Title: Haunted Souls

Author: Samuel M. Hallam

Release date: July 14th, 2022

Social media has a unique ability to connect and get work out there from all levels of authors, from Internationally Recognized Best Sellers all the way to the Debut Author. It’s been a phenomenal tool for me personally, to connect with and discover new authors and it was through my 3Q’s series that I was exposed to a significant amount of new authors. That series – which is actually technically still going on, I have one I need to post and there’s probably close to fifty that haven’t been sent back – is how I connected with Samuel M. Hallam, over on Instagram.

At some point around that time, I snagged his debut novel, ‘Haunted Souls,’ and when it arrived at the top of my ever-expanding TBR, I was excited to see what he’d created.

What I liked: The novel follows the events that take place in and around a house known as Stone Acres. We follow a family, torn apart when two members perish and they take in their niece, as they navigate the every growing reach of this seemingly haunted place.

On its surface, ‘Haunted Souls’ follows a very tried-and-true paranormal formula. We get throwbacks to the 1800’s and learn about the history and the ‘why’ of this place becoming the place it has become, and we see how the Reaper of Souls, this inhabitant that is duty-bound to Stone Acres, goes about its devilish business.

Hallam then veers off to really grab the reins and make the story his own. The family dynamics are great, the love that these two have for their niece is palpable as, is the love (and loss) for their family members and its within that aspect of the story that Hallam grabs the reader and holds them tight.

The story takes us in some really great directions and we get to stress along with the characters over how they can possibly overcome this centuries old evil that has taken root and won’t let go.

The ending helped to wrap things up (while keeping a few loose ends for further follow ups if warranted), but it was great to see how Hallam tied things together and closed the doors on Stone Acres.

What I didn’t like: For a debut novel, this was a really solid read. Some people may find aspects of the book ‘light’ and not as fleshed out as they’d like, but considering the amount of ground Hallam covers, I was impressed how he handled the trickier aspects of the story.

Why you should buy this: If you’re looking for a spooky book that’ll keep you company for an evening while wrapped up in your favorite blanket, reading in your reading chair, look no further. Hallam gives us everything you’d expect in a haunted/paranormal house tale and does so with characters you’ll root for and want to see succeed.

4/5