It looks like I’m back for round two of self-published/indie book reviews and I’m once again impressed by what my fellow authors have created. All three books I read for this batch revolved around death and murder, so if you’re looking for something dark or haunting to read this month, you might want to look into these distinctive works of fiction.

The Long View by Mark Hurst

One door closed but in her mind another opened.

Sophie Lydon inherited the ability to talk to the dead and helps guide lost souls to their final destination. She doesn’t know where they go, but an in-between realm her late mother called The Long View has to be walked by deceased souls to reach the other side. Sophie’s father runs a mortuary, which gives her easy access to the recently deceased as she tries her best to help them as her mother once did. When she’s not guiding spirits, she helps care for her uncle Seamus and must avoid a disturbingly violent bully from school, who seems obsessed with her.

Bob Curran is a famed retired police officer who helped put away a murderer. The problem is, though the murderer is now dead and gone, Bob is not so sure that death has stopped him. When grotesque murders start popping up in High Towers once again, Bob must ask himself if there’s a copycat on the loose, or if the dead killer has somehow cheated death. And Sophie might be key to solving the case.

I enjoyed the overall story, but I think this book could’ve been elevated by additional editing. There were some head-hopping issues that were distracting, and though I know that an omniscient view is difficult to write, there could’ve been more polishing to fix this issue. I think editing would’ve also helped with clarity in certain areas. On a positive note, if you’re looking for a book with some truly horrific crime scenes and a unique take on what happens to us after we die, then this book will give you the fright you’re looking for.

Writings on the Wall: Arlissa’s Story by Goddess A. Brouette

…if hurt people really hurt people, then who was I going to hurt?

Nineteen-year-old Arlissa Benson doesn’t know what to do with her life, so when her friend Alejandra drags her to Los Angeles, she takes the opportunity to figure herself out. She soon meets the attractive professional boxer, Xavier Amari, and becomes slowly immersed in LA culture, both for better and for worse. It turns out there’s more to Hollywood than the glitz and glamour, and when Arlissa tangles herself in a web of her own bad decisions, there might be no digging her way out. Everything might start out innocently enough, but when drug use, selfishness, past trauma, and an impulsive nature start to have serious consequences on Arlissa’s relationships, there’s nothing left except regret.

I quite liked this book. I’m happy it was written in first person so that I could really get inside Arlissa’s head and see her thought process. She’s not a perfect person by any means, but that’s kind of the point. She’s flawed, even irredeemably flawed at times, but that’s why her future gets more and more bleak as the story progresses. Don’t expect a happy ending. This is a story about how getting caught up in your own BS hurts not just yourself, but the people around you, and at a certain point you can’t take back what you’ve said or done. Goddess A. Brouette has a unique approach to storytelling and isn’t afraid to write characters who are broken and can’t necessarily be saved by plot armor.

Secrets, Lies & Revenge by Ben Andrews

Maybe the saying had always been right. Money can’t buy happiness.

In the rich neighborhood of Beechwood Close, four women go about their troubled lives trying to find happiness. Emily moves to the neighborhood with her grandmother after obtaining a sudden fortune, but struggles emotionally from losing her parents when she was a child. Florence is in the midst of a potential divorce from her husband, something she can’t quite come to terms with, and is tempted by alcohol to cope with the situation. Ava is running from her past wrongdoings, which might be catching up to her, and hides her current misconduct from her friends. Rose is stuck in an abusive marriage and seeks out help from a mysterious group called The Order, but it’s not quite what she had expected and she wants out. As the lives of these four women intertwine, secrets and lies are revealed, and some of them even seek revenge.

This book took a bit for me to get into, but as the tensions grew greater and the many secrets within its pages were exposed, I just had to know what was coming next. Ben Andrews did a fantastic job writing believable female characters with complex home lives. If his name weren’t on the cover, I would’ve assumed a woman wrote it. He really handled the subject matter well. The drama was gripping, and the plot twists I didn’t see coming. Masterfully written, and I can’t wait to read the next one when it’s released!

After recently reviewing some thrift store books, I wondered where else I could find some hidden treasures. As someone who became consumed by Twitter earlier this year, and who’s now involved with the writing community there, I realized the answer was staring me right in the face: indie/self-published books were the next place to look. Don’t be too quick to count out indie authors when looking for your next read, because I can guarantee you’re missing out on some gold. The indie books I read this month were so well written that I’m surprised they aren’t traditionally published works. Here are the fantastic books I read this month:

The Drifter by Jeremy Gernhaelder

The first novella in the Small Town Slashers series, The Drifter focuses on the small hunting town of Traders’ Point and the locals that live there. Although hunting season brings many strangers to town, the townsfolk become wary of a large and intimidating drifter who doesn’t appear to be there to hunt at all. Jenny Maysure, a journalist in the small town, becomes suspicious of the drifter and sets her sights on figuring out his motives for sticking around. Then, when murders start occurring in town, it becomes ever more urgent for Jenny to cover the story. Who is this drifter fellow? And with the sheriff brushing off the murders as nothing more than unrelated incidents, Jenny might just have to take a few risks to get the scoop.

This gripping and effortlessly written murder mystery is a strong start to what I’m sure will be a great series. I felt like I got to know all the major characters on a personal level, and the mystery was unraveled bit by savory bit until its ultimate conclusion. Some twists I was able to see coming, but this did not distract much from a well-written story. My main critique is that I was sometimes frustrated with the foolish decisions and over-the-top reactions of some of the characters. The sheriff in particular often took actions that made little sense to me. Overall though, this was a wonderful book. I never found myself bored, and the flaws in the characters made them feel real. I bet the next book will be even better. This is an author to watch.

Pleasantwick by M.L. Stoughton

When her father begins restoring a large and mysterious old house in California, Melinda finds herself drawn to the property and the surrounding woods. There she meets Luke, an attractive boy who comes from a long line of witches who each possess unique powers. One day, Melinda stumbles upon a secret passageway to Pleasantwick, the hidden society of which Luke is a part. And while Melinda seems curious about the house and the magical mysteries it contains, Luke must keep Melinda at a distance and even erase her memories of magic to protect her. Unfortunately, the evil witches of Pleasantwick seem to have targeted Melinda, and so Luke must do everything he can to protect her.

I found this book to be quite charming, and while it was slow paced for most of the book, there was an impeccable understanding on how teenagers interact with each other. I especially enjoyed Melinda’s relationship with her best friend Kelly, to the point where it reminded me of my own relationships with best friends in my youth. Luke was a nice character as well, though much of Melinda and Luke’s relationship did feel like it was built on lust rather than love. But what teenager isn’t horny? Perhaps it’s fitting. And when compared to Melinda’s relationship with Jason, Luke is a refreshing change. Ultimately, Pleasantwick felt like a book that would be enjoyed by those who also enjoyed Twilight. It’s a teenage romance with elements of magic, and if that’s what you’re into then you’ll love this book. Plus, there’s a book two!

Have you read any good indie books? Have you written one? Because after this amazing experience reading these two books, I’m definitely open to more suggestions.