A Man Among Ghosts

An old Victorian house is being actioned off and David’s best friend urges him to bid on it. David is tired of living the bachelor life in a too small apartment with Star Wars posters adorned to the walls and milk crates for furniture.

Shortly after moving in, he experiences terrible migraines that leave him with blurred vision. He swears he can see people walking around but he cannot make out their faces. After a brain cancer treatment, David starts seeing ghosts throughout the house.

The ghosts are sending him messages urging him to “Kill Fitz and Kang”. David must decipher this information because the ghosts aren’t talking.

Steven Hopstaken is an incredible author that executed the most chilling haunted house story. The unforgettable twist at the end was a complete mind f*ck and I cannot stop thinking about it. 👻

I received this book from Flame Tree Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This statement is always true. I’m not given compensation to discuss a book and I’m not told how to rate a book. I am given a book in exchange for my opinions on it, and I am truthful in all my reviews whether I loved them or not.

I love paranormal and ghost stories, and this book did not disappoint at all. There was definitely a creepy tone and some unimaginable horror scenes that were greatly executed. I really took to the hauntings and multiple ghosts throughout the whole book. I enjoyed that the paranormal activity started early and continued to the end of the book.

David is a single man who, by recommendation of his best friend Gary, bought an old Victorian House at an auction. Unfortunately for David, he is diagnosed with cancer. Visions and hallucinations haunt David. He seeks to find answers from Gary, Gary's girlfriend Shannon, his girlfriend Cassy, and a few other people that he meets along the way. David is run ragged by the hauntings and he cannot separate reality from fiction. He is asked to do an unthinkable act. He resists, but does his resistance lasts, or does he all under the pressure of un-living corpses? This book will make you question how far would you go to save innocent souls?

Mr. Hopstaken develops the story very well, the characters are intriguing and each one plays a significant part in David's journey. This is a masterpiece of a paranormal thriller, suspense, and a sense of horror. After reading this, if you don't believe in ghosts, you very well may begin to.

Thank you Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and rate this book.

What a refreshing read. A bit ghost story, a bit gothic story, a few sci-fi notions. I found the plot and in general, the whole idea quite interesting. The beginning of the story seemingly quite straightforward, however as follow the main character along... The story keeps the reader on their toes, as up until the last chapter it is not entirely clear where the truth lies. And even the ending is open for interpretation.
It's a horror story with a modern twist and lots of possibilities which excellent subject for further discussion.
Short, concise, fun and serious and the same time. Even spooky. I enjoyed it immensely!

After a near death experience in his newly acquired Victorian house, David finds himself haunted by ghosts. The weirdest part? The ghosts don't just stick to his old house and some of the ghosts are people who are still alive. Is he losing his mind or are there really ghosts trying to get an important message to him?

This was a haunted house story, but not as you know it. The premise and how the story unfolds was definitely unique., It was genuinely very creepy and I was definitely scared at some points, which doesn't happen often for me (growing up reading Stephen King, when I was way too young for his books, made me pretty difficult to scare in a book). I enjoyed the nod to King's The Dead Zone without it trying to imitate it.

This book had so much promise and I wanted to love it, but in the end it just didn't deliver. The writing style was not for me, it was written more like statements and didn't flow well, and the dialogue was very clunky and unnatural. I don't need my horror to be written in prose, but I also don't want to be walked through every step - show, don't tell. Despite that, I was enjoying it and it kept me turning pages. Until the end, which felt flat and rushed. I was left thinking "oh, was that it?". I rarely say this, but it could have done with being a little longer to really flesh out the ending.

I'm rating this a 3.5 overall (rounded up), because despite the writing style and the disappointing ending, it was a unique and mostly unpredictable ghost story that did have me scared multiple times. It was a quick read as well, so while it won't go on my favourites list I wouldn't necessarily shy away from recommending it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A Man Among Ghosts | Stephen Hopstaken
4 ⭐️

After acquiring an old Victorian house at auction, David hopes his life has taken a turn for the better. Unfortunately there is something is his new house that has other plans.

Haunted house stories are my absolute favourite, and this story did not disappoint.
It was definitely not what I expected. This is horror but with so much more. Sadly, It lost me a little bit at the end. This was a 5 star read for me up to about 80%.

This story is fast paced and full of twists and turns. It kept me interested and I could not predict what was going to happen at the end!
I'm unsure if there will be a sequel, but there is a setup for one. Fingers crossed

Read this if you like:
- A Haunted House, with a twist
- Ghosts with a message
- Uncertain Realities

I went into this book not knowing what to expect - I thought it would be a ‘person buys new house and bad things happen until they leave screaming’, which it is to a point. There’s elements of Jacobs Ladder in this, along with typical ghost stories but there is a big twist later on which almost sticks the landing. For me, it was a fun read - not scary enough to keep me from sleeping but paced enough I stayed up to finish it. Who’s it for? Hard to say; those who want an easy reading ghost story will be entertained.

👻 The story follows David who has bought an old Victorian style house. Soon he finds himself haunted by ghosts. There are many begging for his help to kill someone named Fitz. Are the ghosts real? Is David hallucinating or is someone playing tricks with his mind?

