Red Shadows at Saugatuck by Randy Overbeck #BookReview #ParanormalFantasy

The Haunted Shores Mysteries Series Book 4

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars 5 stars

Red Shadows at Saugatuck by Randy Overbeck

Book Blurb:

Darrell Henshaw hoped he was past it all. After all, no ghosts had visited him for years. Instead, he learns his five-year-old-son, Leo, has inherited his “gift.”
Now, they both can see ghosts.
Upon his parents’ insistence, Darrell drives his young family 800 miles to celebrate his aunt Gertrude’s 80th birthday. But, once they arrive in the resort town of Saugatuck, Michigan, their participation gets derailed by the spirit of a Native teen who went missing weeks earlier. When he and Leo inquire about the girl, the locals dismiss their concerns—”Those girls run away all the time.” Still, as questions pile up and threats grow, Darrell senses they may have stumbled onto something far worse and even more evil than one missing teen.
Can Darrell continue to pursue justice for the girl if it places his wife and son in danger?

His Review:

The main characters include a father who has just discovered on a trip to Michigan with his family that his five-year-old son apparently has the same “gift” he has with seeing ghosts. They are being summoned by the ghost of a Native teen but realizing that trying to help her plight may gravely endanger his own family. The writing is gripping, emotional, sensitive, and pocked with twists that’ll keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Red Shadows at Saugatuck by Randy OverbeckMany young Native American women go missing each year. Many of the young women leave to gain a better quality of life. The belief is that they run away from home in their early teens and are never heard from again. The actual reason is much more sinister. The plight of Native Americans is the breaking of treaties by the government and displacement of the tribes into some of the poorest areas and non-arable soils in our country.

Randy Overbeck has written a very fine exposé on the actual reason that they seem to be missing. The resulting crimes are neither investigated nor prosecuted! C E WilliamsThis story made me angry because of the lack of attention to this matter by any governmental group. Shame on our country for not protecting these people and prosecuting the criminals. Read the story and see if you don’t agree.  5 stars – CE Williams

[Note: We’ve both been given the opportunity to read installments in the Haunted Shores Mysteries series, including Blood on the Chesapeake and Crimson at Cape May. Read one and you’re hooked. This can be read as a standalone, but each is a treat and we can heartily recommend. V Williams]

Many thanks to the author for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

 

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Book Details:

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
ASIN: B0F89DGNMF
Print Length: 361 pages
Publication Date: July 23, 2025
Source: Author

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US  |  Amazon-UK   |   Barnes & Noble

 

Dr Randy Overbeck - authorThe Author: Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, speaker and podcaster. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades and has mined that experience to create captivating fiction, authoring two series, the bestselling series, “The Haunted Shores Mysteries,” and the award-winning series, “Lessons in Peril.” His novels have won critical acclaim and garnered national awards including Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews) and the Gold Award (Literary Titan) and amassed hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Dr. Overbeck also hosts the popular podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and can be heard wherever listeners get their podcasts. He is a speaker in considerable demand, sharing his popular presentations about ghosts and the world of book publishing with hundreds of audiences all over the U.S.

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop.

When he’s not researching, writing, speaking or podcasting, Randy enjoys traveling with his wife Cathy and visiting both his far-flung family and the scenic locations around this country, often in search of inspiration for his next great story.

©2025 CE Williams – V Williams

Have a good week!

Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck – #BookReview – #AmateurSleuths

Lessons in Peril Book 1

Book Blurb:

Cruel Lessons by Randy OverbeckOn a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?

His Review:

Teaching could be a noble profession, but the introduction of hallucinogenic drugs into society has changed the focus of the teaching profession. Telling young middle schoolers of the dangers of drug use falls on deaf ears. Four students, one being a 13-year holdback are off to enjoy the ride of their lives. Stealing his father’s car, he takes three friends out for a “fabulous time” but dies in a chemical-induced wonderland. All are laughing as the car crashes.

The funeral was somber! Who could the school officials blame for the tragedy? The senior counselor and administrator were selected by the head of the school board. The die was cast and the career ruined for the man who was the trustee/coordinator at the event.

Cruel Lessons by Randy OverbeckParents of course are devastated and thrash around for someone to blame. The man was there to chaperone the students and keep them safe but was asleep when the four snuck out and went for their final ride. Everyone wanted answers.

Within the drug community, there is no conscience. The object is to make money and the more exotic the product the more funds to be made. Hidden behind the drug dealers and junkies are very rich and influential entrepreneurs. Many are the pillars of the community. Sure, people die but is it their fault? The drugs are manufactured in foreign countries and they only facilitate importing and distribution.

C E WilliamsThis narrative points out the problems, heartbreaks, and tragedies affecting all social and economic strata of our society. The drugs are becoming much more effective and lethal. Profit motivates the dealers and suppliers and they hide behind respectability. Meanwhile, lives are lost and families and futures shattered. Read this book and get a better understanding of the problems we face. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to Dr. Overbeck for providing us the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my own opinions.

[Note: Back in 2020 with most of the world devastated by a pandemic, I received a request from Dr. Overbeck that he might provide a guest post. I had read a couple of his Haunted Shores Mysteries and enjoyed his writing style. The guest post resulted in So, You Need an Escape. Now I am happy to present Cruel Lessons, the first in a new series and hope you enjoy as well. VW]

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars Four point Five Stars

 

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Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Mysteries
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
ASIN: B0CDJ6GL5W
Print Length: 470 pages
Publication Date: October 11, 2023
Source: Author
Title Link(s):

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo

 

Dr Randy Overbeck - authorThe Author: Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019), CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021) have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year”—ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine.

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.

©CE Williams – V Williams

Enjoy Your Sunday!

Blood on the Chesapeake by Randy Overbeck – #BlogBlitz – a #paranormal mystery #RABTBookTours

Today I’m excited to present my spot for the Book Blitz of Blood on the Chesapeake by Randy Overbeck as presented by RABT Book Tours and PR.

The Haunted Shores Mysteries, Book 1

Paranormal Mystery

Date Published: April 10, 2019

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

A Murder Mystery, a Ghost Story, and a Dangerous Romance all combine to
make Blood on the Chesapeake a Suspense Thriller That You Just Cannot Put
Down.

Wilshire, Maryland seems like the perfect shore town on the Chesapeake
Bay—quiet, scenic, charming—and promises Darrell Henshaw a new
start in life and a second chance at love. That is, until he learns the town
hides an ugly secret. A thirty-year-old murder in the high school. And a
frightening ghost stalking his new office. Burned by an earlier encounter
with the spirit world—with the OCD scars to prove it—he does NOT
want to get involved. But when the desperate ghost hounds him, Darrell
concedes.  Assisted by his new love, he follows a trail that leads to
the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and even the Klu Klux
Klan. Then, when two locals who try to help are murdered, Darrell is forced
to decide if he’s willing to risk his life—and the life of the
woman he loves—to expose the killers of a young man he never
knew.

Second Book in The Haunted Shores Mysteries Just Released!!!

Crimson at Cape May

The Haunted Shores Mysteries, Book 2

Release Date: July 20, 2020

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted
past.

Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal
sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and
few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The
resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian
mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May
is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast.

When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his
help, he can’t refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As
Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride’s death, they uncover
something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose
those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?

Purchase from Amazon

About the Author

Dr. Randy Overbeck is a veteran educator who has served children for more
than three decades as a teacher and school leader, winning national
recognition for his work. Over that time, he has performed many of the roles
depicted in his fiction, with responsibilities ranging from coach and
yearbook advisor to principal and superintendent. An accomplished writer, he
has been published in academia, the popular press and, more recently, in
better bookstores. His first novel, Leave No Child Behind, won the 2011
Silver Award for Thriller of the Year from ReadersFavorite.com. His second
novel, Blood on the Chesapeake, a ghost story/mystery released this year by
the Wild Rose Press, has earned 5 STAR REVIEWS from RaeadersFavorite.com,
Long and Short Reviews, Literary Titan and Chanticleer Book Reviews. It also
garnered national awards, the GOLD AWARD from Literary Titan and Honorable
Mention from Readers View. Blood is the first in a new series called the
“Haunted Shores Mysteries.” Dr. Overbeck is a member of the
Mystery Writers of America and an active member of the literary
community.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Promo Link

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

iBooks

B-A-M

Google Play

IndieBound

RABT Book Tours & PR
©2020 V Williams

 

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