I liked the idea of a supernatural based thriller especially with the cold war setting. It was enjoyable and atmospheric overall.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/4
Scary: 😱😱/5
INTRIGUE: 🧠🧠🧠/5

It is hard to put into words how I feel about this book. It started in East Germany under multiple different forms of police/government and was hard to tell what time frame we were in. It said post war but didn't really clarify the time frame other than the car in the book was a 1979.

With the circumstances of times obviously being different due to the police/government, there was a hierarchy of who gets certain privileges such a coffee, or different foods. Which almost made me feel like it was during world war 2 with rations and such, but I couldn't have been if he had a 1979 car. So it was confusing to say the least.

What started as paranormal activities soon we shown to be something else entirely. Something that must be harnessed and learned to control. Which isn't what the expection was from the synopsis. It started off strong and for me fell down the further I got into the book after the "poltergeist" activity.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a creative and absorbing tale! Definitely recommend this one!

An enjoyable supernatural horror story with a really unique setting. I'm hoping this is the start of a series, I'd love to read more about Professor Erich Hasse!

It's more a tale of supernatural espionage with horror elements than a straight up work of horror, which was unexpected and fun. Marc Layton's writing is solid and flows nicely. I'm looking forward to exploring his other works.

Professor Hasse lives in East Berlin during theCold War time. He has another job beside teaching. He has found in an old building an evil that is very powerful. He gets in touch with two people from a group that works with the paranormal. suspicious.” He decides to invite a librarian for dinner at his place to appear more normal. That evening after dinner, he hypnotizes her into thinking they are having a wonderful time together and orders her to wait on his couch until he returns. Hee goes baa k to thee building that holds thee evil and discover a book in it that I thee “evil.” When he returns to his place, he tells thee librarian that she sshould go to bed. She goes to hiss bedroom to sleep. He goes to sleep next to her. Brittany is afraid that she is crazy. She hears voices and finds the missing items that her parents have suggested that she stolen. She says no and goes to her bedroom. When opening her dresser drawer for a handkerchief, she finds the items are there. She can’t believe it! Fearful of what her parents will think, she doesn’t tell them. When things start moving on their own, she is terrified. She is hearing voices. Is she going crazy?

In this compelling novel, it’s a paranormal horror mystery. The author has written an excellent cast of characters that gives the reader the feelings that one knows them. I loved how Professor Hasse and Britttany work together to learn how to control her poltergeist abilities. I loved the suspenseful novel. It’s great!

I honestly didn’t like this book. I thought it was going to be different from what it was because of the title. Just looking at it, you think it looks like it’s going to be good but when I got right into reading it I was very disappointed. I guess it wasn’t for me

The book disappointed me. The things happening and dealing with them have no explanations, just saying that everything is normal and dome people can deal with it. The events and skills could have some underlying ideas. Probably just that was not my kind of book.

A unique fantasy with horror elements. Brittany and Professor Hesse live in a post WW2 Socialist East Germany, where folklore has been sent to the forbidden sections of the libraries, and all must live and work for the good of the country and The Party.

When unexplained events happen around Brittany's home, she fears being sent to an institution for the insane. Professor Hesse is alerted to strange incidences around the city which he investigates, and when he crosses paths with Brittany, he realizes her potential, especially when it comes to his hidden agenda.

This book is the first of a series which I am very interested in reading!

Absolutely yes! I really enjoyed reading this novel. The characters were fun, it held my interest, and provided an escape from reality. I would definitely recommend!

Terrifying! The creeping dread, the ominous atmosphere created by the thing... chilling! I loved every page

The first in a new series, starts very creepy then turns less so but in a good way. Set in the old East Germany, good characters and pacing. Looking forward to the next book.
I received this book from Blank publishing and Netgalley for a review.

A fantastic read, well written with a gripping storyline and well developed characters, I couldn't put it down I loved it.

A horror mystery that kept me entertained. Chilling in places with a good storyline and strong characters.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Evil Trust by Marc Layton.
An Erich Hasse Novel Book 1.
Professor Erich Hasse is no stranger to the supernatural. After he tracks an evil presence to a decrepit printing building in war-torn East Germany, his investigation quickly turns south. The Stasi arrive with a firm warning: drop the investigation, or else.Brittany Delschaft is terrified she’s losing her mind. She’s plagued by ominous dreams, supernatural happenings, and a ghostly presence in the shadows of her home. When Brittany’s family appeal to Hasse, he agrees to help – and he quickly makes a shocking discovery about Brittany.
Convinced that the young girl could be the key to facing whatever is concealed within the printing building, Erich and Brittany are quickly embroiled in a dangerous hunt for the truth. The Stasi are guarding something far too carefully – but when Erich discovers the terrifying reality, he’ll wish he hadn’t... 
Really enjoyable read. What a story. Loved it. Hope to read more from this author. 4*.

I love the idea of a horror mystery, it really adds to the tense atmosphere and does everything that I was hoping for. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and was what I hoped for. It was a great concept and was written well. I look forward to read more from Marc Layton.

"It took them the rest of the day to get the apartment back into the sort of condition Brittany’s mother thought was good enough. The hardest part was getting all the little slivers of glass from the exploded light bulbs. They seemed to have gotten everywhere, and they tended to get stuck in the fibers of the rug and thin carpet."