👻 Pick this up if you like/don’t mind:
📌 an old haunted Victorian house
📌 fast paced plot
📌 not a typical ghost story
📌 supernatural elements with a hint of sci fi
📌 unexpected turns and twists
📌 a very likeable and funny MC
📌 binge worthy read

👻 The plot got me hooked from the very beginning and I had a hard time putting it down. Things did sound repetitive at times but the mystery behind ghost sightings kept me going. I had zero clue that this wasn’t like typical ghost books, so the ending twist kind of didn’t work out for me. It may work for others specially those looking for logical explanation for everything.

👻 Thanks NetGalley for the ebook.

This book was fast-paced, well-written, and the characters were each vivid in their own way. I didn't find the story scary... it was more mysterious. It kind of reminded me of Stephen King's The Dead Zone. I didn't care for the ending of A Man Among Ghosts... I can't quite tell if there will be a continuation in another book or not (there should be).

This plot moves from the beginning. David wins the bid on a gorgeous home up for auction - people quickly abandoning after hearing past events. Let me tell you - it just adds to the house's character.
David's migraines seem to increase upon moving in - only to be told of a major health issue.
The house's spirits don't hold back - making David question everything.
Lots of creep factor. Very enjoyable read!

A fun haunted house story with a twist!

I love haunted house stories and this one was so good! I wasn’t expecting the twists but they were what made this story so unique. As things got scarier I kept wondering why David just didn’t leave?! It was creepy and atmospheric. I loved it!

After surviving a near death experience David finds himself haunted by ghosts while renovating his Victorian house. They are desperate for David to protect them from the evil presence that wants David dead for something he can’t remember. Is what David experiencing real or is he going crazy?

A Man Among Ghosts is available March 7, 2023

Thank you netgalley and flameteepress for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken is an enjoyable read that combines elements of horror and mystery.
Soon after buying a new house, David starts to experience some strange events. Following this, he receives some devastating news which leads the events to increase and become more vivid.
The story has some standard horror tropes but what Steven Hopstaken does with these is very interesting. The writing style is engaging, and I found myself wanting to read the next page until I had read it all in two sittings.

This book is a fantastic twist on the classic haunted house story. A guy buys a somewhat rundown property for an unbelievably low price then receives some devastating news regarding his health. A really clever story with some great characters and wry wit. Highly recommended.

Thank you to @randomthingstours for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Where to start! This book follows David, a young man who buys a house that is haunted, who finds out he has a brain tumour and only a short time to live, and who is tasked with killing “Fitz”.

There’s a lot going on throughout, there are ghosts on every page and there are mad times! David thinks he’s going mad, his friend Gary thinks he’s being set up by someone who wants to buy the house and his dad thinks there are demons trying to possess him. Honestly, it sounds mad but it’s really well written and, in places, a bit too much but I enjoyed it. The end wasn’t what I expected after everything that had happened, but most things were tied up.

I’m hoping there will be a sequel as I don’t think it should be left as it was.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 (3.5 rounded up for Goodreads/Amazon/NetGalley)

This is a unique haunted house story. David buys a Victorian house in San Francisco and starts having ghostly encounters. Are these real ghosts, hallucinations due to recently-diagnosed brain tumor, or is someone messing with him? I was kept on my toes trying to figure out what was going. The novel seesaws between moments of humor and horror and overall I really enjoyed it.

Firstly I have to state that I am a stickler for a haunted house story.
Luckily this book delivers that but with some extreme twists on the way. It's like Amityville crossed with Back to the Future and then with a light sprinkling of Blake Crouch's Dark Matter.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story. I have to say that I did have some issues with the writing style being a little matter of fact but the story itself did enough to negate this and made for a pleasant reading experience.
This one is worth checking out if you are a fan of haunted house stories.

What an interesting take on the haunted story. David thinks he is living in a haunted house but soon finds out it is he who is haunted. The story was very intriguing and I was wholeheartedly involved trying to discover what David was going to do with the information he learned. The ending was definitely not expected. I highly recommend this book to those who like a different type of tale.

Thank you to Netgallery and Flame Tree Press for this ARC.

This book gives me more of a creepy horror/ thriller vibe more than anything else. It’s definitely different than any haunted house book I’ve read thus far.

A Man Among Ghosts follows a man named David and the old Victorian house he has bought. David is a thirty year old man who has been depressed for awhile, he feels alone. We learn that David has a brain tumor and not long to live. He starts seeing ghosts and hearing voices almost right away, even before his diagnosis. He tries to rationalize all the weird things happening, he doesn’t believe in ghosts. David bought a camera doorbell, and even saw them on that. We aren’t quite sure if it’s the house or his brain playing tricks. He sees good ghosts, a little girl warning him not to let “him” in, and evil ghosts. David’s tumor miraculously is gone, but he keeps hearing and seeing the name Fitz Kang and all the ghosts.
I enjoyed this book and this take on the haunted house.

A Man Among Ghosts is a great book, one that is fast paced, full of wit, and the sense of paranoia that Hopstaken builds into this novel feels natural until you're left wondering what the truth actually is!

Okay first and foremost a warning about this book - DO NOT READ IT AFTER DARK!! Unless of course you are brave and stomach some of the creepy and dark language that Hopstaken wove intricately into this story. I'm serious, this book I genuinely terrifying at times.

This book centers around David, our main character, who finds his life lacking. His best friends are moving, his relationships have failed, and he might only have a few months left to live. However, upon purchasing his new Victorian home, he begins to experience the paranormal and this is where everything hits the fan.


Hear me out - I'm a major fan of Flame Tree Press. I genuinely think that the horror stories that they tell are terrifying. You might call me biased based on that. But I think that this book has a lot for readers across genres and of all ages. Check it out!

Great supernatural mystery that sets its ghosts out from early on and rapidly builds, throwing in allusions - and similarities - to Jacob’s Ladder. Genuinely rather chilling at time - I’m not sure if you can have a jump scare in a book, but it does have a good crack. Ghosts, hallucinations, both… or something else more disturbing… or all of the above?

Some of the characterisation is a little woolly, and some of the narrative is a bit he said she did… but it didn’t detract from the central plot. Really very much enjoyed the escalation of events

This book was bananas. My expectations weren't super high, just because I tend not to always vibe with stories that use the paranormal as an overarching explanation for shenanigans. This was different though, and definitely the best ghost-related horror book I've read by far.

It might be weird to start by saying this book was hysterically funny, and if you don't like gallows humor you will probably not be into it, but I was cackling the entire time. If you will find jokes about terminal illnesses, politics, religion, racism, sex, or drug use offensive, maybe steer clear. But good humor in horror brings levity and plays off of creepy so well, and this was an amazing example of that, IMO.

This book follows David, a 30-ish bachelor who buys and moves into his first house, which obviously turns out to be haunted. It's in the title. My biggest gripe with the haunted house trope is always wondering why the person doesn't just LEAVE. I won't spoil it, but David actually has a very good reason for not leaving and trying to just ignore his undead roommates. He explores every possible explanation for what he's seeing, and tries everything to get rid of them: police, ghost hunters, exorcisms, ouija boards, cameras, medication, hypnotism, etc. All create some eerie and snort-worthy situations.

I was really nervous about how this was going to wrap up--the ending is usually where paranormal books lose me a little, but this one got as close to sticking the landing as was possible, I think. It was wild, and I was glued to my kindle for the last 15% of the book, and may or may not have gasped and laughed out loud. This book was more creepy than scary, and it's only around 240 pages, so if you're curious but horror makes you nervous this might be a good option for you. It was just really fun and different, and I'll definitely read more from this author in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review of "A Man Among Ghosts".

This is not your Grandma's haunted house....

Steven Hopstaken has taken the old standby of a haunted house and turned it upside down and inside out. What is real? What is a dream? What is inside of the mind?

This is beyond terrifying and original and I can not wait to see what Hopstaken has up next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

David buys an old house in San Francisco and immediately begins having strange visions and experiences. Are these ghosts? Hallucinations due to his recent brain tumor? Or is someone messing with him to try to get him to sell the house? David is a likable character who does the best he can to get through this bizarre situation. He is surrounded by a slew of interesting characters, ranging from neighbors, friends, girlfriends, ghost hunters, his fundamentalist dad, and a Berkely professor, who propose various explanations for what is happening. Hopstaken keeps the reader guessing up until he puts all the pieces together in a surprising and rather terrifying conclusion.

So, I started out this book thinking it was a typical haunted house story. It was seriously creepy, I loved our MC, and I occasionally muttered under my breath about a few things that didn’t make sense to me. #1 was why David didn’t just nope on out of there. Because, straight up, I would have left that house long before most of the things in this book happened.

However (and a big however), it soon became clear that this wasn’t just an ordinary haunted house story! All the little things that confused me suddenly made sense and I loved, loved, loved the reasons behind everything.

While the author does give a nod to a pretty famous Stephen King novel, it’s simply a nod and this one stands on its own.

A very unique story that kept me guessing!

• ARC via Publisher

I love a good horror story, the kind that makes you want to sleep with the light on. This is that, but it is an amazingly well written ghost story.

Well written and very thought provoking this non traditional ghost story will make you think about messages from the beyond. Filled with a fantastic group of characters you wont want to put this book down until you know just how it ends.
Or does it? With a possible cliff hanger I'm certainly interested in book 2. Don't worry though it does offer an ending to the story and a teasing of more.

This isn't a before bed read. So grab it for a weekend read, keep the lights on and the coffee hot.

"You'll love this if you like the movie Jacob's Ladder, Stephen King's The Dead Zone or Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House.

After surviving a near-death experience, David finds himself haunted by ghosts in the old Victorian house he is renovating. These tortured souls beg for his help and offer him protection from a demonic presence that wants David dead for a crime he doesn't remember committing. Even more surprising, he soon learns these are spirits of people who are not yet dead. Is this real, is he hallucinating, or is someone trying to drive him insane? As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers the truth is even more bizarre. The haunting won't stop until he kills a man named "Fitz.""

Oh, insanity or haunting or both?

