The Haunted Air

This book engaged me from the get-go. Jack is quite a character--maybe he wouldn't be quite as mysterious if I had read the earlier books in the series, but I doubt it. He seems to have made his career out of walking on the shady edge while still maintaining a strong moral sense. I don't usually go in for 'dark' books, but I didn't know where this one was going to go until it was too late to back out. I think my formerly-Goth nieces would enjoy this, if they haven't already discovered Wilson on their own.
So what hooked me, if it's not my usual style? Maybe the conversation-driven chapters. Maybe it's occasional complex thoughts, or the thought that this is a complex man. Maybe this quote, that I marked: "I'm wondering if maybe people show more sense this darkness approaching. Not consciously, but on a primitive, subconscious level. Maybe that explains why so many people are turning to fundamentalist and orthodox religions--ones that offer a clear and simple answer for everything. Maybe that's why conspiracy theories are so popular. These people sense something awful coming but can't put their finger on what it is, so they look for a belief system that will give them an answer and a solution." "What about us poor schmucks who don't have a belief system to lean on?" Jack sighed. "We'll probably be the ones stuck in the trenches dealing with the real thing when it comes along." (p. 69)
2011 review show less

Repairman Jack in a traditional ghost story. This was almost as good as Jack at a conspiracy nut convention.

The set-up has Jack working a 'fix' for a couple of con-artist mediums, but their house ends up haunted by the real thing largely due to the previous owners importation of some stones from [The Keep] to fill out the basement. What those stones are used for, though, is quite a bit darker. Gia, Jack's girlfriend, has an outsized role in this one, and I fear how long she can be in the mix before FPW uses her to bring the pain to his hero. Nonetheless, Gia acquits herself pretty well here, mixing it up in the fix and the fight. One of the best things about the book is Jack's back-story expands to include some previous fixes and show more experience in the grift - fascinating stuff. But the ghost rules the roost here.

5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended and one of my favorites in the series so far!!!!! show less

The adventures of Repairman Jack continue in Haunted Air. F. Paul Wilson continues to connect Jack and the progression of the Adversary in closer proximity. In this book Jack is face to face with a Haunted House. But not just any haunted house. This residence connects tragic past events which have taken place in a residence recently purchased by a local psychic medium. To be sure… the spirits in house are not pleased and have some serious ulterior motives for their actions. Repairman Jack is now faced with becoming a father as well (not something his old chums Abe and Juilo can help him with this time) and the author weaves a tale of “what do I do?” Of course the bad guys are there and as usual Jack is guided towards The show more Adversary. The story is good. The two brothers are great characters and add some depth to the story. Wilson seems to work in pairs. It seems as if all his books use pairs. There is not just going to be one bad guy or one good guy. They will have a sidekick of sorts and they are always symbolic of Boris and Natasha. Overall an enjoyable story. The antagonist mediums are kind of contrived but their camp provides some comic relief. Maybe it is just my overactive imagination but the house in the story are exactly the same house and address of Kristen Bouchard in the series EVIL. Of course this can only be coincidence. show less

Jack is persuaded to visit a fake psychic, who turns out to occupy a real haunted house. One of the ghosts wants Gia. Meanwhile, a group of powerful men who are ritually killing children to become invulnerable decides to use Vicky next. Uh-oh.

As always, these are like popcorn: not too nutritious, but impossible to stop.

An absorbing plot and some good writing to keep the reader cruising. The sixth Repairman Jack novel puts Jack in the employ of a couple grifters running a New York psychic scam, attracting violent attacks from their competitors. But are the competitors responsible for the mysterious, unexplained activities in their home? Another great entry in the Repairman Jack series.

The Haunted Air is installment #6 in the Repairman Jack series, and while it's a bit different than the others, it's still a great read. For anyone who's not aware of Repairman Jack, think about the old television show called "The Equalizer," add in a bit of HP Lovecraft and you're pretty much there. He's a man who lays low, under the radar, and wants to keep it that way. But you definitely want him on your side. In this episode, Jack makes the acquaintance of two brothers who are psychics (or at least claim to be), and is drawn into the world of psychic phenomena, the occult and the Otherness (a force which is his sworn enemy) all rolled into one. This is much like the classic haunted house slash ghost story, but with a few twists show more unique to Jack.

Repairman Jack is one of my favorite good guys, and this series has never let me down. If you want a fun read, you may wish to try this book -- but I would definitely not start the series here. It's a great book for escape reading -- nothing serious, nothing profound, not great literature. It's a bit of fast-action horror, verging into occult territory, along with a side trip through pulp. I would recommend this book to anyone who is reading the series and to others who may be thinking about it. Horror fans who like it light may also enjoy this one. show less

Jack is persuaded to visit a fake psychic, who turns out to occupy a real haunted house. One of the ghosts wants Gia. Meanwhile, a group of powerful men who are ritually killing children to become invulnerable decides to use Vicky next. Uh-oh.

As always, these are like popcorn: not too nutritious, but impossible to stop.