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5/5 Stars!
Thoroughly enjoyed this supernatural tale! This is my first time reading this author, but it won’t be my last!
Maxwell Paddington sucks at life. He’s teased and bullied as a kid, passed over for promotions several times as an adult, and his wife, Rachel, wants a divorce.
Then he’s murdered outside Chili’s.
Max is incredulous he’s now a ghost. Who wouldn’t be?
Convinced Rachel had him killed because he bought an expensive set of golf clubs, Max can’t prove it because no one can see or hear him until he encounters private investigator Joe Cavelli in Chili’s parking lot.
When a forgotten secret from Joe’s childhood is revealed, this unlikely duo forms a reluctant partnership to find out who killed Max and why.
Into the Light is appropriately titled and not just for the bright light at the end of life—even though Max’s grandpa and a host of familiar… and not so familiar deceased people all try to coax Max into the light—but because of the enlightenment both men receive as Joe interviews people from Max’s life.
Alive and dead, both men, so entrenched in their own convictions about people and life, come to realize living life in a vacuum isn’t living at all. Focusing on life will make you miss the moments that make up life.
Moments like: when Max meets a homeless man he once helped; when Joe meets Max’s parents; when Max is confronted by his deceased favorite aunt, and when Joe talks to Rachel. (Warning: Have tissues close by!)
Stellar writing makes this read a page-turner not so much to find out whodunit, but who said it, because whether it’s a snarky moment or emotions running high, the banter between Joe and Max is perfect. The men see a little of themselves in each other. Max takes it to heart, but Joe is a lot more stubborn… and heartbroken.
When the killer and his motive are revealed, Max isn’t as happy as he should be… because he still has unfinished business.
Into the Light is also one of those books that will linger long after it’s finished. It will lead you to consider if you’re consumed with the shoulda-coulda-wouldas of life or enjoying what you have with a heart of gratitude.
With its relatable characters and satisfying ending, I give Into the Light my highest recommendation. Download this one today!
Enjoy!
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Synopsis:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can’t manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max’s killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other’s lives in ways they never expected.
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Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: July 14th 2011
Number of Pages: 250
ISBN: 146364020X (ISBN13: 9781463640200)
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Audible
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Nesie's Place 
I’m not normally a mystery reader anymore, but the sounds of this one changed my mind. I like that this one has a bit of playfulness to it – or perhaps that is the wrong word, but something I would not mind letting a child read, and that is so refreshing from books where every other word is the F word, and where murder is described in such detail that I never want to eat one of my favorite dishes of liver and onions, again!
I felt like I could read this before bed and not lie awake all night worrying about someone murdering me, etc. So thank you for a great job! We need more books like this. One of my old favorites were the Nancy Drew mysteries. And in my mind, they had a little of everything that the blood-weary reader loved! So thank you kindly. This is so refreshing.
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Hi Anne! I love the word “playfulness” as a descriptor for this book! While I do write a darker series, I wanted this one to still have depth but be lighter and fun. The world can be pretty bleak on its own, and sometimes we need to lighten it up. Thank you for your kind words!
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Wow, Felicia, I am honored and humbled by your words. I’m truly thrilled you enjoyed the book so much, and that you found all the nuggets that struck me as I wrote. Thank you so much!
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You’re welcome! Such a great read that resonates on so many levels! Kudos!
Can’t wait to read what Gus has in store for Joe! 😊😊
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I hope you like the next one just as much!
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A page turner!!!! This one is for me!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this title because I just added it to my list.
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Thank you, Cheryl!
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