This book genuinely surprised me. I did not expect a paranormal element at all, but it is handled with real balance and restraint. It never feels excessive or out of place and, on the contrary, it works extremely well alongside the investigative and crime aspects of the story, blending naturally with the overall narrative.
For me, this is a solid four-star read. I did not give it five stars simply because there are not many major plot twists. In fact, shortly before the halfway point, it becomes clear who the culprit is. Personally, I would have preferred that reveal to come later, perhaps with a stronger twist towards the end of the book.
That said, this does not take away from how engaging the novel is. The story is highly intriguing, well-paced, and refreshingly original. The atmosphere is gripping, and the combination of crime and subtle paranormal elements keeps you turning the pages. Overall, it is a very enjoyable and well-crafted read that I would definitely recommend to fans of crime fiction who are open to something slightly different.
Tries to be part thriller and part ghost story, and really fails to be either. No suspense on the ghost story side, and no mystery on the murder side. Thankfully it was a quick read.