Perfect Trust

A Rowan Gant Investigation #3

by M.R. Sellars

DEAD I AM… DEAD I AM… I DO NOT LIKE THAT DEAD I AM.

Rowan Gant used to be just an average guy who just happened to be a Witch. However, when the spirits of murder victims found out he could hear them, they started coming to him for help. His life just hasn’t been the same since…

In a span of less than two years, Rowan’s curse of hearing the dead has brought him face to face with not one but two serial killers. Now still recovering from the post-traumatic stress of those investigations, all he wants is to spend a peaceful Yuletide season at home with his wife and friends. Unfortunately, the vengeful spirit of a dead college cheerleader has a different holiday celebration in mind, and she’s not going to stop until he listens.

Once again, Rowan is thrust headlong into a murder investigation as a civilian consultant to the Greater Saint Louis Major Case Squad. However, the dark visions now playing out in his mind’s eye bring the twisted desires of a deranged sexual predator far too close to home, making Rowan doubt his sanity – and perhaps even his own innocence…

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Witches, Urban Fantasy, Paganism, Horror

369 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

A member of the ITW (International Thriller Writers), M. R. Sellars is a relatively unassuming homebody who, in his own words, “tells pretty lies for a living.” Although his penchant for creating fiction began at an early age, he was eventually inspired to pursue a degree in journalism, an endeavor he describes as, “a good chase, even though it got away.” His career plans re-routed, he put a secondary talent – electronics repair – into play. However, this did not deter him from writing and he soon re-focused on his first love, fiction. While he had several short stories appear in minor publications, it wasn’t until 2000 that his first full-length novel, Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation, hit bookstore shelves, officially launching the acclaimed paranormal thriller series and its associated spinoff.

All of the current novels in Sellars’ continuing Rowan Gant Investigations saga have spent several consecutive weeks on numerous bookstore bestseller lists as well as a consistent showing on the Amazon.com Horror/Occult top 100. In 2010 a short e-novella featuring a supporting character from the RGI cast spawned a new series, The Special Agent Constance Mandalay Novels, the first full-length book being IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, which hit the streets November 2011. The second, INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE is slated for release 2018.

Sellars currently resides in the Midwest with his wife, daughter, and a houseful of rescued animals – a population which currently stands at one canine (Vicki the Wonder Dog) and three felines (Roxxy, Nachos el Tigre, and Mac the Klaw) – not to mention the myriad creatures inhabiting the Two-Acre Wood. He often describes the fluctuating menagerie as, “the competition.” At home, when not writing, taking care of the household, splitting firewood, or battling the insidious and invasive Asian Bush Honeysuckle, he indulges his passions for cooking and home brewing.

M. R. Sellars can be located on the web wherever there is a virtual bar serving virtual single malt Scotch, single barrel bourbon, good Irish whisky, and decent beer. In other words, look for him on the major social networking sites.

For more information contact wendy@willowtreepress.com

Reviews

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing wrong with this series is I have to space them out a bit. I know when I pick one up, it will be a great, terrific read. But I am not one to read the entire series and wait for the next one. ugh. I read them one at a time between other books because I know it will be a wonderful read.
I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. They are like friends. Do yourself a favor and grab this series.

[Jimyanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still not QUITE up to 4-stars, but getting very close. While the copyediting/wrong word usage is still an issue (a couple of places where "queue" is used when what was intended was "cue" -- "That's my queue" -- and at least one where (in a police station) there was a reference to a "wrap sheet" that was NOT talking about Christmas wrapping paper, and a couple of others, but not nearly as many such errors as were evident in the fist two books of the series. There were the beginnings of traces of a hint as to what's going on with Ben Storm's resistance to anything solid to do with his native American heritage, or at least a hint that there might BE such an explanation forthcoming at some future date. Plus, the pacing and plot of the stories continues to be good and quite gripping. I enjoy reading these books, and will continue to do so. Hopefully, the author will continue to improve his mastery of his craft as he gains experience; that seems to be the direction we're heading in.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy it over all...it seems a couple things struck me enough that I marked them with orange stickies....so --

#1 Questioned Document Examiners are NOT graphologists. Graphology is actually NOT a science, but something you can do for fun when you go to the fair. Graphologists examine your (or anyone's) handwriting to determine personality traits. Actually, while I have seen it work on occassion, it is not a science, it is along the lines of astrology -- you can believe it, but there isn't any scientific proof that it works. So, this irked me a bit. and now...off my soap box.

#2 For all intents and purposes -- M.R. stop using this, really. Thanks.

Ok, enough whining, it is quite a good book. I did figure it out before the end, but I like that Rowan felt dumb about it. Nice.

[Jenn Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 4.3 instead of the 5 stars of the first two books mainly because to my surprise I had the culprit figured out about 1/4 through the book. My morbid sense of humor absolutely loved the dead cheerleader (Debbie) and as always the main characters are very enjoyable. The introduction of Ben's sister, Helen was interesting as well. Perfect Circle was a quick read with lots of the great little character twists that highlight Sellars' work. Bring on the next book!

[Angie crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Even though it is the third in the series, and I haven't read the others, I still loved this book. I will be going back to read the others before reading the next book. If you are bothered by wicca, this book obviously isn't for you.

I would have given this 5 stars, except the killer was obvious to me from very early in the book.

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book about a pagan witch/warlock, it wasn't as good as the other ones in this series. Story drug on far too long and the self-examination by the main character was a little too over the top.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put it down and liked it a lot more than books 1 and 2 of the series. I liked the characters more, the story was very good and captivating, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Trish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too focused on the gruesome.

[Karen Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

5

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the Ghoul Squad three-in-one volume that included the first three books. I read the whole thing in just a couple of days, because I found it hard to put down.

[Kirsten Lenius]

The murder of a strong-willed cheerleader who won't rest until she finds vengeance makes Rowan's life difficult.

[Linda B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Rowan Gant series. I adore M. R. Sellars writing. I like the mystery/witchy stuff threaded through the entire book I will be purchasing more.

[Girlgeorge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't wrong on the whodunit, but it was still a solid read. Will be trying number 4 soon.

[Cris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed less than earlier books in the series. I found the main character--Rowan--to be unbalanced and I was uncomfortable with the characters and situations.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Recommend to anyone who likes mystery, suspense, magic or just plain great story-telling.

[Shadow Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

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