Blithe Spirits on the Pumpkin Path: A BRAND NEW cozy, small-town Halloween read from Sharon Booth for 2026

Ghosts of Rowan Vale #5

by Sharon Booth

Discover the next BRAND NEW instalment in this cosy romance series with a magical twist! Every book in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series can be read as a standalone.

Praise for Sharon

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Wonderfully warm and romantic!' Jessica Redland

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Oh. My. Ghosts. This book was EVERYTHING! If you love found family, a bit of ghostly mischief, and a touch of romance, you NEED this in your life.' Reader review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'An entertaining story with a fabulous cast of characters that I know you will fall in love with!' Reader review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'A truly heartwarming read that offers a gentle escape into a world of love, family, and a touch of the extraordinary.' Reader review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'This is a must read, best new 2025 romantic cosy mystery fantasy series, that will charm your heart and make you laugh and feel great! Loved it immensely and cannot rave enough about it' Reader review

Genres: Halloween

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Jasmine C]

3.5 ⭐️

This is a cozy, heartwarming story about Rowan Vale, a Cotswold living history village with a high population of ghosts and living residents who can see and communicate with some or all of those ghosts.

This story follows a tv medium visiting the village around Halloween to perform a seance. However, she has lost her powers and relies on her under appreciated sister to communicate with the ghosts to get their story.

Initially I didn’t realise that this was book 5 in the series but all can be read as a standalone so starting here wasn’t a problem for me.
At first there was a huge introduction of lots and lots of characters that made it really confusing to keep up - I couldn’t remember who was a ghost and who was living. There is a lengthy character list at the start of the book so I could have referred back to this but personally I didn’t want to. By the end I knew who was who but it was tricky at first.

The chapters occasionally change character POV, sometimes with no heading or explanation. As you read it’s not difficult to work out whose POV it’s switched to but I do think a title at the start of each chapter would be better and easier for the reader.

The story is perfect for Halloween and the autumn season. It’s a cosy, feel good story for those who want a lighter read.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Sharon Booth for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland)]

We are back in Rowan Vale, and it's almost Halloween. Callie and Brodie are planning a Halloween event for the children. Silas, the ghost, is mad about celebrating such a pagan holiday when Amelia, the vicar, says they should also celebrate All Souls' Day. Silas is feeling down and doesn't want anyone to clean his grave. Madam Mariska's TV show was cancelled, and she has come up with an idea to hold a séance at Rowen Vale. She decides it will be good publicity for her and the town. Her sister Verity is her assistant, and she sends her to get to know the townsfolk. The ghosts are unsure of this new gimmick and try to stay away from the two.

I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to every book in this series. I love learning about the ghosts and their families. This one made me shed a lot of tears. I couldn't put this book down. I love the paranormal and the romance.

[Chloë]

A charming cosy Halloween romance for readers who enjoy -
✨Spellbinding, heartwarming stories
✨Small-town paranormal chaos
✨Tight knit community spirit and found family
✨Heidi Swain, Lucy Jane Wood and the hit BBC series Ghosts

⭑ Publication Date: 22nd September 2026
⭑ Available In: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover & Paperback
⭑ Series: Book 5, Ghosts of Rowan Vale


~ plot ~

Nothing ever seems to go to plan in Rowan Vale and new visitors Melissa aka ‘Madam Mariska’ and her Sister/assistant Verity are experiencing that first hand!
Melissa is a well known TV medium who’s in the village for a Halloween midnight séance, the only problem? She’s lost her ability to communicate with spirits and is relying solely on Verity to get by.
But feeling down and thoroughly fed up of how she’s being treated, Verity does something completely out of character leading to the very real possibility that life as we know it in Rowan Vale, could have just been changed forever.


~ review: 4.5✨ ~

This is the 5th book in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series and while it’s not necessary to have read the previous books, I highly recommend doing so as they’re brilliant.
There’s also a large cast of quirky characters who have been introduced throughout so just keep in mind that it might take a little while to get to grips with all of the names and relationships. Sharon Booth has ever so kindly included a very helpful character guide at the beginning of this book though which is great!

~

Blithe Spirits on the Pumpkin Path is an enchanting, mysterious, heartwarming story that’s overflowing with community spirit, found family dynamics and cosy Halloween vibes. It features a large cast of familiar characters as well as some new faces who are a brilliant addition to the Rowan Vale universe. It’s entertaining but emotional, gently paced and sweet but ever so slightly spooky, the perfect Autumnal book to curl up and unwind with.

At this point visiting Rowan Vale feels like going home for the Holidays! I absolutely love this crazy little village and the people/ghosts who call it home. It’s hard to explain but there’s such a strong sense of familiarity, comfort and safety in Sharon Booth’s books. There may be conflict, spooky goings on and emotional situations but the atmosphere isn’t ever dark. There’s nothing too heavy or upsetting and these books never fail to put a smile on my face.

