Book Reviews and More: Phantoms' Lodge - Richard Paolinelli

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Phantoms' Lodge - Richard Paolinelli - Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 9

Phantoms' Lodge

Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 9

Richard Paolinelli

Tuscany Bay Books

ASIN B0CDRC6CTJ

I have now read three stories in this series. And though each story is very different, so far they have all been excellent. My introduction to Richard’s works was a piece in the anthology Cracked. I have picked up several anthologies he has contributed to, that I have not got around to reading yet. I have also read 1 novel, Galen’s Way, and picked up several of his other novels after reading it. After the few stories by Paolinelli I have read I am now trying to read one a week until I have read his whole back catalogue. So several of his stories and novels are towards the top of my ‘to be read pile’. Richard is not only an author but the driving force behind Tuscany Bay Books, I have read many volumes from the Bay by a number of authors and all have been well worth the read. This was one of several new short stories that dropped in the collection Dreams Of The Storyteller. There are now 19 volumes in that collection, the first 2 date from 2014, 1 from 2022, and the rest have dropped in July/August 2023. After reading the first story I went back and grabbed the whole collection. Much like I did with Declan Finn last year with reading a story a week until I have read all he has published.

At the time of reading this I have read 335 books so far this year. And this is another excellent story from the Paolinelli's pen. I said in a previous review that I have been aware of Richard and his works for a few years now. It is my loss that I did not dig into his works earlier. Don’t make my mistake, pick some up and give them a read! The description of this story is:

“Eric Christopher is an heir finder looking for a man who disappeared a quarter of a century ago.

What he finds when he steps inside the Phantoms' Lodge near the mysterious Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco will change everything he thought he knew about life, love and death.

This story was originally published in Planetary Anthology Series: Saturn by Tuscany Bay Books.”

I have had that anthology for a while, but have not read it yet, I look forward to rereading this story again when I get around to it. Last year I read an anthology called Hotel California edited by Don Bruns, this story would have been a perfect story for the collection. It is very different from anything else I have read by Richard to date. It also has a bit of a feel of Tales from the Brackenwood Ghost Club by Andrew M. Seddon.

This story took me by surprise. A little bit supernatural, in part a ghost story. It is about friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and life after death. It is a story that will stay with readers. I find myself still thinking about it days after reading it.

This is a great short story. It draws you in quickly, it keeps your attention. The main character is excellently written. The plot will surprise you. I look forward to the other stories in this series and many of Richard’s other series.

If you have not read anything by Paolinelli don’t make my mistake. Pick some up and give them a read now. There is a lot to choose from and I am sure you will be entertained. This was an excellent read. It is a story that leaves you desperate for more. I can easily recommend this story, and everything I have read from Richard’s pen.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.

Books by Richard Paolinelli:

Maelstrom

When the Gods Fell

The Calling

The Last Lonely Trail

A Zombie Christmas Carol

The Woman Returns

…

Infinity Series:

Escaping Infinity