In the Hands of the Unknown

The Field Researchers #1

by A.E. Hellstorm

'In the Hands of the Unknown' by Indiebrag award-winning author A.E. The dead girl in the morgue wasn’t more than ten years old. As a Field Researcher within the FBI, agent Miriam Goldblum has seen many tragic deaths, but this girl was special. She had been eaten alive from the inside. For six years, Miriam has worked with cases like this; cases that step over that precious line of normal and throws her deep into a dark and shadowy world of supernatural crimes. She has forgotten how to sleep without nightmares, and she never turns off the light, terrified that the darkness will find her even at her own home. Together with her mentor and fiancé Henry, and her grumpy co-worker Carl, Miriam tries to find the people responsible for the girl’s death, but soon, she and her team realize that they might be the next victims themselves. Will they be able to solve this case without horrible losses for themselves, or is this the dreaded ‘last-case-scenario’ that they willingly are walking into? Extract from Readers' Favorite 5 Star "While In The Hands Of The Unknown by A.E. Hellstorm does have some horror elements, it never goes over the top or becomes tasteless, as is often the case with horror books and movies that seem to thrive on gore alone, without having a substantial plot to back it all up. The horror is more subtle, and the story justifies the few gory elements. There are also some sub-plots, such as the problems that arise within Miriam's team. They deal with issues When are you too old to work in a dangerous job? Is is possible to be just friends with your attractive team mate? Can you trust your younger girlfriend not to get involved with a younger man? Is it wise to start a relationship with your mentor? And how is it possible that so many children disappeared before anybody took some action? A.E. Hellstorm wrote more than just another horror story. It makes people think, and entertains the reader wonderfully. You can only hope that the next few volumes in the series will be just as gripping!"

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2014

About the author

I'm a writer and a photographer, and thus I walk in my late father's foot prints. However, instead of involving myself with the mafia, I do some less exciting things with my life than what he did. I do fun things - and less fun things - with my children, I take care of my four cats, I dance in this life long dance together with my husband, and even in the dark times I'm happy to be alive.

Reviews

[J. Daniel Layfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't discover Lovecraft until I was in my thirties, and he quickly became one of my favorites. His influence is easily seen and much enjoyed in Hellstorm's work.

I haven't been able to figure out what exactly it is about her writing style, but Ms. Hellstorm pulls me into her story and refuses to let go. The characters are well developed and believable, and the dynamic of their relationships progress and evolve naturally throughout the story.

The only complaint I have is the ending. And it's not even that it's a bad ending. I think the author just had me expecting more, and wanting more. It's definitely not going to keep me from reading more from this author. Highly recommended for Lovecraft and horror fans alike.

[Rian Nejar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense, and gripping, A.E. Hellstorm's 'In the Hands of the Unknown' felt much like a slow and complex X-Files episode with three instead of two interesting protagonists. It includes everything from deadly parasites, macabre crimes, undetectable entities possessing supernatural abilities, and strange cults and gruesome abuse. An ideal cocktail for horror aficionados.

There may well be a gem in this work. Every gem needs some polishing to elicit brilliance, and this work fits the mold. A commendable first-of-a-series effort!

[Charles Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, easy read that thrusts you into the story, before beginning a slow build of unfolding tension that comes crashing down in a cold, clean climax that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next book.

The pacing and tempo are smooth while the rhythm increases in increments with every turn of the page. A great weekend read.

[J.D. Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I must point out that while this is the first book in a series that hasn't been completed, the story stands alone and has no cliffhanger.

This book really grabbed me from the first page and held on tight, a death grip pulling me through the story relentlessly toward what I would describe as sublime terror in the final chapters. I found this slow, inexorable building of tension and fear reminiscent of the works of Lovecraft—some of my favorite horror fiction of all time. What started out as macabre and disturbing was horrifying by the final pages. In a world of horror dominated by gore, shock value and slaughter, it was wonderful to read this book.

That's not to say that the writing style itself is the same as the style of Lovecraft. The voice is unique, the storytelling modern and easy to read.

Told in the third person, I found the voice of the main character extremely easy to get behind. While Miriam/Claire is a strong female protagonist, she's also vulnerable—a skillfully woven combination of the two sides. This gave her some depth that really drew me in. While I've always had a fascination for strong female leads, some of the best ones out there have vulnerabilities. The other characters were just as well built. None of the central ones were single faceted foils. Especially well handled was Cyrus, one of Claire's partners.

Every book has technical issues, but overall this was quite clean. There were very few errors—definitely not enough to pull me out of the story.

The only thing I really struggled with was wrapping my head around the backstory that will back the entire series. The author dribbles out details about this over the course of the story but when the dust settled I felt that I wanted to know more about the Star Students of the Golden Fleece Society. Some of this might be simply my own failing in not understanding some common mythology or archetypical. I also imagine that more will become clear in future books in the series.

I really hope that the author will write more works like this. It's been far too long since subtlety, tone and mood were so dominant in horror fiction. Don't get me wrong—it's not ALL subtlety; there are more than a few scenes that are violent and frightening. One actually made me uncomfortable, and that can be an important dynamic in horror fiction. But overall the tension rises from beginning to end in a slow, yet powerful progression, never letting up or allowing the reader to relax.

I strongly recommend this for readers that enjoy this kind of horror and I really am hoping to see more books in this style from this author.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book on my own; the author did not solicit a review. The views in this review are mine and mine alone.

[Owen O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is well known, every avocation develops its own argot, and shortly thereafter a set of "approved" terms to describe its functions and output, which seem to be promulgated by some shadowy "powers that be". Two of my personal favorites are the Society of the Advancement of Obscure Wine Adjectives, and the Committee for Naming Household Paints.

In the writing business, we have these terms as well, and to describe "In the Hands of the Unknown," I'm going to use one: Gripping. Now that I've deployed an approved term, I shall explain what I mean.

What I mean (he explained) is facility in the use of language combined with the ability to convey a strong sense of place while placing me in close, immediate contact with the characters. This happened within the first page -- within the first couple of paragraphs, in fact -- and I was gripped.

The author knows how to build tension nicely, without resorting to melodrama, tired shock tactics or the rabidly effusive prose that is the main reason I don't read horror fiction. This makes the horror parts all the more effective (and yes, there are some quite violent and disturbing parts -- as they should be). Details are added with a deft touch that reveals the depth of the story slowly, as if a veneer is being scrubbed off to reveal an increasingly dark reality underneath.

Miriam (Claire), the protagonist, is a strong female lead, without being too "perfect" -- she has vulnerabilities and inner conflicts that make her a fully realized person. I liked her and the way she interacted with her cohorts, who are themselves not just convenient cyphers, trotted out to illustrate a point.

The author did not fumble the ending, and laid some nice groundwork for future books. There are a few places where this being a first book shows, but they are minor.

As a debut novel, this work deserves 5 stars, but I'm rating it based on my impression of the author's capabilities; thus, I'm giving it 4 stars, because I expect her to produce even better work.

Overall, this is an impressive start by an author I will definitely be keeping an eye on.

[Stalking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good mystery and even more so with a paranormal twist to it so this book filled the bill perfectly. I kept having visions of it being a really great idea for an episode of X Files. The story was easy to get into and it did hold my attention throughout. Within a team of three agents, 2 of them are involved as the author adds a little bit of romance to it. The author showcased the individual personalities well and really made the distinction between their personal lives and professional demeanor. I thought the entire story was well written. If I had one issue, it was with paragraph that describes the raping of a child, it was not graphically descriptive but I also think it was more than completely necessary. The understanding that sexual abuse was going on is vital to the story but as far as I’m concerned it didn’t actually have to be written in, it could have just been alluded to. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I really did enjoy this story. The intensity building and horror were absolutely terrifying and gripping. The main character’s evolution, the dynamics of the investigative trio, and the super natural freaky stuff makes me excited to read the next book in the series.
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chanced upon the author's Facebook page and she was asking if anyone wants to review this book. I can't remember if I have read the blurb but I think it was H.P. Lovecraft that made my decision. I am familiar with the name. I am sure since he is so popular, some of you have heard of him too. But unfortunately, I have not read any of his books. And this book was based on the world created by that famous author. So, I was curious. And since it's October, the traffic on the the entire social media was all about Halloween. I was thinking this was a good scary book to read. I have not read a lot of horror novels. There is only one that is on top of my head - The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King. So, as evidenced by this post, I got a copy of the book. Thank you again A. E. Hellstorm.

In the Hands of the Unknown is about a FBI team called Field Researchers. Any case that is out of the ordinary and leaning towards the bizarre is assigned to this team. There are three members of the team. One is our main character - Miriam Goldblum. So, there was one of these cases. It was a girl who died after coming home from camping. And the facts surrounding the cause of death were very disturbing. The team will soon find out that this case is far more complicated and sinister than any they have ever worked on. Will our three friends be able to get to the bottom of this?

It was late in the night when I started reading this. The lights were out and the rest of the house was asleep. I prefer to read at night because by then I would have finished my chores and I won't have to worry about anything interfering with my reading. So, a few chapters in to the story, I was starting to feel cold and thought I should not be reading this in the dark. Well, the air conditioning unit is on, so that would explain the cold. And as I said, every one else was sleeping so lights were out. I was reading an e-book, so the lights were not an issue. I just realized that the atmosphere was all set for the story and my imagination started running to where it shouldn't. I started looking around the room and tried listening for unfamiliar sounds. Yes, the first few chapters had me feeling a little creepy but I could not put the book down. I was thinking, "this is just a story. Horror movies are far scarier than this because of all the sound and effects. I am just reading. The only sound I would be hearing would just be my breathing and that should not scare me". I was trying to reassure myself by giving my self a pep talk.

In short, I did not finish the book. I had to sleep too.(Sounds like an excuse?) The next day, after lunch, with the sun so bright by our terrace, I picked up where I left off. And to my dismay, it was not as exciting as the last time I was reading it. Not because the story was not interesting anymore but because it was warm and sunny. I had to admit, the dark and coldness of the night added to the thrill. It felt like I was really there with the FR team and examining the dead bodies. Like how it is when the hair on your neck stands on its end and you have goosebumps all over your arms.

I was still glued to the book, even though there was a noticeable difference in the ambiance. Like some character in a horror movie who was not supposed to open the door or follow the sound, but can't help but do it anyway. That was how it was for me. I had to finish the story fast. I wanted to get to the end as soon as possible. Same with the characters in the story, I had to find out too what or who was the source of all these strange incidents.

This is probably, one of the best horror stories I have read. In the end, it wasn't that scary after all. My imagination got the best of me. I finished it with the sun in all its glory but it did not dampen my enthusiasm to still enjoy it. In the end, this felt like a mystery/suspense and less like horror but I still had a great time. But the first few chapters were really creepy (shivers). I would love to read more of the next assignments of the FR (Field Researchers) team. I felt like an honorary member already having to go through this with them. I think I can handle the next one, even with the lights out the whole time.

I give this 5/5 Faberge eggs. You will have to read the book to know about the Faberge eggs. I am keeping my mouth shut. No, I am not giving any clues. Trust me, it will be a very exciting and a creepy experience. You don't want to miss it.

I did not find any quotable lines in the book but I have one really good trivia about chai tea. And for all those tea lovers out there like me, here it is:

Chai's not the exact word for what were drinking (tea). It's Masala Chai, which means "mixed-spiced tea" in Hindi. Masala Chai,was originally used in India as herbal medicine and the earliest mention of this particular kind of tea is from Ayurvedic medical texts. Mostly to improve digestion and clear up mucus. The Ayurvedic traditions has a lot to do with the body and mind connections.

[Emily Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author, who provided a copy of In the Hands of the Unknown in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts out like a cross between episodes of Fringe and the X-Files. I can practically hear the theme music everytime I open the book. (This is a good thing) Miriam and her team are called in to investigate the death of a young girl. When the autopsy of this girl was done, it was found that she was infested with a strange sort of eel that literally ate her from the inside out. The very strangeness of this puts it in the category of cases that Miriam and her team are responsible for. While they are officially FBI agents, they also Field Researchers for an organisation called the Golden Fleece Society. The GFS is responsible for the investigation (and neutralization) of those cases that contain supernatural or otherwise unexplainable elements. The nature of these cases are hard on the researchers, and Miriam has seen more than one of her colleagues either wind up in straight jackets or die horrible deaths.

Through a local professor, they are able to connect the eels to a mysterious cult, but he is promptly found brutally murdered, sacrificed in his home to a deity only described as “Mother”. Soon after, the team realize that they cannot trust their own senses….someone has erased their memories. The whole team finds blocks of time that they either remember differently or do not remember at all. This ups the creep factor past eleven. With a wary eye on each other, they return to the case, trying to piece together fact vs. fantasy. The murdered girl leads them to Alaska, where this cult operates a camp filled with children….

