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For many people, being snowed in at the beautiful Wakefield Inn at Christmastime might seem like a gift. For brothers Sully and Dez, it’s anything but.

More than one ghost wanders the corridors of the country inn—and at least one seems determined to take the living with them.

During an unexpected blizzard, Sully is nearly run off the road by a figure in red. At first, he worries someone is lost in the storm. He soon realizes the truth.

A ghost dressed as Santa Claus is haunting the area. And he isn’t the only spirit around this Christmas.

Desires for a normal family holiday disintegrate as Sully and Dez learn of a mother and son involved in a horrific crash near the inn. The brothers take on the search for the missing pair, but soon find themselves pulled in on a case involving a murdered man.

The situation intensifies when Sully awakens from a nightmare to find a chilling word carved into his flesh.

Messages are everywhere and answers are nowhere to be found. With Christmas right around the corner, the clock’s ticking—because there’s still a chance to save at least one of the missing.

If the dead don’t find them first.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2022

54 people are currently reading
29 people want to read

About the author

H.P. Bayne

34 books118 followers
Raised 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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5 stars
302 (79%)
4 stars
67 (17%)
3 stars
9 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,213 reviews2,341 followers
May 7, 2023
The Wakefield Haunting
By H.P.Bayne
This book takes place at a winter lodge and a Santa Claus ghost! A very interesting story and ghostly mystery!
Profile Image for Christy Hall.
367 reviews95 followers
January 4, 2024
I do love this series and these brothers bring me joy every time I read one of these.

Dez and Sully are spending the holidays at a resort with their family. It’s terrible weather and they barely make it up the mountain and twisty, snowy turns before Sully sees a ghost. This is definitely going to ruin their Christmas fun. After being snowed in, Dez and Sully dig in to investigate the possibility of someone having run off the road in the storm. They do end up finding a vehicle and surmise that there may be a survivor. Can they find the missing person in time before he/she freezes to death? And why does the ghost still keep showing up - what is Sully missing?

I love the Braddock family. They are adorable. Dez and Sully are great as always. You get to see how their investigations are weighing on the rest of the family, especially Dez’s daughter. Sully and Sarah have a sweet relationship and it’s nice to see him feel good about that in his life. The characters always bring me back to this series.

The mystery on this one felt a bit forced and coincidental. I still thought it was interesting but I did take a star off because so many things were too convenient. I was able to figure it out pretty quickly, which isn’t always bad. Everything just lined up so perfectly for them to solve the mystery. Perhaps it had to be that way because they were snowed in and all, but I guess I was hoping for a little more. I still really enjoyed the book because of the characters and their relationships.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,986 reviews38 followers
December 22, 2022
If you have read any of my reviews on this series, you already know that I love it to pieces. So, having me saying that this one is one of the best of the whole lot, well, that's something *laughs*

But seriously, the ordeals Sully is put through here are horrifying, to the point that it has made him reconsider what he wants for his life. And Dez is not having a good time, either. He's scared by Sully and worried about disappointing Kayleigh and angry at the ghosts that won't let them have their deserved family Christmas vacations.

Ian is such a great character! He hasn't had the best life but he is a good kid and we can see how deep is his struggle. The poor kid deserves better than what he has had. And don't let me start with the ghosts in this story! They are sometimes helpful, sometimes violent, and always cagey when it comes to their motivations.

On the good side, though, we get a glimpse into Bulldog's new life and he's doing so well! That makes me really happy :D

And I loved how Flynn, reaper or not, over everything else, is a loving father and husband and a compassionate man ♥ Oh, and if you didn't already love Sarah you won't be able to avoid falling in love with her during this book :P

The case is a very hard and confusing one, solving it put Sully and Dez through hell while trying to find the answers to the mysteries that kept growing and getting more complex by the minute until they finally were able to expose the whole truth. But, as it's usual with these boys, they come through the other side stronger and better. In the end, as Sully says: “It’s all good.”
Profile Image for Karen.
110 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2023
I CAN'T GET ENOUGH BRADDOCK AND GRAY!

This story is set in a beautiful country inn filled with memories for Mara Braddock. Her dream is for her family to share a white Christmas in the spot she and her husband Flynn, were engaged.... the perfect backdrop to reminisce about the life she had with her, now deceased husband.... what could go wrong?? unfortunately, when Sully is present, the spirits of the Dead find him. The need him and it's not pleasant.. oddly, The Ghost of Santa appears, and seems to have a vendetta, or a score to settle, he and Sully go head to head in a frightening series of scenarios nearly killing Sully and Sarah.. several times.. there is also an evil rogue spirit able to "possess" the spirits of others for her vicious dirty work. the evil spirit is violent and psychopathic.. seemingly unstoppable. A teen boy has witnessed this psychopath, he has the vision Sully has with regards to seeing entities. his recent exposure to extreme violence and trauma have left the boy in shock. getting him to talk may be be the key to solving parts of this mystery.
Dez and Sully work beyond human capability in this story. The strain on family life has reached crisis point for both brothers. Facing this truth and knowing it will always be a struggle, tests the relationships. But,Thank God the women surrounding these men are grounded and strong in their own right.
There were also so many sweet and tender moments in this book . The love Mara has for her family is fiercely strong, her quiet strength is palpable. The closeness and connection this family has is believable and authentic, which is why they are so endearing.. I truly cherish these books!!
Profile Image for Linda.
1,366 reviews12 followers
January 1, 2023
I love the Braddock and Gray stories. This one is a Christmas story. The family go to The Wakefield Inn for Christmas, but before the celebrations start, Sully's powers kick in. This was a different experience for the brothers. They weren't hired by anyone, but their honor won't let them celebrate until the mystery is solved. As always, the suspense had me on the edge of my seat, the characters were relatable, and the story kept me turning the pages. I would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy paranormal suspense stories. I received an advance copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb.
528 reviews4 followers
December 23, 2022
Absolutely a Great Read!!

I have followed the original series and now the Spin off Series and just love this authors writing. This story was so good that I wish it did not have to end. I read this story in 1 day, 1 sitting, just could not put it down. I highly recommend this book, but it is so much better to start at the beginning to get the full story and effect.
Profile Image for Phthon.
2,309 reviews7 followers
December 25, 2022
A tough and particularly nasty case for Dez and Sully. Plus it happens during a family holiday. I always look forward to the next Braddock and Gray case. I love the central characters immensely and enjoy any time I get to spend with. It was wonderful for Flynn and Aiden to be able to join. I loved reading this book!
Profile Image for Bambi Sommers.
Author 14 books19 followers
December 26, 2022
A family holiday just wouldn’t be complete without a ghost or two!

Book 12 already? This series just gets better and better and I’m always a bit sad when I’m finished! This one is a perfect seasonal read with the ghost being in a Santa costume. This series is a perfect read anytime!
Profile Image for Lesley Hewitt.
832 reviews7 followers
January 13, 2023
Wonderful

This was brilliant, Sully, Dez and family all go to a hotel in the middle of nowhere for a family Christmas. As usual ghosts find Sully but one looks like Santa. It's up to Sully and Dez to figure out who was murdered and why. I really do love these books and the characters, I hope there will be many more.
10 reviews
October 14, 2023
A Christmas with Sully and Des

The boys are off on a family Christmas vacation in this one. The vacation is cut short by a ghost of course, it wouldn't be a B and G case file without one. This is a wonderful Christmas book wrapped up in a ghost story, plus we get to see some old faces return.
294 reviews
May 21, 2025
An excellent story again, a Christmas one of sorts, but a good one. They all go to the Wakefield inn and even before they make it, the ghosts are piling up. However despite the dangers, Sully and Sarah manage to make it a really special Christmas although poor Kayleigh is a bit miffed by it all.
I enjoyed this one as I do them all. It was a lovely story that works well.
Profile Image for DollyRockerBooksNmore.
274 reviews
December 25, 2022
just cant get enough

I absolutely love these two brothers im so happy for sully I honestly thought ian would end up living with sully because of his gift would be nice to hear from ian in a future book. Highly recommend this series to everyone
56 reviews
December 26, 2022
Love this story

A wonderful Christmas story with the Braddock family and ghosts. If you haven't read the whole series, you need to go back to the beginning. Each book gets better and better.
Profile Image for Thompson615.
549 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2022
Excellent!

This series is so great! Leave it to Sully to go on a family Christmas vacation and run into a ghost. The mystery of how the ghost died takes Dez and Sully into a twisted mystery while stranded in a snow storm! I can’t wait for the next book!!
Profile Image for Mrs Joy Green.
38 reviews
January 14, 2023
Last of my series.

Excellent as always, not sure where to go from here as I've read all the suleiman grey series and now the last 12 of 12 Braddock and grey series . Brilliant, exciting keeps you wanting more.
What more can I say xx
Profile Image for Pamela Cunningham.
723 reviews
January 17, 2023
This is Book twelve of the Braddock and Gray Case Files Book Series .

Another fantastic read I can't get enough of these book always looking forward to the next book in this series .
142 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2023
Paranormal mystery

I enjoy the Braddock and Gray case files so much. I feel like I am visiting friends since I've read all of them. It's amazing how H.P. Bayne continues to create new scenarios for the series.
3 reviews
January 26, 2023
Wakefield haunting

This book was great as was the whole series, am always sad when I finish these books!! Hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one!! Love the characters so much!!
19 reviews
April 15, 2023
Another great read

Its really great to read stories that draw you in from the beginning to the end. So glad I found the Sullivan Gray stories that led into the Braddock&Gray case file series. H.P. Wayne you're writing is wonderful ! Thanks😁
Profile Image for Jenna.
23 reviews
December 31, 2025
♾️/⭐️
Such a cute but spooky read, very warming and heartfelt. Every time you pick up one of these books it feels like visiting old friends. I love how many characters feature in this book and yet again so many twists right up until the end. Highly recommend!
76 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2022
As always, a good read

The book was not a let down. It was difficult to put down. I do hope there will be another book soon. A Haunted Wedding or Church?
Profile Image for Lottie.
942 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2022
An entertaining book from the beginning to the ending!
214 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
Great storyline

Love this series and it's characters. I don't know if the author plans to co time the story but keeping my fingers crossed. Good read
128 reviews
March 15, 2023
Loved it as always. Want more of these stories. Love the characters and want to see them continue.
Profile Image for Pam.
831 reviews7 followers
October 25, 2024
H.P.Bayne has done it again, another brilliant book bout Sully and Des.
Profile Image for Margarita Rose.
1,181 reviews11 followers
December 21, 2022
This book is the best so far. Fast paced and action packed. Sweet romance and a great story. Sully sees Santa Claus and has to find out who he is and what has happened. A blizzard keeps the family on their toes. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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