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Ignoring Red Flags
Halfway to Hell is the story of an unassuming man’s encounter with the occult following a brush with death and his fight to overcome the curse that burdens him. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I like to take ordinary people and put them into extraordinary situations. The core idea of the book was the notion of how people are sent red flags as warnings and how often they ignore them. The working title for the first phase/edit was “Red Flag Angels.” The story branched off from that theme quite organically. Remember people, don’t ignore red flags! They are sent for a reason.
Is there anything from your own life that went into creating your main character Joe?
I, like many others, have indulged myself in the bad habit of ignoring red flags that have been sent my way. Ignoring my gut instincts. I think Joe’s personality is more than a little like my own. Sometimes I can be “Mr Procrastination.” Fighting an uphill battle against other people. We have all felt like that at some point in life, but what about fighting actual demonic forces? How would we fare? Who would aid us?
What is it that draws you to the paranormal fiction genre?
I’ve always had a vast and vivid imagination. As a child, I preferred to read books like Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and works by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. I would probably struggle to write a straight-up crime novel, without veering off into the paranormal or science fiction. My first book series “Midas” started the trend.
Is this the first book in a series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I do plan to write a follow-up to Halfway to Hell. Probably next year. I think there needs to be some resolution and the characters need to get back into action. These demons need to be dealt with! At the moment, I am writing a fourth and final book in the Midas series, penned under “Peter Birkett”, so it will have to wait a little while.
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After a life-threatening fall, an average man comes face to face with eternal entities seeking revenge. Were they real or just hallucinations caused by head trauma? Joe is the last in a long bloodline. Heir to nothing but a curse, he must embark on a perilous journey to the one place that might prevent his impending trip to hell itself.
His allies are few. The clock is ticking. The time for the reckoning has arrived.
Halfway to Hell
Halfway to Hell, authored by Peter B. Thompson, is a thoughtfully crafted novel that delves into the realms of the occult and paranormal. Unlike many books in this genre, Thompson skillfully avoids clichés and tired formulas, offering a narrative that is both engaging and refreshingly original. The novel’s pacing is well-measured, ensuring a fast-paced storyline that does not linger within storylines.
At the heart of this novel is Joe, a telecoms engineer whose life is upended following a near-fatal accident. The story takes a sudden turn as Joe, while in a state between life and death, encounters a mysterious entity named Norman who imparts enigmatic warnings. This brush with the supernatural leaves Joe grappling with the reality of his experience and the ominous implications it holds for his future.
Thompson’s portrayal of Joe, a character of unexpected depth and complexity, is captivating. Superficially, Joe’s life appears ordinary, yet his rich inner world reveals a character of intriguing potential, reminiscent of the protagonist in James Thurber’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. This depth of characterization ensures that readers are not only invested in Joe’s supernatural predicament but also in his personal evolution and self-realization.
A notable strength of Halfway to Hell is its emotional resonance. The narrative is infused with a sense of genuine feeling and vitality, largely attributable to Joe’s well-drawn character. The journey to uncover the secrets of his past and the implications for his future keeps the reader thoroughly engaged.
Thompson’s conclusion to the novel is admirably restrained. The ending offers a degree of ambiguity, allowing readers to ponder Joe’s fate and potential transformation. This subtlety in storytelling is often more satisfying, leaving space for interpretation and reflection.
Halfway to Hell, by Peter B. Thompson, stands out in the genre of paranormal and occult fiction for its original plot, compelling character development, and emotional depth. Thompson has crafted a novel that is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a recommended read for enthusiasts of paranormal fiction.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0CJ3ZRGMR
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