Book Review: Help for the Haunted by John Searles

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from William Morrow , for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

Synopsis:

Sylvie Mason’s parents have an unusual occupation—helping “haunted souls” find peace. After receiving a strange phone call one winter’s night, they leave the house and are later murdered in an old church in a horrifying act of violence.

A year later, Sylvie is living in the care of her older sister, who may be to blame for what happened to their parents. Now, the inquisitive teenager pursues the mystery, moving closer to the knowledge of what occurred that night—and to the truth about her family’s past and the secrets that have haunted them for years.

Review:

Some reviewers have claimed this book reminded them of the early Stephen King novels, and I have to readily agree! You think you know where the tale is going and then it veers off and you have no idea what is coming next! Searles takes the term family dysfunction and turns it on its ear, and makes the reader question along with Sylvie, as to what the family dynamics really were. When the truth comes out, it is violent and raw, and leaves the reader racing through the final pages, eager to see how Sylvie will survive the truth. Be prepared to stay up ALL night to finish this book, because once it sets its teeth in, you won't be able to put it down! If you are looking for a book that will leave you talking about the book for weeks, this is the book! 

About the Author:

John Searles is the author of the best-selling novels Boy Still Missing, Strange But True and Help For The Haunted. John appears frequently as a book critic on NBC's Today Show and has also appeared on CBS's The Early Show, Live! With Regis & Kelly and CNN to discuss his favorite book selections. His essays have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post and other national publications. He lives in New York City.

This book won the American Library Association Alex Award and was named a Best Crime Novel of 2013 by the Boston Globe, a Top 10 Suspense Novel of 2013 by Amazon, and a Top 10 Must Read by Entertainment Weekly. It was just released into paperback.