Dark Shadows

by Karla Brandenburg

In the year since her near-fatal accident, ghost whisperer Elspeth Barclay has actively avoided spiritual trouble. Her sister invites Elle to a Halloween tour at a music museum, where she encounters a mournful spirit in search of her recently dead husband. Another guest on the tour keys in on Elle’s interaction and hires her to identify an oddly protective ghost at her mansion.

When this second spirit expresses concern about the same “missing ghost” from the Halloween tour, Elle becomes aware of a dark shadow similar to those that caused her accident continuing to play pranks on her. Elle is drawn into a web of haunted histories, mischievous shadows, and a ghost-hunting team that needs her skills. As she unravels family rifts echoing through time, Elle must confront both playful spirits and her own fears. Together, she and the team must locate the relic that will free the missing spirit from its oppressive legacy.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Karla Brandenburg is an award-winning author of contemporary romance novels which include paranormal elements. Now that her children have settled into lives of their own, she loves to go out into the world on adventures with her husband, from Milwaukee to the French Riviera, but the Chicago suburbs have always been “home.” She is an avid reader across multiple genres and is a card-carrying cookie-holic (we all have our vices). Sign up for her newsletter

Reviews

[Tobyann Aparisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book (Kindle version) for an honest review.

Well...I have not read anything from this author before and or the other previous books to this one. With that said I did enjoy this book and found that I could easily follow along the story and the happenings of this character with ease. This author has an easy way of writing that just lures you in and you find yourself swiftly moving through with anticipation for what's to come. I will be going back to see what I have missed in this series and look forward to moving onward to see what is to come. I really did enjoy this story very much.

[Mim Eichmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although imps, ghosts, psychics, and supernatural phenomena aren’t typically subjects to be found in my TBR pile, Karla Brandenburg’s “Dark Shadows” somehow charmed its way into the stack. The setting apparently isn’t based on the famous The House on the Rock in Spring Green, WI, but in my mind, it easily could have been, luring me into the story, which excellently juxtaposes the real-life obstacles of closing one’s business and dealing with opinionated relatives with the supernatural elements. The fact that the book is part of a series was slightly confusing in a few places but didn’t impede the overall flow. 4.5*

[Terry Odell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 4th novel in the Elspeth Barclay series is a satisfying continuation of the series. Elle needs to decide how much “ghost hunting” as well as what road to take with her business. Family matters continue to develop throughout the book. Well written, and an enjoyable read, even for this reader who’s not much into the paranormal.