Red Fox (Experiment in Terror, #2)

by Karina Halle

[kimbacaffeinate]

The tale opens with Perry and her family watching the first episode of Perry and Dex's ghostly adventures at the Lighthouse. Despite her parent's skepticism folks seem to like it, and soon Dex is calling with an assignment for their next case. The two travel separately to Red Fox, Mexico where a Navajo couple is tortured by unseen entities. Get ready because Halle delivers one creepy tale that mixed ancient myth and supernatural events that will have you canceling that vacation you scheduled to Mexico.

This time the duo is a little more prepared and Perry does some investigative work at the library regarding poltergeists. The two meet at the airport in Mexico, armed with their luggage and a handheld camera they travel to Red Fox. Before they even reach their destination, Halle will have you shivering as they encounter something strange on the outskirts of town.

They stay at the farm where these occurrences are reportedly happening and circumstances have them sharing a bedroom. Halle has created some really quirky characters. Dex while smexy and confident in his ventures is also aloof and tends to get inside his own head. Perry, on the other hand, is young, and the running commentary in her head can sometimes take the form of mental diarrhea. But there is something about the two of them together that I like even as I scratch my head. It will be fun seeing them learn to trust each other and listen to their instincts.

While the two of them are floundering at documenting some of the most crucial aspects of the case they do get into the thick of it. Perry is observant and I am beginning to see some serious potential in her. Halle had the hairs on my arm standing up. She mixed ancient myth and deception together to create a creepy tale about shape-shifting.  It is one that nearly gets our investigators killed. While nothing is overly gory, the suspense, creepy crawlies and characters kept me on edge. The story was tight and held an air of believability.

The town immediately made me uneasy. You can taste evil and good lord the farm they are staying on..I would not have lasted through dinner. Nope. I have seen that movie, I am checking out! There is some strange shit happening at Red Fox. Rocks fall from the sky, people go missing, weird animals with almost human eyes, and please don't ever, EVER ask me about the cows.

Surrounding the supernatural scenes are a unique, if not creepy, cast of secondary characters.  An old nemesis from Dex's past, a witch doctor, and a blind woman who will have you squirming in your chair uncomfortably. All of them helped further the story, cast doubt and creep me the hell out!

There is a subtle romantic thread and we even see a little movement but I am still trying to figure out if these two are just plain crazy. My momma would say they were touched.

Jo Raylan does a wonderful job narrating the series. She captures the quirkiness that is Dex and Perry. She also helped set the tone and created provided an atmospheric listen.

Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer