The Worst Kind: A Dear Celeste Novel

Dear Celeste #2

by J.R. Erickson

What began as an innocuous advice column for Celeste Cleary has transformed into an all-consuming obsession, and her former existence as a scientist now feels like a distant memory.

As she immerses herself in the troubles of others-at times solving their dilemmas with messages from beyond the grave-an ability that has invaded her life since the hit-and-run accident that nearly killed her months before, Celeste grapples with the news that the accident may have been attempted murder.

One afternoon, a disturbing letter arrives at her advice column.

A young woman haunted by the ghostly absence of her birth mother begs for help in tracing her mysterious past. Celeste steps into the labyrinth of secrets, unaware that she is traveling down a treacherous road that might lead her into the clutches of a remorseless killer.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Paranormal, Mystery

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2024

About the author

J.R. Erickson writes novels that blend murder mysteries with haunted houses. Her Northern Michigan Asylum series are novels of paranormal suspense inspired by a real former asylum in Traverse City. Her current books, the Troubled Spirits series, are all inspired by real crimes, which she covers in her true crime podcast, Bitter Endings.

Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.

Reviews

[Kris Frisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book from start to finish. I love the character development, and the twists and turns that are present in each one. I also like the fact that the books are something that could happen in real life, with the added paranormal pieces. The Worst Kind confirmed some of my suspicions from Come Home Katie regarding Jonathan. I find myself so angry at him, as well as with Celeste, as I am shouting at her as to what she needs to do and that she could find someone so much better. Needless to say, I am invested and will be anxiously awaiting the next one in the series. Great job with this one, as with every other novel!

[Stephanie Vicente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I felt like for me this book was even better than the first. This was an interesting read and I had a great time reading this one it kept me captivated from page one and I was hooked the entire way through

[Amber K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this series and knowing where Celeste's column is going to take us next! The suspense as this mystery unfolded was so good, and I loved the unpredictable ending. Terrific audio narration made each character stand out in this series!

[Hannah Ruth Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste is back with another Dear Celeste letter that she wants to ignore but there is a ghost that won't let her ignore it. This time she is helping a woman who was abandoned as a child track down her parents. We are taken on a wild ride as things aren't want they seem and the horrific truth of what happened comes to light. Left with a cliffhanger, I am anxiously awaiting the next Dear Celeste novel and found this series to be my favorite so far.

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had very high hopes for this book after reading book 1 and I wasn't let down.

There's was so much going on throughout the story that it kept me hooked from the very beginning.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen from one page to the next but was always excited to find out.

I didn't want it to end but at the same time I couldn't wait to find out what happened

[AmBerGUR · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible ride!!!! Highly Recommend this !!

[Marie Wikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this series would be among my favorites. Book 2 did not disappoint.

The settings, the mysteries… everything is so well done! I am excited for the future of this series!

Thanks to the author for an advance copy of this book. I’m honored to have a chance to enjoy before everyone else.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been a fan of dolls. When I was a child, my mother made replica dolls of my sister and I. She even used our hair for the doll’s hair. The doll likeness of me always creeped me out. I was already a firm believer in the spirit world and I just always felt off about this doll. Whenever I saw her in the china cabinet with my mother’s other dolls I got goosebumps and felt like the dolls eyes followed me around the room. We moved a lot when I was a child and I do not remember what happened to those dolls. So this book had a very relatable story for me. This is the second book in this series and I feel it is even better. I like how the author makes the ghosts very real. They do not try to scare; they more seem to help Celeste when she needs the help most. This villain really was the worst kind. The lengths he went to in order to keep tabs on River was horrifying. Matters only became worse when he was reinforced for his bad behavior. He acted as though he was a god. He really believed he would never be held accountable for his actions. Another reason I like the books by this author is that she keeps the characters real. The characters could be people you know, pass by on the street or even people that you could have just missed being their victim. What a chilling thought that is. I had a traumatic childhood and people always ask why I read books that have potential triggers and I always say that I find hope and healing from these books. I like that the villain has to have accountability at some point. I also feel a connection to the characters and even the author. This is a definite recommendation for those who enjoy subjects about ghosts, horrific crimes, healing and finally receiving closure.
Now to wait for the next book…….oh my it will be a shocker, I am sure.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Worst Kind" is the second book in the "Dear Celeste" series and is even better, somehow, than the first book. This review contains no spoilers for either book.

Celeste is a woman who had a near death experience which changed her life. Instead of going back to her old job she decides to help people. In this book a young mum called River wants help tracking down her birth parents - the mother she had never really known and the abusive father who abandoned her as a child.

The story is nicely twisty, it's never obvious and the characters are all believable and sympathetic. The supernatural elements don't feel forced in and they don't overpower the story, they simply add extra depth and mystery.

This story does touch on some hard subjects but does not go into lurid details. The way River's mind and thought processes go are very realistic for someone with that kind of trauma. Not over sensational or dramatised as is, unfortunately, often the case with fiction containing abuse victims. This was nice to see.

These books are basically a blend of mystery, thriller and the supernatural. They aren't horror books so they will be great for anyone who is a fan of any of these genres. I'm usually pretty good at guessing who the bad guy is but didn't have a clue with either of these!
I do believe that one suspicion I had is going to be somewhere along the right lines although I won't put money on it - J.R. Erickson is fantastic at leading you down false avenues.

[Alexis Flinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good, if not better than, the last.

Dear Celeste recieves another letter from a girl named River to find her birth mom.

This one packs a very dark punch and again blends true crime and the paranormal so well.

We get more of Celestes background, and at the end of the previous novel we find out her accident wasn't really an accident, it was someone hitting her with a car on purpose! This novel digs more into that insight leaving an ending that makes me desperate for the next book!!!

Her journey with River though is very complex. River was abandoned as a child by her "father" and River (or Agnes) was bounced through the foster system until she landed in a compound called Be Free and turned her life around. She's married with a (very cute) kiddo named Hope and enjoys being in a band and the farm life with her husband. But her past haunts her, metaphorically and then literally. I have never wanted to see a villain go down the way i wanted to see "tex" go down.

Also Celestes husband, what an ass. To put it lightly... and to find he might have had something to do with the hit and run! My god..

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not easy to find an author who can scare me. I’ve been gobbling up horror novels since I was a teenager some forty years ago. I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I sort of stumbled on Erickson a year ago or so. The Troubled Spirits series was great across the board, and a couple of those books made it hard to close my eyes in a dark room!

This book is the second in what I hope will be a long line of Dear Celeste books. Erickson writes some pretty good mysteries, all with a strong paranormal bent, at least as far as I’ve been able to read. The first book, Come Home, Katie, was engaging, with some spine-tingles and a solid plot. I liked this second book better, maybe because I’ve gotten to know the character backstories. Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt. The Worst Kind was scarier. I like that in a book. Lol.

They’re all easy reads with solid storylines. I realize this is more of a general Erickson review than a specific look at this book, but I’ve found that I can’t miss with anything she writes.

[Katy Elizabeth Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked on Celeste and her story! Come Home Katie was amazing and this one surpassed all my expectations.
The author has a magical way of making her characters so relatable, so normal, so troubled and twisted.
The incidents that occur are things we read or hear about, things that unfortunately happen in this world we live in. We've seen these stories on the news or read about them in newspapers. It isn't a stretch of our imagination to realise that these horrors actually exist which makes these novels so addictive. We want to close our eyes and ears and pretend there isn't so much darkness around us but we keep on reading because we know monsters really do live amongst us and we want to know they get their just desserts.
I am now a huge J.R. Erickson fan and will now have to read everything she's ever written!
The writing is amazing. The characters are real. The emotions are raw. The addiction is there! What are you reading my review for? Go find out for yourself....you won't be sorry!

[Red Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What began as an innocuous advice column for Celeste Cleary has transformed into an all-consuming obsession, and her former existence as a scientist now feels like a distant memory."
The Worst Kind is a Dear Celeste novel which is the second book in this series. This is a gripping novel but also a page turner from beginning to end. The author wrote this so well and the book is so intriguing. At times it feels like you are having a movie in your head with the way the author writes. I loved all of the characters in this. Overall this was an amazing paranormal read that I loved a lot. The ending of this book has me so excitied for the next Dear Celeste novel and I can not wait to read it. I highly recommend this book to any reader but especially to readers who love paranormal fiction. Thank you to the author for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review of The Worst Kind: A Dear Celeste Novel.

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! JR has done it again, I think this one was better than the first and that’s saying a lot. This one just gave you that eerie feeling and was creepy. The things people do and the lengths they go through to do them. Definitely one you won’t want to put down. Celeste takes on a new ‘case’ and this one will have you stumped at times. As she’s coming into her new ‘powers’ after her NDA things seem to become clearer n clearer. But can she determine what they mean before it’s too late? I love Celeste and River they were wonderful characters and very much realistic, down to earth people. I’d love to have them as friends. And Celeste’s husband, oh boy, he’s definitely something else. I can’t wait for the next book, I’m so excited for her next adventure.

Oh and her covers are always awesome!!

I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Becka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in this series is just as captivating, if not more so, than the first. In this story, Celeste is called into a new mystery that leads her on unexpected journeys. Her main goal is to bring solace to River by uncovering the truth about her biological parents, a truth that might be regrettable. The story is compelling, featuring characters that are both endearing and relatable, alongside those deemed 'The WORST' by the author. It's disheartening to know that such individuals exist and that many children are raised in comparable circumstances. This book is undeniably a page-turner, and I can't recommend it enough.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not going to write oodles on this review. Firstly make sure to read the books in order there’s one book before this in the Dear Celeste series - Come Home Katie.

I can’t write what made me so happy about this book without giving spoilers. I will just say thank god for that epilogue at the end and those last bits. Yes I’d worked that out but at last I can stop shouting at Celeste to do something about that!! Also, can we take a moment to appreciate Romeo?

These are kindle unlimited reads so free to read if you subscribe. Now i just need the 3rd book like yesterday, Dread the Night. 4 stars read in 2 sittings.

[Mary Kazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great ride. I love this series. New characters to fall in love with. I really like Celeste. She is strong and independent. A near death experience has formed her into a different woman, a woman who she loves more. I love that she helps others. This was a very emotional one. River is on the look for her parents. Celeste delivers but it's a mystery no one expected. Again Celeste is in danger. And her husband just keeps being more against her. My opinion, Jonathan has to go! I can't wait for the next book in the series. She left us needing more answers! But she did solve River's mystery. And her own...

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in a promising series

As with the first book in this series, “The Worst Kind” features a strong cast of characters, not only the people who have reached out to Celeste for some help in finding their lost loved ones, but the community of people who, like Celeste, have gained a degree of psychic power after having had a near-death experience. In this outing, Celeste is trying to help a young woman find out who her birth parents were and what became of them. Sadly, hers is a dark story, and it’s nearly the death of both of them when the truth has been unraveled. Thrilling finale.

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.R. Erickson has easily become one of my favorite authors. The second book in the Dear Celeste series is titled The Worst Kind. Celeste gets an email from River asking for help to figure out who her biological parents are and what happened to them.
This novel grabbed my attention right from the start and never let go, making it a chilling read. The author's descriptions were so detailed that it was like watching a movie unfold in my mind. I highly recommend this book, as well as the author's other works, to fans of paranormal fiction. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a twisted, fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! It had well-developed, multi-faceted characters. It was suspenseful, thrilling and addictive! My heart beat wildly with anticipation and, sometimes, even fear! I felt ALL of the "feels". I was glued to my Kindle screen from the first page to the last. If you like unputdownable psychological suspense as much as I do, you CANNOT miss out on reading this book!!!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second one is just as good as the first!

A lot of the time, I start a series of books only to loose interest because the sequels aren't always as good. But, 2 books in 2 days, and can hardly wait to start the 3rd! The series, so far, has been an easy read with lots of of plot twists and things you never saw coming. The mystery is enough to keep you turning the pages from start to finish, and the paranormal isn't so over the top to not believe. I could see this being someone's reality!!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in series and giving it 4.5 stars. Again, very stingy with my 5 stars. Very good book. Steady pace to keep it from stalling. I was able to predict the villains fairly early in the series, either by something said (kind of gave it away) or I’m just soooooo smart 🥴. The 2nd villain in this book, I suspected from the first book in series and they were just confirmed on the very last page. I always want a twist at the very end & it provided. Now on to the 3rd in series before I forget everything I’ve read.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books by JR Erickson. In this book, Celeste is drawn into the case of a missing mother. Celeste has the special ability of being able to see spirits after almost dying in an accident. I first met her in the book “Come Home, Katie”. As Celeste works through the clues, she gets into a twisted game with a killer. I love the paranormal aspect to all of this author’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint. Loved it. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[dksmitty1972 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story telling

Outstanding 2nd novel in the Celeste series. J.R. Erickson creates characters that you truly grow to care about. I started reading the book a little slowly, other stuff to do and all that, but halfway thru I couldn’t put it down. It got my heart racing and I needed to see where it would go next. Even if/when you figure out what’s going on, you still need to see how it plays out. I recommend anyone read all of Erickson’s work. She’s a great storyteller!

[Joan mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

Excellent story for myster/thriller fans. It is not too gory, although it alludes to pretty gory deeds. The twists are true twists, unexpected and breathtaking.
There’s another story beneath the crime scene. In fact there 2. Celeste’s NDE and the impact it’s having on her life and Rivers twisted life story as well. I enjoyed every word of this story and loved the ending. Can’t wait for the next in series.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better than the first one, and the first one was fantastic. The characters came to life in my mind. Ms Erickson is an author that shows perfect setup and timing, She switched between writing about Celeste and what was going on with her, and River and what was going on with her. But it was done in a logical manner. And, she showed how a talented writer switches without confusing or annoying the reader. Ms. Erickson built tension to where I wanted to read ahead (which I refrained from doing.) I’m definitely going to be counting the days until the next book is out.

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book off and on in between other books that I had to get done but it was so worth it! Ya know how sometimes book 2 in a series can flop? This one did not! It was great! Great characters, great story lines (yes plural) that she drove us through seamlessly. The narrative was written so well that even when the POV shifted from one to the other in the same chapter it didn't feel messy.

Full review on my website.
www.mommodeloading.com

[Simona Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stayed up past my bedtime to finish this, and it was worth it! This book had many twists and turns, something I've come to expect from J.R. Erickson. I love that there's always the backstory of Celeste and her NDE, as well as her helping someone from her "Dear Celeste" column. I can't wait to read the next one as we uncover the truth about Celeste's mom - did she really abandon her kids years ago, or did she meet an untimely end?

[Tiffany Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminder why she’s my favorite author! I became attached to Celeste and River from the first chapter. Parts of this book actually brought me great comfort and gave me hope while other parts completely shocked me! I’ve read most, if not all of her books, and this one has moved to the number 1 spot!

[Samantha Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see part of the story take place in a different state. The dolls were really creepy, which is definitely a plus. I'm glad my feelings about Jonathan are founded. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Hopefully, Celeste finds a new cane! I want to know more about the ravens!