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Season of the Sickness
Pastor James Elba loses more than his faith when his daughter perishes in a tragic murder. After moving back to his hometown of Savannah Georgia his wife is now at the mercy of his own dark past locked away in the forgotten shadows of a derelict rice plantation seeped in bloody history. But will his renovations stir up more than just long suppressed memories of a childhood dare, an incantation that summoned...what?
Desperate for help James calls upon the mystical powers of a Manbo-Voodoo priestess- Miss Lolita. Can her sorcery help him retrieve his memories and save his wife? Or will the demons of his past claim another victim in this atmospheric Southern Gothic, where James' very soul will be shaken to its foundation.
Desperate for help James calls upon the mystical powers of a Manbo-Voodoo priestess- Miss Lolita. Can her sorcery help him retrieve his memories and save his wife? Or will the demons of his past claim another victim in this atmospheric Southern Gothic, where James' very soul will be shaken to its foundation.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2022
10 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Harry J. Vaughn
1 book2 followersHarry J Vaughn is a lover of 1980’s horror and dark fantasy, who continues to embrace the macabre today, writing supernatural and psychological horror, dark mysteries, fantasy, and thrillers in the form of both novels and screenplays. A resident of the Pacific Northwest, he grew up rock and mountain climbing and has summited Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Mount Hood. When not writing you can find him sailing on the Puget Sound or skiing on the snow-covered slopes from Washington to Colorado. Also, an avid lover of music, filmmaking and art. Vaughn looks forward to connecting with readers through his social media links.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 26, 2023
I LOVE a southern gothic horror and this was incredible! I was hooked from the first page, I love Harrys writing style, he creates such an atmospheric, creepy and uneasy vibe its hard to stop reading at times, not only is this book plot driven(THAT ENDING 😱)and uniquely so, I loved the voodoo elements!, you'll find yourself fully invested in our main protagonists journey, I highly recommend this to my spooky book loving friends! Thankyou to the author for sending me a copy 🥰
March 30, 2023
This book had my interest as soon as I found out it takes place in Georgia. As a southern girl myself (Alabama), I love reading horror books that take place in the south. With that said…
I loved this book. It was creepy, spooky, and had me sleeping with the lights on every night.
In my personal opinion, I think this was a very unique and interesting take on a haunting. I’m not sure if anyone else would classify it that way, but that’s just my personal take on it.
It’s beautifully written, and the story itself had me feeling like I was watching all this as a bystander, and seeing it all unfold.
My heart broke for James/Jimmy as not only his present was revealed but everything about his past was, too.
And that ending with the twist!! My mouth dropped open, and I was shocked. Lemme tell y’all… you won’t see it coming 🫣
It had dual timelines through some of the book jumping from present to the 1980’s and I loved that so I got a better picture of what happened with his first encounter of this.
All in all, I enjoyed this book so incredibly much, and if you haven’t read it, you need to!
I loved this book. It was creepy, spooky, and had me sleeping with the lights on every night.
In my personal opinion, I think this was a very unique and interesting take on a haunting. I’m not sure if anyone else would classify it that way, but that’s just my personal take on it.
It’s beautifully written, and the story itself had me feeling like I was watching all this as a bystander, and seeing it all unfold.
My heart broke for James/Jimmy as not only his present was revealed but everything about his past was, too.
And that ending with the twist!! My mouth dropped open, and I was shocked. Lemme tell y’all… you won’t see it coming 🫣
It had dual timelines through some of the book jumping from present to the 1980’s and I loved that so I got a better picture of what happened with his first encounter of this.
All in all, I enjoyed this book so incredibly much, and if you haven’t read it, you need to!
December 17, 2025
Freaking finally, so happy something gave me a little life. I round up the 3.75 because I really loved the writing. Super suspenseful and kept me entertained.
March 19, 2023
Firstly, I’d like to thank the author for sending me a copy of his book to read and review! 😊
I was thoroughly impressed with this debut novel. Vaughn created incredible ambiance with this spooky southern tale. You will really find yourself rooting for the main character as he goes through countless trials and tribulations. I thought this book was quite well placed with the chapters that take place in the past being put in all the right spots to help the story move along. I can’t wait to see what else Vaughn has up his sleeves!
