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Descension is the fifth in the bestselling Psychic Surveys series, that features plot twists, compelling characters and a mystery at its dark heart!

This is what we're dealing with here, the institutionalised..

Brookbridge housing estate has long been a source of work for Psychic Surveys. Formerly the site of a notorious mental hospital, Ruby and her team have had to deal with spirits manifesting in people's homes, still trapped in the cold grey walls of the asylum they once inhabited. There've been plenty of traumatic cases but never a mass case - until now.

The last remaining hospital block is due to be pulled down, a building teeming with spirits of the most resistant kind, the institutionalised. With the help of a newfound friend, as well as Cash and her colleagues, Ruby attempts to tackle this mammoth task. At the same time her private life is demanding attention, unravelling in ways she could never imagine.

About to delve deep into madness, will she ever find her way back?

~~~

Discover the Psychic Surveys series today:
Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall
Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me
Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street
Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage
Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension 
Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion DUE SPRING 2019

Psychic Surveys Companion Novels
Eve: A Christmas Ghost Story
Blakemort
Thirteen

*Only EVE, Blakemort and Thirteen are standalone stories. The main PSYCHIC SURVEYS books are all follow-ons and there will be six in total.*

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2018

180 people are currently reading
203 people want to read

About the author

Shani Struthers

48 books508 followers
It's all about the ghosts...

Here's the order my books come in:

Psychic Surveys Series:

Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me

Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street

Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage

Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension

Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion

Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep

Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul

Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar

Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:

Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel

Blakemort (Corinna's story)

Thirteen (Ness's story)

Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)

Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)

This Haunted World Series:

This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian

This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate

This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise

Reach for the Dead Series:

Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy

Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm

Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker

Jessamine Series:

Jessamine

Comraich

Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller

Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.

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5 stars
508 (69%)
4 stars
170 (23%)
3 stars
41 (5%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Lesley Hewitt.
832 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2018
Gripping

Five stars, wow, I couldn't put this book down until I finished reading it. The characters seem so real. The storyline was brilliant, I felt like I was watching everything unfold and feeling the same emotions, the complete and utter sadness, the madness and the love. I highly recommend these books if you like all things paranormal .
Profile Image for Vanessa Wild.
629 reviews20 followers
July 4, 2018
Descension is the Fifth in the Psychic Surveys series where fiction is combined with fact. Although I have read a couple of the novellas which I loved, I haven't read the previous four proper books but this in no way hindered my enjoyment. Descension can definitely be read as a stand alone and I know I’ll be picking up the rest of the series from the beginning soon.

In this story Ruby Davis and her colleagues are called out to the Brookbridge housing estate, formerly the site of a mental asylum with a shady past, and an ‘empty’ hospital block to investigate some strange phenomena. This turns out to be more of a challenge than as at first thought. I found this a fascinating, gripping and poignant read. The characters are well drawn and believable. I especially like Jed, the ghost dog who always accompanies Ruby! The plot is a compelling and absorbing one, is well paced and turns into quite the page turner.

It’s awful to think what went on in institutions of this kind and this story highlights the horrific treatment of patients, especially those women who had a child out of wedlock (shock, horror) or who had an opinion of their own (how dare they!). To think that such practices were still going on in the last century is really shocking and abhorrent.

A great, creepy tale where things definitely do go bump in the night and the walls have ears. A derelict asylum is not a place for the faint of heart!
Profile Image for Ruth Ford.
70 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2018
OMG, each book gets better and better.
So excited the story is heading back to Blakemort, that has been the creepiest on audio so far.

Awesome work once again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,401 reviews140 followers
July 1, 2018
Descension by shani Struthers.
Brookbridge housing estate has long been a source of work for Psychic Surveys. Formerly the site of a notorious mental hospital, Ruby and her team have had to deal with spirits manifesting in people's homes, still trapped in the cold grey walls of the asylum they once inhabited. There've been plenty of traumatic cases but never a mass case - until now. The last remaining hospital block is due to be pulled down, a building teeming with spirits of the most resistant kind, the institutionalised. With the help of a newfound friend, as well as Cash and her colleagues, Ruby attempts to tackle this mammoth task. At the same time her private life is demanding attention, unravelling in ways she could never imagine.
