What do you think?
Rate this book
Haunted Shores Mysteries #2
Crimson at Cape May
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past. Darrell Henshaw-teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive-learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help, he can't refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride's death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?
414 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2020
20 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read
About the author
Randy Overbeck
13 books307 followersDr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019), CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021) have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year”—ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine.
As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 4, 2021
I won this book on Goodreads. A man who can see ghosts figures out a 5 year old murder coverup, while trying to get the job back that he was cheated out of and romancing his girlfriend.
September 28, 2021
This is definitely a book that will keep you hooked and not want to put it down. Set in small coastal towns with great characters. I loved how the author just stumbles into a ghost and by looking into mystery of why the ghost has not crossed over, more mysteries appear. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!
July 10, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Randy Overbeck has created a thrilling and masterful mystery leaving readers gripped with suspense from start to finish.
Read full review in the 2021 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Randy Overbeck has created a thrilling and masterful mystery leaving readers gripped with suspense from start to finish.
Read full review in the 2021 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 5, 2020
Darrell Henshaw has a gift he can't escape, no matter how much tries to shake it. He can see and speak to ghosts. When he sees an eerie apparition of a woman, he tries to flee but to no avail. She begs him to help her and ‘us’. The ghost is known around town as the Haunted Bride. Darrell finally relents and agrees to help her. He joins forces with Cassie and together they research what happened to cause the bride's death. What they discover is not what they expect and suddenly find themselves in over their heads. Can they bring the trafficking ring's crimes to justice or will they both wind up like the bride… dead?
Crimson at Cape May is an exciting paranormal mystery I couldn't put down. I'm a huge paranormal reader and picked up this book, not knowing what to expect. While it started slow, the plot soon picked up. The hauntings were very descriptive, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading these scenes. The conflict within Darrell continued throughout the story. He doesn't want the gift. I get that but after a while, he should just accept it. It's probably just me but I found that character flaw annoying to continue through the whole story. There's immense research involved here which I appreciate. Randy Overbeck's writing style is stark yet descriptive. A great read, especially for this time of the year. If you love ghost stories, you'll love Crimson at Cape May. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Crimson at Cape May is an exciting paranormal mystery I couldn't put down. I'm a huge paranormal reader and picked up this book, not knowing what to expect. While it started slow, the plot soon picked up. The hauntings were very descriptive, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading these scenes. The conflict within Darrell continued throughout the story. He doesn't want the gift. I get that but after a while, he should just accept it. It's probably just me but I found that character flaw annoying to continue through the whole story. There's immense research involved here which I appreciate. Randy Overbeck's writing style is stark yet descriptive. A great read, especially for this time of the year. If you love ghost stories, you'll love Crimson at Cape May. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
September 25, 2021
Fun read with a souped up ending.
Darrell Henshaw sees ghost. While teaching at a football camp, the Haunted Bride starts haunting him looking for help. Along with his girl friend, Erin, and a local waitress, Cassie, they set out to find what happened to the Haunted Bride. This is Crimson at Cape May by Randy Overbeck.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, including the ghosts. The main character, Darrell, came across as the boy next door, and I liked his character a lot. Erin was a sweet woman, and Cassie was a young girl who had been dealt a rough life. The plot was quite good and I love a mystery that involves the help of a ghost to solve the crime. The final few chapters exploded out of the gate, and didn’t stop until the end.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
Darrell Henshaw sees ghost. While teaching at a football camp, the Haunted Bride starts haunting him looking for help. Along with his girl friend, Erin, and a local waitress, Cassie, they set out to find what happened to the Haunted Bride. This is Crimson at Cape May by Randy Overbeck.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, including the ghosts. The main character, Darrell, came across as the boy next door, and I liked his character a lot. Erin was a sweet woman, and Cassie was a young girl who had been dealt a rough life. The plot was quite good and I love a mystery that involves the help of a ghost to solve the crime. The final few chapters exploded out of the gate, and didn’t stop until the end.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
September 16, 2021
Crimson at Cape May by Randy Overbeck, is the second book in his Haunted Shores Mysteries Series. Darrell Henshaw, a disgraced high school football coach, is in Cape May, NJ to take a summer coaching job until his name is cleared. There he sees a woman on the beach, a ghost, who asks for his help. He doesn’t know what she needs help with, but she keeps appearing. A teen he is coaching is troubled about his missing sister. It eventually becomes clear that the two stories are related. I did not read the first book, so a lot of references that didn’t make sense until I was most of the way through the book.
The overall story is a good one. The characters are believable and likeable, the setting is interesting and the mystery is not a simple one. However, I had several problems with the book. The first is not the fault of the author. I received a pre-publication digital copy of the book. There was very little formatting. For example, chapter headings began mid-paragraph and dialogue was separated from the speaker, so many times it wasn’t clear who was speaking. This made it a more difficult read.
There were some things which were bothersome. Darrell has OCD, which seems to come and go. Some scenes, in my opinion, were too long; eight to ten pages describing a walk around Cape May. About halfway through the book, Darrell gets a cellphone. While that is fine, he always refers to it as a “cellphone” as if it was something very unusual. He uses a cassette recorder the size of a paperback to record a conversation. He isn’t sure how to print a document on a computer, until his girlfriend remembers where the print function is. These things made sense when I later read the Author’s Notes saying that the book took place in 1999.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
The overall story is a good one. The characters are believable and likeable, the setting is interesting and the mystery is not a simple one. However, I had several problems with the book. The first is not the fault of the author. I received a pre-publication digital copy of the book. There was very little formatting. For example, chapter headings began mid-paragraph and dialogue was separated from the speaker, so many times it wasn’t clear who was speaking. This made it a more difficult read.
There were some things which were bothersome. Darrell has OCD, which seems to come and go. Some scenes, in my opinion, were too long; eight to ten pages describing a walk around Cape May. About halfway through the book, Darrell gets a cellphone. While that is fine, he always refers to it as a “cellphone” as if it was something very unusual. He uses a cassette recorder the size of a paperback to record a conversation. He isn’t sure how to print a document on a computer, until his girlfriend remembers where the print function is. These things made sense when I later read the Author’s Notes saying that the book took place in 1999.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
March 9, 2021
A great paranormal mystery. I was hooked from the start. I really enjoyed the mystery; it was thrilling and suspenseful!
October 9, 2020
Randy Overbeck’s “Crimson at Cape May” is the second installment of the Haunted Shores Mysteries. Protagonist Darrell Henshaw is not just a history teacher and a football coach; he is also a paranormal sensitive. Unfortunately, his paranormal abilities land him in hot water back in his hometown, costing him both his job and his girlfriend. Henshaw flees to Cape May and is offered the opportunity to coach a summer football camp where he meets a young player whose older sister, Josie, has gone missing. Deciding that he wants to help the troubled teen, Darrell has no idea that it will end up landing him in even more hot water. Darrell is contacted by the “Haunted Bride,” one of Cape May’s resident specters, for help. Not only to uncover the secrets surrounding her death, but to also help other girls who are in danger. Darrell meets local teen runaway Cassie, who has paranormal abilities of her own. Together, they team up to solve the mystery of the Haunted Bride, which might just save Josie and countless other young girls, as well.