I really enjoyed this ghost story.
A Victorian house, a troubled man - what could possibly go wrong?
The story was well paced and the plot interesting. It had a good dark atmosphere which i find really important. At times light and funny, other times creepy and dark, it was well balanced. I think i should check out other books by the writer.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the arc provided.

A Man Among Ghosts is a horror story about a man (duh) who moves into an old house and finds himself surrounded by ghosts (DUH) - the book certainly keeps what it promises on the title in that regard!

After fiding himself accosted by ghosts - some benevolent, some less so - David has to figure out what they want - and why they don't want him to leave the house behind, while simultaneously balancing a slew of other problems.
With the help of his friends, he tries to solve the riddle before the increasingly violent ghost attacks may end up costing him his life.

Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the writing style, and thought it could have profited from some more thorough editing to smoothe out the sometimes sketchy grammar.

A Man among ghosts is an engaging and fast-paced read, not too high on the horror- and gore scales. I would recommend it to people who are looking for a gateway book into horror that isn't too scary.

I want to thank NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.

This was my first Steven Hopstaken read and I can safely say it won’t be my last. I was invested fromthe first chapter, and the pacing of the story was just perfect for me.

I went in thinking that this would be the usual haunted house ghost story, but it was so much more! I was left second guessing what was real and what was in David’s mind after most chapters.

The ending hints that another book might follow, so fingers crossed we have not herd the last from David. 🤞🏼

Thank you to netgalley and Flame Tree Press for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amazing book! I was drawn in from the very beginning. There was a good variation in action and storyline. It seems almost like something that could actually happen with todays political climate. The book is set up for there to be a follow up and I cannot wait! I

Steven Hopstaken’s debut Stoker’s Wilde (2019) and sequel Stoker’s Wilde West (2020) were positively received upon release and his third novel A Man Among Ghosts is a clever change of pace, abandoning the adventurous historical world of Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde for contemporary America, featuring one of the weirdest of haunted houses.

There are a lot of ghosts featured in A Man Among Ghosts, so many in fact that they fail to have much in the way of a scare factor, even if some are aggressive and unpredictable. This is partly because the ghosts have their own agenda and motives, which is integral to the main longer arc of the novel which is revealed nice and slowly. Ultimately this makes A Man Among Ghosts a very unorthodox, haunted house novel, as it does not include many of the usual type of “Boo!” moments or much in the way of atmosphere. However, it is far from predictable and where the plot ends up is a million miles from where it begins, so much so I would avoid spoilers. Much is crammed into its 240 unpredictable pages.

The novel begins with David buying a dilapidated Victorian house after becoming tired of renting. Working in computer programming, he feels that it is time to settle down and live a more adult lifestyle. However, he is also slightly depressed as his best friend Gary (and girlfriend Shannon) will soon be moving out of the area and he hopes to make new friends but feels his best years might be behind him. Disaster then strikes and a brain tumour means he only has three months to live and around the same time he starts to see ghosts in his new house.

Mentally David finds himself in a very fragile state and calls of his old friend Gary to help, who is a successful magician/illusionist, but does not believe in ghosts and is sure he can prove what Gary is seeing is not real. It is difficult to say much more about A Man Among Ghosts without heading into spoiler territory, but I found myself seriously invested in figuring out what was going on. David makes friends with Gus, his next door neighbour, and even finds a new girlfriend, but can’t shake off the sense of paranoia that somebody is messing with him, but why. Strangely, many of the characters accepted very easily the fact that David saw ghosts and there are even a couple of exorcisms thrown into the mix courtesy of David’s estranged evangelical Christian father. Even more surprising, he soon learns that some of the spirits he sees are of people who are not yet dead and so pretty difficult to exorcise! When he sees ghosts (or whatever they are) in locations other than the house things get even wackier.

The advance blurbs namechecked the film Jacob’s Ladder, Stephen King’s The Dead Zone and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. The latter is probably overreaching slightly, but I could see snatches of Jacob’s Ladder and more significantly The Dead Zone which the book owes a larger debt to. It must also be said that there was also a very cool (unnamed) cat in this novel which made me smile. Even though the book was built around David I did not find him to be particularly likable, but not did I dislike him, and felt it could have been a stronger read if he been a slightly deeper character.

A Man Among Ghosts was a solid horror thriller which what it lacked in scares more than made up with a clever and wildly outlandish plot. It was also a very easy to read novel and I had fun speeding through it in not time at all.

Whattt i hope for usual ghost story, but this one was ghost from the future woww. It feel real, every headache I can feel it, David so calm meet many kind of ghost. I wonder if they is next book about Kang.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#AManAmongGhosts #StevenHopstaken #FlameTreePress#NetGalley #ARC

👻a man among ghosts 👻

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

this was such a good book!! david buys an old victorian house with rumours of being haunted, but he doesn't believe in ghosts, until he sees them. we follow him trying to figure out whether the ghosts he sees are in fact ghosts, or if they're hallucinations caused by his recent brain damage. the maybe-ghosts crop up in different parts of his life, giving him mixed messages that he can't fully make sense of. we go for a wild ride in davids mind as he tries to figure out whether the ghosts are really there, and which ones he should believe.

this was a fun book and it ends in a way that hints at a sequel and I SO hope there is one !! I definitely recommend getting a copy when it's out if you're into horror and want a modern haunted house story!!

tw: suicide attempt

I have read and loved Steven Hopstaken's Stoker's Wilde series so I was interested to read A Man Among Ghosts. This is a totally different piece of horror fiction compared to the Stoker's Wilde series, it's set in the present, it's not populated by real characters and at it's heart is a haunted house tale. I'm surprised that Hopstaken remains relatively unknown, his previous two novels are great and this modern haunted house story works just a well, the humour is there and there are plenty of unnerving moments. An author to look out for.

Such a good book! For me this book felt like a cross between Stephen King's The Shining and Blake Crouch's Dark Matter. Right in line with my favorites!

After purchasing an old Victorian home and surviving a near death experience, David begins seeing ghosts. Some are out to kill him while others seem to be trying to help him. He starts to realize these are ghosts of people he knows and worries he may be hallucinating or worse, someone is doing this to him on purpose. David realizes the hauntings won't stop until he does what they are asking, "Kill Fitz." But who is Fitz??

I read this book pretty quickly even though the chapters were pretty long. Every time I put it down I found myself going back to the story and wanting more. I couldn't decide if David was actually seeing ghosts or if he was hallucinating. And I didn't know who was real and who was a ghost so I was skeptical of all characters at all times.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 starts was because I felt like there needed to be one more chapter that explained a little more. The ending felt a little rushed. Also, I didn't really understand the Alice in Wonderland themed chapter titles. But maybe I missed the obvious on that one?

What an absolute delight to read – this was such a unique premise and gave me all of the psychological thriller fun I want from a horror along with well-placed and well-timed humour to add some lightness. I think it’s important to know that this isn’t a typical ghost or horror story, and the characters aren’t your typical ghosts – however, the characters are all wonderfully written, and the entire plot is captivating
Hopstaken is incredible. There’s a reason the early reviews are as high as they are.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing, on edge and invested from the first chapter, this is the one for you. The pacing felt perfect, leaving the perfect amount of time and space to process the story and question what comes next. So many eerie moments! This is a five star read that kept me hooked from the minute I booted up my kindle.

As usual, I read this initially as an ARC through NetGalley, but I’m genuinely excited for this to be released so I can add it to my shelves and revisit Hopstaken’s writing again and again.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.
A Man Among Ghosts follows David, who buys his first home in the Bay Area for ridiculously cheap due to the repairs that need to be done and the killing of a drug dealer that took place inside. No big deal for David, he’s looking forward to taking on this project. Soon after moving in, he starts to see people breaking into his home. The weird thing is that he can’t figure out how they’re getting in or out. David learns some unfortunate news about his health and has a very traumatic experience. The people he sees in his home and out of it are not what they seem.

This book was a really fun read! It is categorized as horror and has a good amount of terrifying descriptions for ghost encounters. There is still a bit of levity in the dialogue among characters that keeps the story from being to horror-filled. For the length of the book, I think the pacing was appropriate. The intent of the ghosts was really interesting and I wish we could have had more time with area.

I wouldn’t say this is the scariest book, but if hearing weird noises in your house while you’re all alone spooks you, then I would recommend this book!

TW for suicide attempt and drug use

After buying a house that needs many repairs and upgrades, David finds out that the migraines he is experiencing isn’t migraines. With a trial treatment he is cured of the disease but one of the side effects is that he now sees ghosts. These ghosts have a plan and need David to carry it out.

This is my first book of 2023 and it’s going to be hard to read anything better this year. The characters are wonderful. I like David and I empathize with him. Gary, Shannon and Gus were also very likable. The cat too and I wish I knew more about him. Cassy I’m not sure about.

This isn’t your typical haunted house story. It’s so much more. The reason why is something I will not spoil for you. It’s a perfect read for horror fans. I will definitely be looking for more to read from Mr. Hopstaken.

What a fabulous story this was! Hopstaken is definitely on my list of people to watch after this one... He has crafted an incredible universe and populated it with fantastic characters, alive and dead, and used them to present a story that is engaging, creepy, and wholly entertaining. As each chapter unfolds more weirdness is revealed, but it all comes together beautifully through the author's wonderful use of language.

I love a good haunted house tale, and this is that in spades - as well as a complex story about coming to terms with your own life, warts and all. There is tragedy pouring out of every page, yet the story never devolves into self-pity or sympathy. Rather, it's a tale about survival - on many fronts, in many contexts - and that unusual emphasis (for a ghost story) is part of what made it so dynamic and unusual (in the best possible way).

This was a super-fast read for me. I finished it in a day - literally. It held me in thrall from the first pages. Hopstaken has a magnificent ability to craft a deliciously dark and twisty world that draws you in and refuses to let you go. And that ending! I wonder if we might see more of the delightful David - and I truly hope we do!