Another absolutely fantastic read from Shani. I love this series. so creepy and eerie. makes you want to keep the lights on. poor Ruby I really felt for her. how Aaron was when they went to see him. evil. 5*. Would give more if I could. Highly recommended.
576 reviews7 followers
June 25, 2018
An absolutely riveting and gripping storyline which gets into your mind especially if you are already aware of what occurred in these institutions during that era.Thanks for another brilliant paranormal novel, the best in my mind in the series to date. Shani Struthers at her best.
Profile Image for Emma Davies.
2 reviews
July 7, 2018
Wow

This book is amazing I have now read all of the psychic surveys books and I can say I love them all, the characters are amazingly realistic and the storylines drag you right In like you are there can't wait to read more by this author
Profile Image for d.mcnicholas.
68 reviews
June 14, 2019
Emotional to the very end

I found this quite a hard book to read. Not because I wasn't engaged in the story but because it pulled at my heart strings. I'm a history buff and I've read some harrowing accounts of the treatment suffered by those unfortunates who found themselves in metal institutes, as they were called. Shani Struthers really captures the feeling of confusion, loss, anger and fear that the grounded feel. Having spent their miserable lives in such a terrible place , they are now so institutionalised that their spirits are trapped there unable to feel the peace and love needed to be free and go into the light.
Ruby is her usual determined self and wants to free them before it's too late. She really goes through the mill in this book and suffers a great deal. As always her team are there with sage advise, love and support, especially Jed, who never leaves her side.
I'm not afraid to admit parts of this story I read through teary eyes. It's a terrible thing when you have to keep de-misting your glasses. I didn't read this book at a gallop as I usual do with Shani's books. I had to take breaks to absorb the emotions it made me feel. I love this series, love the characters and have already downloaded the next book. Onwards and upwards.... Thank you Shani Struthers for such wonderful stories.
620 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2019
Another absolutely brilliant book loved it from start to finish
35 reviews7 followers
June 4, 2019
Shani has done it again !

A real nice novel. I am proud to be adding this one to my collection of Shani 's books . I don 't usually get into series but I have stayed with ms. Struthers and will be on the last one tomorrow. Hopefully she is now writing the next one
Profile Image for Gary Dowden.
527 reviews5 followers
May 28, 2018
Ruby and the Psychic Surveys team are back and having loved their previous four outings, and the spin-offs, I was really looking forward to book five – Descension – and it has to be said that this was arguably the best so far from Shani Struthers.

The plot is simple enough as a housing estate built on the grounds of a former asylum, is showing increasing signs of psychic activity shortly before the last of the old building is due to be demolished, however as is the norm for this series of books, the reasoning behind the unrest of those who still linger in our world is a strong part of the story.

The accounts of why some of the spirits were incarcerated whilst alive, and what they often had to cope with is, at times, tough to read yet equally handled with care and sensitivity by the author who expertly contrasts the difference of methods compared to the modern day care and it's interesting and shocking that the storyline is a combination of real life fact and fiction.

The characters, as always, are well fleshed out and it was like revisiting old friends again as you start to read about Theo, Corinne, Ness, Cash and Jed (!), although it has to be said, one character in the novel goes through such an amazing range of a roller-coaster of emotions and situations that I was needing to pause for a few minutes after certain chapters!

I've always thoughts of this series as 'paranormal with a difference' as the team simply want to move those grounded onto the next phase of their existence in as humane way as possible and Descension is no exception. A superb addition to an already impressive series and I look forward to the next outing with the team!
Profile Image for Nico.
192 reviews11 followers
May 27, 2018
I really like the Psychic Surveys series and was eagerly awaiting the next instalment and this did not disappoint. Once again it’s well written, cram packed with the familiar characters of Ruby, Theo, Ness, Corina and Cash plus interesting new additions including the intriguing Eclipse and the darkness that is Hames. The author seamlessly mixes fact in with fiction and has obviously done an enormous amount of research into the subject matter. It is much darker than some of the previous books in the series. Her depiction of the fate that befell people, especially women, who were deemed to be insane is truly horrific and poignant. I thought this was handled in a sensitive way, shining a spotlight on the injustice suffered by so many. The book is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the end. In some ways there are more questions than answers and I can’t wait to read the next book in this fascinating series.
Profile Image for Mark Tilbury.
Author 27 books279 followers
June 6, 2018
Ruby and the rest of the Psychic Surveys team have their work cut out for them when calls start coming in from home owners living near the remains of what used to be an asylum. With the building due to be knocked down, the team know their time is limited to help the spirits still trapped inside.

I am a BIG fan of this series. I have enjoyed each book and believe that Shani's writing keeps getting better and better. Ruby has a lot to deal with in this instalment, in both her personal and professional life, but, she always has the rest of the team to support her.

I found that some scenes inside the asylum building really got inside my head, so that after I finished the book I kept thinking about what people must have gone through inside - whilst alive and dead. I don't often quote from books in reviews but this particular passage I found haunting:

'She opened her mouth again but not to laugh this time; to howl alongside the spirits of the children who'd grown up in height but not mind, who'd been baptised with unholy water and christened imbecile.'

This series has everything I like in books. Great characters, fantastic plots and issues that are relevant and thought provoking. Supernatural thrills at their best and now I'm (im)patiently waiting for book 6!
Profile Image for Carly.
24 reviews
June 30, 2018
Can't say is my fave as I love all in this series

Grab a throw, flask, curl up and enjoy....
Again a wonderful explosive creepy episode in the life of ruby and psychic surveys world.
I could totally relate to this novel as I also live on a 18th century renovated estate that was a work house and hospital asylum which indeed has had its issues too.
Again from first page couldn't put it down... I did get a little concerned about eclipse and hoped and stamped my feet too that he wouldn't get too close to ruby and hurt lovely cash.
Didn't see it coming with Sarah though, bless her !
My biggest issue is i read to quick and really dislike waiting for the next which, from this ending i know will be just brilliant and very anticipated by all...
If I say anymore i may spoil it for you all, so all i suggest is that you buy and enjoy it, no, you will love it...
138 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2018
Another great book psychic survey books are great keep you held you don’t want to put the book down. shanni struthers is a fantastic writer I love the light and darkness that she brings into the books.ruby and her team are great psychics and cash seems very protective of ruby a bit of jealousy when Eclipse came on the scene. Wow I love these books didn’t think I would be interested in psychic books but these are the best I have read most of shanni struthers books and want to keep reading them haven’t read blakemort but looks good so will be my next thank you shanni struthers
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,180 reviews
June 29, 2018
Scary how mad are treated

Ruby is once again called to the estate where more hauntings occurred due to the mental health asylum.
This asylum is due to be demolished but there's pressure building and it's going to break.
This book features revelations for ruby and sees her learn more about Theo and Ness.
A heartbreaking story but needed, Shani brings forth the dark history of mental health and how they were treated by staff and the outside world and thankfully how attitudes have changed.
Moving the story to one of my favourite stories Blakemort!
Profile Image for Carol Peace.
594 reviews
November 30, 2018
I have loved the previous Psychic Surveys Books so when this one came along I couldn't wait to start it and I was not disappointed. Ruby, and the rest of the Psychic Survey team really were put through it this time. There had been more activity than usual in the Brookbridge housing estate and Ruby had to call in Corrina to help her as she wasn't able to contact Theo or Ness which was a little strange but nevertheless they were coping until the calls kept coming in thick and fast and they had to call in Theo and Ness. They all seemed to be battling their own demons too and I was so worried when Ruby and Cash didn't seem to be on the same page.They ventured into the old asylum and the horrors that they found there meant they had difficulty moving the spirits on. Would they manage to clear all the spirits before it was due to be demolished? This was a fantastic story and it will stay with me for a long time. Shani Strythers knows how to write a great book and I will be first in line for the next chapter of Psychic Surveys.
921 reviews11 followers
May 20, 2018
Suspenseful and thrilling!

