Ghost Hunter Series - Book Tour 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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​ 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 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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​ 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?”
​

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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​

​ “Seriously for a minute,” Mal said, “the way that this haunting is developing worries me.”
“In what way?” Nick was back to business.
“Well, it’s gone from a couple of funny feelings, to auditory phenomena, to shadow figures, and now a full-bodied apparition, in a very short time. The energy to do that has to be coming from somewhere.”
“You’re thinking the daughter, Sera.”
“I am. I didn’t want to worry them, but I think at least one of the entities is leeching off her.”
“It might not just be Sera,” said Teena quietly. The two men looked at her. “You saw how Fermac reacted to Charles. Perhaps he could sense something that we couldn’t.”
“That’s certainly possible,” Mal said thoughtfully. “I wish Wolfe or Carolyn had been here, I bet they’d have picked up on it.”
“Well, they’ll be with us tomorrow.” Teena sat up straight. “Right, let’s be doing. I’m going to phone Wolfe, put him in the picture, and ask him to pick Carolyn up a bit earlier and feed her. That way we can eat when we like. Oh, and I’ll ask him to take Fermac as well. You and Nick go and organise the equipment, then Nick can go home and have some sleep. You and I can take turns during the day. We’ll reconvene here at seven-thirty.” She looked from Mal to Nick. “Is that all OK?”
Nick saluted smartly. “Yes ma’am!”
Teena blushed. “Sorry, am I being bossy?”
He laughed. “No, just organised. Are you sure that you weren’t in the army?”
“Come on,” said Mal with a smile, “let’s go and get the gear ready.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Charles and Isabelle pulled up outside of Sera’s school. “Do you know,” said Charles, “I think that was the best day out that you and I have had in a very long time.”
Isabelle smiled at him. “And all it took was a disaster.”
“Ironic, isn’t it?”
“I feel that it’s my fault.”
“The haunting?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Not that. The, distance, that’s grown between us. I was used to spending my days as I pleased when you were working, and I’ve carried on the same since you retired; and that’s not been fair to you.” Charles started to speak, but she held up a hand. “Let me finish, Charlie. This is an opportunity to make time for us, and I should have seen that. When all this ghost business is sorted out, I promise not to be so self-absorbed.”
Before Charles could reply to this unexpected revelation, Sera arrived. “Hi Mum, hi Dad.”
“Hello princess, how was your day?”
“I’m glad that it’s the weekend.”
“How are you feeling?” asked Isabelle.
“I’m OK, still tired though.”
“Well, you can have a rest when we get home.” Charles started the engine, and pulled away. “The ghost hunters are coming tonight, so hopefully they’ll sort things out, and we can get back to normal soon.”
Back at the house, Sera spent several minutes assuring her parents that she would be all right going upstairs on her own. Finally, she was permitted to leave the kitchen unaccompanied, and headed to her room. Although she hadn’t admitted it, as soon as she entered the house, she felt as though a mist had descended on her mind. It didn’t help that she felt so tired. She had struggled all day to focus on what she was doing. Still, she could relax now; go up to her bedroom and rest quietly. She hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, and started climbing the stairs. On the landing, she paused, feeling a little uneasy: but it was four in the afternoon, and the sun was streaming through the window, so Sera pushed her anxiety to the back of her mind, and went into her bedroom. Her mum had insisted that she leave the door open, and she dutifully complied. She dropped her bag carelessly on the floor, and flopped backwards onto the bed. Lying comfortably, she thought, I’ll just close my eyes for a minute.
When Sera awoke, the room was considerably darker. She was tempted to stay on the bed, but knew that she really ought to change out of her school uniform. With a sigh, she sat up, and found herself facing a young girl. Too surprised to react, Sera just gawped. The girl was wearing a white apron over a long, shapeless, dark grey dress, her hair concealed by a white mob cap. Sera’s horrified gaze was drawn to the girl’s face. Her skin was unnaturally pale, almost translucent, but her eyes were a startling blue. Sera was unable to look away. It was as if she was falling into a mental cesspool. The entity’s aura drowned her mind in a sluggish whorl of perverse emotions, intimate vulnerabilities, and depraved images until she was unable to distinguish them from her own thoughts and memories. Then an explicitly violent scene played out in her mind’s eye, and she screamed aloud in shared terror and agony, then mercifully sank into the oblivion of unconsciousness.
​