Though “Crimson at Cape May” is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone if need be. While the first book no doubt gives further insight into the characterizations of Darrell and his girlfriend, Erin, and provides details surrounding one of the subplots of the second book, which is Darrell’s efforts to get his old job back, the second book’s mystery itself does not have any relevance to the first one. Personally, I love these kinds of series, because even though the same main characters are presented in each new book, the adventure is always different and fresh.
Overbeck’s novel is paced well for its genre, offering readers a suspenseful tone while also allowing time to mention important details and observations made by Darrell. Once you really get a hold on what the main mystery is and what Darrell is working to try and fix, I found myself reading lengthier chunks of the book at a time. I think I may have read the entire second half in one night! I did find that sometimes Darrell’s narration lagged in places, mostly when he was recalling his more mundane day-to-day movements. There just seemed to be some details with him going about his day that could have been either lightened or left out in my opinion. For the most part, though, “Crimson at Cape May” does a good job of sticking with the main plot and ensuring that it keeps moving at the pace needed for a mystery novel.
I think the subject matter of the book’s specific mystery is important in today’s mainstream media, too, because sex trafficking of young girls is something that is overlooked at an unprecedented rate. “Crimson at Cape May” does a great job of showcasing how even the most prominent members of a community cannot be excluded from suspicion when the evidence points toward their involvement. Especially in the wake of cases such Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, it speaks to the importance of all of us to be vigilant for suspicious behaviors, and to watch out for those in our communities who might be vulnerable to being targeted by these traffickers. The book, therefore, fits into mainstream social awareness, but not in a way that is biased, overly graphic, or obtuse.
One thing that I think is most recommendable about this novel is the fact that it can be presented to readers from a wide range of not only genres, but ages. I could see this being found enjoyable by readers in high school looking for a good mystery or adventure, as much as I can by older readers. The paranormal aspects also aren’t presented so heavily that they might turn away readers who “don’t believe” in ghosts or aren’t necessarily interested in those topics. “Crimson at Cape May” is a part adventure, part thriller, part paranormal mystery that definitely has the ability to draw in a large audience of readers.
I know that I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Haunted Shores Mysteries from Randy Overbeck!
Though “Crimson at Cape May” is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone if need be. While the first book no doubt gives further insight into the characterizations of Darrell and his girlfriend, Erin, and provides details surrounding one of the subplots of the second book, which is Darrell’s efforts to get his old job back, the second book’s mystery itself does not have any relevance to the first one. Personally, I love these kinds of series, because even though the same main characters are presented in each new book, the adventure is always different and fresh.
Overbeck’s novel is paced well for its genre, offering readers a suspenseful tone while also allowing time to mention important details and observations made by Darrell. Once you really get a hold on what the main mystery is and what Darrell is working to try and fix, I found myself reading lengthier chunks of the book at a time. I think I may have read the entire second half in one night! I did find that sometimes Darrell’s narration lagged in places, mostly when he was recalling his more mundane day-to-day movements. There just seemed to be some details with him going about his day that could have been either lightened or left out in my opinion. For the most part, though, “Crimson at Cape May” does a good job of sticking with the main plot and ensuring that it keeps moving at the pace needed for a mystery novel.
I think the subject matter of the book’s specific mystery is important in today’s mainstream media, too, because sex trafficking of young girls is something that is overlooked at an unprecedented rate. “Crimson at Cape May” does a great job of showcasing how even the most prominent members of a community cannot be excluded from suspicion when the evidence points toward their involvement. Especially in the wake of cases such Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, it speaks to the importance of all of us to be vigilant for suspicious behaviors, and to watch out for those in our communities who might be vulnerable to being targeted by these traffickers. The book, therefore, fits into mainstream social awareness, but not in a way that is biased, overly graphic, or obtuse.
One thing that I think is most recommendable about this novel is the fact that it can be presented to readers from a wide range of not only genres, but ages. I could see this being found enjoyable by readers in high school looking for a good mystery or adventure, as much as I can by older readers. The paranormal aspects also aren’t presented so heavily that they might turn away readers who “don’t believe” in ghosts or aren’t necessarily interested in those topics. “Crimson at Cape May” is a part adventure, part thriller, part paranormal mystery that definitely has the ability to draw in a large audience of readers.
I know that I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Haunted Shores Mysteries from Randy Overbeck!
October 6, 2021
Darrell Henshaw, a man who can see and hear ghosts, is in Cape May, New Jersey (the most haunted town on the East Coast) for the summer as a football coach for a summer camp after losing his job in Maryland. When Darrell happens to see and be stalked by the Haunted Bride, he is thrown into solving a 5 year old murder coverup while coaching, trying to get the job back that he was cheated out of, and romancing his girlfriend that he just reconnected with. In his efforts to find out what happened to this bride on her wedding night he joins forces with Cassie, another "sensitive." As Cassie and Darrell get closer and closer to the truth strange things begin to happen to them and the people they are closest to because it is leading them to something much deeper than just murder.
I love a good ghost story and am intrigued with those who can see, hear, and/or speak to ghosts. Although this was a great book and I really enjoyed the story itself, it was the second in a series and at times I felt a little lost as to what they were talking about or referring to. It could have been a great standalone book if a few more sentences would have been added to avoid the confusion. Overall, an easy, fun, ghostly read, perfect for the season.
I love a good ghost story and am intrigued with those who can see, hear, and/or speak to ghosts. Although this was a great book and I really enjoyed the story itself, it was the second in a series and at times I felt a little lost as to what they were talking about or referring to. It could have been a great standalone book if a few more sentences would have been added to avoid the confusion. Overall, an easy, fun, ghostly read, perfect for the season.
September 19, 2021
What do a history teacher and a goth waitress have in common? A haunted Bride that needs them both to solve her mysteries. With descriptions that are both chilling and beautiful when appropriate, each one draws you further into the story. Darrell needs Erin and all the help he can get to solve the puzzle of how Amy died and how it is connected to the disappearance of girls now. The second installment of the Haunted Shores mystery will make you want to read the first one and eagerly await the next one.
February 28, 2021
Randy Overbeck is new to me and I really enjoyed this mystery romance book.
I can say this book gave me nightmares but it is well written and kept my interest throughout the whole book. It took me altogether about 5 hours to read but I had to do it in two sittings.
This was well written and I highly recommend this book.
I can say this book gave me nightmares but it is well written and kept my interest throughout the whole book. It took me altogether about 5 hours to read but I had to do it in two sittings.
This was well written and I highly recommend this book.
October 3, 2021
This was an interesting read that I couldn't put down. While I haven't read the first book in the series, this book works well as a stand alone. I do want to go back and read the first book as I enjoyed this one. This is well written and quite suspenseful.
October 13, 2020
I am starting out this review stating that this novel is not a normal one i would have picked for myself. i thought i would enjoy the location of Cape May since i am in New Jersey. I read a wide variety of genres and tried this story. It took too long to get to the meat of the story. I like a build up but not one that muddies the story. This is the second in a series. This story is heavily built on events from the last book. I wonder if I had read it i would have reacted differently.
Darrell Henshaw can see the dead. He is in Cape May Nj helping coach a football camp. He begins seeing a bloody bride. She and other ghosts in the area begin telling him that if he helps the bride he will help the girls. Adding to he mystery who are the girls?
He is also helping a young man at camp whos sister has gone missing. He helps with flyers and talking to local authorities. He feels for the boy, his mother and sister so he vows gto do all he can to help them.
Complicating matters are the lose of his job back home on trumped up charges and his broken relationship with his girlfriend. The romantic interest comes to cape may when she shows up to rekindle the flame and stays on to help solve the mystery. He finds himself torn between focusing on the local problems or his girlfriend and their relationship.
As if things were not complicated enough they meet a young women who has a gift similar to Darrell when she becomes involved with the dead bride ghost she and her friends are all put into danger.
Darrell Henshaw can see the dead. He is in Cape May Nj helping coach a football camp. He begins seeing a bloody bride. She and other ghosts in the area begin telling him that if he helps the bride he will help the girls. Adding to he mystery who are the girls?
He is also helping a young man at camp whos sister has gone missing. He helps with flyers and talking to local authorities. He feels for the boy, his mother and sister so he vows gto do all he can to help them.
Complicating matters are the lose of his job back home on trumped up charges and his broken relationship with his girlfriend. The romantic interest comes to cape may when she shows up to rekindle the flame and stays on to help solve the mystery. He finds himself torn between focusing on the local problems or his girlfriend and their relationship.
As if things were not complicated enough they meet a young women who has a gift similar to Darrell when she becomes involved with the dead bride ghost she and her friends are all put into danger.
January 24, 2021
First things first, if you're under a certain age, you may suffer from a bit of culture shock with this book, and things may seem a bit odd. Crimson at Cape May takes place in 1999 - a time when people weren't walking around looking at cell phones, a time when they had to look at a map or ask directions, a time when computers didn't do everything at lightning speed. We also get a protagonist who isn't independently wealthy. Instead, Darrell has money problems and he can't afford to not have a job. So, the added stress of seeing ghosts isn't a welcome thing for him. I found Darrell to be both relatable and likable. Okay, maybe I can't exactly relate to the seeing ghosts part, but everything else is what most of us in the working class have been through at one time or other, at least a little. Being so likable made it easy to root for this character, and it didn't take long at all to become invested in the story. I love trying to solve a good mystery, and it's even more fun with the added paranormal element. The story is very well written and the pacing is good from start to finish. I won't go into the details of the bride to avoid spoilers, but I will say that these characters and their story was a good choice for my weekend read. This is the second Darrell Henshaw book, but Randy Overbeck gives us everything we need to read Crimson at Cape May as a standalone, and he does it without going overboard and taking over too much page time from this story. All in all, I'd have to say if you're looking for a good mystery, this is one to pick up.
May 10, 2024
*3.75 Stars*
Crimson at Cape May is the second book in A Haunted Shores Mystery series and features Derrell Henshaw, who has recently been let go from his high school teaching position, coaching at a football camp in Camp May. The reasons for him being let go featured in the first book, but the consequences carried into the second book, issues with which I had no problems understanding or sympathizing. I actually thought the author did a credible job merging the two stories without taking the focus of the story being developed in this book. While I did enjoy the overall story and characters, I did find it a bit slow in some parts, it was easy to figure out the actual villain, and there were some inconsistencies, especially for those of us who grew up in the nineties, that I just had to ignore.
For the most part, the characters were rather interesting and distinct. Things weren't going so well for Darrell at the beginning of this book as he had lost his job and his girlfriend and was in Cape May working at a football camp to earn some money. The stress was creating anxiety and affecting his OCD, so when he again starts seeing ghosts, he doesn't react very well to those sightings and it takes a lot of persuasion for him to help them. Considering the ghosts got him into a lot of trouble in the previous book, I understood his reluctance as I think it was consistent with his life at the moment. When things started to go better for him in his life, he was more receptive to the ghosts, and that made a lot of sense. I really enjoyed Cassie as a character and liked how realistically she was portrayed. Some of her life was definitely downplayed to keep the book clean, but you got enough to read between the lines and understand how difficult it is for kids on the street when their home lives are terrible.
The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the story essentially had three mysteries woven into it: first, there was the problem with Derrell and why he lost his job, events from the previous book; two, the ghost that kept appearing to Derrell, the mysterious bride, presented the next mystery; and three, the issue with one of Derrell's students whose older sister had gone missing which led into a sex trafficking scenario. I really appreciated the fact the author dove into more serious issues in this book as it's very relevant today. Sex trafficking is definitely not new and I liked how the author was pointing out that everyone who turns their head when noticing something is wrong is part of the problem, and allowing influential people to get away with criminal behaviour is problematic. It was done subtly, and in such a way that we should always be on the lookout for odd behaviours and talk to our children about being wary; you know if a thing sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you should run as fast as you can. I find comments about sex trafficking in the nineties quite interesting, especially from those who say they had no idea because as a uni student in the late 80' and early 90's we knew to avoid those jobs where you went to a 'warehouse' for an interview as they were probably for porno and these types of things. So yes, it was definitely around. And those 'job advertisements' were everywhere.
Crimson at Cape May was an enjoyable read, and if you love the paranormal as well as interesting characters, then this is for you. Personally, I prefer something a bit more gritty, but the themes running through this book were quite serious; they were also presented in a way that were not overly graphic or biased, but are definitely something that are relevant in today's world. I did find that Derrell's character development was a bit inconsistent, and I had a problem with the whole cellphone thing in this book, not his purchase of it, but his use as he would definitely not have been able to make a call in the backwoods in 1999 as cell reception during that time was terrible. I was also not impressed with who the villain was in this book as I tend to need legitimate motivations and reasons and that was lacking in my estimation. However, if you are looking for a book that is a mix of paranormal and mystery, and like deeper themes that aren't too explicit, then this book is definitely for you.
I received a copy of this book for review.
Crimson at Cape May is the second book in A Haunted Shores Mystery series and features Derrell Henshaw, who has recently been let go from his high school teaching position, coaching at a football camp in Camp May. The reasons for him being let go featured in the first book, but the consequences carried into the second book, issues with which I had no problems understanding or sympathizing. I actually thought the author did a credible job merging the two stories without taking the focus of the story being developed in this book. While I did enjoy the overall story and characters, I did find it a bit slow in some parts, it was easy to figure out the actual villain, and there were some inconsistencies, especially for those of us who grew up in the nineties, that I just had to ignore.
For the most part, the characters were rather interesting and distinct. Things weren't going so well for Darrell at the beginning of this book as he had lost his job and his girlfriend and was in Cape May working at a football camp to earn some money. The stress was creating anxiety and affecting his OCD, so when he again starts seeing ghosts, he doesn't react very well to those sightings and it takes a lot of persuasion for him to help them. Considering the ghosts got him into a lot of trouble in the previous book, I understood his reluctance as I think it was consistent with his life at the moment. When things started to go better for him in his life, he was more receptive to the ghosts, and that made a lot of sense. I really enjoyed Cassie as a character and liked how realistically she was portrayed. Some of her life was definitely downplayed to keep the book clean, but you got enough to read between the lines and understand how difficult it is for kids on the street when their home lives are terrible.
The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the story essentially had three mysteries woven into it: first, there was the problem with Derrell and why he lost his job, events from the previous book; two, the ghost that kept appearing to Derrell, the mysterious bride, presented the next mystery; and three, the issue with one of Derrell's students whose older sister had gone missing which led into a sex trafficking scenario. I really appreciated the fact the author dove into more serious issues in this book as it's very relevant today. Sex trafficking is definitely not new and I liked how the author was pointing out that everyone who turns their head when noticing something is wrong is part of the problem, and allowing influential people to get away with criminal behaviour is problematic. It was done subtly, and in such a way that we should always be on the lookout for odd behaviours and talk to our children about being wary; you know if a thing sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you should run as fast as you can. I find comments about sex trafficking in the nineties quite interesting, especially from those who say they had no idea because as a uni student in the late 80' and early 90's we knew to avoid those jobs where you went to a 'warehouse' for an interview as they were probably for porno and these types of things. So yes, it was definitely around. And those 'job advertisements' were everywhere.
Crimson at Cape May was an enjoyable read, and if you love the paranormal as well as interesting characters, then this is for you. Personally, I prefer something a bit more gritty, but the themes running through this book were quite serious; they were also presented in a way that were not overly graphic or biased, but are definitely something that are relevant in today's world. I did find that Derrell's character development was a bit inconsistent, and I had a problem with the whole cellphone thing in this book, not his purchase of it, but his use as he would definitely not have been able to make a call in the backwoods in 1999 as cell reception during that time was terrible. I was also not impressed with who the villain was in this book as I tend to need legitimate motivations and reasons and that was lacking in my estimation. However, if you are looking for a book that is a mix of paranormal and mystery, and like deeper themes that aren't too explicit, then this book is definitely for you.
I received a copy of this book for review.
November 17, 2020
In 1999, a lady in a bloodstained white dress haunted the Victorian beach town of Cape May, New Jersey. Stories were told about the "Haunted Bride" walking into the Atlantic Ocean to drown herself, but there weren't many sightings. She was visible to only a very few people who were sensitive enough to note her presence. One of these was high school football coach Darrell Henshaw, in town for a summer job. After he checked into the boarding house where he would stay for the season, he wandered through the shopping district, enjoying the sunny day and the vacation atmosphere, and ignoring the woman in the dirty white dress who'd been following him. He walked away when he thought he heard her begging for help. He saw a reflection of himself and an elderly couple in the window of a coffee shop. When he turned around to get a better look at the couple, he could see both of them as well as the woman in white, who now had a black eye, bruising, and blood running down her dress. Yet there was no reflection of her in the window!
This wasn't Darrell's first experience with ghosts, and he'd already come to terms with being a sensitive. He asked around for details of the young woman he had seen and the many other hauntings in Cape May. Over the summer, when his girlfriend Erin came to visit from Maryland, they befriended a runaway who was also a sensitive and was trying to solve a mystery of her own. At football camp, the sister of one of Darrell's students disappeared. As Darrell and Erin got to know the locals, things that seemed coincidental at first revealed themselves to be links in a chain of evil. Darrell suspected there was more going on in the historic seaport town than a ghost or two.
I guessed who the perpetrator of this evil was -- or I should say, one of several people who were responsible, but I couldn't see where this person had sufficient motive to commit the main crime until I got close to the end of the book. Randy Overbeck expertly connected the links and sped up the action toward the end, when justice was done. And Darrell and Erin, back home in Chesapeake Bay, went to the next level in their relationship.
I won a printed copy of the delightful mystery Crimson at Cape May in a drawing. This is the second book in Randy Overbeck's Haunted Shores mystery series. I haven't read Blood on the Chesapeake, which introduces the story's major characters, yet, but I will as soon as Amazon delivers my next order.
This wasn't Darrell's first experience with ghosts, and he'd already come to terms with being a sensitive. He asked around for details of the young woman he had seen and the many other hauntings in Cape May. Over the summer, when his girlfriend Erin came to visit from Maryland, they befriended a runaway who was also a sensitive and was trying to solve a mystery of her own. At football camp, the sister of one of Darrell's students disappeared. As Darrell and Erin got to know the locals, things that seemed coincidental at first revealed themselves to be links in a chain of evil. Darrell suspected there was more going on in the historic seaport town than a ghost or two.
I guessed who the perpetrator of this evil was -- or I should say, one of several people who were responsible, but I couldn't see where this person had sufficient motive to commit the main crime until I got close to the end of the book. Randy Overbeck expertly connected the links and sped up the action toward the end, when justice was done. And Darrell and Erin, back home in Chesapeake Bay, went to the next level in their relationship.
I won a printed copy of the delightful mystery Crimson at Cape May in a drawing. This is the second book in Randy Overbeck's Haunted Shores mystery series. I haven't read Blood on the Chesapeake, which introduces the story's major characters, yet, but I will as soon as Amazon delivers my next order.
January 18, 2021
This is the second book in the Haunted Shores Mysteries series, but it can stand alone. The author gives you enough insights into the previous book that you know what is going on with the main characters without bogging you down in too much detail. At the same time, there is a separate mystery here—actually, there are three mysteries in one. The first one is what happened to Darrell in the first book – why he lost his job and who was behind it all. That one was solved, but did the person behind it all get caught? I wasn’t sure about that. The second mystery is how the haunted bride ghost died—which is kind of tied to the third one about the missing girls. They are all tied up neatly (with maybe the exception of the first one) and everything turns out well. I will note that unless you really pay attention to the fact that this is set in 1999, you’re probably going to find it strange that nobody has cell phones, that they’re using a dot matrix printer (some readers aren’t even going to know what that is) on a DOS computer, and GPS isn’t available. It’s almost, but not quite, historical in that aspect.
The opening chapter draws you in and the action and events keep you reading. There is a lot of detail about Cape May which puts you right there. Darrell is working a temp job at a football camp, but his sensitivity to ghosts is still with him which leads to him seeing the Haunted Bride. While at dinner with his girlfriend Erin, Cassie, a young waitress overhears them talking about the bride and it turns out that she can see ghosts too. Together, the three of them try to figure out who killed the bride, and how to help the girls who have been disappearing from around the area.
I loved that Darrell and his girlfriend care so much about Cassie and that she gets a home in the end. I also loved the pug. And that Darrell has OCD issues and money problems. It makes him more…human. Things aren’t so great for him, which is the way life is for a lot of people. It also touches on a very real problem—that of sex trafficking that happens whether we believe it or not. I did find the story a bit slow in some of the narration, but overall, it was a pretty quick read.
Recommendation: I would definitely pick up this series by Mr. Overbeck. And I plan on looking for more from him.
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The opening chapter draws you in and the action and events keep you reading. There is a lot of detail about Cape May which puts you right there. Darrell is working a temp job at a football camp, but his sensitivity to ghosts is still with him which leads to him seeing the Haunted Bride. While at dinner with his girlfriend Erin, Cassie, a young waitress overhears them talking about the bride and it turns out that she can see ghosts too. Together, the three of them try to figure out who killed the bride, and how to help the girls who have been disappearing from around the area.
I loved that Darrell and his girlfriend care so much about Cassie and that she gets a home in the end. I also loved the pug. And that Darrell has OCD issues and money problems. It makes him more…human. Things aren’t so great for him, which is the way life is for a lot of people. It also touches on a very real problem—that of sex trafficking that happens whether we believe it or not. I did find the story a bit slow in some of the narration, but overall, it was a pretty quick read.
Recommendation: I would definitely pick up this series by Mr. Overbeck. And I plan on looking for more from him.
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 20, 2020
I suppose that you could read Crimson at Cape May as a standalone, because the author does a pretty good job of recapping some of the events that took place in Blood on the Chesapeake, but I wouldn’t recommend it. A lot happens in the first book, along with introductions to key characters and Darrell’s history – especially the events that brought him to Cape May.
I stumbled on Blood on the Chesapeake, which I tend to do from time to time, and it took me by surprise. I loved the mystery, suspense and the characters – especially Darrell. He was flawed, but lovable and those are my favorite kind. I have to admit that the setting was a big draw for me too, because I was familiar with the area. But the story was what kept the pages turning and even though I didn’t really stalk this author, I tried to keep a look out for the next book in the series. In case you were wondering, Crimson at Cape May was worth the weight. 😉
Once again, Darrell found himself haunted by a ghost. He should have learned from his experience in Maryland that when a spirit has a message and they’ve found someone who can see them, they won’t give up until they’re “heard”. In the case of the Haunted Bride, she needed help not only for herself, but for others and they were among the living. And since Cape May boasts being the most haunted seaport on the East Coast, she had some help getting her message across.
Danger lurked around every corner and ghosts weren’t the most dangerous “people” in Cape May. Even though Darrell was guilt ridden for putting other people in danger, he couldn’t do it alone. The mystery and suspense kept the pages turning, the writing flowed just as I remembered from the previous book (as well as the dialog), the characters were witty and had depth and the romance was sweet and just added to the overall feel of the story. I have no idea if there will be more to come from The Haunted Shores Mysteries, but I’m kind of hoping there is – for a couple of reasons. ❤
I received Crimson at Cape May in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I stumbled on Blood on the Chesapeake, which I tend to do from time to time, and it took me by surprise. I loved the mystery, suspense and the characters – especially Darrell. He was flawed, but lovable and those are my favorite kind. I have to admit that the setting was a big draw for me too, because I was familiar with the area. But the story was what kept the pages turning and even though I didn’t really stalk this author, I tried to keep a look out for the next book in the series. In case you were wondering, Crimson at Cape May was worth the weight. 😉
Once again, Darrell found himself haunted by a ghost. He should have learned from his experience in Maryland that when a spirit has a message and they’ve found someone who can see them, they won’t give up until they’re “heard”. In the case of the Haunted Bride, she needed help not only for herself, but for others and they were among the living. And since Cape May boasts being the most haunted seaport on the East Coast, she had some help getting her message across.
Danger lurked around every corner and ghosts weren’t the most dangerous “people” in Cape May. Even though Darrell was guilt ridden for putting other people in danger, he couldn’t do it alone. The mystery and suspense kept the pages turning, the writing flowed just as I remembered from the previous book (as well as the dialog), the characters were witty and had depth and the romance was sweet and just added to the overall feel of the story. I have no idea if there will be more to come from The Haunted Shores Mysteries, but I’m kind of hoping there is – for a couple of reasons. ❤
I received Crimson at Cape May in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 13, 2020
Something about ghost stories pulls me in and I wasn’t disappointed with this one—his second in the series. I suppose you might begin with Book 1 as it would explain about Darrell’s history—but I read this as a standalone and had no problem catching on pretty quickly.
Darrell Henshaw is a history teacher, a coach, and a paranormal sensitive. He’s been asked to assist the coach at a summer football camp in Cape May. Oh my goodness…Sooo atmospheric. Cape May, with it’s history and Victorian mansions, has no end of ghostly stories. And the Haunted Bride is a douzy.
Darrell is a flawed protagonist. He’s OCD—and he lost his job back in Wilshire. So he grabbed this opportunity, leaving behind the bewildering state of affairs and his sweetie, Erin.
It doesn’t take long before he sees a ghost—and she is very persistent. Then he meets Cassie. Cassie believes he might have the same powers of perception as she.
Darrell doesn’t scream romantic partner to me, but he can be endearing, sincere, and just as persistent. Erin is patient, understanding, kind, and still a bit skeptical of his visions. Cassie is a Goth, would be homeless except for the crib she’s sharing with a guy. The nervous interest in her character goes from cautious to compassion.
The well-plotted storyline keeps a steady pace through two-thirds of the book and then gradually ups the ante, adds tension, grit, more pieces of the puzzle and explodes. When the dust settles, all is right with the world. The main characters will go on to Book 3 and I’ll be looking for them there.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and these are my honest, unbiased thoughts.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
Darrell Henshaw is a history teacher, a coach, and a paranormal sensitive. He’s been asked to assist the coach at a summer football camp in Cape May. Oh my goodness…Sooo atmospheric. Cape May, with it’s history and Victorian mansions, has no end of ghostly stories. And the Haunted Bride is a douzy.
Darrell is a flawed protagonist. He’s OCD—and he lost his job back in Wilshire. So he grabbed this opportunity, leaving behind the bewildering state of affairs and his sweetie, Erin.
It doesn’t take long before he sees a ghost—and she is very persistent. Then he meets Cassie. Cassie believes he might have the same powers of perception as she.
Darrell doesn’t scream romantic partner to me, but he can be endearing, sincere, and just as persistent. Erin is patient, understanding, kind, and still a bit skeptical of his visions. Cassie is a Goth, would be homeless except for the crib she’s sharing with a guy. The nervous interest in her character goes from cautious to compassion.
The well-plotted storyline keeps a steady pace through two-thirds of the book and then gradually ups the ante, adds tension, grit, more pieces of the puzzle and explodes. When the dust settles, all is right with the world. The main characters will go on to Book 3 and I’ll be looking for them there.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and these are my honest, unbiased thoughts.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
August 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY by Randy Overbeck. This is the first book I read from this author as ghosts and paranormal type books are not on the top of my reading list. However, this one grabbed me from the very beginning and didn't let up until the end. It is also the second book in a series.
I thought this book was fine as a stand-alone even though portions of the first book are discussed. Darrell Henshaw lost his job and girlfriend at the end of the first book. Darrell has a keen ability to see ghosts who leave hints to help him solve mysteries.
Taking on a part-time job in Cape May to help run a summer football camp, Darrell witnesses a ghost wearing a white wedding gown with red blood along the side. She asks for his help and tells him that by helping her, he will also help others who are alive and suffering. One of the kids at the camp recently had a teen sister who went missing; she may hold the answer to part of the mystery.
At a local restaurant, Darrell meets Cassie, who also has the ability to see ghosts. When he wins back his former girlfriend, the three join up in an attempt to solve the mystery. However, those getting involved are at great risk of getting themselves killed - some escaped death, others did not.
The story is full of surprises and had me analyzing every clue as it became known. Who was this haunting bride? Why was she so persistent? What did she want? Who are the others? There were some slow parts in the middle of the story, but the last 25% took off with a roar and didn't stop until the end.
CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY is not a ghost story...it's more of an adventure to solve a mystery with the help of a ghost. Highly recommended.
I thought this book was fine as a stand-alone even though portions of the first book are discussed. Darrell Henshaw lost his job and girlfriend at the end of the first book. Darrell has a keen ability to see ghosts who leave hints to help him solve mysteries.
Taking on a part-time job in Cape May to help run a summer football camp, Darrell witnesses a ghost wearing a white wedding gown with red blood along the side. She asks for his help and tells him that by helping her, he will also help others who are alive and suffering. One of the kids at the camp recently had a teen sister who went missing; she may hold the answer to part of the mystery.
At a local restaurant, Darrell meets Cassie, who also has the ability to see ghosts. When he wins back his former girlfriend, the three join up in an attempt to solve the mystery. However, those getting involved are at great risk of getting themselves killed - some escaped death, others did not.
The story is full of surprises and had me analyzing every clue as it became known. Who was this haunting bride? Why was she so persistent? What did she want? Who are the others? There were some slow parts in the middle of the story, but the last 25% took off with a roar and didn't stop until the end.
CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY is not a ghost story...it's more of an adventure to solve a mystery with the help of a ghost. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2022
*Thank you to Bookstagrammers.com, Randy Overbeck, and The Wild Rose Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
For as long as I can remember I have vacationed with my parents in Cape May, New Jersey. So, when the opportunity came up to read and review Randy’s newest Haunted Shores Mystery, I knew I had to! Not only are mysteries one of my favourite, having one set in my favourite place - sold!
The story follows Darrell, a teacher, coach and someone who is sensitive to paranormal dealings. He’s lost his job and the only opportunity he finds is to coach at summer football camp in Cape May. Cape May, known for victorian mansions, diamond stones and great sunsets, is also the most haunted seaport on the East Coast.
When a resident ghost begins to visit and stalk Darrell wanting his help, he cannot refuse. He enlists another paranormal sensitive, Cassie and they investigate what happened to the Haunted Bride. What they find though, is more sinister than murder.
This was such a solid read! I really enjoyed getting to read it and know where I was and what was happening as if I was walking the streets. There were so many times I go “OH I KNOW THAT!”. The story itself was very good and one that I could not put down until the end. The twists were excellent and made me want more. Overbook has a great writing style to keep you hooked as well. If I can think of one flaw for the book - It is probably that Darrell does not want his gift. Rather than embracing it and this journey he resents it, which made for a bit of aggravation while reading.
But overall, this is a great book! Highly recommend for anyone who loves crime mysteries and ghost stories.
For as long as I can remember I have vacationed with my parents in Cape May, New Jersey. So, when the opportunity came up to read and review Randy’s newest Haunted Shores Mystery, I knew I had to! Not only are mysteries one of my favourite, having one set in my favourite place - sold!
The story follows Darrell, a teacher, coach and someone who is sensitive to paranormal dealings. He’s lost his job and the only opportunity he finds is to coach at summer football camp in Cape May. Cape May, known for victorian mansions, diamond stones and great sunsets, is also the most haunted seaport on the East Coast.
When a resident ghost begins to visit and stalk Darrell wanting his help, he cannot refuse. He enlists another paranormal sensitive, Cassie and they investigate what happened to the Haunted Bride. What they find though, is more sinister than murder.
This was such a solid read! I really enjoyed getting to read it and know where I was and what was happening as if I was walking the streets. There were so many times I go “OH I KNOW THAT!”. The story itself was very good and one that I could not put down until the end. The twists were excellent and made me want more. Overbook has a great writing style to keep you hooked as well. If I can think of one flaw for the book - It is probably that Darrell does not want his gift. Rather than embracing it and this journey he resents it, which made for a bit of aggravation while reading.
But overall, this is a great book! Highly recommend for anyone who loves crime mysteries and ghost stories.
August 10, 2020
Darrell Henshaw, the paranormal-sensitive first introduced in Overbeck’s Blood on the Chesapeake returns in another intriguing mystery, Crimson At Cape May.
Henshaw, caught in a difficult and unfair personal situation, is confronted with an old wrong, possibly a crime. We see him struggle to cope with both intrigue and ghosts as he sets about solving a missing-person case that might reveal a crime.
Henshaw’s character is immediately interesting, and his surroundings are so well described that the story is for me, completely believable. I fear that fans of mysteries might shy from picking up a book with that one word attached: paranormal. Yet, this mystery-lover was completely engaged by the intrigue and I suspect that fans of the paranormal will be entirely satisfied with this tale, as well.
Weirdly enough, it is some of the secondary characters, (especially those who seem to hate Henshaw) who help create a very ‘real’ environment. Oh, sure… the friends, Sara, Al, and Cassie are all important and it seems nothing speaks truer than hate, blame, and rage. And, of course, Henshaw hears how ruthless townfolk believe he is. And what the love of his life thinks of him… no giveaways here, but know: Emotions stomp their way out of this one!
Of course, there is something of a romance in this one, but the main story here is everything. Crimson at Cape May delivers an unpredictable mystery along with a powerful look at people, too.
Henshaw, caught in a difficult and unfair personal situation, is confronted with an old wrong, possibly a crime. We see him struggle to cope with both intrigue and ghosts as he sets about solving a missing-person case that might reveal a crime.
Henshaw’s character is immediately interesting, and his surroundings are so well described that the story is for me, completely believable. I fear that fans of mysteries might shy from picking up a book with that one word attached: paranormal. Yet, this mystery-lover was completely engaged by the intrigue and I suspect that fans of the paranormal will be entirely satisfied with this tale, as well.
Weirdly enough, it is some of the secondary characters, (especially those who seem to hate Henshaw) who help create a very ‘real’ environment. Oh, sure… the friends, Sara, Al, and Cassie are all important and it seems nothing speaks truer than hate, blame, and rage. And, of course, Henshaw hears how ruthless townfolk believe he is. And what the love of his life thinks of him… no giveaways here, but know: Emotions stomp their way out of this one!
Of course, there is something of a romance in this one, but the main story here is everything. Crimson at Cape May delivers an unpredictable mystery along with a powerful look at people, too.
October 8, 2020
In book two in The Haunted Shores Mysteries series, former high school football coach Darrell Henshaw wants to clean up his good name after the scandal in which he lost his job. His special gift, however—he can see ghosts—is drawing him into a murder mystery he wants no part of. Unfortunately for him, the Haunted Bride won’t take no for answer.
I don’t normally read mysteries, but this story grabbed my attention from chapter one. Darrell is an awesome character with a serious case of OCD. He’s kind, smart, and capable, and he feels as though he needs to help the ghosts in spite of the dangers to himself. Those dangers also affect the ones he’s close to—including Erin and Cassie, his girlfriend and a runaway teenager respectively.
I enjoyed Mr. Overbeck writing style, and I could easily visualize the scenes through his detailed descriptions. His characters are complex and three-dimensional. There are a few twists and turns, which I wasn’t expecting but thoroughly loved.
Crimson at Cape May takes place right after the events in book one, but it can be read as a standalone. (Enough back-story was given to bring me up to speed.) For anyone wanting to read a good mystery with a tad of romance and paranormal thrown in, I definitely recommend this book. I would love to read more from Mr. Overbeck.
5 Stars
I don’t normally read mysteries, but this story grabbed my attention from chapter one. Darrell is an awesome character with a serious case of OCD. He’s kind, smart, and capable, and he feels as though he needs to help the ghosts in spite of the dangers to himself. Those dangers also affect the ones he’s close to—including Erin and Cassie, his girlfriend and a runaway teenager respectively.
I enjoyed Mr. Overbeck writing style, and I could easily visualize the scenes through his detailed descriptions. His characters are complex and three-dimensional. There are a few twists and turns, which I wasn’t expecting but thoroughly loved.
Crimson at Cape May takes place right after the events in book one, but it can be read as a standalone. (Enough back-story was given to bring me up to speed.) For anyone wanting to read a good mystery with a tad of romance and paranormal thrown in, I definitely recommend this book. I would love to read more from Mr. Overbeck.
5 Stars
April 7, 2022
Darrell Henshaw was the football coach/history teacher at Wilshire High in Maryland until he resigned to keep a couple of the kids from losing their scholarships. Now Darrell is working a summer football camp in Cape May. Cape May is a seaside town with lots of history. It’s locally known as the most haunted town. Unfortunately for Darrell this little town will have him seeing ghosts. While working at the camp, Darrell, notices that one of the young man, Josh, is having a rather bad day. He decides to talk with Josh to see if there is anything he can do. Josh is worried about his sister who has been missing for a few days. Darrell being a sensitive is approached by several ghosts in town and receives a message that he needs to help the ghost in the white dress. As he investigates, he will soon find out that there is more going on in Cape May than meets the eye.
Randy Overbeck has created a story is full of twists and turns. Paranormal activity, missing girls, and romance are all packed into this book. It keeps the reader interested because there is so much going on with the characters in the story. It is an enjoyable read. The only thing is that if you haven’t read the first book, you will have a few references that may confuse you a bit, but you can still read it and enjoy it.
Randy Overbeck has created a story is full of twists and turns. Paranormal activity, missing girls, and romance are all packed into this book. It keeps the reader interested because there is so much going on with the characters in the story. It is an enjoyable read. The only thing is that if you haven’t read the first book, you will have a few references that may confuse you a bit, but you can still read it and enjoy it.
May 13, 2022
Thank you to the author and the publisher, The White Rose Press, for sharing a copy of this book with me through Bookstagrammers.com!
TRIGGER WARNING: domestic abuse, mention of OCD, mention of human traffic and girls in particular as well as prostitution
““Welcome to Cape May, my friend. Haven’t you read the promo, ‘Cape May: the country’s most haunted seaport.’”
I really enjoyed reading this book!!
The second book in the Hunted Shores Mystery, here at Cape May there are still secrets that need to be revealed … and our main characters are just here for it!!
I would recommend to read the first book in the series simply because in this one there are spoilers for it but , other than that, it is it’s own mystery so you can easily read it as a standalone!!
I enjoyed the investigation, the ghostly theme and the romantic subplot playing on the background!!
While dealing with terrible themes, the author also explores the mystical and the unknown where ghosts play a relevant part in Darrell’s life!
Overall the book was easy to get into and to follow through and it had some fluffy romance scenes I really liked !!
I’m glad I had the chance to read it !!
“As if a deadbolt could keep out the dead”
“Help me or more girls will suffer and die”
TRIGGER WARNING: domestic abuse, mention of OCD, mention of human traffic and girls in particular as well as prostitution
““Welcome to Cape May, my friend. Haven’t you read the promo, ‘Cape May: the country’s most haunted seaport.’”
I really enjoyed reading this book!!
The second book in the Hunted Shores Mystery, here at Cape May there are still secrets that need to be revealed … and our main characters are just here for it!!
I would recommend to read the first book in the series simply because in this one there are spoilers for it but , other than that, it is it’s own mystery so you can easily read it as a standalone!!
I enjoyed the investigation, the ghostly theme and the romantic subplot playing on the background!!
While dealing with terrible themes, the author also explores the mystical and the unknown where ghosts play a relevant part in Darrell’s life!
Overall the book was easy to get into and to follow through and it had some fluffy romance scenes I really liked !!
I’m glad I had the chance to read it !!
“As if a deadbolt could keep out the dead”
“Help me or more girls will suffer and die”
August 11, 2020
https://bit.ly/3ky8Rax
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Crimson at Cape May by Dr. Randy Overbeck is the second book of the Haunted Shores Mysteries. It’s a ghost/mystery story filled with suspense and action.
The plot is so engrossing it had me hooked from the very first page. It has a steady pace and there is a slow revelation of the clues that connected the two cases. The author’s writing style was so illustrative that intensified each scene and made the story more vivid.
There is a great choice of characters and a very defined transformation in them. Darrell was reserved and caring towards the kids and his friends. Erin was a true sweetheart and gave motherly vibes. Cassie was a troubled kid who was strong enough to survive but craved to be loved. I liked how relatable they were and how easily they got attached to each other.
I can’t just pick just one part as my favorite since I loved the whole book. It is an amazing captivating story that you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend it and I will rate it with 5 stars.
PS: If this was a movie I would totally watch it!!!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Crimson at Cape May by Dr. Randy Overbeck is the second book of the Haunted Shores Mysteries. It’s a ghost/mystery story filled with suspense and action.
The plot is so engrossing it had me hooked from the very first page. It has a steady pace and there is a slow revelation of the clues that connected the two cases. The author’s writing style was so illustrative that intensified each scene and made the story more vivid.
There is a great choice of characters and a very defined transformation in them. Darrell was reserved and caring towards the kids and his friends. Erin was a true sweetheart and gave motherly vibes. Cassie was a troubled kid who was strong enough to survive but craved to be loved. I liked how relatable they were and how easily they got attached to each other.
I can’t just pick just one part as my favorite since I loved the whole book. It is an amazing captivating story that you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend it and I will rate it with 5 stars.
PS: If this was a movie I would totally watch it!!!
October 7, 2020
Unsure of his job situation, Darrell heads to Cape May. The high school football coach asked Darrell to help out with the summer camp. He misses Erin and his friends. He's about to add to his friends list. Along with that, there is a new mystery coming his way. Darrell will have to face some of the town's elite to figure this one out. Will he have what it takes to see this mystery though to the end?
Mr. Overbeck builds this story with great care. He gives you a beautiful setting and then introduces the characters. The story winds around and takes you down every dark alley and through some of the grandest homes in the area. He's a mystery master! I love the way Mr. Overbeck sets a steady pace, but you can feel the intensity. This is one author on my auto-buy list. I can't put the book down once I open the first page. His characters beckon me to follow them. Before I know it, I'm caught up in the story. Mr. Overbeck should be on your auto-buy as well.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because the story lasted long after I read it. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Mr. Overbeck builds this story with great care. He gives you a beautiful setting and then introduces the characters. The story winds around and takes you down every dark alley and through some of the grandest homes in the area. He's a mystery master! I love the way Mr. Overbeck sets a steady pace, but you can feel the intensity. This is one author on my auto-buy list. I can't put the book down once I open the first page. His characters beckon me to follow them. Before I know it, I'm caught up in the story. Mr. Overbeck should be on your auto-buy as well.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because the story lasted long after I read it. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
January 25, 2021
Hero, Darrell Henshaw, is once again facing a ghost desperate to have the truth revealed. The haunted bride doesn’t just want justice for herself – she says the truth will save others. Talk about pressure. Especially since Darrell is only a visitor in Cape May.
His girl friend Erin, (from Blood on the Chesapeake), shows up to assist, but he also has Cassie, another paranormal sensitive. I loved this Goth teenager. Her character was colorful even though she had a traumatic past.
The pace of this book is incredible. I’d describe it as a runaway train. You won’t be able to put it down. You’ll hardly be able to take a breath in some places.
Let me tell you something I’ve noticed about this authors writing style. He doesn’t allow any waste. Not a wasted scene, line, or even word. When he introduces a new character, they have a purpose. Every new scene has something pertinent to show. There isn’t a dull moment in the entire story.
This may be a shorter review, but I hope it convinces you to give the book a try. After reading the first two stories in this new series I have to say, I am a fan.
Here’s another five stars, Mr. Overbeck!
His girl friend Erin, (from Blood on the Chesapeake), shows up to assist, but he also has Cassie, another paranormal sensitive. I loved this Goth teenager. Her character was colorful even though she had a traumatic past.
The pace of this book is incredible. I’d describe it as a runaway train. You won’t be able to put it down. You’ll hardly be able to take a breath in some places.
Let me tell you something I’ve noticed about this authors writing style. He doesn’t allow any waste. Not a wasted scene, line, or even word. When he introduces a new character, they have a purpose. Every new scene has something pertinent to show. There isn’t a dull moment in the entire story.
This may be a shorter review, but I hope it convinces you to give the book a try. After reading the first two stories in this new series I have to say, I am a fan.
Here’s another five stars, Mr. Overbeck!
October 25, 2021
4.5 stars. I’m fortunate to have read the first book in The Haunted Shores Mysteries, so I was familiar with Darrell’s story. In book two, Darrell’s life is a bit of a mess. He was let go from his job, his relationship with Erin is on the rocks, and he sees a new ghost. You have to feel badly for this guy because he’s genuinely a sweetheart, and Erin is his perfect match. The story line is visual and descriptive - though in a few spots the narrative details slow the read. However, the plot is exceptional. The adventure Darrell and Erin take is what makes this story a great read. Lots of twists that have you wondering who killed the Haunted Bride. The addition of Cassie, a young girl who also sees ghosts, is a bonus to the book. Her background story is equally as interesting and the scenes in her point of view are emotional and heartbreaking. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal, ghostly, mystery stories. I’m looking forward to reading book three in this series. Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.
October 8, 2020
Darrell Henshaw can see ghosts, not only see them he can speak to them. When he temporarily relocates to Cape May he ends up seeing a woman who is known around town is the Haunted Bride. Darrell is trying to repair his relationship with his girlfriend as well as hope he is cleared to get back his job he is on break from. Darrell ends up befriending Cassie who has the same gift as he and trying to find out what really happened to the Haunted Bride.
I found Darrell an interesting character in some ways he reminded me of Monk, while not as fastidious. Darrell has a lot going on with trying to fix everything that went wrong in the past few months, throw in his new investigation and coming to terms with how it is becoming a normalcy in his life which he does not want. Overall a fascinating mystery and I was pulled in with trying to solve it. Would definitely pick up more in this series and written in such a way you could visualize every moment.
I found Darrell an interesting character in some ways he reminded me of Monk, while not as fastidious. Darrell has a lot going on with trying to fix everything that went wrong in the past few months, throw in his new investigation and coming to terms with how it is becoming a normalcy in his life which he does not want. Overall a fascinating mystery and I was pulled in with trying to solve it. Would definitely pick up more in this series and written in such a way you could visualize every moment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews