John Searles’s Help for the Haunted is an unforgettable story of the most unusual family members, their deep secrets, their harrowing tragedy, and ultimately, a daughter’s discovery of a dark and unexpected secret.

Sylvie Mason’s parents have an unusual occupation-helping “haunted souls” look for peace. After finding a strange phone call one winter’s evening, they go out and are later on murdered within an older church in a horrifying act of violence.

A year afterwards, Sylvie is living in the care of her older sister, who may be to be blamed for what happened with their parents. Today, the inquisitive teenager pursues the secret, moving closer to the data of what occurred that night-and to the truth about her family’s past as well as the secrets which have haunted them for a long time.

Recording the vivid eeriness of Stephen King’s works with the compelling quirkiness of John Irving’s beloved novels, Help for the Haunted is certainly that rare story that provides alive a richly dreamed and wholly original world.