Shortly after David buys an old Victorian fix-er-up he has a medical close call that leaves a small part of his brain changed. When he begins to see and hear ghosts he fears brain damage, insanity or even paranoia. He should be so lucky. The many spirits that haunt David are trying to get an urgent message across. “Kill Fitz”. Who is Fitz? David has no idea and he also has no plans to kill anyone anyway. Like most people receiving messages from the dead David is also frustrated with their cryptic communication methods. If you, Ghost, can do all 0f these creepy, spooky things and show me all these creepy visions why can’t you simply complete one sentence like, what’s up with this Fitz guy and why should I kill him?” When David finally thinks he’s solved.the entire puzzle he faces a terrible dilemma. He has a choice to make. Neither option is appealing, and both are terrifying and either way David knows he’s about to lose what’s dearest to him.

This books takes you on a wild ride as a passenger in David’s mind. What is real? What’s in his mind? Is someone just messing with him? Is it demonic, evil, spiritual? Is the house haunted, or is David haunted, or hallucinating? This wild ride reached a satisfying destination and we realize, finally, the whole truth and we know if David made the right choice after all.
#AManAmongGhosts

I am so lucky to have stumbled upon A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken! This book was weird and awesome, a true hidden gem. I was hooked by the first page and couldn't put the book down. The storyline was intriguing and truly terrifying. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

This was such an original and interesting read that gave me chills and made the hairs stick up on the back of my neck. I didn't know what ti think or who to believe. I loved it.

Don't you just hate it when ghosts are irritating you constantly, but they won't come right out and say what they want? Poor David, the protagonist, has a Victorian house full of ghosts and all they do is bleed all over him and leave cryptic messages. When the ghosts finally spill the beans, David is all, "Why me?"

Which are the lying ghosts? Which ghosts can he trust? Which are dangerous? Who among the spirits want to help him? And can an average guy, a computer programmer living in a haunted, run-down Victorian, change the future? Why, OH why, of all the people in the world, did they pick David?

Choose lovers carefully. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Thanks to Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for allowing me to read and review an eARC of A Man Among Ghosts.

A Man Among Ghosts
by Steven Hopstaken
After surviving a near-death experience, David finds himself haunted by ghosts in the old Victorian house he is renovating. These tortured souls beg for his help and offer him protection from a demonic presence that wants David dead for a crime he doesn’t remember committing. Even more surprising, he soon learns these are spirits of people who are not yet dead. Is this real, is he hallucinating, or is someone trying to drive him insane? As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers the truth is even more bizarre. The haunting won’t stop until he kills a man named “Fitz.”
David buys an old HAUNTED by ghost as he buys an old Victorian house .This is more than a haunted story of ghost.He is cured from a tumor. All the ghost are encouraging him to kill a man named Fitz. The why, and how will chill you. It was a very good read.

This is a ghost story but with an original premise that I really enjoyed. Because these aren't your typical spirits and this isn't your typical haunted house.

I always love when authors can take a standard horror trope and do something new and fresh with it. That's certainly the case here. There are plenty of ghosts in this novel, some seemingly benevolent almost and one in particular that just wants to kill our main protagonist.

Without giving away spoilers, this book imagines ghosts and hauntings from a time/space almost sci-fi perspective and there are enough red herrings and opinions from other characters that keeps the reader guessing until the truth is revealed.

This book is well paced and not overly wordy when it comes to mundane things. The characters are all different and fleshed out but the main focus is on the protagonist and what he's experiencing. Some of these situations are disturbing and frightening and these scenes solidify the mental state of the protagonist.

I really enjoyed this book, and even though the religious cult aspect fizzed out near the end with no resolution, there's still more than enough great stuff to give this book five stars. I do recommend it!

A Man Among Ghosts is a darkly funny, paranormal adventure through the eyes of one poor tormented individual.

This novel is like a book version of the paranormal activity movie packed full of satirical humour. Throughout the entire story you are subjected to moments that make you feel deep frustration for David, all he wants is his life and blow by blow, life takes its toll on him.

The beginning of the book is supremely ominous, there is a major trigger warning for suicide which is continuously referenced throughout. This scene is integral to the story though and sets the novel up in a brilliant way.

David is a fantastic protagonist who grows immensely throughout the read. Steve Hopstaken has done an outstanding job of creating a relatable, deep character with a rich set of character growth situations.

The stories prowess is cemented in its scenes of paranormal craziness. Steve Hopstaken is extremely talented when it comes to these scenes and I absolutely adored reading them, no matter how dark they may be!

A Man Among Ghosts is another fantastic instalment from Flame Tree Press and paranormal thriller fans are sure to have a blast with this one!

A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken brings us a scary ordeal of a man who encounters ghosts in his house. Foe the first few pages nothing much happens. But after few incidents the plot picks its pace and the real terror starts. The most exciting part of the plot is that we are left to figure out that is it our character's schizophrenia or real ghosts he is seeing. It was really an enjoyable read.

I would like to give 4 stars to the book. Thanks to Random Things Tours for providing me with an opportunity to read and review the book.

I used to love watching horror films when I was younger and the gripping, cleverly structured A Man Among Ghosts took me back to those days. Steven Hopstaken's novel is a chilling ghost story, peppered with humour and although set in the present, it evokes those classic movies so well, particularly the Amityville Horror, Poltergeist and Nightmare on Elm Street series of films. The premise is decidedly unsettling and there's a rising sense of tension throughout this imaginative paranormal tale, resulting in a compelling haunted house thriller which left me desperate for more.
It's obvious to readers right from the start that when David wins an old house in an auction, he is taking on more than a roof in need of repair and a heating system requiring immediate overhaul. There are signs even here that let the reader in on something which takes David much longer to realise. As the storyline progresses and this tale of terror becomes increasingly dark, the reason why he is unable to just cut his losses and sell up is easily explained. David's encounters with what seems to be spirits, apparently trying to seize his attention, range from the brief and almost inconsequential to the grim, gruesome and terrifying. Despite some humour lightening proceedings, there's an underlying sense of danger and ominous foreboding which becomes ever more frightening during the latter part of the book.
David is an engaging protagonist and is an interesting combination of being self-aware and yet understandably concerned about his mental and physical health. Even as he realises that all is not as it should be in the house, he is torn between different explanations – none of which are particularly comforting. He strikes a rather tragic figure at first but it becomes evident that despite his troubles, he is a likeable man who has people who care deeply for him. His best friend Gary might be leaving with his girlfriend to pursue his career as a magician but their friendship is always shown to be an enduring constant. I loved Gary – his magic tricks are horrifically gory and he definitely oversteps the boundaries as to what is decent in one scene in particular but he is determined to help his friend find out whether he is hallucinating, being haunted or hoaxed.
While David's confusion about what is happening to him makes perfect sense, the reader is shown throughout that his visitors cannot be explained away by science. Quite what they want from him isn't revealed until much later in the book; it's not easy to discuss here without giving away any spoilers but I can say that while it is always obvious that the mystery behind the names Fitz and Kang holds the key as to what is happening to David, I was genuinely surprised by the direction the story takes. The conclusion suggests there is more to come and if that's the case, I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel. A Man Among Ghosts is a deliciously dark, fresh and witty take on one of the most revered themes in horror fiction. A complex, compulsive read from start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

WE ARE MANY

I am always searching for more books about haunted houses. I’m not sure why I love them so much but I can’t get enough. If a book has “ghosts” in the title I will immediately add it to my TBR.

Straight out the premise reminded me of the BBC show Ghosts which I love. David begins to see things after a near death experience. Problem is he can’t tell if it’s all in his head or actually ghosts. And if it is ghosts, what do they want from him?

One thing I noticed in the storytelling is that some chunks are missing. For instance, we aren’t told that David has a doctors appointment where they are doing testing. We simply have him receiving a call saying he doesn’t have much time left. Some readers may enjoy that because it keeps the interest and pace fast but others may feel like they aren’t fully getting the story. You don’t have the thought or lead up just the action.

All ghosts aside, I love how David was trying to live life to the fullest. I really liked David’s point of view because it was comical, self deprecating at times and realistic.

Did some research on the author, Steven Hopstaken, and looks like this is his first standalone book! I really enjoyed my time reading A Man Among Ghosts. The characters are relatable and funny. The ghosts are spooky and downright scary. There are some interesting twists and complex take on ghosts/hauntings that was cleverly done!

I would definitely read more from the author and I suggest this to reader who want a unique take on a haunted house story. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily.

At the insistence of this best friend Adam goes to an auction for a beautiful Victorian home and is totally surprised when he wins with the bid. While in the living room waiting to sign the paperwork a man comes in with the little girl and tells him to leave that this is his house he is so surprised by that when the realtor comes back he tells her what happened and her and the auctioneer look all over but can’t find anyone. Little did Adam know this was just the first of many ghostly visitation tea would get and not all his visitors would be nice and not all or deceased. Soon after moving in though he has other problems to worry about having suffered from migraines for a while his doctor did a few tests and found out he has a big tumor in his brain and may only have six months to live and no yes biscuit also be why he saying apparitions. he is so depressed and cannot think of a future that he could fit in to six months so he decided to take his own life while laying in the tub with his arms slipped he sees a woman in the bathroom telling him you’re not going to die today you’re going to be OK today and instantly Adam wants to live he quickly calls 911 and then passes out he’s only company in the darkness is the woman from the bathroom and another man when he wakes up in the hospital he is surprised to see his dad there with tears in his eyes. When Adam was a teenager he lost his mom and older sister and was never close to his dad so he is surprised to see him not only at his bedside but apologizing for all he did wrong. Adam is happy to make nice with his dad and the timing couldn’t be more perfect his dad belongs to a church that believes in good ghost and demons and after he spends the night at Adam‘s new home he insist on sending the pastor another prayer warriors to read the home of the evil ghost. Spiritual health is not the only help you get though his neighbor is a professor and hooked him up with a ghost hunting expert it seems the aperition are getting worse and eventually they will get physical I haven’t even mention he keeps seeing kill Fitz Chang on his mirrors and he has no clue what that means… Until he does. I haven’t even come close to telling you the whole story this is one crazy tale eventually it will be left to Adam weather to the side is he really the only one who can save mankind or is he still losing his mind? This was a great book and when I thoroughly enjoyed a read that’s all it at one time and it isn’t a short book but it’s one you will not want to put down. I received this quote from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

At first I wasn't sure about this one. The initial set up and introduction to the main character didn't feel polished, or something. But as the book goes on, the action builds and it just gets better and better. Lots of ghosts, lots of what is going on moments. I don't want to add any spoilers, so I'll just say I like the idea of where the ghosts were coming from.
I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy ghost and haunted house books.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

I love horror books, so I had high hopes for this book. While It was a good book overall, I don't think haunted house horror books are my ... desired trope in the horror genre I suppose.
It was well-written. The storyline was solid with some great twists.
The world-building was great.... but I think the character development left something to be desired. We mostly only saw David's POV, which was the main point I suppose.

Again, overall a good book. technically a well-written novel. I just didn't LOVE it as much as I wanted to.

I did enjoy this read, and I'll be looking for more books by the author!

Definitely Not Your Standard Haunted House Story!

David is a quiet introverted man although lonely and unsatisfied with his life when he decides to buy an old Victorian home for a fantastic deal at an auction due to his friend nagging him to invest his money instead of shelling out many thousands each year on rent. Since the house is so old, naturally there will be creepy and odd noises from time to time except somewhat more than he expected. Even though the house needs a lot of work it makes David acquire important purpose in his life and helps him come out of his shell. Shortly after David moves into his new home he also receives some life altering news and then makes a very bad decision which will will have horrific consequences.

Within a short span of time David begins to hear things, sees words written on mirrors or windows and begins to see people appear in his house even a young child in her pajamas. Now, David does not believe in ghosts so he's not sure what to make of these spectral images who sometimes speak to him and the visions are so real that he calls his neighbor or friends telling them he has intruders breaking into his home. Then he starts seeing visions at his workplace and they are so real that he talks to them until they disappear or do something crazy that he can't come up with a practical explanation. David suffering from sleepless nights and shattered nerves gets himself into therapy since he finally comes to the conclusion that he' must be losing his mind because "There is no such thing as ghosts".

The wild path that David travels will change his life forever and he will have to make decisions that will affect his friends, family, co-workers and strangely even people he doesn't know. In the meantime he needs to distinguish these visions against reality and he will eventually understand he plays an enormous part in the great fight between good and evil but at what price must David pay when he can't even determine which visions are being truthful or deceitful or just using him for their own evil purposes or revenge from their past lives.

What a clever and entertaining story based on a haunted house. The first half of the book will have you thinking this is a typical haunting taking place although it will have you guessing throughout the book who and what are showing themselves to David. I have read a couple of books by the author "Steven Hopstaken" and have always been impressed by his creativity with writing and storytelling. I just loved his book "Stoker's Wilde" and would recommend it to horror readers and others since it just is such a fun ride although it does deal with the supernatural. This book is more of a dark horror although there was some light humor thrown in from time to time which was very appropriate and made the characters more enjoyable with their thoughts and actions. There was an incredible twist to the story that I never saw coming and then all the visions and puzzles that kept me guessing throughout the story finally made sense! I think almost every reader will be stumped by many of the ghosts since the twist that took place was quite unpredictable but by the end I was left shaking my head and saying Wow, I didn't see that coming. I really liked and enjoyed the character of David but I felt he was too matter of fact about several things that were taking place in the last quarter of the book where he didn't seem to be having the appropriate feelings about and with his actions. I just wanted more emotion from him although this didn't affect the great story. Some people might find this a very frightening book, for myself it takes a lot to scare me so I thought there were many spooky situations and images but I never felt scared but I loved when I would feel David's fear especially in the first half of the story.

This is an author that never lets me down and I highly recommend this book to all horror readers!

I want to thank the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given a rating of 4 CREEPY AND SPECTRAL 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!

Thank you so much to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.

I was really into this book until about the 60% mark. From here it feels like it jumps the rails, gets a bit too ridiculous, and feels rushed. The last 40% has a different vibe in the writing compared to the rest, and it just feels off.

The characters were great, and it was refreshing to actually have a character that has a solid support system that he can confide in in a horror novel. Often times the MC is left to their own devices, so I appreciated the active side characters.

I don't mind how this book ended, but with the build up of the first half I think that last third can be done better. It really feels like the author was on a time crunch, and maybe was not able to give that section of the book as much attention.

Overall, it's an easy and quick read that will certainly deliver if you're in the mood for ghosts.

A young man decides it's time to start "adulting" and buys himself a 100-year-old house. As soon as he arrives he finds out he has a brain tumour and starts hallucinating. But are these hallucinations or ghosts? If they are ghosts, there are many of them and they want something from him. Meanwhile, there is an evil one who wants to hurt him.

This was a standard ghost story I'd call mostly a cosy. There are injured ghosts and mild violence. The story was enjoyable and quick to read at under 300 pages. I found it a speed read and thought the various reasons people gave him (hallucinations, grifters, demons, ghosts) a lot of fun. Not the best writing but a very good read.

I have yet to find a great haunted house story. As far as I can remember this is the best so far at least. It definitely gave me the heeby jeebys and all the feels at the right moments and that’s a good balance in a scary book. Overall, it’s a safe recommendation.

I think this is a very good horror: creepy, fast paced, and keeping you on the edge as the unreliable MC is not always able to distinguish his vision from the real life.
There's echo of King and Jackson but the author did a good job in delivering an original story.
Well done, perfect if you love haunted house stories.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine