The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff is a novel written by Mississippi author Calvin Dean. It’s is an intriguing story centered around two classmates, Marc Livingston and Angela Chadwell, who investigate mysterious circumstances surrounding the fatal accident of their friend Daniel Townsend. The story features an interesting group of characters and contains an effective transition of modern and historical plot development. It is a tale set in present day, but with ties that span time back to the Battle of Gettysburg. As Marc and Angela explore the area surrounding the scene of Daniel’s accident, they discover an eerie antebellum home, an intriguing epitaph on a grave marker, and a man named Jonas Barloff. As they uncover new facts about each of these strange elements, they must piece together how they are linked to Daniel’s untimely death. This quick-paced adventure lures them into danger and answers to questions they were not anticipating.

The writing is well-paced, filled with intrigue and mystery. The reader becomes engrossed in solving this mystery along with the characters and provides an ending that will leave one turning the pages quickly. It’s an adventure story that, although it takes place in a contemporary setting, offers enough of a historical fiction component to provide an intensely curious and spooky element to the story. Mr. Dean effectively keeps the reader guessing and engaged throughout the book. The storyline and strange turn of events supply an outcome that will satisfy readers and leave them wanting more from this author.