Fred, a Ghost Story – Book Review

The fascinating and thought-provoking memoir Fred, a Ghost Story by Clay Hurtubise explores the paranormal experiences of a once-skeptical man whose life was irrevocably altered by a string of spectral encounters. The fact that this book is based on actual events and features Clay’s candid, unvarnished account of his journey from incredulity to reluctant acceptance distinguishes it from other ghost stories. All events in this book are true adn told to the best of the author’s recollection.
I love a good ghost story – and I especially love a TRUE ghost story. This is why I was very excited to receive a review copy of this book from an author I have read and enjoyed before. Let me tell you more about it, and why I enjoyed it!
Dedication: “Fred, whom I believe to be Mitchell Allen. One
of the gentlest and kind souls to walk this earth.”
Fred, a ghost at the center of the narrative, transforms from an unsettling apparition into a protector who even saves Clay and his partner’s lives at a crucial juncture. We can almost feel as though we are there with the author as he describes these experiences in exquisite detail, experiencing the unexplainable with him. (Some names have been changed but the story is true.)
But not every interaction in this memoir is positive. The story is made more intimate and eerie by the terrifying appearance of a ghostly priest who mistreated Clay as a youngster. Here, the book goes beyond ghost stories to provide readers with a moving examination of tragedy, memory, and recovery. The narrative is grippingly tense because of the contrast between these two spirits – one a savior, the other a tormentor.
Clay’s early reluctance to accept the supernatural is among the most fascinating elements in Fred, a Ghost Story. His early sightings had been dismissed as hallucinations or the product of an overactive imagination due to a head injury. However, Clay is forced to consider the idea that what he is seeing might not be merely his imagination when his dog responds to something invisible. Particularly for readers who might have the same early misgivings as Clay, this slow transition from skepticism to acceptance gives the novel an authentic and relatable feel.
With brief bursts of dry humor interspersed with the more somber subjects, Clay Hurtubise’s writing is clear-cut and captivating. His reports gain credence since he vividly describes the ghosts and their interactions without going beyond with sensationalism. Another important character in the narrative is the author’s spouse, who provides a helpful viewpoint that counterbalances Clay’s struggle with faith.
To sum it up, Fred, a Ghost Story is a profoundly human tale about overcoming anxieties, addressing the past, and seeing meaning in the inexplicable—it is more than just a book about ghosts. With an honest candor, Clay Hurtubise draws readers into his world, making it difficult to put the book down. This memoir will make you wonder about the limits of reality, regardless of your level of faith in the paranormal or your level of skepticism.
To anyone who appreciates emotional memoirs, true-life paranormal events, or stories that go against the grain, I heartily suggest this book!
It’s available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle edition, as well as in Kindle Unlimited.