GRAVE INTERVENTION

A devoted doctor becomes bedeviled by an elusive entity in this supernatural thriller.

Dr. Amir Hadad is a successful interventional radiologist in Naperville, a western suburb of Chicago, with lots to be thankful for, including John F. Kennedy Jr. looks; a loving wife, Camille; and a young daughter, Sami. Then Amir begins to hear an entity. He dismisses it until it returns with harrowing frequency and increasing vitriol. When the police are called, they discover no evidence of an intruder; even a new family dog is unable to soothe the Hadads’ growing fears. Still, the voice grows louder and, after careful research, is uncovered as the vengeful ghost of Irishman Patrick Doyle, who was hanged in 1854 for the murder of another immigrant, Patrick Tole, in Naperville. The hanging tree is located adjacent to the Hadads’ home, and it’s up to Amir to finally put Doyle’s spirit to rest. Set in 2018, Shiloah’s tense, atmospheric second novel channels the historical relevance of Irish immigrants and their exodus to North America. The result is a multifaceted tale of intrigue, eternal unrest, and ghostly retribution. Courtesy of Sami’s great-grandmother Sabiha, the story integrates aspects of Iraqi culture and superstitions, which are intriguing but cry out for greater coverage in the book. As the author demonstrated in her debut, Emergence (2020), anesthesiologist Shiloah has a distinct talent for crafting crisp characterization even as supernatural nuances dominate the narrative. Camille, for example, is French-born, stylish, and prone to depression, stemming from her inability of have more children due to a post-labor mishap. She also mulls reinvigorating the theater career she brushed aside in favor of motherhood. Another notable presence is Viva, Camille’s radiant younger sister, whom Amir and his wife hope to use as a surrogate for their second child. The author injects plenty of credible medical scenery into the story, but the eerie melodrama takes center stage. As the plot thickens, readers of paranormal fiction and suspense thrillers will find themselves engrossed in this finely paced, sinister tale of a family haunted by the spirit of a historical figure.

A thrill ride incorporating mystery, believable familial worries, and a vindictive ghost.