Collecting Death

Haunted Collection #1

by Ron Ripley

Exhausted from an academic conference, mild-mannered historian Victor Daniels wants nothing more than to return to his loving wife. But when he finally arrives home, he finds only tragedy and heartbreak. His wife has been brutally murdered. And the only clue is a blood-soaked stuffed toy, with a sinister gleam in its eye…

Overcome with rage and guilt, Victor teams up with a paranormal expert to track down the origins of the strange toy. And together they discover a tangled web of haunted collectibles and bloodshed, all pointing towards one man—Stefan Korzh…

A tragic childhood and a mansion filled with haunted antiques have driven Stefan mad. Each cursed item in his ancestral home carries a legacy of terror and death. Now, he seeks to unleash his family’s haunted collection upon the world, spreading chaos and fear.

Time is running out, and Victor is the only one who can stop this madman’s diabolical game. But how far will Victor go to find justice for his wife?

And will he make the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of countless others?

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Ghosts, Thriller, Paranormal, Mystery, Audiobook

199 pages, ebook

Published September 28, 2017

About the author

Ron Ripley is a husband and father surviving in New England, a place which seems to be getting colder every day. He grew up across from a disturbingly large cemetery where he managed to scare himself every night before going to bed. Mostly because of the red lights that people put in front of the headstones. Those things are just plain creepy to a kid.

Ron enjoys writing horror, military history and driving through the small towns of New England with his family, collecting books and giving impromptu lectures on military history to his family, who enjoy ignoring him during those dreadful times.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely eerie! After the death of his parents, their son sells haunted dolls and toys they collected to amateur collectors. You really want to see the haunted bear and haunted porcelain doll in action, don't you? When his wife commits suicide on request of one of those haunted toys the bought a man seeks out for revenge. He's teaming up with a professional on supernatural things and they try to hunt Stefan (the man who sells those items) down... Compelling, easy to read, to the bone episodes you can't get enough of. This seems to be planned by the author as a whole series. You won't regret it. I read this book for free. Recommended!

[Cheryl (Taking A Break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 star read.

An entertaining, chilling read that was ultimately let down by a rather crappy ending. It would probably have been a 4 - 4.5 💫 read if everything hadn't been left up in the air.

[J.C. Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about purchasing haunted items? If so this story might just make you change your mind.

Stefan’s mom and dad collected haunted items, and he has made it his mission to sell these treasured items. He is not selling them to make money or to make sure they are taken care of as they should be, no! He is selling them to armature buyers who don’t know how to contain evil that possesses them. His goal is to have these items cause as much havoc and pain as they can to get back at his mother.

Ron Ripley is an excellent writer, and I have read many of his books. However, this one had me up at night checking to make sure my antique doll had not moved from her position on the dresser. Yes, it’s safe to say this story gave me the creeps.

[ReneE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Mr. Ripley, although I found it to be the most horrific, and I found I missed the good ghosts from the Shane books. (Is that series completely over? Too bad if so.)

I really liked the two 'good guys' -- Jeremy and Victor, although Jeremy seems so frail. I don't think he would have survived this adventure without Victor. ;-) They sure got a work-out in this first installment. I'll be reading the next one for sure!

The cursed-objects storyline, while not unique, was done well, and all the characters (dead or alive... ;-) were interesting and well-drawn. All in all, a great start to the new series. I have read all his book series (personally don't care for short stories) and he has never disappointed.

[Gwen Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite new author

I love the writing style of Ron Ripley. He knows just how to put words together to make a sentence. How to make a sentence into a paragraph and how to turn those words and paragraphs into something that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. He also turns something as simple as a shadow, into something that gives you the chills! You'll find yourself triple checking all of your door and window locks! If you like well crafted and imaginative horror, just download, close your curtains, triple check your locks and get ready for some chilling fun!

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of the premise. What with the Annabelle and Chucky movie series the concept of possessed dolls has grown. I will tell you that you may not look at a teddy bear the same way again after this book. I was really digging this book for the first third of the story. After this, my excitement dissipated. This is because the "horror" aspect of the story did not make the hairs on my arms stand up. In addition, there were a bunch of characters and none that I really was attached to. Therefore, between the combination of these two factors, this book is just "so, so". There are times that I would read parts of the story just for moments later for me to forget what I just read. Sadly, this book was lost on me in the "horror" department.

[BookLoversLife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was seriously awesome!! For me, it was the scariest of this authors books, that I've read! I've never liked those porcelain dolls anyway, they creeped me out, but after reading this... well, let's just say that I will never ever own one!! EVER.

Stefan Korzh grew up with his parents focused on buying haunted items. All their attention was focused on their passion and so Stefan was left unattended. Growing up in a house with ghosts made Stefan the way he is!! Now that both his parents have died, Stefan is intent on exacting revenge on people like his parents, people that actively seek out haunted items. So he starts selling off his parents items, all the while gleefully watching the ramifications unfold.

Victor Daniels is at a conference when he gets a call to say his wife committed suicide. Only thing is, his wife was happy and wasn't depressed. In fact, she had only just purchased a lovely old teddy off the internet. Victor is devastated and determined to get answers. What he finds though is a whole nother world!!

I started reading this at night and had to put it aside till the morning because it was creeping me out!!! I don't know if people actually do buy things simply because they think they're haunted, but let me tell you something, it wouldn't be me!!! Nuh uh!! I had nightmares of those nasty dolls turning their faces as I passed, it was horrible!! Anyway, the plot was fast paced and extremely scary. We have a teddy bear, a doll and a teapot. What do these all have in common? Well they are all haunted by homicidal ghosts. These ghosts are some of the worst that were in Stefan's parents collection. It was seriously creepy!!

I loved the characters. Jeremy was intriguing. I need to know more about his story. Victor is awesome. He is intriguing too and I'm really looking forward to learning more about him and his ancestors in future books. I also loved seeing and hearing the lore when they visited NOLA. Let's have more from there!!!

Anyway, this was such a great read. It's perfect for Halloween and is really scary. I can not wait for the next edition to this series!!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for a honest review.

I LOVED this book. Absolutely could not put it down! All of the characters are engaging and you will find yourself fully invested in their stories. It was great to read a story which focused on the secret society so to speak of haunted collectors. Most times stories are primarily about the haunted objects themselves and very rarely do you get to be inside the heads of those who actively seek out these artifacts. I thoroughly enjoyed this point of view!

I was a little disappointed with the abrupt ending because I just HAVE to know what happens next but I will just have to anxiously await the next book!

There were a couple editing issues in the ARC which were hopefully caught before publication.

[Stephanie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is spooky season and the first book of this series did not disappoint!!

Stephan grew up in a house among the dead. All types of objects, small and large, each haunted by killers. Feeling that his parents spent more time catering to the dead instead of him, he begins to sell off his parents items. One by one they make their way into the homes of unsuspecting families...

I just loved how I was able to imagine myself right there with the main characters. Watching as the haunted doll named Anne was snatched up with her blonde curly hair by the widower Victor and thrown into a lead lined glass casket. Her swinging her arms tearing at his flesh and frost biting his hand.

If you love the supernatural, I can say this I'd a series worth delving into!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, as well as kind of disturbing when you realize it’s about killer toys being given to people who all share a common passion. Also, the element of father/son relationships was a sweet and somewhat unsettling addition to the story.

Normally, I want Ron Ripley’s stories to be longer. This one, I just wanted it to end, it felt like it went on too long.

I was provided an ARC edition of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining start to a promising series. Ripley does a good job of introducing the characters that will likely go throughout the series while still making the book satisfying for a stand alone read. While it is a supernatural thriller, it seems to fall more to the adventurous side than the terrifying side (more Ghostbusters than the Exorcist if you will). With just enough creepiness to keep you on your toes.

I look forward to making my way through the series.

[Desert Pearl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t regret reading this book, but I do not feel inclined to read any more of the series due to the lack of editing.

Is Victor in or out of the car in the first chapter?

Erin works at as a nurse...wait a minute changed my mind in this paragraph she shall be a librarian!

So did Victor even attend his wife's funeral?

Why didn't the police investigate the phone call Victor said their murder suspect made on his I phone?

Oh, I love this one.....So Jeremy, the veteran Ghost hunter left his car unlocked because he “doesn't have anything worth stealing” like idk CURSED OBJECTS which in this story resulted in a drug addict stealing the cursed object Jeremy left in said unlocked car and ended up letting the Ghost loose on the town.


There is a murderous teddy bear set loose on the town because it was left in an unlocked car so why do you leave town??? There is a trail of bodies and you leave town? You don't even call any backup to go after the thing?????

There are five other not-well-thought-out scenarios or outright author changes mind but doesn't fix mistakes in the previous chapters but I'm tired of thinking of it.

So roughly 3 stars for a start of a good idea

[Lolapaige · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me.

After reading the summary on Amazon and having enjoyed previous stories by this writer I was excited to read this. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations. It's part of a series (I HATE series books) which I didn't realize but I could have lived with that had it actually been scary. It was drawn out and I was bored before I was even half done. Also there is a discrepancy (those drive me nuts). In the beginning Victor believes his wife is on rotation at the hospital-leading you to believe she's a nurse or at the very least some sort of medical personnel. Later it mentions that she's a librarian. So throughout the entire story my brain keeps bringing it up. Knowing that this author does have talent I will definitely read more from him in the future but it just won't be from this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary book with porcelain dolls. It is a classic horror story with suspense. The storyline is well described and it has gruesome details . The characters are interesting. This book will make you think twice about buying antique or vintage items. Stephens parents spent their life collecting possessed items, that encompass evil that inflict pain on people. Stephan wants to punish people for the pain his parents inflicted on him, so he decides to sell these possessed objects to unsuspecting people. You have to read this story to see how this story unfolds. Ron Ripley has a way with words and Thom Bowers has a way with narration to bring you into the horror. I highly recommend this book but you must know there is no end you have to continue the series but Ron's book are worth the wait.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met Ron Ripley when I read the first book in one of his other series, Berkley Street, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He succeeds in taking what could be a lot of tropes and putting them together in new and interesting ways, along with characters that you can identify and root for. I especially loved the scenes in New Orleans, and how they captured so many different facets of the city and its people. The last minute twist with the trap-within-a-trap? I had a feeling some big twist was coming, and I think that if it was a deus ex machina, then it was still a great one. I look forward to see how this particular plot device plays out in future installments.

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have known better. I tell myself not to pick up books that say "part 1" or "book 1", but then i go ahead and do it anyway and this happens. Another book without an ending. A pet peeve of mine. If you can't write endings, don't write books. Simple enough. I guess i thought the subject matter would make up for it, but it didn't. A fellow decides to disperse his parents' collection of haunted objects in order to get even with them for holding them in higher priority than him. So what could go wrong? Evidently lots. Enough for several books, by the look of it. Only i'm not going to be the one suckered into buying the sequels.

[angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t even make it past the first paragraph

The writing was horrible from the first paragraph. The writer has the prognosticator exiting the car with his lap top and phone. Two sentences later, the writer has the character leaning back in his car seat with no indication of how they got from standing outside the car to leaning back in the car. It was a significant writing mistake and for a mistake of that magnitude to show up within the first paragraph, it would indicate to me that the book is riddled with them. You would think that even the most basic editing would have been done before publishing a book, even in electronic format, but apparently not.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

😱

Murderous Teddy bears, dolls and other ominous objects harbouring evil spirits are being bought around the world from one man who is hell bent in causing havoc by getting rid of his parents deathly collection off objects. One thing keeps trying to stand in his way, his dead father.
Two other men become hell bent on stopping him too once the atrocities start to pile up.
Ron Ripley never disappoints to capture the reader (me) and pull you in and doesn't want to let you go. Only 4 stars as I didn't particularly like the ending but I bought the next book to see if it carries on from that ending or starts anew.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was provided to me free of charge, and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I was pleasantly surprised by Collecting Death. I was drawn in from page one, and didn't want to put it down. The characters weren't as fully fleshed out as they could have been, but they were interesting and compelling. The story line itself was disturbing in a way that I like to be disturbed. Objects that are supposed to be inanimate suddenly becoming animate is almost as frightening to me as evil children. I will read more of Ron Ripley's work.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an arc of books 7-9, so I started here

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. At first I was underwhelmed by yet another book about haunted objects. But I really got into the storyline. I'm loving the characters. This book has a bit of a twist of a storyline that flows well. What I really liked were the few scenes of gore. This book has a good balance between ghosts and blood!
So long story short, a guy mad at his dead parents is selling off their haunted object collection, knowing it will lead to the buyer's death. It's an interesting story to follow.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love finding treasures at yard sales/thrift stores. Now I definitely think twice before jumping at the chance to own other peoples things. One does not know if “something “ is attached or possessed with an entity. I enjoyed this book because it showed both good and evil of the supernatural world. How easy would someone find it to use a haunted object to forward their either good or bad agenda. I feel it would be interesting to view such items protected from abuse.

[Candace Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

Omg what an amazing ride! Gripping from start to finish. Burned through this book in 2 days. Im hooked. I must get ever book available from this author. They have a fb page to like and even offer a free novel when you join their mailing list. Super creepy and realistic and graphic. All the best things for a horror loving fan. Definite must to read if you have a love of dark things!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite horror author! I have read a couple other series from the author, and definitely love how he unfolds the world and characters to draw you in.
With this story, I read the blurb and expected a Friday the 13th the Series kind of vibe, but got something even better. Twists, turns, surprises, and scares are what keeps me coming back for more of his books! And this book delivered. I cannot wait to see what is next for the characters.

[Lyndsey Gollogly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well he took being pissed at his parents way to far! I’d have loved to learn more about Anne and Rolfe as well as a few other characters! It was super eerie especially if you have a fear of haunted kids toys! Reading in the dark made this that little bit better. Really Interesting read. I’d love to know what else was unleashed on the unsuspecting people buying these haunted items. Found the ending slightly rushed too! But overall a good read.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stefan's parents are both dead (separately over time), he decides to sell their collection of haunted evil toys.

His view: If you are stupid enough to want to buy a haunted toy then you deserve the consequences.

Jeremy is trying to collect the evil toys to protect the world. Grant is a regretful buyer. Victor is a widower after his collecting wife was urged to suicide.

You can't just destroy the toys...

[Newsfoia · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written

This is not a stand alone story. Had I known that up front I would not have bothered to read it. And I likely will not read more. Storylines that don’t stand alone have very unsatisfying endings. That said, at least Mr. Ripley writes very well. His descriptive prose and characters are enjoyable to read. His imagination is intriguing. The ending, well, unsatisfying.

[Warrior Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic-No spoilers

This is a new author to me so no bias review. It was very fast paced. Story line was original and characters were likable, (and some to hate) I have ADHD and this kept my attention the whole time. It was so wicked spooky. Scary even in parts, but not with B rated horror or jump scares. It ended unfinished although not on a cliffhanger and it ended well. I’m downloading the next book after my review. I would recommend this book for horror fans.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

This book was a collection of stories involving haunted items. They were being sold off to random people and causing chaos and death along the way.

The atmosphere and the descriptions were sucfiently creepy, but it left me wanting more. More time with the characters and the spirits. Anne, in particular, was terrifying. Porcelain dolls creep me out 😬.

That being said, it was a quick eerie read, though I'm not sure if I'm engaged enough in the story to read the rest of the series.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If This Book.....

Had ended, I'd have given it 5 stars. The story was AWESOME, UNIQUE, TERRIFYING, and moved at an incredible pace. Sadly.... it left me hanging in the air with no end in sight. I kept thinking..
. There's only 20 pages left to end this. There's only 15 pages left to end this.... There's only 10 pages , etc. Realized there'd be no ending when I read the last page.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to what promises to be another gripping series

I did wonder whether I'd be able to get into this as well as ron ripleys other books as I adored Shane and the stories woven around his adventures. However there is solid ground work laid and as usual I'm left frustratingly waiting the next instalment.