In Absentia

Black Acres, Book 1

By: Ambrose Ibsen

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

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.

Absent but not Gone

Having come off Ibsen’s The Occupant series I was all in for this one. Great series if you missed it. While this didn’t disappoint me it may disappoint anyone not into Ibsen or not ready for a really quick start with no real action. Ibsen tells a great story and this is more like an elongated introduction to a fantastic series. This sets the stage for all the haunt coming up. The tension starts early and I was giddy with excitement waiting to hear where it was going. Only problem is that it barely gets going. It gets you right to the edge of the cliff, lets you see it and feel the tension, then pulls you off quickly. This is like the new kid at the pool, gets the toe wet, but there is no jump. If anything this is the preparation for the run up to the jump. My only complaint is that this is all buildup and doesn't tell enough to make for anything other than a teaser for the next one. I assume this is all part of the plan for the series so buckle in and get ready for a ride. Ibsen’s haunted house stories never fail and as a fan this one seems like it will be different from his norm and I’m buckled in. Bring on the next story.
Joe does such a good job. My internal voice would never be as good as his and anyone who has ever listened to him knows that he brings the story to life and without him it is just a book and not a story.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

In Absentia

A creepy and entertaining read. Looking forward to reading (or listening) to the remainder of the series!

In Absentia

In Absentia was a very interesting beginning to what could be a pretty fun, short series. I have started it so I have to finish it to get a really good feel overall, but I enjoyed this start to the story. Funny thing is that I don't have a lot of love for the protagonists, I just want to see what happens and how everything unravels. I have always been a big fan of haunted stories and this one has promise.

This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.

Sets it all up!

This book really sets the stage for the following books. It’s a bit creepy, it kind of hints at the creepiness instead of getting Ambrose Ibsen’s blatantly scary in your face books. For a book 1 in a 3 part story, not sure if the books follow this or if it’s just the audiobooks, I wish it had ended with a bit more on the edge. I mean, we’re at a scary moment I just wanted to be peaking around the corner and get a glimmer before the ending. Instead, I’m left right before looking... at what?!?

Mr. Joe Hempel, the narrator, did an amazing job!! It always astonishes me that there are so many emotions that a voice can show. I love listening to Mr. Hempel read scary stories to me. His tone carries and the way he portrays the fear Kim shows was perfect! I felt s bit nervous for her. Good job Joe!! Can’t wait for the second part of this!!

Unnecessarily short.

Here we have a fairly good haunted house horror tale, but the cliff hanger at the end is inexcusable. Considering a total length of 2:25 hours, someone could have provided an actual novel of 5-6 hours versus a short story and given us a complete tale. I liked the story, I really did, but when the ending came I was bummed because I forgot to look at the time. My mistake all around. Three.point.five for the duration. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

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