leandrathetbrzero's Reviews (412)

Once again, this series is such a smooth-reading experience! While the puzzle(s) at hand is complex, Mead's writing is impressively accessible. For the ultimate experience, I highly recommend you start where the magic begins: Death and the Conjuror. This series is perfect for those who enjoy locked room mysteries/impossible crimes, and the golden age detective fiction style (think Agatha Christie, John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, etc).

How did I read this book? In one sitting!

I was able to finish the book in one day during a reading-sprint event hosted by Krystal @bon_bookreviews on YouTube. She, Danni @danni.dabbles, and I had a blast returning to the world of Joseph Spector, and we already look forward to book 4!

Thank you Tom Mead and Mysterious Press for a free ARC in exchange for this honest review. Since then, I have acquired one of the gorgeous hardbacks to add to my growing Joseph Spector collection!! 

I bought this book on whim simply for the cover. A cast of characters - one of them clearly a ghost - approaching a large estate? Yes. Just yes.

This paranormal mystery just charmed me, to be honest. The premise hooked me: medium Claire and her old childhood friend-cum-ghost are hired for a seance and quickly find themselves solving a murder mystery...and the murdered person's identity is unknown. No body, no name, and really not much luck on their side. And then once I was settled in the narrative, I just loved the back and forth between Claire and the ghostly forever-teenaged Sophie. It's one of those mysteries where I didn't mind piecing together the mystery without much trouble, because I was just thoroughly entertained by the characters.

In fact, I would love for the series to eventually look into Sophie's mysterious disappearance and death. 

Lots of violence/death of women used to depict a man's grief and trauma. Odd choice.