A big part of this story reaches its conclusion before the end but as always there’s no shortage of chaos and drama happening in Rowan Vale! The storylines of multiple characters overlap and intertwine throughout resulting in laugh out loud moments, sweet, tender exchanges, growth, realisation, transition and new beginnings. I may have even shed a little tear or twenty…
Verity and Melissa’s complicated sibling dynamic adds a layer of conflict, strain and emotion to the story but is ultimately wrapped up with a pleasant, satisfying resolution.

It was so great to have LGBTQ+ representation in this book but romance didn’t actually play as much of a role in the story as I hoped/thought it would. I really enjoyed the moments Verity and Mia shared but would’ve loved to have seen even more of their connection.
Another thing I noted is although it’s not difficult to pick up whose POV it is you’re reading, character names at the start of each chapter would be a great addition. Aside from that, I’ve no complaints!


~ final thoughts ~

Another thoroughly enjoyable trip to Rowan Vale! These books never fail to fill the Ghosts sized hole in my heart and even though I’m already SO excited for the film, this has just amplified it. As to be expected, we’re gifted a satisfying, happy ending that leaves the door open for the continuation of the series and I’m really looking forward to what comes next!

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Sharon Booth for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion and I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️

[Sarah]

★★★★½
A wonderfully unexpected return to Rowan Vale

Returning to Rowan Vale for the fifth book felt like stepping back into a wonderfully familiar community filled with characters I already knew and loved. This time, however, the story is viewed largely through the eyes of Verity, an outsider who arrives in the village as assistant to her television medium sister, Melissa.

From the beginning, I felt that Verity was a character who needed the opportunity to blossom into herself. She has spent far too long being belittled and taken for granted by her sister, and I loved watching her gradually recognise her own abilities, worth and desires. Her growing connection with Mia was gentle and lovely, while the familiar residents and ghosts of Rowan Vale brought all the warmth and humour I have come to expect from this series.

At around the halfway point, I genuinely thought the various threads were wrapping up and was startled to discover that I was only fifty per cent through. The story then developed in a completely unexpected direction, opening up a much larger second half that I had not anticipated from the blurb. I will not reveal what happens, but it was a clever concept that brought fresh possibilities to the world of Rowan Vale and led to some particularly moving moments.

The ending was satisfying, solid and beautifully handled, while the appearance of an intriguing new character suggested that there is still much more to discover about the mysteries surrounding the village and its ghosts. It left me very curious about what he knows and how his brief involvement may shape future books.

Warm, imaginative and very well written, this was another thoroughly enjoyable instalment filled with the paranormal elements I love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathryn Card]

I loved being back in Rowan Vale, and this time we’re celebrating Halloween! But, of course, there’s something spooky afoot in town.

I really loved the idea of bringing a famous spirit medium to Rowan Vale for a séance and getting the deeper backstories of two beloved characters. This book focuses mostly on Verity, the sister of famous medium Melissa, and her ability to see ghosts, a gift that allows her to help keep her sister’s career going even after Melissa loses her own ability. I really enjoyed watching Verity find her place in Rowan Vale and discover a place that could finally feel like home.

One of my favorite parts was Verity’s ability to bring two people from the past back into the physical world: Lawrence’s mother and Victor Alexander’s long-lost wife. Since no one has ever actually returned before, it added a completely new element to the series. I loved seeing these characters interact with the living and watching how their return affected everyone around them.

I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs, especially because they gave us different perspectives on the events unfolding. I loved the added cultural aspect of exploring what Halloween, All Souls’ Day, and Remembrance Day mean in the English countryside. It gave the story an extra layer that fit perfectly with the themes of ghosts, memory, and those we’ve lost.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. Another fun, cozy, slightly spooky visit to Rowan Vale, and I’m definitely hoping we get more stories from this little ghost-filled town!

[Linda]

Good melding of various ghost backstories👻

4-4.5🌟 stars
A fun read, especially timely for the season. This series never gets stale and here two sisters visiting Rowan Vale to conduct a super séance at midnight on Halloween get much more than they or the locals bargained for! Melissa's plan to revive her recently cancelled television career as a seer meets with some decided barriers, not limited to most of the local ghosts laying low and her hormonal changes that scarper her ability to reach the spirits. Plus a little FF romance as her sister Verity finds a soulmate in the Hall staff.

I found the addition of the two new ghosts that appear on Halloween really good. The stories of the ghosts who have settled there over the centuries really shine here, even that of perpetual naysayer and grump Silas. I never suspected why this ghost vicar was so negative but this book finally reveals all and shows him in a more sympathetic light. A lively adventure for ghosts, living characters that didn't disappoint.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[bella]

Oh the happy tears!!! Since I discovered this series in 2025, it has become my absolute favourite series. Rowan Vale is unlike any other Cotswold village. While it is marketed to tourists as a living history village, it is home to a whole village of ghosts... many of whom have a lot of secrets!!

In the newest adventure Verity and her sister, Melissa - a famous medium, visit the village to host a seance. However, with Melissa's ability having recently disappeared it is Verity that can see all the ghosts and do they ever have a few stories and an adventure for her.

This one is my absolute favourite so far [I say so far because I know Sharon Booth is going to wow me time and again]. We get a fabulously spooky seance, with all the Fall feels, and a sapphic romance [oh my heart!] and so much more. I don't want to spoil it, but there is so much to pack into one book - oh the happy tears!!

If you like cozy spooky reads, with yearning romance, this one is for you. It's put me in the mood for Fall and I just loved it so much!!! Yes, it's gush worthy!

[Jen]

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and this latest instalment certainly didn’t disappoint. Rowan Vale is planning to hold various Halloween events including a midnight seance so Melissa, aka Madam Mariska, a celebrity medium is booked. However she has lost the ability communicate with spirits and relies on her downtrodden sister Verity to do the contacting. The resident ghosts are up in arms about the booking so decide to go on strike but then Verity does something very out of character resulting in something she has no idea how to fix. I think that the characters in this are absolutely brilliant, especially the way they all communicate with each other and how they are all woven into the storyline. This has so many elements to it, from relationships, to community dynamics and so much more. A book that is very easy to get lost in and made me smile and laugh as well as feeling a little emotional at some points

[katie]

I discovered the Rowan Vale series last year and was so happy to get my hands on the latest instalment. This series is such a fun, easy read for me but somehow still makes you care about the characters (both dead and alive)! The setting is always so cosy and it felt especially suited to the Halloween vibe this time around. I also really liked that there were new dimensions added to the concept of the ghosts, and some new stories being told! I particularly enjoyed learning more about Silas’ backstory. The romance between Mia and Verity was also a lovely development and I hope they continue to feature in the series! It’s great to have some LGBTQ+ representation in Rowan Vale - the reactions of the ghosts were funny yet touching. The perfect paranormal read for this time of year.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC!

[Valerie thepinkowlreads]

Thanks NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Intimately fell in love with the residents of Rowan Vale, both living and dead, in book one of this series and still look forward to the next book because I can’t wait to meet the new residents and see what hijinks the long term folks have gotten up to.

This book is no different, Verity was a fun new ghost whisperer in town. I was so excited to see Mia finally have her own story. This book continues building on the fabulous world the author has created. The story is fun, whimsicle and cozy; the characters are well written. I highly recommend this book to fans of the cozy romance vibes.

[Maria]

Another fun adventure in Rowan Vale. This has all the characters we have grown to love but adds in a few I didn’t think we’d ever get to meet, and one of them makes it a lot more interesting. The story with Verity and her sister is good but it takes a backseat to what’s going on with the ghosts; their story isn’t my favorite of the series, but it is cute and has a happy ending. Overall, this is a great addition to the series, though a little sad, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. These are meant to be standalone stories, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning to get the full effect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.

[Grace Power]

Loved being back in Rowan Vale especially as it’s in the run up to Halloween.
The inhabitants of Rowan Vale are a mix of living and ghosts so who better to arrange a Halloween Event for the children.
This series just gets better with each book as we discover more about the ghosts previous lives.
Who is the stranger in their midst is she real or a fake?
Entertaining,Autumnal and fun with a lovely uplifting ending.

[Milena Ognjanovic]

Thank you to Net galley and the publisher for the ARC.
I just love this series. It's a quick and easy read. I love the setting and the characters especially the ghosts. I liked that we learned more about Silas in this book. If you're looking for something cozy and heartwarming for the fall season I highly recommend giving this series a try.

[Jane Armstrong]

Halloween at Rowan Vale

Having Read and enjoyed the previous Ghosts of Rowan Vale books I was looking forward to this one. I wasn't disappointed. Sharon Booth managed to put a new spin on this series whilst keeping us up with the goings on of the familiar characters - ghosts and livings.

[Anabel]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

3.5/5

Working in the shadows behind her sister, Madame Mariska (aka Melissa), Verity feels like her life is never her own. After her sister's psychic abilities wan, Verity steps up and starts passing tips to her during readings-- but when Melissa's search for the spotlight brings her to Rowan Vale, Verity suddenly finds herself unable to avoid speculation by the living and dead alike.

The next installment of the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series doesn't disappoint! This book series is like a favorite sweater at this point-- warm, comforting, familiar, and just so perfect for those nights you want something cozy. I absolutely loved the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ romance, and the world building in this book leads me to suspect some particularly intriguing books are just around the corner!