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A Ghost Chases the Horizon
A Ghost Chases the Horizon is a genre-blending novel that weaves historical fiction, paranormal exploration, and literary introspection into a haunting and emotional tapestry. Set around the sentient remains of the real-life Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the story unfolds through the perspectives of four people. Henrietta (1905), Eugene (1935), Brittany (1999), and Neil (2019–2063). Each is drawn to or consumed by the ghosts of Weston Hospital, both literal and figurative. The kicker? The entire story is narrated by the Kirkbride building itself, a character as rich and conflicted as the people it has seen. Through the hospital’s perspective, the book examines mental health, time, memory, and the invisible scars passed from person to person and place to place.
I was floored by how emotionally resonant this book turned out to be. I went in expecting spooky stories and dusty corridors, and sure, there are ghosts, there are screams, and there’s a killer twist or two, but what lingers is the aching humanity in every chapter. The prose manages to be both tender and unsparing. Some lines made me stop and think. Mallow doesn’t shy away from ugliness. People die tragically, are forgotten, are misremembered. But he handles these moments with such care and control that it’s never gratuitous. The characters feel incredibly alive, even as they drift toward death. Brittany’s fear and loneliness, Neil’s broken heart, Henrietta’s stolen future, these aren’t just beats in a horror plot. They feel real.
The book isn’t linear. It jumps decades and switches narrators frequently, which can feel a little jarring, especially early on. But once I got into the rhythm of it, I found the payoff worth the work. I also appreciate how the supernatural elements never completely steal the show. They serve the characters rather than the other way around. There’s a quiet sadness in how ghosts operate here, not as evil entities but as snapshots of pain stuck in place. The Kirkbride’s voice, which is a sentient building mourning what it has seen, sounds like a mournful poet or a tired historian. It’s weird, but it works.
This is the kind of book I’d recommend to readers who like fiction with real emotional depth and a twist of the surreal. If you’re into literary horror like The Haunting of Hill House, historical fiction with teeth, or anything that asks hard questions about time and memory, give this one a shot. It’s a ghost story, but it’s also a story about what it means to be remembered, to be misunderstood, and to be left behind. M.L. Mallow has written something really special here.
Pages: 338 | ASIN : B0F4KYQVT9
THE SYMBOL
Tay Martin’s The Symbol: Awakening is a futuristic dystopian novel set in a technologically advanced world dominated by a repressive global Council. The story follows Louise Stuart, a fierce prosecutor dedicated to combating violence against women. Through flashbacks and vivid memories, we learn of her tragic past, including the brutal murder of her mother by her abusive father. These events shape her mission to dismantle systemic oppression and bring justice to survivors. Blending elements of science fiction, social commentary, and psychological realism, the novel explores deep emotional scars, the complexities of power, and the enduring human need for connection and hope.
The opening chapters with young Louise and her mother were raw and devastating. Martin doesn’t sugarcoat trauma. Instead, she pushes you face-first into it. Louise’s voice felt personal. Sharp but tender. I could feel her fear, her rage, her exhaustion. What gripped me most wasn’t the flashy futuristic world, though that part was cool, it was the quiet, painful intimacy of surviving and the way that pain echoes years later. Martin weaves together trauma and resistance with such care that you don’t feel like a spectator, you feel like a participant.
Sometimes the narrative leans into exposition, especially when it comes to describing tech or Council protocols. There were moments I wished the dialogue would let the characters speak with more silence and space. But then Martin hits you with lines so real they sting. The pacing could feel uneven, sure. But emotionally, it was constant. One minute, I was furious at the Council. The next, I was holding my breath as Louise tried not to fall apart. I also appreciated the warmth, her friendship with Emma, her complicated bond with Joe, her stubborn, enduring humanity.
I’d recommend The Symbol: Awakening to anyone who cares about justice, trauma recovery, and stories led by resilient, complicated women. If you like dystopias with heart, or character-driven narratives where healing is messy but possible, this is for you.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0FGDTR2PZ
Balance of Light
I found myself completely caught up in a story that’s both wildly imaginative and emotionally grounded. The book picks up right after the events of Jigsaw of Light, with teenage protagonist Zeb Ross now back in Cornwall but quickly swept into another quest involving ancient crystals, Atlantean tech, and global mystery. From remote islands in the Pacific to secret underwater civilizations, Zeb and his companions, Kaia and her father Professor Garcia, travel through wormholes using a mystical surfboard as they try to unlock the secrets of a long-lost civilization and prevent another catastrophic planetary reset.
I really enjoyed the way this book blended myth with modern storytelling. It’s like Atlantis met Indiana Jones, but with teenage leads and a strong environmental thread running through it. The author writes with cinematic flair. Scenes leap off the page with vivid imagery, especially underwater or during high-stakes encounters. And while the plot leans heavily into fantasy and sci-fi territory, there’s a core of emotional realism that grounds it all. Zeb’s inner conflict, his loss, his drive to find purpose, it all felt honest, even with glowing surfboards and time-twisting wormholes involved.
A few moments between Zeb and Kaia felt like they came from a YA romance checklist, and some of the villains had that over-the-top vibe that made them hard to take seriously. But I also kind of loved that. The book doesn’t shy away from big emotions, grand gestures, or high drama. It feels like the author just went for it, fully embracing the epic scope of the story. There’s a confidence to that I admire.
Balance of Light is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that delves deep into myth, memory, and meaning. It’s for readers who like their fiction fast, vivid, and unafraid to ask big questions about humanity’s place on the planet. If you’ve got a love for the ocean, ancient mysteries, or stories where young people carry the fate of the world on their shoulders, then this book is worth the dive.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0DHV4CLCM
Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys
John Hughes’ Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys is a quirky, character-driven tale set in the fictional village of Piddly Bottom. The story follows the pompous Syngen-Hyde family, particularly the clueless Lord Charles and Lady Priscilla, who inherit the crumbling Monkspew Manor. As they hire the hapless but well-meaning Bert Bogglethrop and his ragtag crew to refurbish the property, chaos unfolds in a series of oddball adventures. At the center of it all is young Millicent, the quiet niece with a tragic past, who slowly uncovers more than just soot in the manor’s ancient chimneys. Part farce, part folk tale, the book is packed with eccentricity, old-school British humor, and a surprising heart.
I found Hughes’ writing incredibly charming. His characters are cartoonish and exaggerated, and that’s the point. Bert Bogglethrop, with his sardine-scented suit and wheezy van named Jenny, had me laughing. I genuinely loved the way Hughes commits to the ridiculousness. The dialogue is full of clever turns, regional slang, and enough cheeky wit to fill a chimney flue. But it’s not all slapstick. There’s something quietly touching about Millie’s journey. How this overlooked, lonely girl finds courage and belonging in a house full of ghosts, literal and metaphorical.
There’s a lot of setup, a lot of jokes, and a lot of shouting. Some chapters meander like Bert’s van, and not every punchline lands clean. The villains, especially Charles and Priscilla, are so delightfully detestable that I found myself wishing for a sharper emotional payoff. But honestly, I didn’t mind the detours. The story has a cozy, fireside rhythm. There’s a homespun charm in the way Hughes writes, like a tall tale being told in the back room of a village pub.
Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys is a playful, warm-hearted read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys old-fashioned British humor, offbeat characters, and a bit of magical mischief tucked between soot and rafters. It’s perfect for fans of Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett’s gentler side, or those who just want a good laugh with a cup of tea. It will absolutely brighten your day.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0DSLTHZKD
Fate Can Toss a Boomerang: A Murder Mystery
After reading Fate Can Toss a Boomerang: A Murder Mystery by Carolyn Summer Quinn, I can say it’s a mystery that sticks with you for more than just its plot. At its core, the book follows Detective Knox Wanamaker, who is called to investigate a murder in his small Wyoming town. The victim turns out to be Petra Turkett, a long-feared and loathed gym teacher with a dark, abusive past, a predator who managed to evade justice for decades. As Knox peels back the layers of Petra’s history, we’re drawn into a town’s underbelly and a personal reckoning that ties back to his own teenage trauma. The mystery unspools through sharp dialogue, emotional memory, and slow, gritty uncovering of truth.
I was impressed by how bold the writing was. Quinn doesn’t shy away from ugly topics or watered-down feelings. Knox isn’t your slick, emotionless detective. He’s wounded, he’s angry, and he carries his past like a second badge. His voice is raw and real. It felt like listening to a guy telling you his life story. The writing’s straightforward and personal, not fancy or overly stylized, which works here. And the small-town setting, all claustrophobic and cold and oddly cozy, adds to the pressure-cooker feeling. I was invested not just in solving the mystery, but in how Knox would come out the other side.
The story is emotionally heavy. This isn’t your clever-whodunit-with-a-twist kind of mystery. It’s soaked in anger, regret, and trauma, especially around child abuse and how communities fail to deal with it. Sometimes that made it hard to read, especially when the past crept into the present in vivid, painful ways. I found myself torn between cheering on justice and wincing at what justice actually costs. Petra isn’t just a victim, she’s a monster, and the book never lets us forget that. But that raises complicated feelings when you’re rooting for her killer to stay free. It’s messy. But life’s messy, too. I appreciated that honesty.
I’d recommend this book to readers who like character-driven mysteries with emotional depth and moral gray zones. If you like stories that push buttons and leave you chewing on them after the last page, this one delivers. It’s angry and heartfelt and kind of exhausting, but in the best way.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0FDDCJ1RW
Striking the Right Balance
Flush Royale follows a Greek-Norwegian marine investigator who is pulled into a quest to investigate the Hirondelle, where he uncovers a secret that could change history. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for the story hit me during my first trip to Switzerland in 2022, while I was writing my debut novel. I was hanging out in a terraced vineyard in Lavaux, watching those Belle Époque steamships cruise across Lac Léman. Right then and there, I knew I wanted to set my next book in Switzerland. After that, I started exploring the lake’s maritime history and how I could connect it to Greece, which felt like a cool premise to build the plot around.
Nick Diamantis is a fascinating character. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
It’s hard to single out just one scene, but I find myself really drawn to writing the quieter and more introspective moments with Nick. That’s where his personality comes alive on the page, not always through action or dialogue but through subtle observations and reactions. Those moments reveal who he is beneath the surface, and I think that’s when readers are most likely to connect with him on a personal level.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I think I’ve taken a lot from my own experience reading adventure novels, and I’ve always tried to keep that in mind when writing my own scenes. For me, it’s about striking the right balance. I want the scenes to be engaging and enjoyable to read, while still being clear enough for the reader to visualize without confusion.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on is the third novel in the Nick Diamantis series. It will feature all the classic elements people came to love in the first two. I can’t say too much about the plot or a release date, but this time, Nick’s next assignment will take him to Panama and South America.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Based on True Events
Scam at Higgins Canyon follows a computer forensic data analyst who agrees to manage a group of construction contractors; however, he had not counted on finding a hidden room full of literal skeletons and unanswered questions. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My stories are based on true events. I have worked in the construction industry in South Africa and Dubai. When tearing down old buildings or doing renovations, it is not uncommon to find things hidden in the wall and under the floor.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
The antagonist is based on someone I knew. As I wrote, the antagonist took on his own persona. All I was doing was writing the words.
Authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
Absolutely. This is especially true for the antagonist as he morphed as I wrote more and more.
What do you have in store for Jack Rhodes next, and when can your fans expect his next thrilling adventure to be out?
The draft for Book 5 in the Scam series is with beta readers. It should be published in the next two months. Here is what will be on the back cover: “In the aftermath of police officer Ted Clark’s heroic death, his wife Marie grapples with grief and guilt. As she becomes a target for an insurance scam, Ted’s colleague Jack Rhodes steps in to protect her. The investigation into Ted’s death and the murder of Danny Carlton uncovers a web of familial and criminal entanglements. Freya Ragnall, who runs a chop shop, restores Ted’s Mustang, symbolizing his legacy and revealing more about her criminal activities. Meanwhile, the Lund brothers face their estranged father, Frank, amidst betrayal and ambition. Jack’s lover, Stella West, supports him as he uncovers suspicious financial activities linked to Victor Thornfield’s advanced technology. This culminates in a violent showdown at Vortex. This gripping narrative explores the ethical dilemmas posed by technological advancements and the fragile nature of human connections. A story of loss, justice, and the pursuit of closure.”
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 