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The Haunting of Grosvenor House: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery
When a medium, a ghost, and two divorcees' paths converge inside a home pulsing with unfinished business, the four must untangle the past before it consumes them all.
A haunting exploration of loss, connection, and the thin line between the living and the dead—where silence may be the most dangerous sound of all.
Jessie, a reclusive psychology student, thinks he’s found the perfect thesis: the science of silence. But when his experiments push beyond the safety of campus walls, they awaken a cold case that he cannot ignore.
Sandi, a weary medium on the verge of retirement, has spent her life bridging the gap between the living and the dead. She thought she’d heard it all—until a desperate call from her nephew drags her to his house on Grosvenor Avenue and a message that chills her to her core.
Rob, newly divorced and unravelling, just needs a tenant to help pay the bills. But when things start moving in the night and whispers seep through the walls, he begins to wonder if his century home holds a terrifying secret.
Aileen, a lonely newcomer from Japan, wanted a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself rooming with a restless spirit—and holding the key to a tragedy that refuses to rest.
When their paths converge inside a home pulsing with unfinished business, the four must untangle the past before it consumes them all.
A haunting exploration of loss, connection, and the thin line between the living and the dead—where silence may be the most dangerous sound of all.
Jessie, a reclusive psychology student, thinks he’s found the perfect thesis: the science of silence. But when his experiments push beyond the safety of campus walls, they awaken a cold case that he cannot ignore.
Sandi, a weary medium on the verge of retirement, has spent her life bridging the gap between the living and the dead. She thought she’d heard it all—until a desperate call from her nephew drags her to his house on Grosvenor Avenue and a message that chills her to her core.
Rob, newly divorced and unravelling, just needs a tenant to help pay the bills. But when things start moving in the night and whispers seep through the walls, he begins to wonder if his century home holds a terrifying secret.
Aileen, a lonely newcomer from Japan, wanted a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself rooming with a restless spirit—and holding the key to a tragedy that refuses to rest.
When their paths converge inside a home pulsing with unfinished business, the four must untangle the past before it consumes them all.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
4 people are currently reading
1900 people want to read
About the author
Michael Poeltl
21 books262 followersDo you listen for the things that stir in the dark? Do you dream of time unspooled, of minds that touch across distance, of lives once lived and still remembered? Then you are kin to my kind. Somewhere in my backlist, a story waits—one that knows your name.
Why read my books? If you're like me and read across multiple genres but appreciate a story that draws you into the narrative, the characters, and the emotions, then take a look at my library, find the genre that best suits your mood, and pick it up on Amazon or Kobo for a song. Then, should you want more, my back library will serve you well.
By the end of 2025, I’ll have published 16 books, spanning various genres, including two trilogies, a series, and numerous standalone titles. It has been my absolute joy to revel in those childhood freedoms where you can do anything and be anyone (with the proper training and discipline). It has also been fun getting to know my audience when readers approach me (or I them), and we have meaningful conversations about books in general. I'm a big reader, too, and I'd love to hear what others are reading to help me fill out my 'to be read' pile. So don't be a stranger!
The Haunting of Grosvenor House, 2025: Loosely based on a true story. It is the haunting exploration of loss, connection, and the thin line between the living and the dead—where silence may be the most dangerous sound of all.
Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things, 2023: The first time Cleo feared for her life was when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 23.
The second time is when she discovered she could travel back in time at 24.
Cleo Reviews:
FIVE STARS "I don’t want to spoil anything but trust me. It will give you laughs and will make you think and feel. I am going to buy my paperback copy because having it on my Kindle is not enough." Shirtny from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "This story did not disappoint, introducing an approach to time travel I'd not seen before, an approach the principal character strives to learn about and understand as the story progresses." Tom from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "The pacing of the novel is skillfully executed, with a balance between heart-pounding moments and introspective reflection. The gradual revelation of the fragmented message and the subsequent race against time add a layer of suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning pages." Rose from Goodreads
Killing Karma Reviews:
FIVE STARS "Loved it! Was immersed from the very beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would play out." Rita from Goodreads
FIVE STARS "From the opening paragraph to the last sentence, I was captivated; at times, I found myself holding my breath…" David from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "A highly gripping tale that builds a believable world full of unexpected twists and turns." Madame from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "Such an interesting and fresh take on serial killers... absolutely loved the way the author intertwined the whole concept of past lives into the main plot. Every detail really added more to the story." Chanelle from Goodreads
The Blind Affect launched on June 22nd, 2021 to some great advanced reviews:
FIVE STARS “... a sometimes disturbing but always profound look at three characters whose lives take haunting courses... 'The Blind Affect' will leave you with a lot to think about.”
FOUR STARS “[Poeltl] doesn’t tell us, he shows us the lives of these characters. He shows readers what trauma looks like and what is healing. It’s a timely story...”
Other book reviews:
"A well-built fantasy world with likable characters." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The characters are 3-dimensional and realistic, with believable flaws, motivations and goals, doubts and beliefs.." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The immense interest provided by the world, technology,
Why read my books? If you're like me and read across multiple genres but appreciate a story that draws you into the narrative, the characters, and the emotions, then take a look at my library, find the genre that best suits your mood, and pick it up on Amazon or Kobo for a song. Then, should you want more, my back library will serve you well.