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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​ Wolfe got to his feet, Nick followed suit. “I’ll tell you this much, Carol,” Wolfe said solemnly, “if you attempt to use The Fall, you will all die.”
“Then our deaths will be on your conscience. Help us, and you’ll be saving lives.”
“I’ve warned you of what will happen. If you choose to ignore me, you have only yourselves to blame. My conscience is clear.”
“Very well.” Carol slowly rose, and moved away from the table. She gestured to Henry, then Molly, and finally Lee. They joined her, and the group linked hands, heads bowed.
Nick nudged Wolfe. “Time to go?” he asked softly.
“Soon. I want to see what they’re going to do.”
“I don’t think it’s country dancing.”
Henry raised his head, and began chanting, “Roroth Hoet Geana Crocuta. Tasa Hoet Naca Baal-Bereth.”1 The others quickly joined in. The chant had been repeated three times, when a rough oval of air between Nick and Wolfe and the door began to shimmer as though with heat haze. A humanoid shape rapidly began to solidify. It stood about five and a half feet tall, stooped, with a large head. In a few seconds, the entity was fully materialised.
Will screamed, threw himself from the chair, and took cover under the table.
Nick wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking at. Stocky hominid legs, covered in grey brown fur, supported a thick torso, topped by an entirely bestial head. A pair of elongated canines projected several inches from the lower jaw, bypassing their counterparts from the upper jaw. Above a squat muzzle, widely spaced vertically pupiled eyes sat below forward-facing ears. It flexed muscular arms that terminated in sharp clawed paws, and looked balefully around the room.
“Crocuta!” Henry shouted. “Stop them!”
Crocuta looked at Henry, then at Nick and Wolfe.
Henry screwed his eyes shut, directing the power of the Circle at Crocuta. “Stop them!”
Crocuta took a step towards the two men, growling menacingly. Nick didn’t wait for it to come any closer. In one smooth movement, he turned, seized a heavy wooden chair, and smashed it over Crocuta’s head. The beast recoiled, raising its arms too late to deflect the blow, then roared in pain and fury.
“Run!” bellowed Nick, and dashed for the door.
Wolfe followed, but Crocuta grasped his arm, sinking claws into the flesh, stopping him. Desperately trying to avoid its other arm and snapping jaws, Wolfe flailed the creature’s head with his free hand. A searing pain told him that he wasn’t succeeding. Desperate, he wrenched his arm loose, Crocuta’s claws slicing him to the bone, and lurched out of the room.
Nick was waiting by the open front door. “Move it!”
Wolfe forced himself to run, his long legs pumping like pistons, and the two men sprinted for the Land Rover. “You drive,” Wolfe said, throwing Nick the keys.
Crocuta appeared at the front door, and began lumbering down the steps. Nick started the engine and switched on the headlights, revealing Crocuta a few feet in front. Nick jammed the vehicle into gear and drove straight into the monster, knocking it flat. He carried on driving, the offside rear wheel bumping over the downed creature. At the bend, he glanced in the mirror, and was amazed to see Crocuta climbing to its feet. Nick abandoned all caution, and the Land Rover shot down the drive and into the road. Only when he was sure that they weren’t being followed, did he slow down and head for Wolfe’s nearby apartment. He let out a sigh of relief. “Are you injured Wolfe?”
“Yes,” he replied through gritted teeth. He took a deep breath. “But nothing that I won’t recover from.”
“Where did it get you?”
“It’s sliced up my left arm, and bitten the end off my right middle finger.”
“Hospital?”
“No, no need, just go to the apartment.”
Inside, Wolfe slumped gratefully down on one of two buttoned leather Chesterfields. “There’s a First Aid box in the kitchen.”
Nick fetched it. “Right, let’s have a look at you.” He helped Wolfe out of his jacket and shirt, and gently examined the wounds on his arm. The bleeding had nearly stopped. “They’re deep, Wolfe, they need stitching.” He turned his attention to the amputated finger end. “Not much I can do, just clean and bandage.”
“If you’d do that for all of them I’d be grateful. I heal very quickly, and I’ll go and see Artio tomorrow, she’ll speed the process up.”
“What about your finger?”
“In time it’ll grow back.”
“I forget what a tough sod you are.”
“It does have its advantages, being me.”
“What was that thing?” Nick asked as he began tending Wolfe’s wounds.
“I think that it was a very old God, primal even.” He winced, and sucked breath in through his teeth as Nick applied liquid antiseptic. “It makes sense, when you consider how close the Foundation is to Kents Cavern.”
“You were born here, weren’t you?”
“Not far from here, yes.”
“And you haven’t come across this particular God before?”
“I see where you’re going, Detective.” Wolfe managed to smile up at his friend.
“Sorry Wolfe, old habits.”
“Don’t apologise, it’s a fair question. The answer, I believe, assuming Crocuta is local, is that he evolved and had been forgotten long before my tribe came along.”
1 Bring to me our mystery Crocuta. Protect our circle Baal-Bereth (Demonic Enns)

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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​

​ 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?”
​

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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​ Juno took the DVR from her coat pocket and held it up. “Wolfe and Juno, flat five, Lansdowne House,” she directed the torch at her watch, “twenty-two thirty-seven.” She paused for a second, biting her lower lip behind the mask, then said, “If you can hear me, can you please give us a sign?”
After a few seconds of silence, Wolfe said, “Try calling out to—” He cocked his head. “Can you hear that?”
Juno listened intently. “Yes, it’s quiet, but it sounds like music.”
“It’s coming from over here.” Wolfe’s long legs took him swiftly to the wall beside the bed.
Juno joined him. “It’s coming from the next room.”
“We have to go and look, there might be someone living here.”
“How could they get in?”
“I don’t know, but it was so overgrown that Nick and I didn’t go right around the building, there might be another way in that we missed.” Wolfe led Juno from flat five and down the corridor to the next door on the same side. The music was definitely coming from within. Juno pocketed the DVR and took the camera from Wolfe. He put the datalogger in a coat pocket, and gave the door an experimental push. It opened an inch, rusty hinges protesting. “Keep behind me,” he whispered, then shoved the door fully open and stepped inside, silently noting that the jamb was splintered where someone had previously forced an entry. The music ceased.
Juno shone her torch around from behind Wolfe, revealing that the room was in a state of complete disarray. Part of the ceiling had collapsed in a pile of plaster in front of them. There was a mismatched selection of furniture partially concealed by dust and discarded clothing. She couldn’t see anybody. “Be careful, Wolfe,” she said as he took a step forward, “the floorboards could be rotten.”
Wolfe stopped. There was nowhere for a person to hide, and there were no footprints in the copious amount of dust that covered the floor. The room clearly hadn’t been occupied for years. On a battered chest of drawers, stood a cheap stereo system and speakers. Testing the boards as he went, Wolfe crossed to the chest and pushed the power button on the stereo. As he expected, nothing happened; the electricity probably hadn’t been on for over a decade. He took out the datalogger and checked for EMF, finding no reading.
Juno joined him, using the camera to film the stereo. “There’s no-one here.”
“No.” He smiled at her. “It’s an interesting riddle, isn’t it?”
“Ghost music?”
“It could be a residual effect. Something similar happened when we were in the orphanage, we heard the sound of furniture moving on the top floor which was completely empty. Mal described it as the sound of a memory. It’ll be interesting to see if the equipment picked it up.” He waited as Juno panned the camera around the room, then said, “Let’s go back to flat five.”
As Wolfe was pulling the door to flat seven closed, Juno walked towards flat five, torch in her left hand, camera in the right. She was considering alternative explanations for the spectral music when someone walked out of flat five and turned towards the stairs. Juno stopped dead, her blood turning to ice. The figure was a pale silhouette against the landing window, and Juno could see that it was wearing a long skirt and headscarf. She sucked in a breath, called “Susanna!” and raced down the corridor. The figure turned and looked back. For a fraction of a second, Juno glimpsed a pale face in the torchlight, then the figure was gone. Juno skidded to a halt where the apparition had vanished. Wolfe arrived a second later. “Wolfe! Did you see her?” Juno’s hands began to shake. “It was her: Susanna.”
