Well summer is definitely behind us and not only is October ushering in the darker nights and chilly weather it also brings with it the season of spooks, spectres, and stories that send shivers down your spine. It’s the perfect time to curl up with a book that matches the Halloween spirit, and Ghosts by Iain Rob Wright is a prime candidate for your reading list.
Ghosts is the sixth instalment in The Cursed Manuscripts series, and it stands as a testament to Wright’s ability to weave a tale of horror that is as haunting as it is captivating. The novel plunges readers into a world where an online trend called ‘Summoning the Dead’ goes terrifyingly wrong. What starts as a seemingly harmless ritual found on the internet spirals into a series of gruesome teen deaths, drawing the attention of Shane Mogg, a cynical journalist with a penchant for the bizarre.
| The Cursed Manuscripts: on December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan Calendar, the world was supposed to end. It didn’t. But on that day, 113 mysterious manuscripts were discovered around the world, each one written in blood by an unknown author. After several dozen unexplained deaths befell the finders of said manuscripts, a decision was made to lock them up for good in a secret vault beneath the Vatican. It is said that anyone who reads the stories will die, and as such they are now referred to as ‘The Cursed Manuscripts.’
Manuscript 03/18-01, discovered March 2023 in Rennes, France, by organic farmer, Jacques Verde, who found it buried half buried under the foundations of his barn. Jacques died that same day, kicked in the head by his prized Andalucian mare, Belle. |
In Ghosts, the latest online video craze has gone viral; teenagers filming themselves reciting a Latin ritual that has the power to summon the dead. It’s just a harmless nonsense bit of fun isn’t it? The dead can’t come back. Ghosts are not real. Except that teenagers who spoke these sacred words end up dead! The dead are being pulled back, whether from Heaven, Hell or somewhere else, and they are not happy with it!
Shane Mogg, is a reporter/feature writer for a magazine that specialises in the weird. He is well-known for his cynical outlook and focus on the strange and unusual. With the magazine on its last legs he is looking for a last big story and finds it in the form of an email telling him about this ritual and dying teenagers. Ever the sceptic, he decides to take a look anyway. He is joined by his only friend and fellow journalist, Ed, who aids him in unravelling the mystery behind the gruesome teen deaths connected to the viral online trend of ‘Summoning the Dead.’
In a bid to prove that ghosts aren’t coming back and killing their loved ones, Shane recites the ritual himself and unleashes the power of the words, and the dead, into his own life. Now he has to try and reverse it, not just for himself but for teenagers worldwide.
Overall, Ghosts is an excellent thrilling and creepy read that delivers the scares. It’s an engrossing that read, one that holds your attention and imagination until the very last page.
The story starts slowly, building the characters and ratcheting up the tension before exploding into other-worldly violence and death, erupting into a maelstrom of horror that grips the reader with its visceral descriptions and relentless pace.
While the story is packed with horror it also takes a look at viral trends, and whilst maybe taking it to the extreme, points the spotlight on how dangerous they can be.
The characters are excellent. Shane as the protagonist is a perpetual man-child, with a layer of complexity to his character, making him an unconventional hero in the realm of investigative horror.
Then there is Ed, the complete opposite of Shane and with her own problems. She provides a balance to Shane’s eccentricities, grounding the narrative and offering a different perspective on the bizarre events they encounter.
The dynamic between Shane and Ed is central to the story, as they delve into the dark corners of the internet and the supernatural. Their investigation leads them to confront the angry spirits that have been brought back by careless words, whether ripped from Hell or pulled from Heaven. These spirits, though not central characters, play a pivotal role in the horror that unfolds, their anger palpable and terrifying.
The supporting characters are also great; Gina, the ex-nun, with a zest for life who is helping Shane in trying to put a stop to the strange deaths and Sarah, Shane’s sister, who he has a rocky relationship with.
The characters in Ghosts are crafted, with attention to detail and backstory for each character, each one contributing to the eerie atmosphere and the mounting tension. They are the lenses through which readers experience the terror, the disbelief, and ultimately, the truth behind the ‘Nomon’s Ritual’ and its deadly consequences.
As Halloween approaches and you find yourself seeking a tale that will keep you up at night (wanting to finish the book, obviously), look no further than Ghosts by Iain Rob Wright. It’s a book that promises to deliver thrills, chills, and a hauntingly good time. Find the perfect spot to dive into this spine-tingling horror into viral videos and mayhem – you might just want to leave the lights on. It’s a chilling read, perfect for the spooky season, and a brilliant addition to The Cursed Manuscripts series.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.99 (Paperback) / £2.49 (Kindle)
For more information, visit iainrobwright.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
