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Harlan Winter #2
Head Full of Lies
The southbound trail of a stolen spell book becomes a nightmare road trip in a propulsive novel about the unrelenting power of evil by the author of Lighthouse Burning.
Harlan Winter has returned to his corner of Appalachia, where his fiery history with a depraved cult has made him a legend. All Harlan wants is to run his occult bookshop and get on with his life—if only his unsettling visions would let him. But when a fellow devotee of the dark arts moves to Coopersville and Harlan’s coveted grimoire is stolen, he’s pulled into a world deadlier than the one that already scarred his soul.
The foolish thieves are two local teenagers hightailing it out of Appalachia in a stolen car and heading south to Florida where a buyer for the coveted grimoire is waiting. They have no idea what evil lies on the road ahead. But Harlan does. Blood has already been spilled. He’s following them mile by mile on a mission to save them before it’s too late. Because once their prized possession is in the wrong hands, there will be hell to pay.
Harlan Winter has returned to his corner of Appalachia, where his fiery history with a depraved cult has made him a legend. All Harlan wants is to run his occult bookshop and get on with his life—if only his unsettling visions would let him. But when a fellow devotee of the dark arts moves to Coopersville and Harlan’s coveted grimoire is stolen, he’s pulled into a world deadlier than the one that already scarred his soul.
The foolish thieves are two local teenagers hightailing it out of Appalachia in a stolen car and heading south to Florida where a buyer for the coveted grimoire is waiting. They have no idea what evil lies on the road ahead. But Harlan does. Blood has already been spilled. He’s following them mile by mile on a mission to save them before it’s too late. Because once their prized possession is in the wrong hands, there will be hell to pay.
- GenresFiction
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 22, 2024
Narrated by Chris Abernathy
Presented by Brilliance Audio
I really wish NetGalley would advise when a book is not the first in a series.
That said, this seems like it still would have been terrible even if I had knowledge of this 'lighthouse incident' that they kept referring to.
The story is about two troublesome teens who steal an occult book and travel across the country to sell it. Harlan Winter, hero occultist of the series, chases after them, since its his book they stole.
I honestly just could not get invested. I didn't care about any of these characters, and the book constantly referred to the 'lighthouse incident' and I, not knowing this was a sequel, kept waiting for the book to delve into what had happened at the lighthouse. So maybe those who have read that first book will appreciate this more than I did.
The plot seemed really weak to me - I don't recall what made this particular stolen book special at all, and nothing particularly interesting happened along the journey aside from bad guys getting their comeuppance as violently as possible. The ending seemed strangely brutal and I'm not at all sure why it was necessary. Basically, a lot of violence for minimal payoff.
Also, why do I keep reading books that seem to deliver the message: 'having a baby will ruin your life'???
I don't think there was anything particularly redeeming about this one, but maybe those who have read the first book in the series will appreciate this more.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
Presented by Brilliance Audio
I really wish NetGalley would advise when a book is not the first in a series.
That said, this seems like it still would have been terrible even if I had knowledge of this 'lighthouse incident' that they kept referring to.
The story is about two troublesome teens who steal an occult book and travel across the country to sell it. Harlan Winter, hero occultist of the series, chases after them, since its his book they stole.
I honestly just could not get invested. I didn't care about any of these characters, and the book constantly referred to the 'lighthouse incident' and I, not knowing this was a sequel, kept waiting for the book to delve into what had happened at the lighthouse. So maybe those who have read that first book will appreciate this more than I did.
The plot seemed really weak to me - I don't recall what made this particular stolen book special at all, and nothing particularly interesting happened along the journey aside from bad guys getting their comeuppance as violently as possible. The ending seemed strangely brutal and I'm not at all sure why it was necessary. Basically, a lot of violence for minimal payoff.
Also, why do I keep reading books that seem to deliver the message: 'having a baby will ruin your life'???
I don't think there was anything particularly redeeming about this one, but maybe those who have read the first book in the series will appreciate this more.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
June 5, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
“Head Full of Lies” by Jordan Farmer is the second installment in the Harlan Winter series, and it delivers an enthralling blend of occult mystery and gritty noir that sinks its claws in and refuses to let go.