Wolfe put an arm around Juno’s shoulders, steered her into flat five, and released her. “I saw her, Juno. Quickly now, give me the camera, and start an EVP session.”
Juno swallowed, nodded, handed over the camera, and took the DVR from her pocket. She bit her lower lip, trying to organise her thoughts, then began, “Susanna, I just saw you,” she couldn’t keep her voice from trembling, “did you see me?” She paused, and swallowed again. “Why are you still here?” Pause. “Why did you take your own life?” Juno’s legs were trembling now. “Are you trying to contact your children?” Pause. “Is there something that we can do to help you?” She couldn’t think of anything else to ask. “Please talk to us.” She looked at Wolfe who was filming her.
“I think that’ll do, Juno.” He grinned. “You were magnificent!”
Juno leaned on the back of the settee. “I saw a ghost.”
“And you ran after it.”
Juno straightened up and inhaled deeply. “I must be mad, but that was so exciting.”
Wolfe laughed. “Welcome to the club.” He checked the time on the camera screen. “I think that we’ve stayed long enough, let’s round up Adam and Nick.” They left flat five, walked out to the landing, and were about to ascend the stairs when footsteps started down.
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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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What Inspired You To Write Occultus?
Although Occultus is the sixth stand-alone story in the Ghost Hunter series, in many ways it’s the book that I set out to write out at the beginning. I have a fascination with all things paranormal and occult, and although these themes are explored in earlier novels, I wanted to expand the occult horror element, and bring it to the fore. I always aim for realism in my stories, so introduced, and meticulously researched, a genuine extremely dangerous occult organisation, the Order of Nine Angles, represented by the character Grace Knight. The reader follows Grace’s occult journey from her self-initiation into the O9A, to becoming Mistress of Earth, and the appalling acts she commits to achieve her goals. The church in the story where Grace sites her first Nexion is an actual building which was disused for many years. When a Pentecostal group took over the premises, they discovered a Satanic temple in the cellar, providing the inspiration for Shoreline Sanctuary in Occultus.
During my research, I discovered some psychiatrists’ reports which mentioned that their subjects claimed to have been visited by supernatural beings; visitations which stopped when medication was prescribed, although some of the subjects subsequently insisted that their paranormal experiences had been genuine. These formed the basis for hapless Seth Bowden’s symbiotic attachment to a predatory entity from religious mythology.
I hadn’t intended to include a haunting in Occultus, but the story led me in another direction. I think it proved interesting, as, without giving too much away, in life, the ghost had belonged to a strict Christian sect, the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren. Apart from providing an opportunity to compare and contrast their philosophy and beliefs with those of the O9A, I feel the events that led to her death inspire a debate about the relationships between mental illness, organised religion, and mind control.


Who Designed Your Book Covers?
I designed my covers using copyright free images and my own photographs, on paint.net. Ghost Hunter I: A Matter Of Faith depicts the character Carolyn Hunter. Ghost Hunter II: Of Gods and Ghosts depicts the character Camulos, Celtic God of Warfare. Ghost Hunter III: Blood Ties depicts a blood moon and two statues of Egyptian God Bastet. Ghost Hunter IV: Remnants and Revenants depicts the character Cunomaglos, the Hound Lord, a Celtic God. Ghost Hunter V: Pariahs depicts the character Molly Pearce, near The Fall in the Summer Lands. Ghost Hunter VI: Occultus depicts the character Grace Knight, Mistress of Earth.


Who Are The Main Characters In The Ghost Hunter Series?
The aptly surnamed Malachi Hunter is the eponymous ghost hunter. Mal is a landscape gardener by trade, and has a physique to match, but his passion is the paranormal, and his knowledge of the subject is comprehensive. He is meticulous to the point of obsessive, fearless, when it comes to the supernatural, socially awkward, and very much a loner, until he meets Teena Maunder and her teenaged daughter, Carolyn. Teena is highly-educated, resourceful, and determined; with a troubled family background. Carolyn is similarly determined, with a fiery temper. Teena and Mal find themselves drawn together when Mal investigates her haunted house, and they later marry, with Mal adopting Carolyn.
In Gods and Ghosts, Mal finds himself working on the police investigation of a ritual murder as special advisor on the occult and supernatural for the Home Office, due to the manipulations of a man called Wolfe Fisher. After the case is concluded, both Wolfe and the senior police officer involved, Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Rueben, join Mal as ghost hunters. Wolfe is a flamboyant, fabulously wealthy businessman, whilst Nick is a terse, tough, and practical former career soldier. During their next investigation, the team meet another police officer, Authorised Firearms Officer Sergeant Tasha Dabrowski, who has become involved in the case. Fascinated by the supernatural aspects, Tasha expresses a desire to join the group, and soon after joining leaves the Force to accept a job offer from Wolfe.
In Remnants and Revenants, Wolfe utilises one of his Fisher Holdings employees, Adam Ross, a former MI5 agent and handler with a degree in Computer Science, to help their cause, and ultimately sends him on a mission which continues into Pariahs. When the mission concludes, Adam and his partner, Juno Spinner, a chartered building surveyor with a degree in Classical History and Archaeology, take up full-time positions as the ghost hunters’ – now known as Devon Paranormal - archivists and researchers. There are a few other recurring characters; most notably psychopathic occultist Molly Pearce, who first appears in Gods and Ghosts, returns to cause mayhem in Remnants and Revenants, and again in Pariahs.


What Can We Expect From You In The Future?
I’ve just published Hunter & Allen: Paranormal Investigators, which is the second of the Carolyn Hunter Stories, a young adult Ghost Hunter spin-off series featuring Carolyn Hunter as main character. The third story will soon be underway, working title: Children of the Gods. After that, certainly more writing!

Fun Facts About The Ghost Hunter Series
All the locations in the stories are real places; although, of necessity, some are described from memory. Apart from the mythology surrounding the Celtic Gods exodus to the Summer Lands, all the historical events described are genuine.
In Ghost Hunter II: Of Gods and Ghosts, the haunted house is the house I grew up in, with a different ghost.
I went to school with boys who lived at the Roman Catholic orphanage which is the focus of paranormal activity in Ghost Hunter V: Pariahs. It really was demolished to make way for a private hospital!
The Victorian villa where Grace Knight rents a flat in Ghost Hunter VI: Occultus belongs in reality to friends of mine. The driveway is so steep, that on the original Victorian deeds, it stipulates that ‘carriages must be drawn by two horses.’

Why Should I Read The Ghost Hunter Series?
Well, obviously I’m biased, but I believe that it’s a well-written, engaging, sometimes thought-provoking, and memorable series; they are far more than ghost stories. The primary purpose of the stories, of course, is to entertain, but I do my best to make them believable. This quest for authenticity doesn’t mean that they’re dull, far from it, there’s plenty of imagination involved, but I like to understand why things happen, and my characters do their best to find explanations for the paranormal activity that they encounter; not always successfully! The award winning Canadian author, J.G. Macleod, wrote of the series, ‘I felt that this could be happening in my own neighbourhood.’ and this is exactly the reaction that I hope for.

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