I had really high hopes for this novel! The premise is right up my alley, and I love a horror/thriller audiobook under 10 hours. And overall, it was a fine book. But as the story moved forward, I found myself losing track of (and interest in) all the many plot threads, and I was letting the audio wash over me instead of listening carefully. Still, I don't feel that my time with this novel was wasted at all! A few notes and observations:
-great narration
-enjoyable characters (mostly)
-native history and culture are included with care
-romance was not very interesting and could've been cut, imo
-there are haunted dolls!!
-really fun ads for paranormal investigation equipment as chapter breaks
-plot threads began to tangle for me in the middle
-not very scary for a horror

Ghost Hunters, absolutely! Also Olivia, the FMC, is complex and is dealing with loss and moving through her grief. I loved the premise and the storyline. There was times that I felt the story had too much going on and became confusing. But it has heart and is definitely creepy. I overall enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The plot of this one was really interesting, but for some reason, the characters felt a bit off. I don’t really know how it could be fixed in the writing process, but it essentially felt as though this was the second book in a series. In a way, I guess that means that the characters are well developed so that’s a bonus, but it felt like I was joining the story late.

I absolutely loved this novel! The author was so intentional with her language and you could tell really cared about the type of people she wrote about. Dark and suspenseful but also sensitive and emotional.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The haunting in room 905 by Erika T. Wurth. This story sounded so good! I did have a good time reading this book and the twist at the end I didn’t see it coming! I we follow our MC Olivia paranormal investigator as she gets a call to inspect the brown. Everytime a lady checks into the brown they end up dead in room 904 even if they check into a different room. Can olives find out why these people are communing suicide in the brown? Olivia has a side kick as well and he is funny! Read all your trigger warnings before picking up this book because there is quite a bit! But I do think it does need some editing but over all fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Erika T wurth and Macmillan audio for this book in exchange for an honest review

Release: March 18, 2025
Publisher: Macmillin audio
Rating: 4 ★ 

Review:
The Haunting of Room 904 is an atmospheric tale that expertly blends psychological tension with supernatural elements. Wurth’s writing creates an immersive experience, where every detail—from the hushed corridors to the inexplicable chills—contributes to a sense of foreboding and mystery. I appreciated how the story uses the haunted room not merely as a backdrop for ghostly encounters but as a symbolic space where unresolved emotions and histories are forced to confront the living.
The narrative pacing is deliberate, allowing the reader to slowly sink into the unsettling ambiance of the room while gradually uncovering its tragic legacy. The characters, especially the protagonist, are thoughtfully crafted, with their inner conflicts mirroring the external disturbances of the room. While the plot occasionally leans into familiar horror tropes, Wurth’s descriptive language and the emotional depth she brings to the story elevate it beyond a standard ghost tale.
In my view, the novel succeeds in engaging both the heart and the mind, prompting reflections on how the past, no matter how deeply buried, continues to influence our present. If you’re drawn to horror that offers more than jump scares—a narrative that invites you to ponder the lingering effects of loss and regret—this story is a compelling choice.

Summary:
Olivia Becente never expected to inherit the gift of speaking with the dead—a talent once exclusive to her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia suddenly begins experiencing visions and voices of spirits. Now Denver’s top paranormal investigator, she is drawn to the Brown Palace hotel, where every few years a girl is found dead in room 904 regardless of her initial room. In unraveling this mystery, Olivia confronts a dangerous cult, betrayal from those she trusts, and startling secrets about Naiche’s life. The Haunting of Room 904 is a suspenseful, emotionally charged paranormal thriller that showcases Erika T. Wurth’s gritty, edgy style in American horror.

Favorite Quote:
"fear is an anchor, but it's also a bridge."

I was unfortunately unable to finish this read and had to DNF around 20%. The premise was unique and exciting, with a combination of thriller, horror and paranormal elements. The introductory scene had me hooked, and I love the native representation embedded throughout. Where I got lost was the disjointed transitions from side quest ghost hunts back into the main storyline. I was constantly confused, and when things did come together, it all felt a little too conveniently linked. The lead female character and her paranormal co-worker were fun and strong characters, but the other side characters were more distracting than instrumental to the storyline. Overall, premise fell to poor construction and writing on this one. Since I did not finish the book, I will not be posting a public review on other platforms.

Erika T. Wurth’s The Haunting of Room 904 is a haunting and atmospheric paranormal thriller that grips you from the start. Olivia Becente, gifted with the ability to commune with the dead—an ability she never expected to have—takes center stage in this chilling story. After the mysterious death of her sister, Naiche, Olivia suddenly finds herself unable to escape the spirits she once tried to avoid, thrusting her into a world of haunting investigations.

A few years later, Olivia has become one of Denver’s most sought-after paranormal investigators. However, when the owner of the historic Brown Palace hotel reaches out to her about an eerie pattern of deaths in Room 904, Olivia’s world takes an unsettling turn. The past and present collide as she digs deeper into the hotel’s disturbing history, uncovering dark secrets tied to her sister’s death, a dangerous cult, and betrayals from those she trusted most.

Wurth’s narration (if listening to the audiobook) is immersive, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and emotional depth of Olivia’s journey. The story expertly combines elements of suspense, the supernatural, and personal trauma, with every twist and turn revealing more about the complex relationships Olivia had with her sister and others around her. The investigation becomes more than just solving a haunting—it’s a race to uncover buried secrets and confront the truth.

The Haunting of Room 904 is a fast-paced, intense, and poignant thriller, perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries with rich emotional undercurrents. Wurth crafts a tale that’s as much about grief and unresolved trauma as it is about paranormal intrigue. The audiobook’s immersive quality makes it an even more captivating experience, drawing listeners into its chilling world.

The Haunting of Room 904 is a paranormal thriller that follows FMC Olivia who was never supposed to have "the gift". The ability to see and interact with the dead was her sister Naiche's ability, but when Naiche unexpectedly dies, that power is transferred to Olivia, and she is not sure why since she has never had them before. She now understands what her sister experienced, but until recently, she has been unable to communicate with her sister who has been gone for several years. Olivia is now a paranormal investigator and while coping with the loss of her sister, she is dodging a psycho ex boyfriend who doesn't understand the meaning of the words "I never want to see you again" and she places a restraining order on him. Of course, that doesn't stop him from trying to get back with her causing her to deal with him as she tries to move along with her life.

Riddled with guilt, Olivia wants answers to why her sister died and her death still weighs heavy on her mind. When she is contacted by a local old landmark hotel for help regarding ongoing deaths of customers in one specific room, some information starts to come to light in regards to her sister and her secret life, Olivia never knew. No matter the precautions the hotel owner takes to evade another loss in room 904, it doesn't stop the deaths of people in that room. Is it a curse, is it a haunting, or is it both? Olivia's relationships with the small circle of family and friends grow tense as they try to avoid another person to become the next victim of the cursed room, and it seems the room has eyes on someone close to Olivia. She cannot allow that to happen. 

I found the story to be a slow build, but mixed in a few side characters that worked their way into the main story. The paranormal aspect and her ability is interesting (I see dead people) and would have liked to see more of that. There is tension and thriller aspects that are relatable to real life problems. Stalking, harassment, abuse, and mixed with grief from the loss of family. An overall interesting read. 


I received an audiobook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

🪞🖤 THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904

HELLO YES I’M NOT OKAY. I just finished The Haunting of Room 904 and I need to sit in a dark room and rethink my life because WHAT DID I JUST READ???

This book isn’t just a ghost story — it’s a gut-wrenching, soul-shaking masterpiece. The way it explores Indigenous and minority voices with such depth and care?? Absolutely perfect.

AND THE PLOT TWIST??? Excuse me, how dare you?? I was lulled into this eerie, melancholic rhythm and then BAM — the floor vanished beneath me, my heart left my body, and I had to physically restrain myself from throwing the book across the room.

I will NEVER recover. 5/5 stars, but honestly I’d give it my soul if I could. If you love ghost stories that are more than just scares — stories that dig into generational trauma, identity, and the weight of history — READ THIS. Just prepare to be emotionally destroyed.

ARC REVIEW (3/18/25): the haunting of room 904 by erika t. wurth 👻 a terrifying and resonant novel about a woman who uses her unique gift to learn the truth about her sister’s death.

we all know that I’m a big fan of mystery/thrillers, and adding in a paranormal element? sign me up! I loved the eerie paranormal scenes where the fmc tries to free spirits into the afterlife. unfortunately, that’s where my enjoyment stopped. wurth constantly cut the scares with humor, which made this read feel more juvenile. the characters were sketched rather than fully fleshed out, and it felt like the diverse characters were added stereotypically for the sake of “being diverse.”

🛎️ a good part of this horror takes place at the infamous brown palace hotel, which I did go down a rabbit hole researching after finishing the book. even though we spent a bit of time there, it wasn’t as atmospheric as I was hoping. so much time in this book was spent sitting in front of mirrors.

