Medium vs. axe wielding ghost at private school

As the second book in this ghoulish series opens, we discover that Dr. Steven Sable enjoyed the process of ghost busting when trying to contact his grandfather in book one, he invests in the partnership of MJ Holliday and Gilley Gillespie. With his influx of cash they are able to buy all sorts of new equipment: night vision cameras, handheld computer thermal imaging devices, electronic energy detectors, some brand new, state-of-the-art walkie talkies, video monitors, digital cameras, a laptop, and a shiny new van to put it all in.

It will all come in handy soon, since one of MJ’s friends, Karen O’Neal, has stopped into the office. She got a phone call from her niece Evie telling her she’d been chased through school by a man with an axe. She attended an exclusive boarding school near Lake Placid, New York. The problem is that security cameras were mounted in the school at the beginning of the school year, and a review of those tapes show Evie running through the hallways but no one was visible chasing her. Karen’s brother, Evie’s dad, is convinced that Evie is suffering from some psychosis and needs to see a psychiatrist. He doesn’t believe her story at all. So Karen hires MJ and Gilley and Steven to visit the school and find out what’s going on.

When the four arrive at Northelm Boarding School, they found it letting out for the summer. An older section of the school was to be converted into dorm rooms over the summer, so no one was allowed in that wing. The dean of the school was adamant that they not have access to any of the school because no one would be there except construction crews, and they had a very tight schedule if they were to be finished by fall. Karen, who had gone with the trio, once dated the CEO of the well regarded construction company. Karen contacted him to try and get a week’s delay on the start of renovations so the ghost busters would have a chance to find the axe-wielding man.

Karen was successful, she informed them by phone, standing in Paris. Seems the CEO wanted another chance to romance her, this time throughout Europe. He had to do something with a week off. The dean finally caved and allowed them into the school but only parts not to be renovated and not in the old dean’s quarters where his brother Nicky lived, since he was mentally disabled. They found the axe-wielding ghost in the school. He had great energy and was able to move furniture about very quickly as he taunted them with pyramids of desks turned back to straight rows almost in an instant.

When Gilley saw and felt how strong this ghost was, he finally admitted something to MJ: he was afraid of ghosts! That’s why he always preferred to stay in the van, except this ghost attacked the van with what felt like a baseball bat. MJ made Gilley his very own special ghost-busting shirt – a long sleeve shirt to which she glued magnets and then a sweatshirt on top of that. Ghosts don’t like magnets for they disturb their own magnetic fields. She also made what they called grenades – a foot long magnet in a steel pipe capped to hold in the magnet until needed.

The ghost busters could not figure out why the dean denied them access to parts of the school, since this ghost went through the section that was to be converted to dorms. By the end of the book, we learn who this hatchet toting man was along with why the dean had tried to stop them from learning the entire truth. I can’t tell you about the chases and terrifying moments that took place nor where MJ found the portal that Hatchet Jack was using to move between planes. Many alumni of the school still lived in town and helped the team by filling them in on what happened 20 years ago and how it had continued into present day. One alumni especially filled in some background on the two child ghosts MJ found also running from Jack.

Steven helped out with this ghost bust, especially since Gilley had just confessed his fear of ghosts. Karen continued to call for updates from different countries in Europe. MJ took the lead even though she was physically injured by this violent ghost. There were a lot of people the narrator needed to speak for, and Eileen Stevens did a great job. Dr. Sable’s voice was very distinctive and different from others. Ms. Stevens does a terrific job of narrating the story in general and then adds in the extra features of each character. A performance to be commended.

This book was definitely a paranormal story, and just as strongly was a mystery with many twists and turns. I didn’t want to put it down. With the nasty ghost running loose and kids at risk, it was hard to not think about the storylines as they twisted and turned into a knot with Hatchet Jack unwillingly in the middle. You will definitely find yourself whooping it up in the end and cheering the ghost busters. Evie will be just fine in the fall. Now I can get some relaxing sleep at least until I begin the third book in this ghoulish series – GHOULS JUST HAUNT TO HAVE FUN.

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What a Great Stort

You are completely surprised by the ending. The characters are each unique and how the story plays out in this ghost busting book keeps your interest peaked. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Good twist and turns

Great series, keeps you wanting more. Funny light happy. Listened to this on a extended car trip with teenagers. Best car trip ever. Everyone liked this.

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3 people found this helpful

in love with this new series

MJ is quite the strong character. And Narrations in theses series are just great. Would recommend

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I really liked the characters so much more........

After the first book, I knew I would read another. I definately enjoyed this story more. I felt like I already knew everyone a little, and got to get more details in this story.

I really like Gil's style. He doesn't try to be something he is not, and is true to how he feels. I Love MJ's ability to push thru the fear, because she knows that only she can really handle the details of getting rid of the bad spooks in the end. Everyone else helps, but she is the one with the power.

The story line on this mystery was also better. I really did like the twist and turns. I had figured some of it out about 1/2 way thru, but I did enjoy the author's way of getting the reader to the truth of the matter.

All in all, I really enjoyed it, and will go on to read the third book in the near future.

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Spooky!!! 😁

Another great one!!
Love how scary this one got!
The performance was outstanding with all the different voices!!
Love the story line! Love V.L.

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Enjoyed it immensely!

As always, the author and the narrator are great. I love them both. Thank you.

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Light humor, and slight drama

This is as good series for those looking for a book that will entertain, but one you can turn off or put down. I think it's cute but not a deep plot. Its good though to listen to when I need a break from the more in depth dramas.

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Narrator is fine.

Would you listen to Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend again? Why?

Yes, because it's an easy listen and is funny

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gil. He's a Ghost Buster, who's extremely afraid of Ghosts.

What about Eileen Stevens’s performance did you like?

I really don't know why anyone complains about her. Everyone's ears are different, like opinions blah, blah, blah. You can sample the narrators voice before you use a credit.
I think she was very entertaining. Her timing was better than quite a few narrators. Her voice is strong and clear.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

M. J. Is steady and a brave heroine. Gil is very funny. Stephen's use of colloquialls is way too funny. I'm bilingual although I was born on the Mainland, I lived in a Latin American country for a few years and when I came back to the Mainland, I had the same problems. I like how Victoria throws them in there and here. M. J. and Gil have to figure it out without laughing.

Any additional comments?

A very entertaining series and have already bought 4 more books.

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Thanks!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of books. Twice. I listen each October. Very enjoyable. Thanks.

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