebraska, where an old lover and savage new enemies expose the festering wounds that Jake left behind.

Matt tries atoning for Jake’s sins, but when a demon infests the connection between the two brothers, Matt must find a way to sever their bond before his world, and ours, become engulfed in the flames of hell.

Fans of Stephen King’s The Outsider, Stephen Graham Jones’ The Only Good Indians, and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist will find this new paranormal thriller impossible to put down.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense

200 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2021

About the author

Michael Cordell is a novelist, playwright and produced screenwriter. He has sold three screenplays to Hollywood, including Beeper, an action-thriller starring Harvey Keitel and Joey Lauren Adams.

Michael currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he has taught screenwriting at the University of Virginia and at Writer House.

You can reach Michael at michaeljcordell@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Trespasses started so strong, I was deeply invested in the fate of our main character Matthew Davis who takes a ten year refuge as a short order cook in NY after escaping his quiet country life in Hatchett, Nebraska. Living on minimal wage in hipster area of Brooklyn eating greasy burgers for dinner gets suddenly interrupted when he feels his connection to his twin brother Jake being violently severed by his sudden death at someone’s hands. Matt travels back home to the town that time forgot, where nostalgia is still ticking and alive and where the mystery of his brother’s demise begins to engulf his entire existence.

Old crossed lovers, brooding darkness brewing within the town’s residents and the question of who murdered Jake in cold blood is supposed to take the center stage here. Unfortunately most of that stage is spend building up the character of Matt and not much else, it feels that his brother and the incident take a back seat. By the time things get hot the ‘maybe real maybe not’ possessions and hauntings seem weirdly out of place when they do happen. Also Matt goes from being poor and frugal to hanging out for days without pay half way across the country spending money, pick a side, and stick to it please.

Big thanks to NetGalley and TCK Publishing for providing a copy for a review!

- Kas

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twins are supposed to share a special connection. In this book the author takes that premise to the next level, in fact, to the highest level of good and evil battle where Lucifer himself is participant. But if you don’t overthink the incongruously grandiose premise (and it’s easy to, because really? all Lucifer’s been waiting for is a twinsie power situation?), this is actually a pretty good book and a solid paranormal thriller.
Didn’t know what to expect, never read the author, but it reads like a professional job through and through, and, more importantly, it’s well-written, character driven and exciting.
The book starts off like so many books do – with a man returning to his middle of nowhere small town, specifically in Nebraska during a sweltering summer, to bury his brother. Twins or not, super-connected or not, ten years prior it all got too be too much, claustrophobically so. Thus, one of the twins took off while the other stayed behind. Neither have made much of themselves, but the gone twin at least is a semi-decent person while the stayed twin became a scum of the earth sort of person and a dealer.
The idea was that death would severe once and for all their potent connection, but alas that wasn’t to be. In fact, now that the dead twin went to his just rewards down below, the connection is stronger than ever and the grandest evil of all is desperately trying to board that train back to the surface.
Can this all be solved by finding out who killed his brother? Can this all be solved by obtaining forgiveness for his brother from all the people he has wronged? Or is this an unwinnable fight? Well, that’s what the protagonist of the book is going to find out. All while reevaluating his life choices and reclaiming his decade-long abandoned relationships.
So there you have it, a perfectly decent story elevated by above average writing. The author has done some screenwriting and it shows, there’s a certain vividness to his imagery, the way his narrative comes to live; the closet scene alone…excellent. Overall, this was a pretty good read, spooky and atmospheric without relying on guts and gore as so many scary stories tend to. Plus, there’s a bonus murder mystery to unravel with a nice plot twist. Fun was had. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/

[Kirsty Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drowning in a meaningless existence flipping burgers, Matthew Davis suddenly collapses from a powerful psychic connection he shares with his twin brother, Jake. The pain is violent and immediate, and Matt knows exactly what it means… hundreds of miles away, Jake has been viciously killed. But instead of severing their connection, the murder intensifies it and Matt begins to suffer the agony of Jake’s afterlife.

Hell bent on solving Jake’s murder in order to break the connection, Matt travels to his troubled hometown of Hatchett, Nebraska, where an old lover and savage new enemies expose the festering wounds that Jake left behind.

Matt tries atoning for Jake’s sins, but when a demon infests the connection between the two brothers, Matt must find a way to sever their bond before his world, and ours, become engulfed in the flames of hell.

Now this was a new concept that I hadn’t encountered in horror before. Telepathic twins… yes… the Devil trying to escape from Hell… definitely… but one twin brother doomed to torture in hell whilst the other is being exploited and tempted by the devil himself to gain entry to Earth to rule is blissful havoc… all wrapped into a crime thriller trying to figure out who killed his brother in the first place - was a first for me! And I read…. LOTS!

There was A LOT going on, and at times I wasn’t sure if this novel really knew what genre it wanted to be… but for me I kinda liked the hybrid feel of it cause I love a good crime mystery and I am all over freaky horror… welcome to Hell vibes. Overall not a bad read.

[Lynelle Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject that deserved to be highlighted is forgiveness. The topic does not fit with the genre, and though paranormal and suspenseful; forgiveness ties it over for me.
From the beginning, you notice the connection that the twins, Jake and Matt had and the devastation when one was murdered. The brutal cut could be felt miles away and once the other brother returned to Hatchet; all hell broke loose. Literally.
There are a few characters that really went deep into their emotions to sort out this problem no one was prepared for. The angle of the priest who wasn't ordained brought it full closure. No one could be touched by the leading events and not be changed. It wasn't possible.
Lies were uncovered, a romance began that never ended, and a town has been saved. All because of one person who had to forgive, which broke the spell from Hell.
I think this was done excellently. The build-up in the story increased at a good pace and the ending was unexpected and thrilling.
Definitely a good read.
Thanks for the opportunity. I am definitely looking forward to more books from this author.

[Steve T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a creepy supernatural horror thriller about a psychic bond between twins that must be severed after one of the brothers dies violently and the remaining twin experiences his dead brother’s dark afterlife.

Michael Cordell provides a few unexpected twists and turns (and at least one you’ll probably see coming) that make you wonder which one was really the evil twin. At 200 pages, the book can be read in a day. Recommended.

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy from TCK Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Matthew Davis fled his hometown a decade ago and never looked back, he never expected that the murder of his twin brother, Jake, would be what brings him back. Now that he’s back home in Hatchet, Nebraska, he’s stuck pretending he’s been living the good life in New York rather than flipping burgers for a living. Matt would rather get in and out of town as fast as possible, but the psychic connection between him and Jake is stronger than ever… and Jake is in hell.

I picked this book up expecting a horror novel, but I would sooner classify it as a light paranormal mystery than horror. We follow Matt as he discovers the psychic connection he’s spent the last decade trying to minimize is stronger than ever now that his brother is dead. Not much happens in the book until we get closer to the end, so we mostly follow him as he sort of catches up with a few people in his hometown. Honestly, the only character that I really liked in this book is Matt’s old friend and now priest, Andy. He really was a breath of fresh air and lit up the chapters he was in.

While this was a quick read, I was definitely expecting a much bigger horror aspect, especially with the Devil himself noticing the connection between Matt and Jake. After a while, I started to wonder if Jake was just fooling around and found a way to get out of hell that didn’t actually involve any other entities. Even when Lucifer allegedly inhabits Matt’s body, it seemed more like it was Jake echoing the things he’s learned about the people of Hatchet in hell. I’m on the fence about whether or not it was just Jake all along, especially because Lucifer could’ve shown up at the end and he was nowhere to be seen.

Like I was saying, not much happens until closer to the end of the book. It picks up speed about a quarter to the end, which is also when things really start happening. This makes it a pretty easy read. If you’re looking for a horror novel, I’d say pass on this because it’s much more of a light paranormal mystery. However, if you’re looking for a short and slow paced light paranormal mystery, this might be up your alley.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to TCK Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you know that lovely feeling when a book really surprises you? I had not seen anything on this book, but it sounded so interesting! When I started reading, I was just dragged into this book by the lovely writing style. The story is fast paced and at the end I couldn't find anything wrong with this book, so what else to do than give it 5 stars?!

Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks

I just have to point out how fun it was that there is an Esther in this book! It just makes you feel this instant connection when you have someone that has the same name. If you like paranormal stories with a sprinkle of creepy and a great mount of layers and depth... Then I would definitely recommend this book!

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sibling dying is always a tragedy. When that sibling is your twin, the pain is multiplied. Now, imagine that you have always had a deep connection to your twin. A connection that you had to travel halfway across the country to even begin to limit. You FELT your twin die, but you have no clue who murdered him. AND, the connection hasn’t exactly died, even after your twin is gone. That’s what Matthew experiences in the first few chapters of this book, and things only get even wilder from there.

I was drawn in from the first page, truly. I truly love mystery novels & good action thrillers. Matthew never truly knew what his brother had become in the years since he left town. He doesn’t even truly recognize the town he grew up in anymore. Times have changed, people have changed, but Matthew is still determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. This mystery definitely has some paranormal elements, but it still feels like a story that could take place in the real world. Don’t get me wrong though, this tale is definitely a good story for paranormal fans. I won’t spoil anything but you are in for a treat.

My favorite part of the story was seeing how Matthew compared his city life to life in his hometown. You see him unhappy with his NYC life at the start of the story, but his hometown was even more disappointing in some facets. Things that shone in his childhood were now dulled and damaged from the usual small-town poison of drugs and poverty. It really made this thriller feel more emotional. Matthew thought things were going to be (mostly) the same once he returned, but some things were changed and were never going to go back to normal.

The book has excellent pacing. It isn’t so fast that you feel as if you are flying through the story without understanding what is going on, but I never felt bored. I wanted to know what else was going to happen to Matthew and the mysterious characters of this town. In fact, that is the only complaint I had about this book that kept it from being a five-star read. I felt like I wanted to get to know the characters a little more. Some of them flew on and off the pages so quickly that I never really got the chance to hear their backstory. Matthew grew up with these people. For the characters that had quite a bit of page time, it was fun (if not a little sad) to see how they had all changed from Matthew’s childhood to his adulthood. People who had bright futures returned to where they started, just like Matthew had. It really solidified the hometown thriller setting of this story.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new paranormal thriller to enjoy.

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Michael Cordell https://michaeljcordell.com published the novel “Our Trespasses” in October of 2021. This is his second novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘R’ as it contains scenes of violence and mature language. The main character of the novel is Matthew Davis.

Davis is flipping burgers in a New York diner when he has a psychic flash. He had always had a close connection to his twin brother, Jake. This time he knows his brother has died a violent death. Surprisingly, death does not break the psychic link to his brother. He continues to receive messages from Jake in the afterlife.

