In Absentia

Black Acres, Book 1

By: Ambrose Ibsen

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 2 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

There's No Place Like Home. A new, terrifying serial from author Ambrose Ibsen.

Kim and Julian Taylor are in the market for their first home, and a visit to the secluded Beacon estate finds them enamored. It's a peculiar home, rather large and in need of some renovations. The price is right however, and after a tour, they snap the house up without hesitation.

The man who sells them the house has one last detail to share before they sign on the dotted line. The previous owners of the home disappeared under mysterious circumstances nearly eight years ago and have recently been declared dead in absentia. Unperturbed by this fact, Kim and Julian set about making the home their own.

It quickly becomes clear that the two of them are not alone there, however.

In Absentia is the first novella in the Black Acres serial by Ambrose Ibsen. It is approximately 25,000 words and contains adult language, scenes of horror, and a cliffhanger ending. Reader discretion is heavily advised.

©2015 Ambrose Ibsen (P)2018 Ambrose Ibsen

Cliff Hanger......

This is the first book of a 4 part series and I am so anxious to hear book 2. This book left me on the edge of my seat, always wanting more. There are so many unanswered questions, such as the locked room in the basement covered up with wallpaper, the masked picture in the attic, when the masked person outside, why there are no animals in that part of the forest......I am sure that all of my questions will be answered as the series unfolds its self. The narrator, Joe Hempel, does a wonderful job portraying each of the 3 characters. You can feel his emotion and demeanor has each character is developing. Joe, you never disappoint!.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Ibsen/Hempel = Gold

It's very hard to be disappointed when you're listening to a story written by Ambrose Ibsen and narrated by Joe Hempel - they're just really on point every time. 'In Absentia' is no exception. This short and creepy read has a fairly unique take on a haunted house, with the only initial evidence of trouble being the missing former owners. Once the new occupants move in, things immediately start to devolve. I won't say more for fear of spoilers! If you like paranormal horror, this is another Ibsen/Hempel book you won't want to miss.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Ambrose Ibsen and Joe Hempel for the win

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a short but well done and creep story. It is well written and narrated. If you are a fan of Ambrose Ibsen and/or Joe Hempel, this is worth your time.

Suitably creepy

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review that I am leaving willingly.

I have some experience writing horror, be it in short story, novel, or novella form. So it does take a lot to draw me in. I have become pickier over time, but this book delivered for me. It does end on a very noticable cliffhanger, and I have to admit that I would read the followups, perhaps due to the nature of the cliffhanger. Overall, it had just the right amount of creepy for me with a few key plot points that hit my buttons. I enjoyed it and would continue in the series, something I don't say lightly.

Creepy mystery

Mr Ibsen is excellent at creating the creepy and haunting stories. I really like this book. Kim and Julian wants a new home but like so many don't have a lot of money. They find the Beacon estate which is in their price range. As an abandoned home it need work. So they go ahead and purchase the house. But there is one thing that they need to know and that is the previous owners disappeared. The title comes from the previous owners being In Absentia and therefore declared dead. That doesn't matter to the couple. They are excited to get to renovations. They find strange and disturbing things in the house. Look forward to the next in the series.

The narrator did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. He added to the creepiness of the story.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Victoria Palmer's Review.

Excellent story brought to stunning life by Audible, with just the right suspenseful narration by Joe Hempel. I was on edge of my seat with chills. Great job 👍.

Very good short story!

Very good short story! I liked the plot. The characters are believable and likeable. I really want to know how this ends! I actually shouted out loud THAT'S IT at the end. The narrator did a great job as usual. He has a pleasant voice that makes the story. I received this for free for an honest review.

cliffhanger....

set us right up for that second book, but this was disappointing
too short, should have been more elaborate.

Great

I enjoyed the story very much I like scary stories and the narrator did a great job thank you for giving me a promo code I recommend this audiobook

Fabulous!

Quick, entertaining, and thoroughly creepy! This would make a very cool short movie (or, better yet, filled out with the rest of the series when it's complete as a full length)! If you want a quick scare, this is the book for you.

Narrator is, as always, spot on. Both this author and narrator are on my radar as ones to keep an eye out for!

5 Platypries!