A complex and engaging blend of paranormal urban fantasy and occult horror!➱ Ghost Hunter Series, Paranormal Urban Fantasy by Martin J. Best Book Tour with Guest Post and giveaway

 

 

A complex and engaging blend of paranormal urban fantasy and occult horror! 

A Matter of Faith

Ghost Hunter I

by Martin J. Best

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy 

Fledgling Ghost Hunter Malachi Hunter is back with a vengeance in the first full-length novel of the macabre Ghost Hunter series!

Lonely paranormal investigator Mal yearns to find some direction and true happiness in his life. His world is rapidly changing- and not necessarily for the better. That is until he receives a fateful call which will once again put his eerie expertise into play. Fiercely independent single parent Teena Maunder is determined to handle anything which dares to cross her path. She is resolute and determined. However, when her home becomes the scene for a terrifying and baffling haunting, Teena appears to have met her match. Turning to Mal for help, the scene is set for a deadly paranormal onslaught. Mal quickly finds himself embroiled in a supernatural battle unlike any he has faced until this point. He could very well be out of his league this time. Be that as it may, the stakes could not be any higher as a blossoming romance has ignited between Mal and Teena. This could finally be his chance to claim the love and happiness he so desperately craves. All that stands in the way is a hideous entity which has entirely different plans!

Come join Mal as he continues his journey to become an elite paranormal investigator. When you have managed to regain your composure, be sure to check out the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter series!

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Of Gods and Ghosts

Ghost Hunter II

Everyone hold onto your hats! Intrepid paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter has returned in the second novel of the Ghost Hunter Series. It is time to step it up a notch!

Resolute ghost hunter Malachi Hunter is no longer the lonely outcast that he once was. He is now armed with blossoming confidence and sheer tenacity. This transformation is undoubtedly due to Mal’s new crack team of ghost hunters. His fierce partner Teena and her clairvoyant daughter Carolyn fit Mal like a glove. A good thing too…because the eerie job of ghost hunter is about to get increasingly terrifying and precarious.

In the midst of investigating a strange and peculiar haunting, the freshly formed group of ghost hunters have new and terrifying challenges unexpectedly thrown their way. Occultists are battling to awaken and gain control of Camulos, the mythical Pagan God of Warfare. The consequences of this evil rebirth would be catastrophic. Mal and his team will soon face danger on a scale unlike anything they have seen. Horrific and unimaginable!

At the same time, a betrayal is afoot. An insidious force is working behind the scenes to break up this new team of ghost hunters before they even have a chance to start the ball rolling.

Will they overcome such insurmountable odds and prevail? Or are things on Earth about to drastically change in a way nobody could possibly envision!

Be sure to join Mal and his group of phenomenal ghost hunters as they continue their exciting journey. You don’t want to miss the other gripping titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!

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Blood Ties

Ghost Hunter III

Relentless paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his team are back in the third novel of the Ghost Hunter Series. Hopefully your sixth sense has prepared you for the ghastly, supernatural terror which is to come in this instalment!

Mild-mannered Charles Chandler is all set to enjoy a well-earned early retirement with his family. However, after they relocate to a new residence, eerie and frightening things begin to take place in their home. A terrified Charles reaches out to Mal, and the hunt begins. Although - who is actually the one being hunted this time around?

At the same time, a fresh band of ruthless occultists have their sights set on a familiar yet deadly target. They are determined to capture and subjugate Camulos, the Celtic God of Warfare. The callous group will soon find themselves on a direct collision course with Mal and his exceptional team. A terrifying supernatural and hard fantasy encounter which is bound to produce some very nasty results.

However, who will ultimately prevail? Mal and his team may be in well over their heads this time. Come join them on their journey and be sure not to miss the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!

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Remnants and Revenants

Ghost Hunter IV

Steadfast paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his formidable team are back in Book Four of the renowned Ghost Hunter Series. Everything is on the line this time- and the odds are stacked against them in a ghastly fashion!

Retirees, Ray and Christa Brown have taken the plunge into the world of the hospitality industry. They have precipitously invested all their money into buying and restoring the Torre Mews guest house. Unfortunately, the purchase has come with an unexpected and ghostly “fringe benefit.” Mal and his team are once again called into action and tasked with investigating and eradicating this intractable paranormal disturbance.

Meanwhile, this troublesome haunting leads directly to an unsolved murder which is about to create some serious complications for Mal and his crew. Significant occult research has been exposed which could unmask some meticulously hidden and very dangerous secrets. Further, a wicked group known as the Esoterica Foundation has discovered this information and will do whatever it takes to capitalize upon it. The stage is set for the ultimate showdown…and precious lives are hanging in the balance.

Will Mal and his crack team of paranormal investigators be able to connect the dots and solve this case? Or is the world as we know it in for a dose of an entirely new and horrifying reality? Be sure not to miss the other eerie titles in the Ghost Hunter series!

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Pariahs

Ghost Hunter V

Ardent paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his crack team return for Book Five of the transcendent Ghost Hunter Series. The group are set to tackle intense and unparalleled challenges which could very well reach beyond their extensive acumen this time!

While renovating a former Roman Catholic orphanage, a construction team has encountered bizarre and unexplained incidents. With the work on the project virtually ground to a halt due to this suspected paranormal activity, Mal and his team are called upon to conduct a ghostly investigation. Whatever could have happened in this lonely orphanage so many years ago? The ghost hunters are about to find out, and the terrifying answer to this question will come in the form of a spiteful poltergeist infestation which will test them to their limits!

While the team of steadfast ghost hunters are busy confronting the troubling haunting- there is another perilous plot afoot. A surreptitious group known as the Partisans of Taranis are zeroing in on the secret gateway to the Summer Lands, which is the home of the Celtic Gods. Discovery of this portal could be the catalyst for death and destruction on an unprecedented scale. Having an insider planted within the Partisan group, Mal and his team of ghost hunters are tipped off about the deadly incursion.

The race is on to prevent this catastrophe in the making…with the outcome very much in doubt! Come join Mal and his crew as they once again confront the unknown. Be sure not to miss the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!

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Occultus

Ghost Hunter VI

A predatory entity from religious mythology has attached itself to hapless Seth Bowden, leading his terrified sister to contact the ghost hunters. They agree to investigate, and uncover a disturbing history of mental illness, suicide, and an intelligent haunting.

As the team seek to resolve Seth’s problem, their leader, Malachi Hunter, becomes involved with the police investigation into a horrific ritual murder, finding himself pitted against a member of the Order of Nine Angles, the most dangerous occult organisation in existence, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

The scene is set, and the ghost hunters face the most difficult and dangerous challenges of their lives. Will their courage and determination be enough to see them through, or is victory beyond their reach?

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Matter of Faith

The sound of someone moving around downstairs focussed Teena’s attention. Carolyn’s best friend Emily was staying over, and the sounds likely meant that one, or both, of the teenagers were raiding the kitchen for an illicit snack. She glanced at the bedside clock; it was after two in the morning. Teena smiled in the darkness. Let them have their fun, there might even be an innocent explanation such as fetching a glass of water. She closed her eyes and relaxed. A moment later, she sat up in bed and switched on the light; footsteps were coming up the stairs. Concerned now, Teena waited for her bedroom door to open, prepared to diagnose and remedy an ailment. Instead, she heard the door to the spare bedroom open. Puzzled, she searched for an explanation. Perhaps Emily, unfamiliar with the house, was half-asleep and confused? Sleep-walking even? Teena quickly left the bed, put on her dressing gown, and hurried out onto the landing. The door to the spare bedroom was open, and she could just make out movement within. With a half-formed notion about not startling sleep-walkers, she crossed the landing and peered in through the doorway. The curtains were open, and there was sufficient ambient light that it was obvious the room was unoccupied. Uncertainly, Teena stepped back onto the landing. How could she have been mistaken? Before she could ponder any deeper, she heard footsteps in the kitchen. “Carolyn? Emily? Is that you?” There was no answer, but footsteps started up the stairs. Thoroughly disconcerted, Teena reached out and switched on the light. The footsteps stopped. The staircase was empty. An icy chill ran up her spine, and she stood petrified for several seconds, before racing back to her bedroom.

