The Hat Man

By: Greg Marchand

Narrated by: Sean Walpole

After leaving her fiancé and quitting her job, veterinarian student Sadie Burrows meets with friends at a rental cabin on coastal Alabama’s Ward Island. Instead of a peaceful weekend, Sadie experiences devastation. A shadowy figure at the edge of the forest kills her best friend—her Australian Shepherd, Buddy—with a breath of smoke. The event leaves the once-reserved woman with a foggy memory of a tall man in a bowler hat and gentleman’s coat…and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance.

As she strives to lift the veil that shrouds the assailant’s identity, she learns he is indicated in other very recent and brutal murders on the island named for its previous Victorian owners. What’s more is GoPro footage from one of the killings, visions from a Seer boy in the Louisiana swamps, and a memoir Sadie finds in the Ward’s abandoned mansion leads her to the realization that he is not of this world. It has a surreal connection to the Hat Man sleep-paralysis phenomenon and to one of the world’s oldest urban legends, that of Spring-Heeled Jack.

With help from a local fishing charter captain, a witch-proficient police officer, and her two faithful friends, Sadie will either see to the destruction of the so-called Hat Man or die trying.

The Hat Man is the first story in a planned series.

©2025 Greg Marchand (P)2025 Greg Marchand

Wonderfully Creepy

The Hat Man was wonderfully creepy and scary. I had to stop listening to it later in the night because I got spooked (which is the point). The tale of The Hat Man was palpably dangerous and exciting! The audiobook narrator did a good job getting a lot of emotion in and making you feel the high stakes.

Outstanding

I was blown away with how I couldn't stop this story to come back later. The "real" moments between character touched my heart and kept me intrigued. Great Job Greg Marchand!!! I am truly impressed with your writing!

Garden of Good and Evil in Horror!?

I absolutely loooved this book and audio! Reminded me a lot of The Garden of Good and Evil. Sadie, Colton, Charlotte, and Mia were the best team and Garrett’s comedic relief was on point! This was so well written and kept me hooked from the start! I needed more!! Book 2??

outstanding

greg is an outstanding author i own all of his books! this one is my favorite! great job greg!