This universe is based on the works of Lovecraft, which says a few different things to me. (Tentacles being one of those things.) There is a vaguely unsettling feel to the whole book, and a sense that you can’t trust anything that you are being told. That’s a good thing to remember about this book: Nothing is as it seems. Although it’s set in the summer, I kept picturing a set of dark, cold, rainy winter days as the backdrop. You know the feeling you get during an eclipse? Exciting, but wrong, somehow? The feel of this book is kind of like that. Hellstorm doesn’t shy away from gore and uncomfortable situations, and the horror of the events balances nicely with the fragility of her characters. She has kindly sent along the second book in this series, and I will be diving into it shortly.

[Christina McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect October read. An atmospheric horror that is dark and disturbing, yet not overly gory. Hellstorm doesn't go for the easy jump scares, relying instead on an overall sense of creepiness that makes the truly scary moments that much more jarring. As soon as you settle in and start thinking of this more as a suspenseful thriller, the horror aspect sneaks up and reminds you to lock the doors, close the shades, and check under the bed.

Right from the beginning, there's an almost uncanny valley feel to the world in which the story takes place. It's our world, yet, it's not. It's just different enough to cause unease. And then there is the field researchers themselves. Who are they? What exactly is it that they do? Why do they have secret identities? We're only given as much as we need to know to not be left scratching our heads.

I do have one small nitpick and that is in the fact that the action at the end seems almost too brief and too cryptic. Like everything else, we're only given a glimpse, just enough to get a feel for what is happening, but darn it, I wanted more.

Overall, this is a fabulous horror/thriller and I'm definitely looking forward to the next. If you're one of the many out there who are looking forward to the return of The X-files or if you're just looking for a spooky read, you'll love this book.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this one. On the one hand, the plot had a certain creep factor that's hard to fake. Even when I wasn't loving it, I was compelled to read right to the finish. I needed to know how it ended.

The writing style was solid, though a bit wandering. There were bits and pieces of plot that got dropped along the way like a trail of breadcrumbs. I finished the book with way more questions than answers, and I don't feel like any of those answers will be forthcoming in the sequel.

As for the characters, Miriam/Claire, had a lot of potential. She's easy to relate to, fearless and bold. But she's also whiny, and dependent on the approval of others. One minute she's imagining what it would like to be a grandmother, and the next she's not a fan of kids. Most of the characters were like this, a contradiction in personalities. One character, Oona, is downright hostile towards Miriam for no apparent reason, and the next is kind and all smiles.

I guess what I'm saying is that this book had the chance to be fantastic, but just needed another round of edits. I would consider coming back to read the sequel one day.

[Mikael Hellström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who'd like to see a book series like X-Files but in the world of Lovecraft will very much enjoy the concept of this one. But it's not just the concept that works. The language is nothing short of gripping. Without tricks like cliffhangers or other so overdone tropes, this author makes the characters feel like real people, in real situations, that are a really, really scary and leaves a mark, burned in your memory. They go through bad stuff, and you can tell, because they change, their relations change, their careers change. Nothing is the same as when it started. And that's how it should be, because horror leaves a mark, whether it's from monsters or people doing bad things. Get ready to immerse yourself in a compelling and realistic world.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, to the point that when I finished I couldn't help but see if there was a sequel (there is!).

So what's it all about? The best way to describe it is as crime procedural set in a Lovecraftian universe. There is a small team of people chasing down a pretty nasty crime, then... it gets weird.

Solid writing, believable characters, romance that makes sense. The horror builds slowly but surely. There were a few moments that might have led to more, but overall a thouroughly enjoyable book that I don't hesitate to recommend.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a slow creepy for me. I enjoyed the way I think the author built up the story and the creepiness through out the book. I think this is a good book for the first book in the series and I would love to see what comes next for this series. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[E.J. Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

Great book, excellent concept, very Cthuhlu mythos, but completely of the authors own devising. Really recommend to fans of investigative horror.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that IN THE HANDS OF THE UNKNOWN (The Field Researchers #1) by A.E. Hellstorm is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Kazwhiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! This book keeps you at the edge of your seat from cover to cover. The characters are deep and endearing. Looking forward to reading the next part of the thrilling adventures of these field researchers! :)