Release Day Review: "Duck Duck Ghost (Hellsinger: Book Two)" by Rhys Ford

Author: Rhys Ford

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages/Word Count:

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb: Paranormal investigator Wolf Kincaid knows what his foot tastes like.

Mostly because he stuck it firmly in his mouth when his lover, Tristan Pryce, accidentally drugged him with a batch of psychotropic baklava. Needing to patch things up between them, Wolf drags Tristan to San Luis Obispo, hoping Tristan’s medium ability can help evict a troublesome spirit haunting an old farmhouse.

With Wolf’s sister handling Hoxne Grange’s spectral visitors, Tristan finds himself in the unique position of being able to leave home for the first time in forever, but Wolf’s roughshod treatment is the least of his worries. Tristan’s ad-hoc portal for passing spirits seems to be getting fewer and fewer guests, and despite his concern he’s broken his home, Tristan agrees to help Wolf’s cousin, Sey, kick her poltergeist to the proverbial curb.

San Luis Obispo brings its own bushel of troubles. Tristan’s ghost whispering skill is challenged not only by a terrorizing haunting but also by Wolf’s skeptical older cousin, Cin. Bookended by a pair of aggressive Kincaids, Tristan soon finds himself in a spectral battle that threatens not only his sanity but also his relationship with Wolf, the first man he’s ever loved.

Review: With the way Fish & Ghosts ended, I thought Tristan and Wolf were on the path to their very own HEA. Yeah, not so much. There is no way Ms. Ford would have made it that easy on them, right? The beginning of this story is Wolf trying to mend some fences with Tristan, but Tristan isn’t going to give in easily.

When Wolf takes Tristan along to help out yet another member of Wolf’s family, he takes the opportunity to fix his relationship with Tristan. What neither of them expects, though, is the level of evil they will be facing. When Wolf realizes that this is a lot more serious than he thought, he calls in reinforcements: his cousin Cin. If Tristan thought Wolf was bossy, he was in for a treat with Cin. Between an unexpected visitor, a crazy relative, and a domineering Cin, Tristan has his work cut out for him if he wants to save the love of his life and the man’s crazy family.

It is a fact that I am a fan of Rhys Ford’s writing. I enjoy her mysteries, her rockers, and her black dogs, but I think this Hellsinger series has inched its way to the front of the pack for me. I am a full on horror fan. The first full length novel I ever read was It by Stephen King, and I was only nine years old. Duck Duck Ghost is one of the first books I have read that even comes close to the genius that is Stephen King.

With her attention to detail and her descriptive story-telling, Rhys Ford has managed to write one of the creepiest love stories I have ever read, and I loved it! In one scene Tristan and Wolf are attacked by the ghost, and the descriptions had the hairs on my arms standing on end. Once I started reading this one, I couldn’t put it down. Really. I read it cover to cover in one sitting.

One thing some authors miss the mark on is balancing the horror with the romance. Ms. Ford has a knack for getting the perfect balance, and she definitely hit the target with this one. Tristan and Wolf aren’t the only couple you will find yourself cheering for in this novel, and there may have been a tear or two shed, just sayin’.

With her chillingly descriptive writing and the heartfelt representation of the relationships in this book, it was a total win-win for me. The return of Tristan and Wolf to the Grange opens up a new mystery, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for us next.

I highly recommend this book. Do yourself a favor and pick up Fish & Ghosts first, if you haven’t already. This is a fabulous series that I hope carries on for a long time.

You can buy Duck Duck Ghost (Hellsinger: Book Two) here: