Review: The Man In The Black Top Hat by: Ju Ephraime

Inspired by a true story. 
Syria Warrington came home one afternoon and found an old black top hat on her front step, being a lover of all things old; she did not hesitate to take it into her home. But bringing this top hat into her home unknowingly exposed her to the spirit that called this hat, home. The strange happenings that began to take place in her home, from that day on had Syria questioning her sanity. Her life, as she knew it, began to quickly unravel before her very eyes, as night after night she found herself in the arms of a stranger. Were her experiences real or imagined?

I received this book to give an honest review.

Wow! This was a ghost story like no other I was so engrossed in the story that I found myself staying up late to finish it.

This was not a normal ghost story this was a paranormal entity story. 

I have always been one of those people who do not truly believe in ghosts, but at the same time I have always believed that when you bring old things into your house there is a chance something could be attached to it. 

We follow in first person what is going on with Syria and the ghost she has let into her house. But this isn't a normal ghost this is a sexual hungry ghost. Who will stop at nothing to make sure he continues his sexual rampage towards Syria. Syria of course has no clue what is truly going on for a while and she hides it all too well from her husband which I found quite weird. Because I am wondering why her husband is not more questioning as to what exactly is going on? Why the more sudden not leave my side behavior that she is showing. 

The only problems I had with the story is *POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT*

1.) Her daughters play a big part in her life but they are never fully developed within the story. I hope that makes sense. 

2.) When all this first started, why didn't she start researching what was happening? I know if something weird was going on within my house and I wanted answers but didn't want to talk with anyone I would have so been looking online or in a library for answers.

3.) Jeff's father leaves Syria the hat but why would he do that? This was never explored or answered. Why not give it to someone else? Or keep it? I believe this could have been explained. 

If you like a good ghost story, with a lot of sexual things going on well then I highly suggest you pick this up. I was glad I got to read this book. Now reading the blurb I noticed it said inspired by a true story, I am intrigued as to know is this experience something this author went through? Or maybe a friend? Either way really good story minus the little problems I had. 

About the author:

Ju Ephraime (http://www.juliaeantoine.com/Ju-Ephra...) is the debut author of State of Ecstasy. Her latest novel, Temptation to Sin, was published by ENVISION Business & Computer School, in July 2011. Her next novel, The Man in The Black Top Hat, will be published by ENVISION in November 2011. Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ENVISION, Books-A-Million, Borders, Amazon UK (England), Flipkart (India), Amazon CA (Canada), Booku (Australia), Amazon JP (Japan) and many other retailers. 
Ju's books have received great reviews from many different sources, including Midwest Book Review and Readers favorite. 
Ju is a member of the RWA, Women's National Book Association, The Red Room, Filedby, and NAME. She earned her graduate degree from Northeastern University. She has a varied background, but for the past 12 years, has settled in the area of higher education. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Goodreads. Ju lives with her family in Connecticut