A Soul To Steal (The Sanheim Chronicles, Book One) [Kindle Edition]

Rob Blackwell (Author)

Book Description

Amazon's #1 Bestselling Ghost Story, Recommended on USA Today

"Blackwell has woven a Celtic myth, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and a serial killer's rampage into a great novel... When everything came together and all the pieces finally fell into place I was completely shocked. The ending was fantastic."
--The Jeep Diva [Book Blog]

"With the combination of an ancient Celtic myth and the legend of the Headless Horseman, Blackwell's story is a leave-the-light-on kind of page turner... If you like suspenseful thrillers, check out A Soul to Steal."
--Indie Reader [Featured on USA Today]

A serial killer on the loose, two reporters in his sights, and a legendary ghost haunting the town...

Something is stalking the citizens of Loudoun County, Va.

Is it the return of the notorious serial killer known as Lord Halloween? Or is it something worse--a figure that can cloak itself as your worst nightmare?

Kate and Quinn, two community journalists, rush to uncover the truth before a promised bloodbath on Halloween night.

A Soul to Steal has been featured on USA Today and praised by book bloggers and readers alike for its thrilling combination of mystery, suspense and the supernatural. Hailed as an addictive page-turner with a "fantastic" ending, this Kindle bestseller is a unique thriller that will leave you breathless.

A Soul to Steal is the first novel in The Sanheim Chronicles. The sequel, Band of Demons, was published on Oct. 2 to rave reviews.

See What Critics Are Saying:

"You have the paranormal, murder, mystery/thriller, suspense and a little romance all rolled into one great read... Everything comes together incredibly well at the end. The ending of this book was amazing. I highly recommend this book."
--Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Book Lovers [Book Blog]

"The story is multi-layered, using Halloween legends mixed with a good old twisted psychopathic thriller."
--A Texas Reader [Book Blog]

"This is one of those novels that manages to blend many different genres into a satisfying read. This is predominately a supernatural thriller, but Blackwell also manages to have a romantic narrative in the story as well which doesn't feel forced or false."
--Ginger Nuts of Horror [Book Blog]

Read what Amazon reviewers are saying:

"There's only one Stephen King but I've got to say this author is right up there."

"A Soul to Steal is a wonderfully well-written novel. Blackwell's writing is masterful, the pace is perfect, and the plot is gripping. I loved the combination of different genres, and thought there was the perfect amount of horror, mystery, fantasy, and romance."

"I would rate this book a 10 if I could."

"I could not have enjoyed this book more."

"This is an excellent book! I loved reading it, great characters, awesome suspense, got my heart pumping several times. I can't wait for the next two books in the series!"

"The ability of the author to blend fantasy, mystery, thriller, and love into one book makes it a wonderful piece. I would highly recommend this book to all."

"What an awesome book! This is what I've missed in the horror genre since King's early days."

"Blackwell did an excellent job of blending an American folklore tale into the story of a modern day serial killer in this novel that moves at a breathtaking pace."

"Jack the Ripper, meet Joseph Campbell--it's time for the hero's journey."

"Stop hesitating...buy this book!"

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recommended on USA Today! Read the Bestselling Novel That Has Critics Raving:
 
"I am happy to cheer Mr. Blackwell on as he draws us into his supernatural thriller, The Sanheim Chronicles."
--Mark Metcalf, Actor (The Master, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

"Book One of The Sanheim Chronicles is a brilliantly plotted roller coaster read, and I loved every page of it...The story is gripping from the off, drawing you in to a rich and believable world. But this isn't any old world, there's a heavy dose of fantasy lurking behind the scenes."
--Shelfless [Kindle Blog]

"It was hard for me to believe that A Soul to Steal is Rob Blackwell's first novel. I loved how he took just a little bit of the Headless Horseman story and interwove it with his own to make this unique thriller. Anyone could enjoy this book."
--Bending the Spine [Book Blog]
 
"It was also interesting to explore how debilitating fear can be and how people react to it with fight or flight, how fear freezes you to the spot when you know you have to hurry and get away from the killer. I'm vague on purpose, peeps. I don't want to give you any spoilers. I just want you to read this book. It's really, really good."
--Nocturnal Book Reviews [Book Blog]

"The story is carefully unfolded, bringing some good old fashioned page-turning suspense."
--Alaskan Bookie [Book Blog]

"The twists and turns within the novel keep you guessing till the very end."
--The Heart of the Dragon's Den [Book Blog]

About the Author

Rob Blackwell is a journalist who currently serves as Washington bureau chief for American Banker newspaper. A native of Great Falls, Va., he has worked as a reporter for the Loudoun Times-Mirror, Eastern Loudoun Times and a columnist for the South County Chronicle.
He recently published his first novel, "A Soul to Steal," set in Loudoun County, Virginia. He has won several Virginia Press Association awards and was co-winner of the Jesse H. Neal Award for Business Journalism. He has appeared on numerous media outlets, including NPR, BBC, CNBC and C-SPAN.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children. You can find out more about Rob and his novels at facebook.com/asoultosteal.

Product Details

• File Size: 651 KB
• Print Length: 362 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466381213
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Rob Blackwell; 1 edition (August 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005JVEXX0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,485 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #87 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Dark Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great find! August 30, 2011

By Tristan Poje

Format:Kindle Edition

I came across this book while I was reading the fourth book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series (which has proven to be a real chore, by the way, but that's another review...). As it turns out, it was a welcome diversion. "Wizard and Glass" almost reads like a history book, but "A Soul to Steal" grabbed me from the beginning.

First and foremost, I would say this is more of a character piece that just happens to be against the backdrop of a horror storyline. Actually, I'm not even sure I would characterize it as straight-up horror. If I had to categorize it I would say it blends aspects from character-driven drama, horror, thriller, whodunnit, and even some romance thrown in to boot. Yet it remains a coherent piece throughout, and at the end of the day what you get is the story of two lost souls trying to find peace in a lonely Virginia town.

Which brings me to one of the strongest aspects of the book: the location. It takes place in a colonial-era town in Virginia, so rich with history that you can't help but think there has to be a ghost or two floating around. The town has an almost otherworldliness to it, making it the obvious place for fear to settle in and make itself at home. The book starts out dealing with two journalists who work for this quaint town's newspaper, both of them haunted by nightmares (both figuratively and literally). But it eventually and seamlessly evolves into a conflict that is much larger and far more relevant than the sleepy town in which it takes place. Reality and the paranormal seem to flirt with each other throughout the book, and when they finally meet the story charges like gangbusters towards the end.

The two main characters are as human as I have ever read. They are real people just trying to navigate their way through the crazy events they find themselves in, and they do it with the kind of humor and awe that I hope I would have were I in their shoes. Equally real - frighteningly so - is the portrayal of a serial killer, whose letters to the local newspaper are chilling in their matter-of-factness. He's really the perfect villain for a small town, since he's so lighthearted about the whole thing you could easily imagine him being your grocery bagger.

All in all, this was a great read, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I can't wait to see what else the author has coming down the pipeline.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Soul to Steal delivers September 30, 2011

By Joseph Adler

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

"A Soul to Steal", by Rob Blackwell, has both the twists and turns of a clever whodunit and the edginess of a supernatural thriller. Like a good detective novel, it pulls you in and keeps you guessing. But it is also more than that, combining mythology and chilling suspense into an engrossing tale about good and evil. Fans of Sherlock Holmes and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will both enjoy this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bending The Spine Review October 24, 2011

By bendingthespine

Format:Kindle Edition

Don't make my mistake and read this alone after night fall. I got freaked out at every little noise I heard. Not that that made me stop reading, I couldn't stop reading even when I got scared; I had to find out what was going to happen next. Mr. Blackwell had me on the edge of my seat throughout all of A Soul to Steal.

A Soul to Steal is about two journalists trying their best to hunt down a serial killer. I quickly became invested in the characters Quinn and Kate. Alone Quinn and Kate both have good careers and lives, but right from the start I know I want them to be together and I see that only if they stand as a team do they hold any hope against this serial killer. Kate has a secret from her past for wanting this monster dead that drives her to the point of not trusting others. It is crazy intense watching all this unfold and not being sure of who the killer is until the end.

It was hard for me to believe that A Soul to Steal is Rob Blackwell's first novel. I loved how he took just a little bit of the Headless Horseman story and interwove it with his own to make this unique thriller. I think anyone could enjoy this book and it is perfect for this time of year. A Soul to Steal had me smiling one minute and scared of my own shadow the next. And let me tell you this I don't know how long it will be before I will be able to open my front door to someone I don't know again...what if they it's serial killer?

Happy Reading,
Rebecca

More About the Author

Rob Blackwell is a journalist who currently serves as Washington Bureau Chief for American Banker newspaper. A native of Great Falls, Va., he has worked as a reporter for the Loudoun Times-Mirror, Eastern Loudoun Times and a columnist for the South County Chronicle.
He recently published his first novel, "A Soul to Steal," set in Loudoun County, Va. He has won several Virginia Press Association awards and was co-winner of the Jesse H. Neal Award for Business Journalism. He has appeared several times on other media outlets, including NPR, BBC, CNBC and C-Span.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.