Customer Reviews

The Chloe Files #1: Ashes to Ashes

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Howard Hopkins is by far my favorite horror e-book author. His characters are exceptionally well drawn and downright entertaining. With lots of chilling moments and a bit of comedy relief, his plots pull me in until I'm unaware of the passage of time. And he's proven his talent once again with Ashes to Ashes, the first book in his series The Chloe Files.

After becoming engaged to Detective Sergeant Arlo Grimm, Chloe Everson gave up her career as a stripper at the Red Lagoon in New Salem, Maine. But when Grimm suddenly disappears, she returns to dancing because the flexible hours allow her to spend time searching for her fiancé. But things aren't exactly normal in New Salem--it seems to be a breeding ground for supernatural activity. Now an evil that Chloe thought was vanquished has returned, and it's got her man.

A ghost girl--who appears to be Chloe's long-lost sister, Patricia--haunts Chloe, seemingly trying to point her in the right direction to find Arlo. But another entity has its roots dug deep into the apparition--and it doesn't want her to help.

After a 600-year-old monkey leaves a silver locket--rumored to have belonged to Joan of Arc--on Chloe's coffee table, she heads to the New Salem Museum of Natural History to talk to the director, Genie Lansing. But all she gets from Genie is a whole lot of mumbo-jumbo. The museum's director turns out to be more than a little mysterious, and Chloe can't figure out if she's friend or foe--but she needs Genie's help if she wants to find Arlo alive.

The Chloe Files: Ashes to Ashes is Ghost Whisperer on steroids. It's a heck of a lot darker but with less tear-jerking drama. Also, unlike Melinda Gordon, Chloe isn't really out to help ghosts--mainly because, more often than not, the ghosts are out to do her harm. She just needs to find out why they're haunting her, so she can get rid of them.

Chloe is a likable, spunky heroine who finds herself in situations she'd rather not encounter, but she handles them with a heaping helping of bravery--while trying to ignore the fact that she's scared out of her wits. She goes the extra mile to protect the ones she loves--so evil ghosts had better stay out of her way.

Gripping and unnerving, Ashes to Ashes pulls readers into a dark room, where something scary is hiding in the corner. You won't get out without chills running down your spine and your blood running cold. Mr. Hopkins does an excellent job of creating a spooky atmosphere that'll have you jumping at every sound and glancing out your window to make sure no one is staring back in at you.

Ashes to Ashes is the first book in the new Chloe Files series, so pick up your copy and get in on some seriously frightening fun.

If you are wondering whether or not this book is for you, the answer is YES!!! You have either stumbled upon this book because you are interested in horror/suspense or you have read another book by Howard Hopkins. Either way, be glad you did! In Ashes to Ashes, as with all of the other books I have read by Mr. Hopkins, you are transported to THAT time and THAT place. You have characters that are not only believable, but that you can relate to! So many times I've read a story and thought that the choices, feelings, ideas, and actions these characters are making are so far fetched. Not true here! You understand what is going on in their heads and truly believe the characters could jump off the page and have a life of their own. Mr. Hopkins takes your emotions for a ride. There is fear, happiness, suspense, anger, frustration, sadness, hope, love...everything! You find yourself tangled up in the lives of these wonderful characters and the various situations they end up in! I don't want to give away any details about the story because I think each and every one should be savored. I have read several books in the horror genre by Howard Hopkins and have read several westerns he has written under the pseudonym Lance Howard. I have never been disappointed! There are twists and turns and surprises around every corner. Once you start...you can't stop! I am currently waiting for 2 more of his stories to arrive from Amazon now! There truly is something here for EVERYONE. He even writes children's horror!!! Keep an eye on Howard Hopkins! I have a feeling he will soon be a household name! Read the Chloe Files or any of his other books. You won't regret it! ENJOY!!!! I know I do!!! :)

I liked the book a whole lot. First things first: the editorial standards are higher than a bunch of the self-published stuff you're going to find out there. I'm not a stickler for all the dots and crosses, but when a book is done well, it's a definite plus. As an indie author myself, it's always exciting when somebody gets it right. Second things second: The book is good. Damn good.

Let's face reality. The whole world of paranormal, semi-horrific but not really horror books has rapidly approached completely recycled status for a while now. Characters are almost interchangeable between books by different authors and clichés rule over creativity. Hopkins avoids this nicely. His character, Chloe, is refreshing on a number of levels. First, Hopkins strikes a good balance between the "strange paranormal events like ghosts and monsters...ho hum, it's just another day" and "OHMYGODWHATTHEHELLISGOINGONHERE." Chloe's reactions to her particular corner of supernatural hell are believable and entertaining.

In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Hopkins books are one of the reasons the genre has legs left. It is possible to write in this environment without producing derivative crap, and he's proven it. There were echoes of Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas) and Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) but also just plain good plotting and characterization you can find in far too few of today's best sellers. It's no surprise, though. Take a look at his books. He's got a varied background that includes multiple genres. He can spin a yarn.

Quick confession...I liked the monkey best. Who gets away with adding a centuries old monkey to a horror story? Who gets away with putting a locket from Joan of Arc in that monkey's hand? Who gets you to actually like that? Howard Hopkins does. Buy the book. You'll like it.

I'm picking up the sequel next.

The Chloe Files #2: Sliver of Darkness

Howard Hopkins is to Horror, as Janet Evanovich is to Mystery. The Chloe Files #1: Ashes to Ashes introduces us to Chloe Everson, a sexy, sassy heroine who finds her life in an unexpected flux. She had planned to leave stripping behind and settle down with her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Arlo Grimm, for a life of quiet respectability, but he has suddenly disappeared.

Arlo had been tracking down a lead about Chloe's missing twin sister, Patricia--separated and lost from her after they became orphaned at age 13. It soon becomes clear that his departure was caused by a demonic spirit drawn to the supernatural hot spot of New Salem, Maine. Strange things are happening. Residents of this seaside town are falling ill with a disease that resembles the bubonic plague, while Chloe struggles to understand, before it is too late, what exactly is her role.

She dives in head-first, willing to take on anyone or anything that stands in her way. "I was going to go all Stripper on her ass, which is a lot like going postal only with scratching and hair pulling." Armed only with a mysterious French pendant, rumored to have protected Joan of Arc (and we all know how that turned out), Chloe wise-cracks her way into the ultimate confrontation between the forces of good and evil. Can Chloe rise above her questionable past to banish pestilence, a demon invasion, and rescue her true love? This is an irresistible series start that leaves readers wanting more! It shouts for a big screen or a hip Cable series adaptation!

The character of Chloe Everson grew out of another one of Howard Hopkins' novels, Grim, where Arlo Grim battles a coven of witches trying to resurrect a demon in New Salem, Maine. Hopkins liked the character so much he decided to give Chloe here own series of books, of which Ashes to Ashes is the first. There is one other Chloe Files book and a third one is rumored to be on the way.

Chloe is a 5'6" 30ish former stripper who hunts down demonic creatures in New Salem. She and her fiance Arly, a detective in the New Salem police force, are considered "special" in that they can see creatures which normal humans cannot. Chloe lost her parents at a tender young age and was soon separated from her identical twin sister when they went to foster homes. Chloe would go on to an exotic dancer career hitting the circuit until she ended up in New Salem.

Chloe doesn't come across as the brightest light bulb in the pack, but she has a good heart. Which, ironically, makes her more realistic than all the other barroom dancers you encounter in action literature. And she has a good way of sizing up her opponents. She refers to one of her opponents in the book as "Ms. Pixie Sticks" and the name hangs on.

The only real problem with the book is Chloe's constant references to events which happened in the novel Grim. She's perpetually bringing up the coven of witches she and Arly defeated. This might make the reader interested in buying another book, but I found it irritating.

Ashes to Ashes opens with Chloe trying to find out what happened to her fiance Arly. Next, she'd visited on a dark and stormy night by a monkey which delivers her a locket. It had been given to Chloe years ago by her dead parents. But the creep factor really pumps when she has a vision of diseased children singing the "Ring around the Roses" nursery rhyme. She also begins seeing her vanished sister Patricia on TV. Is someone trying to warn Chloe about another demon working its way into the real world?

There's plenty of weird supernatural creatures to go around. A priest who seems to know more than he should. A librarian who may be working for the demons. And she begins to have visions of Arly chained to a wall begging for help.

The final battle scene was the pay-off for the book. After nearly 100 pages of back story, the plot began moving to a page-turner conclusion. It's clear that Hopkins is a shudder pulp fan. The final scenes wouldn't be out of place in a Doctor Death novel. I just wish the book had ramped it up earlier.

Chloe files #1 is a good beginning for a series. It will be interesting to see where Hopkins takes it.

I've been meaning to write another book review for some time now. As we enter the haunting month of October, I thought It only write to post to post my review of Howard Hopkin's "Ashes to Ashes", book one of the Chloe Files.

I have not read the his previous novel GRIMM which introduced our heroine, but turned out not to be necessary as enough references are layout through this story to bring you up to speed to know the world of New Salem and the haunting adventures Chloe has already had.

It was quite fun to start the story off with Chloe reading a novelization of her previous adventure written by one said Howard Hopkins. I didn't know until the end of reading the book that this had begun as an online series to promote the earlier GRIMM, but the important thing was that I didn't need to know.

ASHES TO ASHES is a scary yet fun tale of a girl desperately searching for the man she love while also uncovering clues to her missing sister, and discovering dark secrets that haunt the city that she calls home.

Here is proof that a horror story doesn't need to be full of blood and guts. Enjoy the haunting mystery while Chloe tries to get on with her life.

I may now go back and read the original GRIMM, as well as the follow up tale of The Chloe Files.

I was really excited to discover this first book in the new Chloe Series. It has everything a reader could want - a likeable, kick-ass heroine, ghostly encounters, an intriguing, rapidly-moving plot, and cheeky monkeys to boot.

I was immediately drawn into the spooky atmosphere and enthralling surroundings of Chloe's world, which had me turning pages through the night (and looking over my shoulder). The main character's voice is so believable, you almost hear her talking to you out loud, which makes for a fast, seamless read. I can't wait to read book 2, and can only hope that this haunted ride doesn't end too soon!

The Chloe files Ashes to Ashes is riveting,hard to put down a great read.. Love suspense and being suprised, This one kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Thank you Howard Hopkins for a story that keeps you wanting to read... Looking foward to more..

As a huge GRIMM fan, I was anxious to continue with the characters I loved so much. The Chloe Files will not disappoint you. As the first in a new series, it is a great read for both Grimm fans and new fans alike!!

If you're a horror/suspense buff (and even if you're not!), this book is definitely a must read! Mr. Hopkins does not spare any details when creating the characters and situations, and consequently the reader is drawn into the story magnificently! This book captures the myriad of emotions in the human experience and brings them to Life on the pages. I found myself transported into the midst of the situations within this book ... but I won't spoil the plot for anyone by giving anything away here.

You simply must read the first in the series of the Chloe Files yourself, and I can assure you that once you read it, you will be awaiting the next in the series anxiously. But don't just take my word for it! Purchase a copy for yourself today :) There is one word I can think of to sum up Mr. Hopkins' writing abilities: Exemplary.