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The Haunted Hamlet #1
Ghosthunter
Every haunted house has a story...
Veteran ghost hunter Simon Donatti knows that as well as anyone in the profession. He's been tasked with tackling some of the most haunted houses in America, and he's seen it all. Or so he thought.
When three boys go missing in a sleepy coastal hamlet, Simon is hired to investigate the old house on the hill overlooking the town, the last place they were seen before they inexplicably disappeared. He's not used to tracking down the living, but the job should be a walk in the park for him.
Except this house is different. None of his tricks work on it. It dogs him at every turn. Suddenly his world is turned upside-down when the spectral inhabitants of the house claim the boys for themselves, and refuse to give them back.
For this old ghost hunter, he's finally met his match. Battling for the boys' very souls, he has to team up with unlikely allies and use every bit of ingenuity he has to crack the case. But time is running out, and he soon realizes he's dealing with something far more sinister and dangerous than anything he's ever faced before...
Veteran ghost hunter Simon Donatti knows that as well as anyone in the profession. He's been tasked with tackling some of the most haunted houses in America, and he's seen it all. Or so he thought.
When three boys go missing in a sleepy coastal hamlet, Simon is hired to investigate the old house on the hill overlooking the town, the last place they were seen before they inexplicably disappeared. He's not used to tracking down the living, but the job should be a walk in the park for him.
Except this house is different. None of his tricks work on it. It dogs him at every turn. Suddenly his world is turned upside-down when the spectral inhabitants of the house claim the boys for themselves, and refuse to give them back.
For this old ghost hunter, he's finally met his match. Battling for the boys' very souls, he has to team up with unlikely allies and use every bit of ingenuity he has to crack the case. But time is running out, and he soon realizes he's dealing with something far more sinister and dangerous than anything he's ever faced before...
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2019
101 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 14, 2020
Wow! What an absolute terrific start to this series! From the first page the author just drew me into his spooky world! This is the second book I have read by this author and again I was not disappointed!
Simon Donatti runs a ghost hunting business and he thinks he has seen everything there is to be seen with haunted houses until in walks a man by the name of "Howard" who has decided to hire Simon to investigate a house that is believed to be haunted and to locate three boys that have gone missing in the house.
When Howard lays down some mega money for Simon to travel to a town called Harrow's Hamlet, Simon decides that he cannot refuse such an offer and makes trails for the town. When Howard goes into detail about the history of the house and what horrific things had happened there in the past with the previous owner "Prescott", Simon cannot leave the town until he finds the answers of what has happened to the boys.
With Howard by his side through some of the investigation along with all the ghost hunting equipment, Simon and Howard find that an evil presence of "Prescott" still lingers in the house and not only does it have the boys somewhere in the house, but it also wants the souls of Simon and Howard as well. It will do anything to keep them from finding the answers they seek of the fate of the boys.
What happened to the missing boys? Who is Prescott and what crimes did he commit in the house? Does Simon and Howard find the boys? What do they have to endure to get the boys back? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Very fast paced book along with lots of atmospheric detail of the haunting as well as great character connection. Every emotion the characters felt I could feel it right alongside them and when things started getting spooky with slamming doors, hot breaths, voices whispering, footsteps, evil laughter, etc. I could feel it as well as if I had been transported into the book!
I could literally not put this book down and had to continue reading to see what would happen next! Keeping me glued to my kindle for hours on end makes me give this book five "haunting" stars!
The book ends on a cliff hanger which takes the series into the next book "Ghoststalker" which I already have on my kindle, so I will continue on with the series to see what happens next.
Simon Donatti runs a ghost hunting business and he thinks he has seen everything there is to be seen with haunted houses until in walks a man by the name of "Howard" who has decided to hire Simon to investigate a house that is believed to be haunted and to locate three boys that have gone missing in the house.
When Howard lays down some mega money for Simon to travel to a town called Harrow's Hamlet, Simon decides that he cannot refuse such an offer and makes trails for the town. When Howard goes into detail about the history of the house and what horrific things had happened there in the past with the previous owner "Prescott", Simon cannot leave the town until he finds the answers of what has happened to the boys.
With Howard by his side through some of the investigation along with all the ghost hunting equipment, Simon and Howard find that an evil presence of "Prescott" still lingers in the house and not only does it have the boys somewhere in the house, but it also wants the souls of Simon and Howard as well. It will do anything to keep them from finding the answers they seek of the fate of the boys.
What happened to the missing boys? Who is Prescott and what crimes did he commit in the house? Does Simon and Howard find the boys? What do they have to endure to get the boys back? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Very fast paced book along with lots of atmospheric detail of the haunting as well as great character connection. Every emotion the characters felt I could feel it right alongside them and when things started getting spooky with slamming doors, hot breaths, voices whispering, footsteps, evil laughter, etc. I could feel it as well as if I had been transported into the book!
I could literally not put this book down and had to continue reading to see what would happen next! Keeping me glued to my kindle for hours on end makes me give this book five "haunting" stars!
The book ends on a cliff hanger which takes the series into the next book "Ghoststalker" which I already have on my kindle, so I will continue on with the series to see what happens next.
February 22, 2020
Really good creep factor!
Ghost hunter by Jeff DeGordick is a good and creepy haunted house book! Missing kids but they know the house has them! Simon is called to investigate and this is a weird town with strange people. The things that go on in this house is really spooky! Read during the day!
Ghost hunter by Jeff DeGordick is a good and creepy haunted house book! Missing kids but they know the house has them! Simon is called to investigate and this is a weird town with strange people. The things that go on in this house is really spooky! Read during the day!
January 1, 2020
In these dark days I started reading "Ghosthunter" by Jeff DeGordick. This unknown author has surpassed himself with "Ghosthunter", the first part of "The Haunted Hamlet" series. It is his scariest book and also his most literary. That is why I feel it is his best work so far. Why?
To start with, the main character is very recognizable. Simon Donatti is a man who has experienced a lot and all those events have shaped him into the person he is today. Compared to Dr. John Silence of Algernon Blackwood and Thomas Carnacki of William Hope Hodgson, who both have something untouchable, Simon is much more realistic. That makes it easier for the reader to follow his choices in this macabre story.
In addition, "Ghosthunter" has an excellent way in which the tension in the story is increased. The book consists of twenty-six chapters in chronological order. DeGordick manages to increase the tension well, making it a very compelling story. Dark fantasy, original twists, perspective changes and lurid events make it very difficult for the reader to put this great book aside. You want to read on!
What do I like best about this book? That is the literary depth of the story. Certain events and characters consistently deal with the same theme: fighting the darkness. This is beautifully expressed in the story: "We have to beat back the darkness or it will take all of us." story.
Furthermore, I always enjoy the atmosphere that the author creates in his stories: macabre, dark and exciting. Occasionally, poetic comparisons are used in the right way, which further enhances the atmosphere. An example from this page gymnast is the following: "It was like the house clasped its hands around him, smothering him from all outside senses and refusing to let him go." (P.133)
So it's clear to me that Jeff DeGordick has written his best work so far with "Ghosthunter." It is a macabre gem that, due to its literary depth, is suitable for readers who like literary horror. After reading this book I will make room in my bookcase for all the ghost stories of this new Algernon Blackwood! #ghosthunter #jeffdegordick #hauntedhamlet
To start with, the main character is very recognizable. Simon Donatti is a man who has experienced a lot and all those events have shaped him into the person he is today. Compared to Dr. John Silence of Algernon Blackwood and Thomas Carnacki of William Hope Hodgson, who both have something untouchable, Simon is much more realistic. That makes it easier for the reader to follow his choices in this macabre story.
In addition, "Ghosthunter" has an excellent way in which the tension in the story is increased. The book consists of twenty-six chapters in chronological order. DeGordick manages to increase the tension well, making it a very compelling story. Dark fantasy, original twists, perspective changes and lurid events make it very difficult for the reader to put this great book aside. You want to read on!
What do I like best about this book? That is the literary depth of the story. Certain events and characters consistently deal with the same theme: fighting the darkness. This is beautifully expressed in the story: "We have to beat back the darkness or it will take all of us." story.
Furthermore, I always enjoy the atmosphere that the author creates in his stories: macabre, dark and exciting. Occasionally, poetic comparisons are used in the right way, which further enhances the atmosphere. An example from this page gymnast is the following: "It was like the house clasped its hands around him, smothering him from all outside senses and refusing to let him go." (P.133)
So it's clear to me that Jeff DeGordick has written his best work so far with "Ghosthunter." It is a macabre gem that, due to its literary depth, is suitable for readers who like literary horror. After reading this book I will make room in my bookcase for all the ghost stories of this new Algernon Blackwood! #ghosthunter #jeffdegordick #hauntedhamlet
October 19, 2020
This Series really knocks it out of the park, combining haunted abandoned houses with Satanism and demons and cults and a very strange community founded by---something not human. I've enjoyed a couple of Jeff DeGordick's books before starting this Series, which is even more engrossing than I expected. Think of Failed Hero: you definitely have one here. I hesitate to say Feckless, but Ghost Hunter Simon Donatti is endearing yet seriously flawed. Alcoholic, chain smoker, patchy memory...ruled by the lust for alcohol's perceived soothing of memories and nerves, Simon is distinctly flawed. Not all of the past is due to his faults, and he perseveres, despite insurmountable odds.