Davis travels to his hometown of Hatchett in remote Nebraska for the funeral. He also hopes to find out what happened to his brother. He is mistaken for Jake more than once, and Jake had enemies. Jake had developed into an evil man after Davis left. Davis also encounters an old flame he had left behind 10 years earlier when he moved on.

Now Davis has more to deal with than what and who he left behind. He must find a way to sever the connection with Jake. The torments of Hell are using the psychic connection to break through to our world.

I enjoyed the 6+ hours I spent reading this 247-page mystery and thriller. With the paranormal angle, the novel reminds me of one of Dean Koontz’s works. The cover art is a bit dismal, but relates to the novel. I rate this book as a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[Olga Miret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thank TCK Publishing (Maria Inot in particular) for providing me an ARC copy of this novel, which I freely chose to review.
I had never read any novels by Michael Cordell, but once I started to read this one, I was hooked. His experience working as a screenwriter (and a screenwriting teacher) comes through, as there are some scenes in this book so vividly rendered that it is impossible not to see them playing inside your head while you read it. And, they aren’t always comfortable viewing either! (I’m not sure I’ll look at a clothes closet the same way again, but I will not go into it to avoid spoilers).
This novel offers an interesting combination of genres. Although it is not the first time I come across a mystery/thriller with paranormal/horror elements (I’ve enjoyed Hyde by Craig Russell and The Coven Murders by Brian O’Hare, for example), this one has some interesting elements that might appeal to people who don’t normally read in either of those genres. The main character, Matthew (Matt) Davis, is not a detective or a policeman, but a pretty normal guy whose brother has been killed. We are aware, from the very beginning of the story, that he had a special connection with his twin brother Jake, but we soon learn what this truly means in the current circumstances. Although he ends up investigating his brother’s death, this is not out of revenge or even to try to get his brother’s murderer to justice, but for a pretty different reason. The paranormal element, which starts pretty low-key, moves onto full-blown horror towards the end of the novel, and I am not revealing anything unduly when I say that hell and demons play a big part in the story (and there are crows. Those of you who loved Hitchcock’s The Birds will nod in recognition at several scenes in the book).
I think these two genres mix quite well in this particular novel, as long as readers are willing to suspend their disbelief and not stick to the specifics of either genre (the mystery-thriller especially). In fact, I think the combination of the two genres works to keep us guessing and makes it more difficult for us to focus on solving either aspect of the story (because there are several mysteries and a lot of secrets hiding in this narrative). Although the pace of the novel is more contemplative than many thrillers are, the tension builds up slowly but ramps up towards the end, and its particular rhythm allows us to get to know the main character (whose point of view we follow —although narrated in the third person— the whole story) and to get a good picture of the little Nebraskan town where the story takes place. Of course, the author does not reveal everything about the character, and although we might have some suspicion about what really happened in the past, the ending brings some interesting twists to the story.
Apart from the novels mentioned in the above description, the story also had elements that made me think of The Dry by Jane Harper. The grown-up man coming back to his hometown after many years away to attend a funeral (in that case that of a friend, rather than his brother), and the descriptions of the weather, the place, and the secrets brought it to my mind, although there are no paranormal elements there. And I also thought about A Nightmare on Elm Street more than once (although no Freddy here).
I liked Matt well enough, even though his life seemed to be very unfocused and low-key to begin with, stuck and unable to move on for no clear reason. Things become clearer as we read on, and we get to understand his actions and empathise with him by the end. I also appreciated Matt’s sharp and dry wit, and his somewhat dark sense of humour, especially evident at the beginning of the novel (seeing the funny side of things gets difficult as the days pass). Jake... We get different versions of Jake, and although he is not a sympathetic character, he is an intriguing one, and not as one-sided as he appears at the beginning. I liked Claire. Although we don’t get to know her very well, she has done the best of a bad situation, and she is supportive, tries hard to do the right thing, and is a friend to her friends. I loved Andy. He is a fantastic character, and I would happily read a whole book about him. He also provides some light relief to the story (but he has some eerie moments as well)! The twin’s mother is a character I would have liked to learn more about, and I would also have liked to know more about the family dynamics, but that would have slowed the story down and turned it into something else.
The book abounds on reflections about guilt, duty, family ties and relationships, loyalty, small-town politics, faith and religious belief, the need to forgive and move on... The protagonist is faced with some impossibly tough decisions, and although not in the same circumstances, many readers will empathise with the feeling of being trapped and having no good way out.
I have mentioned the vividness of the writing, and the skill and craft of the writer come through. The story flows well, and although the rhythm is not frantic or typical of a thriller, it keeps you turning the pages (or sweeping them) to learn what is going to happen next. There are beautifully descriptive passages and quite a few hair-raising action scenes that make it into a satisfying reading experience. Remember that you can always check a sample of the book in your e-book store if you want to make sure the writing style fits your taste.
A couple of snippets of the book here:

That was one of the things you could count on in Nebraska: most everyone was nice and more than happy to help. It was already starting to put him on edge.

Skiz had told him a story that sounded as reasonable as talking monkeys riding unicorns, and yet he’d latched onto it as if it were a scientific fact. (If you wondered about the suspension of disbelief, the protagonist has some misgivings as well).

The ending will satisfy most readers, I think. I have mentioned the twists (you might or might not see them coming, but I wouldn’t say they are evident), and because of my particular taste in endings, I would probably have preferred something a bit more nuanced and less final, but that is me. It makes perfect sense in light of the genre combination, but horror for me... must leave us feeling uneasy, rather than reassured.
As to recommendations, this is a good and fun read, and people looking for books that combine genres, happy to suspend their disbelief, and not scared of paranormal and horror elements, (and not easily offended by somewhat unorthodox religious references and bad language) will have a great time with this story. I would also recommend it to those who enjoy movies in those genres, as it is very cinematic.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless of whether you have a sibling or not, most believe that there is a connection between parent and child or siblings. However, that bond is said never to be stronger than between two sets of twins.

This unique paranormal thriller takes that bond, throws in a murder, a psychic twist delivering a breath-holding page-turner that you won't want to put down.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the first couple of chapters are slower than the rest of the book; however, don't let that put you off - it's simply setting the groundwork. Persevere, you won't be disappointed.

This read was my first read by author Michael Cordell and certainly won't be the last.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher TCK Publishing for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a joy to read the first few pages of a book and know that it promises to be a good read. Believe me, those first pages didn't lie. Wow doesn't begin to describe my feelings as I read the last page.

Jake and Matt Davis are identical… well, almost identical… twin brothers. As is the case for many twins, the brothers share an almost supernatural connection. When Jake is murdered in Nebraska, Matt knows it without being told. Matt's journey home and what happens when he gets there is unique, maybe even unbelievable. Except you will believe

Michael Cordell's OUR TRESPASSES will make you consider the veracity of evil that rears its ugly head in each and every life. It happens in big cities and tiny towns. As you ponder what is good and what is evil in this world, ask yourself would I choose… life or death? …heaven or hell?

[Pete Aldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that took me back to the great standalone horror-thriller movies of the 70s and 80s like Jaws, Prophecy, and Wolfen. In the sense you have a terrific concept, and a main character absolutely committed to facing something that's completely outside their abilities and experience.

The first scene was full of stilted dialogue so at first I thought, "Oh oh." But this passed the moment we left that scene (probably a scene that didn't need to be there). Terrific anchoring in sensory data, and while this isn't dark horror, there is a scene that made my skin genuinely crawl.

Highly recommended as a one-shot, quick read, interesting concept well-delivered.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

This was a pretty decent character focused Paranormal thriller. There were a few really good and tense scenes, which is rare for a book in my opinion. But in the end I found it a bit cliché and think it relied to heavily on a lot of tropes I've seen so many times with nothing to make them unique.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I may not always dip my toes into the world or paranormal literature I have always had a fondness for it on the big screen so when I read the blurb for Michael Cordell's latest work I thought maybe it was time to give it ago. It is only when we step away from our comfort zones that we can find new and wonderful things. So with a new author to me and a genre that promised such sights to show me, I was curious to discover what he could bring to the table. And was it possible to kindle a flame for a category that I rarely touch?

Mathew is a lot like me and you, stuck in a dead-end job having watched his dreams slip by. he is someone left wondering what lies ahead after all there has to be more to it than being a simple fry cook. But as they say, you can never truly outrun your problems, although for Mathew this takes on a much more literal connotation. At first, it is tricky to understand his emotions towards his now dead twin brother. But the author chooses to build this relationship slowly which in turn gives us a much deeper connection to his hero. It is ours to discover how familial bonds break and that not always do we hold our kin closest to us. But for me, this adds a very compelling element to the plot. As our hero descends deeper into the labyrinth of his past we get a very realistic view of brothers torn apart in a novel that takes us firmly into the underworld. And whilst at first, Mathew may not strike every reader as the most likable of people it was not long before I at least was being to understand why he had become that man he is and found myself rooting for him to succeed in his mission.

As for the paranormal elements that flow through this book I felt the author did a great job at bringing them in just at the right moments. It could have been far too easy to flood the reader with these religious overtones early on and in turn, push some readers away. Cordell shows us a very Newtonian view of cause and effect in religion. Jake has done some pretty bad things and thus is sent to hell to be punished for it. And here would end the tale if not for his connection to Mathew. For me, it was a new and interesting take on the whole subject of a man's soul being punished quite literally for the actions of another. So what we get is someone trying to atone for the sins of another. It's a clever device and Cordell uses it to maximum effect and as the tale progresses, we a drawn into this vortex of damnation and hellfire along with mathew.

Now whilst Mathew is clearly the hero of this tale our Theseus if you will. He is not without his own troubles and as much as this tale is about Mathew and his brother it is also about him coming to terms with who he is and the hometown that he tried so hard to outrun. I suppose we always need our heroes to be slightly flawed. We want to see the cracks in their armor and bear witness to their attempts at fixing them. It's what gives such tales heart, the parts of ourselves we can see in our heroes. And this is at the end of the day what the author has delivered. We care that he can find a solution to what would seem an impossible puzzle. What I'm getting at is that these very real-world elements help to bind us into that which is not. Without these, the elements of religious damnation would likely spiral out of control and leave the readers more than a little confused.

This was a book that delivered far more than its original promise and one I could get my teeth well and truly sunk into it. Its elements of otherworldy walk a fine line between religious scripture and Hollywood blockbuster in the best possible way. For fans of the genre, I feel that you can not go wrong with picking up Michael Cordell's latest work, once you start you will not want to put it down.

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of never outrunning the demons from your past takes on different meaning in this novel which takes an interesting spin on the possession genre and situates it squarely within the thriller milieu. The characters in this novel all felt real and lived-in, to me, which is what I am always hoping for. Some of the character-driven storylines and relationships wrapped up quite neatly and conveniently, but there was enough groundwork done that it felt justified, if not entirely (narratively) earned. It’s hard to have a story about someone who is returning to the small town they escaped for the big city without relying on some of the expected small-town archetypes, but even as characters slotted into those roles they felt to have life, to be more than just cut and paste, and were compelling enough to keep the story moving.

The writing itself was punchy and direct, with short chapters that kept the plot moving at a brisk pace. We never really sat and brooded too much over what was going on, which paralleled the main character’s own anxiety and sense of urgency. Some of the writing felt a little heavy-handed at times, almost didactic, but never so clunky as to turn me off. It ultimately kept me wanting to move through the story, and offered enough little ideas and red herrings that while I wasn’t *surprised* by the ending, I also had thought of a half dozen other directions he could have gone, just from the clues and hints seeded throughout. I read enough that I rarely expect to be totally surprised by how a story twists and turns during its denouement, so when I still see a half dozen viable paths and am not entirely convinced of which one the author is going to take, I consider that to be good storytelling. However, I do think the story could have taken a little more space to breathe. It was relatively short, and I think there could have been more red herrings/investigation materials, the escalation of the possession story maybe been slowed a little, and there could have been more development of relationships with secondary characters. There are two almost deus-ex-machina characters (Skiz and Andy) who both could have used more screen time, I felt. Even the relationships with the mother, the sheriff, and the meth dealer all could have been developed a little more. Across the board the relationships felt abrupt. And an extended page count could have let us feel the stakes a little more fully. We understand Matt’s level of desperation in the final act, and arguably the severity of the situation was proclaimed early on, but as a reader I never really experienced it. So if there was a little more space for everything to develop, including maybe some of the threats of violence being carried out and a slightly higher body count that would have actually served the story well.

Speaking of the story, it was an interesting way to think about how we relate to our past and to our demons. The combination of supernatural/twin telekinesis and demon possession was an interesting approach to the genre, and it was a lot of fun to have it all place within a thriller context. Sometimes some of the religiosity was too on-the-nose for me, but at the same time it was a logical place to go considering the storyline, and in some ways a more honest approach at exploring the ramifications of possession narratives than others have been willing to take, so it is hard to slight it for that even if it wasn’t my personal taste. Ultimately the build-up, reveal, and resolution were all fulfilling.

I want to thank NetGalley and TCK Publishing., who provided a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Escape Into Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for Our Trespasses, I knew that I wanted no needed to read this book. Being in a read/blogging slump, I wanted a book that could pull me out of it. I couldn’t put it down!!!

Our Trespasses was that book.

Our Trespasses is the story of Matthew. Matthew had left his small town in Nebraska for college in New York City. In the ten years since he left, Matthew is barely surviving and working dead-end jobs. He doesn’t visit and barely talks to his mother and brother, Jake, with whom he shares a psychic link. One night, Matthew’s psychic connection with his brother flares up, and he knows without a doubt that Jake is dead. Going back home, Matthew realizes two things. Jake was not the person he knew ten years ago and their psychic bond is as strong as it was when Jake was alive. Matthew realizes that he needs to beg forgiveness from everyone that Jake hurt, but that is easier said than done. He also needs to solve Jake’s murder. Because, before his death, Jake had made some powerful enemies, and they will do anything to keep Matthew from finding out the truth.

Our Trespasses did start on the slow side, but I didn’t mind it. The author chose to lay the groundwork for the entire book in those chapters. Once the author took care of that, then the book took off. The chapters flew by, and I couldn’t put it down.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about Matthew when the book started. He was living a blah life and seemed so depressed. He didn’t have any strong emotions when Jake died, which struck me as weird as the time (explained further in the book). But once he went home to Nebraska, Matthew came into his own. He was willing to do whatever it took to find Jake’s murderer and right the wrongs that Jake did. He wanted to make things right with his mother and Casey (the girl he left behind). By the end of the book, he ended up being one of my favorite characters.

The paranormal angle of the book was very well written, and I liked that the author took the twin bond and stepped it up a notch. What I enjoyed about that angle is that the author eased into it. First, it was the psychic twin bond, and then it ramped up from there. The scenes toward the end of the book (with the sheriff, Bone, Matthew, and Casey) were some of the creepiest that I have ever read. I still get chills thinking about it.

I liked that the author didn’t make excuses for Jake. He wasn’t a good man, and he did some pretty horrible things when he was alive. I wouldn’t say I liked that Jake’s descent into the criminal lifestyle was blamed on Matthew’s leaving. I got so angry when Ruth said that (of course, it was before I figured out what was going on). Jake was a big boy and made his choices.

There were several memorable characters in Our Trespasses. Andrew, the Catholic priest, stood out the most to me. Mainly because of what he confessed to Matthew after the funeral. I sat there and thought to myself, “WTF,” and then laughed about it. Talking about living the dream…lol.

There are a couple of twists in the plot. One I saw coming from the scene when Matthew met those two people. I had alarm bells going off in my head, which in turn ended up being true. The other twist did take me by surprise. I didn’t see it coming (but I should have, looking back on it).

The end of Our Trespasses was a bit of a surprise (see above), but I enjoyed it. The author was able to wrap all the plotlines up in a way that satisfied me.

[Deliah Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Michael Cordell and I enjoyed the switch in genres: legal thriller (book 1) to a psychic thriller (book 2). So, let’s meet Matthew Davis, a transplant from Hatchett, Nebraska living in Brooklyn, New York working as a short order cook at a diner for a living. He shares a psychic connection with identical twin brother, Jake and when a sudden pain hits him violently one night, he knew that Jake was killed.

It's been 10 years since Matt went back home to Hatchett and this time going back for Jake’s funeral conjured up feelings of regret for not keeping in touch with Jake and their mother and for leaving Claire, his high school sweetheart without giving her a reason. While certain things remained the same when he was high school, the town has now been infested with meth addicts, dealers and corruption.

When Matt first arrived in town, he was attacked at a gas station by someone who thought he was Jake. It was obvious Jake had pissed a lot of folks off and some of them didn’t mind that he was dead. Anyway, when Matt learned that Jake was a meth dealer, he wanted to find out who killed him. After the funeral, Matt stayed at Jake’s place where he found a letter that could possibly offer up a clue. With the help of Skiz, who could talk to the dead, Matt learned Jake was condemned to Hell. Now he has to figure out how to break the psychic connection, but this task wouldn’t be easy because a demon wants to inhabit his body to wreak havoc and destruction on the world.

Overall, the plot unfolded nicely with a big twist at the end. The characters, the dialogue, and the eeriness were all well very written although there were times when the description of the town slowed down parts of the action. Also, surprisingly, Jake turned out to be my favorite character as Cordell did a great job showing him as a maniacal, egotistical and selfish character. The relationship between Matt and his mother was a strained one and this too was well written. Andy, Matt’s best friend from kindergarten through high school was a hoot pretending to be a priest because he couldn’t find a job in theater. Claire, was well written too. I loved that despite the years her love and support for Matt were still there to fight against evil.

While I’m not a horror fan, Cordell weaved a spell binding story that drew me in and made me want to see how this would end: good versus evil. And of course, good won but not without some twists, turns, self-reflection and struggle to come to terms with who Jake really was. I enjoyed this novel and would definitely recommend it to others. Two thumbs up!

Some of my favorite lines:

“What do you mean? Like another spirit?
“More like a demon.” Skiz wiped his sweaty brown. “Aw hell, man, I’m not going to say his—
its—name. But I don’t have any doubt in the world. I could feel him figuring out the score.”
“He—it—knows of Jake’s connection with you; figured out that someone in Hell has a direct line to the living, and if you ask me, it’s interested. Real interested. If it can use you as a conduit to the living…well, I’m serious about you not wanting to sleep for a while. I get the feeling it ain’t done with you.”

[M. K. French · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matthew has a strong connection with his twin brother Jake, causing him to collapse in agony. This tells him that Jake was violently murdered, but the psychic connection between them has now intensified. Determined to break it, Matthew returns to their hometown in Nebraska to investigate the murder and atone for Jake's sins. But when a demon invades the psychic bond, it might become the route to releasing hell on earth.

Ten years can change people, and that's no different for twins with psychic bonds. Matthew works a series of dead-end jobs in New York City while Jake remained at home with his mother, making enemies in their small town. Matthew really doesn't know the man his brother became, and hearing the awful things Jake did doesn't actually help. They weren't the only ones with a gift of some kind, and visiting their old classmate begins to clue Matthew in on the demonic forces. Once he sees it for himself and understands that Jake is actively working with a demon to take over Matthew's body, the horror aspect starts kicking in. He isn't just working on figuring out who killed his brother and getting caught up in his small town's situation, but also trying to protect himself and his family from demonic influences.

Michael Cordell is a playwright and screenwriter, so the cinematic quality of the scenes and punchiness of the story beats make sense. You can't waste time in a two-hour movie or play, and he doesn't waste any time before getting into the action and releasing the horror. We go through the story with Matthew, trying to figure out what happened to Jake, and feel the horror as it begins to overtake everything that Matthew had left in Hatchett. His despair is a palpable thing as the story continues, and we're in the same place he is. As everything snaps into place, the tension rises until we reach the climax of the story. It's a relatively quick but emotional read at that point, which ends in a fitting manner. I liked this, and it would make for a great movie, too.

[Bookish Burnished Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an interesting premise, building on the psychic-twin phenomenon and how that relationship could linger on after death.

I found the protagonist hard to connect with; his apathetic attitude, his self-induced absence from the world is something I could identify with in theory but the overall effect made him impossible to empathize with as a reader. After a while, his self-pity was just mildly aggravating. While there’s plenty of plot, it reads more as a character study; the last third of the book focusing more and more on Matt’s introspection and character development. He doesn’t really turn his attitude towards having actual emotions until after an interaction with his old crush.

Matt is a very judgemental character – towards himself and about others. He makes assumptions about the people he meets like he’s a mind reader and judges them bitterly over the smallest details. Conveniently, most of them turn out to have done something immoral, unethical or illegal in the past.

The path the storyline took was rather predictable and a slow build. It was an entertaining read, but not exciting or enveloping. I wouldn’t recommend it to fans of the thriller, horror or supernatural genres – this is more of a generalized contemporary fiction with a supernatural edge. I can see someone using this book in a litcrit essay on Hell, as there were plenty subtle ties to classic works like Dante’s Divine Comedy.

After finishing this book, I feel ambivalent about it. This is not a book I would suggest to a friend or keep a copy on my bookshelf, but I don’t have any regrets about reading it. Maybe I’ve just absorbed some of Matt’s depressed detachment and am lacking my usual enthusiasm.

