Book Review- Vortex: A Moffett & Keoph Investigation by Ray Garton

Vortex is one of those books that has consistently avoided my vicarious attempts to read. Originally published as a limited edition hardcover, it quickly became a collectible and all of my attempts to acquire a reasonably priced copy on eBay were always met by some jerk sniping me at the last moment.

Of course, it was only natural that I jump at the chance to read a review copy of the ebook that Ray has now released as his first self-published title. I know... many of you hate ebooks; and there is a special place in my heart for real books too, but until I can throw around money on books like Donald Trump's son at a strip club, I've got to read 'em when I can. To be honest, I would read Ray Garton's work if he hand wrote it on a roll of toilet paper if I had too.

Vortex continues the adventures of Garton's weird detective duo, Karren Moffett and Gavin Keoph who have been hired by the same guy who brought them together in the first place, Martin Burgess. The type of guy who can afford a copy of all of Garton's rare books, and the type who can afford to impress his new girlfriend by hiring these investigators to look into the strange things going on at Mt. Shasta, a spiritual and New Age retreat where something isn't as it should be.

Fans of Garton's Night Life and Beastial will love to see a return of familiar, well-loved characters who jump to life with Garton's high energy and engaging dialogue. Garton moves the story along with his simple mastery of adding all kinds of action, humor, and enough weird science fiction paranormal goodies to make the writers of season ten of The X-Files feel ashamed of themselves.

This is a novelette, so expect to want more when you're done with this one. You don't need to read Night Life or Beastial in order to enjoy Vortex, but, fair warning, you may seek them out when you're done if you happen to be one of the neglected souls who have yet to read either of those classics.

Ray Garton may be one of the architects of Splatter Punk, but he doesn't always make things Splatter. Sometimes he just gives us what we need... Thrills, spills, and smiles. I wish Mr. Garton all the best with his stroll into self-publishing, he just raised the bar... Like a boss.

-Cory Cline

Get your own copy here...

Check out all of Ray Garton's work here. Once you start, you won't stop!