J. T. Bishop’s novel, Lost Truth, is a fast-paced, thrilling story that brings together the paranormal and the suspense of a murder mystery. The novel is set in San Diego. Mason Redstone, or Red, is a private investigator with unusual paranormal gifts, a remarkable ability to see, hear, and channel spirits. Red, his empathic sister Mikey, and Red’s longtime friend, Trick Monroe, are partners in their PI firm, SCOPE, the Study of Cryptids and Paranormal Events. Trick, like Red, is a former Texas Ranger and has law enforcement experience. Red is an undercover investigator for the Cryptid Unit, which investigates paranormal criminal activity. His target is Cora Trent, who has paranormal abilities and may be an amplifier, i.e., an energy source, for a terrifying paranormal: a Satori, a mind-reader capable of killing people. Red meets Cora at the Paranormal Conference, but he’s not convinced she is involved with the Satori murders. In the meantime, Detectives Aaron Remalla and Gordon Daniels are investigating extremely horrifying killings by someone very knowledgeable about ancient alchemical sacred purification rituals. Puzzling clues about both investigations draw the two teams together.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading J. T. Bishop’s Lost Truth for its incredible characters and multilayered storyline. I particularly enjoyed the character development of SCOPE investigators Red and his sister Mikey, as both are gifted with paranormal abilities. I liked how their abilities and characters sprang to life through the well-developed storyline and the drama of their interactions with cryptids, who seem ordinary but are also paranormals. These interactions were made even more terrifying because the settings are ordinary life. And then the story twists; the atmosphere is imbued with the supernatural, with the horrifyingly weird, deadly abilities of paranormal killers. Equally, I liked the character development of Trick, who has no paranormal gifts, but his character adds great complexity to the overall story. Perhaps because the paranormal is the dominant theme, the dialogues became a significant key to story and character development, conveying the fear and intensity of thoughts and emotions, of dramatic and riveting moments, and interactions between the different characters. I liked the well-crafted dialogues in how they conveyed tone, and together with descriptions of body language and settings, added greatly to creating an atmosphere of extreme danger and fear. I also enjoyed the role that Detectives Remalla and Daniels play, enriching the story and adding depth. I very highly recommend Lost Truth to readers who enjoy reading paranormal, murder, and detective stories.

Mason Redstone already had his hands full running SCOPE, a paranormal investigative outfit. When he and his team stumble upon a murder that defies logic, they initially assume it may just be another job with quirks. The stakes become deadly when the killer turns their attention toward one of Mason’s colleagues. As if that complication is not enough, the Cryptid Unit reaches out for help with a baffling case of their own. Mason quickly realizes these bizarre events aren't random—he is tangled up in a conspiracy that is more dangerous than he imagined. Mason must turn to his partner, Trick, and his sister Mikey, to solve a case that will test each person's loyalties in ways they never imagined possible in J. T. Bishop’s Lost Truth.

In Lost Truth, J. T. Bishop unfurls the origin stories of the principal characters in stages, using subtle references to key incidents from previous books in The Redstones Chronicles series to immerse readers in the narrative. This makes the narrative easy to follow both as a standalone and as part of a larger series. The dialogue is detailed as Bishop explains the origins of the mythical creatures Mason’s team faces. The attention to detail in the romantic subplots emphasizes Mikey’s micro-reactions to working closely with someone she has feelings for, and Mason’s sometimes irrational decision-making. Bishop weaves these elements together with rich folklore, dynamic fight scenes, and a gradual pace to engage action, romance, and fantasy genre enthusiasts in a riveting novel.