"Beyond the Grave" - Book Review

Beyond the Grave by Mara Purnhagen

As the daughter of famous paranormal investigators Charlotte Silver's life has always been interesting. Then when real ghosts came to her for help, all things went crazy, and now an evil spirit is hunting her family. Not exactly the best way to start college.

It doesn't seem that long ago when I wrote my very first book review about Mara Purnhagen's first book in the "Past Midnight" trilogy (plus two novellas that filled in the gaps between the novels,) and now we have reached the conclusion with "Beyond the Grave".  (Though from the text on the cover, this might be an on going series, but I don't think it is.)

The consequence of "One Hundred Candles," the second book in the series, comes back to haunt Charlotte. A demonic like spirit is following her family and has already done severe damage.

One of the things I mentioned in the first review was that I really liked how Charolotte had her friends to help, and yet they never came off as a 'Scooby Gang' that many of these types of stories could be. Instead, her friends are supporting her through her struggles in her day-to-day life as she helps them with theirs. It's only natural that they would be there for her when the supernatural gets angry. A greater example of this is a fellow student, that was practically a schoolyard enemy in the first book, now becomes an important close friend. The growth of friendships and family is what make's Purnhagen's stories enjoyable and successful.

I did have a little trouble with the explanation of what and where the evil force came from, and those who are granted abilities to stand against it. Yet, the Paranormal of this story only helps to support telling Charlotte's tale.  It's her story and greatly worth the read.

Reading all of the "Past Midnight" series has been very enjoyable to read for all ages. I look forward to Mara Purnhagen's future stories.

Book Review – “One Hundred Candles” by Mara Purnhagen

“One Hundred Candles” by Mara Purnhagen

Often when you put teenager and ghosts together in one story you end up with “the Scooby Gang” as Buffy called he friends, which in turn was a reference to the Hanna Barbara animated series “Scooby Doo Where Are You?” that began back in the sixties.

There is no “Scooby Gang” to be found in the PAST MIDNIGHT series of Young Adult novels by Mara Purnhagen.

Instead we have Charlotte Silver, her family, and friends having to deal with the ordinary struggles of high school life. From struggles with schoolwork, getting a first boyfriend, and the concerns of a family in trouble. These day-to-day struggles only become all the more important when a real supernatural threat enters their lives. A potential divorce is more dangerous than a demon.

Though Charlotte’s parents are paranormal investigators, the story has never been about hunting down ghosts. Her father doesn’t believe in ghosts, it’s just residual energy. It’s about a young woman seeking an ordinary life, and not loosing it when its finally in her grasp.

In a previous review I described “Raising the Dead”, Purnhagen’s novella that takes place between PAST MIDNIGHT and ONE HUNDRED CANDLES as a weekend jaunt. A wonderful little story but has no major impact upon our characters or the world they lived in. I can certainly say that we are deep into the workweek with ONE HUNDRED CANDLES.

The threats have grown for Charlotte; socially, personally, and supernaturally. When it’s over, things can never go back the way they were.

As to Purnhagen’s writing style, I found something quite interesting in ONE HUNDRED CANDLES that I hadn’t notice in the earlier books. She would start a chapter at one point and then jump back and fourth telling the reader of the events that lead up to that moment before finally moving on. Truthfully, I was confuse at first and it took a few chapters to get use to, but then I began to look forward to seeing how she would start off the next chapter. It was a really fun and interesting way to keep us inside Charlotte’s mind and point of view of events around her.

It’s going to be hard to write further reviews of the PAST MIDNIGHT series, as I’ve really been enjoying them and looking forward to the next. Won’t be able to give a non-biased opinion to the next book in the series.

ONE HUNDRED CANDLES burns brightly Mara Purnhagen.

Kevin Paul Shaw Broden

Four Names of Professional Creativity.