Dread Rating: 3 Skulls

The Legend of Rachel Petersen 
by J.T. Baroni

Did his book raise the dead?

Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a well-deserved promotion, 43-year-old Sports Writer Christian Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction

Did his book raise the dead?

Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a well-deserved promotion, 43-year-old Sports Writer Christian Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction.

Inspiration flows from a lone grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles "The Legend of Rachel Petersen," a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve-year-old girl laid to rest beneath the weathered tombstone. His book quickly becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood turns it into a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous. But then? Does an enraged Rachel become more than a figment of the writer's imagination? Does she rise from her grave to seek revenge on Kane for slandering her name?

Robin's Review: Check Your Triggers 😊

Sports writer Christian Kane quits his job at The Post Gazette after being unfairly passed over for a promotion. He moves to the countryside and stumbles upon a lone grave that sparks his imagination and becomes the inspiration for his best-selling novel, "The Legend of Rachel Petersen." The book's success catapults Kane into the limelight and attracts the attention of Hollywood, leading to a movie adaptation. However, as Kane's fame grows, he begins to question whether his fictional character is seeking retribution for the defamation of a real person.

I found the story to be well-written, easy to read, and fun. The use of Pittsburghese throughout the story added to its excitement and made it even more enjoyable for me as a native of the city. The plot was well-constructed and had a creepy vibe to it. I found the main character, Christian, to be relatable and likable at times. The chilling ghost was quite freaky and added to the overall suspense of the story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

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