Murder Manor: A Psychological and Paranormal Thriller

by Cori Nevruz

In a secluded valley, local life has always unfolded beneath the brooding shadow of the mountain—a presence as constant as it is feared. Generations have passed down stories of the lodge at its peak, where cruelty and madness once reigned before the doors were sealed and the truth buried beneath snow and silence.

Nearly a century later, a new owner reopened the lodge, and soon, people began to vanish… again.

Three teenagers, isolated on a family vacation and cut off from the comforts of their modern world, find themselves drawn to the mountain’s dark allure. Strange sounds ripple through the old house at night. A stranger spotted out the window one minute disappears the next. The past seems to breathe just beneath the surface—watching, waiting.

As their curiosity turns to terror, the line between legend and reality blurs. The question is no longer what happened here—but whether they’ll make it off the mountain alive.

276 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Cori Nevruz is a suspense and thriller author known for her gripping narratives and psychological depth. She has penned five novels: Murder Manor (Coming February, 2026), A psychological thriller with a whisper of the paranormal—book your stay at the manor, but beware: not every guest checks out; The Unwelcome Guest, An island escape, a mansion of dreams... and a nightmare hiding within; Making a Killing (previously published as Noxious), a chilling tale of a lethal assassin targeting retired pensioners;  Left Without Answers, which follows a mother teetering on the edge of madness in her quest for justice; and Dirty Laundry, a fast-paced thriller that delves into the unraveling mind of a mom pushed to her limits.
Cori resides in Wilmington, NC, where she balances her writing career with family life alongside her husband and three sons. When she's not crafting thrilling stories, she enjoys reading and following her favorite sports.

Reviews

[Bob Fendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
Release date 3 Feb 2026
Murder Manor

Author Cori Nevruz

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Murder Manor is the first book I've read by Cori, and I was in no way disappointed, I absolutely loved this fast-paced and short chapter multi POV thriller.

A remote village lies in the gloom of a mountain shadow, where an isolated holiday lodge sits at the top.
Cruelty to visitors and the disappearance of many people were buried and hidden, kept secret.

A century later with a new owner and renovations, the lodge reopens to holiday makers and people start disappearing again.

The Johnson family, Lisa, David and their three teens check in for a holiday break, find they are cut off from the outside, without media and socials.

Dark happenings and strange noises in the night from all around the lodge terrify the teens, a stranger is seen outside and vanishes a translucent figure keeps appearing and fades away.

The Johnson teens become curious and in their fear are determined to search for the past history of the lodge and dark happenings they find themselves being drawn into.

Will they uncover the secrets of the lodge, and will they escape with their lives?

I love Cori's writing style in this tense and suspenseful, gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
My attention was captured from the beginning, with the believable characters, stunning settings in this enthralling story.

I say go check Cori Nevruz and her amazing book out, you won't regret it.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pulled into the story from the first page. The book is told from multiple POVs and alternating from past to present, even with all that it was easy to follow. Several twists in the story with a great twist at the end. I couldn't put it down and kept me guessing throughout the book. I will definitely find more stories from Cori Nevruz, the author.

Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC book and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Mache · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Manor by Cori Nevruz is an atmospheric thriller that leans heavily into isolation dread and the weight of a long buried past. Set in a secluded mountain lodge with a violent history, the story immediately establishes an eerie tone that lingers throughout. The setting itself feels like a character, looming and watchful, amplifying the sense that something is deeply wrong long before the truth begins to surface.

The story follows siblings Rachel, Mia, and Tenner during a family vacation where they befriend three local brothers whose mother oversees the lodge while the owner is in town. As strange occurrences begin to unfold, Mia’s clairvoyant abilities add another layer of unease, hinting that the lodge’s history is not finished claiming victims. The slow unraveling of secrets creates a steady sense of tension, even when the pacing occasionally lingers longer than necessary.

The writing is well done and the characters are thoughtfully developed, making it easy to stay invested in their survival. The thriller elements are present and effective, though the extended buildup does soften some of the suspense as the story progresses. The use of multiple points of view is engaging, particularly the inclusion of victims from earlier decades, which adds emotional weight and context to the lodge’s dark reputation. That said, the frequent shifts between the modern timeline and the earlier decades can feel a bit disjointed and may pull some readers out of the moment. Structuring the story into clearer sections might have strengthened the impact of both timelines.

While Mia’s ability to see spirits is an intriguing element, some of the victim perspectives feel less essential when they do not directly connect with her; however, their stories being told was understandable. The ending delivers a twist, with a mix of surprises and moments that are easier to anticipate, but it still provides a satisfying conclusion to the mystery.

Overall, Murder Manor is a solid and engaging thriller with a strong foundation, an unsettling atmosphere, and memorable characters. Cori Nevruz delivers a compelling story that will appeal to readers who enjoy slow burn suspense and haunted settings.

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4 out of 5)

[BAM who is Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun surprise. It’s sort of a locked-room mystery with a group of ragtag teens at the center, and while it definitely reads YA-adjacent, I didn’t mind that at all. The story kicks off with a jolt and never lets up — the pacing is tight and propulsive from start to finish.

The multiple POVs were a highlight, especially the chapters told from the perspectives of past victims going all the way back to the 1950s. That added a nice layer of atmosphere and history to the hotel setting. There’s also a subtle supernatural thread woven through the story that gives the mystery an extra edge without overwhelming it.

Is it predictable? A little, but the momentum and structure keep it engaging. Overall, it’s a sharp, entertaining mystery with a fun premise, strong pacing, and just enough creepiness to keep things interesting.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Manor by Cori Nevruz is a multi POV thriller set in an old mountain lodge. Even though the lodge has been ‘recently’ remodeled, the house still remembers its history. Following the Johnson family on their mountain getaway, we go on a wild ride to discover the truth of the houses history - Blending past and present. I really enjoyed this book and found the characters developed and relatable. Quick, face paced chapters. The twists will leave you guessing until the end!

I received an ARC through BookSirens and am happily leaving this review voluntarily.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story with what I would call smaller POV stories intertwined into it, which in my opinion I loved. Several POVs throughout that never caused confusion only added to the greatness of the book!

The story takes place at a lodge that opened in the early 1900s. The legend was several people arrived and not everyone checked out. The suspense was great and there were several moments my jaw dropped to the floor.

Up until the very last sentence was amazing!
I did not expect it to end like that. I loved it. I can’t wait to purchase the physical copy to add to my collection.

I would recommend this book 100%.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that psychological thriller that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this and how good it was suspenseful the atmosphere was during this storyline. The characters worked well overall and was invested in what was going on with the characters. Cori Nevruz has a great style for the genre and enjoyed getting into this world and characters and wanted to read more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.