Catherine and her eight-year-old son, Tommy live in a modest apartment in Austin, Texas. She’d moved there several years before to lessen the rigid conservative influence that her mother, Dorothy exerted over Tommy. Her mother, a devout Catholic who lives in San Antonio, Texas (Catherine’s birthplace) holds rigid, inflexible, and judgmental views. She believes that she should be ever vigilant against evil, condemning anyone that might disagree with her beliefs. Catherine, an agnostic admits that she too is unwavering regarding her beliefs, but would never attempt to impose her beliefs on others, not even her son. Tommy views life unencumbered by their beliefs. He sees the living, the dead, and other supernatural creatures easily. His unusually bright persona draws little interest from the darker elements of the supernatural world.
    What is unique about this family is that Dorothy prays for the souls in Purgatory, Tommy regularly talks with a ghost named Thomas, and Catherine uses artificial means to keep from seeing ghosts. Unlike most Texas families, seeing ghosts is the norm for them.
    In his book, the author explores the life of a family who views the ghostly world from three different perspectives: The grandmother who sees only the ghosts in Purgatory (those who suffer endlessly while they burn off the impurities of a tainted life); Catherine’s son that believes in superheroes, views life without condemnation, and sees all sorts of supernatural creatures; and Catherine herself who hides behind medication and alcohol to keep from seeing ghosts. As is so often the case in life, Catherine may learn that artificially holding back one’s natural abilities can never be permanent, especially when darkness “notices” her vulnerabilities.
    Do ghosts exist? Absolutely. Does Purgatory exist? To some it does. Does evil exist? The answer to that question and more can be found in the pages of Purging Purgatory.