THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA

Author: Richard Taylor ISBN: 0765317052 7/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

"Lily died the day we signed the escrow papers," Theo Parker writes of his bride and of Monroe House, the bed-and-breakfast they'd just bought in the picturesque coastal town of Cambria. Theo soon learns he can no more bring his beautiful wife back than he can kill the thing that haunts his new home. Riddled with guilt but making the best of his recuperation from the car accident that killed Lily, Theo and his property manager, dowdy Eleanor Glacy, begin to investigate strange occurrences in Monroe House. And as they do, both Theo and Eleanor begin to see a bit of hope for a second chance at love and redemption.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I love how Richard Taylor's mind works.

THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA starts out creepy, and slowly becomes more bizarre the deeper a reader delves into this wildly unnerving piece.

I love bizarre, and screenwriter-turned-novelist Taylor does bizarre really, really well.

This eerie, atmospheric tale boasts some refreshing, highly entertaining characters caught in a wickedly chilling plot. Theo Parker is the perfect vehicle to narrate THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA. The compassionate, intuitive Parker retains his sense of humor even during dark despair, providing this story with gobs of fun to offset and balance the darker elements swirling within THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA. Paired with the intriguing, perfectly crafted Eleanor Gacy, this story also becomes a sexy, tender love story.

THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA is loaded with wonderfully sketched, wacky characters—reaffirming my belief California is the kook capital of the world.

Beautifully executed, fluid and fast paced, THE HAUNTING OF CAMBRIA is a winner on all fronts. The chilling plot, the fantastic characters and the romance blend together fabulously. Taylor takes readers on a fascinating ride into the definitely strange, with wit and a whole lot of skill.

Highly recommended.

Debbie Jett