With the door shut, she switched the main light on, picked up her phone and dialled the police. Assured that they were on their way, she summoned the courage to go downstairs and check on the girls. The house was quiet as she made her way nervously downstairs. She turned on the front room light and looked inside before entering; it was untenanted. Teena entered and crossed to the door that led to Carolyn’s basement bedroom, opening it quietly. She walked down three steps of the steep wooden staircase and looked across the room. Enough light was coming from above that she could clearly see that Carolyn and Emily appeared to be sound asleep. Satisfied that they were alone, she retraced her steps, closed the door, and went to the window to await the arrival of the police.

As Teena waited, she attempted to rationalise what had happened. She was convinced that an intruder had been in the house, and that they had probably been scared off when she switched on the light. However, that didn’t explain the opening of the spare bedroom door. It occurred to her that she hadn’t checked the back door. Perplexed now rather than frightened, she saw the police patrol car pull up outside, and went to open the front door. The two male constables introduced themselves as PCs O’Brien and Stevens, listened to Teena’s account, and joined her on a tour of the house. Back in the front room, the two officers sat on the settee, Teena in an armchair. “As far as we can tell, Miss Maunder, your property is secure,” O’Brien said, “there’s no evidence of a forced entry, and the only keys are accounted for.” He leaned forward, hands clasped. “I don’t mean to doubt your story, but is it possible that you made a mistake?”

“I’m starting to believe that I must have, but I don’t understand how.”

“Perhaps the noises came from one of the adjoining properties,” Stevens suggested. “When everything’s quiet at night, sounds that you would normally hardly notice seem much louder; particularly if you’re half-asleep.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” Teena was sure that he wasn’t, but was starting to feel embarrassed. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

“You haven’t,” O’Brien said firmly, “far better to be safe than sorry.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

The two men rose and made ready to leave; Teena showed them to the door. O’Brien paused, his hand on the latch. “Your surname sounds familiar, have we met before?”

“No, I don’t think so, but you may know my brother, Bradley Maunder, he’s a detective constable in Torquay.”

O’Brien nodded. “That’s it. I knew I recognised the name. Well, we’ll bid you good-night, Miss Maunder.”

“Good night, and thank you.”

Of Gods and Ghost

They waited; nervous and quiet. The feeling of presence intensified, causing Mal to look down into the woods where he thought he saw movement deep in the shadows, but couldn’t be sure. He looked at Rueben. The DCI’s unwavering gaze was fixed on the top of the steps, his expression implacable. They waited for another twenty minutes. Mal’s legs were beginning to tremble with the effort of maintaining the same position. He was about to move when Rueben spoke, “Heads up! They’re here. Turn your torches on.”

Down the steps, into the bright semi-circle of light, came Thomas Ackermann and his captive. He stopped seven or eight feet away from the policemen and Mal, blinking in the light. He held the knife to the PCSO’s throat. “Hello Tom,” Rueben said.

“Detective Chief Inspector Rueben,” Tom replied, “only the best for me, eh?”

“You’ve led us a merry dance, Tom, I hope you think it was worth it.”

“It will be. As soon as you let us pass.”

“I can’t do that, Tom.”

“Then this young lady has a very short future.” Tom moved the knife across the woman’s throat, a fraction of an inch above her flesh.

“Then you have no hostage.”

“True.” Tom moved the knife so that the point was almost touching the woman’s right eye. She screwed both eyes tightly shut, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I doubt that you can stand there and let me mutilate her, and still have my hostage.”

Rueben tutted. “Would you really do that, Tom?”

“I have a lot at stake, sir.”

Rueben nodded. “And if I choose to apprehend the rest of your party?”

“I don’t recommend it.” Tom pointed towards the dark woods.

Rueben looked in the direction indicated. Standing absolutely motionless in the dim light, was an unusually tall man. “Camulos?” Tom nodded, looking surprised. “We know exactly what’s going on, Tom.”

“Then you’ll be aware of what will happen if you stop us.”

“I have a fair idea. Perhaps I’d better not detain you.” Rueben stepped back, motioning the rest of his party to do likewise.

“Very wise, sir.” Tom looked behind him to where his acolytes had stopped. “Come on,” he commanded, and began to move past Rueben.

“You know as well as I do what’s going to happen next,” Rueben said. “The whole circus’ll be here, and you won’t know a moment’s peace.”

“It won’t make any difference,” Tom replied over his shoulder, “none of you’ll be able to get near the dell ’til we’re ready to come out.” He tightly grasped the PCSO’s arm and guided her down the slope. “When we do come out, nothing will stop us.”

“What about you ladies?” Rueben addressed the four women as they filed cautiously past him. “Are you looking forward to roughing it in the cold wet woods?”

“Our God will sustain us,” Molly replied.

“What about you, Miss Tobin?” Rueben continued, as Sandra sidled past him. “Your parents are worried sick about you. Are you going to continue torturing them?” Sandy looked at him, but made no reply.

Rueben turned and watched Tom and his acolytes make their way carefully down the slope and disappear into the gloom. Camulos had gone. Footsteps approached from above. The uniformed officer and Brad shone their torches up the steps, revealing Lang, a uniformed officer, and a male PCSO. They joined Rueben’s team. “What happened sir?” Lang asked Rueben.

“We had to let them past. Ackermann is armed with a knife, and he was threatening the hostage with it.”

“What do we do now sir?” Brad asked.

Rueben ignored the question. “Is the Maidencombe end still secure, Lang?”

“Yes sir. After PC Frasier was assaulted, and PCSO Chapman was abducted, I asked for witnesses and most of the crowd disappeared.” She snorted disdainfully. “I’ve left two men with instructions not to let anyone into the car park.”

“Good.” He pointed to the two officers that had accompanied Lang. “You two, back up the steps and stand guard at the top. No one in or out.” The two officers hurried back up the steps. Rueben addressed the remaining officer, Lang, and Brad. “You three go back to the car park. Lang, maintain contact with the officers at Maidencombe. Maunder, call the station and apprise them of the situation. I want a Major Incident Unit and a negotiator here ASAP.”

“Yes sir,” Lang and Brad answered together.

The three officers set off through the woods. When they were alone, Rueben indicated that Mal should follow him. They walked to the top of the path that Tom and his acolytes had taken, where Rueben stopped. “I didn’t anticipate that Ackermann would take a hostage,” Rueben said, lighting a cigarette. “There’s a set procedure that I have to follow. It means that a number of specialist officers will appear, probably including an armed response unit. There will be at least one officer more senior than me, and they will take over the scene.” He blew smoke into the night air. “It’s likely that they’ll leave Ackermann and co. to stew overnight, if only to demoralise them, but keep them under observation. I know it means that there will almost certainly be witnesses, but if you and Fisher don’t act tonight, people are going to be injured or killed.” He turned to face Mal. “Can you do that?”

Pirahs

From the floor below came the sound of running footsteps.

“This is really disconcerting,” Wolfe said, “should we go after it?”

“We’ll go down, but calmly.” Mal looked at his companions in the torchlight. “We don’t want to turn this into a game of hide and seek that we can’t possibly win.” He led them down the stairs, and along to the bathroom. “Let’s have another go at communicating.”

Nick held up the recorder. “Nick, Mal, and Wolfe, St Vincent’s, first floor bathroom. If you can hear me, please give me a sign.”

From above came a dragging sound, as though a heavy piece of furniture was being moved.

“What can that be?” Wolfe asked. “There’s nothing up there.”

“I don’t know,” Mal answered.

“OK,” Nick continued, “we can hear you. Now, can you turn on one of the taps, please?”

Footsteps approached the bathroom. Wolfe who was nearest the door looked out cautiously. “I can’t see anything.” The steps passed the door, and carried on down the corridor.

“We know that you’re here,” Nick said, “if you understand me, please turn a tap on.”

From the direction that the steps had taken came a loud rhythmic thumping.

“Heads up,” Wolfe said, “that sounds like the ball bouncing.”

The noise came closer, the tempo consistent. Wolfe trained his torch out into the corridor. The ball appeared in the circle of light, bouncing steadily, then stopped, suspended three feet in the air. The ghost hunters stared at it in amazement. The tableau held for several seconds, then the ball gently descended to the floor. Wolfe tentatively moved to pick it up. From the basin came a sudden rush of water, making them all jump, as both taps were turned full on.

“Thank you,” Nick said, “can you turn them off now, please?”

The water ran unabated, until Mal reached out and turned the taps off. He had barely stepped back, when the taps turned on again. He turned them off.