Called to a weird tiny oceanside town in Connecticut to locate three missing youngsters, Simon leaps into a metaphorical hornet's nest, racing against time to locate the boys, embattled by what appears to be a massacred family and their murderer...and even by the end of the book, it's not over....Story continues in the explosive GHOSTSTALKER (Book 2).
Called to a weird tiny oceanside town in Connecticut to locate three missing youngsters, Simon leaps into a metaphorical hornet's nest, racing against time to locate the boys, embattled by what appears to be a massacred family and their murderer...and even by the end of the book, it's not over....Story continues in the explosive GHOSTSTALKER (Book 2).
October 3, 2019
Great start to a new series!
Jeff De Gordick never disappoints me. I ONLY have to wait until the next part comes out, now. I only wish all of his works were on Kindle unlimited.
Jeff De Gordick never disappoints me. I ONLY have to wait until the next part comes out, now. I only wish all of his works were on Kindle unlimited.
December 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, its easy to get into, the characters are likeable and there is a depth that entices you. I'm still not sure if Howard is bad or not, I suspect he is but I'm going to read book 2 to find out!!
Simon, the ghosthunter, is a man riddled with guilt and self-loathing. He has a drink problem, is highly tuned to the otherworldy and does not suffer fools gladly. I liked him. He is sort out and hired by Howard, the uncle of one of three missing boys. The boys are believed to have vanished inside a haunted house.
What ensues is a mysterious journey into the history of the house, the surrounding Hamlet and a wealth of secrets. Simon is suspicious of the whole situation, the residents are weird, the way the live is weird.
So the story comes to a pause at the end of this book and continues on to book 2. You could stop here if you wanted but I'm off to the next Installment!
Simon, the ghosthunter, is a man riddled with guilt and self-loathing. He has a drink problem, is highly tuned to the otherworldy and does not suffer fools gladly. I liked him. He is sort out and hired by Howard, the uncle of one of three missing boys. The boys are believed to have vanished inside a haunted house.
What ensues is a mysterious journey into the history of the house, the surrounding Hamlet and a wealth of secrets. Simon is suspicious of the whole situation, the residents are weird, the way the live is weird.
So the story comes to a pause at the end of this book and continues on to book 2. You could stop here if you wanted but I'm off to the next Installment!
May 24, 2021
Excellent book
Kept me on the edge of my seat! The characters were scary and realistic. The house was envisioned in my mind. Your descriptions kept everything life like. I felt ,every punch ,pump and fall. The darkness of the house wrapped around my mind. Great writing!. Enthralling book.
Kept me on the edge of my seat! The characters were scary and realistic. The house was envisioned in my mind. Your descriptions kept everything life like. I felt ,every punch ,pump and fall. The darkness of the house wrapped around my mind. Great writing!. Enthralling book.
March 12, 2020
Very entertaining
The setup seemed to take a little longer than I would have liked, but once it starts moving you don’t want to put the book down. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
The setup seemed to take a little longer than I would have liked, but once it starts moving you don’t want to put the book down. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
November 3, 2021
Couldn’t put it down!
I read this entire book in one sitting! Couldn’t put it down! It’s been a long time since a ghost story grabbed me like this one did! Can’t wait to dive into Ghoststalker!!!!
I read this entire book in one sitting! Couldn’t put it down! It’s been a long time since a ghost story grabbed me like this one did! Can’t wait to dive into Ghoststalker!!!!
July 13, 2020
Great book, page turner. Cant wait to read the next one of the series. Love all Jeff DeGordick books. Easy reads but interesting.
July 22, 2023
Boys
The story was good but blatant use of Lords name in vain put me off. And why didn't they hear nothing in graveyard when they went there
The story was good but blatant use of Lords name in vain put me off. And why didn't they hear nothing in graveyard when they went there
September 25, 2019
Wow
Well written to the point you actually felt you were there observing and feeling what the characters were feeling!!! Wow! I loved this book!!! I definitely recommend it!!
Well written to the point you actually felt you were there observing and feeling what the characters were feeling!!! Wow! I loved this book!!! I definitely recommend it!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews