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The Ghost Women
A mysterious art academy in the woods, a deck of ancient tarot cards, a centuries-old secret
On a hot August morning in 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.
When Detective Lola Germany arrives at St. Luke’s—a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions—she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder. While interviewing school administrators and Abel’s classmates, Lola discovers Abel’s live-in girlfriend, Pearl, seems shaken but also might be hiding something—along with her group of friends who call themselves witches.
When more students are found dead, each body arranged like a tarot card, Lola realizes she is trapped in a web of power and ambition that spans centuries. Soon the lines between past and present, spiritual and tangible, begin to blur, and the only way to survive is to seek answers from places she never imagined.
On a hot August morning in 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.
When Detective Lola Germany arrives at St. Luke’s—a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions—she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder. While interviewing school administrators and Abel’s classmates, Lola discovers Abel’s live-in girlfriend, Pearl, seems shaken but also might be hiding something—along with her group of friends who call themselves witches.
When more students are found dead, each body arranged like a tarot card, Lola realizes she is trapped in a web of power and ambition that spans centuries. Soon the lines between past and present, spiritual and tangible, begin to blur, and the only way to survive is to seek answers from places she never imagined.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Murphy
3 books141 followersJennifer Murphy holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Denver. She is the recipient of the 2013 Loren D. Milliman Scholarship, and was a general contributor at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference from 2008 through 2012. In 2015, her debut novel, I LOVE YOU MORE (Doubleday, 2014) won the prestigious Nancy Pearl Award for fiction. Her novel SCARLET IN BLUE was released by Dutton Penguin Random House on March 8, 2022. She hales from a small beachfront town in Michigan and has lived in Denver, Charlotte, Seattle, Charleston, and Houston. She currently resides in Alexanria, VA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What happens when you take an elite, secret boarding school, witchcraft, a bunch of murders, and stir to combine? Well, you get the dark academia magic that is The Ghost Women. Creepy, sinister, and packed with a ratcheting sense of dread, I found myself swept up in this novel from the very first word. You see, not only was this murder mystery…well…mysterious (and dark), but it was an atmospheric tale full of witchcraft, folklore, and tarot. On top of that, however, was the serial killer plot, which kept me guessing thanks to the oodles of believable red herrings. It was the look at what happens when you push women too far, though, that made this one into an absolute must read. After all, I don’t think that there can ever be enough let-women-roar books in the world.
What else did I love about this one-sitting read? Well, first off, it was one heck of a twisted tale of murder and intrigue. Not just during the seventies, when this story takes place, but over the centuries as the bodies piled up and the sins accrued. You see, this book transcended normal plot lines into a saga of sorts. Intertwining the spiritual and the practical into one, it was an original exploration of art, spirituality, and power that I loved. Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides or Kirsten Miller, this Southern gothic was, for the most part, an utter home run. The only two issues I had were the handful of brutally dark scenes and the slow-burning pace. That being said, I still had a blast flying through the pages of this tale of ritualistic murder and a century-old secret. Rating of 4.25 stars.
SYNOPSIS
On a hot August morning in 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.
When Detective Lola Germany arrives at St. Luke’s—a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions—she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder. While interviewing school administrators and Abel’s classmates, Lola discovers Abel’s live-in girlfriend, Pearl, seems shaken but also might be hiding something—along with her group of friends who call themselves witches.
When more students are found dead, each body arranged like a tarot card, Lola realizes she is trapped in a web of power and ambition that spans centuries. Soon the lines between past and present, spiritual and tangible, begin to blur, and the only way to survive is to seek answers from places she never imagined.
Thank you Jennifer Murphy, Dutton Books, and The Future Of Agency for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: rape, murder, toxic friendships
What else did I love about this one-sitting read? Well, first off, it was one heck of a twisted tale of murder and intrigue. Not just during the seventies, when this story takes place, but over the centuries as the bodies piled up and the sins accrued. You see, this book transcended normal plot lines into a saga of sorts. Intertwining the spiritual and the practical into one, it was an original exploration of art, spirituality, and power that I loved. Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides or Kirsten Miller, this Southern gothic was, for the most part, an utter home run. The only two issues I had were the handful of brutally dark scenes and the slow-burning pace. That being said, I still had a blast flying through the pages of this tale of ritualistic murder and a century-old secret. Rating of 4.25 stars.
SYNOPSIS
On a hot August morning in 1972, the body of Abel Montague, a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, is found hanging from a tree in the forest. An ancient Hanged Man tarot card is found in the back pocket of his pants and his body has been positioned into the exact pose illustrated on the card.
When Detective Lola Germany arrives at St. Luke’s—a former monastery that once housed a secret order of monks who carried out witch trials and executions—she believes they are dealing with a ritualistic murder. While interviewing school administrators and Abel’s classmates, Lola discovers Abel’s live-in girlfriend, Pearl, seems shaken but also might be hiding something—along with her group of friends who call themselves witches.
When more students are found dead, each body arranged like a tarot card, Lola realizes she is trapped in a web of power and ambition that spans centuries. Soon the lines between past and present, spiritual and tangible, begin to blur, and the only way to survive is to seek answers from places she never imagined.
Thank you Jennifer Murphy, Dutton Books, and The Future Of Agency for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: rape, murder, toxic friendships
February 27, 2026
It’s 1972 and bodies are piling up at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts. The first body is a student, Abel Montague, and he posed like the Hanged Man tarot card. Each body is found with a tarot card.
Lola Germany is the detective on the scene. The area used to be a place where witch trials were carried out. Is something witchy now going on?
This is a slow burn dark academia and part police procedural. I loved Lola as a character. I enjoyed it even though I had a hunch for the culprit. I recommend this to fans of dark academia.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 17, 2026
Miss me with that redemption arc for a rapist 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
There are all sorts of things in this story I should have liked: tarot cards, murders, mysterious secret societies, and hurricane warnings, but I couldn't stand the two main characters. That kept pulling me out of the story.
Lola is an unbelievable lead detective. How would you even have a lead detective in such a small town? Why doesn't she know the other officers' names? I'm supposed to believe there's enough of them that she can refer to them as "her men"? She acts like she's the boss of the office intern. Is Lola supposed to be the local sheriff? Then why not call her that? She never reports to anyone. She commits questionable and illegal acts. She doesn't seem to have any other cases. She's not involved in the hurricane preparations. It's her hometown, but she only runs into one person who remembers her. She's supposed to be the small-town kid who made it big; her reputation should be hard to avoid. The only depth you get for her is from her tragic backstory, but that's designed strictly to make you feel sorry for her.
Then there's Pearl. She's so sickly sweet/nutty as a fruitcake, plus her obsession with her dead boyfriend and her mantra of "my ballerina detective" really got my nerves. Giving her the "sight" and making her somewhat morally gray didn't make her any more interesting.
The story is also supposed to happen in 1972, but it doesn't feel that way, despite the sprinkling of song titles and the mention of Roe v. Wade. Thanks for listening to my TED TALK.
Lola is an unbelievable lead detective. How would you even have a lead detective in such a small town? Why doesn't she know the other officers' names? I'm supposed to believe there's enough of them that she can refer to them as "her men"? She acts like she's the boss of the office intern. Is Lola supposed to be the local sheriff? Then why not call her that? She never reports to anyone. She commits questionable and illegal acts. She doesn't seem to have any other cases. She's not involved in the hurricane preparations. It's her hometown, but she only runs into one person who remembers her. She's supposed to be the small-town kid who made it big; her reputation should be hard to avoid. The only depth you get for her is from her tragic backstory, but that's designed strictly to make you feel sorry for her.
Then there's Pearl. She's so sickly sweet/nutty as a fruitcake, plus her obsession with her dead boyfriend and her mantra of "my ballerina detective" really got my nerves. Giving her the "sight" and making her somewhat morally gray didn't make her any more interesting.
The story is also supposed to happen in 1972, but it doesn't feel that way, despite the sprinkling of song titles and the mention of Roe v. Wade. Thanks for listening to my TED TALK.
March 19, 2026
I’m so tired of reading “tampon-size flashlight.” Why can’t it just be a freaking flashlight?
March 11, 2026
4.5. If you like a book that contains dark academia, art, tarot cards, poppets, witchcraft, and of course, murder, then this book is for you!
April 10, 2026
I really wanted to love this book. Witches, Tarot, dark academia…the blurb sounded perfect. And the writing was pretty good. I was invested to know what was going to happen.
But I just couldn’t invest in the necessary willing suspension of disbelief with this one. See, the author clearly wanted to write a story about a mysterious school set in the remains of a monastery that, back in the fifteen century, burned witches. So that the descendants could sort of continue to play out those themes today (well, in 1972). But she didn’t want to have a European setting. Instead, she decided to make the monastery, and apparently a village (you know, to provide enough witches for burning) set on an island off the coast of South Carolina…and still be in existence from the 1490s to the present day. I just can’t wrap my head around this. I have a degree in history, after all. And in the acknowledgements at the end, she wrote that no one knows the exact date of the first European settlement in North America, so having a village with a medieval monastery then is “feasible.” No. No it is not feasible.
But what about the main timeline, 1972? Do you remember 1972? I don’t, because I was a toddler. But I do remember the 1970s, and she absolutely doesn’t get the vibe right. In one scene, a character tells another to let a phone call go to voicemail. Voicemail was not a thing in 1972. Maybe a really cumbersome answering machine, but no one would have called it voicemail.
Despite this, I was probably going to rate the book three stars just for keeping my interest, but I didn’t like the ending. So two stars because it could have been worse. Someone who just wants a paranormal mystery might really enjoy this book, but it was just too far-fetched for me.
But I just couldn’t invest in the necessary willing suspension of disbelief with this one. See, the author clearly wanted to write a story about a mysterious school set in the remains of a monastery that, back in the fifteen century, burned witches. So that the descendants could sort of continue to play out those themes today (well, in 1972). But she didn’t want to have a European setting. Instead, she decided to make the monastery, and apparently a village (you know, to provide enough witches for burning) set on an island off the coast of South Carolina…and still be in existence from the 1490s to the present day. I just can’t wrap my head around this. I have a degree in history, after all. And in the acknowledgements at the end, she wrote that no one knows the exact date of the first European settlement in North America, so having a village with a medieval monastery then is “feasible.” No. No it is not feasible.
But what about the main timeline, 1972? Do you remember 1972? I don’t, because I was a toddler. But I do remember the 1970s, and she absolutely doesn’t get the vibe right. In one scene, a character tells another to let a phone call go to voicemail. Voicemail was not a thing in 1972. Maybe a really cumbersome answering machine, but no one would have called it voicemail.
Despite this, I was probably going to rate the book three stars just for keeping my interest, but I didn’t like the ending. So two stars because it could have been worse. Someone who just wants a paranormal mystery might really enjoy this book, but it was just too far-fetched for me.
February 27, 2026
So much potential…
First, I want to say (write? type?) that lots of readers are loving THE GHOST WOMEN, so feel free to ignore my spoiler-free rant.
My biggest issue was the wrongness of the setting/era. This story takes place at an art college in 1972. That means the students came of age during the Vietnam War, political and social upheaval, hippies and protests, and attitude galore. But we have zero sense of any of that. These students could easily have been entitled college kids today.
Not only did the students’ speech and style not ring true, but we also had women in roles that were extraordinarily rare at that time: a woman detective leading the investigation, a woman Dean of the college, and a woman coroner. All in one small town. Zero acknowledgement that this was a massive exception to the norm, and most laughable, zero pushback from the men.
The only concession to the era was people smoking cigarettes indoors and the students smoking pot. (Which students still do, but whatever.)
We had quite a few POV characters that tended to blend together. Not much about their personalities or mannerisms made them distinguishable from one another.
Then the investigation… lazy and implausible. I can't say more than that because we’d get into spoiler territory.
I had been so excited about this book, which is why I'm now having a tantrum. Thank you for attending my vent session. I might need therapy.
*Thanks to Dutton Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley!*
First, I want to say (write? type?) that lots of readers are loving THE GHOST WOMEN, so feel free to ignore my spoiler-free rant.
My biggest issue was the wrongness of the setting/era. This story takes place at an art college in 1972. That means the students came of age during the Vietnam War, political and social upheaval, hippies and protests, and attitude galore. But we have zero sense of any of that. These students could easily have been entitled college kids today.
Not only did the students’ speech and style not ring true, but we also had women in roles that were extraordinarily rare at that time: a woman detective leading the investigation, a woman Dean of the college, and a woman coroner. All in one small town. Zero acknowledgement that this was a massive exception to the norm, and most laughable, zero pushback from the men.
The only concession to the era was people smoking cigarettes indoors and the students smoking pot. (Which students still do, but whatever.)
We had quite a few POV characters that tended to blend together. Not much about their personalities or mannerisms made them distinguishable from one another.
Then the investigation… lazy and implausible. I can't say more than that because we’d get into spoiler territory.
I had been so excited about this book, which is why I'm now having a tantrum. Thank you for attending my vent session. I might need therapy.
*Thanks to Dutton Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley!*
September 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
When brutal and mysterious murders start occurring at St Lukes Institute of Arts, Detective Lola Germany gets assigned to the case. On campus, a coven of four talented artists who dabble in witchcraft appear to know more than what they let on, which makes Detective Lola question what’s really happening. This book is laced with folklore, witchcraft, cults, and mystery and the story itself was so good.
When brutal and mysterious murders start occurring at St Lukes Institute of Arts, Detective Lola Germany gets assigned to the case. On campus, a coven of four talented artists who dabble in witchcraft appear to know more than what they let on, which makes Detective Lola question what’s really happening. This book is laced with folklore, witchcraft, cults, and mystery and the story itself was so good.
March 1, 2026
This book is dark, layered, and packed with elements I love, witch trial history, tarot symbolism, ritualistic murders, secret societies, and a brooding former monastery setting. The atmosphere alone hooked me. The imagery of bodies posed like tarot cards was eerie and memorable, and the historical threads woven through the mystery added real depth.
Jennifer Murphy’s writing kept me fully engaged. I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening, how the past connected to the present, and who was truly responsible. The blend of spiritual symbolism and grounded detective work made for a compelling, moody read.
But.
My issue isn’t with the writing, it’s with the character choices at the end. Pearl still being completely in love with Abel, even after learning he drugged and raped women, was a major sticking point for me. Him returning in owl form and helping during the murders doesn’t erase who he was or what he did. That redemption arc just didn’t land for me. And it wasn’t just Pearl, the broader acceptance from the Weird Sisters felt equally unsettling. It left me with a serious ick factor that overshadowed an otherwise strong story.
I want to be clear: this is not a critique of the author’s skill. The book is well written, atmospheric, and gripping. This is purely a case of me deeply disliking a character decision that I couldn’t move past.
Up until the ending, I was completely invested. The world building, the mystery, the darkness, all of that worked beautifully. I just wish the emotional resolution had hit differently for me.
Jennifer Murphy’s writing kept me fully engaged. I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening, how the past connected to the present, and who was truly responsible. The blend of spiritual symbolism and grounded detective work made for a compelling, moody read.
But.
My issue isn’t with the writing, it’s with the character choices at the end. Pearl still being completely in love with Abel, even after learning he drugged and raped women, was a major sticking point for me. Him returning in owl form and helping during the murders doesn’t erase who he was or what he did. That redemption arc just didn’t land for me. And it wasn’t just Pearl, the broader acceptance from the Weird Sisters felt equally unsettling. It left me with a serious ick factor that overshadowed an otherwise strong story.
I want to be clear: this is not a critique of the author’s skill. The book is well written, atmospheric, and gripping. This is purely a case of me deeply disliking a character decision that I couldn’t move past.
Up until the ending, I was completely invested. The world building, the mystery, the darkness, all of that worked beautifully. I just wish the emotional resolution had hit differently for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2026
I’m sorry, I can’t get over there being an extant, full on monastery on a SC barrier island (on a rocky bluff????) in *1472* lmao. Baby that thing was built on hopes and dreams and WOOD. No sense of this being a small town in 1972, and barely any sense of it being 1972 at all!
October 16, 2025
This is an odd but very fascinating look at witches and Tarot cards which I know next to nothing about. It's a chilling tale about St. Luke's Institute of the Arts which--rumor has it--is run like a Secret Society. Detective Lola has been told a student has been found dead in the forest and it's rumored that the Ghost Women protect, not harm anyone. But when she begins to investigate, there are numerous things that simply can't be explained and she is flummoxed by the secrecy she witnesses as well as the mysterious Black Book that keeps appearing. It's a creepy but enlightening look at legends and beliefs that had me turning the pages frantically!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
September 28, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to preview’ The Ghost Women. If you are a fan of witches and old school sorcery this is a must read.
Set in the early 1970s, this book starts with the death of a student. Found hanging with a strange tarot card left by the scene.
As the bodies pile up, a young detective is set to solve these deaths at a school that has secrets and more importantly students who know that they are being exposed to the world of witchcraft.
Great setting and the author does a great job of bringing the reader to that time period.
Good writing and scary as well.
3.5 stars
Set in the early 1970s, this book starts with the death of a student. Found hanging with a strange tarot card left by the scene.
As the bodies pile up, a young detective is set to solve these deaths at a school that has secrets and more importantly students who know that they are being exposed to the world of witchcraft.
Great setting and the author does a great job of bringing the reader to that time period.
Good writing and scary as well.
3.5 stars
March 20, 2026
The Ghost Women blends mystery, history, and the supernatural into an atmospheric story set at a secluded art academy with a dark past. When a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts is found hanging in the woods, his body posed exactly like the Hanged Man tarot card. Detective Lola Germany is called to investigate. As more deaths follow, each eerily staged to resemble a different tarot card, Lola begins uncovering the school’s unsettling history: a former monastery tied to witch trials, secret societies, and centuries-old power struggles. With the help of a group of students who call themselves witches, Lola finds herself navigating a mystery where the past refuses to stay buried.
I really wanted to love this one and in many ways, I did. There were so many elements here that I’m naturally drawn to: the mysterious art academy setting, the secret school atmosphere, and the tarot card symbolism threaded through the murders. The historical elements surrounding the “ghost women” were particularly compelling, and I loved how their legacy quietly shaped the story. The idea of women holding subtle but powerful influence across centuries was one of the most interesting parts of the book.
I also really enjoyed Detective Lola Germany as our lead. She felt grounded and thoughtful, which worked well against the increasingly strange and layered mystery. The story is told through multiple POVs with small flashbacks woven throughout, which helped build out both the characters and the history of St. Luke’s. The atmosphere was one of the strongest aspects of the book. It had this slightly fever-dreamy, hazy quality without fully tipping into surrealism. The art references, the tarot imagery, and the eerie forest setting all helped create a really immersive mood.
That said, despite enjoying many of the individual elements, I felt like the story was missing something that would have made it truly stand out. The writing itself was strong and the atmosphere was effective, but by the time I reached the ending I felt a little underwhelmed. I can’t quite pinpoint what was lacking, maybe a bit more tension or a sharper payoff, but the overall impact didn’t quite match the promise of the premise.
Still, there’s a lot here that worked for me, and I’d definitely be interested in reading another book by Jennifer Murphy. The concept, atmosphere, and themes were all intriguing, even if the story didn’t fully come together for me in the end.
The Ghost Women is out now. Huge thank you to Dutton Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
I really wanted to love this one and in many ways, I did. There were so many elements here that I’m naturally drawn to: the mysterious art academy setting, the secret school atmosphere, and the tarot card symbolism threaded through the murders. The historical elements surrounding the “ghost women” were particularly compelling, and I loved how their legacy quietly shaped the story. The idea of women holding subtle but powerful influence across centuries was one of the most interesting parts of the book.
I also really enjoyed Detective Lola Germany as our lead. She felt grounded and thoughtful, which worked well against the increasingly strange and layered mystery. The story is told through multiple POVs with small flashbacks woven throughout, which helped build out both the characters and the history of St. Luke’s. The atmosphere was one of the strongest aspects of the book. It had this slightly fever-dreamy, hazy quality without fully tipping into surrealism. The art references, the tarot imagery, and the eerie forest setting all helped create a really immersive mood.
That said, despite enjoying many of the individual elements, I felt like the story was missing something that would have made it truly stand out. The writing itself was strong and the atmosphere was effective, but by the time I reached the ending I felt a little underwhelmed. I can’t quite pinpoint what was lacking, maybe a bit more tension or a sharper payoff, but the overall impact didn’t quite match the promise of the premise.
Still, there’s a lot here that worked for me, and I’d definitely be interested in reading another book by Jennifer Murphy. The concept, atmosphere, and themes were all intriguing, even if the story didn’t fully come together for me in the end.
The Ghost Women is out now. Huge thank you to Dutton Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
May 1, 2026
I'm really debating about how many stars I want to give this book (spoiler, it's going to be 1 or 2)
While it is not a DNF nor did I ever feel like I wanted to DNF it I was bothered by the lack of research in the book. I will say, I know jack crap about art and did not take the time to research every painting mentioned in the book so I will not speak on that aspect at all.
There are more details in my posted Kindle notes if you're curious of the lack of research. It brought me out of the storyline a lot.
Here are some outside Kindle Notes thoughts:
1. I wish that Murphy stuck with the music theme throughout the book. She adds songs into the book but then that just kind of falls away.
2. 1972 small town in Appalachia with a BEAUTIFUL and respected ex-ballerina/ gone investigator without doing a single beat in the blue? I hate to say this because we have truly come a long way... but in 1972... This character did not fit in the time at all. I get that was the "point" of the setting of the book (yes, I read the acknowledgements) because of the witchcraft and the awakening of the feminist movement, but it brought me out.
3. I did not like the interpretation of the tarot cards. I know that the look of the cards themselves was very well researched, because well... Murphy has an MFA in art history and painting. But the interpretation of the cards was more literal than I liked.
While it is not a DNF nor did I ever feel like I wanted to DNF it I was bothered by the lack of research in the book. I will say, I know jack crap about art and did not take the time to research every painting mentioned in the book so I will not speak on that aspect at all.
There are more details in my posted Kindle notes if you're curious of the lack of research. It brought me out of the storyline a lot.
Here are some outside Kindle Notes thoughts:
1. I wish that Murphy stuck with the music theme throughout the book. She adds songs into the book but then that just kind of falls away.
2. 1972 small town in Appalachia with a BEAUTIFUL and respected ex-ballerina/ gone investigator without doing a single beat in the blue? I hate to say this because we have truly come a long way... but in 1972... This character did not fit in the time at all. I get that was the "point" of the setting of the book (yes, I read the acknowledgements) because of the witchcraft and the awakening of the feminist movement, but it brought me out.
3. I did not like the interpretation of the tarot cards. I know that the look of the cards themselves was very well researched, because well... Murphy has an MFA in art history and painting. But the interpretation of the cards was more literal than I liked.
April 2, 2026
Lovedddd and the audio was 10/10
April 4, 2026
Everything about this book seemed right up my alley. It was mired by bad historical details, weird wording (tampon-sized flashlight and 'according to Christian mythology' from a man in 1970s Carolinas were the standouts), listing out facts rather than truly incorporating them, and a bad conclusion meant this was a bad book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In The Ghost Women by Jennifer Murphy (out February 24, 2026), a student at a remote art academy is found hanging in the exact pose of the Hanged Man tarot card, launching a ritualistic murder investigation steeped in witchcraft, magical realism, and centuries-old secrets. The atmosphere is lush and eerie, and if you’re into occult symbolism and long-dead women rising for vengeance against the patriarchy, this will likely be your kind of read.
That said, I struggled with uneven characterization and procedural inaccuracies—particularly with the inexperienced lead detective making baffling choices. The treatment of the Gullah community also felt underdeveloped and othered. Still, the tarot imagery and feminist revenge undercurrent make for an engaging, if flawed, novel.
Read my full review at https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I struggled with uneven characterization and procedural inaccuracies—particularly with the inexperienced lead detective making baffling choices. The treatment of the Gullah community also felt underdeveloped and othered. Still, the tarot imagery and feminist revenge undercurrent make for an engaging, if flawed, novel.
Read my full review at https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2026
A big thanks to Netgalley and Dutton for this eARC! 3,5/5⭐️
Tarot-themed murders at an elite art school, tied back to abuse of power, witch burnings, and witchcraft in general… my witchy little heart was absolutely singing! I grew up watching English and Nordic crime shows with my mum, and this book gave off exactly those same vibes. I can very easily see this being adapted for television or film, and honestly, I’d watch it immediately.
I also loved that the story is set in the relative present (the 1970s, but it never feels dated) while maintaining clear, deliberate ties to the past.
That said, while I was completely swept along by the plot, I found myself missing that deeper emotional connection with the MCs, the kind that would’ve allowed the story’s most impactful moments to land somewhere in my bones, rather than just my head.
Tarot-themed murders at an elite art school, tied back to abuse of power, witch burnings, and witchcraft in general… my witchy little heart was absolutely singing! I grew up watching English and Nordic crime shows with my mum, and this book gave off exactly those same vibes. I can very easily see this being adapted for television or film, and honestly, I’d watch it immediately.
I also loved that the story is set in the relative present (the 1970s, but it never feels dated) while maintaining clear, deliberate ties to the past.
That said, while I was completely swept along by the plot, I found myself missing that deeper emotional connection with the MCs, the kind that would’ve allowed the story’s most impactful moments to land somewhere in my bones, rather than just my head.
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February 15, 2026I feel like The Ghost Women should have come out in October. It's also a hybrid-genre sort of book. And I haven't seen even a peep about it, so it might get overlooked.
Thanks to Dutton for providing an advance copy for review!
It's technically historical fiction. It has:
-a spooky Lowcountry island setting
-Dark Academia themes
-feminism
-witchcraft
-Tarot
-themes of art and art history, Italian history
Detective Lola Germany investigates a series of weird, ritualistic murders at a small and elite college for the arts.
It's one of those books that feels like you're in a strange dream while reading it. I'm a little under the weather lately, so that vibe suited me perfectly. It's a very interesting and unique book so give it a try!!
Thanks to Dutton for providing an advance copy for review!
It's technically historical fiction. It has:
-a spooky Lowcountry island setting
-Dark Academia themes
-feminism
-witchcraft
-Tarot
-themes of art and art history, Italian history
Detective Lola Germany investigates a series of weird, ritualistic murders at a small and elite college for the arts.
It's one of those books that feels like you're in a strange dream while reading it. I'm a little under the weather lately, so that vibe suited me perfectly. It's a very interesting and unique book so give it a try!!
December 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Ghost Women by Jennifer Murphy. This novel is to be published on February 24, 2026.
The novel starts with a young woman being murdered, burned alive, in 1437, on Waverly Island. She was accused of witchcraft. Her name was Matilda and she was one of the first of many Ghost Women.
Six centuries later, we begin the story in a more present time, September 1972, with the murder of a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, Abel Montague.
The story is told, primarily, from two different perspectives though there are additional voices as we progress. First, there is the lead detective of the Waverly Island Police Department, Lola Germany. Second, there is Pearl Calhoun, live-in girlfriend of Abel Montague, and one of the Weird Sisters.
The Weird Sisters consists of four students: Pearl Calhoun, Karla Gardyn, Esme Li and Hazel Donovan. The connection between all the women, including Lola, is particularly strong and unique with the past circumstances they’ve endured.
The major themes throughout include women empowerment, witchcraft, magic, and tarot. You actually learn quite a bit about tarot. It’s evident the author has substantially researched the subject.
The author perfectly weaves a story connecting the past events to the present events. It’s dark, eerie, mysterious. Although it’s a quick read, there are so many layers to the story. Of all the stories with witches and witchcraft that I’ve read this year, it’s easily the best.
The novel starts with a young woman being murdered, burned alive, in 1437, on Waverly Island. She was accused of witchcraft. Her name was Matilda and she was one of the first of many Ghost Women.
Six centuries later, we begin the story in a more present time, September 1972, with the murder of a student at St. Luke’s Institute of the Arts, Abel Montague.
The story is told, primarily, from two different perspectives though there are additional voices as we progress. First, there is the lead detective of the Waverly Island Police Department, Lola Germany. Second, there is Pearl Calhoun, live-in girlfriend of Abel Montague, and one of the Weird Sisters.
The Weird Sisters consists of four students: Pearl Calhoun, Karla Gardyn, Esme Li and Hazel Donovan. The connection between all the women, including Lola, is particularly strong and unique with the past circumstances they’ve endured.
The major themes throughout include women empowerment, witchcraft, magic, and tarot. You actually learn quite a bit about tarot. It’s evident the author has substantially researched the subject.
The author perfectly weaves a story connecting the past events to the present events. It’s dark, eerie, mysterious. Although it’s a quick read, there are so many layers to the story. Of all the stories with witches and witchcraft that I’ve read this year, it’s easily the best.
April 6, 2026
Characters: 4.25⭐️
Setting: 4.50⭐️
Plot: 4.00⭐️
Themes: 4.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4.00���️
Emotional Impact: 4.00⭐️
Overall rating: 4.00⭐️
The Ghost Women is a layered story which centers on an exclusive art academy set in deep in the woods of an island off the coast of South Carolina where students become famous artists and want for nothing after they graduate. One night, a student is found murdered and position in the same way of a Tarot card that was left behind at the scene of the crime with detectives need to unravel the mystery of the students death and start unravelling the mystery surrounding the dark side of the academy.
The story is mostly told through two different prespectives; Lola who is the detective in charge of the murder case and who has access to the school and Pearl, a student who was the girlfriend of the boy who was murdered. Pearl has visions and Lola is running from a horrible past that she doesn’t want to catch up with her. I really liked this story and the twists it takes. There is a darkness to the characters, but its mostly about women surviving the abuse of men. It is a mystery, but there are some literary elements to this book that kept my attention.
Would I recommend this book? Yes this was a great read.
Thank you to Dutton for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Setting: 4.50⭐️
Plot: 4.00⭐️
Themes: 4.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4.00���️
Emotional Impact: 4.00⭐️
Overall rating: 4.00⭐️
The Ghost Women is a layered story which centers on an exclusive art academy set in deep in the woods of an island off the coast of South Carolina where students become famous artists and want for nothing after they graduate. One night, a student is found murdered and position in the same way of a Tarot card that was left behind at the scene of the crime with detectives need to unravel the mystery of the students death and start unravelling the mystery surrounding the dark side of the academy.
The story is mostly told through two different prespectives; Lola who is the detective in charge of the murder case and who has access to the school and Pearl, a student who was the girlfriend of the boy who was murdered. Pearl has visions and Lola is running from a horrible past that she doesn’t want to catch up with her. I really liked this story and the twists it takes. There is a darkness to the characters, but its mostly about women surviving the abuse of men. It is a mystery, but there are some literary elements to this book that kept my attention.
Would I recommend this book? Yes this was a great read.
Thank you to Dutton for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2026
Too many characters and none were really likable. I felt like the pacing was fine until 50% and then I was just ready to wrap it up.
If I could I’d give it 1.5 stars for the witchy vibes and tarot I would but really gross to try to justify behaviors and redeem a character who is a rapist. Why?? I guess is my question. Also, there were quite a few things that felt very triggering to me which made it difficult to want to continue reading specifically Esme’s story.
I wanted to love it but I just thought it was ok.
If I could I’d give it 1.5 stars for the witchy vibes and tarot I would but really gross to try to justify behaviors and redeem a character who is a rapist. Why?? I guess is my question. Also, there were quite a few things that felt very triggering to me which made it difficult to want to continue reading specifically Esme’s story.
I wanted to love it but I just thought it was ok.
April 17, 2026
I really enjoyed this book most of the way through, so it kind of pains me to only give it three stars. It's hard to explain why without spoiling it so I'll just say that it has to do with the reveal of the killer (which felt contrived in several ways) and the attempt to redeem a character who literally sexually assaulted women.
That said, I would read this author again because I'm curious to see what else she can do. I anticipated this being a four star read until I got to the last 20 or so pages.
That said, I would read this author again because I'm curious to see what else she can do. I anticipated this being a four star read until I got to the last 20 or so pages.
October 18, 2025
This was a great read for spooky season. Set in the 1970's at St. Luke's a prestigious Art School. It opens with a student's mysterious death and a tarot card left behind. Lola a detective is sent in to try & solve the case however more bodies just keep appearing. While at St. Luke's she learns of the coven of artist who dabble in the occult and along withThe Ghost Women tree who supposedly protect the students. Lola soon realizes that she may have to sort out what is reqlly going on here and stretch her beliefs in order to do so.
March 10, 2026
The Ghost Women is an absolutely brilliant paranormal, witchy, and feminist murder mystery! Inspired by the Carolinas, we see cultural references to the gullah beliefs, root work, and the sweeping under the rug social behaviors of “boys with be boys”. This book however brings empowering prose and witchy tales that are intended to uplift and inspire. I absolutely loved the inclusion of the Tarot and involvement of the monks and Catholic Church. Highly recommend this one to all book lovers!!
March 2, 2026
Tarot, witches, and the occult. Oh, my. The exploration and explanation of the world of the occult, specifically tarot, was very well done. It's what grabbed my attention to request! This was a fun take on a murder mystery/dark academia(?). I really enjoyed it. It did feel stagnant at times and a little long. While the ending was predictable, it all wrapped up nicely.
March 26, 2026
This book deserves three stars just for how quickly I read it and how it kept me invested. I had quite a few problems with the story itself though. Mainly that the protagonist was so unrealistic. Also, it wrapped up a little too nicely for me.
April 7, 2026
Thank you @prhaudio for the free audiobook. #sponsored #partner #prhaudiopartner
Why I Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book:
• dark academia
• witchcraft
• tarot cards
• fiery females
This book was just what I needed when I listened to it. Lots of red herrings to keep me on my toes!
Why I Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book:
• dark academia
• witchcraft
• tarot cards
• fiery females
This book was just what I needed when I listened to it. Lots of red herrings to keep me on my toes!
April 16, 2026
3.5 stars
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