The Crawling Darkness by J.L. Bryan [Review]

The Crawling Darkness (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #3) by J.L. Bryan
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 12, 2015

Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
1. Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
2. Cold Shadows
3. The Crawling Darkness - Paperback | Kindle
4. Terminal
5. House of Whispers
6. Maze of Souls
7. Lullaby
8. The Keeper
9. The Tower
10. The Monster Museum
11. Fire Devil
12. The Necromancer's Library
13. The Trailwalker
14. Midnight Movie
15. The Lodge
16. Cabinet Jack
17. Fallen Wishes
18. Sunset House
19. The Funtime Show
20. Miracle Mountain
21. Mortuary Manor

J.L. Bryan
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Ghost removal specialist Ellie Jordan must face a dangerous, shape-shifting entity that she and Calvin have encountered once before, with tragic results. The spirit has the power to reach into the minds of living and feed on their fears, taking the shape of their worst nightmares, and it has awoken in search of new victims.

Now Ellie must try to succeed where she and her mentor failed before, and try to defeat the twisted and powerful old ghost before it can claim another soul for its collection.

Thoughts on The Crawling Darkness: Before I start this review, there are a few things I need to get off my chest. (a) I'm kinda in love with ghost stories. Especially well written ones with plenty of backstory. (b) J.L. Bryan's books tend to hit the spot with me. They're twisty and just the right amount of gruesome. His brain. I like it.

Frankly, this book just worked for me.

Once again, Ellie and Stacey are facing off against something dark and malevolent. With what happened to Ellie and Calvin the first time they butted heads with this entity, there's an added level of tension. Not to mention the whole thing where children are at risk. I mean, that sucks no matter what sort of creature they're up against. Plus, I loooooove (not a sarcastic love, in case someone's reading it that way, but a long, drawn-out love that comes from the depths of my being) how the team has to piece together what happened years ago to understand what they're up against in the here and now.

Creepy things become even creepier when they have backstory.

There are hints of romance (you go, Ellie!), some rather unpleasant secondary characters, and a slew of bad things the team encounter inside the house.

As always, it was a highly enjoyable romp through a dangerous investigation!