Ok this was frightening. Intense and involved. Definitely not a cozy. Reading it before bed actually made me nervous

This book was amazing and I can't wait to read more in this series. This was a book that I did not want to put down and I stayed up WAY to late reading. The characters were very likeable and Riley was a character that I liked from the start. The only thing I think I could have done without was the sexual aspect of Riley and Michael's relationship. I loved seeing them go from not knowing each other to an adorable couple. Would have loved to find out a bit more about both Riley and Michale's families but maybe that will be saved for a later book. This is a book that if made available in hard copy I would add to my shelves.

This was a pretty darned good debut thriller. I docked it a point because the pacing was slightly off. I blame this on the romance, which interrupted and slowed the action. That said, I liked the love story, which felt organic (not tacked on and trumped up as is the case with a lot of romances in thrillers), and featured two entirely likable and believable lovers. I'll be watching for future books in this series.

I really loved this book! Hard to believe this is her first novel. It kept my interest through out the entire book and I kept wanting to know more. I liked Riley's growth in the book and how she handled things. I'm really excited to read more of Melissa's books when they come out.

Riley Thomas has been reluctant about her abilities as a medium since accidently releasing an entity with a Ouija board when she was thirteen. When her best friend Jade pressures her into staying at a haunted dude ranch that was home to a serial killer named Orin Jacobs, she knows nothing good can come from it. Upon staying at the ranch, Riley is contacted by a boy killed at the ranch many decades ago that was never found and no one knew he had been killed there. To help the boy Riley must come to terms with her ability and solve a mystery that happened long before she was born. But there is someone who will do whatever it takes to keep Orin's secrets hidden.

I have read quite a few books where the main character was a medium but this book really stood out to me,. Riley is a very likeable character. She is the kind of person that I could imagine wanting to be friends with. I am the same age as Riley so I felt that I was able to relate to her. It was disappointing when the book was over. I would love if the author continued Riley's story.

I loved the way the book started. It had the right amount of horror and paranormal. The story had Riley, a reluctant medium, forced to spend a weekend with friends in Jordanville Ranch, home of deceased serial killer, Orin Jacobs. There Riley not only met the evil force of Orin, but a gentle spirit, Pete, who needed to be found. His mother was still mourning and waiting for him forty years hence.

Debut by Melissa Jackson started with a bang. I am not generally brave and this seemed like a good book for my foray into horror. The initial part was total fun and scary. I loved the way my fear skittered across my skin like tiny critters in a dark room where only the claws could be heard. I loved the way evil Orin sent his message to the main character, Riley for daring to enter into his territory, there was room rampage, the downing rods burning up palms. Wow!!

I loved the way Riley had to find her courage and go back to solve the kidnapping and murder in 1973. Romance started with the entry of Michael in the horror house, where both of them clicked. Michael was a great male lead, and the interactions between Riley and him were humorous and flirty. Besides he was very supportive. Romance between the two was light and breezy and it felt just right.

Then the book went into investigation and the reveal of a secret which had been kept buried for forty years. Therein started my niggles, I could read the horror in an hour, but the rest of the book took a couple of days. The investigation was slow and hardly any horror, and it felt like a routine mystery book. For me it lost its steam.

Overall the book had everything, horror, romance, mystery, ghosts, paranormal. So it was enjoyable.

This book's plot centered around Riley and her skills as a medium. She is a sweet character and her and Jade and some other friends go out to a serial killers house that is billed as a sort of haunted getaway. It was creepy and chilling and I liked it. I think it would have been better for me if it was geared more toward YA.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and give an honest review.

Riley Thomas never wanted to contact the dead, so after a really bad experience with a Ouija board when she was a teenager, she’s kept her distance from all things occult. Years later, against her better judgement, she agrees to accompany a friend to a weekend of paranormal investigations at the home of a dead serial killer. it’s not long before Riley’s abilities summon the spirit of a little boy who disappeared and was never found in 1973. In order to help him find rest, she will have to come to grips with her “gift”. High marks for the most frightening serial killer in a book in recent memory. Super creepy

I loved this book and I struggled to put it down. I started reading at around 11 pm and didn't stop until I was finished at like 7 in the morning. Each chapter revealed one twist and one cliffhanger after the other, I was hooked from the end of the first chapter.

I found the main protagonist, Riley Thomas extremely relatable. Heck, she was me, well except for the whole medium thing. She's a homebody, tv show binger, geek, flirt and sarcastic as hell. I only wish her favorite tv show was real, I would definitely start binging it right now.

Riley Thomas is a medium in denial about being a medium, but when her friends guilt her into a weekend at a paranormal hotel her abilities are turned on and can't be turned back off. She goes through one hilarious mishap after the other as she learns how to use her abilities.

This is the kind of comedic and spooky thriller that I would recommend reading not just on Halloween, but all year round.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book well-written and quite good. It reminded me of two television shows, Ghost Whisperer and Medium, because the main character was female and could communicate with ghosts. I found the main character, Riley, realistic and relatable, mainly because she acts the same way that I do when I watch a television show or movie that I love. She (and a couple of other main characters, like Jade) provided the most comic relief, something that was definitely needed in a book of this genre. At one point, while I was reading, I wondered if the author had experienced paranormal activity herself. If she hasn't., I assume she has done a lot of research and watched a lot of television shows like Mythbusters. Overall, I think this book would be the perfect read for anyone who loves to watch television shows involving paranormal or supernatural activity (Mythbusters, Ghost Whisperer, Medium...., Supernatura)l.