The Scribe of Salem by Kathie Costos is a supernatural story and the first part of the Ministers of the Mystery series. When everything seems to go wrong in life, is it still possible to be saved? Chris Papadopoulos has seen war and death. He has experienced being hurt and there are days when everything is just too much to handle. His marriage destroyed his life and there is anger and regret in him. He can't see what could be better about the future. His friends present him with an opportunity to be saved. They urge him to meet someone who has helped them when they were at the lowest point in their lives. Things soon begin to look up for Chris but he is terrified. The only thing change has ever done is hurt him. He does not know what the future holds for him but he still doubts that it will be anything good. God has other plans.

In this story, I was struck by the words of the character Alex Michaels: “If love could still live after all that horror, love could live in anyone." The start of The Scribe of Salem by Kathie Costos taught me about the importance of compassion and support from friends and even strangers. This is a heartrending and powerful tale of pain and healing. Mysterious forces are at work to give Chris the saving he deserves after the nightmare life he has experienced. I appreciate how this story does not shy away from the pain of trauma. Costos portrays Chris’s suffering succinctly and with great emotional depth. Chris is careful and tries not to be too hopeful that he too will have a chance at a happier life and that broke my heart. As I read through his and many other characters' stories, I could not help but cheer them on and wish them the best. This first book of the series was a journey of change and hope with an interesting twist and many important lessons to learn. I learned that the past may be painful but acknowledging the pain is important and it takes great strength to focus on the future and move forward with hope and love in our hearts. Overall, I found this to be an excellent and unforgettable read.

In The Scribe of Salem: Ministers of the Mystery by Kathie Costos, readers are introduced to Chris Papadopoulos, who has witnessed his fair share of tragedies in life. As a newspaper correspondent, he has traveled the world, including the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His life fell apart while working there. Back in America, Chris tries to survive as he suffers from trauma. He despises changes since most of them have made his life worse. However, one night at the Bishop Hotel bar in Salem, Chris gets an opportunity to turn his life around. A minister is waiting to help him in New Hampshire, and all he has to do is agree to meet her.

This book goes into great detail about topics not brought to light due to the stigma associated with them. It refers to the Salem witch trials in North America and how people were brutally tortured and executed based on hearsay and gossip. The Scribe of Salem explores themes like PTSD and domestic violence against men in marriage along with the stigma attached to it. It discusses meeting the right people, healing, the light and the darkness, addiction, and mental health. The book emphasizes how important it is to help people recover after trauma in their lives. Kathie Costos also explores feelings of hopelessness and the power within all of us to help one another achieve our life purpose. The book is recommended for those with an interest in mental health.

The Scribe of Salem by Kathie Costos is a historical supernatural suspense story, the first edition in the Ministers of the Mystery series, and best suited to an adult audience. In this thrilling work filled with fantasy, magic, secrets, and scripture, we are introduced to the brutal and needless violence of the Salem Witch Trials from an interesting new perspective. Journalist Chris Papadopoulos is our central figure, and he thinks he’s already had his fair share of personal and professional horrors in the risky life he’s chosen to lead. But no modern-day warzone could compare with what awaits him in Salem and the minister he will have to deal with once there.

Kathie Costos weaves an engrossing and spine-tingling tale that beautifully blends dark fantasy, gothic fiction, and supernatural horror to deliver the best of all these genres combined. This is an area of history that I’ve read a lot about and enjoyed exploring. I loved the perspective that Costos takes with the idea of secrets, gossip, whispers, and the written word being more dangerous than any otherworldly monster could ever be. The writing style is sharp and focused on the moment at hand, moving quickly through different scenes with swift dialogue that helps keep the pace. Overall, The Scribe of Salem is a work filled right to the brim with intrigue, emotional depth, and historical horror, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series holds in store.

Christopher Papadopoulos’ marriage and career have died. It is only a matter of time before he does too. He thinks God is someone vindictive who loves playing with people’s lives and making them suffer for fun. His life so far is proof enough of that. But after talking with his friends about his troubles and hearing their optimism about life, despite their fair share of tragedies, he doesn't know what to think. They are all saved from giving up on life by someone named Mandy. His pals think it is time for him to take his life back and agree that he should meet Mandy too. But who is Mandy? How can she help him when he can barely help himself? Read The Scribe of Salem by Kathie Costos to find out.

The first book in the Ministers of the Mystery Series is mysterious, unique, and spiritual. Kathie Costos’ The Scribe of Salem took me on an emotional, healing journey. The characters each have had their struggles. They have all reached a low point in their lives that made them think of giving up but a fateful encounter changes their hearts and minds. I was drawn in by the characters’ struggles and stayed to see how their stories would turn out. None of their journeys have been easy but the characters persevered and pushed through. I greatly admired the strength it took for them to face another day and to continue hoping against adversity. It is hope that allows them to listen for their salvation and see a brighter day. I learned a powerful and unforgettable lesson about faith and hope and the important role it plays when it comes to reclaiming one’s life again. Good job!