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Black and White Publishing The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes.
Not all guests know when to check out . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2024
10 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 25, 2024
Mia Anne has worked at the Ballinadrum hotel for 5 years. She has heard all the rumours about ghosts but has never actually seen one. When strange things happen, she soon finds herself promoted to concierge to the spirits.
This was an interesting take on a haunted hotel story. It started slowly, setting the scene and introducing us to Mia Anne and some of the other characters from within the hotel. The pace picks up towards the middle of the book. The latter part of the book had me quickly turning the pages to see what happens next.
The book is nicely written, and the plot was engaging and different. I liked the idea of all the ghosts and how they came to reside in the hotel as this was an unexpected twist. It is not a scary haunting, more of a mystery that needs to be solved.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I think this would appeal to those who like a ghost story or like a mystery to figure out.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Love Books Tours, for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
This was an interesting take on a haunted hotel story. It started slowly, setting the scene and introducing us to Mia Anne and some of the other characters from within the hotel. The pace picks up towards the middle of the book. The latter part of the book had me quickly turning the pages to see what happens next.
The book is nicely written, and the plot was engaging and different. I liked the idea of all the ghosts and how they came to reside in the hotel as this was an unexpected twist. It is not a scary haunting, more of a mystery that needs to be solved.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I think this would appeal to those who like a ghost story or like a mystery to figure out.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Love Books Tours, for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
January 6, 2025
Love an Irish author, and loved the premise of this book. It did start pretty slowly and the main character was a complete walkover for a frustratingly long time but it definitely picked up in the second half! 3.5 stars
January 9, 2025
In an era where Irish writers and creatives show no sign of slowing down, Laura McLoughlin might be a new voice, but she can effortlessly keep pace with the best of them.
Bringing to the table a cosy yet heartfelt debut that was inspired by John Mayer’s ‘Wildfire’, McLoughlin is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Want to read more of my review? Check it out on the Irish Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifesty...
Bringing to the table a cosy yet heartfelt debut that was inspired by John Mayer’s ‘Wildfire’, McLoughlin is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Want to read more of my review? Check it out on the Irish Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifesty...
October 14, 2024
Most of Mia’s life revolves around the Ballinadrum Hotel. Many of the local residents have stories that involve the hotel as well. It’s as if this historic building is the fabric of the community. So when its owner, Donahue Byrnes, dies, it’s a pretty big deal. Especially for Mia, whose life Donahue had a huge impact on.
When Donahue’s estranged son arrives and reveals his plan to sell the hotel, Mia is in for a real surprise. All the stories she’s heard about ghosts and the hotel being haunted turn out to be absolutely and totally true. Donahue somehow managed to control these spirits, but now that he is gone, mayhem could ensue. His son needs Mia to keep the ghosts at bay so he can find a buyer. Or better yet, get rid of them altogether.
Mia obviously hasn’t watched as many episodes of the "Supernatural" tv series as I have. Otherwise, she would have known right away ghosts have unfinished business that keeps them tethered to a person, a thing, or a place. It takes her a while to figure out how she could possibly help these ghosts but once she gets going, she’s definitely on a mission to save the hotel.
It's remarkably easy to keep the ghosts apart. There's the bride, the old headmaster, the reverend, the gossip, and a little girl, for instance. Each one has certain demands, or questions. Maybe they're looking for something. Mia needs to figure out what those things are so the ghosts won't get restless and start walking through walls, thus scaring the hotel guests. But she also needs to listen to what is being said, even if it doesn't always make sense, so she can set the ghosts free from this place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy supernatural mystery and was entirely unable to see why the ghosts wouldn’t leave the premises. The reveal was most satisfactory, and the whole story was rather well plotted. Obviously Mia’s life won’t be the same after all these spooky events but that’s a good thing, in my opinion. Just wait until you meet her boyfriend, Roscoe, who is seemingly the most supportive and loving partner, but to me just came across as extremely manipulative and condescending.
As so often happens, it just goes to show that you never really know someone or what they're capable of. Along the way, Mia will learn some of life's lessons, and find out she's stronger and smarter than she thinks. Mia, and her grandmother, are characters you warm to without even needing to try. They're like a nice, cosy, warm blanket wrapped around you like a hug.
Great setting (who doesn't love a haunted hotel?!), wonderful characters, a mystery to solve, and a little spookiness ... 'The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes' kept me wonderfully entertained. The perfect spooky read for those who would rather not be too terrified to sleep at night.
When Donahue’s estranged son arrives and reveals his plan to sell the hotel, Mia is in for a real surprise. All the stories she’s heard about ghosts and the hotel being haunted turn out to be absolutely and totally true. Donahue somehow managed to control these spirits, but now that he is gone, mayhem could ensue. His son needs Mia to keep the ghosts at bay so he can find a buyer. Or better yet, get rid of them altogether.
Mia obviously hasn’t watched as many episodes of the "Supernatural" tv series as I have. Otherwise, she would have known right away ghosts have unfinished business that keeps them tethered to a person, a thing, or a place. It takes her a while to figure out how she could possibly help these ghosts but once she gets going, she’s definitely on a mission to save the hotel.
It's remarkably easy to keep the ghosts apart. There's the bride, the old headmaster, the reverend, the gossip, and a little girl, for instance. Each one has certain demands, or questions. Maybe they're looking for something. Mia needs to figure out what those things are so the ghosts won't get restless and start walking through walls, thus scaring the hotel guests. But she also needs to listen to what is being said, even if it doesn't always make sense, so she can set the ghosts free from this place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy supernatural mystery and was entirely unable to see why the ghosts wouldn’t leave the premises. The reveal was most satisfactory, and the whole story was rather well plotted. Obviously Mia’s life won’t be the same after all these spooky events but that’s a good thing, in my opinion. Just wait until you meet her boyfriend, Roscoe, who is seemingly the most supportive and loving partner, but to me just came across as extremely manipulative and condescending.
As so often happens, it just goes to show that you never really know someone or what they're capable of. Along the way, Mia will learn some of life's lessons, and find out she's stronger and smarter than she thinks. Mia, and her grandmother, are characters you warm to without even needing to try. They're like a nice, cosy, warm blanket wrapped around you like a hug.
Great setting (who doesn't love a haunted hotel?!), wonderful characters, a mystery to solve, and a little spookiness ... 'The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes' kept me wonderfully entertained. The perfect spooky read for those who would rather not be too terrified to sleep at night.
