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Spirits #2
Dangerous Spirits
After the events of Reyhome Castle, Henry Strauss expected the Psychical Society to embrace his application of science to the study of hauntings. Instead, the society humiliates and blacklists him. His confidence shaken, he can’t bring himself to admit the truth to his lover, the handsome medium Vincent Night.Vincent’s new life in Baltimore with Henry is disrupted when a friend from the past asks for help with a haunting. In the remote town of Devil’s Walk, old ties and new lies threaten to tear the lovers apart, if a fiery spirit bent on vengeance doesn’t put an end to them first.
182 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
52 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,634 followersJordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 18, 2020
Vincent, Henry and co. are asked to assist in a haunting out in the midwestern boonies. While both our heroes are nursing serious blows to their egos, they're determined to be professional about it, and earnestly pray that the other won't figure out their respective failures. Or so they think.
Turns out that juggling an arsonist ghost and their own bruised self-esteem is quite a difficult task.
There's just something weirdly attractive to me in creepy midwestern towns. The general poverty, and insane religious mix always create a specific atmosphere that just can't wait to jump out at the unsuspecting reader with some seriously creepy vibes.
Sure enough, the second installment of the series doesn't disappoint and delivers an absolutely riveting detective slash ghost story. I was especially intrigued by whole reasoning behind the haunting, especially when both Henry and Vincent kept failing to decipher her wishes. In a most spectacularly fashion too.
I also got used to the romantic aspects, or rather... stopped expecting too many butterflies. That said I was quite pleased with the way their insecurities were finally confronted and eventually solved. Sufficient drama to make the reader worry, but not so much that it needed to be moved over into the sequel.
Score: 3.2/5 stars
Thrilling detective work, deliciously creepy ghosts, and of course bonus points for schmexy times.
Bring on the final volume!
=======================
Review of book 1: Restless Spirits
Review of book 3: Guardian Spirits
Turns out that juggling an arsonist ghost and their own bruised self-esteem is quite a difficult task.
There's just something weirdly attractive to me in creepy midwestern towns. The general poverty, and insane religious mix always create a specific atmosphere that just can't wait to jump out at the unsuspecting reader with some seriously creepy vibes.
Sure enough, the second installment of the series doesn't disappoint and delivers an absolutely riveting detective slash ghost story. I was especially intrigued by whole reasoning behind the haunting, especially when both Henry and Vincent kept failing to decipher her wishes. In a most spectacularly fashion too.
I also got used to the romantic aspects, or rather... stopped expecting too many butterflies. That said I was quite pleased with the way their insecurities were finally confronted and eventually solved. Sufficient drama to make the reader worry, but not so much that it needed to be moved over into the sequel.
Score: 3.2/5 stars
Thrilling detective work, deliciously creepy ghosts, and of course bonus points for schmexy times.
Bring on the final volume!
=======================
Review of book 1: Restless Spirits
Review of book 3: Guardian Spirits
October 31, 2019
4.5 stars.
When you are fangirl trash for an author like I am fangirl trash for Jordan L. Hawk, you rarely hesitate to read one of their books. But I hesitated to read Dangerous Spirits.
The first book in the series, Restless Spirits, was so genuinely frightening that I had nightmares. But it was so delightful that I didn’t mind. Except when I was alone in my 90-year-old house.
Early last week, the spousal unit was traveling for work and I was alone in my 90-year-old house. But I had been wanting to read this. So I steeled myself. Crackled my knuckles. Queued up Here I Go Again. In my head, I was Tawny Kitaen rocking out, ready to do the damn thing:
Well, I read the first page and realized that I wouldn't be doing anything. I didn’t want to spend all night like this:
In the end, Dangerous Spirits was less frightening than its predecessor but still offered thrills and chills and a touching romance, making for an enthralling and entertaining read.
Some have claimed that it is unrealistic to depict happiness for people of color and queer people in historical romance novels. Series like this demonstrate why that claim is false. Spirits doesn't pull its punches. It depicts the bigotry and the danger that people of color and queer people experienced. But it also depicts, quite joyously, their laughter and their successes and their love.
Main character and psychic medium Vincent is Native American, and his business partner, Lizzie, is trans. The other main character, Henry, an inventor determined to apply science to spirits, is raising his biracial cousin, Jo. They are a wonderfully diverse and fascinating cast of characters, and their ghost-hunting adventures are equally engaging. Here they seek the spirit of a burned witch in a Pennsylvania mining town and find all is not what it seems.
I enjoyed the relationship between Henry and Vincent in the first book, but I enjoyed it more here. Many readers, understandably, won't agree. There is a significant omission from Vincent and an outright lie from Henry. But the omission and the lie both stemmed from insecurity, from vulnerability, from the fear that they are not good enough. If I have to read about an established couple's relationship problems (which I sometimes hate but other times seek out because I'm crazy) I want THESE types of problems. They are realistic and relatable but also redeemable. I see "a way back" from them in a way that I don’t see with infidelity or other grave transgressions.
Henry and Vincent are fundamentally decent men who make mistakes but, most importantly, love each other. And I love reading about them. And getting creeped out with them.
Read for SBTB October - December 2018 Quarterly Challenge: A book by a favorite author.
When you are fangirl trash for an author like I am fangirl trash for Jordan L. Hawk, you rarely hesitate to read one of their books. But I hesitated to read Dangerous Spirits.
The first book in the series, Restless Spirits, was so genuinely frightening that I had nightmares. But it was so delightful that I didn’t mind. Except when I was alone in my 90-year-old house.
Early last week, the spousal unit was traveling for work and I was alone in my 90-year-old house. But I had been wanting to read this. So I steeled myself. Crackled my knuckles. Queued up Here I Go Again. In my head, I was Tawny Kitaen rocking out, ready to do the damn thing:
Well, I read the first page and realized that I wouldn't be doing anything. I didn’t want to spend all night like this:
In the end, Dangerous Spirits was less frightening than its predecessor but still offered thrills and chills and a touching romance, making for an enthralling and entertaining read.
Some have claimed that it is unrealistic to depict happiness for people of color and queer people in historical romance novels. Series like this demonstrate why that claim is false. Spirits doesn't pull its punches. It depicts the bigotry and the danger that people of color and queer people experienced. But it also depicts, quite joyously, their laughter and their successes and their love.
Main character and psychic medium Vincent is Native American, and his business partner, Lizzie, is trans. The other main character, Henry, an inventor determined to apply science to spirits, is raising his biracial cousin, Jo. They are a wonderfully diverse and fascinating cast of characters, and their ghost-hunting adventures are equally engaging. Here they seek the spirit of a burned witch in a Pennsylvania mining town and find all is not what it seems.
I enjoyed the relationship between Henry and Vincent in the first book, but I enjoyed it more here. Many readers, understandably, won't agree. There is a significant omission from Vincent and an outright lie from Henry. But the omission and the lie both stemmed from insecurity, from vulnerability, from the fear that they are not good enough. If I have to read about an established couple's relationship problems (which I sometimes hate but other times seek out because I'm crazy) I want THESE types of problems. They are realistic and relatable but also redeemable. I see "a way back" from them in a way that I don’t see with infidelity or other grave transgressions.
Henry and Vincent are fundamentally decent men who make mistakes but, most importantly, love each other. And I love reading about them. And getting creeped out with them.
Read for SBTB October - December 2018 Quarterly Challenge: A book by a favorite author.
September 26, 2015
BR with Nick!
Maybe 2.5 stars?
I gave the first book in this series, Restless Spirits, 4 stars. It was a fun read, with a spooky haunting, some bloodshed, and an entertaining romance to top it off. So I was eagerly looking forward towards the sequel. But 'Dangerous Spirits', while still entertaining, just fell a bit flat.
I liked the paranormal, that's for sure. It was interesting to see the Psychical Society at work and other members of the psychic world. The haunting had me hooked throughout. Jordan L. Hawk never fails to make goosebumps raise on my skin. Granted, I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to anything otherworldly, but Hawk has a talent for writing creepy scenarios. The plot reminded me of Threshold, which I'm not complaining about because that's probably my favourite book in the Whyborne and Griffin series.
What didn't work for me was the romance. In book 1, Henry and Vincent were an intriguing couple, with some slow-burn UST and an enemies-to-lovers vibe. In book 2, they were bland and boring. I couldn't be bothered to care about their relationship problems, especially when it was all easily avoidable.
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the book, but more so for the mystery/paranormal than for the romance. I'm also a huge fan of the two secondary characters, Jo and Lizzie. Bravo on the author for writing such a diverse cast of characters. I'm hoping the next book will have a strong romance along with the strong plot.
Maybe 2.5 stars?
I gave the first book in this series, Restless Spirits, 4 stars. It was a fun read, with a spooky haunting, some bloodshed, and an entertaining romance to top it off. So I was eagerly looking forward towards the sequel. But 'Dangerous Spirits', while still entertaining, just fell a bit flat.
I liked the paranormal, that's for sure. It was interesting to see the Psychical Society at work and other members of the psychic world. The haunting had me hooked throughout. Jordan L. Hawk never fails to make goosebumps raise on my skin. Granted, I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to anything otherworldly, but Hawk has a talent for writing creepy scenarios. The plot reminded me of Threshold, which I'm not complaining about because that's probably my favourite book in the Whyborne and Griffin series.
What didn't work for me was the romance. In book 1, Henry and Vincent were an intriguing couple, with some slow-burn UST and an enemies-to-lovers vibe. In book 2, they were bland and boring. I couldn't be bothered to care about their relationship problems, especially when it was all easily avoidable.
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the book, but more so for the mystery/paranormal than for the romance. I'm also a huge fan of the two secondary characters, Jo and Lizzie. Bravo on the author for writing such a diverse cast of characters. I'm hoping the next book will have a strong romance along with the strong plot.
December 8, 2015
I really enjoyed the paranormal aspects of this case. As usual, the writing was a smooth, exciting ride, with great atmosphere. The secondary characters got a chance to shine again here, especially Jo. I enjoyed watching all the relationships shifting and realigning a bit. The bad guy was obvious, but the route to discovering him was not.
The romance that seemed so promising in the first book becomes stalled out by a lie on Henry's part, and a major misperception on Vincent's (and it was Vincent's inability to see Henry clearly that irritated me, even more than Henry's repeated failures to come clean.) It creates some tension, and resolves in a lovely moment. But I'm generally not crazy about seeing an established couple kept apart by a misunderstanding that could be easily resolved, so that flattened the book just a bit for me. Still a fun read, a fascinating series, and characters I'd be happy to see more of.
The romance that seemed so promising in the first book becomes stalled out by a lie on Henry's part, and a major misperception on Vincent's (and it was Vincent's inability to see Henry clearly that irritated me, even more than Henry's repeated failures to come clean.) It creates some tension, and resolves in a lovely moment. But I'm generally not crazy about seeing an established couple kept apart by a misunderstanding that could be easily resolved, so that flattened the book just a bit for me. Still a fun read, a fascinating series, and characters I'd be happy to see more of.
September 20, 2015
Hawk writes a great mix of creepy, maggoty ghost story and the continuation of the family story. I say family because it is not just Henry and Vincent, I wouldn't want Lizzie and Jo left out, they are integral.
A story of wishes, lies, hurts, manipulation, doubts, love. I like how Hawk writes her HEA, she makes them real because in her series she continually shows the problems that arise in relationships and working through them. This makes it closer to our own realities in that it is not just a kiss and they lived happily every after (they would surely get bored with that). For her the HEA is more a work in progress and I like reading about that.
Ghostly BR with Ingela and Bev
Read
October 16, 2015Another terrific supernatural read. I really love Henry's scientific spiritualism, it's wonderful fun, and the horror is gloriously sinister. *subsides happily into Jordan's storytelling forever*
September 26, 2015
What Adam said.
September 20, 2015
It has been several months since the event at Reyhome Castle, where Henry Strauss was successfully test his Electro-Séance machine to help eradicate ghost haunting. He also had teamed up with medium Vincent Night and Elizabeth Devereux and formed Strauss, Night & Devereaux: Occult Services in his home city, Baltimore. With this, Henry thought that he finally would be able to join Baltimore Psychical Society.
Unfortunately, they rejected him and told Henry he was partially responsible of the death of Reyhome Castle's owner. Devastated and afraid that Vincent would regret coming to Baltimore to be with him, Henry lied to everyone and said that his invention was welcome. Then, a Mr. Emberey requested the team to help with ghost haunting over at Devil’s Walk, Pennsylvania, where they would join Sylvester Ortensi, an old friend of Vincent and Lizzie's teacher...
----
With the second book of Jordan L. Hawk's latest Spirits series, I have definitely have warmed myself towards Henry, Vincent, Lizzie, and Jo. I thought it was better than the first book, especially related to the characterizations. Gone was the dismissive attitude of Henry (towards medium) or the rudeness of Lizzie. Instead, we have a new 'team' (other than Whyborne/Griffin/Christine) that was pretty solid (except when Vincent found out about Henry's lie) which charmed me from the very get go.
The haunting case was solid (and pretty creepy) and it kept moving foward in a quick measured pace. I loved everything about this -- from the legend to the revelation on who was responsible for bringing the ghost back to the town, including a twist that complicated everything. I was a little bit weary about the 'secret' that Henry kept from Vincent though. I am not a big fan of 'lie as plot device' and each time Henry thought that he had done a big mistake of keeping the lie a little bit longer, I longed to knock him in his head. BUT, it also brought a very sweet romantic moment between Henry and Vincent, so I guess it was somehow okay ...
I totally look forward to be in the company of these people again. I am so in with each new adventure with Henry and co. I do hope that Hawk keeps this story as 'straight occult / ghosts' series rather than combining some urban fantasy elements. Don't get me wrong, I love Whyborne and Griffin series too ... but sometimes the whole thing with just a little bit too bizarre *lol*
Unfortunately, they rejected him and told Henry he was partially responsible of the death of Reyhome Castle's owner. Devastated and afraid that Vincent would regret coming to Baltimore to be with him, Henry lied to everyone and said that his invention was welcome. Then, a Mr. Emberey requested the team to help with ghost haunting over at Devil’s Walk, Pennsylvania, where they would join Sylvester Ortensi, an old friend of Vincent and Lizzie's teacher...
----
With the second book of Jordan L. Hawk's latest Spirits series, I have definitely have warmed myself towards Henry, Vincent, Lizzie, and Jo. I thought it was better than the first book, especially related to the characterizations. Gone was the dismissive attitude of Henry (towards medium) or the rudeness of Lizzie. Instead, we have a new 'team' (other than Whyborne/Griffin/Christine) that was pretty solid (except when Vincent found out about Henry's lie) which charmed me from the very get go.
The haunting case was solid (and pretty creepy) and it kept moving foward in a quick measured pace. I loved everything about this -- from the legend to the revelation on who was responsible for bringing the ghost back to the town, including a twist that complicated everything. I was a little bit weary about the 'secret' that Henry kept from Vincent though. I am not a big fan of 'lie as plot device' and each time Henry thought that he had done a big mistake of keeping the lie a little bit longer, I longed to knock him in his head. BUT, it also brought a very sweet romantic moment between Henry and Vincent, so I guess it was somehow okay ...
I totally look forward to be in the company of these people again. I am so in with each new adventure with Henry and co. I do hope that Hawk keeps this story as 'straight occult / ghosts' series rather than combining some urban fantasy elements. Don't get me wrong, I love Whyborne and Griffin series too ... but sometimes the whole thing with just a little bit too bizarre *lol*
January 25, 2020
I didn't enjoy Dangerous Spirits as much as I did Restless Spirits. I felt unsettled for much of it, and not in a good way, because of Henry's dishonesty. I understood at first, but Henry just kept ignoring the situation, maybe hoping he'd be struck by lightening before he was forced to tell the truth. That dishonesty colored everything, including his relationship with Vincent, and boy did it annoy me. I loved their chemistry in the first book, but here it felt off.
I also pretty much disliked Sylvester as soon as we met him, too. He was bossy and pretentious and I didn't like how he treated everyone. He was condescending to Henry, but he was also very heavy handed with Vincent and Lizzie so anytime he had page time...ugh.
The ghost story was top notch, though, and I loved the ending and where it put Vincent and Henry with each other. I just wish I could have felt that hope during the rest of the book.
I also pretty much disliked Sylvester as soon as we met him, too. He was bossy and pretentious and I didn't like how he treated everyone. He was condescending to Henry, but he was also very heavy handed with Vincent and Lizzie so anytime he had page time...ugh.
The ghost story was top notch, though, and I loved the ending and where it put Vincent and Henry with each other. I just wish I could have felt that hope during the rest of the book.
December 12, 2022
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this one a lot, what I didn’t like was the choice of conflict: a lie.
The lie caused much doubting and consternation and internal monologuing. I got tired and was just waiting for the character to fess up.
The ghostly mystery was great, however, as was the narration by Greg Tremblay!
I enjoyed this one a lot, what I didn’t like was the choice of conflict: a lie.
The lie caused much doubting and consternation and internal monologuing. I got tired and was just waiting for the character to fess up.
The ghostly mystery was great, however, as was the narration by Greg Tremblay!
September 17, 2018
3.5 stars
The paranormal mystery was great, but the romance…omg, the romance in this book was ridiculous.
The lack of communication went through the roof and that wasn’t even the worst part.
Thank god for Lizzie and Jo, they’re clearly the only ones with a functioning brain.
The paranormal mystery was great, but the romance…omg, the romance in this book was ridiculous.
The lack of communication went through the roof and that wasn’t even the worst part.
Thank god for Lizzie and Jo, they’re clearly the only ones with a functioning brain.
February 4, 2016
3.5 stars, because after having loved Restless Spirits so much, this was a little disappointing
I adored Henry and Vincent in Restless Spirits and was so excited that I could dive straight into the second book in the series. But, though I still love these guys, this book was a bit of a let down. My main problem here was that Henry lies to Vincent right at the beginning. I hate to read books where one MC lies to the other. As a plot device, I find this frustrating and predictable. Other parts of the plot, like who the bad guy was, seemed fairly predictable too.
I do still love Henry and Vincent and I continue to enjoy the time period and settings for this series. I also think Jo and Lizzie are fantastic secondary characters -- so unique to have such diverse characters in historical fiction set in this time period.
I adored Henry and Vincent in Restless Spirits and was so excited that I could dive straight into the second book in the series. But, though I still love these guys, this book was a bit of a let down. My main problem here was that Henry lies to Vincent right at the beginning. I hate to read books where one MC lies to the other. As a plot device, I find this frustrating and predictable. Other parts of the plot, like who the bad guy was, seemed fairly predictable too.
I do still love Henry and Vincent and I continue to enjoy the time period and settings for this series. I also think Jo and Lizzie are fantastic secondary characters -- so unique to have such diverse characters in historical fiction set in this time period.
September 24, 2015
I do love Henry and Vincent, and couldn't wait for this one to come out BUT have to admit that in the end it fell a little flat for me. We already knew who the bad guy was going to be from quite early on in the story, and the more he criticised Henry and tried to turn Vincent against him, the more I was convinced I was right and couldn't wait for something nasty to happen to him in a 'Yesss!! **fistpumping**' kind of way, hehe. I love the way that Jo and Lizzie are always up for things even though they know that there will be danger...quite unlike the typical vapid Victorian heroine who swoons at the sight of anything nasty!!
I will warn you now...there are maggots in this story (God, I HATE maggots with a passion!!), as well as....well, read the story and enjoy. 4 stars from me, and thanks to the Ladies of the Buddy Read as usual.
August 23, 2015
Classic Jordan - a mystery, spooky goings-on, and two fantastic lead characters. Enjoyed this so much I couldn't put it down.
November 27, 2020
Second instalment in this supernatural series. I love the way Hawk combines horror and diversity elements into thrilling stories. Let’s face it - I’m hooked! :0)
November 18, 2018
I don't have much to say about this one. It was fun, and the ghost story was less obvious than in the first book, but I still figured it out way before the characters did and it still follows all the usual tropes. Henry does a stupid thing at the beginning of the book and then lies about it for the next 75% of it. Vincent is also holding things back, so all the relationship angst is based on them not talking or trusting each other. I did like the background that we get about Vincent and Lizzie and their mentor Dunne, and the climax was sufficiently tense. Overall though, this is pretty average.
September 17, 2015
4.5 stars on Prism Book Alliance®
This story begins with and maintains a steady climb towards the thrilling climactic third act. I won’t say it’s a slow climb, as the pacing and development are excellent, but it’s deceptive, never really letting on about what’s to come. I was roped in without even knowing. Yes! *pumps fist*
The gangs all here for a return engagement and continuation of their lives in this burgeoning group existence, maybe even as a family? Henry and Vincent are a few months into a new, joyful, and realistically tenuous partnership in all ways. Lizzie and Jo are the counterbalances and pretty much rock it no matter the situation. A constantly evolving dynamic makes for a wonderfully unpredictable set up for this adventure. Emotional, dangerous, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
At the base of it all is this “thing” between Henry and Vincent. It feels near unstoppable, the chemistry and need and bottomless desire to be there for each other. Of course, doubts worm their way in given the reality of the times, and that the fact that they’re still in the beginning stages of this relationship. Still…
Then Henry showed up at his doorstep, and Vincent’s heart took wing at the sight of him.
Hawk is having fun with word combinations in this book. More importantly, they result in a strong connection between reader and character. Well, at least they did for me. I went from swooning to saying “hell yeah!” to no way, no way is this happening, and back around to HEH. *cue the Barry White*
I might have said this somewhere before, but one of my favorite types of paranormal stories are those involving ghosts. It’s about how they have tangible effects on the living, how the living attempt to both control and learn from them, seeking answers maybe only ghosts can provide. Mixing the scientific with the psychic opens up so many doors to explore and that definitely happens here. The only thing missing from making it a grand slam homerun for me is that I think Vincent’s talents and powers have yet to be truly tapped. It would have been incredible to have more of him in the mix between Henry’s science and Lizzie’s clearly superior psychic abilities as defined in this universe.
I also love when a storyteller mixes genres. In this case we have that paranormal, as well as a mystery to be solved, the overall mystery of ghosts and what it all means, and a historical setting. I have no resistance when galvanometers, bottle green cutaways, and unanswered questions color my world.
What I also love is the diverse cast of characters. A native American psychic who sees the merits of it and the scientific working together, a young black teenage girl asserting her feelings and her intelligence, a trans* woman who can and does run circles around just about everyone in every department and yet doesn’t lord over any of them with it, and a poor white man who sees and lives what it means to love the family you make. Of course, all of these are the things one can see from the outside. Inside, they’re all the same: longing and working for that family, and all of the different kinds of love they’re free to express within it.
Physical description is a tricky, difficult thing, and yet it’s so important in being able to, not just set a scene but, open the door and allow a reader to feel temperature, hear the changes in terrain, and smell the charred remains of something left behind.
One of my favorite passages:
Leaves crunched beneath his feet. His breath scraped in his throat, too loud for him to hear whether anything gave pursuit. Any moment, he expected to feel a skeletal hand grab the back of his coat, or a blast of cold against his neck. His lungs burned and his sides ached, but he didn’t dare stop.
Physical description that works means you feel your heart pounding because you feel the fear and want him to make it.
All of the emotion, sexual energy, fear and deception, desperation and triumph, and the love are woven throughout this story. You might think you’ve come upon a point when, whew, you can catch your breath but nope! It doesn’t last long and everything comes roaring back again, all of it culminating in the final third of the book. Everything shifted. Everything changed.
I’m exhausted, and can’t wait for the next story!
This story begins with and maintains a steady climb towards the thrilling climactic third act. I won’t say it’s a slow climb, as the pacing and development are excellent, but it’s deceptive, never really letting on about what’s to come. I was roped in without even knowing. Yes! *pumps fist*
The gangs all here for a return engagement and continuation of their lives in this burgeoning group existence, maybe even as a family? Henry and Vincent are a few months into a new, joyful, and realistically tenuous partnership in all ways. Lizzie and Jo are the counterbalances and pretty much rock it no matter the situation. A constantly evolving dynamic makes for a wonderfully unpredictable set up for this adventure. Emotional, dangerous, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
At the base of it all is this “thing” between Henry and Vincent. It feels near unstoppable, the chemistry and need and bottomless desire to be there for each other. Of course, doubts worm their way in given the reality of the times, and that the fact that they’re still in the beginning stages of this relationship. Still…
Then Henry showed up at his doorstep, and Vincent’s heart took wing at the sight of him.
Hawk is having fun with word combinations in this book. More importantly, they result in a strong connection between reader and character. Well, at least they did for me. I went from swooning to saying “hell yeah!” to no way, no way is this happening, and back around to HEH. *cue the Barry White*
I might have said this somewhere before, but one of my favorite types of paranormal stories are those involving ghosts. It’s about how they have tangible effects on the living, how the living attempt to both control and learn from them, seeking answers maybe only ghosts can provide. Mixing the scientific with the psychic opens up so many doors to explore and that definitely happens here. The only thing missing from making it a grand slam homerun for me is that I think Vincent’s talents and powers have yet to be truly tapped. It would have been incredible to have more of him in the mix between Henry’s science and Lizzie’s clearly superior psychic abilities as defined in this universe.
I also love when a storyteller mixes genres. In this case we have that paranormal, as well as a mystery to be solved, the overall mystery of ghosts and what it all means, and a historical setting. I have no resistance when galvanometers, bottle green cutaways, and unanswered questions color my world.
What I also love is the diverse cast of characters. A native American psychic who sees the merits of it and the scientific working together, a young black teenage girl asserting her feelings and her intelligence, a trans* woman who can and does run circles around just about everyone in every department and yet doesn’t lord over any of them with it, and a poor white man who sees and lives what it means to love the family you make. Of course, all of these are the things one can see from the outside. Inside, they’re all the same: longing and working for that family, and all of the different kinds of love they’re free to express within it.
Physical description is a tricky, difficult thing, and yet it’s so important in being able to, not just set a scene but, open the door and allow a reader to feel temperature, hear the changes in terrain, and smell the charred remains of something left behind.
One of my favorite passages:
Leaves crunched beneath his feet. His breath scraped in his throat, too loud for him to hear whether anything gave pursuit. Any moment, he expected to feel a skeletal hand grab the back of his coat, or a blast of cold against his neck. His lungs burned and his sides ached, but he didn’t dare stop.
Physical description that works means you feel your heart pounding because you feel the fear and want him to make it.
All of the emotion, sexual energy, fear and deception, desperation and triumph, and the love are woven throughout this story. You might think you’ve come upon a point when, whew, you can catch your breath but nope! It doesn’t last long and everything comes roaring back again, all of it culminating in the final third of the book. Everything shifted. Everything changed.
I’m exhausted, and can’t wait for the next story!
May 15, 2021
Our quirky gang of semi-competants are hired by a capitalist exploiter industialist to get rid of the ghost that is interfering with development in a small town. The setting is awfully reminiscent of the episode of the author's longer Widdershins series where Whyborne & Griffin are sent to investigate the Threshold mine. Only without the creepy underground horror.
Interested to see where the revelations about their mentor Dunne lead in the longer story arc.
Interested to see where the revelations about their mentor Dunne lead in the longer story arc.
October 20, 2018
Great narration bumps this into the 4 star bracket.
Review to follow - at some point (maybe).
Review to follow - at some point (maybe).
May 4, 2016
Sure that his invention’s success at Reyhome Castle will impress, Henry Strauss goes into the meeting at the Psychical Society with eagerness. But when the presentation is over, it is not applause that meets him but a resounding No, and a door slammed in his face. With Vincent, Lizzy, and Jo depending on him to bring in customers and money, Henry doesn’t know what to do when it seems like neither of those things will be coming their way.
So he lies.
Before he can come clean and hopefully salvage some of his relationships, a customer comes asking for Vincent and Lizzy-–on the advise of an old friend of theirs. Seems a mining company is having a bit of a ghost problem. Desperate to prove himself and his machines–-and to have a least a bit more time with the man he loves-–Henry decides to tag along. But the ghost proves to much more powerful than they imagined. With each failure Henry gets more desperate. Unfortunately if things keep going they they have been, he might not even have a life to save, let alone a love.
Oh boy, but did I want to shake some sense into Henry during this book. I very much wanted to employ the tried and true method of locking Henry in a closet with Vincent until he either came clean or they both ripped each others clothes off in frustration. Preferably both. But no matter how man times I found myself utterly frustrated with his lack of honesty I totally loved the tension it brought to the story.
There is just something about the problem of loathing something so completely (like Henry does with the lies that populate the psychic medium field) and still finding yourself trapped by that same problem yourself. It is something we all have to face. And while to some it may seem a bit hypocritical, I think Henry is just human enough to have flaws. He lies not to harm those he loves–-even though it ends up being an unintended consequence-–but he lets himself forget that his work is not what draws his lover, friend, and family to him. It is his character.
I love how complex and yet relatively simple Jordan L. Hawk’s characters are. They seem almost too easy to fall in love with. You care about them long after they story ends, and find yourself so caught up in their stories that it almost a let-down to remember that they are not real.
Even the ghosts and the bad guys are never shallow shadows that haunt the edges of the story. They have a depth that allows you to understand them even as you hate them. It doesn’t hurt that this complexity helps make one damn good mystery.
While it would be hard to top my love of Whyborne and Griffin, Henry and Vincent are a very close second. Both seem be the fated other half of the other. I loved this book probably as much as the first and feel that it is another great addition to Jordan Hawk’s work, and to the growing collection of historical paranormal mysteries in this genre.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
So he lies.
Before he can come clean and hopefully salvage some of his relationships, a customer comes asking for Vincent and Lizzy-–on the advise of an old friend of theirs. Seems a mining company is having a bit of a ghost problem. Desperate to prove himself and his machines–-and to have a least a bit more time with the man he loves-–Henry decides to tag along. But the ghost proves to much more powerful than they imagined. With each failure Henry gets more desperate. Unfortunately if things keep going they they have been, he might not even have a life to save, let alone a love.
Oh boy, but did I want to shake some sense into Henry during this book. I very much wanted to employ the tried and true method of locking Henry in a closet with Vincent until he either came clean or they both ripped each others clothes off in frustration. Preferably both. But no matter how man times I found myself utterly frustrated with his lack of honesty I totally loved the tension it brought to the story.
There is just something about the problem of loathing something so completely (like Henry does with the lies that populate the psychic medium field) and still finding yourself trapped by that same problem yourself. It is something we all have to face. And while to some it may seem a bit hypocritical, I think Henry is just human enough to have flaws. He lies not to harm those he loves–-even though it ends up being an unintended consequence-–but he lets himself forget that his work is not what draws his lover, friend, and family to him. It is his character.
I love how complex and yet relatively simple Jordan L. Hawk’s characters are. They seem almost too easy to fall in love with. You care about them long after they story ends, and find yourself so caught up in their stories that it almost a let-down to remember that they are not real.
Even the ghosts and the bad guys are never shallow shadows that haunt the edges of the story. They have a depth that allows you to understand them even as you hate them. It doesn’t hurt that this complexity helps make one damn good mystery.
While it would be hard to top my love of Whyborne and Griffin, Henry and Vincent are a very close second. Both seem be the fated other half of the other. I loved this book probably as much as the first and feel that it is another great addition to Jordan Hawk’s work, and to the growing collection of historical paranormal mysteries in this genre.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
October 6, 2015
Supernatural devilment strikes again for the intrepid ghostbusting quartet, in this equally fabulous follow up to the fantastic Restless Spirits. Only this time round, it's not just metaphysical mishaps they have to overcome.
As well as having to face the full force of a vengeful spirit with murder and mayhem on her mind, there are also adversities of a more earthly nature threatening to dissolve Henry and Victors professional partnership and fast growing romance, including personal insecurities, trust issues, and the appearance of Sylvester 'The Great' Orsini; an imposing professional medium and great friend of Dunne Victor and Lizzy's mentor, who died at the hands of a possessed Victor. A horrific memory Victor constantly carries with him, that alongside the guilt of the act, has him always fearing the spirit returning to possess him again.
Orsini's influence and past dealings with the two younger psychics, plus his wariness and disdain of Henry's scientific input into the spiritual world, doesn't help when things get hairy in Devils Walk Pennsylvania, the town they're sent to, to hopefully banish a violent ghost that's scaring the townsfolk and construction crew working there literary to death ...and its there, that things begin to go even more emotionally south for the two conflicted MC's.
Initially though, it starts to go wrong when after six months together as lovers and fairly successful business partners, the Baltimore Psychical Society cruelly reject Henry Strauss's electromagnetic scientific findings, revoke his membership and send him packing.
And it's then, in a momentary fit of self doubt that an already dejected and totally humiliated Henry lie's to his lover about his failure and harsh dismissal, and the rest of his closely knit group, leaving them all with the notion that his meeting was a rip roaring success, and therefore beneficial to the further growth and prosperity of their business.
As soon as the words are out of his mouth he wants to take them back but of course the moment either keeps getting interrupted or his nerve just fails him, and the more time passes, the more the fears of how everyone (especially Victor) will take it begin to take their toll on Henry, making it harder and harder for him to finally confess the truth.
It was a real "OH, OH!!" moment and the instant I knew that this time there was going to be even more heart thumping emotional conflict as well as the highly anticipated edge of your seat excitement, spine tingling spookiness and sizzling sexy times! I loved the way it all melded together; making this another utterly engrossing five star read for me...
For rest of review follow Link->http://bit.ly/1goMKB2
As well as having to face the full force of a vengeful spirit with murder and mayhem on her mind, there are also adversities of a more earthly nature threatening to dissolve Henry and Victors professional partnership and fast growing romance, including personal insecurities, trust issues, and the appearance of Sylvester 'The Great' Orsini; an imposing professional medium and great friend of Dunne Victor and Lizzy's mentor, who died at the hands of a possessed Victor. A horrific memory Victor constantly carries with him, that alongside the guilt of the act, has him always fearing the spirit returning to possess him again.
Orsini's influence and past dealings with the two younger psychics, plus his wariness and disdain of Henry's scientific input into the spiritual world, doesn't help when things get hairy in Devils Walk Pennsylvania, the town they're sent to, to hopefully banish a violent ghost that's scaring the townsfolk and construction crew working there literary to death ...and its there, that things begin to go even more emotionally south for the two conflicted MC's.
Initially though, it starts to go wrong when after six months together as lovers and fairly successful business partners, the Baltimore Psychical Society cruelly reject Henry Strauss's electromagnetic scientific findings, revoke his membership and send him packing.
And it's then, in a momentary fit of self doubt that an already dejected and totally humiliated Henry lie's to his lover about his failure and harsh dismissal, and the rest of his closely knit group, leaving them all with the notion that his meeting was a rip roaring success, and therefore beneficial to the further growth and prosperity of their business.
As soon as the words are out of his mouth he wants to take them back but of course the moment either keeps getting interrupted or his nerve just fails him, and the more time passes, the more the fears of how everyone (especially Victor) will take it begin to take their toll on Henry, making it harder and harder for him to finally confess the truth.
It was a real "OH, OH!!" moment and the instant I knew that this time there was going to be even more heart thumping emotional conflict as well as the highly anticipated edge of your seat excitement, spine tingling spookiness and sizzling sexy times! I loved the way it all melded together; making this another utterly engrossing five star read for me...
For rest of review follow Link->http://bit.ly/1goMKB2
October 5, 2015
I really like this series as a paranormal investigation-type get-up. They're a great team; Vincent and Lizzie as the mediums, Henry as the man of science, and Jo as the plucky side-kick. However, the romance is just kind of meh for me. That said, I'd definitely read the next one.
November 21, 2016
Great continuation of this series.
One again I found this delved much deeper into the psychology of the characters, Henry's lies and Vincent's insecurities - balanced by the supernatural detective mission.
One again I found this delved much deeper into the psychology of the characters, Henry's lies and Vincent's insecurities - balanced by the supernatural detective mission.
June 3, 2016
I need more!
October 25, 2015
OMG OMG I loved this book! Jordan L. Hawk is definitely one of my fav authors, and she didn't disappoint!
January 22, 2016
4.5 stars
December 1, 2022
Once again Hawk has crafted a really suspenseful, compelling and super spooky paranormal tale that kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to my Kindle. The thoughtful social commentary on race, gender, class, screwing up and doing better, etc. are also, once again, brilliantly and deftly woven into the story.
There was just one tiny thing that kept my enjoyment from being as high as it might have been. The lack of honest communication between Henry and Vincent dragged on longer than I would have liked. I wouldn’t say I didn’t understand it or that I didn’t buy it, I just got tired of it. That said, communication is hard when you’re scared and have insecurities, so I did find it credible, even if tiresome. It did add a kind of dimension and nuance to the characters and their relationship.
Continuing to love Henry and Vincent as well as Jo and Lizzie.
4.25 stars
There was just one tiny thing that kept my enjoyment from being as high as it might have been. The lack of honest communication between Henry and Vincent dragged on longer than I would have liked. I wouldn’t say I didn’t understand it or that I didn’t buy it, I just got tired of it. That said, communication is hard when you’re scared and have insecurities, so I did find it credible, even if tiresome. It did add a kind of dimension and nuance to the characters and their relationship.
Continuing to love Henry and Vincent as well as Jo and Lizzie.
4.25 stars
December 18, 2023
12/2023 Review: 3.5 stars rounded down
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, nor as much as I apparently enjoyed in the first time around! Still a solid read overall, but I found the plot involving Knight's mentor a bit obvious/overdone. I also found Knight a bit more annoying here, and the smut didn't do much for me. But I *did* like it on the whole, and I'm really curious to read book 3, which I haven't read yet!
===
Original 9/2015 review: 4 stars
Great update in the series!
I thought the plot was interesting and engaging, and I really liked the introduction of Knight's mentor, and how that affected his and Henry's relationship. I do sometimes feel the desire to smack Henry upside the head, but I think he's a very relatable character, and I love how he always owns up to his mistakes.
The side characters and the overall representation continue to be amazing and make me very happy.
My one qualm is sort of a superficial one, but Again, silly issue, but there is it.
Definitely plan on continuing to read the series!
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, nor as much as I apparently enjoyed in the first time around! Still a solid read overall, but I found the plot involving Knight's mentor a bit obvious/overdone. I also found Knight a bit more annoying here, and the smut didn't do much for me. But I *did* like it on the whole, and I'm really curious to read book 3, which I haven't read yet!
===
Original 9/2015 review: 4 stars
Great update in the series!
I thought the plot was interesting and engaging, and I really liked the introduction of Knight's mentor, and how that affected his and Henry's relationship. I do sometimes feel the desire to smack Henry upside the head, but I think he's a very relatable character, and I love how he always owns up to his mistakes.
The side characters and the overall representation continue to be amazing and make me very happy.
My one qualm is sort of a superficial one, but Again, silly issue, but there is it.
Definitely plan on continuing to read the series!
September 26, 2015
4.5/5.0
I love the way Jordan L Hawk writes. She can create the best creepy monsters, ghosts and/or villains. Her writing is vivid and pulls me in to the story. I will admit that I was not happy with Henry for the better part of this book. I was a bit frustrated with the conflict in the story, but of course that changed. As the story continued and the action increased Henry really showed his mettle.
I am enjoying the Spirits series and the way it blends magic/spiritualism with technology and a healthy dose of skepticism (Thank you Henry). Vincent, Lizzie and Jo round out the group and they are creating a wonderful family that I look forward to reading about in future books.
I love the way Jordan L Hawk writes. She can create the best creepy monsters, ghosts and/or villains. Her writing is vivid and pulls me in to the story. I will admit that I was not happy with Henry for the better part of this book. I was a bit frustrated with the conflict in the story, but of course that changed. As the story continued and the action increased Henry really showed his mettle.
I am enjoying the Spirits series and the way it blends magic/spiritualism with technology and a healthy dose of skepticism (Thank you Henry). Vincent, Lizzie and Jo round out the group and they are creating a wonderful family that I look forward to reading about in future books.
October 6, 2015
3.5
С самого начала меня взбесили надуманная проблема и нежелание Генри признаться. И это чувство повлияло на мое общее впечатление от книги, так как этот секрет упоминался чуть ли не на каждой странице.
И этому также не способствовало то, что главная интрига перестала быть таковой уже на первой трети истории, а Винсент в момент конфликта задирал нос и не желал все выяснить, как обиженная школьница.
Но в целом, история интересная.
С самого начала меня взбесили надуманная проблема и нежелание Генри признаться. И это чувство повлияло на мое общее впечатление от книги, так как этот секрет упоминался чуть ли не на каждой странице.
И этому также не способствовало то, что главная интрига перестала быть таковой уже на первой трети истории, а Винсент в момент конфликта задирал нос и не желал все выяснить, как обиженная школьница.
Но в целом, история интересная.
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