By the end of 2025, I’ll have published 16 books, spanning various genres, including two trilogies, a series, and numerous standalone titles. It has been my absolute joy to revel in those childhood freedoms where you can do anything and be anyone (with the proper training and discipline). It has also been fun getting to know my audience when readers approach me (or I them), and we have meaningful conversations about books in general. I'm a big reader, too, and I'd love to hear what others are reading to help me fill out my 'to be read' pile. So don't be a stranger!
The Haunting of Grosvenor House, 2025: Loosely based on a true story. It is the haunting exploration of loss, connection, and the thin line between the living and the dead—where silence may be the most dangerous sound of all.
Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things, 2023: The first time Cleo feared for her life was when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 23.
The second time is when she discovered she could travel back in time at 24.
Cleo Reviews:
FIVE STARS "I don’t want to spoil anything but trust me. It will give you laughs and will make you think and feel. I am going to buy my paperback copy because having it on my Kindle is not enough." Shirtny from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "This story did not disappoint, introducing an approach to time travel I'd not seen before, an approach the principal character strives to learn about and understand as the story progresses." Tom from Goodreads
FIVE STARS: "The pacing of the novel is skillfully executed, with a balance between heart-pounding moments and introspective reflection. The gradual revelation of the fragmented message and the subsequent race against time add a layer of suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning pages." Rose from Goodreads
Killing Karma Reviews:
FIVE STARS "Loved it! Was immersed from the very beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would play out." Rita from Goodreads
FIVE STARS "From the opening paragraph to the last sentence, I was captivated; at times, I found myself holding my breath…" David from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "A highly gripping tale that builds a believable world full of unexpected twists and turns." Madame from Goodreads
FOUR STARS "Such an interesting and fresh take on serial killers... absolutely loved the way the author intertwined the whole concept of past lives into the main plot. Every detail really added more to the story." Chanelle from Goodreads
The Blind Affect launched on June 22nd, 2021 to some great advanced reviews:
FIVE STARS “... a sometimes disturbing but always profound look at three characters whose lives take haunting courses... 'The Blind Affect' will leave you with a lot to think about.”
FOUR STARS “[Poeltl] doesn’t tell us, he shows us the lives of these characters. He shows readers what trauma looks like and what is healing. It’s a timely story...”
Other book reviews:
"A well-built fantasy world with likable characters." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The characters are 3-dimensional and realistic, with believable flaws, motivations and goals, doubts and beliefs.." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds." - A.I. Insurrection - The General's War - Goodreads
"The immense interest provided by the world, technology,
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 15, 2025
I love when a favorite author ventures into a new genre—it delivers the comfort of a trusted storyteller while opening the door to something fresh and unexpected. Poeltl has done this for me several times, and never with disappointment.
The Haunting of Grosvenor House is a shining example of Poeltl’s talent for seamlessly blending subgenres into a single, compelling story. What begins as a psychological thriller evolves into a cold case mystery, then escalates with a new murder, all while unfolding into an atmospheric ghost story. Four richly drawn characters carry the narrative forward, unraveling layered mysteries—including the haunting question of how the ghost became a ghost in the first place.
Truly an entertaining read, with unique characters, and a twist that will have you shaking your head!
The Haunting of Grosvenor House is a shining example of Poeltl’s talent for seamlessly blending subgenres into a single, compelling story. What begins as a psychological thriller evolves into a cold case mystery, then escalates with a new murder, all while unfolding into an atmospheric ghost story. Four richly drawn characters carry the narrative forward, unraveling layered mysteries—including the haunting question of how the ghost became a ghost in the first place.
Truly an entertaining read, with unique characters, and a twist that will have you shaking your head!
January 13, 2026
I wasn’t sure where this story was going, the first chapters were a bit dark, and all about one character. Those chapters could have been its own book, but then came the treads that tied it all together. I really enjoyed the story overall. Spirit and ghost stories are not my genre, but I could get on board if they are as well written as this. Well done Michael!
December 15, 2025
I’m going to gush—this book was the perfect pick for my book club. We had decided to try a paranormal cozy, a genre I wasn’t entirely familiar with, when I saw the announcement that Michael Poeltl would be releasing a book in this exact genre in December. I knew immediately it was one I could wholeheartedly support, and I suggested it to the group without hesitation.
I’m happy to report that we all enjoyed it tremendously. We were even lucky enough to have the author join us briefly on Zoom to discuss the book and the real-life experiences in his own home that helped shape the story’s haunting narrative.
As a group, we agreed that anything less than five stars would be an insult to a novel that truly went above and beyond the genre’s expectations. Several members of my club are seasoned readers of paranormal cozies and cozy mysteries, and they unanimously agreed on the five-star rating. I hope they’ll add their own reviews as well, because the praise at book club was abundant and heartfelt.
Highly Recommended!!!
I’m happy to report that we all enjoyed it tremendously. We were even lucky enough to have the author join us briefly on Zoom to discuss the book and the real-life experiences in his own home that helped shape the story’s haunting narrative.
As a group, we agreed that anything less than five stars would be an insult to a novel that truly went above and beyond the genre’s expectations. Several members of my club are seasoned readers of paranormal cozies and cozy mysteries, and they unanimously agreed on the five-star rating. I hope they’ll add their own reviews as well, because the praise at book club was abundant and heartfelt.
Highly Recommended!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews