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The Society of Free Spirits #1
A Grave Inheritance
A Waterstones YA Book of the Month! Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Laura Wood.
Mysterious deaths in the family. A young woman left to inherit a fortune. Was it ghostly intervention... or murder? The Society of Free Spirits invites you to investigate, in this YA crime series with a supernatural twist.
After her father and older sister both die suddenly, Dolores is left with the family's inheritance, and a large house she's sure is haunted. Teaming up with her occult-obsessed neighbour, Ada, and the mysterious spiritual medium, Violet, the three girls plan to dispel the bad spirits from Dolores' home.
But when Dolores uncovers a clue that suggests her sister Edith's death wasn't due to natural causes, what starts as an investigation into ghostly apparitions develops into the unravelling of something far more sinister. . .
Ghosts. Murder. The patriarchy. One should never underestimate what a trio of free-spirited young women can handle.
Mysterious deaths in the family. A young woman left to inherit a fortune. Was it ghostly intervention... or murder? The Society of Free Spirits invites you to investigate, in this YA crime series with a supernatural twist.
After her father and older sister both die suddenly, Dolores is left with the family's inheritance, and a large house she's sure is haunted. Teaming up with her occult-obsessed neighbour, Ada, and the mysterious spiritual medium, Violet, the three girls plan to dispel the bad spirits from Dolores' home.
But when Dolores uncovers a clue that suggests her sister Edith's death wasn't due to natural causes, what starts as an investigation into ghostly apparitions develops into the unravelling of something far more sinister. . .
Ghosts. Murder. The patriarchy. One should never underestimate what a trio of free-spirited young women can handle.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 5, 2025
It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t great.
The characters read veryy young even for a YA. There was a bit of fantasy in this mystery which I usually like. The villain you could see from a mile away. There was a romance that was actually a pretty nice addition though nothing phenomenal was done with it. The entire book was like a three but (ironically) the very predictable ending upped it by a whole .25! Don’t ask me why, it just worked.
I also feel obligated to point out how much of a pain this was to read?? Like physically with your hands. With the gold foiling everywhere, front AND back, on the paperback and the purple sprayed edges. I feel like we should leave those additions to the hardbacks where you can take off the dust jackets because with the paperbacks there’s bound to be color bleeding everywhere :/
The characters read veryy young even for a YA. There was a bit of fantasy in this mystery which I usually like. The villain you could see from a mile away. There was a romance that was actually a pretty nice addition though nothing phenomenal was done with it. The entire book was like a three but (ironically) the very predictable ending upped it by a whole .25! Don’t ask me why, it just worked.
I also feel obligated to point out how much of a pain this was to read?? Like physically with your hands. With the gold foiling everywhere, front AND back, on the paperback and the purple sprayed edges. I feel like we should leave those additions to the hardbacks where you can take off the dust jackets because with the paperbacks there’s bound to be color bleeding everywhere :/
November 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ shoutout to the author residing in Broadstairs #readlocal
Can I join The Society of Free Spirits please? I’ve nearly died a few times 🥴!
Super cute, predictable but fun and cosy read!!
Can I join The Society of Free Spirits please? I’ve nearly died a few times 🥴!
Super cute, predictable but fun and cosy read!!
August 31, 2025
I really liked this book and it helped me get out of my reading slump. A very cosy book about a young 17 year old girl who inherited her family's fortune with friendship, ghosts and a murder mystery as main themes.
April 3, 2026
i loved this so much!! can't wait for the next one!!
May 30, 2026
A delightfully spooky novel for a young adult audience.
I loved this novel’s melodramatic opening. At seventeen years old, Dolores Rain believes herself to be on her deathbed for the twelfth time in the last two months. While she once more anticipates her impending demise, the doctor and the priest are losing their patience. Subsequent manifestations of her sister Edith’s ghost are attributed to a nervous disposition, delusions, hysteria. The doctor advises marriage as the antidote alongside a range of other grossly unappealing treatments. Fortunately, the doctor’s daughter, Dolores’ best friend, is far more open-minded and encourages Dolores to attend a séance and embrace the wonder of spiritualism in order to uncover what is afoot. After all, there must be a good reason why Edith has returned from the dead…
I remained firmly on Dolores’ side throughout this story and it was a joy to read about a young woman that I could really root for. The context about how séances were typically conducted and particularly their performative elements was fascinating, as well as the brief commentary on the place of mediums within society – the way that they were welcomed into homes while remaining on the periphery of society. Friendships formed throughout the narrative bridged social divides and felt genuine and heartfelt. The denouement made for exciting reading and I’ll be delighted to be reunited with these characters as the series continues. The second book, A Deadly Scandal, is expected to be published towards the end of August 2026.
I loved this novel’s melodramatic opening. At seventeen years old, Dolores Rain believes herself to be on her deathbed for the twelfth time in the last two months. While she once more anticipates her impending demise, the doctor and the priest are losing their patience. Subsequent manifestations of her sister Edith’s ghost are attributed to a nervous disposition, delusions, hysteria. The doctor advises marriage as the antidote alongside a range of other grossly unappealing treatments. Fortunately, the doctor’s daughter, Dolores’ best friend, is far more open-minded and encourages Dolores to attend a séance and embrace the wonder of spiritualism in order to uncover what is afoot. After all, there must be a good reason why Edith has returned from the dead…
I remained firmly on Dolores’ side throughout this story and it was a joy to read about a young woman that I could really root for. The context about how séances were typically conducted and particularly their performative elements was fascinating, as well as the brief commentary on the place of mediums within society – the way that they were welcomed into homes while remaining on the periphery of society. Friendships formed throughout the narrative bridged social divides and felt genuine and heartfelt. The denouement made for exciting reading and I’ll be delighted to be reunited with these characters as the series continues. The second book, A Deadly Scandal, is expected to be published towards the end of August 2026.
November 21, 2025
Can’t wait to recommend this to readers 12+
Loved how it managed to balance a light, humorous tone with earnest themes of grief, women being gaslit by doctors, class, and women’s independence.
Loved how it managed to balance a light, humorous tone with earnest themes of grief, women being gaslit by doctors, class, and women’s independence.
August 1, 2025
2.5⭐️
I really wanted this to stick the landing…
I really wanted this to stick the landing…
August 12, 2025
kind of felt like an episode of my little pony I can't explain it. Also very predictable ending. really like the 3 besties though they were cute
October 26, 2025
I absolutely adored this book, I had the best time reading this and cannot wait for the next one!
The story was incredible, but what I really appreciated, especially for a YA novel, was how it explored grief, feminism, women's health not being taken seriously, the importance of female friendships, finding strength within yourself as well as having the courage to open yourself up to New experiences!
I remember seeing a review somewhere saying this book is like Only Murders in the Building, and I completely agree with it, it had all the charm and comedy of the show, where I definitely feel like Ada is Martin Short's character!
And of course, I could not read this book without many cups of tea!
A fantastic book!
The story was incredible, but what I really appreciated, especially for a YA novel, was how it explored grief, feminism, women's health not being taken seriously, the importance of female friendships, finding strength within yourself as well as having the courage to open yourself up to New experiences!
I remember seeing a review somewhere saying this book is like Only Murders in the Building, and I completely agree with it, it had all the charm and comedy of the show, where I definitely feel like Ada is Martin Short's character!
And of course, I could not read this book without many cups of tea!
A fantastic book!
April 4, 2026
The only ghost here is the spirit of the Waterstones Children’s Booksellers Department that still lives in me and makes me read stuff like this.
That being said, can’t believe they pitched this book as a YA BOTM; this is for 9-12yo at best. I should’ve read it back then and advertised it properly but I was too busy talking shit about mafia dark romance novels with my work wife (those were such good old days 💞)
That being said, can’t believe they pitched this book as a YA BOTM; this is for 9-12yo at best. I should’ve read it back then and advertised it properly but I was too busy talking shit about mafia dark romance novels with my work wife (those were such good old days 💞)
July 31, 2025
Definitely one for younger readers dipping their toes into teen fiction - especially fans of Robin Stevens.
July 30, 2025
Book Review: The Society of Free Spirits: A Grace Inheritance by Felicity Epps - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 book 1/3 ongoing historical paranormal murder mystery
🍑 very subtle signs of romance
👻 themes of grief
🍑 science and apothecary science
👻 ghosts, seances
🍑 found family
👻 set in 1800s London
🍑 young adult
Firstly a huge thank you to @teamkrmrk for this PR package!
~My Thoughts~
Guys, I had such a fun time with this one😍
It’s fast paced and the blend of the murder mystery and the paranormal and the real world was done really well.
I found myself laughing quite a lot, especially at FMC Dolores who is so dramatic that she makes for a really enjoyable main character.
Her supporting characters in the form of Ada and Violet were also so unique that I really did not know what to expect when all three characters were on the page
The little subtle romance between Dolores and a male character who I won’t name so as not to spoil was so cute and knowing that this is a series really makes me excited to see how their romance blossoms.
I feel like if you enjoyed the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco then you’ll have a good time with this one 😍
👻 book 1/3 ongoing historical paranormal murder mystery
🍑 very subtle signs of romance
👻 themes of grief
🍑 science and apothecary science
👻 ghosts, seances
🍑 found family
👻 set in 1800s London
🍑 young adult
Firstly a huge thank you to @teamkrmrk for this PR package!
~My Thoughts~
Guys, I had such a fun time with this one😍
It’s fast paced and the blend of the murder mystery and the paranormal and the real world was done really well.
I found myself laughing quite a lot, especially at FMC Dolores who is so dramatic that she makes for a really enjoyable main character.
Her supporting characters in the form of Ada and Violet were also so unique that I really did not know what to expect when all three characters were on the page
The little subtle romance between Dolores and a male character who I won’t name so as not to spoil was so cute and knowing that this is a series really makes me excited to see how their romance blossoms.
I feel like if you enjoyed the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco then you’ll have a good time with this one 😍
January 3, 2026
dnf at 76%
October 31, 2025
Unfortunately... this book wasn't it for me.
I wish I had in fact stopped reading this book. But the premise of the story really made me want to continue. I... regret doing that. Thankfully, the book is pretty small, and I got through it really quickly, but I definitely wish I didn't.
Now there were some moments of the book I enjoyed, like the mystery behind the potential murder of the main character's sister. The creepy elements throughout and the atmosphere were also good. However, the characters of this book... irritated beyond belief. Oh my gentle days.
I do believe this book is supposed to be advertised as a YA book, and I adore YA 100%. But, A Grave Inheritance read way more like a Middle Grade book, on the lower end. Because the way the character's behaved... made me want to reach into the book and slap them with the back of my book. Dear lord. The characters were insufferable.
The main character felt like an entitled little madam, and her friends were no better. Her supposed best friend felt so incredibly selfish and stubborn, and acted like a child. Note: these characters are supposed to be 17? No...
I think the only character I could tolerate in this book was the boy from the Apothecary store.
The way that the emotions of all the characters basically go from 0 to 100 in a blink of a eye was also very off-putting. It really threw me several times out of the story.
So sadly, this book was not for me. I don't think i've had many reads this year that I regret reading, and this was one. Would I read the 2nd book? If I get it on my kindle for cheap, perhaps... but I wouldn't be buying a physical copy, that's for sure. Alas, it is what it is. You win some, you lose some. And this was a big loss for me.
I wish I had in fact stopped reading this book. But the premise of the story really made me want to continue. I... regret doing that. Thankfully, the book is pretty small, and I got through it really quickly, but I definitely wish I didn't.
Now there were some moments of the book I enjoyed, like the mystery behind the potential murder of the main character's sister. The creepy elements throughout and the atmosphere were also good. However, the characters of this book... irritated beyond belief. Oh my gentle days.
I do believe this book is supposed to be advertised as a YA book, and I adore YA 100%. But, A Grave Inheritance read way more like a Middle Grade book, on the lower end. Because the way the character's behaved... made me want to reach into the book and slap them with the back of my book. Dear lord. The characters were insufferable.
The main character felt like an entitled little madam, and her friends were no better. Her supposed best friend felt so incredibly selfish and stubborn, and acted like a child. Note: these characters are supposed to be 17? No...
I think the only character I could tolerate in this book was the boy from the Apothecary store.
The way that the emotions of all the characters basically go from 0 to 100 in a blink of a eye was also very off-putting. It really threw me several times out of the story.
So sadly, this book was not for me. I don't think i've had many reads this year that I regret reading, and this was one. Would I read the 2nd book? If I get it on my kindle for cheap, perhaps... but I wouldn't be buying a physical copy, that's for sure. Alas, it is what it is. You win some, you lose some. And this was a big loss for me.
September 29, 2025
Picked this up purely for the special edition cover in Waterstones. Beautiful design, shiny gold details and purple sprayed edges? What can I say? I definitely judge books by the cover.
48 year old me loved the Victorian setting and was genuinely shocked (again) at how seemingly easy it would have been back in those days to have women committed just for having feelings and thoughts. I kind of guessed the baddie quite early on - did get a bit duped by the red herrings but back on to my original thoughts by the end. Will definitely pick up the next book in the series to see how our group of friends develop.
I do wonder if teenage me would have guessed so early on. I know I would have loved books like this as a teen and wish I could read it through those eyes. I was just starting my Victorian obsession back then and think this would have easily been a read in a night, under the covers with a torch book back then. (Brain fog now means it takes me a lot longer)
This was going to be a 3.5 stars book but been bumped up to 4 for making me go down a rabbit hole both in dragging out some of my other Victorian set books and reaching back to younger me in a lot of ways.
Victorian setting, Murder, Ghosts, Paranormal, Beginnings of a Scooby Gang. Yep.
September 8, 2025
Ultimate cosy ghost book. Solid YA. The murder mystery was interesting and it was fun tracking the clues and working out what happened to Edith. I did sort of guess who the murderer was very early on so it turned into collecting evidence to prove my assumption.
Dolores, Ada and Violet had a great friendship - very wholesome. I think Violet was my favourite character so I would like to know more about her in the future. I wasn't a huge fan of including a romance but it was cute and added some drama for Dolores.
Also the character art at the back of my copy was really good!! Would love to see a coloured version but the artist is very talented. And same for the book cover too - art 10/10.
Dolores, Ada and Violet had a great friendship - very wholesome. I think Violet was my favourite character so I would like to know more about her in the future. I wasn't a huge fan of including a romance but it was cute and added some drama for Dolores.
Also the character art at the back of my copy was really good!! Would love to see a coloured version but the artist is very talented. And same for the book cover too - art 10/10.
August 15, 2025
This is a lot of fun! Definitely one aimed at younger readers, almost veering into middle grade territory, but I loved the fast pace, the murder mystery and paranormal aspects, and it’s genuinely very funny, with our main character giving off Wednesday Addams vibes. Friendship is such a strong theme in this book which I love, and despite having a pretty predictable plotline and ending, I still feel like I will pick up the next book!
July 15, 2025
A ghostly, murder mystery that's set in the Victorian era and was fun to read.
Suitable for younger YA readers.
Suitable for younger YA readers.
August 23, 2025
A really fun read! Predictable in parts but very entertaining and satisfying
October 3, 2025
OMGSH BEST BOOK EVER MUST REED
October 4, 2025
A really enjoyable, easy read. Love a victorian haunted house setting and the characters were likable too.
October 16, 2025
Took me awhile as I am in Florida with not much time to read but I really enjoyed it.
October 17, 2025
3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this a lot, it wasn’t anything incredible but it was very silly and dramatic in the best ways, definitely didn’t take itself too seriously and was a fun read.
October 26, 2025
Libro juvenil, ideal para la Spooky season, entretenido y cumple su objetivo. Aunque el final es más o menos predecible, puedes disfrutar la novela de todas formas.
December 24, 2025
A fun YA read set in 1865. It was such a cozy and easy read! Mini murder mystery, ghosts, potions, medians and seances! The perfect book to get anyone out a reading slump 💜
January 10, 2026
3.5 rounded up. Very young YA but it was fun.
February 7, 2026
predictable af but lowk cute
February 14, 2026
not my type of book
March 17, 2026
was alright. nothing too special
June 8, 2026
This book was perfect and maybe one of my new favs. My teacher let me borrow this book and I need a copy for myself. The plot was amazing and on every different page the story kept getting crazier. I felt like i could really relate to all the characters. I cannot wait for the next book to be out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews