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A century ago, a famed ventriloquist’s dummy was the sole witness to murder. Named Mr. Grin, the puppet vanished after the brutal death of its owner, taking its secret into the shadows.
But Mr. Grin is back—and is ready to talk.
The recent acquisition of Mr. Grin by the Kimotan Rapids Historical Museum feels like a lucky gain.
At first.
When the dummy begins to move, seemingly of its own accord, investigators Sully and Dez are called in. The museum director is hopeful she’s dealing with a prankster.
The truth is something far more terrifying.
What is causing Mr. Grin to come to life in the dead of night? Who was responsible for the death of the ventriloquist? And what dangers lie in wait for those who cross paths with the dummy and the ghost haunting it?
Sully and Dez need to find out—or the next death Mr. Grin witnesses might be one of theirs.
The Braddock & Gray Case Files take mystery and give it a ghostly twist. The series is a follow-up to the highly rated, seven-book Sullivan Gray Series.
But Mr. Grin is back—and is ready to talk.
The recent acquisition of Mr. Grin by the Kimotan Rapids Historical Museum feels like a lucky gain.
At first.
When the dummy begins to move, seemingly of its own accord, investigators Sully and Dez are called in. The museum director is hopeful she’s dealing with a prankster.
The truth is something far more terrifying.
What is causing Mr. Grin to come to life in the dead of night? Who was responsible for the death of the ventriloquist? And what dangers lie in wait for those who cross paths with the dummy and the ghost haunting it?
Sully and Dez need to find out—or the next death Mr. Grin witnesses might be one of theirs.
The Braddock & Gray Case Files take mystery and give it a ghostly twist. The series is a follow-up to the highly rated, seven-book Sullivan Gray Series.
- GenresHorrorParanormalMystery
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2022
59 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
H.P. Bayne
34 books119 followersRaised on a farm on the Canadian Prairies, words quickly became my means of exploring the world around me and giving life to the one created in my imagination. Fascinated by ghost stories and crime fiction, I have been writing both for well over two decades, drawing on more than fifteen years in a career in a criminal justice setting. When not putting Scrivener through its paces, I enjoy reading, portrait drawing, travel and spending time with family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 16, 2023
Another win for me! I do love these books and I tend to read them pretty fast. I wasn’t sure I was going to love a haunted ventriloquist doll because - yikes - no thank you! However, this was an awesome twisty-turny, spooky, thrilling story!
Sully and Dez get called out to investigate a haunting at a local historical museum. Sully finds quite a few ghosts hanging out in the replica of old Kimotan Rapids. While they aren’t necessarily pleased to find Sully on their turf, he isn’t there for them. He’s there to figure out how and why the infamous ventriloquist dummy from a ventriloquist act in the 1920s is able to move around the museum. The entity associated with the dummy is evil and Sully has to convince the museum director that all of this supernatural stuff is real. Using their detective and supernatural skills, Dez and Sully slowly reveal a very dark and disturbing spirit and murder mystery that has lasted for over a century.
Haunted dolls creep me out and I was afraid this would seriously turn me off of this book. While the descriptions of the dummy and the evil spirit are chilling, I found myself addicted to this book. The mystery is fascinating because it really keeps the reader guessing. I wasn’t able to guess as much on this one because the mystery is such a slow burn and build until the thrilling climax. Really, it’s super well done! Of course, I love how Sully and Dez are growing and changing through every story in the series. Their relationships with each other and the secondary characters continue to develop, which feels real and layered. I also enjoy seeing the supernatural elements develop as well. Bayne is certainly creating an interesting world full of lore and depth.
I do highly recommend this series! I suppose you don’t have to read them in order but I feel like that would mess with the development of the characters for the reader. Best to start with her first series, which must be read in order, and then continue with the Braddock and Grey series.
Sully and Dez get called out to investigate a haunting at a local historical museum. Sully finds quite a few ghosts hanging out in the replica of old Kimotan Rapids. While they aren’t necessarily pleased to find Sully on their turf, he isn’t there for them. He’s there to figure out how and why the infamous ventriloquist dummy from a ventriloquist act in the 1920s is able to move around the museum. The entity associated with the dummy is evil and Sully has to convince the museum director that all of this supernatural stuff is real. Using their detective and supernatural skills, Dez and Sully slowly reveal a very dark and disturbing spirit and murder mystery that has lasted for over a century.
Haunted dolls creep me out and I was afraid this would seriously turn me off of this book. While the descriptions of the dummy and the evil spirit are chilling, I found myself addicted to this book. The mystery is fascinating because it really keeps the reader guessing. I wasn’t able to guess as much on this one because the mystery is such a slow burn and build until the thrilling climax. Really, it’s super well done! Of course, I love how Sully and Dez are growing and changing through every story in the series. Their relationships with each other and the secondary characters continue to develop, which feels real and layered. I also enjoy seeing the supernatural elements develop as well. Bayne is certainly creating an interesting world full of lore and depth.
I do highly recommend this series! I suppose you don’t have to read them in order but I feel like that would mess with the development of the characters for the reader. Best to start with her first series, which must be read in order, and then continue with the Braddock and Grey series.
May 5, 2023
A haunted puppet!
Mr. Grin
By H. P. Bayne
This book has a haunted puppet in it! Needless to say, it is so creepy! A freaky doll that won't say where it is put, attacks people, and with at least one kill under his belt! This story was really unsettling!
Mr. Grin
By H. P. Bayne
This book has a haunted puppet in it! Needless to say, it is so creepy! A freaky doll that won't say where it is put, attacks people, and with at least one kill under his belt! This story was really unsettling!
April 29, 2022
Thank you, Ms Bayne! Now, I suffer from automatonophobia! Yes, I went searching for the right word as, after reading this book, I'm terrified of ventriloquist dummies :P
Seriously, though, there are a lot of VERY scary scenes in this book. I think this is one of the worst hauntings that Sully and Dez had faced. And I really liked that Sully refused to ask for help from his dad and Ayden; if he needs to feel sure that he is capable to keep safe those around him, he had to face that conglomerate of spirits alone. I also loved the whole mystery surrounding the dummy, the murder of its first owner and said owner's life.
Sully and Dez are the perfect partners, but what Sully discovered here is that Sarah is also a capable, strong woman and she can (and did!) hold her own. We saw a bit more of her in this book and she has proven to be a worthy and very capable partner for Sully. Finally! Our boy is getting his deserved happiness =D
Actually, Evelyn also showed that, when push come to shove, she wasn't to be shoved :P
And the last scene of the book? Wonderful!
So yes, I loved it. As I've loved every book in this series *hugs book*
Seriously, though, there are a lot of VERY scary scenes in this book. I think this is one of the worst hauntings that Sully and Dez had faced. And I really liked that Sully refused to ask for help from his dad and Ayden; if he needs to feel sure that he is capable to keep safe those around him, he had to face that conglomerate of spirits alone. I also loved the whole mystery surrounding the dummy, the murder of its first owner and said owner's life.
Sully and Dez are the perfect partners, but what Sully discovered here is that Sarah is also a capable, strong woman and she can (and did!) hold her own. We saw a bit more of her in this book and she has proven to be a worthy and very capable partner for Sully. Finally! Our boy is getting his deserved happiness =D
Actually, Evelyn also showed that, when push come to shove, she wasn't to be shoved :P
And the last scene of the book? Wonderful!
So yes, I loved it. As I've loved every book in this series *hugs book*
June 18, 2022
It's another case for Dez and Sully, and this one involves a museum full of objects left to the museum by a recently deceased man. The staff of the museum are noticing strange things since they've gotten some items and while the administrator doesn't believe in ghosts or hauntings, she wants to keep her staff happy so she calls in Dez and Sully to investigate. She doesn't want to admit that the famed ventriloguist dummy, Mr. Grin, seems to be moving about the museum, unless of course, someone is playing a prank.
Sully has been seeing Sarah and they're ready to move their relationship to the next level, though Sully is afraid to have Sarah exposed to the dangers he faces in his paranormal job. Sarah and Sully talk things over and it's decided he'll move in with her. His elderly neighbor, Emily, the lady he cares for and worries about, assures Sully that she'll be fine and his old apartment might be perfect for her niece.
Things start to ramp up when the investigators visit the home of the late collector of macabre, evil items associated with murders. This is the very person who recently died and left items to the museum. Sully meets head on with the evil spirits residing in the house, and also meets the ghost of the man who lived there. He didn't just fall down his own steps and his spirit tries hard to let Sully know this, albeit it in a scary terrifying way.
Lots of action to this story (book 9) in the Braddock & Gray series, which are always great to read. Dez and Sully have a wonderful brother relationship of love, trust and loyalty, that makes working together much better than it could be, in their search for ghosts and demons.
Sully has been seeing Sarah and they're ready to move their relationship to the next level, though Sully is afraid to have Sarah exposed to the dangers he faces in his paranormal job. Sarah and Sully talk things over and it's decided he'll move in with her. His elderly neighbor, Emily, the lady he cares for and worries about, assures Sully that she'll be fine and his old apartment might be perfect for her niece.
Things start to ramp up when the investigators visit the home of the late collector of macabre, evil items associated with murders. This is the very person who recently died and left items to the museum. Sully meets head on with the evil spirits residing in the house, and also meets the ghost of the man who lived there. He didn't just fall down his own steps and his spirit tries hard to let Sully know this, albeit it in a scary terrifying way.
Lots of action to this story (book 9) in the Braddock & Gray series, which are always great to read. Dez and Sully have a wonderful brother relationship of love, trust and loyalty, that makes working together much better than it could be, in their search for ghosts and demons.
May 7, 2022
I have been waiting for this!!! Worth the wait!!
Probably the scariest installment yet!! From the first few pages, EVERY childhood fear comes SLAMMING back into your psyche! The description of Mr Grin was SO DETAILED, I could see his hideous face in my mind.. Mr Grin, combined with the DARKEST EVIL ENTITY Sully has EVER come across, makes this a full spectrum RUNAWAY FREIGHT TRAIN of a page turner!!! I could not put this down! Read it on a flight from Phoenix home to jersey!! UGGH! I am still on an adrenaline high and I finished the book an hour ago!! On a different note, HOW ABOUT SARAH?? I think this Amazing lady is TOUGH as NAILS! I love that Sully has this love interest WORTHY him and also independent. Brilliant and FIERCELY loyal!! head to head They are a GREAT match!! I could write all day.. I pre ordered this book and have been waiting for it to finally be released, and it far EXCEEDED my expectations! Thanks to this Author, my BOOK was a MORE hair raising experience than my FLIGHT across country!!
Probably the scariest installment yet!! From the first few pages, EVERY childhood fear comes SLAMMING back into your psyche! The description of Mr Grin was SO DETAILED, I could see his hideous face in my mind.. Mr Grin, combined with the DARKEST EVIL ENTITY Sully has EVER come across, makes this a full spectrum RUNAWAY FREIGHT TRAIN of a page turner!!! I could not put this down! Read it on a flight from Phoenix home to jersey!! UGGH! I am still on an adrenaline high and I finished the book an hour ago!! On a different note, HOW ABOUT SARAH?? I think this Amazing lady is TOUGH as NAILS! I love that Sully has this love interest WORTHY him and also independent. Brilliant and FIERCELY loyal!! head to head They are a GREAT match!! I could write all day.. I pre ordered this book and have been waiting for it to finally be released, and it far EXCEEDED my expectations! Thanks to this Author, my BOOK was a MORE hair raising experience than my FLIGHT across country!!
May 11, 2022
Hang on To Your Hats...it's Going To Be A Bumpy Ride!
To say I am finally catch my breath is an under statement. As a fan of the Braddock and Gray cases I had somewhat of an idea what to expect. But boy was I wrong. From start to finish to say you will be on the edge of your seat is not an exaggeration. So far "Mr Grin" has moved to the top of my favorite list. Needs to be made into a Mimi series for TV.
To say I am finally catch my breath is an under statement. As a fan of the Braddock and Gray cases I had somewhat of an idea what to expect. But boy was I wrong. From start to finish to say you will be on the edge of your seat is not an exaggeration. So far "Mr Grin" has moved to the top of my favorite list. Needs to be made into a Mimi series for TV.
December 24, 2022
Brilliantly written
I like The way the story has been written..,as i have read all 9 of the Braddock and grey books and the Sullivan grey books i know the full story.the only dislikes are the repeating of how they found each other end .also I understand why it is done if anyone is not an avid reader of the series as I am.now need to find book 10. Can't wait as always i have been glued to the story .thankyou
I like The way the story has been written..,as i have read all 9 of the Braddock and grey books and the Sullivan grey books i know the full story.the only dislikes are the repeating of how they found each other end .also I understand why it is done if anyone is not an avid reader of the series as I am.now need to find book 10. Can't wait as always i have been glued to the story .thankyou
April 23, 2022
Des and Sully have to dig in the past to defeat their latest nemesis. Meanwhile, Sully is trying to move to the next step with Sarah. The horror ramps up with each case. I couldn't put it down and I am looking forward to the case. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
April 24, 2022
I believe that ventriloquist dummies are much creepier than clowns. Mr. Grin is the creepiest of all. This was a difficult case for Sully and Dez. There were so many twists and turns to this story along with immense danger. I loved it. I like Sarah. I hope things work out long term for her and Sully. I really love this series and I loved this story!
June 14, 2022
This is the ninth Book in the Braddock and Gray Case Files Book Series .
Another amazing book by this Author I truly enjoyed this book I love the mystery of figuring out exactly was going on . Not to mention the twist in this book Wow as always I'm looking forward to the next book in this series .
Another amazing book by this Author I truly enjoyed this book I love the mystery of figuring out exactly was going on . Not to mention the twist in this book Wow as always I'm looking forward to the next book in this series .
April 20, 2023
Deliciously creepy. The Braddock & Gray books are like potato chips; you can’t read just one. Yes, these are stand-alone books, but you’ll be so glad you started with book 1 of the Sullivan Gray series, and read them in order. That way you’ll get to know about the college professor who teaches occult studies, about Sully’s half-brother police officer he knew nothing about for years, and so many other wonderful characters.
April 26, 2022
A chilling and thrilling rollercoaster ride of high anxiety. Dez and Sully get called to investigate the strange things happening at the local museum. Spine chilling nail biting read that kept you creeped out long after you read the final sentence.
May 4, 2022
One of Bayne’s best Dez & Sully books yet! I mean, a creepy ventriloquist’s doll that’s possessed, plus a multi-ghost evil entity, has to add up to scary, right? My only complaint is that the book was too short—I wanted more. A good page turner, easily read in an evening.
May 11, 2022
Just perfect!
HP Bayne does it again! This time the creep factor is ratcheted up a notch with a ventriloquist’s dummy, Mr Grin, so named for his maniacal smile. Lots of twists and surprises makes this a paranormal mystery lover’s dream! As usual, can’t wait for the next one!
HP Bayne does it again! This time the creep factor is ratcheted up a notch with a ventriloquist’s dummy, Mr Grin, so named for his maniacal smile. Lots of twists and surprises makes this a paranormal mystery lover’s dream! As usual, can’t wait for the next one!
May 18, 2022
Creepiest, spookiest, scariest. Have always cringed when I see a ventriloquist doll…. Mr Grin is the creepiest of all….this story is a wild thrill ride. Sully and Des have their hands full on this case.
May 18, 2022
The best of entertainment
I absolutely LOVE these books.
Ms. Bayne is an excellent story teller. The way she weaves the plot and all of the twists, I was very impressed. Not to mention entertained. She is definitely my new favorite author.
I absolutely LOVE these books.
Ms. Bayne is an excellent story teller. The way she weaves the plot and all of the twists, I was very impressed. Not to mention entertained. She is definitely my new favorite author.
June 21, 2022
I have read a lot of ebooks on haunting. I find Ms. Bayne's series is the best of them all. I haven't thought of dummies in a long time, but she reminded me how scary I find them. Clowns? No problelm. When I see one of her ebooks that I didn't read yet, I immediately buy it.
July 6, 2022
Another great book from H. P. Bayne. Each one gets better..
Mr. Grin is not a nice guy. But he does hold a very nasty villain. Come read a rough tale from H. P. Bayne. Rough on Sully and Dez all the way.
Mr. Grin is not a nice guy. But he does hold a very nasty villain. Come read a rough tale from H. P. Bayne. Rough on Sully and Dez all the way.
July 17, 2022
Doll phobia? This'll scare you!
If you have a phobia about dolls or dummies, this will scare you silly! Luckily they don't scare me?
Sully and Dez are called in to deal with a ventriloquist dummy. Is it possessed or demonic?
If you have a phobia about dolls or dummies, this will scare you silly! Luckily they don't scare me?
Sully and Dez are called in to deal with a ventriloquist dummy. Is it possessed or demonic?
July 19, 2022
Night of the Living Dummy was the one Goosebumps book that gave me nightmares and made me jump out of my skin. Thank you for bringing back the terror and sleepless nights my 10 year old self experienced. Great visuals, as always.
August 5, 2022
Great book!
Mr. Grin was so creepy! Sully & Dez get a call from a museum about an old ventriloquists dummy the story that they dig up becomes creepier and creepier. Another great book in a great series. I can’t wait for the next one!
Mr. Grin was so creepy! Sully & Dez get a call from a museum about an old ventriloquists dummy the story that they dig up becomes creepier and creepier. Another great book in a great series. I can’t wait for the next one!
December 4, 2022
Great read
It took a bit of getting into with the slow start but was worth it all the same. I love sully and des. The stories is great and all in all is a good book to read.again would recommend reading any of theses books.
It took a bit of getting into with the slow start but was worth it all the same. I love sully and des. The stories is great and all in all is a good book to read.again would recommend reading any of theses books.
January 6, 2023
Good book in the series
In this story, the author brought Sully back in contact t with his gift. Sully is continuing to evolve. I like the growth in his character and I am interested in seeing where his new relationship will go
In this story, the author brought Sully back in contact t with his gift. Sully is continuing to evolve. I like the growth in his character and I am interested in seeing where his new relationship will go
December 31, 2025
♾️/⭐️
Definitely found this the scariest book in the series so far, probably best to read with the lights on! Amazing story and great characters as always, twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend!
Definitely found this the scariest book in the series so far, probably best to read with the lights on! Amazing story and great characters as always, twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend!
May 8, 2022
I love reading these books, never dull!
May 8, 2022
Love these books
I love this series. Hate I have to wait for last one.Thank you for filling my empty days with your words.
I love this series. Hate I have to wait for last one.Thank you for filling my empty days with your words.
May 22, 2022
Sleepless
Another installment that kept me awake because it was too hard to put down. I'm so looking forward to the next book.
Another installment that kept me awake because it was too hard to put down. I'm so looking forward to the next book.
August 1, 2022
creepy jusy how i like it
I likes this one alot read in one sitting something a little different cant wait to get stuck in to the next book
I likes this one alot read in one sitting something a little different cant wait to get stuck in to the next book
September 8, 2022
One word - creepy
January 5, 2023
Love this book
By far the creepiest book in the series so far. I love Sully and Dez and I'm very glad you have such strong women characters as well.
By far the creepiest book in the series so far. I love Sully and Dez and I'm very glad you have such strong women characters as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews