Findley Black and the Reaper of Shivelly Park

By Amy Spector

Sequel to Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer's Devil

Findley Black knows a little something about serial killers. What he doesn’t know is why anyone would want to reenact a series of murders that took place more than ninety years ago, which he’s read a great deal about as part of his annual Halloween ghosts tours. Unless, of course, it’s not a copycat at all and the Reaper of Shivelly Park is back for vengeance.

Owen Key never considered himself much for domesticity, but the last two years with his boyfriend Findley have him reevaluating his priorities. His family at The Printer’s Devil is growing, he has a new book on the way, and he wants nothing more than to make Findley an honest man. And what better time to pop the question than on Halloween, the second anniversary of their sort-of first date?

But the night has other plans, and Findley and Owen will find themselves with something more pressing than a romantic evening. The ghost of the Shivelly Park Reaper is on the loose. But when no one believes them, they have no choice but to take matters into their own hands. Because, well ... the Reaper might just get away with it if not for Findley, Owen, and the kids. And Bella. You can’t forget the cat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jul 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685505196

Amy Spector

Amy Spector grew up in the United States surviving on a steady diet of old horror movies, television reruns, and mystery novels.After years of blogging about comic books, vintage Gothic romance book cover illustrations, and a shameful amount about herself, she decided to try her hand at writing stories. She found it more than a little like talking about herself in third person, and that suited her just fine.She blames Universal for her love of horror, Edward Gorey for her love of British drama, and writing for awakening the romantic that was probably there all along.Amy lives in the Midwest with her husband and children, and her cats Poe, Goji and Nekō.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Well? Kayla leaned over the counter, Micah next to her. Are you going to show us?

Okay, fine. Owen glanced around before disappearing into his office to retrieve the bag. It was one of those fancy, little black paper sacks with a thick twine handle and the name of the shop printed in matte gold that you were only ever given at over-priced boutiques. But you can’t say anything.

About what? Noah and the twins came hurtling down the stairs, their closing duties finished for the evening. Is it the ring?

For the hundredth time, Owen wondered why he’d told any of them. Well, maybe not really, but if Findley said no he’d have to fire them all, or move somewhere new and start over.

He’s totally going to say yes, mind reader extraordinaire Kayla said, beaming at him, a hand on her rapidly expanding belly. And I want to be a flower girl.

I’m not sure it’s going to be that kind of wedding. Or maybe it would. Maybe Findley would want something big and extravagant, with caterers and hundreds of guests, and truckloads of flowers. Or maybe Owen would. If he’d learned nothing else in the two years since he’d met Findley Black, he’d learned that he hadn’t really known himself at all. But if it is, you’ve got it.

He pulled the small, velvet clamshell box from inside the bag and popped it open. The platinum band was simple and classic, and just seeing it made Owen’s heart pound in his chest from a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and complete bafflement that he’d come so far in such a short period of time.

It’s beautiful, Owen.

Yeah. He grinned at Micah and Micah grinned back. When are you going to pop the question?

Tomorrow night.

Ow, Halloween. Awesome.

There was a knock on the door and all the kids stilled. Owen snapped the box closed, slipped it into his pocket, and shoved the bag under the counter before looking up and waving at Findley on the other side of the glass.

Speak of the devil.

One of the twins—Jayden or Kayden, Owen still struggled to tell them apart if they weren’t talking—unlocked the door, and let him in.

Hey, Kay. Because of course. Nice haircut.

Thanks. Findley looked windblown and handsome. He also looked like he’d had a rough day, but Owen knew he was the only one who would be able to tell. And that was another thing about being in a real relationship that gave him an odd feeling inside. Just got it yesterday. I told the barber to make me look hot.

Mission accomplished.

That made Kayden grin.

Owen had the impulse to walk around the counter and wrap Findley up in a hug. But he didn’t. Not with the kids still there. Your tour ended early? he asked instead.

Nope. You’re running late. Findley raised an eyebrow, and Owen checked his watch.

Shit. Okay, everyone. You can head on out. Findley and I’ll finish closing up. Remember you can reach me on my phone tomorrow if you need anything, anything at all, and I’ll see you on the second.

The group cheered, excited Owen had decided to include November first—the Day of the Dead—as one of the Printer’s Devil’s official closures this year. Partly, that was out of guilt that he was taking Halloween off himself, partly it was a bribe so that they didn’t burn the bookstore to the ground while he was gone.

Findley and his late-night ghost tour groups had come through a week earlier, and what were a few less book sales compared to a happy crew? Besides, the ghost of Elizabeth Wells might like to have the place to herself.

So. Findley poked through the candy bowl on the counter as everyone started gathering their things. Any parties this year?

Yeah, we’re all doing a group costume thing tomorrow. A party over there off Whittier. We’re going to get ready here and walk over after work.

Awesome. Get pictures.

The phone rang, and Owen stepped into