Set against the backdrop of Appalachia, a region as enigmatic as it is beautiful, the novel follows Harlan Winter, a man whose past is as fiery as the cult he once escaped. Now a proprietor of an occult bookshop, Harlan’s desire for a quiet life is upended when his visions, as unsettling as they are prophetic, draw him back into the darkness he thought he’d left behind.
The theft of a coveted grimoire sets off a chain of events that sees two local teenagers on a perilous road trip south, with Harlan in pursuit. The narrative accelerates with the urgency of a spell gone awry, as the teens remain blissfully unaware of the malevolent forces they’ve unleashed. Farmer masterfully captures the essence of a chase where the stakes are not just life and death, but eternal damnation.
Farmer’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting a world where the line between the real and the supernatural is as thin as the paper of the stolen spellbook. The setting of Coopersville comes alive under his pen, with each description more vivid than the last, making the town an integral character in its own right.
Harlan Winter is a protagonist who is both flawed and formidable. His journey is not just a physical chase but a spiritual odyssey, confronting the evils of his past and the specters of his present. The supporting cast, particularly the misguided teens, are drawn with a sympathetic brush, their naivety a stark contrast to Harlan’s weary experience.
“Head Full of Lies” is a novel that does not shy away from the darkness within its pages or within its characters. It is a story that explores the unrelenting power of evil and the relentless pursuit of redemption. With a pace that mirrors a heartbeat in flight and a conclusion that satisfies as much as it haunts, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre and a testament to Farmer’s growing prowess in contemporary Appalachian fiction.
In summary, Jordan Farmer’s “Head Full of Lies” is a compelling tale of magic, morality, and the monsters that lurk in the shadows of the human soul. It’s a journey well worth taking, with a guide as complex and captivating as Harlan Winter himself.
“Head Full of Lies” by Jordan Farmer is the second installment in the Harlan Winter series, and it delivers an enthralling blend of occult mystery and gritty noir that sinks its claws in and refuses to let go.
Set against the backdrop of Appalachia, a region as enigmatic as it is beautiful, the novel follows Harlan Winter, a man whose past is as fiery as the cult he once escaped. Now a proprietor of an occult bookshop, Harlan’s desire for a quiet life is upended when his visions, as unsettling as they are prophetic, draw him back into the darkness he thought he’d left behind.
The theft of a coveted grimoire sets off a chain of events that sees two local teenagers on a perilous road trip south, with Harlan in pursuit. The narrative accelerates with the urgency of a spell gone awry, as the teens remain blissfully unaware of the malevolent forces they’ve unleashed. Farmer masterfully captures the essence of a chase where the stakes are not just life and death, but eternal damnation.
Farmer’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting a world where the line between the real and the supernatural is as thin as the paper of the stolen spellbook. The setting of Coopersville comes alive under his pen, with each description more vivid than the last, making the town an integral character in its own right.
Harlan Winter is a protagonist who is both flawed and formidable. His journey is not just a physical chase but a spiritual odyssey, confronting the evils of his past and the specters of his present. The supporting cast, particularly the misguided teens, are drawn with a sympathetic brush, their naivety a stark contrast to Harlan’s weary experience.
“Head Full of Lies” is a novel that does not shy away from the darkness within its pages or within its characters. It is a story that explores the unrelenting power of evil and the relentless pursuit of redemption. With a pace that mirrors a heartbeat in flight and a conclusion that satisfies as much as it haunts, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre and a testament to Farmer’s growing prowess in contemporary Appalachian fiction.
In summary, Jordan Farmer’s “Head Full of Lies” is a compelling tale of magic, morality, and the monsters that lurk in the shadows of the human soul. It’s a journey well worth taking, with a guide as complex and captivating as Harlan Winter himself.
September 18, 2024
Rating: 3* of five
The Publisher Says: The southbound trail of a stolen spell book becomes a nightmare road trip in a propulsive novel about the unrelenting power of evil by the author of Lighthouse Burning.
