Evelyn Cross: The Iscariot Binding – Book Review
by Justin Owens
Book 2 of 2: Evelyn Cross Mystery Series
There are so many paranormal mysteries where the participants are quick to believe ghosts, curses and absurd occurrences are real. That’s not the kind of investigator Evelyn Cross is. And that’s what makes The Iscariot Binding so riveting.
Evelyn believes in proof. She wants data, patterns, explanations that make sense. So when something appears to be trapped behind a classmate’s apartment wall, and it knows something it should not reasonably know, she does what any determined young detective would do: she investigates. This is not, of course, a simple case, and the more Evelyn investigates the stranger and more frightening the truth becomes.
While it can be read any time of year, this is an especially fun read right now, in “spooky season”.
The apartment setup is gloriously disturbing. It is fundamentally creepy when a place that should feel safe becomes the center of a mystery, especially when that mystery seems to lurk in the walls. The novel does a good job of managing that tension and creates an ominous mood while still maintaining the forward motion of the investigation.
Evelyn is a great protagonist since she doesn’t immediately trust every scary thing in front of her. Her doubt comes off as believable, and it adds to the effectiveness of the supernatural elements as the evidence continues to force her toward conclusions she would rather not embrace. She’s smart and determined, and she’s willing to keep asking the questions, even when they become a lot more personal than she expected.
There’s also a good emotional layer underneath the scares. As Evelyn digs deeper into the haunting, she is compelled to face some startling links in her own life. The combination of paranormal threat, familial secrets, and investigative work makes this feel like more than just a ghost story.
Evelyn Cross: The Iscariot Binding, a gripping, atmospheric sequel for fans of occult mysteries featuring bright teenage sleuths. If you prefer haunted homes, secrets in plain sight, doubting characters facing the impossible, and just the right amount of creepiness to keep you turning the pages, this is a terrific one to pick up.