Once The truth is revealed can you ever forget it?

 How can one reporter get into such predicaments? Anywhere he goes, even in different states, the evil follows him. Or is he following the evil- unconsciously? Destroying monsters one at a time.  As it turns out, Karl is the only one who can stop the destruction caused by a really old wicked witch trapped in a dimension not her own. And she will destroy everything to get to her home.  But then Karl falls in love; no, not with the witch, but someone completely opposite. An innocent woman who is to help Karl stay grounded in reality, but will the evil overcome the goodness of innocence?  It’s excitingly horrifying with brain-eating monsters, living goo that sucks in its prey, and an evil witch playing mind games. But not to fear, an old, not-so-nice spirit-turned-good, plus Karl and his lady-love, and an “army” of islanders with the power of good on their side.  A good read, indeed! 

  Readers who love mysteries will love this book! Not only is it a numerous mystery novel, it also has the riddles/challenges for the reader to figure them out right along with the main character. Definitely for fans who want something a little different while they read. Review done thanks to an advanced reader copy. 

 An entertaining mix of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. As the story unfolds, it gets more curious, and the characters are easy to follow. I love the blend of humor, action, and unexpected twists that makes it an enjoyable read. If you like mysteries with a touch of fantasy and hidden truths, this is a great book to pick up. 

 This is a very clever and well-thought-out book, whilst also being a great read and a lot of fun!!

In terms of genre, it’s impossible to put it into a single one, it is in a league of its own!

I’d highly recommend the book, an amazing read from front to back

 Love this format! I wish I had gotten a chance to listen to the audiobook version bc it’s such a fun story! The characters were fun and well put together and the stories flowed. It was quick and easy to read, so easily five out of five stars for me. Give this a shot on your next road trip! Don’t skip this one! It’s really good! 

 Layers of Truth: The UnderBelly Case Files, Volume 1 by Steve  B Campbell is a gripping start to what feels like a dark, layered investigative series. The story pulls readers into a world of secrets, danger, and hidden motives, keeping the tension steady from beginning to end. Campbell builds suspense well while giving the case enough emotional weight to feel meaningful. Fans of mystery, crime, and gritty case-file storytelling will find this an engaging read. 

 Great blend of mystery, fantasy, romance, AND mythology. I enjoyed the romantic subplot. The relationship between the two became central to the larger conflict. Think mythology woven into a modern setting, with conspiracy and hidden world stories. 10/10 recommend if you don't mind stories that lean into metaphysical ideas. I will be waiting for volume 2. 

 Layers of Truth is a surprising mix of investigative journalism and mythology. The "Layers" - mythology, religion, and forgotten history - intersect as the world chooses not to see. There is a hidden war beneath everyday life that gives a constant sense of danger. The compelling question of whether mythology and religion are two sides of the "same truth" is always at the center.

The dual-story structure - public article versus real case files - feels natural and helps ground the "hidden realm". The pacing slips in places and could have used more clarity early on. But the tension and atmosphere keep things moving. Not perfect, but a very solid start to what promises to be an exciting series. I can't wait to read the next book.

I received a free copy of the book; my review is completely honest and unbiased. 

 Layers of Truth: The UnderBelly Case Files, Volume 1 is an engaging mystery that keeps readers invested as each new revelation uncovers another layer of the story. Steve Campbell does a great job of balancing suspense, intrigue, and character development, making it difficult to put the book down. 

 The pacing keeps the investigation moving without feeling rushed, and the twists are thoughtfully placed, encouraging readers to keep turning the pages. The characters feel believable, and the unfolding mystery provides just enough clues to keep you guessing while maintaining the suspense.

  If you enjoy crime fiction, detective stories, or mysteries with plenty of unexpected turns, this is a solid first installment that leaves you looking forward to the next case. A great read for fans of investigative thrillers and well-crafted suspense. 

  Great blend of mystery, fantasy, romance, AND mythology. I enjoyed the romantic subplot. The relationship between the two became central to the larger conflict. Think mythology woven into a modern setting, with conspiracy and hidden world stories. 10/10 recommend if you don't mind stories that lean into metaphysical ideas. I will be waiting for volume 2. 

  Steve Campbell has an intriguing blend of mystery, fantasy, and suspense that keeps readers questioning what is real and what lies beneath the surface. Following a reporter drawn into strange and unexplained events, the story combines investigative journalism, mythology, hidden truths, and an emotional romance that adds heart to the larger mystery. The world-building is ambitious, the concepts are imaginative, and the story leaves plenty of questions that will have readers eager to continue the series. A compelling start to a unique and thought-provoking adventure. 

 Entertaining book love how the author brought the characters together. Beautiful love story mystery with suspense mythology loyalty and perseverance. The book was well written looking forward to reading the next book in this series. My thanks to the author for producing such an interesting entertaining experience . Excited to see what’s next and n the 2nd book. 

My initial read on the start of this book was SCP/ANOMALY vibes, and I was instantly hooked. I love books that are super unique and entertaining right away.

I love how it throws you right into the action, but in a very clever way where you don’t feel lost, but it immediately draws you in and I felt like “OK I’m listening tell me more”.

I absolutely love Karl! He uses sarcasm as a weapon and I laughed out loud a lot.

It was kind of weird at times but I loved how the encounters were written—descriptive and interesting but not overly gory and definitely not boring.

I absolutely LOVE the different characters. They all have interesting personalities that bring them to life but by far my favorite is Lily’s. She’s fun and energetic and very unique. I just love her vibes. And don’t get me started on Ted. This author knows how to bring characters to life that’s for sure.

I will definitely be reading the rest of this series and checking out more books by this author in the future.

 This story is a sci-fi fantasy that follows a reporter named Karl. Though the story is in a different format than I was expecting, I found myself thoroughly consumed by the story. Karl has the right attitude of trying to figure out what is happening to Chicago, but local law enforcement wants nothing to do with it. This story has it all. From witches to zombies, missing college students, and homicide. I am excited to read Volume 2. 5 stars!! 

 Layers of Truth: The UnderBelly Case Files - Volume One by Steve Campbell is an engaging mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish.

 The plot follows a reporter, who feels a bit anxious but relatable, as he moves to Chicago, hoping to escape a past filled with secrets he can never disclose. But like it often does, his past catches up with him, and that tension drives the story forward in a fantastic way.  

 What really stood out to me was the storytelling. As the main character digs into a complicated case, he juggles two sides of the narrative, one for everyone else and another that reveals the unsettling truths beneath the surface. This clever twist adds layers and suspense, making each new detail impactful. 

  The relationship at the center of the story is just as fascinating. Seeing how the reporter and the woman who turns his world upside down deal with powerful forces trying to conceal the truth lends the narrative a real emotional heft. The touch of mythology and unseen influences adds another level, making the mystery more than just another investigative thriller, it hints at bigger forces at play.  

 Steve Campbell really nails the balance of mystery, emotion, suspense, and intrigue. By the end, I found myself eagerly anticipating what’s next in the UnderBelly series. If you're into investigative mysteries that feature strong characters, concealed truths, and a hint of the extraordinary, I definitely recommend giving this book a read. 

The format of the book is a bit different, but that was part of what made this book exciting. The main character is a reporter and his opinion column is included-it allows the reader to a real-time experience.

In modern day Chicago there is a witch stuck in “our plain of existence” and she is not happy about it.

A potion given to a college kid under the guise of a science formula backfires starts a cavalcade of wild and scary creatures that threatens Chicagoans.

The police write off these crimes as “nothing to see here”, but the reporter knows differently. What new revelations does the reporter find? How does this witch fit into all of the otherworldly events that end in terrifying deaths of innocents? Is this a good vs scenario? And just who is the good guy? Who stands up to fight evil?

Whoa! It’s a thrilling read.

 This story follows the main character, a reporter named Karl, who investigates the supernatural. He's trying to outrun his past but also find who he wants to become. There are hilarious bits and mysterious bits. I liked the combination of themes. The book is like a collection of case files from an investigation so if you're ok with a read that isn't completely linear, then this book is great. 

 When i read this book, I thought Layers of Truth was a really interesting mix of mystery, tension, and drama. The story kept me hooked because there was always something new unfolding, and the main character Karl, well he felt understandable with his struggles to outrun his past while figuring out who he wanted to become. I also liked the warm side of the story, especially the relationships and the way trust was tested. If you enjoy books with secrets, twists, and a darker vibe, this is a solid start to the series. 

 Steve Campbell’s Layers of Truth: The UnderBelly Case Files - Volume One is a gripping plunge into a gritty, atmospheric mystery. Setting a dark, sprawling urban landscape against elements of deep intrigue, Campbell introduces a world where nothing is as it seems. The narrative tightly weaves suspense with complex investigative procedural elements, keeping you constantly guessing. If you love hard-boiled crime fiction layered with surreal tension and sharp world-building, this initial volume sets up a highly promising, addictive new series. 

 Sci-fi lovers will have a blast with this read and get attached to the characters while on the adventure! It has it all! 

 Entertaining book love how the author brought the characters together. Beautiful love story mystery with suspense mythology loyalty and perseverance. The book was well written looking forward to reading the next book in this series. My thanks to the author for producing such an interesting entertaining experience . Excited to see what’s next and n the 2nd book.