The Woods of Hitchcock by Ann W. Jarvie (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

The Woods of Hitchcock

The Henrietta series

by

Ann W. Jarvie

GENRE: Thriller, Psychological Suspense

 

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BLURB:

 

The Woods of Hitchcock by award-winning author Ann W. Jarvie is a thriller about a psychically gifted Chicago copywriter and victim of violence who returns to South Carolina's equestrian country to solve a riddle involving murder, the metaphysical and the secrets of her eccentric family.

 

Suzanne Clayborn is a psychically gifted southerner working in her dream job in Chicago, which also conveniently takes her away from the ghosts of her past. But when she's nearly killed, she realizes all she wants is to return home to her eccentric family, her horse and the one place she feels safe: Hitchcock Woods, an enchanting equestrian forest in South Carolina.

 

But instead of finding solace, Suzanne becomes entangled in a murder spree, while stumbling upon an old manuscript, written by her sage grandmother. As she explores it, Suzanne uncovers a tome of long-buried family haunts and ancient metaphysical secrets offering healing and inspiration. She also begins to understand her unwanted psychic abilities, especially after meeting a mysterious stranger in the Woods whose ominous riddle suggests others close to her will die within the week...

 

Brimming with raw emotion and a trail of psychological twists, a story of hope and transformation begins to unfold. Yet with the riddle's deadline looming, Suzanne's present must ultimately collide with a violent past. Will she be able to solve her life's riddle and fulfill her destiny? Or will she die along with those she loves?

 

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EXCERPT

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Gran, but do you think Joe Loco could be a ghost?” Suzanne asked, recognizing some physical similarities to JB, although they did not look exactly the same.

 

“My heavens, no,” Henrietta said and paused as though trying to sense the truth of it. After a few moments, she looked straight into Suzanne’s eyes. “No,” she repeated. “He is most assuredly not an earth-bound ghost.”

 

Suzanne let out a breath of relief. “Good!”

 

“Bears Repeating, whom we called Joe Loco, was not a confused soul, and he had no unfinished business,” Henrietta said. “He lived an extraordinary life of helping people recover from trauma and other soul-loss issues. He was the only truly enlightened person I’ve ever had the honor and privilege of knowing in this life. I’m sure he ascended into heaven when he passed from his physical body. That was more than ten years ago. But sometimes, I’ve felt his presence. I know when he visits me.”

 

“Do you see him?”

 

“No, I don’t have the gift of clairvoyance as you do. For me, I can empathically sense his good energy just swoop in and visit sometimes. It may sound funny, but I can also feel his deep sense of humor. He reminds me to laugh. And then I do.” She let go a stream of giggles and tears.

 

“I’m really glad to hear that,” Suzanne said, joining in with Gran’s laughter. “I was beginning to think JB, the guy I met in the Woods, might be your Joe Loco. You’ve no idea how relieved I am.”

 

Henrietta slowed her giggling and wiped her eyes. “I’m well aware that you believe Hitchcock Woods doesn’t allow ghosts.”

 

“Guess it’s just a coincidence that JB and Joe Loco have a lot in common.”

 

“What makes you say that?”

 

“JB speaks like a guru, although he has a strong southern accent. Like Joe Loco, he has light-brown skin, shiny black hair and wears colorful clothing. Except his clothes are not Elvis style, but rather, as I mentioned before, those of a southern frat boy.”

 

“I don’t believe in coincidences,” Henrietta said. “Perhaps he is your Joe Loco.”

Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Ann W. Jarvie has a B.A. in journalism and twenty-five years’ experience as a writer in advertising and public relations agencies, in Chicago and South Carolina. Although it stands completely on its own, The Woods of Hitchcock is an indirect sequel to Jarvie’s award-winning debut novel, The Soul Retrieval, which received four literary awards, the highest score by Writer’s Digest e-Book Awards’ judges (5 out of 5 on all points) as well as myriad positive reviews. Jarvie currently lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with her husband, their boxer dog and boxer mix rescue.

 

Website and Social Media:

 

AnnWJarvie.com

facebook.com/annwjarvie

instagram.com/annwjarvie

twitter.com/annwjarvie

 

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My review:

 

3.5 out of 5 stars

 

“The Woods of Hitchcock” by Ann W. Jarvie follows successful copywriter Suzanne Clayborn on her journey as both her professional and personal life are thrown into chaos by another frightening near-death experience. She has to find a way to integrate the advice she’s receiving with the disturbing events that surround her and to connect with her abilities and reach her true potential before things turn fatal…possibly for her or someone close to her.

 

This metaphysical and paranormal suspense story starts with a chilling event that gives a glimpse of Suzanne’s powers. As the story unfolds, more details about how her life was changed are interspersed with hints about spiritual connections and her family’s ties to Native American mysticism. There are a lot of poignant twists and turns, and danger that mounts as Suzanne encounters more and more mysteries, and one gets a feel for a different way of life through the extensive descriptions of Hitchcock Woods and some of the events it hosts.

I would have liked to have more depth to the secondary characters because so many of them seemed to have pivotal roles but only a brief time in the spotlight, so it was difficult to establish an emotional connection to them. Suzanne’s powers to see and communicate with ghosts are only intermittently alluded to, and I was surprised at some of her actions as I would think she’d want all of the clues she could get.

Those who are concerned with such things should be advised that there are occasional limited forays into a secondary character’s point of view, as well as a few inconsistencies and stereotypes that are a bit frustrating.

I liked the guidance to self-knowledge that Suzanne receives from several sources, and I think the advice that we need to empower ourselves to heal the spiritual wounds we carry because, “A negative mindset and negative emotions about it all keep old wounds in place.” is very apropos to all of us. The wonderful connection between horses and those who work with them is nicely evoked, and I think those who enjoy a mystery thriller with a mystical twist should give this story a try.

 

A copy of this title was provided for review