Detective Sun and the Curse of the Venomous Spider 2022 is a thrilling and captivating crime novel written by renowned author, Kimberly Roberts. Set in the year 2022, the story revolves around Detective Emily Sun, a brilliant investigator known for her sharp intuition and unparalleled deductive skills. The novel starts with an unsettling incident where a wealthy businessman, Mr. Johnson, is found dead in his luxurious mansion. The circumstances surrounding his death are mysterious, as there are no apparent signs of forced entry or struggle. The only clue left behind is a small spider figurine found near the body.
SF: Can a case contain a demon?
SF Kevin put Lori back on the shelf and our attention drifted back to Voodoo Mama and my final question Do you believe that a curse, or an evil entity, is attached to Voodoo Mama and caused the tragedies in Daniel McKent s life. The K2 readings did consistently lead us to the fireplace where after some exploring, we discovered a loose brick which turned out to be a secret compartment for hiding something, maybe cash or something else of value.
The only clue left behind is a small spider figurine found near the body. Detective Sun, intrigued by the peculiar circumstances of the case, delves deep into the investigation. As she interviews the members of Mr.
Haunted Dolls, Curses, and a True Crime Voodoo Cold Case
In writing my crime novel What They Don’t Know, I wanted my lead character to have an unusual relationship with her collection of dolls. As a psychological thriller, what better than to include haunted dolls? Not knowing a lot about haunted dolls and wanting to learn more, my research took me to Alabama where I met with Kevin Cain, ghost hunter, haunted doll collector, and author. There we discussed real doll-infested crimes, proving once more, that reality is sometimes stranger than fiction.
Here are a some of the questions I asked Kevin:
SF: You’re a member of Alabama’s Spirit Communications and Research team. Can you tell readers a little about S.C.A.R.e. And what type of investigations you conduct?
KC: I joined S.C.A.R.e. in 2013. We’re a small team, under a dozen members and have investigated more than thirty cases of paranormal activity, many of which were in private residences where a death has occurred due to a traumatic accident or a violent crime.
SF: The investigator in my novel, What They Don’t Know, believes he can sense things at crime scenes. Do you believe that crime scenes can have paranormal components?
KC: Absolutely. Energy from a murder victim could linger, especially an angered spirit.
SF: Has S.C.A.R.e ever aided in a criminal investigation?
KC: Not officially, but we’ve investigated paranormal activity surrounding deaths caused by crimes. They’ve passed now, but my friends, Ed and Lorraine Warner, who owned Annabelle, the doll in The Conjuring, assisted the police in investigations. There are many reports of paranormal evidence leading to the resolution of criminal cases.
SF: So, you would say that some evidence simply can’t be scrubbed from the scene?
KC: (laughs.) That’s exactly right.
SF: In your book, My Haunted Collection, The Dark Side, you’ve written about the suicide/murder of Daniel McKent (name changed to protect the family.) Can you give me a little background on this case?
KC: In 2016, Daniel McKent’s body was found outside his home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. It appeared that he’d died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Neighbors reported that Daniel had recently slipped into depression after the death of a loved one. He’d also accrued substantial debt and then lost his business. Initially suicide was suspected, suggested by the fact that only Daniel’s prints were found on the gun that killed him. However, other evidence at the scene indicated foul play: the rifle used to kill him was located a distance from the body, and an autopsy determined that the bullet entered at the back of the skull. No suspect was named, the skull was entered into evidence, and the case remains under review.
SF: How did you get involved in this case?
KC: Daniel’s friend and estate executor, Marilyn, had moved into Daniel’s home to inventory his collections to be auctioned. She called our team to investigate paranormal activity she’d experienced in the residence.
SF: What type of activity?
KC: Unexplainable footsteps and knocking on the walls which would stop as she entered the room, pots and pan clinking in the kitchen, the sound of hammering and construction coming from the basement. This had gone on for some time, but what prompted Marilyn’s call was when Daniel’s spirit manifested and let out an angry scream before vanishing.
SF: That would be terrifying. How did you conduct your investigation of Daniel McKent’s home and what were your findings?
KC: We used several tools in the investigation. A K2 meter which reads electromagnetic activity and thermal readers for sensing heat. The K2 readings did consistently lead us to the fireplace where after some exploring, we discovered a loose brick which turned out to be a secret compartment for hiding something, maybe cash or something else of value. It was empty when we found it. But our most direct findings were detected by using a spirit box.
SF: What is a spirit box?
KC: A spirit box is a device that scans several radio frequencies creating white noise that helps make a spirit’s voice audible to our ears.
SF: And what did you hear?
KC: We picked up on the words: money and murder. Marilyn, his friend, confirmed that it was Daniel’s voice.
SF: Are there circumstances in this case related to a haunted doll?
KC: Yes. Marilyn attributed much of the misfortune that led to Daniel’s death to a voodoo doll. Daniel traveled extensively and collected items from around the world. Marilyn remembered Daniel showing her a doll before his death. He said that it was given to him by a Haitian woman who told him that it was cursed and would bring tragedy to whoever brought it into their home. Daniel thought the curse was “nonsense,” named it Voodoo Mama, and added it to his collection. Soon afterward, his life took a tragic downturn.
SF: Can you describe Voodoo Mama?
KC: Voodoo Mama is a small wooden doll with hinged arms and legs and human hair. The maker omitted her eyes, leaving dark open sockets instead. This type of doll is commonly left by mourning Haitians at their loved ones’ graves to act as a conduit, guiding the dead person’s spirit to the afterlife.
SF: Aren’t voodoo dolls usually made of cloth?
KC: That’s how they’re usually seen in movies. But it depends on their origin. Dolls used in rituals in African countries are often made of cloth, but Haitian dolls are usually made of wood.
SF: The main character in my novel, What They Don’t Know, has a vast collection of dolls in her house much like here, in your home, but you specialize only in haunted dolls. Is that correct?
KC: Yes, all my dolls are haunted. I’ve been collecting dolls and other haunted items for over nine years and now own over two hundred dolls. Most of them come from people who don’t want to keep them anymore, so they send them to me.
Kevin then gave me a tour of the extensive items in his collection. He told me a bit of the history of some of his most notorious dolls and the paranormal activity associated with each of them. It felt eerie to see Voodoo Mama in person, so to speak, although the doll itself seemed innocuous.
SF: How did you get Voodoo Mama for your collection?
KC: Marilyn asked me to take it off her hands. Because of the curse, she didn’t feel comfortable selling it with the rest of the estate items.
SF: In your book titled My Haunted Collection, you explain that spirits sometimes attach themselves to dolls. Do you believe that any of these spirits could be demonic?
KC: Spirits that attach themselves to objects are usually human spirits and are benevolent, but I have run across dolls that are demonic conduits. In those cases, demons use the dolls to get closer to someone who they want to possess.
SF: Kevin then pulled a case from the shelf that contained a rather innocent looking doll with piercing green eyes and a matching green velvet dress. I asked about her story.
KC: This is Lori. She was sent to me by her previous owner, Vivian, who purchased the doll from another on-line collector. Not long after receiving her, Vivian started experiencing paranormal activity. She described sensing a demonic presence in her apartment, seeing dark humanoid creatures lurking about, and experiencing violent nightmares. During one nightmare, she awoke with scratches on her body. Once I received Lori, I also sensed something evil about her, so I doused her in holy water and prayed over her. Then I sealed her in this case.
SF: Can a case contain a demon?
KC: No. The sealed case is used to keep the doll bound so that no one comes into contact with it, and hopefully it will no longer harm anyone.
SF: Kevin put Lori back on the shelf and our attention drifted back to Voodoo Mama and my final question: Do you believe that a curse, or an evil entity, is attached to Voodoo Mama and caused the tragedies in Daniel McKent’s life?
KC: Marilyn thought so, but I’ve owned Voodoo Mama for several years now, and I’ve not sensed anything malicious or evil about her. To me, the K2 meter and spirit box readings from Daniel’s residence are more convincing that foul play was involved in his death. It was as if Daniel was trying to leave a clue for us, perhaps hoping for a resolution to the crime and peace for his own spirit. But please understand that along with ghosts and other fascinating elements hovering unseen around us, there also lurks evil and danger. The business of the paranormal is definitely not for the untrained or the weak at heart.
I thanked Kevin for his hospitality and for allowing me to see his collection. Then I took one more look at Voodoo Mama before I left. Haunted or not, she had led paranormal investigators to look deeper into a cold case crime. Sometimes life can take twisty turns to find the answers to a mystery. In this case, book research had introduced me to the fascinating world of paranormal investigation. I’m still not sure what I believe about hauntings, but one thing seems clear: there are things out there that we may not understand and sometimes how we get to the truth is not as important as the journey we take to find it.
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KC: No. The sealed case is used to keep the doll bound so that no one comes into contact with it, and hopefully it will no longer harm anyone.
Johnson's inner circle, she uncovers a web of deceit, betrayal, and long-standing grudges. Each suspect has a motive, making it difficult for Sun to narrow down the list of potential killers. Furthermore, as the investigation progresses, a pattern emerges. Detective Sun discovers that each person connected to Mr. Johnson has encountered a venomous spider in some form. This realization leads her to believe that the spider figurine found at the crime scene is not just a mere coincidence but a significant clue left by the killer. Sun's quest to solve the mystery and catch the culprit becomes more urgent as the curse of the venomous spider starts to claim more lives. The tension rises as time runs out, pushing Detective Sun to the limits of her abilities. She becomes entangled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, where every step brings her closer to the truth and closer to the menacing spider. Kimberly Roberts skillfully weaves together a thrilling narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail create a gripping atmosphere, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Through her protagonist, Detective Sun, Roberts explores themes of vengeance, redemption, and the brutality of human nature. As the story reaches its climax, Detective Sun uncovers the shocking identity of the mastermind behind the curse of the venomous spider. With the odds stacked against her, she must summon all her courage and wit to outsmart the killer and put an end to the deadly game. Detective Sun and the Curse of the Venomous Spider 2022 is an enthralling crime novel that will captivate readers with its suspenseful plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest clues can unlock the darkest secrets and reveal the true nature of a predator. Roberts leaves readers craving for more, eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Detective Sun series..
Reviews for "A Web of Lies: Detective Sun Uncovers the Truth Behind the Curse of the Venomous Spider"
1. Jane - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Detective Sun and the Curse of the Venomous Spider 2022". The plot was predictable and lacked any real suspense. The characters were one-dimensional and had no depth. I found myself losing interest halfway through the movie and struggled to make it to the end. Overall, it felt like a poorly executed attempt at a detective thriller, and I would not recommend wasting your time on it.
2. Mike - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Detective Sun and the Curse of the Venomous Spider 2022", but the film fell short of my expectations. The dialogue was bland and cliché, and the acting was subpar. The film seemed to drag on, with unnecessary scenes and slow pacing. The plot twists were unrealistic and felt forced. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had chosen a different movie to watch. Definitely not worth the hype.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Detective Sun and the Curse of the Venomous Spider 2022" was a disappointment for me. The storyline lacked originality, and I felt like I had seen it all before. The pacing was uneven, with the first half of the movie being slow and the second half rushed. The characters didn't have much chemistry, and their motivations felt weak. Overall, I found the film to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others.