Until Death Paranormal Suspense, Ghost Suspense, Historical Thriller
Carfax Abbey Publishing
August 15, 2023
Kindle
322
Amazon
Amazon bestselling author London Clarke’s new offering weaves a chilling tapestry of suspense where the boundaries between life and death blur, and the bonds of love are put to the ultimate test.
Hope Hendriks believed she had endured the worst after her husband's tragic suicide shattered her world, leaving her adrift and penniless. Seeking solace and a fresh beginning, she seizes an opportunity in a quaint Tennessee town, moving into a dilapidated lakeside rental. Yet the past refuses to release its grip on her. Mysterious and unsettling occurrences rattle the fragile peace she desperately clings to, hinting at a presence that defies the boundaries of mortality.
Neighbor Reed Sewall lives in the shadow of his own hardships, tied to an unstable partner. Drawn to his enigmatic new neighbor, their tentative connection deepens amid the backdrop of unexplained phenomena. But as attraction blossoms, their complicated pasts threaten both of them. He's bruised by a toxic relationship, while she's haunted by the ghost of a spouse she barely knew.
In a quest to unravel the secrets shrouding her husband's life and death, Hope embarks on a treacherous journey, unearthing a history fraught with tragedy and malevolent forces. The spectral energies within her dwelling surge in intensity, intertwining with whispers of a cursed family who met their doom within its walls. Reed finds himself irresistibly drawn into Hope's dangerous pursuit, and together, they must confront an ancient malevolence that hungers for their souls.
Until Death peers into the abyss that divides existence and explores the enduring power of love, even when faced with incomprehensible darkness. Can love conquer evil that defies explanation?
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Six months ago, Hope Hendrix’s life changed, her husband of two years Olivier committed suicide leaving her homeless and penniless. Immediately after his funeral his mother gave her seven days to leave their house claiming that it belonged to his family and would be sold to pay off his debts.
No job, no home, she moved to Tennessee staying with her cousin and obtaining a job in imaging. With little money she rented a house, run down with dilapidated furniture and appliances and a basement that would scare anyone away. Well, the saying” beggars can’t be choosers” fit her life.
While unpacking she discovered a variety of pills that she had no idea Olivier was taking. She knew about his gambling but now she must deal with his taking drugs and committing suicide. She began drinking and using some of the drugs to help her sleep and her dreams were of her husband coming to her and making love. In addition, to that she found messages carved into her body, messages she was sure were from Olivier, messages claiming his love and desire that she never leave.
Reed Sewall is a neighbor and has on occasion searched Hope’s house to ensure that no one was lurking in the shadows. Reed lives with his girlfriend Porcha who is abusive to him both verbally and physically. Reed stays for fear that she will kill herself and out of fear leaving her would cause her severe pain, he accepts the black eyes, broken furniture, punches and the screaming with rage. Of course, the fact that Porsha knows about his visits to Hope’s house doesn’t help his situation.
Hope tries to understand how her husband kept all his secrets from her, but his nightly visits keep her from trying to get answers. Hope’s problems with the house just get worse when she discovers that an entire family died in the house thirty-years-ago. Stories about one of the sons and his joining forces with a man who would help him with necromancy so he can bring his love back from death just added to the nightmares. There is something evil residing in the house and Hope begins to wonder if she is imaging everything but unfortunately it is all happening.
Reed is building up the courage to end his relationship with Porsha and Hope gets a visitor who fills her in on all the horrors that occurred in the house but breaking her one-year lease would cost her money she doesn’t have. Reed and Hope have no idea what other horrors will happen to them, and I can only say that this book gave me goosebumps.
From the first page till the last page, I couldn’t put the book down despite me reading it with all the lights on. Hope makes discoveries that were life altering. She faced betrayal from someone she trusted, and letters written by her husband before his death led her to see him in a new light. Betrayal, obsession, romance, ghosts, secrets, surprises and two people trying to put their lives together. Reed was an abused man, and many people fail to understand that men as well as women can be abused. It is not due to cowardice it was due to concern for the abuser and what leaving her would do.
This is a book I highly recommend.
GHOSTS/HORROR/PARANORMAL/URBAN FANTASY/DARK FANTASY/OCCULT
