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The Museum of Unusual Occurrence
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26
Welcome to the Museum of Unusual Occurrence—a place full of strange exhibits and even stranger murders. The first in the new Psychic City mystery series by talented author Erica Wright.
“Every small town thinks it’s special—That might be true, but this one actually is.”
Rational and cynical Aly Orlean’s life in her psychic hometown of Wyndale, Florida couldn’t be more hectic. It’s all about running her business, raising a teenage sister, sending out holiday greetings—and her new finding a killer.
For her Museum of Unusual Occurrence not only houses odd curiosities but now has a brand-new The body of Rose Dempsey, a local twenty-year-old, set up in one of the exhibits as if she has been ritually sacrificed.
With the police clueless, Aly is worried that this is a vicious warning for her and her solitary way of life. Fearing for her sister Merope’s wellbeing, she’s determined to find out why the killer murdered Rose and how her body was placed in Aly’s museum . . . But might the killer be someone hiding in plain sight?
Karen Russell’s SWAMPLANDIA! meets Ruth Ware's THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY in this “suspenseful mystery populated with winning characters” (Booklist on Famous in Cedarville).
“Every small town thinks it’s special—That might be true, but this one actually is.”
Rational and cynical Aly Orlean’s life in her psychic hometown of Wyndale, Florida couldn’t be more hectic. It’s all about running her business, raising a teenage sister, sending out holiday greetings—and her new finding a killer.
For her Museum of Unusual Occurrence not only houses odd curiosities but now has a brand-new The body of Rose Dempsey, a local twenty-year-old, set up in one of the exhibits as if she has been ritually sacrificed.
With the police clueless, Aly is worried that this is a vicious warning for her and her solitary way of life. Fearing for her sister Merope’s wellbeing, she’s determined to find out why the killer murdered Rose and how her body was placed in Aly’s museum . . . But might the killer be someone hiding in plain sight?
Karen Russell’s SWAMPLANDIA! meets Ruth Ware's THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY in this “suspenseful mystery populated with winning characters” (Booklist on Famous in Cedarville).
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
8 people are currently reading
4277 people want to read
About the author
Erica Wright
18 books193 followersErica Wright is a poet and novelist. Her latest mystery
Hollow Bones
was called "an incredibly rich work of literature" in the Nashville Scene. Her essay collection
Snake
is part of Bloomsbury's Object Lessons series and was one of LitReactor 's Best Books of 2020. She’s over the moon to be releasing two books in 2026: the poetry collection
A Buyer's Guide to the Afterlife
and the mystery
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence.
She was the poetry editor at
Guernica Magazine
for more than a decade and currently teaches at Bellevue University. She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her family.
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March 26, 2026There was so much to love about The Museum of Unusual Occurrences. First is the pacing of the novel. It gets going pretty much right away. There’s no long introduction to the characters. The author assumes the reader is smart enough to keep track of the who’s who based on names and personalities, instead of basically giving a Clue suspect sheet (I’ve seen some of those books over the years, and they tend to start rather slowly). It’s easy to remember them as they’re all unique and quirky in their own way.
They’re all great, too. Alycone (“Aly”) could have easily slipped into morose territory. Instead, her regrets stem from a general displeasure that sometimes makes her cranky with people. She thinks of the way her life could have gone but also throws everything she has into making what she has work. She’s fiercely protective of her teen sister, Merope. Merope is a bit of a conundrum, as some teens are. I loved her changeable nature and her constant waffling between being responsible and causing all sorts of chaos.
The side characters (suspects) are a fun, oddball bunch. There’s the close-up magician who helps with the museum, the ex-flame-turned-TV-actor, the detective who is really too big to be allowed. And Alycone’s mother, who both irritated and amused me.
My favorite part of the book, though, was the town itself. It leans into a reputation as being a spiritual hub, with Alycone being one of the few who has no patience for it. The author explained in the note that the offbeat little town is loosely based on Cassadaga, Florida. Apparently, Cassadaga is known as the “psychic capital of the world.” Needless to say, that’s quite the inspiration, and it led to a setting that is more than just a place: it’s a character in and of itself. This quirky place is what made the oddness of the characters and their reactions to a ritualized murder make complete sense.
The twists were twisty, with a few of them catching me completely by surprise. While I did call the “whodunnit”, I was not at all confident in my theory, which was half the fun. I recommend The Museum of Unusual Occurence to readers who like their characters eccentric and their mysteries fast-paced.
Thank you to Netgalley and Severn House for providing me with a copy of this book. My opinions are completely my own.
Full review: https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
They’re all great, too. Alycone (“Aly”) could have easily slipped into morose territory. Instead, her regrets stem from a general displeasure that sometimes makes her cranky with people. She thinks of the way her life could have gone but also throws everything she has into making what she has work. She’s fiercely protective of her teen sister, Merope. Merope is a bit of a conundrum, as some teens are. I loved her changeable nature and her constant waffling between being responsible and causing all sorts of chaos.
The side characters (suspects) are a fun, oddball bunch. There’s the close-up magician who helps with the museum, the ex-flame-turned-TV-actor, the detective who is really too big to be allowed. And Alycone’s mother, who both irritated and amused me.
My favorite part of the book, though, was the town itself. It leans into a reputation as being a spiritual hub, with Alycone being one of the few who has no patience for it. The author explained in the note that the offbeat little town is loosely based on Cassadaga, Florida. Apparently, Cassadaga is known as the “psychic capital of the world.” Needless to say, that’s quite the inspiration, and it led to a setting that is more than just a place: it’s a character in and of itself. This quirky place is what made the oddness of the characters and their reactions to a ritualized murder make complete sense.
The twists were twisty, with a few of them catching me completely by surprise. While I did call the “whodunnit”, I was not at all confident in my theory, which was half the fun. I recommend The Museum of Unusual Occurence to readers who like their characters eccentric and their mysteries fast-paced.
Thank you to Netgalley and Severn House for providing me with a copy of this book. My opinions are completely my own.
Full review: https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great cozy mystery with just a touch of the paranormal. Set in one of those stops you may visit while on vacation, The Museum of Unusual Occurrence, and a body is found in one of the rooms, positioned as if it was a sacrifice. There were so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming, that I couldn't possibly see the ending. And the ending? Omg how rude. It was amazing, but so rude.
Definitely would recommend this book.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
Definitely would recommend this book.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌙 The Museum of Unusual Occurrence
By Erica Wright
Genre: Mystery
Trope: Amateur Sleuth
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Summary:
Alcyone (Aly) and Merope (Merry) Orlean are two sisters living in a one-of-a-kind museum in a small Florida town, known for being the capital of psychic abilities. With both of their parents absent, Aly has spent most of her 20’s raising her younger sister and trying to keep their world stable and safe. But when a young woman is found murdered inside their museum, everything changes. How did the victim get there? Who killed her? And are Aly and Merry now in danger themselves?
What I Liked:
✨ The world-building — a psychic town and a museum full of strange artifacts is such a fun, atmospheric concept.
✨ The mystery itself had a wide range of suspects, which kept things interesting.
✨ I genuinely didn’t guess the killer, which is always a win for a whodunit.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
➖ I was confused about why Aly’s phone kept dying; it felt important, but was never fully explained.
➖ I didn’t understand why Aly or Merry were never seriously considered as suspects. It was their museum where the dead body was found.
➖ It felt odd that Aly’s old friends tried to reconnect by pulling her into a dangerous murder investigation.
➖ I struggled to connect with Aly as a main character; I found her sister, Merry, much more likable and engaging.
Overall, The Museum of Unusual Occurrence had a compelling setting and a solid mystery, but some character choices and unanswered questions kept it from fully working for me. Still, the psychic small-town atmosphere and twisty suspect list made for an intriguing read, appealing to readers who enjoy small-town mysteries with paranormal elements and sister-centered stories.
A BIG thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.
By Erica Wright
Genre: Mystery
Trope: Amateur Sleuth
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Summary:
Alcyone (Aly) and Merope (Merry) Orlean are two sisters living in a one-of-a-kind museum in a small Florida town, known for being the capital of psychic abilities. With both of their parents absent, Aly has spent most of her 20’s raising her younger sister and trying to keep their world stable and safe. But when a young woman is found murdered inside their museum, everything changes. How did the victim get there? Who killed her? And are Aly and Merry now in danger themselves?
What I Liked:
✨ The world-building — a psychic town and a museum full of strange artifacts is such a fun, atmospheric concept.
✨ The mystery itself had a wide range of suspects, which kept things interesting.
✨ I genuinely didn’t guess the killer, which is always a win for a whodunit.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
➖ I was confused about why Aly’s phone kept dying; it felt important, but was never fully explained.
➖ I didn’t understand why Aly or Merry were never seriously considered as suspects. It was their museum where the dead body was found.
➖ It felt odd that Aly’s old friends tried to reconnect by pulling her into a dangerous murder investigation.
➖ I struggled to connect with Aly as a main character; I found her sister, Merry, much more likable and engaging.
Overall, The Museum of Unusual Occurrence had a compelling setting and a solid mystery, but some character choices and unanswered questions kept it from fully working for me. Still, the psychic small-town atmosphere and twisty suspect list made for an intriguing read, appealing to readers who enjoy small-town mysteries with paranormal elements and sister-centered stories.
A BIG thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this novel we are introduced to sisters Alcyone and Merope, owners of the Museum of Unusual Occurrence in the occult-positive town of Wyndale, Florida. When the dead body of a young woman appears in their museum, posed like a new exhibit, Alcyone is dragged into a "whodunit" investigation that ends in a twist that I never saw coming, and I'm almost positive you won't either! I would classify this book as a mystery/thriller, with the story centering around Alcyone's attempt to figure out if she and Merope are in danger or if the body was placed in her museum coincidentally.
While the storyline is engaging and the characters are well-developed, I do have some editing/structural issues with the book:
-The progression of time is very confusing and hard to follow. Many times, I found myself re-reading portions of the book to try and orient myself in the timeline. One example of this can be found moving from chapter 17 to chapter 18; chapter 17 ends with Alcyone at a funeral service and chapter 18 picks up with Alcyone at a seance, with no explanation of how we got there or how much time has passed between events. This occurs throughout the book and also occurs within chapters,
-There are instances of grammatical errors and the misuse of words. One example of this can be found on page 89 where "scruff marks" is used instead of "scuff marks." Another example can be found on page 72 where a police officer says to Alcyone "You want I send somebody over to watch your place tonight?" While this example COULD be an attempt at colloquialism, it doesn't seem to fit the language structure used in the rest of the book.
All in all, this is a fun, quick read. I would absolutely read another book by Erica Wright.
While the storyline is engaging and the characters are well-developed, I do have some editing/structural issues with the book:
-The progression of time is very confusing and hard to follow. Many times, I found myself re-reading portions of the book to try and orient myself in the timeline. One example of this can be found moving from chapter 17 to chapter 18; chapter 17 ends with Alcyone at a funeral service and chapter 18 picks up with Alcyone at a seance, with no explanation of how we got there or how much time has passed between events. This occurs throughout the book and also occurs within chapters,
-There are instances of grammatical errors and the misuse of words. One example of this can be found on page 89 where "scruff marks" is used instead of "scuff marks." Another example can be found on page 72 where a police officer says to Alcyone "You want I send somebody over to watch your place tonight?" While this example COULD be an attempt at colloquialism, it doesn't seem to fit the language structure used in the rest of the book.
All in all, this is a fun, quick read. I would absolutely read another book by Erica Wright.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Museum of Unusual Occurrences is such a fun, fresh start to a new cozy‑mystery series. Erica Wright blends small‑town eccentricity, offbeat humour, and a genuinely intriguing murder plot into a story that feels both comforting and delightfully strange.
Aly Orlean is an instantly likeable lead—smart, dry‑witted, and just trying to keep her life together in a town where psychic abilities are as common as sunshine. Between running her wonderfully odd museum, raising her teenage sister, and juggling everyday chaos, the last thing she needs is a body turning up in one of her exhibits. Yet that’s exactly what happens, and the resulting mystery is as twisty as it is entertaining.
The setup is fantastic: a ritual‑style murder staged inside a museum full of bizarre curiosities. It’s atmospheric without ever feeling heavy, and the small‑town dynamics add plenty of colour. I loved the way Aly’s cynicism bumps up against Wyndale’s supernatural quirks—it gives the story a playful edge while keeping Aly grounded and relatable.
Her relationship with her sister Merope adds warmth, and the protective streak that kicks in once Aly realises the killer might be sending her a message gives the story real emotional stakes. The supporting cast is lively, the pacing brisk, and the mystery keeps you guessing right up to the end.
Overall, this is a charming, slightly oddball cozy with a strong sense of place and a heroine you can’t help rooting for. A great pick for readers who enjoy mysteries with personality, humour, and just a hint of the uncanny.
With thanks to Erica Wright, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Aly Orlean is an instantly likeable lead—smart, dry‑witted, and just trying to keep her life together in a town where psychic abilities are as common as sunshine. Between running her wonderfully odd museum, raising her teenage sister, and juggling everyday chaos, the last thing she needs is a body turning up in one of her exhibits. Yet that’s exactly what happens, and the resulting mystery is as twisty as it is entertaining.
The setup is fantastic: a ritual‑style murder staged inside a museum full of bizarre curiosities. It’s atmospheric without ever feeling heavy, and the small‑town dynamics add plenty of colour. I loved the way Aly’s cynicism bumps up against Wyndale’s supernatural quirks—it gives the story a playful edge while keeping Aly grounded and relatable.
Her relationship with her sister Merope adds warmth, and the protective streak that kicks in once Aly realises the killer might be sending her a message gives the story real emotional stakes. The supporting cast is lively, the pacing brisk, and the mystery keeps you guessing right up to the end.
Overall, this is a charming, slightly oddball cozy with a strong sense of place and a heroine you can’t help rooting for. A great pick for readers who enjoy mysteries with personality, humour, and just a hint of the uncanny.
With thanks to Erica Wright, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
March 23, 2026
This was such a fun, cozy murder mystery set in a delightfully eerie town where séances are common and mediums are just part of everyday life. The atmosphere alone makes this one perfect for a spooky season read.
The story follows Alcyone, who runs the Museum of Unusual Occurrence which is a collection dedicated to all things macabre and strange. She’s also raising her teenage sister, Merope, after their family was torn apart by grief.
When Alcyone and Merope discover the body of a young girl inside one of the museum’s display cases, the story kicks off into a fun whodunit. From there, it becomes a tense unraveling of secrets, suspicion, and the unsettling realization that you can’t trust everyone around you.
The mystery kept me turning pages , and the setting really carried that cozy-but-creepy vibe I love, especially during the fall season!
🍂 Perfect for a cozy fall read if you like:
• Small-town mysteries
• Light paranormal elements
• Atmospheric, slightly spooky settings
Overall, this was an entertaining and fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story follows Alcyone, who runs the Museum of Unusual Occurrence which is a collection dedicated to all things macabre and strange. She’s also raising her teenage sister, Merope, after their family was torn apart by grief.
When Alcyone and Merope discover the body of a young girl inside one of the museum’s display cases, the story kicks off into a fun whodunit. From there, it becomes a tense unraveling of secrets, suspicion, and the unsettling realization that you can’t trust everyone around you.
The mystery kept me turning pages , and the setting really carried that cozy-but-creepy vibe I love, especially during the fall season!
🍂 Perfect for a cozy fall read if you like:
• Small-town mysteries
• Light paranormal elements
• Atmospheric, slightly spooky settings
Overall, this was an entertaining and fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was excited to try this book because I thought that it fits in my favorite genre “terms” and “rules.” Well, it does but not exactly. Aly and her sister Merry live next to an unusual museum which they own and run, with Merry still in high school. There’s a dead body found in the museum, and Aly’s friend Bud is the police investigator who draws her in to the hunt for the murderer. This has a great atmosphere, even for not exactly being a paranormal (to my sadness) mystery. There are hints that MAYBE paranormal is real, but not enough for me. I was also thrown off because we are almost always in Aly’s head as opposed to her interacting with people more, and I would have liked her actively investigating not just mostly thinking about the crime. I also didn’t really connect with her a lot even with being in her head. However, I did quite enjoy this, and I was completely surprised at who the murderer was with even so few characters to choose from. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
Aly Orlean lives in the small town of Wyndale, Florida, with her younger sister and owns the Museum of Unusual Occurrence. The clue is in the name: the museum is home to all kinds of oddities, usually of a slightly macabre nature.
All is normal… well, as much as it can be, until a dead body appears in one of the exhibits and Aly finds herself assisting in the investigation.
This was a fun and fast read. I found the main character likable, and the people of Wyndale interesting enough to hold my attention to the end. There was a considerable amount of world-building in the novel, which begs for a follow-up.
The mystery itself was absorbing, with a few curveballs here and there to keep the reader guessing.
I wouldn’t say no to a sequel. I enjoyed this book a lot.
With thanks to Severn House for the ARC
Aly Orlean lives in the small town of Wyndale, Florida, with her younger sister and owns the Museum of Unusual Occurrence. The clue is in the name: the museum is home to all kinds of oddities, usually of a slightly macabre nature.
All is normal… well, as much as it can be, until a dead body appears in one of the exhibits and Aly finds herself assisting in the investigation.
This was a fun and fast read. I found the main character likable, and the people of Wyndale interesting enough to hold my attention to the end. There was a considerable amount of world-building in the novel, which begs for a follow-up.
The mystery itself was absorbing, with a few curveballs here and there to keep the reader guessing.
I wouldn’t say no to a sequel. I enjoyed this book a lot.
With thanks to Severn House for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Running the family business, a museum of curiosities, isn’t what Aly Orleans had planned for her life. But she and her sister were left by their Mother and they are working their way through life together. When a body is found in the museum, Aly finds herself with a real curiosity on hr hands…who killed the young woman, why and why did they place her body on display in the museum?
With several suspects and lots of leg work, Aly finds out more than she bargained for as she tries to solve this case. Can she keep herself and her sister safe? What about their mother who suddenly reappears as the museum is in the news? It just adds to the curious circumstances around the murder.
This is NOT what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it. A pleasant surprise and I loved every quirky bit of it!
With several suspects and lots of leg work, Aly finds out more than she bargained for as she tries to solve this case. Can she keep herself and her sister safe? What about their mother who suddenly reappears as the museum is in the news? It just adds to the curious circumstances around the murder.
This is NOT what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it. A pleasant surprise and I loved every quirky bit of it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As soon as I saw the cover of this book (great artwork!) and read the blurb, I had to request an ARC.
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence is a great setting for a mystery book. To be honest, if I knew a museum of this kind is located close to me, I would definitely visit it!
This book is a slow burn with a mysterious vibe. The body is found at the beginning of the book but except a few minor events, most action is located at the end of the book. The ending was still surprising in the revealing of the identity of the killer.
I did miss a bit more detail and information because sometimes the timeline made some jumps or events and characters were left without an actual explanation by the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence is a great setting for a mystery book. To be honest, if I knew a museum of this kind is located close to me, I would definitely visit it!
This book is a slow burn with a mysterious vibe. The body is found at the beginning of the book but except a few minor events, most action is located at the end of the book. The ending was still surprising in the revealing of the identity of the killer.
I did miss a bit more detail and information because sometimes the timeline made some jumps or events and characters were left without an actual explanation by the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story intrigued me from the beginning. Sisters who inherit their family museum of oddities. They find a body in the museum that has been placed on display and now there is a mystery on their hands of trying to find out who the murderer is. With all of that their mom comes into town wanting to be a part of the museum once again when it has gotten into the press of what is going on at their little museum of oddities.... who could the killer be?
Thank you so much Erica Wright and Netgalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it!
Thank you so much Erica Wright and Netgalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence is nothing more than one of those small town oddities you might stumble on while on vacation. Until a dead body turns up in one of the exhibits.
The mystery was interesting with several twists and an unexpected ending. But I never really connected with the characters and the police seemed to be content to let an amateur run the investigation.
The mystery was interesting with several twists and an unexpected ending. But I never really connected with the characters and the police seemed to be content to let an amateur run the investigation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! ❤️
This story was eerie, emotional, and completely gripping. A creepy museum setting, a devastating loss, and a main character who suddenly has nowhere to call home—it all comes together in a way that really sticks with you.
This story was eerie, emotional, and completely gripping. A creepy museum setting, a devastating loss, and a main character who suddenly has nowhere to call home—it all comes together in a way that really sticks with you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It felt like it took forever for this story to get interesting.
I enjoyed the story for the most part but did think it dragged and was wordy. I was a little surprised by the ending. I’m interested in seeing where this series goes.
I enjoyed the story for the most part but did think it dragged and was wordy. I was a little surprised by the ending. I’m interested in seeing where this series goes.
March 27, 2026
This book simply wasn’t for me. I wanted to know what would happen, but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and didn’t care what happened to them. Very disappointing, since the premise sounded so interesting.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 25, 2025
The story combines so many of my favorite things: museums, mysteries, curiosities, believers and skeptics. I loved writing this book, and I hope you love reading it. Thank you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read the full review with representation information and trigger warnings on my blog.
3.5 stars rounded up
Alcyone is the curator of The Museum of Unusual Occurrence despite being a skeptic compared to the rest of her town. When a murdered girl shows up in the museum displayed as if she’s an exhibit, she’s asked by a member of the police force to help investigate.
This was an interesting, fast-paced cozyish small town mystery that was significantly different in tone from the previous book that I read by the author, Hollow Bones. There wasn’t a lot that was paranormal about this book (although I suppose you could interpret some bits of it as more paranormal if you wanted to), but I liked it nonetheless. It was interesting to read a book set in a paranormal-obsessed town where the main character was a skeptic. The atmosphere of the book was done well, with the séance that Alcyone attends partway through the book adding to it.
I didn’t like the Mama Orlean character very much, and didn’t really like what happened with her in the end of the book, or the ending in general (although the reveal was well done). The other side characters, like Alcyone’s sister Merry and the other inhabitants of the small town were interesting, though, and I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer. The relationship between Alcyone and Merry (sisters where the older became parentified) was central to the book, and it was well done.
I do wonder if later books in the series will be more paranormal in nature. That could be interesting, although I think it could also be done well if the later mysteries aren’t particularly paranormal. The ending of the book does somewhat leave open what could happen between Mama Orlean and her two daughters, which is a good hook but avoids being a complete cliffhanger.
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence releases April 7 from Severn House. Thank you to Netgalley, Erica Wright and Severn House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up
Alcyone is the curator of The Museum of Unusual Occurrence despite being a skeptic compared to the rest of her town. When a murdered girl shows up in the museum displayed as if she’s an exhibit, she’s asked by a member of the police force to help investigate.
This was an interesting, fast-paced cozyish small town mystery that was significantly different in tone from the previous book that I read by the author, Hollow Bones. There wasn’t a lot that was paranormal about this book (although I suppose you could interpret some bits of it as more paranormal if you wanted to), but I liked it nonetheless. It was interesting to read a book set in a paranormal-obsessed town where the main character was a skeptic. The atmosphere of the book was done well, with the séance that Alcyone attends partway through the book adding to it.
I didn’t like the Mama Orlean character very much, and didn’t really like what happened with her in the end of the book, or the ending in general (although the reveal was well done). The other side characters, like Alcyone’s sister Merry and the other inhabitants of the small town were interesting, though, and I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer. The relationship between Alcyone and Merry (sisters where the older became parentified) was central to the book, and it was well done.
I do wonder if later books in the series will be more paranormal in nature. That could be interesting, although I think it could also be done well if the later mysteries aren’t particularly paranormal. The ending of the book does somewhat leave open what could happen between Mama Orlean and her two daughters, which is a good hook but avoids being a complete cliffhanger.
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence releases April 7 from Severn House. Thank you to Netgalley, Erica Wright and Severn House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Got this ARC from Netgalley, thank you and i loved it❤️
I don’t know where to start.. Imagine having a museum with a lot of strange things and than having a girl that is murderd and put in the exhibition of your museum and becoming homeless with your sister because you lived there also and that makes your ‘home’ also an crimescene..
I’m not going to give any spoilers but what i will be doing is rereading this book! I enjoyed this arc so much! Erica you did an amazing job! I really enjoyed this..
I don’t know where to start.. Imagine having a museum with a lot of strange things and than having a girl that is murderd and put in the exhibition of your museum and becoming homeless with your sister because you lived there also and that makes your ‘home’ also an crimescene..
I’m not going to give any spoilers but what i will be doing is rereading this book! I enjoyed this arc so much! Erica you did an amazing job! I really enjoyed this..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars. I...really wanted to like this book more. I really did. The cover by itself was fantastic - atmospheric, interesting, great colors, and the title immediately drew me in. The premise is also incredibly interesting! A whole museum for the oddities of life? In a town that is fueled on being a supernatural hub of believers? Our heroine and POV character is skeptical of it all, but still a part of it with a history deep in the towns roots? AND there is a murder victim found in said museum by said protagonist? Sign me up!!
Unfortunately, the more I read the less I was charmed. I typically take notes on all the books I read, and this one had several bullet points that read "needs more fleshing out" or "feels disjointed and choppy here" and "wait, how did Aly go from this location to musing inside her head back home? Where was the transition?" It became hard for me to follow the story and connect with Aly. The relationships the characters had with each other didn't feel deep enough to warrant the actions she takes, or others take in relation to her. I wanted some additional context for why they are trying to reach out to her, and some reciprocation on her end. Speaking of end, the ending for this novel was a twist that I didn't see coming. So much so that I think the narrative could have been better served by planting some subtle clues, because I felt blindsided. The ending and epilogue also felt unresolved for me as well. Without hopefully getting into spoilers, some of the choices that our main characters make didn't really seem to make sense. And no resolution was given for why, and no consequences. The Epilogue didn't satisfy enough in this case.
There were some bright spots! I really liked the descriptive language in the story. It really set the mood and time of Wyndale. The opening line for this book was fantastic - "Having never died, I don't know for sure what death is like." It was fun, a touch snarky, and really helped me craft an idea of who Aly was, as a person. The concept of the story in its entirety, the types of characters, and the mystery were all good as well! I just wish it came together a bit more.
I'd like to extend a big thank you to NetGalley and to Severn House publishing for my honest review. This isn't the first Severn House author I've read, and it certainly won't be the last (I really enjoy this style of book).
Unfortunately, the more I read the less I was charmed. I typically take notes on all the books I read, and this one had several bullet points that read "needs more fleshing out" or "feels disjointed and choppy here" and "wait, how did Aly go from this location to musing inside her head back home? Where was the transition?" It became hard for me to follow the story and connect with Aly. The relationships the characters had with each other didn't feel deep enough to warrant the actions she takes, or others take in relation to her. I wanted some additional context for why they are trying to reach out to her, and some reciprocation on her end. Speaking of end, the ending for this novel was a twist that I didn't see coming. So much so that I think the narrative could have been better served by planting some subtle clues, because I felt blindsided. The ending and epilogue also felt unresolved for me as well. Without hopefully getting into spoilers, some of the choices that our main characters make didn't really seem to make sense. And no resolution was given for why, and no consequences. The Epilogue didn't satisfy enough in this case.
There were some bright spots! I really liked the descriptive language in the story. It really set the mood and time of Wyndale. The opening line for this book was fantastic - "Having never died, I don't know for sure what death is like." It was fun, a touch snarky, and really helped me craft an idea of who Aly was, as a person. The concept of the story in its entirety, the types of characters, and the mystery were all good as well! I just wish it came together a bit more.
I'd like to extend a big thank you to NetGalley and to Severn House publishing for my honest review. This isn't the first Severn House author I've read, and it certainly won't be the last (I really enjoy this style of book).
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