Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Sequel to Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer’s Devil
Findley Black knows a little something about serial killers. What he doesn’t know is why anyone would want to reenact a series of murders that took place more than ninety years ago, which he’s read a great deal about as part of his annual Halloween ghosts tours. Unless, of course, it’s not a copycat at all and the Reaper of Shivelly Park is back for vengeance.
Owen Key never considered himself much for domesticity, but the last two years with his boyfriend Findley have him reevaluating his priorities. His family at The Printer’s Devil is growing, he has a new book on the way, and he wants nothing more than to make Findley an honest man. And what better time to pop the question than on Halloween, the second anniversary of their sort-of first date?
But the night has other plans, and Findley and Owen will find themselves with something more pressing than a romantic evening. The ghost of the Shivelly Park Reaper is on the loose. But when no one believes them, they have no choice but to take matters into their own hands. Because, well … the Reaper might just get away with it if not for Findley, Owen, and the kids. And Bella. You can’t forget the cat.
The Review
This Halloween, Owen Key is excited about his special plans for celebrating his anniversary with his boyfriend, Findley Black.
Owen inherited the Printer’s Devil Bookstore from his father, Alex, three years before. The shop is known to be haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth Wells, and there’s often the odd tap-tap-tapping. This is nothing new to Owen – he’s become used to the noise. He has some very enthusiastic employees/friends working for him: Micah, Kayla, Noah, and the twins Jayden and Kayden. With Halloween parties and his special plans with Findley looming, he’s giving everyone time off until after November 1st, the Day of the Dead.
Findley gives late night ghost tours, and is very knowledgeable about all the local haunts. He’s upset about the sale of the Fenton House, which the Landmark Society bid on but lost. A law firm bought the house, and it was rezoned and will be renovated. Findley believes that it’s not a good thing to gut an old house, especially this one. The Fenton House is where the Reaper of Shivelly Park, Wes B. Huber, was finally caught in the 1920s. Owen is shocked when he hears the story, and that their house is right across the street from Shivelly Park.
Things begin to get eerie – there’s a strange phone call, the “tap-tap-tapping”, Bella the cat, police cruisers in Shivelly Park, the ground breaking ceremony, and much more. What other unnatural and ghostly things will have Owen, Findley and the “Scooby Gang” on a chaotic ghost hunt? And will Owen survive the night to ask Findley a very important question?
Spector mashes together a nice blend of ghostly happenings, a little mystery and some romance in Findley Black and the Reaper of Shivelly Park, a fun story spiced up with some really scary moments.
The characters are well sketched out, but Owen is still a mystery. Because of his past, he lacks self-confidence and questions many of his personal decisions. Findley is very much the opposite.
Findley Black and the Reaper of Shivelly Park is the perfect quick read for Halloween, or whenever you feel the spirit, and I’d love to see more about the “Scooby Gang” in a future book or series.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
