The Haunting Season

Written by Michelle Muto

Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Notoriously haunted, it has remained empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three of her peers gather to take part in a month-long study on the paranormal. Able to talk to ghosts, Jess quickly bonds with her fellow test subjects, who have their own “gifts.” One is possessed. Another just wants to forget. The third is a guy who knows how to turn up the August heat, not to mention Jess’s heart rate…when he’s not resurrecting the dead.

The study soon turns into something far more sinister when they discover that Siler House and the dark forces within are determined to keep them forever. To escape, Jess and the others must open themselves up to the true horror of Siler House and channel the very evil that seeks to hold them in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Mar 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480593886

Michelle Muto

Michelle Muto lives in northeast Georgia with her husband and two dogs. She is the author of The Book of Lost Souls, an eFestival of Words winner for Best Young Adult 2012, and Don’t Fear the Reaper, an LDS Women’s Book Review Top Ten Pick 2011. Michelle loves changes of season, dogs, and all things geeky. Currently, she’s hard at work on her next book. Learn more about Michelle: Web: www.michellemuto.wordpress.com Twitter: MichWritesBooks Facebook: Michelle Muto Author Page

Reviews for The Haunting Season

[Nina Quartuccio · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The most excitment came in the last hour and that wasn't so much. This was a bland horror story, ergo ghosts in mirrors and materializing child spirits. The author just touched on all of the surfaces of writing but didn't actually dive into anyone of them. The characters were mediocrely developed. The plot was ok but seemed more like a RLStein novel. The twists were mild and mostly expected. The narrator was actually very good and was the only reason I finished it and the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 2. If your a horror buff pass this one off to your 13 year old, instead of wasting your time.

[Donna Blackmon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this book - look forward to reading more from this author. It made a great work companion, definitely kept me alert!

[scott Newbry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story! Very entertaining! Great in all stages!

[montzaleew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Haunting SeasonWritten by: Michelle MutoNarrated by: Tavia GilbertThis was one scary story. It was an audible book and the narrator was awesome at keeping the panic level high! My nerves were shot by the end of it. She did the many voices great. The plot and characters were so realistic in the story. This was creepier than the movie, The Haunted, the black and white version or the new version. This was not a hack-and-slash like some horror stories. This was mostly all paranormal and just creepy. The kind I like! This really should be a movie. The bad thing about a scary book, you have to turn the page, or in this case, keep listen to know what is going to happen. No pillow to hide behind to avoid the screen, there is NO SCREEN! The screen is in your head. I have too good of an imagination anyway and this author is very good about making you feel like you are there. Great world building, or in this case, house building. Twists, turns, and screams...no, the screams were mine, sorry! Good book!

[arkrayder · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found it very hard to get into this book. I found it very light on actual creepiness. The idea of the four characters investigating a haunted house was interesting, but nothing really happened. I know it's a YA book and I wasn't expecting Stephen King levels of description but I did want to be interested in the story and I found it just didn't hold my attention. I had to push myself to finish it. It's not a terrible read but it just didn't do anything for me.

[tfs93 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Do you like your horror with ghosts, demons, paranormal powers, and creepy graveyards? Than this may be the one for you. A group of teens is thrown into a supposedly haunted house. All of the teens have powers and they have one month together to test out the house and see if it is really haunted. There is more than they bargained for going on in this house. Are the things they see and feel bad or good? Are they being helped or hindered? Is the house more than it seems? Will they be able to make it a month and come out alive? This is a perfect story for those that love horror and the new adult genre. There are some scenes that may be too much for younger teens. The story is filled with action and suspense. Just when you think you have figured out what is going on and who is to blame, BAM, you are surprised with new suspects. The storyline held my interest throughout and moved at break neck speed. The teen characters were written well and all had their own angst. This is my first read by Michelle Muto. I would like to read more. Her ghosts are particularly spooky and she is a whiz at building atmosphere. This is the perfect read for a winter night. Excellent with a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket. You might want to turn on a few extra lights

[sunmtn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Located in Savannah, Georgia, one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., the fictitious Siler House provides an ideal setting for the scary, macabre story that unfolds in The Haunting Season. Led by parapsychologist, Dr. Brandt, four teenagers, each with unusual paranormal abilities, participate in a paid study funded by a secret government organization by agreeing to stay in the infamous Siler House for one month to investigate the presence of supernatural entities haunting the mansion. Two of the participants want to stay in the house where they can test and enhance their abilities, one is there out of guilt, and another is forced to be there. Jess, Allison, Bryan and Gage all have different motives for being at Siler House when they first arrive, but by the end, they are united in their efforts to survive and escape the evil that has imprisoned them. I was engrossed throughout the entire book, not only by the tension-filled plot but also by the characters themselves. Each one has been touched by the supernatural and their backstories are sad, heartbreaking, and even shocking. When the house itself begins to exert its own powers, the characters begin to question themselves and each other as they become more and more suspicious about Dr. Brandt and the real reason for conducting the study. The action centers around gruesome murders, malevolent spirits, séances, an antique Ouija board, and necromancy. The story is fast-paced with lots of drama and a sensual romance between Jess and Gage that enhances the storyline but doesn’t overshadow the main plot. The intense outcome was not what I expected nor what I wanted but one I can accept. Muto does an excellent job with character development and, overall, wraps up the story well. However, I did want to know more about how some of the participants, especially Gage, resolved the conflicts with their families regarding the use of their supernatural gifts and am still not sure how family dynamics have changed since the characters have returned home. I also think Muto leaves the ending open for a possible sequel. The characters have all been dramatically affected by their experience, and some of the conflicts don’t seem to be fully resolved. Are these gifted young adults really free of this mysterious government organization that has been watching them? With Halloween, approaching, The Haunting Season is a great read, especially this time of year. I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[debbieaheaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Muto’s horror novel, Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Known for being haunted, it has stood empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three other ghost hunters gather to take part in a month long study of the paranormal. Jess, who talks to ghosts, bonds quickly with the others; one girl is possessed; another would prefer to forget it all; the third guy really knows how to impress Jess when he’s not otherwise occupied resurrecting the dead. The study soon turns sinister as the dark forces within the house become determined to keep them forever.It kept me on edge until the end and I highly recommend it.

[literatilit_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

TITLE: The Haunting SeasonAuthor: Michelle MutoRating: 4/5 StarsASIN: B00ARYB5I0Haunting Season by Michelle Muto is set in Savannah, one of the most haunted cities in America. Four young adults on the cusp of entering college, sign up or have been recruited to participate in a paranormal research experiment in the purported haunted abode, Siler House; the early 20th Century mansion of the Siler family. The house is in the process of being renovated and is staffed during the day by maids, construction workers, and a full time housekeeper, Mrs. Hirsch, a Siler descendant and former owner of the home.Each of the characters has a special paranormal ability and the heroine Jess’ ability is to see and interact with ghosts. This might scare other less enthusiastic people, but Jess likes the fact that she can see spirits or could; as her ability has fled. Of the entire group, except for the project leader, Jess is the one person that truly wants to be involved in the project. The others, Allison, Gage and Bryan are not as keen on their ghost hunt. In fact, Allison is scared witless. Jess is drawn by the paranormal and needs to know what lays beyond the ether. The others motives’ are revealed as the story progresses and I don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone.I was sucked into this book within the first few pages. Muto paints a vivid introduction to the paranormal world. A world that is entered into with enthusiasm and foreknowledge. Things that go bump in the night are real and are going to be sought out. This New Adult story is a thrill ride from the very first chapter; filled with enough psychological drama to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The mystery hunter in me was thrilled to be pulled into the story and confounded by the suspicious nature of some of the characters.What I like about author Muto’s writing is that she lets the readers draw their own conclusions from the events that are taking place. Michelle Muto is a thinking reader’s author.The hunt for ghosties good or bad was a definite nail bitter, and my nails prove it. Mix in aspects of ‘Big Brother’ research and teen romance, and Muto has a great paranormal novel to keep her readers enthralled.