In his debut novel, author Leopoldo Gout flexes his storytelling muscles to let readers know just how powerfully he has mastered his craft.  Ghost Radio combines the elements of a horror novel with pseudo alternate reality tales from the other side.  It is a unique, compelling book full of twists and turns and surprises and, yes, some confusion.

The story is shared from differing perspectives and varies from third person to first person narratives in a sometimes jarring manner.  Yet the book drags you. the reader, in and hooks you as you learn to navigate the waters, which are the waves of words Gout teases and teaches with.

The book is essentially the story of Joaquin, host of a very late night talk radio program named Ghost Radio, which in many ways resembles real life late night talk show Coast To Coast, with host George Noory.  Yet Ghost Radio becomes all too real for Joaquin; and the lines between reality, unreality, dreams, nightmares, sanity and insanity all blur until the actual "reality" of everything is called into question.

I really think this is a most original and challenging read that would appeal to a wide audience,  but in particular those with an innate curiosity about the nature of reality and the perception of reality.  It's excellent as a horror novel,  excellent as a creepy ghost story, and top notch for making a reader want to both read it again and look further for hidden meanings.  The artwork at the beginning of each chapter is done by The Fates Crew and author Leopoldo Gout, and is intriguing in itself.

I saw this book when it was first out in hardcover,  but didn't have the opportunity to read it at the time.  I was delighted to have this review copy come my way and thoroughly enjoyed the book, enjoyed writing this review and truly believe that it is worthy of a  diverse following of readers and much acclaim.  I look forward to future works by author Gout.