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House of Sand #2
Dear Tragedy
Book Two in the House of Sand Series
What has become known as The House of Sand Killings ended Detective Jake Anderson’s career with a psychotic break. Now, four years later, it continues to haunt him as a familiar face embarks on a murder spree unlike any other, with Jake and his family in the crosshairs.
With supernatural abilities that defy explanation, the killer weaves a tapestry of violence across multiple cities, taunting Jake at every turn, and leaving him desperate to catch up.
What’s happening shouldn’t be possible. What Jake has seen can’t be real. But his obsession won’t let him quit.
For Jake, it’s personal.
For the killer, it’s destiny.
What has become known as The House of Sand Killings ended Detective Jake Anderson’s career with a psychotic break. Now, four years later, it continues to haunt him as a familiar face embarks on a murder spree unlike any other, with Jake and his family in the crosshairs.
With supernatural abilities that defy explanation, the killer weaves a tapestry of violence across multiple cities, taunting Jake at every turn, and leaving him desperate to catch up.
What’s happening shouldn’t be possible. What Jake has seen can’t be real. But his obsession won’t let him quit.
For Jake, it’s personal.
For the killer, it’s destiny.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2018
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Sanford
8 books58 followersMichael has always been a prisoner to his imagination. His childhood was spent running through the forest, pretending to be a gallant warrior saving the countryside from certain destruction. Or he was a ferocious beast terrorizing the very same countryside. There is always a story spinning through his mind. As an adult, writing has become the only way to keep his head from exploding.
He lives in upstate New York with his loving wife and two cats. If he's not writing, he's likely reading, weightlifting, or forcing his players into difficult situations from behind his Dungeon Master's screen. He is a storyteller first and a writer second.
Michael also produces The Introverted Indie Author Podcast where he and guests discuss the world of writing and delve into things wholly unrelated.
http://www.mjsauthor.com/podcast
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
He lives in upstate New York with his loving wife and two cats. If he's not writing, he's likely reading, weightlifting, or forcing his players into difficult situations from behind his Dungeon Master's screen. He is a storyteller first and a writer second.
Michael also produces The Introverted Indie Author Podcast where he and guests discuss the world of writing and delve into things wholly unrelated.
http://www.mjsauthor.com/podcast
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 23, 2019
This is the second book in The House of Sand series. One of the main characters is an ex-police detective, whose career was ended in the initial House of Sand killings case. DS Jake Anderson, as he used to be, has kept up with the main person in that case and has been getting updates through various means. He has a son, Peter, from his first marriage, who is also a detective and he has a much younger daughter called Dani, but is separated from her mother, and not in a friendly way.
The first book in the series was included with this ARC copy of Dear Tragedy, which helped to explain some of the background to the current events. You could read it as a standalone, but I feel you may get quite confused with the storyline. There are acts of evil happening around the city and there is a mysterious ‘darkness’ surrounding events. This seems to have some sort of paranormal presence to it.
Matters kick off as a character from the first book, escapes from the secure psychiatric facility they had been held in for the last four years. The trail of dead bodies follows this character, as the story progresses. Jake continues his investigations into this character, but this puts his own family members in danger. This character (sorry – but trying not to give any clues away about this pivotal character) cause chaos wherever they go and what they do or get others to do, seems impossible. But it’s happening!
He is obsessed with his previous case and the main suspect, as he considers them. But this person and his obsession with them, seems to be drawing him closer and dragging him into the madness of the situation. Is what happened to others, also happening to him now? A very dark story, so caution required, especially of you scare easily. Some parts of the story are really difficult to follow or make sense of, but you have to take the events as a whole, I think, to understand it as best you can.
It is not a book you will find easy to read, as the events occurring are so disturbing. It certainly kept me engrossed, often sickened by what happened, but also wondering about the true cause of the darkness within. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The first book in the series was included with this ARC copy of Dear Tragedy, which helped to explain some of the background to the current events. You could read it as a standalone, but I feel you may get quite confused with the storyline. There are acts of evil happening around the city and there is a mysterious ‘darkness’ surrounding events. This seems to have some sort of paranormal presence to it.
Matters kick off as a character from the first book, escapes from the secure psychiatric facility they had been held in for the last four years. The trail of dead bodies follows this character, as the story progresses. Jake continues his investigations into this character, but this puts his own family members in danger. This character (sorry – but trying not to give any clues away about this pivotal character) cause chaos wherever they go and what they do or get others to do, seems impossible. But it’s happening!
He is obsessed with his previous case and the main suspect, as he considers them. But this person and his obsession with them, seems to be drawing him closer and dragging him into the madness of the situation. Is what happened to others, also happening to him now? A very dark story, so caution required, especially of you scare easily. Some parts of the story are really difficult to follow or make sense of, but you have to take the events as a whole, I think, to understand it as best you can.
It is not a book you will find easy to read, as the events occurring are so disturbing. It certainly kept me engrossed, often sickened by what happened, but also wondering about the true cause of the darkness within. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 19, 2019
Review of DEAR TRAGEDY:
Probably the most visceral knock-me-senseless reader's hook I have ever encountered commences this sequel to HOUSE OF SAND. I wasn't too fond of some of the characters in the first book, but really, nobody deserves this, especially innocents. There's evil and then there's--well, you have to read it to see.
I reiterate what I wrote about the first book in the series:
Definitely and distinctly NOT for the faint of heart, weak of stomach, or sensitive of heart or mind. If, however, none of these apply to you, and you like horror that knocks you senseless and kicks you when you're down and cowering, try these.
Probably the most visceral knock-me-senseless reader's hook I have ever encountered commences this sequel to HOUSE OF SAND. I wasn't too fond of some of the characters in the first book, but really, nobody deserves this, especially innocents. There's evil and then there's--well, you have to read it to see.
I reiterate what I wrote about the first book in the series:
Definitely and distinctly NOT for the faint of heart, weak of stomach, or sensitive of heart or mind. If, however, none of these apply to you, and you like horror that knocks you senseless and kicks you when you're down and cowering, try these.
February 19, 2019
Wow just as awesome as the first book! Never a dull moment. Dark and supernatural a little gory at times but will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
*** I recieved this book free as an ARC for my honest voluntary review.
*** I recieved this book free as an ARC for my honest voluntary review.
March 3, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to review. This book,the second in the series, was even darker than the first. A definite suspense thriller with some paranormal activities throughout. This book is absolutely one to read!!!
February 25, 2019
A sequel to the House of Sand, this book was dark, action filled , paranormal thriller. I found former D'S Jake Anderson to be a complex lead character, still haunted by the case that cost him his career. As new murders pile up, Jake gets drawn in due to their similarity to e nets related to Aza, the little girl who has been a patient in a mental institution since the death of her parents. Jake believes that she may not be the innocent victim others believe her to be. When his daughter Dani disappears and is linked to Aza, Jake steps up the intensity of his search. This book had me staying up late to see what new trauma would crop up in the path to rescue Dani and redeem Jake.
February 19, 2019
You will definitely need to read the first book in the series, to get an idea of what is happening here.
This book starts of dark and gruesome with the horrific murder of a 12-year old girl and it gets even darker and darker. This is a descent into madness. Just like the main character (whom we met in ‘House of Sands’), we start of sure as to what is happening, what is real and the clear mental state of Jake. However, once the fire attack on Jake’s son happens, things very quickly go downhill for Jake from there. There’s also a helpful date and time marker at the beginning of each chapter, that shows how quickly things are moving. Once we are in the final act at the Seaside General Hospital, Jake and by extension all of us, have no idea what is real and what to believe and who to trust. Is Aza even as evil or is she also under the influence of a dark force?
Mind you, there is no happy ending in this book— the ending surprised me, I will say.
This book starts of dark and gruesome with the horrific murder of a 12-year old girl and it gets even darker and darker. This is a descent into madness. Just like the main character (whom we met in ‘House of Sands’), we start of sure as to what is happening, what is real and the clear mental state of Jake. However, once the fire attack on Jake’s son happens, things very quickly go downhill for Jake from there. There’s also a helpful date and time marker at the beginning of each chapter, that shows how quickly things are moving. Once we are in the final act at the Seaside General Hospital, Jake and by extension all of us, have no idea what is real and what to believe and who to trust. Is Aza even as evil or is she also under the influence of a dark force?
Mind you, there is no happy ending in this book— the ending surprised me, I will say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews