Rating: 
Summary: Unexpected Visitations
Review: Jack is the ultimate rebel, refusing to take any membership in society - as far as the workings of bureaucracy know Jack does not exist. This leaves him free to pursue his own goals - fixing peoples problems, righting wrongs, and occasionally scamming the bad guys. His only direct connections to the world we know are his two loves, Gia DiLauro and her young daughter Vicky. All things considered Jack has a pretty good life for a non-being.Or he did until Gia talks him into visited Ilfasen the psychic on a whim. No sooner does Jack cross the threshold into Menelaus Manor when an earthquake signals a new phase in Jack's life and responsibilities. Gia is pregnant, dead children are haunting the living, and Jack find's himself propelled unwillingly into a conflict with the 'Otherness.' The same force was the indirect cause of his sister's death earlier in the year. Now it seems to be playing for even bigger stakes. This is at least the sixth in F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series. In it Wilson complete the shift from stories which seem supernatural but aren't quite that simple to a world where evil is a real power and the spiritual world often overlaps the mundane. This adds life to the series, and makes 'The Haunted Air,' despite a few faults, the best written in the series for some time. While I was uncomfortable with was Jack's excessive macho in the face of Gia's pregnancy. While Jack has never been a particularly complicated person, he succumbs to the situation by becoming over protective of Gia, who really does have a mind of her own. In fact, Gia is far better at ignoring Jack's attempts at parenting that I was as a reader. It will be interesting to follow this relationship in future volumes. Of which there will no doubt be many.
Rating: 
Summary: Another great Repairman Jack adventure
Review: Repairman Jack is a rare literary character, one that never gets old (both in terms of his age in the book and his freshness). F. Paul Wilson continues his string of great RPJ novels with this sixth entry, The Haunted Air. The plot revolves around Jack being hired by two scam artist "psychic mediums" to help them get some deadly local competition of their backs. But, Jack finds himself once again being drawn into the world of the supernatural as we learn that their competitors are the least of their problems. Wilson once again sucks us into the world of Repairman Jack and doesn't let us go until the book's over, which is amazing considering this is the sixth book (and Wilson is currently working on another!). The only problem lies in the typographical errors that litter this book. All of the books in the RPJ series have had a number of typographical errors, but this book is by far the worst in this department. I didn't count, but I would estimate the amount at close to 200 in a book with 462 pages!! Sometimes there were several on one page, and Vicky is even identified as Gia once! I read the limited edition which was released about 4 months before the retail copy so maybe many of these mistakes will be cleaned up. Let's hope so, or let's hope that Wilson gets himself a new editor. Don't let the typos distract you, though, from an otherwise excellent edition to the always great Repairman Jack books.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars.
Review: See storyline above. Repairman Jack returns in another great story by F. Paul Wilson. This time he must get the best of a haunted house, as well as a mysterious and powerful group of thirteen men who sacrifice young children in order to achieve longevity. Jack also delves into the world of the psychics and their scams.
This is no doubt a gripping and sometime scary novel that will keep you riveted to its pages. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the editing. Being filled with quite a few errors, Guantlet Publications should be blamed for this. Still highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Horrifyingly Scrumptious
Review: Since I loved his other book, Crisscross, I bought this book with a paralyzing fear-induced apprehension. How many times have I read a great book and then went for another in the series only to be disappointed? Too many times. After putting the book down, my cup runneth over with glee. With a buffet of vengeful ghost, bloody sacrifices, evil entities and a hefty portion of violence on the side - this is horrifyingly scrumptious.
The sixth novel in the Repairman Jack series, you will have no trouble reading it as an isolated story. The plot is intricate, original and irresistible. I sat down with the intention to only read a few pages before bedtime and found myself still reading at 3 am. The subplots moved with a hushed undercurrent until converging, giving you an exploding climax. The pace in the story is steadfast and tenacious. The book hijacks you from the first line but always manages to keep you close and secure.
The atmosphere is shrouded in mystical undertones and terrifying fundamentals. As the journey unfolds, the air vibrates with an overpowering sense of fear and rage. Wilson's style of writing is taut and up-front. With that said, I did have a problem with the dialogue of the Kenton brothers. I understand the need to make the men sound more urban, but around the third chapter it started to grate until finally I skipped almost all the dialogue of Charlie Kenton completely.
Having read the last book first, I have no concept of the fleshing out of players over time. Instead, I get to learn Jack's past and understand how he got to this point. The characters are realistic, consistant and hilarious. Wilson gives his cast what readers hunger for: A Soul. Returning to the series, I felt like I was meeting back up with old friends.
My rating? I give it a 4 . Wrap those pennies, collect some cans and if all else fails I hear Red Cross needs a pint or two - this book is a Must Have!
Rating:
Summary: Jack is back, and he's got a few more challenges...
Review: Take, for example, Lyle and Charlie--two con artists (although Charlie's a born-again Catholic) trying to make a few bucks. They've made some enemies since their move to New York. Enemies that may want them dead. And then there's the earthquake that occurs beneath the brothers' house. It creates a giant crevice in the floor of their basement...and releases something into this world that maybe should've stayed below. And then there's Jack's girlfriend, Gia. She's worried...because she's pregnant. And that means that Jack might have to turn in his Repairman job forever... F. Paul Wilson's "The Haunted Air" is not only riveting--it's flat-out entertaining! Repairman Jack is quite possibly the best literary character to come along since James Bond, or Sherlock Holmes. He's tough, he has a mean streak...but he's sensitive, and abhorrs violence. Doesn't stop him from repairing situations for people, though. The fifth Repairman Jack novel finds Jack (and Wilson) in top form. Check this one out; then, if you haven't yet, check out the other Repairman Jack novels. They're a must for die-hard readers.
Rating:
Summary: Jack is back, and he's got a few more challenges...
Review: Take, for example, Lyle and Charlie--two con artists (although Charlie's a born-again Catholic) trying to make a few bucks. They've made some enemies since their move to New York. Enemies that may want them dead. And then there's the earthquake that occurs beneath the brothers' house. It creates a giant crevice in the floor of their basement...and releases something into this world that maybe should've stayed below. And then there's Jack's girlfriend, Gia. She's worried...because she's pregnant. And that means that Jack might have to turn in his Repairman job forever... F. Paul Wilson's "The Haunted Air" is not only riveting--it's flat-out entertaining! Repairman Jack is quite possibly the best literary character to come along since James Bond, or Sherlock Holmes. He's tough, he has a mean streak...but he's sensitive, and abhorrs violence. Doesn't stop him from repairing situations for people, though. The fifth Repairman Jack novel finds Jack (and Wilson) in top form. Check this one out; then, if you haven't yet, check out the other Repairman Jack novels. They're a must for die-hard readers.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS POSSIBLY THE BEST IN AN ALREADY GREAT SERIES!!!
Review: THE HAUNTED AIR by F. Paul Wilson-author of THE KEEP, THE TOMB, ALL THE RAGE, and HOSTS-is the sixth "Repairman Jack" novel in this utterly fantastic series about one man's attempt to protect himself and the people he loves from an evil supernatural phenomenon known simply at the "Otherness." This novel is certainly a lot longer (415pp. of very small print) than the previous books in the series, and I would probably have to say that it's also the best, which is a mouthful, considering how well written most the other novels are. This time around, the story centers on two brothers, Lyle and Charlie Kenton, whom Jack develops a close relationship with. The brothers are two psychic scam artists who have the perfect setup with their supposedly haunted house in a suburb of Queens, giving mystical readings to the rich wives and widows who want answers about the their impending future. Except for threats and gunshot warnings from some of the local psychic competitors, everything is going fairly good for the brothers until Jack and his girlfriend, Gia, show up one night with friends who want a reading from them. A mild earthquake takes place as soon as Jack and Gia start to enter the house. This cracks open the concrete floor in the basement, releasing the spirit of a murdered girl that now wants revenge against the people who killed her. Jack, who's still recovering from the death of his sister (see HOSTS), suddenly finds himself caught up in the brothers' dilemma as he attempts to find out who's been threatening them and as another case he's working on begins to tie in with the death of the little girl. While all of this is going on, Gia finds out that she's pregnant with Jack's baby and begins to worry that he may not want to give up his secret life in order to become an actual parent for the child. What neither one of them realizes is that the "Otherness" is back and wants the unborn baby for its own obscene purposes. As my mama used to say-when it rains, it pours! In THE HAUNTED AIR, the author delves more deeply into the personality of Repairman Jack as the character is forced to make an important decision about his life and the lives of the people closest to him. Jack's not even sure it's possible for him to become a citizen without facing heavy fines for tax evasion and jail time for breaking the law. Gia also has to make a life-changing decision with regards to her feelings for Jack and what having his child may mean to her own goals and desires. Mr. Wilson makes these two characters appear more human and their choices in life more complex. Another thing that interested me was the discussions throughout the book on the nature of faith, religion, The Bible, God, and the essence of "good" and "evil." It helped me to clarify some of my own thoughts in relation to these subjects. One thing to keep in mind about the "Repairman Jack" novels is that all of them take place during the mid-eighties within a fifteen-month time frame, though some of the technology is present day and references are made to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centers, and the murdered child was supposedly killed in the late eighties. And let's not forget all of the references to current music. This can get pretty confusing if you allow yourself to even think about it for a moment. The best thing to do is simply enjoy the ride for what it is. There's also a connection within this book to Mr. Wilson's first novel, THE KEEP (the stone blocks from Romania). Finally, a really nice addition to this series is the introduction of the Kenton brothers. These are two guys that kind of grow on you as the book moves along, and you find yourself hoping that the author will bring them back in a future novel, or at least one of them. With prose that's razor sharp, a more intricate plot, and stronger character development, F. Paul Wilson has written what is possibly the best novel in an already great series! I know his legions of fans will grow even larger after reading THE HAUNTED AIR.
Rating:
Summary: Strong haunted house Repairman Jack Tale
Review: The Kenton brothers are posing as mediums in Astoria, Queens siphoning off customers from other charlatan psychics. One of the scam artists is trying to drive Charlie and Lyle out of business using some dangerous methods. It is only luck that Repairman Jack crosses their path. Jack, Gia and Gia's friend are visiting Menalus Manor, home of the Kentons when a small earthquake hits leaving a wide crack going the length of the cellar. While Repairman Jack is trying to get the Kentons' competitors to leave the siblings alone, Charlie and Lyle are starting to experience signs that their house is haunted. Jack finds that the haunting is linked to another case he's working, involving a cult snatching a young child every year as a sacrifice. Jack and those he loves are in danger unless a miracle occurs. F. Paul Wilson does for haunted houses what Anne Rice has done for vampires. THE HAUNTED AIR is linked to other Repairman Jack novels as the recurring characters add a sense of continuity to the story line. Repairman Jack is mellower and less prone to high risk ventures than he has been in the past, which is a good thing because in nine months his life will change dramatically. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Adventure!
Review: This is a marvelous series. Jack is a great character, as is all the supporting cast. Each book is solid and compelling. Just the right amount of mystery, supernatural creepiness, mythology, action and romance. The writing is superb, especially strong for genre fiction. I hope the good doctor stays healthy, and can keep delivering a "Jack" a year.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Contribution to a Marvelous Series!!!
Review: This is the latest Repairman Jack novel, a series which combines noir/mystery/crime novel with elements of horror and science fiction. Jack is one of the combatants in the battle between the Otherness and the Ally, a battle that's been raging throughout Wilson's novels and serves to tie most of them together into one continuum. In this book, Jack is faced with impending fatherhood and what that will mean to his shadowy, off-the-books existence. He also has to deal with the apparent ghost of a young girl who is haunting the house of a con-man/ psychic and his born-again brother, as well as a mysterious man who hires him to shadow his "brother" and prevent him from committing any crimes during the next full moon. All of this material comes together in a very satisfying way, leaving one wanting more. Wilson is one of those writers who just doesn't write fast enough. Jack is a great creation, sort of the Equalizer crossed with the X-Files, and if you haven't experienced this series yet, you owe it to yourself to seek it out (other titles are _The Tomb_, _Legacies_, _Conspiracies_, _All the Rage_, and _Hosts_).
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