This is an excellent collection of stories about the paranormal. The authors writing keeps you entranced as you live through the characters on their chilling paranormal experiences. Great writing and character development! ( )

I found this to be an enjoyable & compelling read, with stories that touched the subconscience in a way most blatant ghost stories do not. There are no writhing zombies here, no evil wizards in flowing robes, no graphic horror - instead, a subtle uneasiness pervades each of the three stories: a woman who encounters the vision of an old man, a child with an imaginary friend that may not be all imagination, and the creepy tale of friends who gather to party with a Ouija board. Each of these tellings is the kind of paranormal encounters most people experience at one time or another, the kind that make you think twice and leaves you with more questions than answers. Very well-written; the 3rd story involving the Ouija board would make a good short film, and the plot twist involving feelings of love came as an unexpected but exhilirating surprise. Congratulations to the author for a successful creation. ( )

I enjoyed H.L. Baker's supernatural short story collection "The Waiting Room" (received as a member giveaway). Ms. Baker wrote well, was nicely edited, and her stories left the reader with that sense of ambiguity that is sought out in a ghost story. She was able to successfully tap into the joyful and the menacing attributes of the genre - my preference was for the menacing found in the final tale "Closed Circle of Friends". ( )

I enjoyed this book. Its three stories are very short, but well written.

The first story is The Waiting Room, and is my favorite. Without giving it away, the main character is able to help a sad spirit. I thought the ending to be very sweet, and can't help but wonder what happened to the ghost in the end.

The second story is The Forgotten Son. This was my least favorite. It's not a bad story, but I felt that it was too short, it needed more back story. Possibly this one would do better as a novel length book, with more character depth and development.

The third story is the Closed Circle of Friends. I very much liked how the ghost in this one was messing with their heads. I thought it was pretty funny, actually. However, I think jumping between character viewpoints was unnecessary.

All in all, it was definitely worth the read, and a good first novel by a new author. I look forward to seeing more from H.L. Baker. ( )

I received this book from Library Thing to read and review. At first glance, I was not sure I would like this book, but I found it fascinating to read as well as easy to read. Though the author does make the paranormal part of the book, it does not overpower the stories. The author has produced stories that will stay with the reader long after reading them. The stories show us three slices of life: someone waiting (perhaps?) after doctors and patients leave a soon to be abandoned hospital, Frankie's best friend Tommy who has moved on from him and their friendship (or has he really?), and friends who experience a shock when they take out the Ouija board after an evening of cards, much booze and conviviality. I found myself sticking with the stories, despite several reasons to put the book down, until I finished them. The stories are not exceptionally deep but concern routine daily activities, which only makes the more real to me. I have not read anything else by this author, but, after reading this collection, I am going to search out more of her/his works. ( )