I was thoroughly impressed with this debut novel. Vaughn created incredible ambiance with this spooky southern tale. You will really find yourself rooting for the main character as he goes through countless trials and tribulations. I thought this book was quite well placed with the chapters that take place in the past being put in all the right spots to help the story move along. I can’t wait to see what else Vaughn has up his sleeves!
January 24, 2023
Wow. I really enjoyed this book. It definitely kept me on my toes the entire time. I was never really sure what was going to happen next and I was absolutely not expecting that ending.
All in all this was a fantastic southern horror novel and so damn creative. The pace of the story was perfect, with nothing being dragged out. If you’re looking for a good page turner I fully recommend this book!
All in all this was a fantastic southern horror novel and so damn creative. The pace of the story was perfect, with nothing being dragged out. If you’re looking for a good page turner I fully recommend this book!
March 26, 2023
You had me at Savannah! I love a good southern horror. A derelict plantation, ghosts, dual timelines,tragedy and voodoo will definitely hold my interest. I was completely engrossed.
I would recommend if you like well paced southern horror with a twist.
I would recommend if you like well paced southern horror with a twist.
May 1, 2023
Woah! I loved this book. It was creepy and the whole vibe was spooky. Not to mention an ending that left my jaw on the floor. You have to read this book!
June 8, 2023
Can you go home again when your past was colored by horrors best left alone? This is the question that James and his wife, Emma, get answered when they move to Savannah, GA after a family tragedy.
The home they purchase is one that James is more than a little familiar with, as it's one that he was in as a child when rumors of evil within the property made it a draw for kids looking for a thrill.
What unfolds is a chilling tale of voodoo, resurrection, and personal trauma that add up to a stunning ending. For me, there were shades of IT and Candyman in this story, but trust me, this is a book that is original and very much stands on its own.
I will absolutely be looking for more from Vaughn, as this was a truly fantastic read.
The home they purchase is one that James is more than a little familiar with, as it's one that he was in as a child when rumors of evil within the property made it a draw for kids looking for a thrill.
What unfolds is a chilling tale of voodoo, resurrection, and personal trauma that add up to a stunning ending. For me, there were shades of IT and Candyman in this story, but trust me, this is a book that is original and very much stands on its own.
I will absolutely be looking for more from Vaughn, as this was a truly fantastic read.
June 9, 2023
really enjoyed this book! Loved the story! It had so many elements I enjoy in a story. It has a creepy atmosphere, haunting memories, ghosts, voodoo, creepy dolls & a twist I did not see coming! I love an unpredictable twist.
Harry has a talent for writing an atmospheric, dark, creepy story that will stay with you after you have read the last page. He does a great job at describing the dark, creepy scenes he wants the reader to see & feel. As I read it, I kept seeing it in my head as a movie.
Perfect pace…not dragged, not rushed, just right.
Definitely recommend this book! 5/5
I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.
I look forward to reading more from Harry J Vaughn.
Harry has a talent for writing an atmospheric, dark, creepy story that will stay with you after you have read the last page. He does a great job at describing the dark, creepy scenes he wants the reader to see & feel. As I read it, I kept seeing it in my head as a movie.
Perfect pace…not dragged, not rushed, just right.
Definitely recommend this book! 5/5
I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.
I look forward to reading more from Harry J Vaughn.
June 29, 2023
I've been looking forward to reading this first novel from a local author for some time now, and wasn't disappointed. The story is unique and imaginative, and it held my interest strongly enough that I found myself finishing it in two sittings.
A story of haunting, loss, and madness, with elements of voodoo and the sins of the past, the story comes alive as one follows the protagonist through two timelines, as a child and as an adult returned to the same corner of the world.
Recommended.
A story of haunting, loss, and madness, with elements of voodoo and the sins of the past, the story comes alive as one follows the protagonist through two timelines, as a child and as an adult returned to the same corner of the world.
Recommended.
September 4, 2023
Finished the book within the first week I got it. Couldn’t put it down. The author has a way with his writing that captivates your imagination and keeps you wanting to know more about what’s going on. Love that it ties realism with the unknown. Love how the end intensifies and all the twists. The ending kept me thinking for days.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews