A Holiday Haunting at the Biltmore

Mystery House #8

by Eva Pohler, Debbie Andreen (reader)

This is the large print edition of a supernatural mystery series written by USA Today bestselling author Eva Pohler, in which three friends in their fifties get in way over their heads as they attempt to solve the mystery tethering ghosts to their house renovation.

Ellen should have known that a gathering in America's last castle would entail a few uninvited guests.

During a Christmas eve wedding at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, Ellen and her friends are visited by multiple ghosts. The spirits have come to tell their stories, to right the wrongs that history has done to their memories. Each of them died in Asheville with their voices stifled. One spirit is particularly adamant and threatening, despite her small size, and her mood fluctuates like the mountain winds surrounding the great estate. She claims to be the ghost of Zelda Fitzgerald, and she wants her story told, even if she has to kill to make it happen.

Voted "Best Mystery Book of the Year" for 2022 at Utopia Con!

The books in this series can be read in any order.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Holiday, Fiction, Paranormal, Thriller

Audio CD

First published December 23, 2021

About the author

Eva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels in multiple genres, including mysteries, thrillers, and young adult paranormal romance based. Her books have been described as "addictive" and "sure to thrill"--Kirkus Reviews.

Get THE BOOKWORM BIBLE for FREE: https://www.evapohler.com/bookworm-bible.

Follow Eva at these other places:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evapohler
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/evapohler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eva-p...
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/evapohler

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asheville, NC. Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Estate. Present day. Eva Pohler’s A Holiday Haunting at the Biltmore ( Mystery House Series: Book 8 ) is great fun. This author and series is new to me, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Having been to both of these fantastic places, I was able to ‘picture’ the entire mystery where it is set. Add the paranormal which I was unaware is a major part of this series, and I had a very difficult time closing the book for even a short period. I am definitely going to check out the first seven Mystery House Mysteries.

Book 8 centers around a Christmas Eve wedding of the son, Lane, of one of the major characters, Ellen. Ellen and her friends discover that the Biltmore is haunted by ghosts which makes the mystery even more of a challenge for Ellen and her friends. One ghost wants her place in literary history which was stolen from her by her well-known author husband. Now, that is a surprise to me! Tarot cards, a Ouija Board, and even a ghost app make appearances! The description of the Biltmore at Christmas is magical. Very entertaining! 4.5 stars.

[Marcia Harris-Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable book!

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first of these books I’ve read and I won’t be reading any more. It is not well written. I have read stories by middle school students that are more smoothly written. Half way through I thought, this could be a graphic novel if it had pictures. The story line and dialogue are so choppy they could be captions.
The women are not likable at all. They think they are doing the world a great service by helping spirits (the dead) move on. But they left a living man to die and didn’t even try to help him or get him help. Horrible people. Horrible book.

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Besides loving the ghostly mysteries in this series, they also are loosely based on factual historical events. In this book, one of the ghosts the team tries to help is the ghost of Zelda Fitzgerald. I was so intrigued with what the ghost had to say, I googled it to see what was fact and what was fiction. I had this picture in my head of Zelda being the prime party girl. But in fact, her life was tragic.

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a stand alone book, which I didn’t know when I started it. It’s the latest in a series I’ve never read, and there are so many family members that it seems like we were supposed to know that I gave up keeping track of them. I was interested in the Biltmore setting but the ghost hunter aspect wasn’t my thing and there were too many various plots with different ghosts, and too many mundane tasks in between.

[Elizabeth Nesbit-comer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not read as a stand alone book. The characters all just jump in like you know them already and honestly I gave up trying to keep track early on. The setting and ghosts were the best part, but the whole book felt rushed while certain things kept popping up (elevator rides, getting in and out of circles, saying goodbye to Ouija boards, getting snow for the ice bag, etc.)

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family visits Biltmore for a Christmas wedding. The Bride is related to the family so she is able to have her wedding there is it isn’t really a service offered, apparently. Three ladies are “ghost hunters” and they encounter some ghosts, including Zelda Fitzgerald. The wedding goes off with out a hitch but the ghost busting, not so much.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting because the Biltmore and Zelda Fitzgerald are familiar to me. The story was light but interesting. I don’t regret listening, but I don’t know that I’ll listen to any more from this series.

[Dawn Steenken korzekwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yall this book...WOW

Yall, Eve Pohler did it again with another fabulous tell of these crazy ladies!! I'm going to say, yall won't be disappointed first off so it's out there right away. Now let's get to some of the good stuff...I totally felt immensed in this book! I could clearly invison every room, sound and smell she described. I definitely felt like I was right there with the ladies and their families in the gorgeous Biltmore, which by the way I'm very jealous...I'd love to do that!! The ladies had a lot of hard work in this book with lots of ghosts but they so had time for a beautiful wedding and a wonderful Christmas surprise. This was just a well rounded book. I'm not one to spoil the book for others, so I'm just going to say, get it, read it and see for yourself. I think you'll love it as well!!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Eva described the Grove Park Inn and the Biltmore House in a way you can just visualize the grandeur of both estates. I really enjoyed her writing style and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Pam Papworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read a holiday book set at the Biltmore House. Unfortunately, paranormal books are not a genre that I like, so I could only make it through half of the book before abandoning it. Since this is book 8, and I haven't read the others, I was quite lost from the start with the characters and their extensive families.

[Kelly Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Ghost Hunters meets Miss Marple.

The trio of slightly older than middle aged ladies are at it again. In spite of a Christmas wedding in the huge Biltmore mansion, they encounter a collection of ghosts who demand attention. There is plenty of action and suspense amidst the ladies' exploration of the house and family/Christmas/wedding stuff.

[joan bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baltimore haunting

Wonderful book. I've touted the Biltmore and have always wanted to return in the fall or winter. Reading this was like taking a virtual tour. I enjoyed the characters.

[Angie Barrile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Other than the descriptive mountain scenes of the area that I had seen when visiting there, I found this to be a disappointment. Couldn't wait to finish it. I seem to be in the minority of what others think of this book, but I found it silly and not an enjoyable Christmas book. So these ladies connect with spirits, but they use electronic means to do so, such as a phone app?! Their use of the Ouija board was off-base as well. Anyone who is sensitive to the spiritual world doesn't need gimmicks, it comes naturally. As for the Ouija board, the author even writes that specific characters are moving the planchette. I can say from 1st hand experience many years ago, that's not how it works. A light touch by 2 sensitive people and the movement happens on its own. If believed, by a spirit. Oh well, on to the next book!

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am done

I have read the last two skipping over because you use way too much stuff that I do not care for. I am done with this book. I doubt you care or maybe you do not read these. I want to read about the ghosts and I do not care about food they eat or how a room is decorated.

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read. I'll be reading more of her books.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, cute little mystery. What staying at the Biltmore House is like after the tourists leave.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

No real plot, no depth, poor character building. The book uses two storylines but executes it poorly.

[C.J. Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This came up as a discounted ebook on bookbub and I bought right off the cover alone as I was looking for Christmasy reads.

This is Mystery House Book 8, and although it says they can all be read separately, it kind of cuts out the preamble. The world is what it is for the characters, and although they do reference things from other books, the author does not double down on any explanation or world building. This was the first read from the series for me…as this is a paranormal book, it was kind of odd how established everything was.

The story is that 3 middle aged women are ghost investigators, so even though they are going to the Biltmore for one of their son’s weddings, they brought all of their equipment and the place was heavily haunted. A Christmasy haunting story was definitely something I was ready to strap in for, but as a watcher of Ghost Hunter shows, it struck me as odd that the characters had immediate success…every time…with every instrument they used. In these shows, the accumulation of evidence is a grueling affair. It takes all night, and is subjective at best…because ghosts are not real. I know that in this author’s world of course they ARE, it was just a bit jarring.

Otherwise, I quite enjoyed it. It was all about family and family time, reconnecting with those you love, ghostly or otherwise. It was a good Christmas kind of corny. The descriptions of the Biltmore and how it was decorated for the wedding were wonderfully vivid and the novel itself was written well overall.

Personally a 3/5* for me. Enjoyable and quick.

[Jessica Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!! Set in Ashmore North Carolina at The Biltmore House had me wanting to be there while reading!

I’m not into paranormal activity and ghosting hunting, but as I mentioned I enjoyed these books. It was a horror book where I needed to watch Disney movie after a (yes I’m that person lol) but it was a fun story. Three best friends entering their 60s travel with their families to NC for a wedding on Christmas Eve, how freaking magical does that sound?!
What I’m sure is in true fashion they meet a few ghost wanting and one demanding their help. This is the first novel of the series I read. After having the opportunity to talk to Eva Pohler she mentioned that these could be read in any order. However, after reading book 8 I wished I would have started with book one.
Anyhow, they meet with these 3 ghosts that are ready to cross over, but need the women to help set things right in the living world. One is growing more evil as time goes on because of the wrongs that were done to her when she was alive. Moving to threatening the lives of friends and family the women know they cannot turn away now — not that I believe they would.

This was such a fun read and I cannot wait until I read my next book from Eva Pohler!!

[Rabid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this eighth audiobook in the Mystery House series and the three ladies never fail to entertain. This story centers around the Christmas Eve wedding of Ellen’s son, Lane, at the Grove Park Inn and Biltmore estate. An estate that is haunted by more than one spirit, but when a seemingly vicious ghost is out to do harm, Tanya, Sue, and Ellen need to solve the mystery and help the ghost pass on before the wedding is ruined and people are hurt. The narrator did a great job of brining out the character of the ladies and showed the humour and tension in the story well. I love how the author and narrator do a great job of portraying the age of the women, it is nice to see a series that does not have young, fit, perfectly sculpted people as its main characters.
This is an easy to listen to, enjoyable, humorous, mystery story with a ghostly twist. It has wonderful, funny characters and the narrator fits the book perfectly

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well , what a splendid haunting mystery book . Visited by ghosts ..at a wedding in a castle? What’s this bedazzle? It’s actually America’s last castle . The Biltmore Estate in Asheville , North Carolina on Christmas Eve , there’s a wedding and a gang of close friends gathered…and the ghosts of course too. Each of them died right here where they stand some of them are grand ,some demand . There’s a demand for a literary write put right and ghost app, mishap with an Ouija and tarot cards too. The tiniest one is Zelda the most fierce ,if she doesn’t get answers then someone on this plain won’t be advancing in years. She’ll slay to get her truth out and redemption her way. She’s a very sad individual who needs to rest. It’s Ellen’s son ,Lane who is getting wed , so her and her friends must put this mystery to bed . Great writing , a first read for me. I was soon hooked into the ecstasy of the mystery.

[Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pohler knows nothing about literature and needs an editor or a new one. There were numerous errors which were annoying, but ok. The error I found completely unacceptable and told me Pohler knows very little if anything about American literature and does not research or edit her books. One of the main characters, Ellen says the following; “can you show us where we can find one of Fitzgerald’s books? It could be THE GREAT GATSBY, THE SUN ALSO RISES, or anything else written by Fitzgerald. Hemingway wrote THE SUN ALSO RISES. To me this is an inexcusable error and I would not read anything else this author has written or shall write. In addition to the errors the book is extremely unrealistic and unbelievable. The only reason I finished it was to see what they were going to do with the ghost of Zelda Fitzgerald. I do not recommend it and the only thing that makes a Christmas story is that it takes place December 23-25.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this book. I love the Biltmore Estate and was anxious to read the history contained within. I have often complained about the use of the Ouija board in these stories and was quite pleased to see that they discussed people's feelings about opening doors for evil to pass through.
I cannot wait to revisit the Ashville area and look at the town through the haunted lens from the book, in particular the Catholic Church.
I love how the characters support each other and their good-natured teasing. I like to think of myself as the levelheaded Ellen, who grounds the trio. However, I think I am more like Sue...always on the lookout for the next dessert! Tanya is a great, her timid nature makes the ghost investigations a little scarier. I think this one is by far my favorite story in the series. A good book to end my 2022 reading challenge!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in a series and I haven't read any of the others, but I could glean from the story how the characters relate to one another. I live in NC and have been to the Biltmore a couple of times so it was fun to read about it - the author describes the mansion in detail. I've never been at Christmastime (one of these days) but the decorations sure sound beautiful in this book. It's a ghost story so of course you must park your belief at the door when you read this (unless you believe in ghosts - I have an open mind but have never seen one). It's a little slow in places, and it was hard at first to keep track of the characters - both human and ghost - but it all came together in the end. I like books that feature women and especially older women in a prominent role. It's a fun easy read and perfect for the holidays.

[Deserthomemaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only book in this series that I’ve read, and it’s clear there’s a lot of backstory that I’m missing, so I don’t recommend starting with this one. It reads a little like a travel guide to Biltmore House, which I found detracted from the actual story, especially when one of the characters is admiring a bit of decor while actively trying to avoid being attacked by a ghost/poltergeist. Also, since the premise of going to the Biltmore House is a wedding, there are a lot of characters, and keeping them all straight was a challenge, and not one I really bothered with, as I didn’t think it was crucial to the story. This would probably not have been an issue if I’d read the previous books. Overall, the story was fine, but forgettable.

[Kellene · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. I love Biltmore House! And it is definitely haunted.
2. I would give my right arm to be able to spend a night there.
3. I would give both arms to be able to spend a night there ghost hunting!

I enjoy this series and having a book set at Biltmore was wonderful. The ghost stories were interesting, although the only spirits I knew were Vanderbilt himself (oh yeah, he's definitely hanging out there, and why wouldn't he) and Zelda Fitzgerald. I hate that Zelda was made into such a mean spirited ghost (no pun intended), but the reasoning she gave was pretty accurate and who can blame her? There was a lot of running to and fro for the heroines, and that got on my nerve, but otherwise it was a very satisfying read.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started rough for me just because I was coming in on the 8th book in the series. However, I love the Biltmore and try to read anything I can about the house, so I fought through meeting the already-established characters with little description. The writing itself is simple, as if it was a first attempt at a novel, however, since it's the 8th in a series... clearly not. Once the story started rolling, though, it definitely became a page-turner for me: something easy and quick to read between books. At first I was thinking I wouldn't be able to finish it, but by the end, I am reconsidering and may look into some of her others.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I recently visited family in Asheville, I had to read this!! It was so great to treat a book that actually mentioned true landmarks and their descriptions. I'm not sure if this author always does this in this series or not but this really helped to visualize things! (I did catch that The Sun Also Rises was actually a Hemingway novel though)The story itself was very intertwining and I really enjoyed it!! It actually made me laugh in a few spots as well! I would highly recommend this as a cozy mystery!

[Rilla Borders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book in this series, but this one is my favorite. Eva Pohler does a great job describing the scenery of these lovely settings. Having visited the Biltmore, I enjoyed reliving my visit through her writing.
The characters in this series have me hooked. I love the story lines of their evolving lives woven behind the main themes. These three women seem to well represent my age group and often address feelings and issues with which I can readily associate.
Now on the the next book in the series!