The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai by Jerome Peterson is a wonderfully weird tale of self discovery, love, and survival. Witches and Wicca, spells and spirits, and an extraordinary mystical Raven are all there for the taking in this compelling paranormal thriller.

After another failed romance, Andrew Sharpai has found a new home in Las Vegas and work as a cook in a high-end casino, where he meets a beautiful dancer named LaRae DuFont. The biggest show dancer in Vegas, LaRae introduces Andrew to the world of A-list celebrities, parties, and a fast-lane lifestyle in the media spotlight. The opposites fall in love and LaRae tells Andrew the story of how Mary Magdalene mistook Jesus for a gardener. Despite Andrew’s atheist ideal, he takes to the lesson that not everything is how it seems. As they plan their wedding, tragedy separates the pair, forcing Andrew into his gin; and he soon drifts from Vegas to Pocatello, Idaho.

His money gone, he takes a low-paying cook job and meets Iris Finkle, who is rumored to be a satanic witch. Andrew is more intrigued by her bold personality when she makes no effort to hide horrible facial scars. Iris is at first skeptical of Andrew’s intentions, but despite her aloofness the two become close. It isn’t long before the rumor of witchcraft is proved true when on an early date Andrew meets Iris’ ex-husband, Devon. Despite the strangeness of her lifestyle and religion, Andrew learns to love again—his flowers: Iris and her eight-year-old daughter, Lily.

Soon the four are living as an unlikely family unit along with a cat and a scene stealing raven, Elijah Corbeau. Devon returns and wastes no time in making his intentions known—he wants Lily. Iris refuses and Devon castes a frightening powerful spell on the new family. Not even Elijah can protect them from horrible nightmares and the evil presence of the curse. Iris tries every trick she knows to counter Devon while Andrew contemplates a return to his old ways of running from it all.

Jerome Peterson has crafted an extremely entertaining novel. The characters are well developed, especially the hero/drifter Andrew, and the strong, mysterious yet vulnerable Iris. The quirky and intelligent Lily adds a humorous touch without the precociousness so often seen in young fictitious characters. The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai cast a spell on me—I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it turned out. Suspense, a fast pace, plot twists, romance, wacky animals, and family bonds make this one of the best books I’ve read in 2010. If you enjoy a great paranormal thriller, The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai is a must read!

Highly recommended by William Potter for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews

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