I love the style in which Shani writes her paranormal stories. The characters grow with every story and always realize something new about themselves. These books are as much about personal growth as they are about the paranormal world. Wonderfully written.
9 reviews
May 27, 2018
Another success for Shank Struthers

I love the psychic survey books, they are entertaining whilst managing to keep the story moving and the reader engaged. I read this book in one day I couldn't put it down. The final chapters are so brilliantly evocative you could almost be watching them play out in front of you.
27 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2018
Excellent

I have read all of Shani's books and this is one of the best. The difficult subject matter is dealt with sensitivity but still it never looses the chills and mystery I have come to associate with this series. A fantastic climax and then an extremely tempting cliffhanger for book 6. Brilliant.
Profile Image for Heather.
129 reviews
June 3, 2018
Brilliant!!

This was a great addition to the Psychic Surveys series! The title is fitting as it deals with the mentally unstable and made me feel like I was on an emotional roller coaster as there were so many twists! I absolutely loved it! I also loved how it wrapped up by tying in to one of the past novellas. I can’t wait for the next installment in the series!!!
Profile Image for Monica Mac.
1,690 reviews41 followers
July 6, 2018
Oh, another thrilling book by this author! I have read most of her other books and I enjoyed getting back to reading about Ruby and her team once more.

The team have their most challenging haunting yet: a derelict mental asylum, from the days when people were locked up in these places for different and quite often spurious reasons. On top of dealing with these poor souls, Ruby also has to contend with a flesh-and-blood man who seems to be a little bit too interested in her for her boyfriend's liking as well as some family news which is very unsettling.

A great read, and probably best being read in broad daylight! 4.5 stars from me :)
Profile Image for Jirinka (sony08).
415 reviews16 followers
July 19, 2018
I absolutely love Shani's books and once again the girl has done it. Shani's books keep you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath until the last page and even then you are left wanting more.

Ruby and Psychic Surveys team are facing the biggest mass of darkness to date and the only way to ensure it's demise could mean losing Ruby for good. Their cases are entwined so much this time, it takes the whole team to get to the bottom of it. Ruby faces her darkest side and a loss of someone close.

I can't praise Shani enough, if you like a good ghost story with a deeper meaning, pick up one of her books now. You won't be dissapointed.
Profile Image for Babe9622.
29 reviews
July 30, 2018
Couldn’t put the book down!!

As always Shani Struthers delivers another fantastic story . I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to stop reading. This is probably my favourite book in the psychic surveys series . I love how Shani’s books keep coming up with twists and turns , they’re addictive!
An absolutely fabulous book by a very talented and amazing author.
Profile Image for Shelley.
2 reviews
May 27, 2018
Wow!

Couldn’t put this book down. I read it in one whole day! I had to know the outcome and my emotions were all over with the twists and turns in the book and love the characters thank you so much love your work!
Profile Image for Nicola.
949 reviews4 followers
May 28, 2018
Absolutely enjoyed the 5th instalment of the physic surveys. Kept me gripped from page to page. Defo recommend to any supernatural lover. However pls read in order otherwise you’ll miss crucial details.
7 reviews
June 9, 2018
Great read

I have read every one of the psychic surveys books i love them can't wait for the next one brilliant twists and turns i love it!
Profile Image for Sonya pardue.
3 reviews
July 18, 2018
I love all her books when reading you can insert yourself into the book i like the character Ruby and her team.all her books are great.
Profile Image for Margaret.
90 reviews3 followers
October 3, 2018
Amazing read!

Great to be back with Psychic Surveys and it's good to find Ruby a bit less the over-thinker than of the past. I love this gang - long may they continue!!!
4 reviews
October 3, 2018
Good book well written

Well thought out , good subject matter and very conscientiously written . Five books in and I don't feel like I am reading parts of past books .
Profile Image for Colin Hodgkins.
82 reviews3 followers
July 23, 2018
Hooked, truly hooked

Fantastic, 5th in the series plus the prequel now read and I love them. Will be moving on to the companion novels asap. Shania thank you so much for allowing us into this world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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