Harlan Winter has returned to his corner of Appalachia, where his fiery history with a depraved cult has made him a legend. All Harlan wants is to run his occult bookshop and get on with his life—if only his unsettling visions would let him. But when a fellow devotee of the dark arts moves to Coopersville and Harlan’s coveted grimoire is stolen, he’s pulled into a world deadlier than the one that already scarred his soul.
The foolish thieves are two local teenagers hightailing it out of Appalachia in a stolen car and heading south to Florida where a buyer for the coveted grimoire is waiting. They have no idea what evil lies on the road ahead. But Harlan does. Blood has already been spilled. He’s following them mile by mile on a mission to save them before it’s too late. Because once their prized possession is in the wrong hands, there will be hell to pay.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Second time around...do NOT skip #1 or lots won't make sense. The stupid kids who come for Harlan's precioussss were under relatable, saddening pressure. What happens is a lot like the violence tinged with supernatural shenanigans from before, only being #2, they turned up the volume.
It was a mistake to pound 'em down one after the other. Don't do that and you'll like the results better. Same advisories as for #1: "It's easier to forgive underdevelopedness than obtrusiveness, so non-horror unsupernaturalizers are warned off. The rest of us need reasonably good #Deathtober reads. Here's one."
Thomas & Mercer only want $2.49 for this one, which is exactly my idea of the right price.
The Publisher Says: The southbound trail of a stolen spell book becomes a nightmare road trip in a propulsive novel about the unrelenting power of evil by the author of Lighthouse Burning.
Harlan Winter has returned to his corner of Appalachia, where his fiery history with a depraved cult has made him a legend. All Harlan wants is to run his occult bookshop and get on with his life—if only his unsettling visions would let him. But when a fellow devotee of the dark arts moves to Coopersville and Harlan’s coveted grimoire is stolen, he’s pulled into a world deadlier than the one that already scarred his soul.
The foolish thieves are two local teenagers hightailing it out of Appalachia in a stolen car and heading south to Florida where a buyer for the coveted grimoire is waiting. They have no idea what evil lies on the road ahead. But Harlan does. Blood has already been spilled. He’s following them mile by mile on a mission to save them before it’s too late. Because once their prized possession is in the wrong hands, there will be hell to pay.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Second time around...do NOT skip #1 or lots won't make sense. The stupid kids who come for Harlan's precioussss were under relatable, saddening pressure. What happens is a lot like the violence tinged with supernatural shenanigans from before, only being #2, they turned up the volume.
It was a mistake to pound 'em down one after the other. Don't do that and you'll like the results better. Same advisories as for #1: "It's easier to forgive underdevelopedness than obtrusiveness, so non-horror unsupernaturalizers are warned off. The rest of us need reasonably good #Deathtober reads. Here's one."
Thomas & Mercer only want $2.49 for this one, which is exactly my idea of the right price.
May 17, 2024
Head Full of Lies by Jordan Farmer and narrated by Chris Abernathy is the epitome of "I was NOT expecting THAT"
Firstly, outstanding narration from Chris Abernathy. A brilliant narrator who has a clear cadence and fantastic tone. Perfect
Harlan Winter is trying to get away from his past, so he has moved home and opened a small occult book shop, where he ishoping to live out his days in peace. That is, until teenagers break onto his store and steal books, one of which was an old grimoire, one with a history as extensive as his own, and then some
The town is also home to a coven, one whose numbers (and finances) have significantly dwindled, and so, they make their money from podcasting and paranormal investigations. The daughter of this coven is one of the teenagers who robbed Harlan's store and she needs to sell the books to an old adversary of her fathers because she needs the money. She cannot have a child be born into the coven and live the doomed life she has endured
However, Her father wants to get her back, Harlan wants his book and the boy she is with, wants her love
Oh my goodness, there was so much in this that I really need to listen to the prequel. This is like Silence of the Lambs meets Fear and Loathing meets Supernatural. The flow is fast and dynamic, the storyline engaging and characters easily discernable. Absolutely outstanding!
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, the author Jordan Farmer and narrator Chris Abernathy for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Firstly, outstanding narration from Chris Abernathy. A brilliant narrator who has a clear cadence and fantastic tone. Perfect
Harlan Winter is trying to get away from his past, so he has moved home and opened a small occult book shop, where he ishoping to live out his days in peace. That is, until teenagers break onto his store and steal books, one of which was an old grimoire, one with a history as extensive as his own, and then some
The town is also home to a coven, one whose numbers (and finances) have significantly dwindled, and so, they make their money from podcasting and paranormal investigations. The daughter of this coven is one of the teenagers who robbed Harlan's store and she needs to sell the books to an old adversary of her fathers because she needs the money. She cannot have a child be born into the coven and live the doomed life she has endured
However, Her father wants to get her back, Harlan wants his book and the boy she is with, wants her love
Oh my goodness, there was so much in this that I really need to listen to the prequel. This is like Silence of the Lambs meets Fear and Loathing meets Supernatural. The flow is fast and dynamic, the storyline engaging and characters easily discernable. Absolutely outstanding!
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, the author Jordan Farmer and narrator Chris Abernathy for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
April 20, 2024
Book Title: Head Full of Lies
Series: Harlan Winter #2
Author: Jordan Farmer
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Chris Abernathy
Publisher: Brilliance Publishing-Brilliance Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was drawn to this story as I was born and raised in West Virginia – Yep a ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’.
The state is beautiful just like the lyrics in John Denver song –“Country Roads” ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEl...
However most stories feature the poor and uneducated so I was hoping Jordan Farmer’s Harlan Winter would make me proud.
Story starts when Harlan Winter returned to his corner of Appalachia, where he wants is to run his occult bookshop;
The thieves are two local teenagers who leave Appalachia in a stolen car and heading to Florida where a buyer is waiting for their goods.
Story turned out ‘better than Okay’!
Want to thank NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 21, 2024.
Series: Harlan Winter #2
Author: Jordan Farmer
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Chris Abernathy
Publisher: Brilliance Publishing-Brilliance Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was drawn to this story as I was born and raised in West Virginia – Yep a ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’.
The state is beautiful just like the lyrics in John Denver song –“Country Roads” ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEl...
However most stories feature the poor and uneducated so I was hoping Jordan Farmer’s Harlan Winter would make me proud.
Story starts when Harlan Winter returned to his corner of Appalachia, where he wants is to run his occult bookshop;
The thieves are two local teenagers who leave Appalachia in a stolen car and heading to Florida where a buyer is waiting for their goods.
Story turned out ‘better than Okay’!
Want to thank NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 21, 2024.
March 13, 2025
This is a small-town story where people believe in magic, cults, legends, tales, and witchcraft. Whether it’s true or just a bit of superstition.
Harlan who owns an occult bookstore just wants to be left alone after his lighthouse incident and the horror of his past following him.
A teenage boy named Bobby who always struggled with low self-esteem gets dragged into robbing Harlan’s store in exchange for some attention from Eliza, a good-looking girl known as the witch in the town. They have no choice left other than to run away together. Now the chase starts with Harlan trying to find his books and Barney trying to find his daughter, Eliza. It’s a dangerous game and a lot is lost.
Something that I liked was the philosophical nature of this book like, “The problem with success is you lose the pursuit. With failure, you can plow on in vain”.
Harlan was involved in a lighthouse incident that's mentioned several times in the book so do read the first book in the series. This book is not standalone. It gets pretty dark and sad.
Harlan who owns an occult bookstore just wants to be left alone after his lighthouse incident and the horror of his past following him.
A teenage boy named Bobby who always struggled with low self-esteem gets dragged into robbing Harlan’s store in exchange for some attention from Eliza, a good-looking girl known as the witch in the town. They have no choice left other than to run away together. Now the chase starts with Harlan trying to find his books and Barney trying to find his daughter, Eliza. It’s a dangerous game and a lot is lost.
Something that I liked was the philosophical nature of this book like, “The problem with success is you lose the pursuit. With failure, you can plow on in vain”.
Harlan was involved in a lighthouse incident that's mentioned several times in the book so do read the first book in the series. This book is not standalone. It gets pretty dark and sad.
January 2, 2024
I liked this.
I wouldn’t say it worked perfectly as a standalone. I never read the first book and definitely felt like I was missing a little something when it came to Harlan Winter’s character. I didn’t really understand his past or his personality.
That being said, I still was all in on the plot and our other characters.
The book has a nice edge to it and I liked the mix of Crime and something ‘other’.
I’d like to go back and read the first book and would definitely like another book in the series.
• ARC via Publisher
I wouldn’t say it worked perfectly as a standalone. I never read the first book and definitely felt like I was missing a little something when it came to Harlan Winter’s character. I didn’t really understand his past or his personality.
That being said, I still was all in on the plot and our other characters.
The book has a nice edge to it and I liked the mix of Crime and something ‘other’.
I’d like to go back and read the first book and would definitely like another book in the series.
• ARC via Publisher
April 25, 2024
I am just now realizing this is book two, so maybe my review would be different had I read the other book prior to this one.
With that in mind, I did have a hard time following this story. I felt that the writing took sporadic jumps that had me a bit lost. I also listened to the audio version, which can make it more difficult to follow quick changing storylines in my opinion. As for narration- I loved the production, I just wish I could’ve got into the story more.
With that in mind, I did have a hard time following this story. I felt that the writing took sporadic jumps that had me a bit lost. I also listened to the audio version, which can make it more difficult to follow quick changing storylines in my opinion. As for narration- I loved the production, I just wish I could’ve got into the story more.
June 6, 2024
Thank you, goodreads and Jordan Farmer, for this free digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
I headed into this story with low expectations because I really did not enjoy the 1st book of this story. (Sorry! ) But the writing style seemed much more organized and easy to follow on this one. There was quite a bit more action, and "oh sh!♧" Moments. I was a lot happier with the ending on this one and felt it was a great little quick read.
I headed into this story with low expectations because I really did not enjoy the 1st book of this story. (Sorry! ) But the writing style seemed much more organized and easy to follow on this one. There was quite a bit more action, and "oh sh!♧" Moments. I was a lot happier with the ending on this one and felt it was a great little quick read.
August 29, 2024
Loved this series
This two book (so far) series got some bad reviews and I don't get it. I loved it. Yeah, there was some bloodshed and occult stuff but it says so right in the description. If that's not your thing, move along. If it's up your alley, it's a well written couple of books that will hold your interest all the way through. Five stars. Cool books.
This two book (so far) series got some bad reviews and I don't get it. I loved it. Yeah, there was some bloodshed and occult stuff but it says so right in the description. If that's not your thing, move along. If it's up your alley, it's a well written couple of books that will hold your interest all the way through. Five stars. Cool books.
May 22, 2024
Head Full of lies had an engaging blurb but reading the full book did not work so well for me. It has a good plot and characters and it's entertaining!
I thank Mr. Farmer, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
I thank Mr. Farmer, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 31, 2024
Dark tale of mutilation and running away from things. The weird man. Character is back from the first book, but I don’t get it. The books are well written and interesting, but I just don’t get them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2024
A little dark. A continuation of Harlan Winter, the small town quasi-doctor turned bookstore owner. Local kids rob him for the coveted books in his personal collection. Their shenanigans get them into some dark trouble. Murder and Dismemberment. Feels unfinished. Maybe there will be a book 3.
June 7, 2024
I book about supernatural practitioners. Those who practice those arts. A young girl in"trouble and how her decisions can have a ripple effect on those around her. It is book two. You don't need to read book one, but I feel that it would help. I enjoyed the story, and I am looking forward to reading more Harlan Winters' stories.
July 4, 2023
Very good, A little slow starting, but it gets much better.
June 18, 2024
Great plot and good characters, I definitely recommend reading this book!
August 15, 2024
This was an interesting story, but it wasn't my cup of tea. It was a bit too dark.
September 16, 2024
Great concept, wasn't what I was expecting but I enjoyed the story from different characters points of view
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews