A murder, a mystery, and madness..
Welcome!
Today’s post will be short reviews of the three books following All My Darkest Impulses by Lisa Unger, you can check out my review of that Here.
There will be spoilers, it can’t be helped, but nothing that would ruin the reading.
Each book is less than 100 pages and can be read in short time so if you’re looking for something quick to sneak in between the days crazy moments, these are a great distraction.
Happy Reading!
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through my links may earn me a small commission at no cost to you.)
Fog Descending
Book Two
Taken From Amazon:
A grief-stricken spiritualist thought his faith in life after death was broken. Until the ghosts of his past come calling in this short story of believing in what can’t be seen.
Driven by an uncanny mystery from his youth, Ian Randall became a “spiritual cleanser,” ridding disturbances from homes. But his belief in the beyond was challenged by his wife’s death. Merle House, the root of Ian’s obsession, could change that. The woods are restless again. Maybe here, Ian will find what he needs—if he’s willing to make a deal with the dark.
Three and a Half Stars
Characters: Human.
Storyline: Interesting.
Pace: Steady.
Writing: There’s progress.
POVs:
Ian Randall, Matthew Merle, Jewel Merle
In the first book of this four-part serial, four teens experience something impossible, and they’re haunted by it still.
We’re introduced to Matthew Merle, his wife, and their teenage daughter. They’ve relocated to Merle House, an old mansion Matthew’s grandfather left him, when a scandal surrounding Matthew runs them out of town.
We met Claire, another one of the four teens, who now studies the twisted minds of serial killers.. until a patient almost kills her and strange visions begin to torment her..
Now, we follow Ian Randall, the third member of Matthew’s old group.
After losing his wife, Ian goes through the motions, unable to cope with his grief.
Cleansing houses of dark energy and paranormal happenings, Ian searches for something in the unknown, determined to find a way to bring her back.
Book two begins to slowly fill in the blanks left from book one.
We begin to learn more about the four friends, the past, and the dark presence called the ‘Dark Man.’
Circling the Drain
Book Three
Taken From Amazon:
Is it a hoax, or is it something unspeakably real? In this short story about evil games and spiraling secrets, whatever bargain you strike, there’s a price to be paid.
Mason Brandt dropped out of seminary and found a job at a spiritual center offering guidance to troubled teens. Mason was one himself years ago—a suspect in a young girl’s disappearance. When a female student is found murdered, Mason is dogged by suspicion and flees. He hopes Merle House will offer him sanctuary once again.
Four Stars
Characters: Believable.
Storyline: Intriguing.
Pace: Steady.
Writing: Improved.
POVs:
Mason Brandt. Matthew Merle. Samantha Merle. Jewel Merle.
The third book picks up right where the last one ends. Ian and Claire have been invited back to Merle House in the hopes that they all might finally lay their ghosts to rest. But there’s more going on than anyone knows and, soon, they’ll be faced with not only the wicked truth of Merle House.. but each other as well.
The final and fourth member of Matthew’s group of friends is Mason.
Misunderstood, Mason doesn’t quite fit in with the others, especially with Matthew. At odds from the very beginning, Mason and Matthew’s relationship is fraught with tension.
Now, after years of suspicion for a crime he did not commit, he finally has a stable life as a youth counselor. He keeps his head down and stays out of trouble.. but fate has other plans.
Love the Way You Lie
Book Four
Taken From Amazon:
What’s drawn four damaged people back to Merle House? The answer could destroy them all in a gripping short story of the truths we bury and the lies we tell ourselves.
Matthew, Claire, Ian, and Mason haven’t set foot on the Merle family property since the summer they were sixteen. They tried for years to put their history behind them, to forget the mystery of the girl who vanished so long ago. But a powerful force from their past is still at play. This time, there’s no hiding from it.
Four Stars
Characters: Real.
Storyline: Absorbing.
Pace: Fitting.
Writing: Gripping.
POVs:
Matthew Merle. Samantha Merle. Jewel Merle. Ian Randall. Claire Allen. Mason Brandt.
In the fourth and final book, Ian, Claire, and Mason have all made their way back to Merle house, and are met with chaos.
Matthew’s teenage daughter, Jewel, has vanished—lured into the woods by the same evil that’s drawn them back.
Will the truth finally be revealed? Or will Merle House, and the ‘Dark Man’ claim another victim?
I have been intentionally vague in an attempt to prevent spoiling anything for you so.. do keep in mind that there is much more to these stories than I’ve included here.
The characters, the story, the writing and atmosphere.. each one shows improvement as you go—which is exactly what you hope for in a series.
By the end I was on the edge of my seat and completely absorbed. Was it a little predictable? Yes. But the obvious answers are distorted and often misleading.. It’s a dark and irresistible riddle.
I love the mystery of it all, the supernatural elements and constantly shifting POVs that obscured the truth further, it left me questioning the certainty of my own deductions. What is real? Is it all in their head? Does evil walk beside us, an ever constant companion, or is it something we carry within?
Overall, I ended up enjoying the series and look forward to reading more by the author.
If you’re looking for a quick read and enjoy dark mysteries.. be sure to keep these in mind!
Thank you for checking out this post!
I hope it was helpful.. because it sure was interesting to put together.
Have you ever experienced something you couldn’t explain?
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I’ve not heard of this author before.
I hadn’t heard of her either, not until last year, but a lot of her work sounds interesting to me. Maybe there’s something you might like as well?
I have been wanting to give Unger’s books a try. Great reviews!
Thanks! Do you have a particular one in mind?
I haven’t read this series yet Sheri, but you have me interested as I generally like Unger’s writing. ❤📚
That’s great, I hope you enjoy them!
Which was your favorite? I ended up really liking her writing style as well and plan to read more.
So far, Ghosted.❤📚
Good to know. Thank you. ☺
I love how you did this post and that you went on a binge of Lisa Unger books. I haven’t read any of these. I will definitely put at least two of the three on my TBR. Excellent reviews!
Thank you! They were easy to binge, really, after the first book you’re just kind of sucked in. I hope you enjoy them!