This novel has all the elements of a cozy: a quirky protagonist who, despite being a cop, almost plays the role of amateur detective. Despite this, the tone is much darker. Midge just retired from the police, but she never conducted an investigation, as she was in charge of the evidence locker. She is antisocial and not too likable. During a ghost-hunting weekend, she is stuck in a presumably haunted house, surrounded by a collection of oddballs. As is tradition, they’re all hiding something. The author creates a creepy atmosphere. The plot works effectively, hiding clues in plain sight for readers. The final reveal relies too much on coincidence for my liking, and I kept finding issues with it. There’s also the fact that I didn’t like Midge. At all. But this is where gifted authors come in, because I was still invested in the story. I had to keep reading to find out whodunit. The elements were not working for me and yet it held my attention. Overall, I ended up liking it.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/William Morrow.

Emma Mason, ex-Oxford police, has created a new heroine to root for. Midge McGowan is recently retired and still trying to get her bearings. Her beloved wife Bridie has cancer and Midge has few hobbies or plans for life after leaving the force. The gift she receives from the shop is far from satisfying, a ticket to a weekend ghost hunting trip in a nearby mansion.

Against her better instincts, she attends and soon meets a pop star, a podcaster, and several other curious ghost hunters. It is not long before bodies begin to drop and a blizzard traps them inside. What happens next? Read on.

Fun, entertaining, and exactly the kind of mystery I love. I only wish I had been there.
#williammorrow #murdermosthaunted #emmamason