The Castleton Files (Will Castleton) [Kindle Edition]

It's not often you run into a short story collection that ends on a cliffhanger, but that's exactly how David Bain chose to go out with his book THE CASTLETON FILES.

This slim volume collects in one place Bain's five short stories featuring his "slightly psychic" detective, ex-US Marshall Will Castleton of Green River, IL, now from Chicago. What began as an accidental series character for the author has turned into a passion and I read this book in anticipation of getting to read his first Will Castleton novel DEATH SIGHT. I have to say upfront Bain is a friend of mine for several years, but this review isn't about him. I've read works from many writer friends and didn't feel compelled to review it. So why this time? Because I believe in Will Castleton.

For only containing 4 short stories and 1 novella, David Bain really creates a well-rounded character with a very full history, almost none of which we actually experience with him because in the course of these stories, he's got other things to deal with obviously, but the way Bain allows Castleton's stories to unfold so naturally, none of the backstory mentioned feels the least bit forced, and it all just serves to endear us even more to this character.

And the stories themselves run the gamut of psychic fare. In "Island Ghosts", Will is on sabbatical after a particularly hard case, only to find himself smack in the middle of an unintentional case when he suddenly has a flash of someone on the island where he's staying and feels compelled to track her down, hopefully in time.

In "The Bridge", Will helps an old man reconnect with the ghost of his troubled foster son, while in "Samantha", Will helps an ex-con come to terms with the secrets of his past and, hopefully, help put some very unquiet spirits to rest.

The novella "Homeward Devils" sees Will return to Green River, the place of his birth and very familiar stomping grounds to devoted Bainheads, where our hero puts his skills to use with a foreboding dream which he uses to help stop a dangerous criminal from his past. And finally in "Nighteyes", will is enlisted to help a psychic girl who is being tormented nightly by otherworldly beings bent on consuming her spirit. And then we get to that dmned cliffhanger.

I am not pleased with that cliffhanger.

Will Castleton is a great character, drawn with obvious affection by the author and there's just enough of the everyman in him, despite his occupations past and present and his extra gifts, to help him connect really well with readers.

The stories fly by without a dull moment, thanks to Bain's mastery of the craft--and, I don't doubt, also to his past in the newspaper business--and the collection as a whole serves as the perfect introduction to a character the author promises is "in for a long, thrilling ride", as he has plans for several novels all of which take place between the events of this collection. I'm glad I got to spend some time getting to know Will before I read his novel, and I'm very much looking forward to each and every adventure.

The Castleton Files is Mr. David Bain's newest book. A Collection consisting of 'Will Castleton" stories.
First up in the collection is "Island Ghosts". There is a review already posted for this and after several readings my opinion still stands firm. Will Castleton is a character with a lot to offer and like. In "Island Ghosts" he is in a race against time to save a woman during a tropical storm. He uses his slightly psychic powers to aid him during the storm. Bain has a crisp engaging writing style that draws the reader in.

Next is "The Bridge". Will is called to the Montana wilderness help find a boy lost in the woods or kidnapped. Castleton explores the depth of his powers to reconnect the boy and his foster-father. Like the previous story, "Island Ghosts", Will Castleton is back using his 'slightly psychic' powers to aid him in his investigations. Being his first true case as a psychic detective,he had opened a small office in Chicago and chose the case as a means to escape.

As a writer,David Bain clearly knows how to get the reader's attention and Will Castleton is such a character to do just that. Unlike the previous story,Will is out and public with his gift giving Mr. Bain more ways to explore Castleton's power and delving into his past as well. I cannot fault the writing or the premise of "The Bridge", it's a great read from start to finish that continues to progress the story of Will Castleton.

In "Samantha",'Slightly Psychic' detective Will Castleton is plagued with nightmares filled with anger,rage and the name 'Samantha'. Will takes Mr. Campbell Haddoc's case. Haddoc recently released from prison needs help removing his wife's ghost from the estate. Mr. Haddoc murdered his wife, served time and now back home is feeling the wrath of the dearly departed. Worried about his girlfriend Samantha(in a catatonic state), Will agrees to help only to discover Mr. Campbell is hiding a deep secret from his past.

Another stellar Castleton adventure revealing the progression of Will's powers with a tight who-dun-it tale twisting throughout. The writing style from the previous stories stays true here as well. Any fan of action,adventure,and supernatural tales will enjoy it.

"Homeward Devils" follows Will and his girlfriend,Samantha, to Green River,Michigan. For Castleton, going home is a chance to reconnect with friends and foes. An unexpected vision turns his homecoming into a wild ride deep into the forests of Green River in search of a red devil.
Drug,donuts,action, and a red skinned devil equal to another Will Castleton tale that shouldn't be missed.

"Homeward Devils" is a new Castleton novella and is only found in this collection. It is my second favorite Castleton stories and well worth the read.

In "Night Eyes" Will must save a child from a group of supernatural creatures who feed off people's gifts. Can Will save the girl and her family from the vampiric beings?

"Night Eyes" closes out the collection and for me is the best in the group. Featuring a more supernatural tone than the other stories. It is like a warm blanket on a cold night. "Night Eyes" just pulls me in and I get lost within. The other ingredients that make the previous stories such great reads and present and strong than ever but it's the extra emphasis on the supernatural creatures that really intrigues me and hooks me right away. If you like Bain's other works especially the Will Castleton books you will feel right at home.

As a whole "The Castleton Files" is a can't miss collection and with Mr. David Bain working on the first Will Castleton novel "Death Sight". Fans of the series and Mr. Bain have a lot to look forward to.

Really enjoyed it! I LOVE Dean Koontz's books and David Bain's character and stories are similar. So I had to read more. I subsequently bought his full-length novel with Will Castleton. I will read his other planned novels as they are released. The charactet of Will is immensely likeable. Thanks to the original free story that I acquired on my Kindle that introduced me to David Vain.