The Thirteenth Cabin is a work of fiction in the paranormal and adventure subgenres and serves as the latest installment in the Raegan O’Rourke Mystery series. It is aimed at mature readers and was penned by author Brenda Lyne. The book follows paranormal reporter Reagan O’Rourke who can learn the history of an object by touching it, an ability that helps her in her work but has now made her a target for a man who wants her power extinguished or under his control. Whilst investigating a fire, Reagan starts to uncover a wider mystery about a missing person case from decades earlier.

It's absolutely imperative that paranormal thrillers are able to juggle the mystery of what is and isn’t possible within the world of the story against letting readers understand what the rules are, and this book manages to keep both of those balls in the air with skill. Author Brenda Lyne has devised some exciting lore for this series, and the opening book in the saga manages to establish the world without pulling the curtain back too far and depriving readers of the enigma. I particularly enjoyed the angle of Reagan having a love interest amongst her hunters, which I felt was an original idea that kept the story dynamics fresh and difficult to predict. The Thirteenth Cabin is a rollercoaster of a thriller with twists and turns to excite readers and a paranormal element that robustly hooks readers with its fascinating implications and mysterious origins. Brenda Lyne has crafted an excellent story with a dynamic protagonist and a central mystery that will keep readers guessing to the end. I recommend this book to all.

Like her female ancestors, Raegan O’Rourke possesses a psychic power. She can visualize the past associated with any object simply by touching it. As an investigative journalist, she uses this power to glean the truth from seemingly unfathomable mysteries. However, the power can also be a curse, especially since a long line of Faust men wants to destroy Raegan’s bloodline. When a sudden fire ravaged a holiday cabin, she decided to investigate. Little did she know that yet another mystery awaited her, one that remained unresolved for twenty-five years. Can Raegan discover the truth one more time? Find out in The Thirteenth Cabin, the first book in the Raegan O’Rourke mystery series by Brenda Lyne.

In this eclectic mix of a novel, Brenda Lyne took a sleuthing story and sprinkled a dash of magic and paranormal. As the first installment of the series, the book incorporated an intriguing premise involving a longstanding feud between two families and a star-crossed love affair. Lyne’s approach of using selective flashback memories to flesh out the background provided all the information without interrupting the natural rhythm of the story. I liked that Raegan had to employ her keen intuition and logical thinking to solve the puzzle rather than merely depending upon her extraordinary power. Lyne took care to highlight her faults, making her character well-rounded. Raegan’s constant struggle to overcome her vices was a testament to her willpower. The backdrop of an impossible love added more to the charm. Consequently, The Thirteenth Cabin is quite a promising start to what I hope will be an enchanting series.