I have finished my third Nick Holleran book and my third David Green book overall, and I’m still loving this series. I can’t get enough of Nick Holleran and the monsters he faces working as a paranormal investigator.
In case you haven’t read my other reviews, Nick Holleran has escaped death, and as a result, he can now see all the ghoulish things that live invisibly among us. Ghosts, demons, and other monsters, he discovers Hell is on Earth, and we’re living it.
This book is a prequel, taking place a number of years before Dead Man Walking and The Devil Walks in Blood. Whilst it meant I missed Diana, the eyeless teenage ghost from the 1960s and the prominence of Rosa, Nick’s girlfriend, it does mean the return of Harry and Maeve. Harry is an elderly man who can see as Nick does, and Maeve is his deceased wife, a ghost who refuses to cross-over until her husband does.
As usual, Nick has taken on a case (two cases actually) and they both bring him along Route 13, a fabled road, which takes him to a haunted motel and bar by the name of Whiskey Pete’s.
The theme of found family is a common factor in Green’s books, and this is no different. Harry and Maeve are always looking out for Nick, and through them, we learn more about the monsters that inhabit the world. Green creates lovable and engaging characters which are a joy to read, and my only complaint is that we can’t spend more time with them.
Whisky Pete’s is a creepy and mysterious place where no one leaves. Green successfully gives you that uncomfortable feeling in your gut as you accompany Holleran on his case. Everything is a bit off until everything is very much off and Holleran finds himself in insurmountable trouble yet again.
Green’s writing style incapsulates the voice of Holleran who is witty, honest, and straight talking, meaning we get a clear picture of who Holleran is and the world around him.
The prequel gives us the opportunity to explore Holleran’s character from the early days, giving us a new perspective as to why he is the way he is. As much as I like this book, I’m very much looking forward to getting back to present-ish day Hell in Haven.
I read this book as part ofHell In Haven: Holleran Case Files – 5 Complete Cases – Paranormal Investigator Series but I will be reviewing each story separately.
Find out more about David Green.
This book review is part of a new #Octobooks series. #Octobooks are books associated with authors/guests/members (past and present) of #Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention. Find out more about Octocon on their website and their socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BlueSky, and Mastodon.
MARK KIELTY 