“I’ve got the ball,” Wolfe informed them.

“If you two don’t mind, I’d like to suggest a tactical withdrawal to ops,” Nick said, “I would appreciate a break, and we can consider our options.”

Back in the light of the hallway, they relaxed a little, everything appeared as they had left it. Nick opened the front door and stepped out into the night air, taking his cigarettes from a coat pocket. Wolfe moved a flight case against the door, and he and Mal followed.

Nick lit his smoke. “I apologise for pulling us out, but the situation was starting to overwhelm me.”

“No need to apologise, Nick,” Mal answered, “it was overwhelming. It was the most intense paranormal experience that I’ve ever had.”

“I was ready for a break myself,” Wolfe added.

Nick rubbed his stubbly chin. “I never imagined that so much activity could be sustained for so long.”

“I think that Mal was right in what he said earlier,” Wolfe said, “this is a truly significant case.” He rested a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Are you all right to carry on? There’s absolutely no judgement if you’d rather not.”

“I’m fine, Wolfe, I just needed to take a step back and process what’s happening.” He took a long pull on the cigarette. “Now, I think we’re all satisfied that the place is haunted, what we need is a strategy. We’re on the right track, but we need to draw the entity to us and focus its attention for long enough to effectively communicate.”

Wolfe grinned at his friend and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man!”

“How about setting up the shadow detectors and LED strips in the first room on the right?” Mal said. “There’s already a camera in there. We can stay put, call out, and see what happens.”

“Where did you put the boot that you found, Nick?” Wolfe asked.

“It should be by the generator in that first room.”

“Good. We can use that as a trigger object, and try calling out some of the names that Teena found.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Nick exhaled smoke. “We need to give Tasha and Teena a thorough briefing before they come here, although, I don’t believe viewing any amount of evidence will prepare them for the reality.”

“No argument here,” Mal said. “I wonder if adding female investigators to the mix will change the entity’s behaviour? There seems to be a reaction either from or against the nuns.”

“That’s an interesting point,” Wolfe said, “the orphanage was clearly a strictly regulated matriarchal organisation, introducing Tasha and Teena could certainly elicit a response.”

Nick took a final drag of his cigarette, and flicked the butt into the rough ground. “Shall we go back to it?”

Favourite Books and Authors

 

In no particular order, some of my favourite authors are: Clark Ashton Smith (Lost Worlds, et al); Brian Lumley (Necroscope, et al); Jack Vance (Trullion: Alastor 2262, et al); J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, et al); H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu, et al); Mervyn Peake (Titus Groan, et al); Orson Scott Card (A Planet Called Treason, et al); Thomas Ligotti (Teatro Grottesco, et al); C.J. Sansom (Sovereign et al); and James Herbert (Ash, et al).

  

Do You Write In Silence, Or Do You Prefer Noise?

 

I like to have music playing in the background when I write. I choose the music according to my mood, and what I feel is appropriate to what I’m writing. In practice, this means anything from Black Sabbath, Ghost, and Rammstein to The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Faun, and Versengold.

Pen, Typewriter, Or Computer?

 

I use Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet, which serves admirably for writing, and designing covers.

 

What Is Your Writing Process?

 

At the beginning of a book, I start with the bare bones of a plot, a few specific events that I want to include, and let the story evolve spontaneously, changing the narrative as necessary. I research as I go along, and often find things, sometimes seemingly unrelated, that I then include. I make a few notes as I go along, but most of the story is only in my head. It may seem haphazard, but it works for me.

  

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I write stories that I’d like to read, and hopefully, others will enjoy them too. I believe them to be original; I’ve never read anything like them. If I tried to write to suit a trend, or on a subject that I’m not intimately familiar with, the result would lack authenticity and conviction, and I believe that readers would notice.

Martin J. Best was born in Torquay, England, in 1965, where he lives with his wife, Kim, and their dogs, Shadow and Raven. Dubbed the Prince of Paranormal by antipodean author Mark Carnelley, Martin grew up in an actively haunted house, which probably accounts for his abiding interest in all things supernatural. He has had a varied work life, and spent many years running his own mobile disco business. He now writes full-time, and when not working, is a keen walker, music enthusiast, and ghost hunter.

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