Member Reviews
Great story, really creepy. This is the second in the series and can be read as a stand alone, it would however be beneficial to read the first book to get the back story. I do enjoy a spooky book and Helen didn’t disappoint. Sat down today and read this in one sitting. Had me getting goose bumps and chills down my spine! Highly recommend.
I read this as a stand alone because I had not read the first book in the series. I felt I was missing some of the backstory because of that. I liked the two different timelines. I felt it helped with the eery feeling in the book. I was very entertained while reading and will be reading more by this author. Thank you for the ARC!
Having not read the first book in this series I wasn't sure how this one would go but I do feel as if it cold be read as a stand alone with the few references for book one helping a little to fill the gaps (but would like to get and read book one anyway). It is a different and quirky mix of paranormal and travel as well as good versus evil.
It was thrilling from the start and kept me reading and interested throughout which I liked. Well written, different, quirky and interesting. A good read and I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
A unique story where paranormal meets time travel. This is the second book and there were minimal references to the first book, therefore it was easy enough to follow along as a stand alone. I didn't feel like I missed a lot by not reading the first book before this one, although after reading this I will be going back to read her authors other books. It felt very atmospheric and a great read for those who love ghost stories and haunted places.
I enjoyed this story, it was not at all what I was expecting. It is more of a paranormal thriller featuring supernatural elements and conflict between good and evil. Great, unique story kept me on the edge of my seat!
Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher.
What a thrilling read from start to finish. The combination of police procedural and the paranormal was incredibly well done. The characters were relatable and some even likeable. I am looking forward to the rest of this series and it will be an auto buy for my personal library as well as my store.
The more you read, the more the pieces start to come together. The characters are well-developed, and it has been descriptively written. Helen Phifer is one of my favourite authors, she never disappoints.
Her lost soul is the 2nd book in the Detective Maria Miller series.
Four teenagers break into an abandoned asylum but only three come out. Riley has just disappeared. Maria and Frank take the case and discover the asylum has a dark past and was once the hiding place of a notorious killer. When a fresh grave is discovered Maria fears the worst but when the remains are recovered it's not Riley. Maria needs to untangle the stories if she has any hope of finding Riley. She will have to put her own life on the line if she is going to save Riley.
I love this police procedural with a supernatural twist series. I actually ended up reading these out of order by mistake and read the 3rd book before this one. I have enjoyed them all but I think this one is my favourite and I didn't feel like I spoiled anything reading them out of order.
This is a creepy and dark fast paced thriller and I couldn't put it down. Would definitely recommend if you like a police procedural and don't mind a supernatural twist.
Oooh, I always know that a Helen Phifer book is going to be a great read, and so it was with this one!
Maria and her work partner Frankie are investigating the disappearance of a teenager from an abandoned mental asylum. The fact that this girl has vanished without a trace is bad enough, but she is the only child of the local police chief and he is heartbroken by it, as you can imagine.
What Frankie and Maria don't know is that there are goings-on at the site that no-one can explain and they have to put their lives on the line in order to save the girl.
I enjoyed the relationship between Frankie and Maria, and I can just "hear" his New York-ness (is that even a word??) as I am reading this book. I like that they investigate cases which are outside the usual ones and I was properly scared by some of the events in this book.
The author did a good job of keeping the story moving and even though you have to suspend belief a little, it all works to make this tale solid.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
This book has time travel, it has a demon, and a creepy hospital. This book had me really intrigued. It kept me hooked the whole time I was reading. I couldn't put this book down and finished reading it in one sitting.
This is the 2nd book in the Maria Miller series. I liked this book more than I thought I would. Im not usually a fan of the paranormal but combining it with a thriller made it more interesting.
Three friends enter an abandoned psychiatric hospital, but only two emerge as Riley Holt goes missing. Her father, the local police chief, leads the search. Detectives Maria Miller and Frankie Conroy, known for solving supernatural cases, investigate the hospital's dark past. With dual timelines creating a spooky atmosphere, the eerie setting and engaging characters make for a gripping read. The blend of police procedural and supernatural elements adds depth, showcasing various relationships. This fast-paced, captivating book promises a chilling yet entertaining experience, setting the stage for more intriguing installments in the series.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
This is my book #2 in the Detective Maria Miller series by Helen Phifer. I was not disappointed by this mystery. It’s a must read😉
Detective Maria Miller and her partner, Frankie Conroy are called to an abandoned psychiatric hospital when a teen goes missing while investigating with her group of friends. Famous for being the burial site of the final victim of the College Kid Killer, the hospital has a notorious history.
The team ends up finding a new burial site with victims, but they are not the missing team. Can they find her before it’s too late?
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Book Review: Her Lost Soul by Helen Phifer
Rating: 3 Stars
Helen Phifer's "Her Lost Soul" takes readers on a chilling journey through the dark corridors of an abandoned psychiatric hospital, where secrets and mysteries lurk in the shadows. The story follows Detective Maria Miller as she investigates the disappearance of Riley Holt, a teenage girl who vanished after exploring the haunted hospital with her friends. As Maria delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a connection to the sinister past of the hospital and a notorious killer, leading her on a suspenseful hunt for the truth.
One thing that really stands out about the book is its awesome cover., which draws readers in with its eerie and enticing design. The supernatural element woven into the plot adds an extra layer of intrigue, keeping the reader hooked as they navigate the twists and turns of the investigation. The setting of the abandoned hospital is vividly depicted, creating a haunting atmosphere that enhances the suspense of the story.
Phifer's writing is solid, maintaining a good pace throughout the narrative and keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. While the characters may not be particularly memorable, they help move the story along and keep things interesting.. The author effectively sets up the story as a standalone novel, making it accessible to readers who may be new to the series.
Overall, "Her Lost Soul" is a decent read that offers a blend of mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements. While it may not be a standout in the genre, it provides an engaging story that will appeal to fans of thrillers and detective fiction.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Book two in the Detective Maria Miller books
Another great read
A fabulous thriller
You will keep turning them pages
Thanks NetGalley
Four friends enter the grounds of Beacon Hill psychiatric hospital for a little ghost hunting before it's to be torn down but it turns out to be a nightmare and by the time they leave there are only three of them. The missing girl just happens to be the police chiefs daughter and he will not give up. Detective Maria Miller and her partner Frankie Conroy are asked to investigate due to their special skills of investigation and dealings with evil. The hospital is filled with ghosts and restless souls but Maria is determined to find Riley even if it costs her, her own life.
I was not expecting this rollercoaster of a ride and made sure to read this during daylight hours so I could sleep. I'm not usually into supernatural books much but I was so excited to read this and I was not disappointed., definitely on my list of authors to read.
This is definitely an unusual story. I will say it you like books about the paranormal, then give this book a read. It's about a girl who goes to an abandoned insane asylum to snoop around with her friends. She disappears in the process. Maria and Frankie, detectives who specialize in the paranormal, must get her back. This is the second book in the series, but I didn't feel lost not having read the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Phifer and Storm publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
My personal tastes don't go towards psychics and mediums so this was a bit disappointing for me, personally but that doesn't mean it's not a really good book in that genre. I'm going to leave it at that at of consideration for those who enjoy that sub-genre
This is book two in the Detective Maria Miller series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but personally, I would read book one first. The first book gives a lot of the characters' backstories
I enjoyed the supernatural aspect of this book. The old hospital is creepy, and I liked the time travel part of the book. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like the story was developed enough, and the dialog and character interactions seemed off somehow. Also, like in the first book, there were way too many uses of British phrases for a book set in New York with American characters. Every time one came up, it would completely pull me out of the story. It also didn't seem like the ages of the elderly characters added up correctly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is a new to me author and this book was recommended by a colleague. Creepy, fun and immersive, I have to say this book was right up my street. I love my paranormal/ghost stories and this did not disappoint. It is easy to read and pretty scary in parts, particularly the opening chapters. I loved Maria and Frankie as a duo and the dynamic between them. I didn't realise that this was Book 2 of a trilogy and, while you can read it as a standalone, there is a lot of mention of book 1, so I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Eagerly now awaiting Book 3!