Audiobook Review - THE HAUNTING OF ROAN MOUNTAIN by S.A. Jacobs

 

(Title: The Haunting of Roan Mountain / Author: S.A. Jacobs / Narrator: Steve Campbell / Publisher: Fireside Publishing / Release Date: 11-25-20 / Running Time: 7 hrs and 18 min)

Blurb

For paranormal investigator David Spur, nothing is as dangerous as home. 

A lot has changed for David since the events of The Demon of Mansfield Manor. He now spends his time traveling to the nation's most notorious haunted sites for his popular television show. But when he returns to Tennessee for a much-needed break, he quickly realizes this vacation is going to be anything but relaxing.

Something is going on in the idyllic town of Roan Mountain. His childhood friend Melanie is sleeping in the woods rather than her newly purchased mountain home. And something seems to be drawing her to the ruins of a centuries-old hotel.

David will soon learn that this mystery goes deeper than his usual case. An ancient evil is stirring in Roan Mountain, and it may be tied to his father's disappearance twenty years ago. To help his friend, David will have to face both the ghosts of an old hotel and the ghosts of his past.

Review

First off, I'd just like to mention that although the blurb references that this is a follow-up to a previous entry, absolutely no prior knowledge is required to enjoy this one as the story is self-contained. Having gotten that out of the way, let me share my feelings about this interesting supernatural thriller.

I listened to this one a lot on my lengthy commute to and from work and I have to say that there were times when I really got lost in it. This isn't your run of the mill paranormal tale, as the ghosts almost take a backseat to an intriguing mystery about a secret society operating in a small southern town. It also deals a lot with the main character David's past, and his personal turmoil as he tries to come to terms with past failures and regrets (mostly with regard to his relationship with his father and former girlfriend). So right then and there you can see how this is a much deeper story than most.

But yes, there are certainly still some "haunting" moments for those who like their thrillers with a little bit of a supernatural flair. I appreciated that Jacobs didn't go for the cheap scares for the most part and let the story play out gradually as we discover little pieces of the mystery through David's own investigation of it. And the payoff is that much better because of it, quite honestly.

As far as the narration goes, I was pleased with Steve Campbell's pace and tone. I never felt lost as to which character was speaking at any given time and his voice was not grating in any way, but rather smooth in delivery and not getting in the way of the story at all. I thought it was a good job overall.

If you are looking for a mysterious and slightly scary audiobook to listen to, THE HAUNTING OF ROAN MOUNTAIN has a good deal to offer. Ancient legends, characters who are battling old demons from the past, and a hint of a supernatural connection to the central mystery that keeps you guessing, this audiobook really scratched that non-SFF itch that I feel at times. If you need a good escape and you want to listen to something that will entertain and creep you out a bit, then check this one out for sure. 

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