Caligari Island: A Peter Kargosi Paranormal Mystery

By Jamie Evans

PETER KARGOSI: PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES: BOOK 3

My name is Peter Kargosi, and I write for a newsletter called Sinister Sightings.
I always knew my hometown was different from other hometowns but the stuff happening here lately is crazy! Nobody believes me or my best friend Sweet Tooth that this place is the center of all things paranormal.
So, if you are in the mood to read about two bumbling friends getting way over their heads with crazy supernatural stuff, then this book series is for you.

 

CALIGARI ISLAND

FRANKENSTEIN LIVES!

Peter Kargosi is invited to Caligari Island to attend a Halloween party at the infamous Frankenstein Mansion. However, throughout the night, members of the party are being killed off one by one... Is Peter next?

 

About the Author
Jamie Evans is the author of Daemonika and the Peter Kargosi Paranormal Mystery Series.
He is also the owner of Dark Dossier Magazine.
He currently lives in Ohio, where he is working on his next book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Dossier
• Release date: Feb 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201915063

Jamie Evans

About the Author Jamie Evans writes dark horror/paranormal mysteries, and is the owner of Dark Dossier Magazine. He has written, edited, or co-edited several projects, including blogs, magazines, ebooks, over 390 short horror stories, and several anthologies. He currently lives in Ohio, where he is working on his next novel.

Book preview

S3:E1

Iknew the book I wanted was here somewhere. You can really get lost in Doc’s bookstore. I walked down the same aisle for the fourth time and looked at a shelf that I know I looked at least three times before and there was the book. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Why was I getting this book down from the shelf? Well, I never read it. That’s right, it’s true, I have never read this classic horror novel. But why now? Well, I got a letter in the mail today inviting me to attend a Halloween seance on Caligari Island. The island Frankenstein lived on. I didn’t even know Frankenstein was a real person. The letter I got came in a fancy envelope that smelled of sandalwood and pine trees. The paper the letter was written on (handwritten) was a sturdy stock of light yellow paper that had a watermark on the bottom left-hand corner that read: Maine printing company 1880. I looked them up, and they have been out of business for over 50 years. The writing on the paper was cursive and beautiful... a woman’s handwriting. It read:

DEAR PETER KARGOSI.

MY NAME IS CAROL CLIVE AND I AM INVITING YOU TO CALIGARI ISLAND FOR A PARTY.

THE REASON FOR YOUR INVITE IS I AM A GREAT ADMIRER OF YOUR STORIES YOU WRITE FOR SINISTER SIGHTINGS NEWSLETTER. I HAVE JUST READ YOUR NEWEST ONE TITLED CEMETERY EATER AND FOUND IT TO BE MOST AMAZING AND A SOMEWHAT SAD TALE. I WANT YOU TO COME TO A SEANCE THAT WILL BE HELD IN THE FRANKENSTEIN MANSION WHICH YOU PROBABLY KNOW IS ON CALIGARI ISLAND RIGHT NEXT TO HIS ASYLUM. I WANT YOU TO WRITE ABOUT THE EVENT AND I REALLY NEED YOU THERE. I WILL NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. YOUR PLANE TICKET IS ENCLOSED IN THIS LETTER AND EVERYTHING, YOU NEED WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. I AM SORRY BUT NO OTHER GUESTS ARE ALLOWED SO YOUR FRIEND YOU CALL SWEET TOOTH WILL HAVE TO STAY BEHIND.

I HAVE ENCLOSED A LIST OF THE OTHER GUESTS THAT WILL BE APPEARING.

SINCERELY CAROL CLIVE

So are you going? Sweet Tooth asked.

I don’t see why not... if I can take the time off, I said as I looked at Doc with pleading eyes.

Sure, this seems like an enormous opportunity for you and the newsletter, said Doc.

I shook my head. Yes, I think it is... I mean, Carol Clive is a big Hollywood film producer and I can’t believe she knows who I am.

I walked over to a leather chair and sat down, and opened the Frankenstein book. I thumbed through it and thought I would take this with me to read on the plane.

I wish I could go, Sweet Tooth said.

Me too, buddy. It will be weird for you not to be around. But she said, I can’t bring anyone.

Sweet Tooth looked sad. I wanted him to go. He is always great to have around. But I have to go alone... This will be a huge thing, I can feel it. I bet this doubles the newsletter subscriptions.

I got up out of the chair and asked Doc how much for the book. He said no cost and to take it as a going away gift. I didn’t argue this time and said thanks.

Hey Peter, who are the guests that are going? Doc asked.

I looked at the letter again and pulled out the guest list.

Looks like a lot of people are going. Do you want me to read them off?

Both Doc and Sweet Tooth nodded yes. And I heard an audible yes come from upstairs, from Yama. I smiled and said, OK. Here is the list. We know Carol Clive is a Hollywood producer and has had hit movies after hit movies come out. Mostly horror movies. I looked at Sweet Tooth and he nodded. We both have seen all her movies.

Next is Eve Massey. She is an actress. I have seen a few of her films. She seems a bit weird in interviews. But I’m sure she’s nice. I can’t wait to meet her. Next is Allan Rathbone. I don’t know him. Next is a Dr. Henry Strange. Then Debra Holden. I know she is an actress. I think she might be retired. She was big in the 40s. Then we have a Walter Chaney. He is an older actor too. He was great in all the Republic Horror movies from the 30s and 40s. He’s played every horror icon.

Even the wolf man a couple times, Sweet Tooth said, smiling.

I nodded and smiled.

Next is David Carlson. He is a new actor. He was in that hit movie with Charlie Sheen last year... I can’t remember the title, but he’s really famous now. And the last guest is me, of course.

A seance? That is so weird, Yama said, coming down from upstairs.

I looked up at her as I walked closer to the sales counter.

Yeah, but you know how Hollywood people are... and it is Halloween next month...

Sweet Tooth took a bite from his giant pretzel and leaned on the counter.

I wonder if you can take pictures?

Probably not... But I’ll take a camera just in case.

Doc put some money in the sales drawer and took a small drink from his coffee cup. He looked out the window and said, A seance could be dangerous, Peter... be on alert just in case. After he said that, he put down his coffee cup and walked to his office. He came back with a small box and opened it.

Take this necklace and keep it on the entire time you are on the island.

I took the necklace. It was gold and looked to be Asian in make. They carved a dragon, eating what looked like another dragon on the small round object. The necklace part was just a brown leather strap.

Thanks Doc... but what is it for?

Protection. This will stop any spirits from entering your body. Just in case those Hollyweird people actually know what they’re doing and conjure up a genuine spirit with ill intent.

I smiled and said, I think it’s just a goofy party... but I promise I will not take it off, no matter what.

I put it on right then and looked at Sweet Tooth. What do you think?

You look like you should be in a Bruce Lee movie.

I looked down at the necklace. Cool.

Yama came up close and looked at the necklace. Be careful, Peter. I feel like there might be trouble on that Island... Many stories I have read about it.

Really? Like what Yama?

The Asylum on the island was closed down 10 years ago, but before it closed, the rumors were high on Dr. Frankenstein doing experiments on the mentally insane.

Wow! There was a real Dr. Frankenstein? Sweet Tooth blurted out as he walked closer to me and Yama.

Yama nodded her head and looked at Doc. Doc walked closer and said, She’s right, there was a Dr. Frankenstein, and it was more than rumors. It was true. There were going to be charges brought against him for operating on the insane doing weird experiments on them. But he died before they could charge him.

How did he die? I said.

Not sure... just know he died on Caligari Island.

I looked at Sweet Tooth and he looked at me and we both swallowed hard.

Were you going to tell me?

Actually no, I wasn’t. I wanted you to go and have a good time... didn’t want the story to scare you away.

All that we’ve been through together, Doc... A guy dying on an island is unfortunately not much news, said Sweet Tooth, taking his last bite from his pretzel.

Doc picked up his coffee cup and nodded.

Listen, everyone... I’ll be fine. Looks like I’m leaving this Friday so... I looked at Sweet Tooth, Can you drop me off at the airport?

No problem, Peter. How long will you be gone?

I’ll need someone to pick me up Monday night.

I’ll come and get you after I lock up, Doc said.

We’ll all come to get you. Sweet Tooth chimed in.

Thanks guys. Well, let’s get back to putting out some books.

Sweet Tooth walked to the door. I’ll see you tonight Peter after work... I’ll bring a pizza.

Perfect, I said and waved to him goodbye.

THE WEEK WENT BY FAST, and I woke up early Friday morning. I was super excited about the trip.

I made eggs for breakfast and Sweet Tooth walked by and yawned.

Eggs?

Yep. Can you make coffee?

Gotcha.

Sweet Tooth went to the cupboard and got out the coffee and put in the scoops.

I’ll miss ya while you’re gone.

It’s just a few days... and I agree... I wish you were going.

You have to tell me all about it when you get back.

Oh, I will... I hope there is tons of stuff to talk about.

The coffee was done and so were the eggs. We sat down at the kitchen table and ate. We talked about all the horror movies we love.

I know you love the Wolfman... But I don’t know what else you really like from the Universal Monsters?

Sweet Tooth made a giant egg sandwich and was about to take a bite, but held off and said, I think it would have to be... Son of Dracula with Lon Chaney Jr.

He smiled and took a big bite of egg sandwich with egg going everywhere on his hands and plate.

I nodded with approval and thought about my favorite Universal Monsters movie. I think mine might be...

What about your favorite Peter?

I was just thinking about that... I would say Dracula... I know it’s slow, but I just love the slowness of it... and Bela is my favorite horror actor.

Yeah, he was great in the Wolfman, said Sweet Tooth, taking another bite from his sandwich.

I took a small bite from my eggs and took a big sip from my coffee and thought about the trip I was about to take. I felt a little uneasy about it, but I didn’t tell anyone. I have this little voice in my head and so far it has not been wrong... so I trust it. And right now my little voice says be cautious on this trip. I thought about taking my gun, but with me not having a license for it, I do not know how I would do it. I’m glad Doc gave me the necklace. I felt a lot better with it on. I’ll