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OutFoxing the Paranormal #2
Rattling Bone
Some secrets won’t stay buried.
Oscar Fox grew up suppressing his psychic gifts. Now he and his ghost-hunting team, including his boyfriend parapsychologist Nigel Taylor, travel to Oscar’s hometown in hopes of learning more about his legacy.
A trail of family secrets lures them to an abandoned distillery, still haunted by the ghosts of Oscar’s ancestors. A curse lies upon his bloodline, and if the team can’t figure out how to stop it, he might be the next to die.
Oscar Fox grew up suppressing his psychic gifts. Now he and his ghost-hunting team, including his boyfriend parapsychologist Nigel Taylor, travel to Oscar’s hometown in hopes of learning more about his legacy.
A trail of family secrets lures them to an abandoned distillery, still haunted by the ghosts of Oscar’s ancestors. A curse lies upon his bloodline, and if the team can’t figure out how to stop it, he might be the next to die.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2023
52 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,625 followersJordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.
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March 21, 2023Read during the #TransRightsReadathon.
Another highly enjoyable installment in the new contemporary series, with Nigel (trans guy, parapsychologist) and Oscar (paranormal podcaster and medium). This one is all about buried family secrets, fears, grudges, and cruelties. Wonderful sense of place and building atmosphere, with a very filmic sort of narrative style that makes it super vivid. Nigel and Oscar are super sweet together but established, so this is much more a paranormal adventure than a romance per se (not a criticism, just a calibration of expectations). Huge fun.
Another highly enjoyable installment in the new contemporary series, with Nigel (trans guy, parapsychologist) and Oscar (paranormal podcaster and medium). This one is all about buried family secrets, fears, grudges, and cruelties. Wonderful sense of place and building atmosphere, with a very filmic sort of narrative style that makes it super vivid. Nigel and Oscar are super sweet together but established, so this is much more a paranormal adventure than a romance per se (not a criticism, just a calibration of expectations). Huge fun.
March 22, 2023
"Not to make you jealous," Nigel said, "but I was holding hands with a ghost."
So happy to be back with the ghost-hunting gang. Rattling Bone gives us old familial drama, a haunted af defunct distillery, and angst/drama-free romance.
Meeting the parents can be awkward enough without vengeful spirits thrown into the mix. Just after Christmans, Oscar and the OutFoxing the Paranormal crew head to his hometown where he introduces Nigel to his parents. This was such a cute scene.
But the cuteness doesn't last long before some family secrets come to light. Secrets that come attached with an angry ghost looking for revenge.
The distillery setting was really spooky. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say you will never catch me at an abandoned anything in the wooded mountainside.
Oscar, Nigel, Chris, and Tina make a great team. Their friendship was just as good as the romance between Oscar and Nigel.
Now the wait for book 3 begins.
September 21, 2023
[3.4~3.5] the romance admittedly leaves a lot to be desired, but i enjoyed the deep dive into Oscar’s family history and vengeful spirits. i hesitate to recommend this series if you’re not in for the main show aka the spooky kicks, but for those on the lookout for an exciting ghost hunting adventure, venture full steam ahead!
March 22, 2023
I enjoy the ghost-hunting/paranormal side of it (because avenging ghost is totally scary and makes for a nice read!). It's highly related to Oscar's side of the family and this friction that happens between Oscar and his dad is nicely explored
I'm still not totally sold/inspired by the romance between Nigel and Oscar, though. I already thought it was insta in the first book, and this I also they moved way to fast when the book hit the last chapter. Maybe if I can feel the undeniable strong chemistry/spark, but Nigel and Oscar are pretty much so-so couple for me.
So not sure about continuing this series to be honest. Let's just see
I'm still not totally sold/inspired by the romance between Nigel and Oscar, though. I already thought it was insta in the first book, and this I also they moved way to fast when the book hit the last chapter. Maybe if I can feel the undeniable strong chemistry/spark, but Nigel and Oscar are pretty much so-so couple for me.
So not sure about continuing this series to be honest. Let's just see
May 26, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed.
The Romance: To set expectations - this has more the feel of a cozy mystery than a standard romance. There is a romance, and Nigel and Oscar are sweet and adorable and in love, but that romance is already established and doesn’t really develop over the course of the novel - it is just there, steady and comfy. Which was fine for me, but don’t go in expecting a lot in that area. There is an explicit sex scene in this one, unlike the first in the series, but it’s of the “Vaseline on the lens” variety.
The Rep: Casual rep with a trans MC who just is and it is no big deal. No major angst, not a plot point. Loved this, want more of it. Also the side characters are great and the pronoun declarations when they met the parents were also nice.
The Mystery: This part I LOVED. I feel like in many psychic or medium books it just is and there isn’t a ton of scientific type worldbuilding. Here they really get into it and philosophize why candles gutter and lights go out, what influences ghostly presences, and the difference between a repeater and a true personality remnant. The setting was great for the story - abandoned distillery, a history of trauma, murder and mayhem. I enjoyed that start to finish.
Overall would recommend this book to those who enjoy the paranormal mystery aspect. For romance, it doesn’t have a ton, but what is there is cozy and cute.
The Romance: To set expectations - this has more the feel of a cozy mystery than a standard romance. There is a romance, and Nigel and Oscar are sweet and adorable and in love, but that romance is already established and doesn’t really develop over the course of the novel - it is just there, steady and comfy. Which was fine for me, but don’t go in expecting a lot in that area. There is an explicit sex scene in this one, unlike the first in the series, but it’s of the “Vaseline on the lens” variety.
The Rep: Casual rep with a trans MC who just is and it is no big deal. No major angst, not a plot point. Loved this, want more of it. Also the side characters are great and the pronoun declarations when they met the parents were also nice.
The Mystery: This part I LOVED. I feel like in many psychic or medium books it just is and there isn’t a ton of scientific type worldbuilding. Here they really get into it and philosophize why candles gutter and lights go out, what influences ghostly presences, and the difference between a repeater and a true personality remnant. The setting was great for the story - abandoned distillery, a history of trauma, murder and mayhem. I enjoyed that start to finish.
Overall would recommend this book to those who enjoy the paranormal mystery aspect. For romance, it doesn’t have a ton, but what is there is cozy and cute.
March 29, 2023
DNF. I eventually got to 55%, but there just isn't enough here for me; it feels like a YA novel with all the dad angst. The perfunctory sex and then a bland reference to it, as if the author wanted to make sure we noticed there was a sex scene, was the end of my tolerance. And it's sad when the first book was much more interesting. Oh well.
July 7, 2025
3.5 stars: This was a little disappointing compared to book one. There was more repetition and it felt like it dragged at several points. I didn’t like the sex scene at all. It felt obligatory and not organic — as if it was thrown in because that’s what the readers expected. It was uncomfortable, but thankfully short.
I still liked the OutFoxing the Paranormal crew and Nigel. They all work together bringing their own unique strengths to the team and it feels like they’ve created their own little family. I would’ve liked the ending to have included a wrap up of what footage they had been able to capture with the ghosts and whether or not they planned to release it on their channel. Nothing was ever mentioned about it and things felt too rushed. I’m hoping the next book is more like the first.
**contains trans and nonbinary characters
I still liked the OutFoxing the Paranormal crew and Nigel. They all work together bringing their own unique strengths to the team and it feels like they’ve created their own little family. I would’ve liked the ending to have included a wrap up of what footage they had been able to capture with the ghosts and whether or not they planned to release it on their channel. Nothing was ever mentioned about it and things felt too rushed. I’m hoping the next book is more like the first.
**contains trans and nonbinary characters
May 27, 2023
3.5 stars
This was an enjoyable read! I think I had a bit higher hope for it after loving the first book, and this was good, but wasn't great, if that makes any sense.
There's a satisfying mystery, ghost hunting and medium talking to ghosts, there's a sprinkle of spookiness. There's a LaCroix flavoring of romance in this between an established couple. There's also a very ??? quick and unimportant Vaseline on lens sex scene in this, but pretty on par with the low/no steam going on in the first book.
It was enjoyable seeing some additional characters and interactions in this, we learn a bit more about parents and family trees, we get some background on family mediums and magic. There's some good plot buildup. I have no clue on if this is paranormal mystery with romantic subplot, or just a spooky haunted house romance with an established couple that isn't focused on the romance.
This was an enjoyable read! I think I had a bit higher hope for it after loving the first book, and this was good, but wasn't great, if that makes any sense.
There's a satisfying mystery, ghost hunting and medium talking to ghosts, there's a sprinkle of spookiness. There's a LaCroix flavoring of romance in this between an established couple. There's also a very ??? quick and unimportant Vaseline on lens sex scene in this, but pretty on par with the low/no steam going on in the first book.
It was enjoyable seeing some additional characters and interactions in this, we learn a bit more about parents and family trees, we get some background on family mediums and magic. There's some good plot buildup. I have no clue on if this is paranormal mystery with romantic subplot, or just a spooky haunted house romance with an established couple that isn't focused on the romance.
May 17, 2023
In Rattling Bone the OutFoxing the Paranormal ghost-hunting team, along with Oscar Fox's boyfriend Dr. Nigel Taylor (a parapsychologist), travel to Oscar's hometown to try to learn a bit more about his family's history of mediumship. After growing up suppressing his psychic gifts and hiding his adult life hunting ghosts from his, honestly over dramatic dad, Oscar uncovers a family secret at a distiller owned by the family's ancestors that is riddled with ghosts. Now the team has only a few days to solve the mystery surrounding the distillery before these secrets can kill again.
I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I was really excited to see a second book was planned. After reading this one, while I enjoyed it minorly less than the previous, I find myself just as eager for a third book as I was for the second. While I find Tina and Chris (the two other members of the OtP team) to be kind of boring carbon copies of each other (so much so that I had to go back to the book to even remember Chris' name when writing this review a couple of hours after finishing the book, whoops), Oscar and Nigel, as the main characters, really shine and feel like real people. I find their romance charming and the fact that they obviously care about one another but don't let their fears of danger for each other while investigating get in the way of their jobs. I love that there is non-binary representation (in Chris) as well as trans rep in Nigel and it isn't ever a plot point, just a fact. A lot of representation of less represented groups (as these often are) are put in and they are a major plot focus that makes the inclusion feel disingenuous whereas these are just facts about these characters and those facts do not impact the plot, just exist adjacent to it.
Where this series really shines is in the ghost hunting itself. It is obvious that the author has done a lot of research into the technology and techniques used by ghost hunters.
In the end I may be a bit biased to love this book (and series) as I love adorable romances and ghosts; it honestly feels a bit like it was written for me and my two niche loves that rarely overlap: ghost horror and boys kissing.
I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I was really excited to see a second book was planned. After reading this one, while I enjoyed it minorly less than the previous, I find myself just as eager for a third book as I was for the second. While I find Tina and Chris (the two other members of the OtP team) to be kind of boring carbon copies of each other (so much so that I had to go back to the book to even remember Chris' name when writing this review a couple of hours after finishing the book, whoops), Oscar and Nigel, as the main characters, really shine and feel like real people. I find their romance charming and the fact that they obviously care about one another but don't let their fears of danger for each other while investigating get in the way of their jobs. I love that there is non-binary representation (in Chris) as well as trans rep in Nigel and it isn't ever a plot point, just a fact. A lot of representation of less represented groups (as these often are) are put in and they are a major plot focus that makes the inclusion feel disingenuous whereas these are just facts about these characters and those facts do not impact the plot, just exist adjacent to it.
Where this series really shines is in the ghost hunting itself. It is obvious that the author has done a lot of research into the technology and techniques used by ghost hunters.
In the end I may be a bit biased to love this book (and series) as I love adorable romances and ghosts; it honestly feels a bit like it was written for me and my two niche loves that rarely overlap: ghost horror and boys kissing.
March 21, 2023
I never get bored of this ghost hunting gang doing their ghost huntings! And seeing Oscar and Nigel being cute boyfriends made everything even more perfect!
Spooky and mysterious, I really enjoyed everything about it. I can't wait to keep reading about their adventures.
Spooky and mysterious, I really enjoyed everything about it. I can't wait to keep reading about their adventures.
May 4, 2023
For some reason, this one didn't grip me as much as the previous book in the series.
I liked that we learn a lot about Oscar's background and his family story, though. And I really enjoyed the paranormal adventure. But I think I'm not really fond of Nigel and Oscar as a couple and I find myself rolling my eyes a lot when the romance comes up-front.
Nevertheless, I'll read the next book in the series. As I said before, the paranormal aspects are really good and make it worthwhile.
I liked that we learn a lot about Oscar's background and his family story, though. And I really enjoyed the paranormal adventure. But I think I'm not really fond of Nigel and Oscar as a couple and I find myself rolling my eyes a lot when the romance comes up-front.
Nevertheless, I'll read the next book in the series. As I said before, the paranormal aspects are really good and make it worthwhile.
July 24, 2025
Nigel annoyed me so much throughout this with him snapping and making snide comments both aloud and kept as thoughts. I really thought he "snapped" at people more than he actually did. Looked it up on Kindle search to be sure and was shocked. I think that was because of how short-tempered he was throughout. It also felt... Like he thought he was better and knew more than everyone else with constantly being like, I knew we shouldn't do this or Why did I agree to this again, etc. It was awkward, especially when he agreed to said plan and then blamed others.
I don't remember feeling that way about Nigel in the last book but, also, my memory is awful and it was about a year and a half ago... It wasn't mentioned in my review at least.
Actually, maybe it was just combined with the added drama of Oscar's father and that whole bit. I definitely understand how that past (Scott's past) could play out for the future but... ugh. Rubbed me the wrong way. And Nigel's comments didn't help anything.
I do like that this stuck with the dual POV but that it switched perhaps a little too often...
Oscar and Nigel's one sex scene felt... obligatory. Very disappointing.
There were some really great scenes throughout this, though, with the distillery and the ghosts. Liked when Tina told them over the walk-talkies that there was one of the ghosts creeping up behind them.
Glad Oscar got the reconciliation with his father that he wanted (sad storyline, though) but... Really hoping for more in the next one. Still liked the team between Oscar, Tina, Chris and Nigel and wanted more information about the footage that was taken.
My interest is still piqued overall so I will continue on to the next book. 🤞
I don't remember feeling that way about Nigel in the last book but, also, my memory is awful and it was about a year and a half ago... It wasn't mentioned in my review at least.
Actually, maybe it was just combined with the added drama of Oscar's father and that whole bit. I definitely understand how that past (Scott's past) could play out for the future but... ugh. Rubbed me the wrong way. And Nigel's comments didn't help anything.
I do like that this stuck with the dual POV but that it switched perhaps a little too often...
Oscar and Nigel's one sex scene felt... obligatory. Very disappointing.
There were some really great scenes throughout this, though, with the distillery and the ghosts. Liked when Tina told them over the walk-talkies that there was one of the ghosts creeping up behind them.
Glad Oscar got the reconciliation with his father that he wanted (sad storyline, though) but... Really hoping for more in the next one. Still liked the team between Oscar, Tina, Chris and Nigel and wanted more information about the footage that was taken.
My interest is still piqued overall so I will continue on to the next book. 🤞
March 17, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Rattling Bone is the second book in Jordan L. Hawk’s OutFoxing the Paranormal series. Though this one follows closely on the heels of The Forgotten Dead, I actually think you could jump in here since the ghost hunt itself is pretty distinct from the first case. That said, the first book is excellent, and getting to know the characters better before starting here will definitely make this story richer. Like with the first book, Oscar and Nigel and their friends find themselves in the middle of a murder and deadly haunting. I find the tone of this series works really well for me. These stories are scary and intense, without going full on horror. I’d still prefer to read this one with the lights on, but it was just the right side of terrifying to work for me as someone who isn’t a huge horror fan.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Rattling Bone is the second book in Jordan L. Hawk’s OutFoxing the Paranormal series. Though this one follows closely on the heels of The Forgotten Dead, I actually think you could jump in here since the ghost hunt itself is pretty distinct from the first case. That said, the first book is excellent, and getting to know the characters better before starting here will definitely make this story richer. Like with the first book, Oscar and Nigel and their friends find themselves in the middle of a murder and deadly haunting. I find the tone of this series works really well for me. These stories are scary and intense, without going full on horror. I’d still prefer to read this one with the lights on, but it was just the right side of terrifying to work for me as someone who isn’t a huge horror fan.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
April 20, 2023
2.5 🌟
March 22, 2023
I feel bad marking this so low but I was booooored. The ghost story wasn't compelling and there were corny bits that just made me roll my eyes. And if this is supposed to be romance, it fails in epic proportions. There's zero relationship development. Oscar finding Nigel's twinge of jealously because Oscar didn't even bother to introduce him as his BF to an old flame as "hilarious" really pissed me off. So disrespectful. I don't think Oscar treats Nigel well, in general. Hell, they act more like fuck buddies than an in-love couple. I'm done with this series.
April 19, 2023
Hawk has a real way with a ghost story - he captures both the scary and the sad aspects of hauntings. I enjoyed this just as much as the first book, and continue to be impressed with the casual way characters simply state their pronouns upon introducing themselves. It should be as normal as this.
did-not-finish
May 30, 2023DNF @ 50%
Unfortunalty, I'm just not feeling engaged with RATTLING BONE and the mystery isn't keeping my attention. I enjoyed Oscar and Nigel in book 1 but in this book their romance is barely there and it feels like Oscar doesn't care about Nigel's feeling; his actions just aren't aligning with his words of love.
Content Warning: references to past institutionalization of a medium
Unfortunalty, I'm just not feeling engaged with RATTLING BONE and the mystery isn't keeping my attention. I enjoyed Oscar and Nigel in book 1 but in this book their romance is barely there and it feels like Oscar doesn't care about Nigel's feeling; his actions just aren't aligning with his words of love.
Content Warning: references to past institutionalization of a medium
May 13, 2024
Some of the ghost hunting aspects are OK, unfortunately that doesn’t fully carry the book. The characters are flat and the relationships are unconvincing. Haunting also doesn’t quite follow its own interior logic. I don’t have the energy to go into spoilers, but this doesn’t make much sense when you start to think about it. And you will think about it, because the rest of the story does not grab your attention.
March 18, 2023
story line: ****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: *****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: *****
March 21, 2023
Enjoying this series. 4.25 stars.
March 27, 2023
3,5 ****
Bonne et courte histoire de chasseurs de fantômes. je l'ai préféré au 1er tome.
Bonne et courte histoire de chasseurs de fantômes. je l'ai préféré au 1er tome.
February 14, 2024
As creepy as book #1, this time more about family secrets and generational trauma centered around a haunted distillery in the hills of West Virginia. Our heroes are a secure couple now, which is very sweet to see, and the Outfoxing the Paranormal team is just as good company as before. I also couldn't help noticing that the last two books came out a year apart, just around this time of year, so could we maybe be looking at a Book 3 soon? Fingers crossed.
July 26, 2025
This one was also pretty good but not as scary as the first book which was excellent.
May 30, 2023
First the good. During the 2nd half of the book the story line picks up and it was significantly more engaging than the 1st book in the series (The Forgotten Dead). Unfortunately, it lacks the sort of emotional pull I feel with Jordan L. Hawk's other books because I just can't get in to these characters.
For me the characters in this series just fall flat. I can't seem to get past 1 dimension. Who is Nigel beyond a guy obsessed with declaring his pronouns to everyone he meets and who's demonstrations of being the misunderstood professor just make him seem immature and petty? Oscar is slightly more likeable but beyond knowing he's an ex-footballer who played the game just to get an education and now uses football imagery to combat malignant ghosts, he doesn't show any real depth either. I can't get a feel for why they would even be together. No great opposites attract. No slow burn enemies to lovers. I just feel a whole lot of nothing for them which I find so hard to understand given that this is the master of storytelling who gave us epic partnerships like Whybourne/Griffin in their series, John/Caleb/Gray from the SPECTRE series, Henry/Vincent and their team from the Spirits series, Tom/Cicero my favorite couple from the Hexworld series in Hexbreaker.... I just can't find that same magic of chemistry here with Nigel/Oscar and it breaks my heart.
For me the characters in this series just fall flat. I can't seem to get past 1 dimension. Who is Nigel beyond a guy obsessed with declaring his pronouns to everyone he meets and who's demonstrations of being the misunderstood professor just make him seem immature and petty? Oscar is slightly more likeable but beyond knowing he's an ex-footballer who played the game just to get an education and now uses football imagery to combat malignant ghosts, he doesn't show any real depth either. I can't get a feel for why they would even be together. No great opposites attract. No slow burn enemies to lovers. I just feel a whole lot of nothing for them which I find so hard to understand given that this is the master of storytelling who gave us epic partnerships like Whybourne/Griffin in their series, John/Caleb/Gray from the SPECTRE series, Henry/Vincent and their team from the Spirits series, Tom/Cicero my favorite couple from the Hexworld series in Hexbreaker.... I just can't find that same magic of chemistry here with Nigel/Oscar and it breaks my heart.
July 13, 2025
Very spooky!
Creepy for sure! I liked the mystery a lot and the characters. There was t a lot on the romance front but I did see how Nigel and Oscar worked together. I did feel that the one sex scene felt out of place and was so brief it really didn’t need to be there as it didn’t further anything.
Creepy for sure! I liked the mystery a lot and the characters. There was t a lot on the romance front but I did see how Nigel and Oscar worked together. I did feel that the one sex scene felt out of place and was so brief it really didn’t need to be there as it didn’t further anything.
March 18, 2023
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review. In the first book of this series, Nigel and Oscar worked together to investigate and end a haunting that was tied to Nigel's past. They also managed to develop feelings for each other. In this book, the two men are going to Oscar's family's home for the holiday along with the rest of the OutFoxing the Paranormal crew, Chris and Tina. Things are a bit awkward with the visit, because Oscar is hiding something from his parents, especially his dad. He's a medium.
Oscar grew up believing that he was just crazy or imagining things when he saw ghosts even at a young age. I don't 100% blame Oscar's dad for his fear of Oscar's gifts. His mother, Oscar's grandmother was placed in a state run psychiatric facility because of her own abilities. I have to say, the conditions of her placement didn't sound like something that could have happened just as far back as the 1970's. It sounded abominable, and it made me think it had to be earlier when medicine wasn't as advanced. But then again, maybe I just want the 70's to be more progressive than they were because I was born in that decade. Regardless, seeing his mother in a place like that made Oscar's dad worried that his son was losing his mind when he said he saw people who weren't there. It set Oscar back a lot and it creates a lot of tension when Oscar admits that he is a paranormal investigator and that his boyfriend is a parapsychologist.
Oscar finds an ally in his mother, and with the help of his friends he looks through his grandmother's possessions that were kept in storage and discovers she was making paranormal videos a lot like he does. The last haunting she was at, was at a distillery that belonged to distant family and for the last 125 years it has been killing members of his family. The time has come for another death, and Oscar has to stop it, with the help of his friends.
This book was really good. There was a lot of family drama as Oscar and his dad had to work through their problems and Oscar to get the support he needs to use his gift safely and wisely. The haunting part of the story was sufficiently creepy without it being too scary for someone like myself, who is kind of a chicken. Oscar and Nigel's relationship is moving along smoothly, aside from a few moments of jealousy. The supporting characters are all awesome and I love the different representations present in the series. I look forward to seeing where this series goes in the future and what the intentions of their wealthy benefactor are.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
Oscar grew up believing that he was just crazy or imagining things when he saw ghosts even at a young age. I don't 100% blame Oscar's dad for his fear of Oscar's gifts. His mother, Oscar's grandmother was placed in a state run psychiatric facility because of her own abilities. I have to say, the conditions of her placement didn't sound like something that could have happened just as far back as the 1970's. It sounded abominable, and it made me think it had to be earlier when medicine wasn't as advanced. But then again, maybe I just want the 70's to be more progressive than they were because I was born in that decade. Regardless, seeing his mother in a place like that made Oscar's dad worried that his son was losing his mind when he said he saw people who weren't there. It set Oscar back a lot and it creates a lot of tension when Oscar admits that he is a paranormal investigator and that his boyfriend is a parapsychologist.
Oscar finds an ally in his mother, and with the help of his friends he looks through his grandmother's possessions that were kept in storage and discovers she was making paranormal videos a lot like he does. The last haunting she was at, was at a distillery that belonged to distant family and for the last 125 years it has been killing members of his family. The time has come for another death, and Oscar has to stop it, with the help of his friends.
This book was really good. There was a lot of family drama as Oscar and his dad had to work through their problems and Oscar to get the support he needs to use his gift safely and wisely. The haunting part of the story was sufficiently creepy without it being too scary for someone like myself, who is kind of a chicken. Oscar and Nigel's relationship is moving along smoothly, aside from a few moments of jealousy. The supporting characters are all awesome and I love the different representations present in the series. I look forward to seeing where this series goes in the future and what the intentions of their wealthy benefactor are.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
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June 5, 2025“Every family has its secrets, and those secrets can run deep – deeper than lies, deeper than death. And they impact every member of that family in ways we can’t know.” ~ Tami Hoag
Oscar and Felix, the protagonists of 'Rattling Bone' by Jordan L. Hawk, embark on a trip to West Virginia to visit Oscar's family and introduce Felix. They are accompanied by Tina and Chris, the other Outfoxing Paranormal crew members. The possibility of capturing intriguing footage for their show excites them. Still, Oscar warns them not to tell his father because he would not react well.
Oscar's parents warmly welcome him and his friends. Hoping to get to know them better, Oscar's parents begin to ask questions about who they are and what they do. The atmosphere turns tense when Oscar's father learns they are ghost hunters. Upset, he abruptly leaves the table, refusing to discuss it. It becomes clear that future investigations must be kept secret.
Oscar's mother explains to him that his father's feelings are influenced by his own mother, Oscar's grandmother. She gives Oscar a key to a storage unit containing some of his grandmother's belongings, allowing him to learn more about her. Inside the unit, he discovers video reels featuring some of his grandmother's séances. Among the items, he finds the last tapes she made quite frightening. After watching them, Oscar realizes the source of his gifts. He understands why his grandmother was sent to an insane asylum.
As they continue to search for more clues, they end up at the asylum, not at all clear about what they are looking for but determined to discover what truly happened there.
As with most of Jordan's stories, the suspense and fear are palpable. Oscar had many questions about his past answered, which gave him some closure. With Felix by his side, life will go more smoothly. Thanks, Jordan, for the spooky yet entertaining story.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
Oscar and Felix, the protagonists of 'Rattling Bone' by Jordan L. Hawk, embark on a trip to West Virginia to visit Oscar's family and introduce Felix. They are accompanied by Tina and Chris, the other Outfoxing Paranormal crew members. The possibility of capturing intriguing footage for their show excites them. Still, Oscar warns them not to tell his father because he would not react well.
Oscar's parents warmly welcome him and his friends. Hoping to get to know them better, Oscar's parents begin to ask questions about who they are and what they do. The atmosphere turns tense when Oscar's father learns they are ghost hunters. Upset, he abruptly leaves the table, refusing to discuss it. It becomes clear that future investigations must be kept secret.
Oscar's mother explains to him that his father's feelings are influenced by his own mother, Oscar's grandmother. She gives Oscar a key to a storage unit containing some of his grandmother's belongings, allowing him to learn more about her. Inside the unit, he discovers video reels featuring some of his grandmother's séances. Among the items, he finds the last tapes she made quite frightening. After watching them, Oscar realizes the source of his gifts. He understands why his grandmother was sent to an insane asylum.
As they continue to search for more clues, they end up at the asylum, not at all clear about what they are looking for but determined to discover what truly happened there.
As with most of Jordan's stories, the suspense and fear are palpable. Oscar had many questions about his past answered, which gave him some closure. With Felix by his side, life will go more smoothly. Thanks, Jordan, for the spooky yet entertaining story.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
March 23, 2023
We meet this couple in The Forgotten Dead and now they’re back. Nigel has his PhD in parapsychology and is a trans man and Oscar is a medium and runs a paranormal investigation team Nigel is now a part of. Book one gave me the creeps. So I was excited for this one and the setting was on point - in the hills of Appalachia exploring an old abandoned distillery. The haunting was spooky.
However, that’s about all I liked. In the first book Oscar and Nigel’s relationship is very insta-love. Not a problem for me. Oscar was adorably all about Nigel’s prickliness. In this one, they might as well have been just co-workers. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and Oscar kind of treats Nigel like “Oh, I forgot you were here.” Oscar just seems very focused on himself and dismissive of Nigel’s concerns and worries. There is hardly any one on one time. And while I get in real life working with your partner, this would be believable, however, this is a supposed to be a romance! You gotta give me some relationship time!
Furthermore, there was a whole “I just wish my dad approved of me” plotline. Those plotlines always frustrate me. You’re a grown-up. If your parents can’t accept you now, then that’s on them, not you!
The ending felt a little rushed and unbelievable So overall, I just didn’t like this one as much.
3 stars because I like spooky and I like Nigel. That’s all.
However, that’s about all I liked. In the first book Oscar and Nigel’s relationship is very insta-love. Not a problem for me. Oscar was adorably all about Nigel’s prickliness. In this one, they might as well have been just co-workers. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and Oscar kind of treats Nigel like “Oh, I forgot you were here.” Oscar just seems very focused on himself and dismissive of Nigel’s concerns and worries. There is hardly any one on one time. And while I get in real life working with your partner, this would be believable, however, this is a supposed to be a romance! You gotta give me some relationship time!
Furthermore, there was a whole “I just wish my dad approved of me” plotline. Those plotlines always frustrate me. You’re a grown-up. If your parents can’t accept you now, then that’s on them, not you!
The ending felt a little rushed and unbelievable So overall, I just didn’t like this one as much.
3 stars because I like spooky and I like Nigel. That’s all.
June 12, 2023
Meeting the parents the day after Christmas was always going to be awkward for Nigel, and that's before you bring into account the revelations of Oscar's ghost-hunting business and the haunted distillery that casts a long shadow on the history of the Fox family.
Nigel, Oscar, Chris, and Tina are called on to help undo a centuries-long family curse - one that .
Like the first book of the series, I really enjoyed the exploration of Oscar's medium abilities. Where the first book focused on parapsychologist Nigel's past, this one focuses more on Oscar's family history, and the ghosts and family secrets that caused him to suppress his psychic gifts for so long.
That said, like in the first book as well, Nigel and Oscar's relationship continues to seem rushed. Additionally, the sex scene in this one is really perfunctory and seems forced, which is unfortunate because I know from the Widdershins books that Hawn can write a good smutty scene or two. This series so far is turning out great on the ghosthunting side of things - but the romance, not so much, sadly.
What I did enjoy was the familial drama in this book. While Hawk isn't reinventing the wheel, it's well done regardless. And, as always, the writing was gripping and kept me caught up until the end.
A good option for anyone looking for a relatively quick read paranormal series to get into, I'm rating this one 3.5/5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Nigel, Oscar, Chris, and Tina are called on to help undo a centuries-long family curse - one that .
Like the first book of the series, I really enjoyed the exploration of Oscar's medium abilities. Where the first book focused on parapsychologist Nigel's past, this one focuses more on Oscar's family history, and the ghosts and family secrets that caused him to suppress his psychic gifts for so long.
That said, like in the first book as well, Nigel and Oscar's relationship continues to seem rushed. Additionally, the sex scene in this one is really perfunctory and seems forced, which is unfortunate because I know from the Widdershins books that Hawn can write a good smutty scene or two. This series so far is turning out great on the ghosthunting side of things - but the romance, not so much, sadly.
What I did enjoy was the familial drama in this book. While Hawk isn't reinventing the wheel, it's well done regardless. And, as always, the writing was gripping and kept me caught up until the end.
A good option for anyone looking for a relatively quick read paranormal series to get into, I'm rating this one 3.5/5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
May 23, 2025
“Not to make you jealous, but i was holding hands with a ghost.”
-Nigel📗Read 7th May, 2025. Read the review in my blog!
Reading this series backward. Tristan James narrates and he’s the sole reason i chose to continue this. 😃 We got to know what actually happened with Oscar’s grandma Barbara (the ghost they’ll rescue in book 3).
✔ Awesome ghost action and a murder mystery. Oscar’s family is cursed and a family member dies every 25 years. This book’s about the group trying to find out who did it and why and bring the angry ghost to justice. It was dangerous and action packed!!
✔ Tristan’s ghost voices!! OH MY GOD this man knows what a voice box ghost sounds like!! i’m in love!
✔ Loved how protective Nigel is over Oscar! He wanted to save him and his father (the man he’s not particularly friendly with).
✔Lovely side characters especially Oscar’s mom. And bcuz i know about Barbara’s eventual situation, so listening to the parts where they were watching her ghost hunting videos was very sad. i like her a lot. :(
✔ Oscar picks Nigel up during a visit to the distillery! Aww And when Nigel says he doesn’t wanna lose him, Oscar hugs him so tightly! These 2 are so cute, please. 🥺
✔There’s only 1 sex scene and it’s fleeting, as in not descriptive and happens very fast. It reads urgency even though there's no rush in the book. But it reads like that. It can be a sensitive issue, so i think that's why description was avoided.
One thing this trip did was drive home the fact that i don’t want to be without you.
-NigelSome drama i didn’t like:
➣ Oscar’s dad made me so angry. But then he redeemed himself by believing in Oscar so i liked him. He went so far as to put his life in danger for his son!
➣ Why on earth was Oscar “charming” josh? i thought that was water under the bridge as he told Nigel? That there’s nothing between them anymore as it was just a high school fling.
➣ Oh no no, no to Oscar lying to his boyfriend at 42% about what he and josh were talking about (josh asked him to be together again just like their old frisky times). Could’ve easily said Josh was asking me out but i happily turned him down cuz i have you. Or something like that, i’m not Shakespeare. Just don’t lie.
Tropes & tags: 📗Established couple, 📗trans MC, 📗medium x professor, 📗ghost hunters, 📗murder mystery, 📗size difference, 📗picking him up/manhandling, 📗3rd person pov, 📗no cheating, 📗no breakup, 📗HFN.
OM Drama: This one has it since josh is his ex and the guy practically asks him out but Oscar says he has a bf. i didn;t like him lying to Nig about it though.
i have one book left of this, that's book 1! It's a fantastic series and i'm glad i picked it up!
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