The Death Tour

THE GHOST OF ANNIE CLOSE by Amy Cross is a thrilling blend of real-life issues and urban legend horror. Whether or not you're a horror fan, this needs to be a must-read for everyone who uses social media, especially the ones who think comments are harmless.

The author takes this story far beyond supernatural revenge against internet trolls, and reveals the tragic price of fame. There should probably be a trigger warning for the ending. Suspense gives way to grief, knowing some people will always repeat cruel and sadistic behavior.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Fighting In Isolation

I'M NOT A ZOMBIE by Amy Cross is a horrifying survival story centered on a young researcher named Maggie Quinn. The setup is long and very slow-paced, and I began to regret choosing this novella. However, once the action begins, I had no idea what to expect from one page to the next.

Maggie is a very frustrating character. For someone working on a scientific theory, she seems to lack imagination on the most basic level. Also, readers never learn what she hopes to achieve with her study. I have reason to believe she was researching atmospheric refraction phenomena (google it), which is ironic, since she had convinced herself she was hallucinating.

I did enjoy the mix of crime drama and mystery-suspense. Each character comes with his own set of surprises, and the ending is truly unpredictable. While this isn't a true apocalypse story, fighting for one's life in isolation is a panic-inducing nightmare worth reading at least once.

If you like mystery-thrillers such as this one, as opposed to supernatural tales, I recommend LIGHTS OUT by Amy Cross.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Light 'Em Up

THE ROOT by Amy Cross is very different from most of the author's stories. This novella features an unusual twist with an invasive species. Even though the POV belongs to Andy, Marie often steals the scenes. The two of them make a great survival team, and I'd love for these two characters to get their own series fighting various ancient leviathans.

If you are looking for another Cross story with a sci-fi/horror theme, I recommend THE OTHER ANN.

As always,
AstraDaemon

In the Shadow of Death

THE HAUNTING OF THE HATHAWAY HOUSE by Amy Cross is extremely frightening, especially if you're a parent. A malevolent spirit drives Michael's parents to their deaths: his dad dies by hanging, and his mother suffers a heart attack. His uncle, Stephen, finds him three days later, but how the infant survived is a mystery.

As an adult, Michael returns to his family home with his pregnant wife Jen, but the womanly apparition is still there, and she has a sinister agenda. As Michael becomes obsessed with the shed in the backyard, Jen is forced to confront the evil spirit without her husband. Mistakes are made, the history of the house is revealed, and newborn Lucas is soon in great danger with no one to protect him.

Told in the POVs of Michael and Jen, with occasional flashbacks, the building suspense is terrifying. As the specter feeds on the fears of the new parents, the loss of hope during the battle against such an overwhelming threat to the family is agonizing. Highly recommend!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Scorned Fury

MARY by Amy Cross is not just a ghost story set in 1962, but rather a mystery-thriller about a woman trapped in a cottage by a malevolent spirit, and a young police officer determined to help Mary Moore. Unfortunately, Sergeant Ben Warner finds himself in the middle of a supernatural battle.

The author uses suspense to grab readers with a death grip, and drags them through the hell which has left Mary's memory fractured. This haunted tale is full of twists, with an ending which leaves me wanting a sequel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Supernatural Mystery-Thriller

THE GHOSTS OF DAVID BROOK by Amy Cross is a fantastic ghost story. First of all, you have the urban legend of Catherine Bannister who takes one victim, every year on the same date. Then the author mixes it up with stories of the poor souls murdered by the hate-filled ghost. The switching POV makes it difficult to tell who is alive and who is dead, but this serves to increase the suspense.

Last but not least, you have the backstory of Catherine and the revelations made by two of her victims. I never knew what to expect, and the ending is completely awesome. Even though David is at the center of everything, Kaylee is my favorite character.

This would make a great horror film.

As always,
AstraDaemon