I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

A horror with paranormal elements and a mysterious death had all the of the qualities to be a great read.

A Promising Idea, But Lacking That Extra Something
Erika T. Wurth's The Haunting of Room 904 had a premise that really grabbed my attention. The idea of a specific haunted room, with all the potential for chilling history and psychological terror, sounded like exactly the kind of spooky read I enjoy. I went into it with high hopes, ready to be unsettled and intrigued.

And while the book was okay, it just didn't quite deliver on that initial promise for me. I liked it well enough to keep turning the pages, but I never felt truly invested in the characters or the unfolding events. The scares, while present, didn't quite land with the impact I'd hoped for, and the atmosphere, while attempting to be eerie, didn't fully immerse me.

It was enough to hold my attention and ensure I finished it, but it ultimately didn't wow me. It felt like a solid, competent ghost story, but without that extra layer of depth, intensity, or emotional connection that makes a book truly memorable. If you're looking for a quick, straightforward haunting story, it might fit the bill, but don't expect it to linger with you long after you've closed the cover.

Book Title: The Haunting of Room 904
Author: Erika T. Wurth

What’s it about?
A literary horror story blending supernatural elements with Native identity, trauma, and memory. A professor’s stay at a haunted hotel room triggers more than just ghost sightings—it stirs a reckoning with her past.

Favorite Part:
The atmosphere was heavy and immersive. The blend of horror and cultural commentary made the story memorable and impactful.

Thoughts on Characters:
The main character’s descent into psychological and supernatural turmoil was powerfully written. Her perspective added a personal and historical depth to the story.

Would You Recommend It?
Yes. A great fit for readers who want layered horror with social themes and emotional depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with the opportunity to review this book!

This book had a strong premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. I was really drawn in by the idea of a haunted hotel room and a grieving sister discovering her own supernatural ability. But the pacing was uneven and the story jumped around too much. The mystery should have been gripping, but I found myself getting lost in all the threads that didn’t fully connect.

Olivia had potential as a main character, but I struggled to feel close to her. The emotional depth the story hinted at didn’t always come through clearly. Some of the side plots, like the cult and the journalist, felt underdeveloped or rushed. I wanted more focus and less chaos.

I really wanted to like this, but in the end it felt like a missed opportunity. Some chilling moments here and there, but not enough to hold everything together.

What an interesting concept! The idea of a haunted hotel room and a magical secret society was so interesting. Unfortunately, while the concept was super intriguing, the execution fell a little short for me. The plot seemed a little disjointed by the end. I wanted more focus on certain aspects that I think would have kept my attention a little better. The idea behind it was great, though!

An interesting story. A lot going on. The audio was great. The narrator was excellent with great intonation. I enjoyed how she read all the characters.

A paranormal investigator of native descent sets out to find out the secret behind room 904 in the famous Brown Hotel. Her sister was one of the women that killed themselves in room 904.

Over all, the story was a bit long with a few too many story lines. The characters were fairly likable but it was a bit hard to follow. I appreciated the paranormal aspect of this book and would read more from this author.

This seems to be one of those books that people love or hate. I am in the middle; it was just ok for me. It is not one I'll give much thought to since I'm done reading, but at the same time, I do not regret reading it. This book toes the line of paranormal thriller and horror. I generally don't read horror, but this does have a few of the elements of the horror genre. Think The Conjuring or at least that is what I hear it brings to mind (I also do not watch horror movies). Haunted objects, ghosts, demons, Jewish and indigenous folklore, and some suicide/murder.

The story follows Olivia, a Denver paranormal investigator who is brought in to solve a suicide spree that occurs every 5 years in Room 904 of the Brown Palace. The biggest deterrent and draw is that Olivia's sister was the last suicide 5 years before, and now it looks like she is the one who is haunting the room. The more Olivia digs, the deeper the story goes, drawing in cults, massacres, and a long list of ancestors that get dredged up. There are so many elements to tie everything together that I feel that some elements got lost, or were easy to forget about, then in the end, they bring something back from the beginning, and you feel a bit disjointed. Overall, the story is good, I feel it is well told, and if you like creepy paranormal horror stories, you may like this one. I could see there being a lot of jump scares if this were a movie.

Read If You Like:
• Paranormal thrillers with emotional depth
• Indigenous protagonists and cultural narratives
• Haunted hotel settings with historical resonance
• Stories exploring grief, guilt, and family secrets
• Mysteries intertwined with supernatural elements

Olivia Becente never anticipated inheriting her sister Naiche’s ability to communicate with the dead. But after Naiche’s sudden and mysterious death in Denver’s historic Brown Palace Hotel, Olivia begins to experience unsettling visions and encounters with spirits. Now a sought-after paranormal investigator, Olivia is drawn back to the very hotel that haunts her past. Room 904, the site of Naiche’s death, harbors a dark secret: every few years, a woman dies there under inexplicable circumstances.  

As Olivia delves deeper into the hotel’s mysteries, she uncovers connections to a secretive cult, confronts a journalist intent on discrediting her, and faces betrayals from those she trusts. The investigation forces her to confront not only external threats but also the lingering grief and guilt over her sister’s death. The line between the living and the dead blurs, revealing that some hauntings are rooted in unresolved emotions and historical injustices. 

Thank you so so much to the publisher for my gifted ALC and ARC!

In The Haunting of Room 904, Erika T. Wurth crafts a chilling paranormal mystery that blends the supernatural with deeply personal loss. The novel follows Olivia Becente, a gifted woman who never expected to inherit her sister Naiche's ability to communicate with the dead. But when Naiche dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia is thrust into a world of spirits, visions, and an ever-growing burden that she cannot escape.

Now a skilled paranormal investigator in Denver, Olivia is called to the historic Brown Palace Hotel, where a strange and unsettling pattern has emerged—every few years, a girl is found dead in Room 904, with no explanation for how she got there. As Olivia digs into the hotel’s haunted history, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of secrets, from a dangerous cult to a vindictive journalist determined to discredit her work.

Throughout her investigation, Olivia must face not only the eerie and terrifying phenomena surrounding Room 904, but also the ghosts of her own past, particularly her sister’s untold secrets. As the lines between the past and present blur, Olivia’s search for answers reveals shocking truths that threaten her own safety and sanity. The haunting mystery forces Olivia to confront not only the spirit world but also the painful truths about betrayal, friendship, and the ties that bind.

Wurth expertly combines suspense, supernatural elements, and personal grief, creating a story that grips you from the first page. With its atmospheric setting, emotional depth, and complex characters, The Haunting of Room 904 is a spine-tingling journey into the unknown, one that will leave readers questioning what is real and what is beyond comprehension.

Narrated by Ina Barrón, the audiobook version brings an added layer of intensity and emotion, immersing listeners into Olivia’s eerie and haunted world. This novel is perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers with a strong emotional core, blending mystery, suspense, and supernatural intrigue in a gripping tale that will stay with you long after the final page.

Paranormal expert... She is called in to figure out why women keep appearing at the hotel dead...

It all links to her sister... It started off BANGING! The story had this epic feel to it and it was so creepy.. She was collecting haunted items for sale... It just kinda fell a bit apart in places. Especially closer to the end and that sucked hardcore!

It was a tad messy in spots and the pace was a bit erratic but believe it or not the narration held it together well enough that I actually did enjoy it.

3.75 stars

🤔 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝔻𝕚𝕕 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕥: While I enjoyed Erika T. Wurth’s 2022 release White Horse, I didn’t love it as much as everyone else did. However, I saw the potential I had to love her and when I heard about The Haunting of Room 904, I knew it would be right up my alley.

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I knew from the first PAGE I was going to love this book and not surprisingly – I did! It sucked me in immediately with haunted object listings and ghosts and never let me go.

👏🏼 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒫𝑜𝓈𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈: This is not actually an easy read, despite the ghosts, and has so many moments that will make you think. It also thoroughly creeped me out the entire way through and I loved that Wurth gave us history as well as a collection of various hauntings that Olivia and her team investigate. I also loved the characters, the setting of Colorado, the friendships, and strong family relationships.

🫤 🇹‌🇭‌🇪‌ 🇳‌🇪‌🇬‌🇦‌🇹‌🇮‌🇻‌🇪‌🇸‌: I literally can’t think of any, besides maybe some slight pacing things. But it didn’t detract from the storyline enough to make an impact on me.

🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Ina Barrón is a queen 👑 and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Her narration for The Haunting of Room 904 was impeccable, and she managed to draw me into the storyline and characters even further. She also nailed all of the moments from eerie to emotional.

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Paranormal thrillers are my bread and butter, and with a touch of horror mixed in this was an absolute winner. It made me do a deep dive into the Sand Creek Massacre as well and was heartbreaking while also being just descriptive enough that it made me feel like I was there. This would make an excellent book club pick and/or movie!

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🪞🔪👻😔

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found this to be a really engaging story. I liked the supernatural angle mixed with the Native American rituals and lore. It was hauntingly beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for a paperback advanced reading copy and an advanced listening copy provided for an honest review.

This story is told in first person by Olivia broken up by occasional chapters describing the massacre of a Native American village. Olivia suddenly received the gift of communing with spirits after the death of her sister under suspicious circumstances. As a paranormal investigator she has been consulted by the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel where a girl is found dead in room 904 every few years. Olivia travels with a group of friends/colleagues to investigate the occurrences and encounters a surprise connection to her past.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this story. The plot, the setting, the characters all weaved together to set up an atmospheric ghost story that I found truly chilling. However, there were two major issues I had with it that kept me from enjoying it the way I would have liked. Olivia keeping silent while the press spun all sorts of wild speculation about her and her life is one thing, but I just couldn’t understand why none of the characters including Olivia, Alejandro or any of the fine detectives took so long to put two and two together with regards to the “burglary” and the search of the apartment. I spent too long shaking my head over this one while reading to not let it cloud my judgment about the rest of the story. Maybe if it had been less obvious…

Despite those instances, I did enjoy the rest. I primarily listened to the audio for this story while referencing a paperback advanced reading copy. I would recommend both formats. The audiobook is narrated by Ina Barrón. This was my first listen by this narrator and I thought she did a wonderful job portraying the characters and the suspenseful moments.

Limited recommendations to readers who enjoy ghost stories but don’t mind characters overly slow on making connections

3/5 Stars – Creepy Atmosphere, Uneven Execution

The Haunting of Room 904 sets up a chilling premise with a strong sense of place and an eerie, slow-burn vibe. Erika Wurth excels at building tension, and the supernatural elements are genuinely unsettling at times. The haunted room itself is a great focal point, full of dread and mystery.

That said, the story doesn’t always deliver on its promising setup. The pacing drags in spots, and some character arcs feel underdeveloped. The emotional stakes are there, but they don’t hit as hard as they could have. Still, Wurth’s writing style is compelling, and there are moments that really shine.

Overall, it’s an atmospheric read with a few standout scares, but it doesn’t quite rise to its full potential.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

4 out of 5 Stars

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Years ago paranormal investigator Olivia Becente's younger sister Naiche diapered in the Brown Hotel during an investigation. Years later their Mother decides to go to the same hotel room that Naiche disappeared from. In order to save her Mother Olivia must confront her demons and go to the room.

This was a fun and spooky story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator was great and the story well written.

Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I found the story to be boring and it failed to draw me in. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters or the storyline. I hate to leave a bad review but this one just wasn’t for me. I ended up DNFing it.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review..

I enjoyed The Haunting of Room 904—the story had a great premise and a solid dose of creep factor that kept me intrigued throughout. That said, I felt like certain parts could have used a bit more fine-tuning. There were a lot of moving pieces, and since I listened to the audiobook, it sometimes became difficult to follow all the threads clearly. Character wise - Olivia just didn't do it for me as a main character. I honestly have no idea why but could simply be due to the narration.

The eerie atmosphere was definitely there. I enjoyed the supernatural and cult vibes but just needed more from them. I think it could’ve easily been flushed out a bit more to really land with impact. Also, even though Ina Barrón is the narrator, she sounds so similar to who narrates Rouge by Mona Awad. While the two stories aren’t similar, I found it tough to separate them in my mind, thus hard to separate my feelings between the two. The voice connection made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in this particular story.

Still, it was an enjoyable listen overall, especially if you're into haunted hotel vibes and layered narratives that keep you guessing.

The Haunting of Room 904 is out now. Huge thank you to Flatiron & McMillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my:
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I’ll be honest, this was not a good book.

The premise was promising. An indigenous horror novel where paranormal investigation meets several indigenous belief systems and ceremonies to provide cleansing and healing as well as a haunted hotel room that ritualistically traps and kills women. I was so intrigued! But unfortunately it all fell so flat.

The storyline was so disjointed it became hard to follow and felt borderline nonsensical. Some scenes felt so over the top that they became comical (the golem, really?) And the super intelligent, sexy, powerful and holier than thou main character was so insufferable that I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything for her or her fate.

Overall an unfortunately disappointing read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

I just want to start this review by saying that I really like this author. I enjoy following her on her social media accounts and I loved (LOVED) White Horse.

The Haunting of Room 904 had all the hype of White Horse and just did not bring the full magic to the table. I read a lot of reviews of this book trying to pinpoint what the issue was and landed on a couple of reviews that state that the editing could use a bit of a boost. I have a hard time giving criticism to authors that I really like, so bear with me. 3. 5 stars rounded up to 4, because I believe that where the author was going in this book is very important. It had vibes of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, showing the dark retaliations, that one person's online opinion can produce. And the characters were flawed to reality. It touched on very real issues concerning diversity, cultural stereotyping and racism.

The premise of the supernatural was superb, but I swayed back and forth with how Olivia's paranormal ability fit in the world of the story. I would like to read more about the specific parameters of the low fantasy world that Erika has created.

All in all, I enjoyed the premise and the ending. I will be waiting to read the next story that Erika brings to life.