Educated Guess: A College Campus Ghostly Guides Murder Mystery Prequel

by Tess McNeill

"Seriously, Gerry, that nickname is dead, got it? Let it stay that way!"

All Nora Nash wanted was to survive her college sophomore year, keep her GPA up, and avoid being branded the “Ghost Girl” again. But when a long-dead professor pleads for her help solving his murder, Nora finds herself pulled into a mystery buried in Williamsburg College’s past. Now she’s neck-deep in administrative secrets and more ghosts than she bargained for.
Good thing she’s got a genius brother, a ride-or-die roommate, and more stubbornness than common sense. The truth could clear the professor’s name—or make Nora the next target.
Witty, heartfelt, and a little haunted, Educated Guess is the origin story of Nora Nash and her first step toward becoming the sleuth readers love.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Nash’s ability to interact with ghosts has always been a sore spot for her. As a child she was mocked and ridiculed as the Ghost Girl, causing her to become withdrawn. Now in college, her desire to put that past behind her is threatened when a ghostly professor begs for her help. Will Nora turn her back on the mystery or embrace her gift?

Educated Guess is the third book in Tess McNeill’s Ghostly Guides series. As a prequel of sorts, this is a perfect jumping in place for new readers. Nora is an engaging heroine and her struggle to accept her abilities gives her depth. Her brother, Gerry, and best friend Cynthia are along to help solve the case and provide acceptance and support to Nora. The mystery involving a financial scandal at the college is well plotted and will keep you guessing. In addition, Nora befriends the ghost of a college student who remains because she loves learning new things.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to a fun new promising series with really great characters. Nora has the ability to see and talk to ghosts, hence her brother nick-naming her Ghost Girl and Nora getting teased when younger. Now in college, she is trying to duck her abilities and just get through school. Bur that is not to be when she is approached by the ghost of a professor who wants his name cleared for his daughter. It seems his death was called suicide. But he said that isn't true, he was murdered. Although Nora wants to keep a low profile with her abilities, she, and the only others who know of her abilities, her brother, Gerry, and best friend Cynthia are there to help. But trying to prove a murder puts Nora in a very dangerous situation. Can she find a murderer and clear the professor's name? This was a fast paced, fun read that keeps you engaged up to the end. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see what Nora gets into next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educated Guess: A Ghostly Guides Prequel is part of the Ghostly Guides series by Tess McNeill.

It’s been a while since I read the first two books, so it was good to catch up with Nora again and see the college days of Nora, Gerry, and Cyndi. It was an interesting mystery and I like how Nora came to accept her ability as a positive. I also like the relationship between Nora and Gerry. He can be an irritating brother, but when she needs his help, he is there 100% for her along with Cyndi. I want more of this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel in the series and it was nice to go back and see how Nora started out with her friends and family. I feel like I have a deeper understanding of where's she's coming from and what she's been through to get her to where she is now. I really like how her brother is there for her, anybody with a sibling knows how it is with siblings; fun and happy one minute, crazy and mad the next. I enjoyed this prequel and hope to see more in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Nora, her brother insists on calling her “Ghost Girl” because she can see & talk to ghosts. They are at a university, Gerry & Cyn, his girlfriend and Nara’s roommate meet most nights in the girls room. Nora has been begged by the ghost of a dead professor to prove he was murdered. The authorities had said he’d committed suicide. He was desperate for his daughter to know the truth. So, the three of them set about digging and find the evidence to prove that he was murdered.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great start to a new series. I look forward to reading it. The characters are fun, college students. Nora can see and speak with spirits, and she is trying to outrun them. Recommend reading.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously fantastic! What Nora, Gerry and Cindi were able to investigate and solve was just mind blowing! A 10 year old case, that wasn’t even ruled a case, and Nora was able to help give a spirit what they needed for closure.