Review: Spirit by John Inman
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2014
Jason Day, of 'Spirit' by John Inman, doesn't believe in ghosts, so when the ghost in his house starts making its presence known, he is understandably rattled. Jason's mind keeps trying to come up with ways to explain what's happening, but when the hauntings reach a frightening level, he has to admit that he's not imagining things, that there is a supernatural spirit there, and that it's going to continue to haunt him until it can get closure.When Jason's sister leaves his nephew Timmy there while she takes a month-long trip, Jason thinks that it's something he can easily handle. Little does he know what challenges this four-year-old will bring, particularly when he starts talking about the nice man in the basement, who ends up being his father's ghost. Just as Jason is at his wit's end, Sam, the boy's other uncle, appears unannounced at his front door. Sam has never met Timmy, but they soon become fast friends and Jason is thrilled to have some help and invites Sam to stay with them while he's in town.Jason has lots of questions, particularly why Sam has never seen Timmy, but Sam is reluctant to discuss it. Another subject Jason raises with caution is his brother Paul's disappearance, leaving his newborn son and wife without a word. Although Jason has a hard time imagining his brother-in-law simply leaving, logic dictates that's what happened. Even with the facts, Sam isn't convinced he'd just run away and wants to vindicate him. Sam and Jason become closer emotionally and physically, resulting in some very steamy, yet sensitive sex scenes. Sam finally ends up telling Jason that he and his parents haven't seen Timmy because they didn't want to, but because Sally forbade it. Although Jason accepts this explanation, he still finds it hard to believe that Sally would be so vindictive; but, as the evidence mounts up against her, Jason starts to wonder if he ever truly knew his sister at all.There's so much more that happens in this fantastic story with all its twists and turns, that I have barely scratched the surface. Besides it being well-written in a casual, but effective manner—with endearing main characters and malevolent villains—it's also touching and funny. John's sense of humor is wonderfully displayed in the witty dialogues between Timmy and his uncles, some of which I did a double take on because they were so seamlessly inserted. I laughed so hard I cried at some of the situations. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the supernatural, mystery, suspense, intrigue, hot gay men engaging in even hotter sex, cheeky little boys, and good triumphing over evil. Thank you so much, John. I was thoroughly entertained.Originally publishes at Rainbow Book Reviews