(I received a free copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was invited to read a copy of Michael Cordell’s newest book Our Trespasses I was delighted since I loved his first book, Contempt. But then I saw two pretty much foreign words to my blog: paranormal and horror.

Would those words gain a place on my blog just because Cordell’s first book, a legal police procedural, received 5 stars from me? Absolutely! Even if I had to tippy-toe through the pages I wanted to give it a try.

But the slow advance wasn’t lasting.

Twins with an unusual connection. One twin is viciously murdered. The other twin returns to his hometown for the funeral and is almost immediately attacked. Mom is rather cool and aloof at her son’s return. What?

My tiptoeing through the pages quickly became a sprint. Yep. Paranormal was evident. Yep. I was sprinting through a few eye-opening horror-type visuals. But the wonderful story wasn’t flooded with these things. I had no trouble at all with combining this page-turning story with categories that I usually steer clear of.

What Concerned Me
I felt the chapter where Matt completely shares his concerns with Claire, things he’s been keeping from her, was accepted by Claire way too quickly. The whole experience felt rushed and underplayed.

Final Thoughts
Michael Cordell, you didn’t let me down. Though I don’t typically, or maybe never, read this genre I completely fell in love with this book. It kept me turning the pages and I didn’t feel inundated by paranormal.

The point I’m trying to make with this review is even if you don’t typically read this genre, you may want to give this book a try.

Cordell will continue to be on my radar for upcoming books.

My thanks to TCK for a copy of this book. My review is my opinion and the gifted book had no stipulations attached.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Trespasses straddles between two genres, horror and mystery, and does it like a professional high-flying trapeze artist. Done with skill and talent, that did not let me down.

Matt Davis and his brother Jake, are identical twins. They share everything, including feelings and sensations. When one is hurt the other feels his pain, one is sick the other is too. But something happened between the brothers to break their close bond and Matt leaves town, never looking back.

Then one day, out of the blue, he is hit with the worse pain of his life, his head is exploding, he fights to stay standing and as he hits the ground he realizes his brother, thousands of miles away, has just been shot in the head and killed.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, when he returns home for the funeral he discovers the connection he shared with Jake is still alive, even though Jake is not. He has to find out who killed him and break that connection. That’s the mystery.

But who killed his brother is the least of his worries. Something has discovered their connection, something not of this world, and it wants to use that link to enter this world. Kick in the horror, hold on tight because Cordell is about to throw you all over the place at such a speed you won't know what hit you.

I really enjoy this book. I have never read, Michael Cordell, and honestly never heard of him. But my Lord, he is a talented story crafter! Reminds me of when Koontz was at his prime.

I tore through this book in record time, needing to find out how it ended and it was worth every minute.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to @Netgalley, TCK Publishing, and Michael Cordell for this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[ron (fromronspov) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to TCK Publishing for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book revolves around a set of twins, Jake and Matt, and their connection that like has no other. A decade after the latter has escaped the special thread they share, Matt has to go back to the dreary town of Hatchett, not realizing Hell has literally broke loose.

Things that I loved…
I admit I was hesitant to accept this book solely because, as much as I love anything horror or paranormal, it has been a long time since I last read a book in that genre and I am not sure how I’d do after finishing it.

Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on what kind of spookiness you’re after), this was the type of book that is truly heart-racing during the actual reading but provides enough of a closure to the characters and ties loose ends of the plot that you wouldn’t need to worry about any over active imagination stealing your rest time.

The setting ties it all for me surprisingly. The author’s description of the places and the atmosphere made the story even scarier. The dilapidated state of Jake’s place, the theatre playing only one movie, and the crows that were creepily hanging out everywhere, are all classic horror staples which is why I feel like this book was successful in delivering the mood.

One thing I did not expect but really loved however, was how funny and sarcastic it was at times. I had a lot of moments where I giggled which is pretty bizarre but not unwelcome.

It was almost perfect but…
I don’t know but there was just something missing. Also, when the devil/Jake made its first appearance, I was a little bit yanked out of the story. I guess I was more into the mystery and the appeal of the ‘evil’ as an unnamed and unknown entity.

[Gordon Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Trespasses” has two things going for it. First, it’s a well-written novel. Second, it’s a darn good horror story. The minor glitch here is that the two aren’t completely compatible.

As a novel, the strength of the story is in the characters. Everyone in the story is vividly portrayed, from the most positive love interest to the most negative drug dealer, and all the spectrum in between.

Likewise, we experience the setting in intimate detail. The main character’s feelings as he returns after ten years to the town where he grew up imbue every step he travels.

Both elements figure hugely in the conflicts — internal, interpersonal and paranormal — and all these battles are tied up in a completely logical, “I should have seen that coming,” conclusion.

As a horror story, there is a reasonable amount of heavy-duty action, some of it very…well…”horrible” is the only word. Suspense is increased slowly as the main character tries again and again to distance himself from his extra-sensory connection to his real-life evil twin, who just happens to be dead, but each attempt demonstrates further the serious nature of the evil he is fighting.

Having said all this, there is a small disconnect. The amount of ink it takes to give thorough descriptions of characters and settings, no matter how beautifully portrayed, can’t help but affect the action. There is one place just before the middle of the story where the action needs to pick up, and is instead slowed down by a description of the town. Despite this minor complaint, I found the book a very enjoyable read.

Highly recommended for fans of good writing and horrible horror.

[April -The Fictional Housewife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Not only did I love it, but it might be one of my all time favorites. While the story had me engrossed it was the least this book has to offer. The writing is wonderful. I hate when stories tell you instead of show you, or run on about a topic, or repeat something but Michael Cordell does none of that. He has a story to tell and he blasts through it from beginning to end. He doesn't waste one second of the readers time. So very appreciated. In addition, the descriptions are so rich that the author transports you into the story with ease, all without being too wordy. What I've seen done occasionally in movies but never really done well in a book is when the tension and fear is kept below the surface. You know it's there, lurking, waiting patiently to appear but the anticipation of what is to come is kept brilliantly at bay. When "things" happen, the story remains controlled and not over the top, making it all the creepier and really driving the story. Mr. Cordell has sold several screenplays and I can see why. Anything he writes, in any form, I want to see.

This book is 193 pages, yet packs more into it than many 500 page bestsellers. Michael Cordell is an expert storyteller and if you are a lover of books you certainly don't want to miss Our Trespasses. This is a perfect example of how all books should be written!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't 100% sure what to expect going into this - it's not something I would usually read but I was also interested based on the summary and to expand my horizons, and overall, I ended up really enjoying this one. I did find the writing a little repetitive at times, and there were a few things that I was a little confused about, but overall, I thought it was well done. Besides the issues with repetition, I found the writing to be really well done - it had the appropriate level of spookiness (I have a very high tolerance when it comes to being scared by fiction so I was not scared while reading this, but someone with a lower tolerance might struggle with it) and I love how the writing evoked the atmosphere. There were twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, and I loved how it all played out. I also am a sucker for books about siblings, and while this sibling relationship (which was explored really from the side of one, since the other is dead) is not normally what I am looking for, I also thought it was well done, and it kept me interested in wanting to know more. I recommend this to people who are fans of horror (especially the paranormal side of it) or anyone who is interested in trying out the genre with a shorter book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Trespasses by Michael Cordell is a contemporary supernatural thriller that captured my attention from the start.
The story explores the inexplainable bond between twins. As I am big sister to twin brothers, I too, have witnessed the inexplainable ‘coincidences’ especially when my brothers were small.
We see that this world is not all there is. Some of the battles we fight are spiritual and we are used as pawns. Spiritual battles cannot be defeated by conventional weapons. We need the power of God and of love. We need to soften our hearts to defeat evil.
Our Trespasses was cleverly constructed. As the action built to a climax so my pulse rose in time with the tension.
Our Trespasses was a departure from my usual genre. There were elements reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies within the book. I was entertained but very glad that I was not reading it alone on a dark night!
I think Our Trespasses would translate marvellously into a Netflix movie. It has all the elements to be a great success. I am not sure I am brave enough to watch it though!
I am looking forward to reading much more by Michael Cordell.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

As twins growing up in the midwest, Matt and Jake could feel each other's pain and pleasure. Jake got a kick out of it, Matt did not. As soon as he could Matt left for New York to create physical distance from Jake because this was the only way to break the connection, so he thought.
One night Jake experiences something so terrifying and painful that the miles mean nothing and thousands of miles away in a greasy diner Matt collapses in terror and pain...and the knowledge that his brother Jake was just killed. This experience is nothing compared to what awaits back in Nebraska. Though one twin is dead, the connection appears to be as strong as ever and worse yet, Matt vicariously experiences Hell.
Someone hated Jake enough to murder him. Matt must figure out who the killer is in hopes that the killer will forgive Jake and that the forgiveness will free Jake from eternal torture.
"Our Trespasses" is a well told tale that touches on the supernatural, possession, family and the importance of keeping that family connection by being yourself, being real and talking to each other. The Devil himself makes an appearance...a moment between Matt and a hypnotherapist is especially chilling, using nothing more than words. Yes, I would recommend #OutTrespasses #netgalley

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I was very hesitant to read this book. I thought long and hard about it because I don't like paranormal/fantasy books. However, there was something about the premise of this book that caught my attention and I finally decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did because this book far exceeded my expectations. It was fenominal.

The writing was very impressive. The vivid imagery made me feel like I was right in the story, whether I wanted to be or not, there were parts of the story that I definitely did not want to be a part of. The paranormal aspect of the story wasn't thrown in your face, or too over the top. It was woven perfectly throughout the book so it didn't overwhelm you, something I really appreciated.

This was a very thought proviking story. There were many times I had to put the book down just to think. I have siblings but not a twin; this connection has always fascinated me. I was glad to have a chance to explore it a little more, in a very entertaining way.

I am so glad I decided to give this book a try, and I highly recommend it to anyone. If you give it a try, I think you'll like it too.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliver us from evil...
Drowning in a meaningless existence flipping burgers, Matthew Davis suddenly collapses from a powerful psychic connection he shares with his twin brother, Jake. The pain is violent and immediate, and Matt knows exactly what it means… hundreds of miles away, Jake has been viciously killed. But instead of severing their connection, the murder intensifies it and Matt begins to suffer the agony of Jake’s afterlife.
Hell bent on solving Jake’s murder in order to break the connection, Matt travels to his troubled hometown of Hatchett, Nebraska, where an old lover and savage new enemies expose the festering wounds that Jake left behind.
Matt tries atoning for Jake’s sins, but when a demon infests the connection between the two brothers, Matt must find a way to sever their bond before his world, and ours, become engulfed in the flames of hell.

This is a brilliant read.
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 found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary