Archive for ghost story

2021 : BOOKS, MUSIC, AND MORE!

As the year 2021 rolls forward, Raymond would like to share with you some items of interest.

FIRST, Raymond’s ghost story novel, HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir, was published in September 2020 by Crossroad Press, and is available as an e-book, trade paperback, and a spectacular audiobook from Audible.

WHAT IF YOU, AS A GHOST, HAD TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER? “HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir” is a ghost story with a distinctive noir sensibility mixed with David Lynchian surrealism.

Hotel Destiny Cover

ALSO, Raymond has written the Introduction to the fabulous anthology, TURNING THE TIED, which contains short stories by members of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW). These new tales feature public domain characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein’s Monster, John Carter of Mars, Dracula, the Three Musketeers, and more. Sales will benefit the World Literacy Foundation. Now available as an e-book and trade paperback.

Turning the Tied cover

FINALLY, over the past pandemic year, Raymond has been recording piano solos at home during quarantine and uploading them to YouTube. To date he has uploaded 92 and the goal is to reach 100 by the time of the one-year anniversary of lockdowns in mid-March.

Raymond Benson Plays Piano

Raymond Benson plays piano at home.

Subscribe to Raymond’s YouTube Channel to see and hear his eclectic repertoire of classic rock, movie music, and original compositions!

OF COURSE, Raymond’s other recent books like BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, and the five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO, are all still available. Find them on the Books–Fiction & Non-Fiction page, and the Books–Tie-Ins page!

RAYMOND SENDS HUGS TO EVERYONE AND SAYS, “BE SAFE AND BE HEALTHY!”

“Hotel Destiny” Now Available!

(Updated October 2020)

WHAT IF YOU, AS A GHOST, HAD TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER?

From internationally acclaimed and New York Times best-selling author Raymond Benson comes a novel that is a ghost story with a distinctive noir sensibility mixed with David Lynchian surrealism.

“HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir” was published by Crossroad Press in September 2020!

The year is 1985. Manhattan’s Times Square area is sleazy, and the streets are full of what Coleman Sackler calls “New York Street Skunk.” Cole is the night manager and self-proclaimed hotel detective for the transient Hotel Destiny, which has been plagued with scandals over the century, including several murders, gangster occupation and ownership, and fleabag status during the 1960s and 70s. Five recent slayings in the building have been attributed to—the police believe—one killer.

During the gala grand re-opening Halloween party, Cole Sackler himself is murdered by a masked man. But hold on! Cole “awakes” and is still in the hotel—as a ghost. Prior to his death, a mysterious woman had told him that hidden portals located throughout the building can lead one to other time periods, and that the key to Cole’s destiny is in the hotel’s past and embedded in its many secrets.

Thus, Cole’s spirit sets out to solve his own murder by dropping in on living characters throughout Hotel Destiny’s history and observing and/or interacting with them. His goal is to discover the identity of his killer, as well as learn the ironic truth about his own family, his heritage, and himself!

SEE THE BOOKS–FICTION & NON-FICTION PAGE FOR LINKS TO ORDER THE E-BOOK, PRINT BOOK, OR AUDIOBOOK!

“Torment–A Love Story” now in Trade Paperback!

Raymond’s 2011 ghost story/horror novel, “TORMENT–A LOVE STORY” (previously only available in English as an e-book and audiobook, and in print in Italy), is now available as a trade paperback from Crossroad Press, available from Amazon! A story of voodoo and obsession delivers thrills and chills… and yes, it’s a love story, too! Order it from the Shop: Fiction page!