Perfect Circle

Perfect Circle is a contemporary fantasy novel set in Texas that follows William Kennedy, a divorced father who sees and communicates with ghosts. His supernatural ability makes everyday life difficult, keeping him stuck in dead-end jobs and straining his connections with living people. Will scrapes by as a part-time exorcist in Houston, helping people deal with their unwanted ghost problems. When his cousin reaches out about a haunted garage, what starts as a routine job becomes significantly more dangerous. The book combines supernatural elements with gritty realism, painting a portrait of working-class Texas life complete with family drama, financial struggles, and the challenges of post-divorce parenting. The ghost story elements serve to explore deeper themes about family legacy, redemption, and the weight of the past on the present.

Readers describe Perfect Circle as a ghost story that transcends typical supernatural fiction by focusing on complex family relationships and Texas culture. Readers highlighted: - The authentic portrayal of working-class Houston life - Natural dialogue and relationships between characters - Humor mixed with serious themes - The unique take on ghost encounters - Strong sense of place and local culture Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Some plot threads left unresolved - Heavy use of Texas vernacular can be difficult for some readers - Marketing as urban fantasy led to mismatched expectations Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) Multiple reviewers noted it reads more like literary fiction than horror or fantasy. One reader called it "a character study wrapped in a ghost story." Another described it as "Raymond Carver meets The Sixth Sense."

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🌟 Sean Stewart wrote Perfect Circle while living in Davis, California, but drew heavily from his experiences growing up in Houston, Texas. 🌟 The novel was originally published under the title Firecracker before being re-released as Perfect Circle, named after the band The Sisters of Mercy's song. 🌟 The book's protagonist shares several biographical details with real Texas ghost hunters, including the tendency to find spirits in historic Houston neighborhoods like the Heights. 🌟 The novel won the 2005 William L. Crawford Fantasy Award and was a finalist for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. 🌟 Stewart's portrayal of ghosts breaks from horror conventions by depicting them as echoes of their former selves, stuck in patterns and memories rather than actively malevolent beings.