September 22, 2024
This book had made me have so many mixed feelings. The plot had me desperate to read this book. To be honest It took a long while for me to get reading and I don't know why.....maybe it just took a while for things to get going.....the story was fantastic and the characters relatable I think my problem was I just wasn't interest on what was going on till half way through the book. A good read for the Halloween season....
December 1, 2024
This book was unfortunately way too boring!
March 25, 2025
roscoe buckley if I ever see u
October 26, 2024
Mia Anne Moran was a little lost at the start of this book and my heart went out to her. Despite their age difference, she had been good friends with hotel owner Donahue Byrnes and was really sad about his death. When his less than agreeable son Cormac arrives determined to sell the business, it seems likely that she'll lose her job and also the venue for her fast approaching wedding. I wasn't really sure what to make of her fiancé Roscoe so that was one of the aspects of the story that had my attention.
When the rumours of the hotel being haunted turn out to be all too true, Mia finds herself with a very different task of keeping the ghosts in check, a task she discovers that Donahue had been doing for years. At first the ghosts seemed reasonably friendly and benign but things soon changed. I enjoyed reading about Mia's endeavours to find out what was tying the ghosts to the hotel and her efforts to finish their unresolved business. Although it seemed like this was going to be a charming and fun part of the story, things soon turned a bit darker and there was an element of danger.
The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes was an entertaining read and perfect for anyone like me who isn't keen on being terrified but does enjoy reading about ghostly goings-on! A engaging debut novel, perfect for the long winter evenings. I'd happily read more from Laura McLaughlin.
When the rumours of the hotel being haunted turn out to be all too true, Mia finds herself with a very different task of keeping the ghosts in check, a task she discovers that Donahue had been doing for years. At first the ghosts seemed reasonably friendly and benign but things soon changed. I enjoyed reading about Mia's endeavours to find out what was tying the ghosts to the hotel and her efforts to finish their unresolved business. Although it seemed like this was going to be a charming and fun part of the story, things soon turned a bit darker and there was an element of danger.
The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes was an entertaining read and perfect for anyone like me who isn't keen on being terrified but does enjoy reading about ghostly goings-on! A engaging debut novel, perfect for the long winter evenings. I'd happily read more from Laura McLaughlin.
October 26, 2024
Firstly, let’s just appreciate how absolutely gorgeous the cover is for this book! I was instantly drawn to it by the bright colours and unique design.
A paranormal thriller? Yes, please! However, I would definitely say this was more of a cozy paranormal ghost story and not so much of a thriller… unless you are very easily spooked/thrilled.
The book kind of gave me The Maid vibes and it was a very unique story for sure with some really interesting and likeable characters (and maybe one or two who were unlikeable).
I loved Mia as a main character, I found her to be very loveable and maybe a touch vulnerable. There were moments that I wanted to shout at her for some of the things she allowed to happen to her! As for Rosco… let’s just say, I was definitely not very fond of this character!
Overall, an exciting and cozy paranormal mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
A paranormal thriller? Yes, please! However, I would definitely say this was more of a cozy paranormal ghost story and not so much of a thriller… unless you are very easily spooked/thrilled.
The book kind of gave me The Maid vibes and it was a very unique story for sure with some really interesting and likeable characters (and maybe one or two who were unlikeable).
I loved Mia as a main character, I found her to be very loveable and maybe a touch vulnerable. There were moments that I wanted to shout at her for some of the things she allowed to happen to her! As for Rosco… let’s just say, I was definitely not very fond of this character!
Overall, an exciting and cozy paranormal mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
October 28, 2024
Tis the season for ghost stories and this is a great ghost story 👻
It is also so much more than a ghost story, Mia seems happily engaged to Rocco, planning her upcoming wedding whilst living with her Gran.
When her boss dies strange things start happening and Mia is drawn into a ghostly mystery.
Over the course of the book Mia seems to find herself and her strength to do the things she wants to do.
I loved the mystery within the story and the various characters that appear both who Mia works with and those how ‘live’ in the hotel.
It would make a great series, I will certainly book looking out for more from this author.
Thank you @lovebookstours @bonnierbooks_uk @_lauramclo for having me on the tour and for a copy of the @netgalley ebook
It is also so much more than a ghost story, Mia seems happily engaged to Rocco, planning her upcoming wedding whilst living with her Gran.
When her boss dies strange things start happening and Mia is drawn into a ghostly mystery.
Over the course of the book Mia seems to find herself and her strength to do the things she wants to do.
I loved the mystery within the story and the various characters that appear both who Mia works with and those how ‘live’ in the hotel.
It would make a great series, I will certainly book looking out for more from this author.
Thank you @lovebookstours @bonnierbooks_uk @_lauramclo for having me on the tour and for a copy of the @netgalley ebook
November 7, 2024
Tis the season! 🎃
I have to say, ghosts stories are not really my thing.
So, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this book.
I found it slow-paced, character-driven, and overall easy to read.
I could relate with Mia' single mindedness (I do tend to hyperfocus, social life be damned), and drive to get to the bottom of things.
I wanted to know more about each ghost and their unfinished business, if that's what tethering them to the hotel. I could also definitely see it as a film in my mind (the ballroom, the dancing, the potential costumes,...).
And I need a picture of the painting, given the numerous mentions of it 🖼
I have to say, ghosts stories are not really my thing.
So, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this book.
I found it slow-paced, character-driven, and overall easy to read.
I could relate with Mia' single mindedness (I do tend to hyperfocus, social life be damned), and drive to get to the bottom of things.
I wanted to know more about each ghost and their unfinished business, if that's what tethering them to the hotel. I could also definitely see it as a film in my mind (the ballroom, the dancing, the potential costumes,...).
And I need a picture of the painting, given the numerous mentions of it 🖼
October 23, 2024
A beautiful, crisp, autumn read. Ghostly enough but nothing gory. We'll written and audiodook was great. There is a wonderful pace to always keep reading to find out what is coming next. Highly recommended. I almost do 5 stars, but my 5 stars need to blow me away where I wished I could reread it for the first time again. 4 for is great. I could reread this again. I will definitely add any other of the authors books to my TBR.
October 24, 2024
Here is my review for The Many Ghosts Of Donahue Byrnes by Laura McLoughlin
I found this to be a fantastic read and I really enjoyed it from the start. I really enjoy reading ghost stories and this is a good one. It’s about a hotel that has a wing dedicated to ghosts to keep them from upsetting the guests. They appear before the guests when they are bored and all the tales that Donahue Byrnes told Mia were probably true. He kept the ghosts under control. She actually came face to face with one of the ghosts and she knew him, so held a conversation with him and then when Jim disappeared, her boss Cormac Byrnes stood there so she ran and took a sick day while she thought things through. When she went back and Cormac caught up with her, he offered her the job of Concierge to the Dead and her job would solely be looking after the ghosts but better pay would be involved. The ghosts seemed calmer around her and accepted her as she knew one of them. Cormac told her some things and some things she worked out for herself. This is just a terrific read and really is like a ghost story set around ghosts and a working hotel where Mia manages to get an offer out of Cormac to secure a deal for the staff if she sort the ghosts and get rid of them by a certain date but do things work out that way? This is the thing. It was so easy to get invested in this book and get comfy and just read for ages as it was so easy to read and get lost in the story. You wanted to know what happened next, did Mia get to know the ghosts? Did the ghosts upset the guests? The writing was just superb and the actual plotting was heaven as it was so well plotted out. I wanted the fortunes of the hotel to turn around but at the same time I was loving the stories of the ghosts so I was torn, for the hotel to carry on the ghosts all had to go but then Cormac would get a buyer and the staff would be safe with their jobs. The author used her imagination well to write this story and it is set in Ireland and some of the scenery sounds gorgeous.
Blurb :
Not all guests know when to check out . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
I found this to be a fantastic read and I really enjoyed it from the start. I really enjoy reading ghost stories and this is a good one. It’s about a hotel that has a wing dedicated to ghosts to keep them from upsetting the guests. They appear before the guests when they are bored and all the tales that Donahue Byrnes told Mia were probably true. He kept the ghosts under control. She actually came face to face with one of the ghosts and she knew him, so held a conversation with him and then when Jim disappeared, her boss Cormac Byrnes stood there so she ran and took a sick day while she thought things through. When she went back and Cormac caught up with her, he offered her the job of Concierge to the Dead and her job would solely be looking after the ghosts but better pay would be involved. The ghosts seemed calmer around her and accepted her as she knew one of them. Cormac told her some things and some things she worked out for herself. This is just a terrific read and really is like a ghost story set around ghosts and a working hotel where Mia manages to get an offer out of Cormac to secure a deal for the staff if she sort the ghosts and get rid of them by a certain date but do things work out that way? This is the thing. It was so easy to get invested in this book and get comfy and just read for ages as it was so easy to read and get lost in the story. You wanted to know what happened next, did Mia get to know the ghosts? Did the ghosts upset the guests? The writing was just superb and the actual plotting was heaven as it was so well plotted out. I wanted the fortunes of the hotel to turn around but at the same time I was loving the stories of the ghosts so I was torn, for the hotel to carry on the ghosts all had to go but then Cormac would get a buyer and the staff would be safe with their jobs. The author used her imagination well to write this story and it is set in Ireland and some of the scenery sounds gorgeous.
Blurb :
Not all guests know when to check out . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
October 19, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Love Book Tours and to the publisher Black and White Publishing for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.
TW: death, hauntings, grief, horror, mentions of suicide
Mia Anne Moran adores where she works, the Ballinadrum Hotel in rural Ireland, because it's been part of her life forever. Its owner, the eccentric and always jolly Donahue Byrnes, had the best stories about ghosts and fairies and the most outlandishly beautiful ways of looking at the world in her childhood. Now twenty two and preparing to get married, Mia is left devastated by the elderly Donahue's death and the thought that his estranged son, the cold hearted and mysterious Cormac, might be about to sell his father's legacy. Soon enough Mia discovers that the stories Donahue told about the Ballinadrum being haunted were true and that he alone had managed the ghosts by keeping them happy. Unable to sell the hotel as the ghosts become more rowdy and dangerous to guests, Cormac turns to Mia with the promise that everyone who works there will keep their jobs once it is sold if only she takes on the role of ghost keeper and clears them out within a month. Believing that this role is what she was destined for, Mia becomes determined to figure out why the ghosts- including three WW2 soldiers, a tormented bride, an angry vicar, a little girl and a normally friendly baker- remain and if she might be able to help them move on. However, the more Mia gets caught up in the care of Ballinadrum's ghosts, the less involved she is with her real life and soon enough what Mia thought she wanted for her future isn't guaranteed.
I really enjoyed this book, it's a slow burn but I loved Mia from the first page as she's forced to reckon with the idea that her safe place- and the man she saw as family- might not be here much longer. I found her character so interesting, she's made to almost grow up and let go of her naivety while managing two separate lives that can't link together. The hotel and its ghostly inhabitants were so well written, they were spooky and a little disturbing when upset but also friendly and deeply confused by what they're going through. The mystery of their back stories was great, each spirit and their circumstances felt unique. As she and Cormac work together you see something of his father in him, a man Mia adored and Cormac hated, and I think that their gradual trust in one another about everything worked really well. I wish we'd seen more of Mia's grandmother and her two dogs, learned more about the loss of her parents and how she met her fiance Rosco (who I was caught between disliking and being alright with on and off until the end). Ultimately this was a fun, original read that turns the idea of a place being haunted from a bad thing into something worthy of love and I really liked that.
TW: death, hauntings, grief, horror, mentions of suicide
Mia Anne Moran adores where she works, the Ballinadrum Hotel in rural Ireland, because it's been part of her life forever. Its owner, the eccentric and always jolly Donahue Byrnes, had the best stories about ghosts and fairies and the most outlandishly beautiful ways of looking at the world in her childhood. Now twenty two and preparing to get married, Mia is left devastated by the elderly Donahue's death and the thought that his estranged son, the cold hearted and mysterious Cormac, might be about to sell his father's legacy. Soon enough Mia discovers that the stories Donahue told about the Ballinadrum being haunted were true and that he alone had managed the ghosts by keeping them happy. Unable to sell the hotel as the ghosts become more rowdy and dangerous to guests, Cormac turns to Mia with the promise that everyone who works there will keep their jobs once it is sold if only she takes on the role of ghost keeper and clears them out within a month. Believing that this role is what she was destined for, Mia becomes determined to figure out why the ghosts- including three WW2 soldiers, a tormented bride, an angry vicar, a little girl and a normally friendly baker- remain and if she might be able to help them move on. However, the more Mia gets caught up in the care of Ballinadrum's ghosts, the less involved she is with her real life and soon enough what Mia thought she wanted for her future isn't guaranteed.
I really enjoyed this book, it's a slow burn but I loved Mia from the first page as she's forced to reckon with the idea that her safe place- and the man she saw as family- might not be here much longer. I found her character so interesting, she's made to almost grow up and let go of her naivety while managing two separate lives that can't link together. The hotel and its ghostly inhabitants were so well written, they were spooky and a little disturbing when upset but also friendly and deeply confused by what they're going through. The mystery of their back stories was great, each spirit and their circumstances felt unique. As she and Cormac work together you see something of his father in him, a man Mia adored and Cormac hated, and I think that their gradual trust in one another about everything worked really well. I wish we'd seen more of Mia's grandmother and her two dogs, learned more about the loss of her parents and how she met her fiance Rosco (who I was caught between disliking and being alright with on and off until the end). Ultimately this was a fun, original read that turns the idea of a place being haunted from a bad thing into something worthy of love and I really liked that.
October 25, 2024
Have you ever thought about what happens when hotel guests refuse to check out? And I mean *really* refuse - like, they're-actually-ghosts refuse. That's the delightfully weird premise of this gem set in the Ballinadrum Hotel, where "extending your stay" takes on a whole new meaning.
Our hero is Mia Anne Moran, a 22-year-old waitress just trying to make ends meet when her mentor (and the hotel's owner) Donahue Byrnes kicks the bucket. But here's the kicker - all those whispers about the hotel being haunted? Totally true. And these ghosts? They're basically the world's most stubborn squatters.
When Donahue's son Cormac swoops in ready to sell the place, he discovers that some of their "long-term residents" aren't exactly listed in the guest book. And let me tell you, these spirits are NOT interested in a change of management.
In a stroke of genius (or madness, jury's still out), Mia cuts a deal: she'll become the hotel's supernatural concierge - yeah, that's apparently a thing - managing the ghostly guests just like Donahue did. In return, Cormac has to keep the hotel intact, staff and all. Not exactly what she planned to do with her life, but hey, sometimes the best career moves come with complimentary haunting.
Why It's Actually Amazing ✨:
* It's like if The Grand Budapest Hotel had a baby with Casper the Friendly Ghost
* The big reveal about why the ghosts stick around? *Chef's kiss*
* Finally, someone who gets hotel life right (for both the breathing and non-breathing staff)
* Watching Mia transform from "help, there are ghosts!" to "table for two, Mr. Ghost?" is just *chef's kiss*
Let's talk about Mia for a sec. She starts out just wanting to save her job and ends up solving supernatural mysteries like some kind of paranormal Nancy Drew. And then there's her boyfriend Roscoe - who, btw, is giving major red flags. Dude acts supportive but comes across as manipulative AF, which adds some real-world drama to all the ghost-wrangling.
The Big Question:
Why won't these ghosts just... move on? Trust me, the answer is WAY better than you're expecting. It's like the author set up one puzzle but actually gave us a completely different (and better) one.
Bottom Line:
This book is perfect if you're into:
* Ghost stories that won't keep you up at night
* Watching someone absolutely wing it at their new job (but with ghosts)
* Hotels where "room service" might mean serving rooms FROM 1842
* Stories with heart (even if some characters' hearts stopped beating a while ago)
Skip it if you:
* Want serious scares
* Hate fun
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look, all I'm saying is - who knew the hospitality industry could be this dead and still so lively?
Our hero is Mia Anne Moran, a 22-year-old waitress just trying to make ends meet when her mentor (and the hotel's owner) Donahue Byrnes kicks the bucket. But here's the kicker - all those whispers about the hotel being haunted? Totally true. And these ghosts? They're basically the world's most stubborn squatters.
When Donahue's son Cormac swoops in ready to sell the place, he discovers that some of their "long-term residents" aren't exactly listed in the guest book. And let me tell you, these spirits are NOT interested in a change of management.
In a stroke of genius (or madness, jury's still out), Mia cuts a deal: she'll become the hotel's supernatural concierge - yeah, that's apparently a thing - managing the ghostly guests just like Donahue did. In return, Cormac has to keep the hotel intact, staff and all. Not exactly what she planned to do with her life, but hey, sometimes the best career moves come with complimentary haunting.
Why It's Actually Amazing ✨:
* It's like if The Grand Budapest Hotel had a baby with Casper the Friendly Ghost
* The big reveal about why the ghosts stick around? *Chef's kiss*
* Finally, someone who gets hotel life right (for both the breathing and non-breathing staff)
* Watching Mia transform from "help, there are ghosts!" to "table for two, Mr. Ghost?" is just *chef's kiss*
Let's talk about Mia for a sec. She starts out just wanting to save her job and ends up solving supernatural mysteries like some kind of paranormal Nancy Drew. And then there's her boyfriend Roscoe - who, btw, is giving major red flags. Dude acts supportive but comes across as manipulative AF, which adds some real-world drama to all the ghost-wrangling.
The Big Question:
Why won't these ghosts just... move on? Trust me, the answer is WAY better than you're expecting. It's like the author set up one puzzle but actually gave us a completely different (and better) one.
Bottom Line:
This book is perfect if you're into:
* Ghost stories that won't keep you up at night
* Watching someone absolutely wing it at their new job (but with ghosts)
* Hotels where "room service" might mean serving rooms FROM 1842
* Stories with heart (even if some characters' hearts stopped beating a while ago)
Skip it if you:
* Want serious scares
* Hate fun
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look, all I'm saying is - who knew the hospitality industry could be this dead and still so lively?
October 13, 2024
Thank you to Flora Willis at Black & White Publishing for my AD-GIFTED copy.
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades’ old mystery to solve – one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests: its ghosts.
When Ballinadrum Hotel’s elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue’s son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead – keeping the hotel’s ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously – and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia’s errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though – especially when it involves the dead – and as Mia tries to solve the hotel’s ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn’t have anticipated . . .
This is a cosy, multi-layered mystery-cum-ghost story set in a haunted hotel, which is quite a popular trope in ghost stories. The author is very strong on scene setting, but, cosy is the operative word here: it's a nicely gentle level of chill rather than anything horrific, and the mystery at the centre of the story has enough twists and intrigue to carry the reader along.
There are characters both earthly and spectral that you'll love - or love to hate - and the characterisation is well done in the way that each one of the large cast of supernatural, ethereal guests is defined and delineated.
Mia is a caring, big-hearted girl who, as the story unfolds, grows in self-confidence, and perception about her own situation. Her beloved granny, and her mother-in-law-to-be, Heather, are also nicely drawn characters you can warm to, along with Ruby and Sonia, Mia's friends .
This is a perfect spooky season read if you're looking for something with a subtle supernatural, autumnal vibe wrapped around an intriguing mystery.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades’ old mystery to solve – one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests: its ghosts.
When Ballinadrum Hotel’s elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue’s son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead – keeping the hotel’s ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously – and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia’s errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though – especially when it involves the dead – and as Mia tries to solve the hotel’s ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn’t have anticipated . . .
This is a cosy, multi-layered mystery-cum-ghost story set in a haunted hotel, which is quite a popular trope in ghost stories. The author is very strong on scene setting, but, cosy is the operative word here: it's a nicely gentle level of chill rather than anything horrific, and the mystery at the centre of the story has enough twists and intrigue to carry the reader along.
There are characters both earthly and spectral that you'll love - or love to hate - and the characterisation is well done in the way that each one of the large cast of supernatural, ethereal guests is defined and delineated.
Mia is a caring, big-hearted girl who, as the story unfolds, grows in self-confidence, and perception about her own situation. Her beloved granny, and her mother-in-law-to-be, Heather, are also nicely drawn characters you can warm to, along with Ruby and Sonia, Mia's friends .
This is a perfect spooky season read if you're looking for something with a subtle supernatural, autumnal vibe wrapped around an intriguing mystery.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
October 26, 2024
If you’ve ever wondered who checks in on the ghostly guests at haunted hotels, Laura McLoughlin’s The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes has all the answers and more ghostly gossip than you’d expect!
What a read! Loved it, absolutely every second of it.
Set in the eerie YET charming Ballinadrum Hotel, we meet Mia Anne Moran, a young waitress with a new, slightly spectral side job: ghost concierge. interesting right?
When the hotel’s long time owner Donahue Byrnes dies, Mia discovers he left behind more than just dusty keys and creaky floors…he left ghosts with unfinished business. ohhh spooky! And Donahue’s son, Cormac, eager to sell, doesn’t know what he’s in for....
With haunted hallways and ghostly guests reluctant to check out, Mia strikes a deal: she’ll manage the hotel’s spectral issues if Cormac promises to keep the hotel intact.
Mia’s detective work feels like cozy ghost hunting, with her piecing together each spirit’s story and attempting to give them closure.
As she uncovers the past, her own life begins to change in ways she couldn’t have imagined, with each ghostly encounter more personal than the last.
McLoughlin crafts an engaging mystery packed with Irish charm and ghostly intrigue, It all just flowed so well and I loved every second of it.
Perfect for fans of quirky supernatural tales with heart. This book is a delightful mix of chills, mystery, and unexpected character growth, and the ghosts bring both charm and chills to the story.
If you’re up for an adventure with spirits who have way too much unfinished business, The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes is the one. Read it this spooky season, you won't regret it.
What a read! Loved it, absolutely every second of it.
Set in the eerie YET charming Ballinadrum Hotel, we meet Mia Anne Moran, a young waitress with a new, slightly spectral side job: ghost concierge. interesting right?
When the hotel’s long time owner Donahue Byrnes dies, Mia discovers he left behind more than just dusty keys and creaky floors…he left ghosts with unfinished business. ohhh spooky! And Donahue’s son, Cormac, eager to sell, doesn’t know what he’s in for....
With haunted hallways and ghostly guests reluctant to check out, Mia strikes a deal: she’ll manage the hotel’s spectral issues if Cormac promises to keep the hotel intact.
Mia’s detective work feels like cozy ghost hunting, with her piecing together each spirit’s story and attempting to give them closure.
As she uncovers the past, her own life begins to change in ways she couldn’t have imagined, with each ghostly encounter more personal than the last.
McLoughlin crafts an engaging mystery packed with Irish charm and ghostly intrigue, It all just flowed so well and I loved every second of it.
Perfect for fans of quirky supernatural tales with heart. This book is a delightful mix of chills, mystery, and unexpected character growth, and the ghosts bring both charm and chills to the story.
If you’re up for an adventure with spirits who have way too much unfinished business, The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes is the one. Read it this spooky season, you won't regret it.
October 30, 2024
The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes by Laura McLoughlin.
I did enjoy this book. It was a little slow to begin with. I did start enjoy it once it gets spooky. I loved that it was eerie and spooky. It gave me goosebumps. Once the ghosts came in I was hooked. I loved Mia character. I loved the writing style. The story and the plot.This is most definitely a book I would recommend. Perfect for the spooky season.
Blurb.
Not all guests know when to check out . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
I did enjoy this book. It was a little slow to begin with. I did start enjoy it once it gets spooky. I loved that it was eerie and spooky. It gave me goosebumps. Once the ghosts came in I was hooked. I loved Mia character. I loved the writing style. The story and the plot.This is most definitely a book I would recommend. Perfect for the spooky season.
Blurb.
Not all guests know when to check out . . .
A young waitress at a country hotel finds herself with a decades' old mystery to solve - one she hopes will help rid the hotel of its most troublesome guests.
Its ghosts.
***
When Ballinadrum Hotel's elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, twenty-two-year-old Mia Anne Moran discovers the spectral rumours that have long plagued the place are all too true. Meanwhile, Donahue's son, Cormac, wants to sell up as soon as possible but finds his plans thwarted by the ghostly goings on.
Propelled by the belief that Donahue Byrnes intended to entrust her with the task, Mia strikes a deal with Cormac. She will act as concierge to the dead - keeping the hotel's ghosts in line, as Donahue did previously - and in return, Cormac will sell the business in its entirety, ensuring the future of both the building and its employees.
But what drew Mia's errant charges to Ballinadrum Hotel in the first place? If she can work out that, she might be able to send them on their way at last. Life is rarely straightforward though - especially when it involves the dead - and as Mia tries to solve the hotel's ghostly conundrum, she begins to find hers changed in ways she couldn't have anticipated . . .
October 17, 2024
Step into Ballinadrum Hotel, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee intertwines with the chilling whispers of the departed. In Laura McLoughlin's captivating tale, The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes, young waitress Mia Anne Moran finds herself entangled in a web of spectral secrets that have haunted the hotel long before her arrival.
With the passing of the elderly owner, Donahue Byrnes, the charm of the hotel takes on a sinister twist. Mia's initiation into the enigmatic world of the supernatural is as unexpected as it is thrilling. Tasked with the heavy mantle of 'concierge to the dead', she embarks on a mission to pacify a congregation of wayward spirits. Yet, every corner of the hotel seems to harbor echoes of lost souls and unfinished stories, leaving a chill that seeps deep into her bones.
While Cormac Byrnes is eager to sell the hotel, the ghostly inhabitants are intent on clinging to their past, creating a spectral tug-of-war that blurs the lines between the living and the dead. The author masterfully combines humor, heart, and horror as Mia navigates this surreal existence, encountering phantoms whose lives—like the hotel—are steeped in unresolved mysteries.
This eerie yet enchanting read leaves you wondering: what happens when the checkout time is eternally unclear? This is a whimsical yet spine-tingling journey that reminds us that though some guests may check out, the truly haunted never leave. Prepare for a tale that will linger long after the final page is turned—just like the restless spirits of Ballinadrum.
December 2, 2024
In the abandoned wing of Ballinadrum Hotel, a community of ghosts dance, sing and cause havoc. But - believe it or not - they’re not the most interesting things about this story.
It follows Mia Anne, a young waitress at Ballinadrum who has just lost her beloved mentor: the hotel’s owner, Donahue Byrnes. Mia is due to be married soon to her (overbearing and controlling) fiancé, and many of her loved ones want her to give up the hotel in pursuit of ‘better’ things. But when she discovers the secret of the ghosts and begins to understand why they’re stuck in-between, she makes up her mind to solve the case, and save the hotel (her happy place) in the process.
The pages are full of emotion and character growth as Mia struggles with grief, manipulation and her own priorities. Through the ghosts, she learns how deep love can be, and begins to doubt her relationship. They teach her the terror of unfinished business and the importance of choosing what’s best for you, finally giving her the strength to go after what she wants and stand up for her dreams. I love her as a protagonist, and I love the mystery with all its twists and turns - in fact, I’m sure there are pieces I’ve missed so I’d like to read this again one day.
If you’re looking for a cosy, slightly supernatural read with notes of magic realism and a heroine who comes into her own, pick this up.
Thank you to @bwpublishing and @_lauramclo for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
It follows Mia Anne, a young waitress at Ballinadrum who has just lost her beloved mentor: the hotel’s owner, Donahue Byrnes. Mia is due to be married soon to her (overbearing and controlling) fiancé, and many of her loved ones want her to give up the hotel in pursuit of ‘better’ things. But when she discovers the secret of the ghosts and begins to understand why they’re stuck in-between, she makes up her mind to solve the case, and save the hotel (her happy place) in the process.
The pages are full of emotion and character growth as Mia struggles with grief, manipulation and her own priorities. Through the ghosts, she learns how deep love can be, and begins to doubt her relationship. They teach her the terror of unfinished business and the importance of choosing what’s best for you, finally giving her the strength to go after what she wants and stand up for her dreams. I love her as a protagonist, and I love the mystery with all its twists and turns - in fact, I’m sure there are pieces I’ve missed so I’d like to read this again one day.
If you’re looking for a cosy, slightly supernatural read with notes of magic realism and a heroine who comes into her own, pick this up.
Thank you to @bwpublishing and @_lauramclo for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2024
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher.
This book was hard to put down. I was so totally invested in the hotel, the fate of the ghosts, the mystery and the details of the main character’s life and what she would choose to do! A real page turner.
We have a haunted hotel which is always something I love in literature. But this isn't typical horror. It’s more subtle. Many of the ghosts aren’t inherently bad, they’re drawn to the hotel but they don’t know why. We have a woman in her early twenties whose best parts of her childhood and growing up are attached to this hotel and the eccentric owner who introduced a level of magic and whimsy into her life. Following his death she starts to find strange occurrences happening at his hotel and she seeks to discover more.
The supernatural elements of this book were really well done. The ghosts were so distinct and the descriptions of how they manifest and their sense of being was so cohesive that it wasn’t hard to suspend disbelief and truly immerse yourself in this fantastical world. While there is a level of whimsy to these apparitions, there’s an undercurrent of menace and a threat of chaos at any time due to their often unpredictable natures.
I also thought the exploration of identity was exceptionally well done. The author did an excellent job of walking a fine line with making something feel not quite right in certain relationships the main character has, whilst also allowing the reader to understand the uncertainty she is feeling. We can see why the hotel is so important to the main character, even when others seek to force her to keep up something critical to her identity to fit into a shape more appealing and easy for them. This really stood out for me in the book as my views changed slowly about certain characters.
A satisfying, intriguing supernatural mystery.
This book was hard to put down. I was so totally invested in the hotel, the fate of the ghosts, the mystery and the details of the main character’s life and what she would choose to do! A real page turner.
We have a haunted hotel which is always something I love in literature. But this isn't typical horror. It’s more subtle. Many of the ghosts aren’t inherently bad, they’re drawn to the hotel but they don’t know why. We have a woman in her early twenties whose best parts of her childhood and growing up are attached to this hotel and the eccentric owner who introduced a level of magic and whimsy into her life. Following his death she starts to find strange occurrences happening at his hotel and she seeks to discover more.
The supernatural elements of this book were really well done. The ghosts were so distinct and the descriptions of how they manifest and their sense of being was so cohesive that it wasn’t hard to suspend disbelief and truly immerse yourself in this fantastical world. While there is a level of whimsy to these apparitions, there’s an undercurrent of menace and a threat of chaos at any time due to their often unpredictable natures.
I also thought the exploration of identity was exceptionally well done. The author did an excellent job of walking a fine line with making something feel not quite right in certain relationships the main character has, whilst also allowing the reader to understand the uncertainty she is feeling. We can see why the hotel is so important to the main character, even when others seek to force her to keep up something critical to her identity to fit into a shape more appealing and easy for them. This really stood out for me in the book as my views changed slowly about certain characters.
A satisfying, intriguing supernatural mystery.
October 27, 2024
A mesmerising ghost story, and a mystery filled journey of uncovering secrets and putting the past to rest.
Mia works as a waitress at the hotel, and after the owners passing things seem to go abnormal. With rumours of strange noises, visions and an eerie presence the hotel gets labelled as haunted, and the new owner struggles to sell it.
Mia soon discovers the truth behind the locked west wing and the rumoured hauntings, and finds ghosts are indeed real, and they are stuck in the hotel bound by some unknown force.
Driven by the need to prove herself, loyalty to the hotel and the legacy of her friend - the late owner, she becomes concierge to the dead, and begins a mission to uncover why the ghosts are lingering, who they are, and to try and help them solve their unfinished business.
The further she digs the more sinister events become, and she realises the ghosts and the hotel hide many secrets that may prove deadly.
I really enjoyed this story, the plot kept me engaged, I loved all the mystery and paranormal events, and the creative detective style of Mia.
It's a great spooky read and crime mystery, with a range of intriguing characters - dead and alive.
Mia works as a waitress at the hotel, and after the owners passing things seem to go abnormal. With rumours of strange noises, visions and an eerie presence the hotel gets labelled as haunted, and the new owner struggles to sell it.
Mia soon discovers the truth behind the locked west wing and the rumoured hauntings, and finds ghosts are indeed real, and they are stuck in the hotel bound by some unknown force.
Driven by the need to prove herself, loyalty to the hotel and the legacy of her friend - the late owner, she becomes concierge to the dead, and begins a mission to uncover why the ghosts are lingering, who they are, and to try and help them solve their unfinished business.
The further she digs the more sinister events become, and she realises the ghosts and the hotel hide many secrets that may prove deadly.
I really enjoyed this story, the plot kept me engaged, I loved all the mystery and paranormal events, and the creative detective style of Mia.
It's a great spooky read and crime mystery, with a range of intriguing characters - dead and alive.
October 30, 2024
🗝 Haunting Secrets: ✨️Spoiler-free✨️
After reading the blurb for The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes, I was really looking forward to diving into this book. Ghosts 👻, mysteries 🔍, and a haunted hotel? Yes, please! The cover is beautiful too, and I like how it brings in little details from the story—a lovely touch. 🌌
While the first half takes its time to build, once the pace picks up, it gets seriously spooky! 👀 There are definitely some eerie moments that gave me chills, perfect for curling up with on an autumn evening 🍂☕️. I really enjoyed following Mia’s journey as she grew more confident and self-assured, and her relationship with her grandmother was really lovely and heartfelt. ❤️👵
If you’re into slow-burn ghost stories that lead up to some truly spooky scenes, this one’s for you. Once the story gets going, it’s an eerie and mysterious read to cosy up with! 🌙📖
Thank you so much to Laura McLoughlin, Bonnier Books UK , Black & White publishing and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy of The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes, and for including me in the book tour. 📚✨
AD | PR | giftedbook
After reading the blurb for The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes, I was really looking forward to diving into this book. Ghosts 👻, mysteries 🔍, and a haunted hotel? Yes, please! The cover is beautiful too, and I like how it brings in little details from the story—a lovely touch. 🌌
While the first half takes its time to build, once the pace picks up, it gets seriously spooky! 👀 There are definitely some eerie moments that gave me chills, perfect for curling up with on an autumn evening 🍂☕️. I really enjoyed following Mia’s journey as she grew more confident and self-assured, and her relationship with her grandmother was really lovely and heartfelt. ❤️👵
If you’re into slow-burn ghost stories that lead up to some truly spooky scenes, this one’s for you. Once the story gets going, it’s an eerie and mysterious read to cosy up with! 🌙📖
Thank you so much to Laura McLoughlin, Bonnier Books UK , Black & White publishing and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy of The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes, and for including me in the book tour. 📚✨
AD | PR | giftedbook
January 15, 2025
My Bookish Thoughts 💬
This debut novel had a lot to enjoy, especially the intriguing mystery behind why the ghosts remained and how they tied to the hotel—it was fascinating to uncover those secrets. The ghosts themselves were a highlight, and I loved the warmth of Mia’s work friends and the vibrant presence of Granny Brea and her girls.
Mia’s journey felt authentic, though her relationship with Rosco left me a bit frustrated at times. I had to remind myself of her age and the complexity of navigating a relationship with a childhood sweetheart while becoming a woman. It added depth to the story, even if it tested my patience now and then!
While the mystery and supernatural elements kept me intrigued, the pacing felt slow in parts, particularly during the middle, where I found myself occasionally confused. Thankfully, reading on Kindle made it easy to search for names and references when needed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a balance of mystery and heart. It’s perfect for readers who like a touch of the supernatural without anything too eerie or intense. A solid debut that shows plenty of potential!
This debut novel had a lot to enjoy, especially the intriguing mystery behind why the ghosts remained and how they tied to the hotel—it was fascinating to uncover those secrets. The ghosts themselves were a highlight, and I loved the warmth of Mia’s work friends and the vibrant presence of Granny Brea and her girls.
Mia’s journey felt authentic, though her relationship with Rosco left me a bit frustrated at times. I had to remind myself of her age and the complexity of navigating a relationship with a childhood sweetheart while becoming a woman. It added depth to the story, even if it tested my patience now and then!
While the mystery and supernatural elements kept me intrigued, the pacing felt slow in parts, particularly during the middle, where I found myself occasionally confused. Thankfully, reading on Kindle made it easy to search for names and references when needed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a balance of mystery and heart. It’s perfect for readers who like a touch of the supernatural without anything too eerie or intense. A solid debut that shows plenty of potential!
October 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this book it was well written with a compelling story line that utterly enchanted me whilst leaving the hairs on the back of my next standing up at times.
The book is well written with a compelling and eerily mysterious story line that followed Mia, a young waitress at a hotel in the country that is well known for bumps in the night and ghost stories. However when the elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, she realises that there is more truth than fiction to these stories.
The characters in the book were all so well developed and I adored Mia right from the very beginning. I also loved the setting, I have always found hotels fascinating from a young age, especially if there are rumours or ghost stories surrounding that hotel, so this was right up my street.
This is a cosy mystery with spooky vibes that makes it perfect for the autumn/fall season. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read more by the author
The book is well written with a compelling and eerily mysterious story line that followed Mia, a young waitress at a hotel in the country that is well known for bumps in the night and ghost stories. However when the elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies, she realises that there is more truth than fiction to these stories.
The characters in the book were all so well developed and I adored Mia right from the very beginning. I also loved the setting, I have always found hotels fascinating from a young age, especially if there are rumours or ghost stories surrounding that hotel, so this was right up my street.
This is a cosy mystery with spooky vibes that makes it perfect for the autumn/fall season. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read more by the author
November 3, 2024
I was drawn to this book by the cute cover, but the content wasn't really my thing.
The way I see it, it took far too long for Mia Anne to grow a spine and take control of her own life and future. Those last 5%, or so, of the book, couldn't really save the fact that I wanted to physically push her towards Better Choices™ for most of the book.
I wanted this book to be some sort of cosy mystery in a haunted hotel, but the cosy factor never got all that high for me. The haunting was more on an annoying level than a frightening one - the ghost more reminiscent of vermin in their characterisation than ... ghosts.
And even if the author really put in the effort to lay a lot of groundwork for getting me intrigued with all the ghosts, I suspect the fact that there is A LOT of them is part of the problem.
Fewer ghosts = fewer mysteries and backstories to flesh out.
Anyway: The book isn't bad. Just not quite my thing.
The way I see it, it took far too long for Mia Anne to grow a spine and take control of her own life and future. Those last 5%, or so, of the book, couldn't really save the fact that I wanted to physically push her towards Better Choices™ for most of the book.
I wanted this book to be some sort of cosy mystery in a haunted hotel, but the cosy factor never got all that high for me. The haunting was more on an annoying level than a frightening one - the ghost more reminiscent of vermin in their characterisation than ... ghosts.
And even if the author really put in the effort to lay a lot of groundwork for getting me intrigued with all the ghosts, I suspect the fact that there is A LOT of them is part of the problem.
Fewer ghosts = fewer mysteries and backstories to flesh out.
Anyway: The book isn't bad. Just not quite my thing.
December 7, 2025
I enjoyed this cosy supernatural mystery. Mia Anne Moran works at the Ballinadrum Hotel as a waitress but when the hotel’s elderly owner Donahue Byrnes dies his son Cormac wants to sell the hotel.
Briefly, Donahue kept a wing of the hotel free for use by certain guests. Or rather ghosts! Before his death Donahue kept the ghosts at bay as they were inclined to appear before the hotel guests when they were bored. After meeting one of the ghosts Mia agreed to accepted a job that required she get the ghosts to leave the hotel, in exchange for which Cormac would sell the hotel as a going concern so the staff would keep their jobs.
A well written and well plotted story. Not my normal read but this was a very entertaining easy read. It kind of reminds me of the television series Ghosts, similar spectres who don’t want to leave their home. A good fun ghostly read that isn’t going to give you nightmares.
Briefly, Donahue kept a wing of the hotel free for use by certain guests. Or rather ghosts! Before his death Donahue kept the ghosts at bay as they were inclined to appear before the hotel guests when they were bored. After meeting one of the ghosts Mia agreed to accepted a job that required she get the ghosts to leave the hotel, in exchange for which Cormac would sell the hotel as a going concern so the staff would keep their jobs.
A well written and well plotted story. Not my normal read but this was a very entertaining easy read. It kind of reminds me of the television series Ghosts, similar spectres who don’t want to leave their home. A good fun ghostly read that isn’t going to give you nightmares.
October 27, 2024
With Halloween only next week, this is the absolute perfect read to curl up on the couch with.
Set in a spooky old hotel, with a few extra guests than actually checked in ( of the spectral kind ). Rumours are abound surrounding the ghostly happenings and we follow our main character, Mia, who's job it is to try and keep the ghosts at bay.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up.
So for me, this is more of a cozy haunted hotel story, rather than a terrifying type of read. So if you're more into spooky goings on, rather than being scared out of your wits, this is the read for you.
It's eerie, it's enchanting, it's spine-tingling and whimsical.
It's full of atmosphere, with a great cast of interesting characters, and story that flows well.
I read this in three sittings.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Set in a spooky old hotel, with a few extra guests than actually checked in ( of the spectral kind ). Rumours are abound surrounding the ghostly happenings and we follow our main character, Mia, who's job it is to try and keep the ghosts at bay.
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So for me, this is more of a cozy haunted hotel story, rather than a terrifying type of read. So if you're more into spooky goings on, rather than being scared out of your wits, this is the read for you.
It's eerie, it's enchanting, it's spine-tingling and whimsical.
It's full of atmosphere, with a great cast of interesting characters, and story that flows well.
I read this in three sittings.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
May 21, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down. This story is quite unlike anything I've read before as it's at its centre a ghost story but manages to be cosy and mysterious rather than scary.
The story of the ghosts overall is a little flimsy, with explanations quite muddled and contradictory but this doesn't matter too much as the overall feel of the book is really very pleasant.
Mia is very likeable, but I think an understanding of small town life in Ireland is probably required to suspend our disbelief in the incredibly strong relationships she shares with others from her town.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of the Gothic ghost story genre but again it's quite unlike the usual fare.
Ultimately let down by a weak ending in my opinion but this is boosted slightly by what happens between Mia and her fiance Rosco.
The story of the ghosts overall is a little flimsy, with explanations quite muddled and contradictory but this doesn't matter too much as the overall feel of the book is really very pleasant.
Mia is very likeable, but I think an understanding of small town life in Ireland is probably required to suspend our disbelief in the incredibly strong relationships she shares with others from her town.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of the Gothic ghost story genre but again it's quite unlike the usual fare.
Ultimately let down by a weak ending in my opinion but this is boosted slightly by what happens between Mia and her fiance Rosco.
October 12, 2024
One of the best books I have read all year. The author’s descriptions and scene setting draws you in and truly makes you feel invested in the fate of the otherworldly Ballinadrum Hotel. It is rare that I read a book that so fully encapsulates the feeling of cold October air and spooky season, but Laura McLoughlin delivers this with ease. I checked into Ballinadrum with a hopeful heart, and am checking out with the hopes of future novels, and a story I will be thinking about for weeks to come.
This book gave me a “book hangover” in the best possible way. I urge anyone who loves mystery, the paranormal, and a good laugh to add this book to your shelves!
This book gave me a “book hangover” in the best possible way. I urge anyone who loves mystery, the paranormal, and a good laugh to add this book to your shelves!
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