I appreciated what wurth was attempting by incorporating Indigenous faith and traditions with real historical elements but it was overwhelming to follow. I never really knew what to focus on. as the cool kids say nowadays, “the plot was doing too much.” 👀

thank you macmillan audio for the early copy! my only gripe with the audio is that a few of the otherworldly words were mispronounced. for example: dybbuk. it’s the ghost loving girl who has spent hours upon hours watching paranormal shows & investigating unexplained phenomena coming out, sorry! hehe! after giving white horse a five star rating, I’m bummed with how this one played out 🎧 2.5 stars!

I found this pretty hard to follow. I think this piece would have benefited from transitional scenes between the more monster-of-the-week scenes and the overarching plot. Also, it was just....brutal, unrelenting. and not in a good way.

A gripping paranormal thriller simmering with suspense, loss, and the supernatural.

📓Brief Description (Spoiler-Free):
- Olivia Becente was never meant to have the gift of communicating with the dead — that was her sister, Naiche’s ability.
- After her sister dies, Olivia starts hearing spirits and is drawn to the Brown Palace Hotel where a girl is found dead every few years in room 904.

❤️ What I Loved:
- Indigenous Representation.
- Very unique story, enjoyed the depth of the characters and the plot.

🤔 What I Would Change:
- I found it a bit hard to follow as an audiobook, specifically remembering who certain characters are.
- I felt like the story was lacking something — but couldn’t put my finger on what that was.

📚 Recommended For:
- Fans of Stephen Graham Jones, Simone St. James, and C.J. Tudor
- Readers who enjoy the blend of paranormal investigations, family secrets, cults, and supernatural suspense.

💭Final Thoughts & Rating:
- I’m so appreciative of NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The storyline was unique. The main character, Olivia, embodies Native American culture while undertaking a paranormal investigation tied to a dark historical past. The secondary cast surrounding her plays a vital role in moving the suspenseful plot forward while showing us her flaws and strengths. Fans of paranormal thrillers or horror will enjoy this book.

I'm a big fan of thrillers, and adding in the paranormal element; I'm sold!

I loved the multiple levels of representation, appropriate discussions of current "hot button" topics, and the major twist at the end!

Highly recommend!

After unexpectedly inheriting her late sister Naiche’s ability to commune with the dead, Olivia Becente becomes Denver’s top paranormal investigator, though the loss still haunts her. When the historic Brown Palace hotel seeks her help to solve the recurring, unexplained deaths of young women in room 904, Olivia’s search for answers entangles her with a dangerous cult, a vengeful journalist, betrayals from those she trusts, and shocking truths about Naiche’s hidden life.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

This book feels like it is trying to be many things all at once and it makes it feel choppy and hard to read in places. The transitions between characters and perspectives do not feel smooth. I did, however, really love the BIPOC perspectives and the vintage aesthetic given to the paranormal aspects. The narrator was excellent! She captured a range of ethnicities, accents and ages in her vocal range including accurate pronunciation of Spanish. Which I very much appreciate. For me, this is a 3\5. With a little more polish, it could absolutely be a 5\5.

I believe I enjoyed her first book slightly more, but I still found this one enjoyable. I appreciate stories where families grapple with the paranormal and similar themes. While the storyline could have been developed a bit further, it didn’t detract from the overall experience.

The Haunting of Room 904 written by Erika T. Wurth and narrated by Ina Barrón was a five star experience. Ina Barrón narrated beautifully through the mix of languages and incantations. Erika T. Wurth masterfully allows the reader to peek behind the curtain of someone connected to the paranormal without feeling ignorant. The character of Olivia is well thought out. The plot does not miss a beat. The surrounding characters give the story so much more flavor. The research and respect put into the book regarding paranormal activities, multiple religions, and Native American culture was beyond what I’ve read elsewhere. I would recommend this to fans of paranormal suspense, such as The Conjuring.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc.

This is a story about a Native American woman called Olivia Becente who uses her ability to communicate with the dead to investigate paranormal phenomena. She is hired to investigate a room that is presumably haunted at The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver.

What the staff of this hotel is saying is that women are dying at room 904 of this hotel every couple of years, under mysterious circumstances. Somehow Olivia’s deceased sister is related to these hauntings. The audiobook is narrated by Ina Barrón who creates believable characters and keeps the tension of the story going.

The Haunting of Room 904 reflects on colonialism, genocide of Native Americans, grief, and guilt. There is a lot going on in this story so it might feel a little bit convoluted, however Wurth keeps the pace, delivering a creepy and entertaining novel. I’m looking forward to what the author comes up with next.