Portrait of a Haunting

by Madison Tyler Nelson

After fearing it all her life, a young woman embraces her ability to see ghosts after a murder occurs that appears dangerously linked to her past.

To Tatum Alexander, the Sight—her ability to see spirits—has always been more of an affliction than a gift. Inheriting the power from her mother, Amarina, an infamous artist known for murdering her lover and using his blood for her final painting, Tatum has been reluctant to step into her talent or even get close to the man she loves.

She's been able to find a safe space to hide her Sight with the largest witch coven in Manhattan and her best friend, Mischa. But when Mischa is murdered, a crime that's eerily connected to Amarina's, a traumatized Tatum must reckon with the loss and the sudden surge of spirits vying for her attention and her life.

The spirits have a the murderer is coming for her next and a price must be paid. To learn the truth of her past and catch the killer she'll have to rely on her loved ones’ helping hands—some witchy friends, the man who won't let her go, and her eternally perplexing mother—in order to embrace her Sight while keeping them all safe.

The clues will lead Tatum to a dangerous secret that Amarina has spent decades trying to keep. And when the secret is out, Tatum will be forced to risk the lives of those who know her... or risk it all.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Witches, Fiction, Paranormal, Adult, Horror Thriller

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Claire Bilavsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced copy given through NetGalley!

This book lingered with me long after I finished it.

Portrait of a Haunting is eerie, emotional, and beautifully written in a way that feels delicate and unsettling all at once. Madison Tyler Nelson creates a haunting atmosphere where grief, memory, bloodlines, and spirits all blur together so naturally. (Potential spoilers ahead if you haven’t read yet; which I strongly suggest doing)…

What stood out most to me was the idea that “all spirits want is to be remembered.” That theme echoes through every relationship in the story — especially between Tatum and Amarina. The invisible thread between mother and daughter, “bonded in blood and secrets,” was heartbreaking and impossible to ignore. Even when Tatum fantasizes about escaping her mother, there’s still that pull tying them together.
The horror elements were incredibly vivid too. The way Jacob Lee returns and morphs into another body, the corporeal descriptions of spirits becoming almost human, and the haunting portrait scenes all felt cinematic. (Netflix should be snatching this up!) Amarina herself was such a fascinating character — eerie, calm, artistic, dangerous, yet strangely tender when she calls Tatum “star.” Their shared gray irises and ability to see spirits added another layer of connection that made their dynamic unforgettable.

I also loved the quieter emotional moments, especially Tatum’s conversation with Leo outside where he reassures her that nobody blames her. That scene carried so much grief, acceptance, and self-forgiveness in such a gentle way it truly made me cry.

This is one of those rare horror novels that feels both ghostly and deeply human. A haunting story about art, trauma, memory, forgiveness and the terrifying ways people can become part of one another.

Easy 5 stars for me. Can’t wait to read it again!!

[Yolanda Raya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portrait of a Haunting by Madison Tyler Nelson is a supernatural/horror book that really grabbed my attention from the start. Tatum has special abilities to see spirits/ghosts. She hasn’t fully embraced this special power that she has because of what happened in the past with her mother who was incarcerated for murdering someone years before.
Tatum is surrounded by so many great friends which she considers family. The author did such a great job of developing the relationship between all of them. I felt so close to each of them! One day, something very tragic and unexpected happened and it sets Tatum and her friends on a very dark and dangerous path. (When I read this part I was absolutely shocked and blindsided!!!)
Tatum and her friends decide to explore how Tatum’s abilities work and they hope that they are able to get the help of the spirits to uncover the truth of that tragic event.
What I loved about this book is the relationship between Tatum and her friends. They are unconditional towards each other and the author was able to capture that in the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good supernatural book. I’m looking forward to more books by this author.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel Tolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

Ugh I wish GoodReads had .5 stars because this is really 4.5 stars!! This book had me captivated from the very first page and I was a little sad each time I had to set it down to do other things. I loved this story so much, and I’m sad I won’t be reading about these characters anymore. This story had me crying, smiling, gasping in surprise - all the reactions you expect to have from a really good book.

This was an incredible debut novel by Madison, and I am eagerly waiting for whatever she publishes next. Highly recommend this book and cannot wait for its official release!

[Alyse Burks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this advanced copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely loved this book! It is spooky and fun, while also being a moving story about grief, loss and love. The characters are great, Tatum and her friends (Leo and Ziggy especially) are so strong and well developed. Amarina is such a unique character as well, I loved her story. This book is full of scares, and twists and turns, without being gory or gross. I think this would be a great choice for someone who loves horror (like me) but also great for readers who want to venture into the genre.

Pre order and keep an eye out for its release October 6th, 2026! I hope to see more from Madison Tyler Nelson soon!!

[Callie Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

This book made me think of the old tv show Ghost Whisperer and I loved it! Emotional journey of finding love, friendship, family and yourself.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you love ghost stories with messy emotions, complicated family drama, and just enough chaos to keep you flipping pages at 2am, “Portrait of a Haunting” by Madison Tyler Nelson is definitely one to pick up.

This book grabbed me right from the start and honestly didn’t let go. It follows Tatum, who has “the Sight”—aka she can see and hear ghosts, something she inherited from her mom who also happens to be a convicted murderer known as the Red Hand. Tatum has spent most of her life trying to ignore her abilities, but after her best friend’s murder, which feels way too connected to her mom’s past, she’s forced to finally confront everything she’s been running from.

The vibes here are so good. It’s very modern gothic meets murder mystery, with this eerie, slightly dangerous version of New York City where the ghosts aren’t just background decoration; they’re active, emotional, and constantly pressing into the story. The atmosphere alone carries a lot of the book.

One of the strongest parts is the found family. Tatum’s circle, comprised of her witchy friends, her support system, the people who refuse to let her push them away, adds so much heart to the story. Their relationships feel warm and real, and they balance out all the darker elements really well. There’s also a bit of romance woven in, though it can feel a little hot-and-cold at times depending on how you feel about Tatum’s decisions.

Speaking of Tatum… she’s definitely a messy main character. Which worked for me sometimes and frustrated me at others. Her grief, fear of becoming her mother, and struggle with her powers give her a lot of depth, but she also makes choices that can feel a little repetitive or contradictory. Like, we’re told she pushes people away, but she also has a pretty solid support system? It doesn’t always line up perfectly.

Pacing-wise, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The beginning is super gripping, then there’s a stretch in the middle where things slow down and can feel a little draggy. But once it picks back up, it really goes; the tension builds, the twists start hitting, and it becomes hard to put down.

And the twist? Genuinely surprising. It adds a lot to the overall mystery and ties into the bigger themes about family, identity, and confronting your past.

That’s really what this book leans into most: your past literally coming back to haunt you. It’s about grief, self-acceptance, and figuring out who you are when you’re terrified of what you might become. It also asks some interesting questions about purpose, avoidance, and whether ignoring your problems actually protects you or just makes things worse.

Overall, this is an atmospheric, emotional paranormal mystery that’s more about the journey and the characters than nonstop thrills. It’s not perfect, like how there are pacing issues and some character frustrations, but it’s got a lot of heart, a strong sense of mood, and enough intrigue to keep you hooked.

If you like ghost stories with found family, messy heroines, and a side of murder mystery, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

[Mac S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book (expected publication date of October 6, 2026) in exchange for my honest feedback!

This was a fun story, but felt kind of messy. A large part of the drama could have been entirely avoided if only the characters would communicate with people they claim to be best friends with. A pet peeve of mine is a plot that could have been almost entirely resolved if only the characters would've just communicated with each other! Ugh, Tatum was so annoying in this aspect. She kept trying to play the martyr, and kept pushing everyone away, and it was so infuriating. How did these friends ever get close to her in the first place if she refuses to talk to them? So many of the characters were just so immature, I had trouble caring about them.

The story was somewhat predictable, but there were a few things I didn't see coming. To avoid spoilers, I won’t say what I predicted and what I did not see coming, but it was pretty 50/50.

The story was enjoyable, but the author really struggles to write clear action scenes. Most of the exciting (re: violent) scenes were quite confusing, and no matter how many times I reread them, I never fully understood what happened—I only figured it out via context clues later in the book. And, while speaking about writing, I got so annoyed every time I read “her friend” or “his friend,” just use the characters’ damn names!

And what was the whole deal with Casey? I kept expecting her to be some big villain, and she just never came back? And what book did she want from Jonas? I kept thinking it was going to be a book about the symbols, like the one Amarina used, but it felt like an entirely unnecessary scene, which didn’t even create new conflict because Tatum and Jonas were already bickering and not properly communicating.

I don’t really know how I feel about it. The plot itself was fun (albeit a bit predictable), but the characters were super annoying, and the writing could have benefitted from further revisions.

[Jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.

Tatum Alexander has inherited the Sight, the ability to see and hear spirits, from her mother. Her mother is the infamous Red Hand, the woman locked up for murdering her own lover and using his blood to paint her final painting before setting it on fire.

Tatum has always run from her Sight, blocking out the spirits and her mother's encouragement to embrace the gift. But after her best friend dies, she's forced to come to terms with her Sight and discover what propelled her mother to commit such a vile act.

This book has such a mysterious and captivating premise! Tatum's witchy friends and found family were the best part of the book. Their bond and love for one another shone through.

I was really hooked from the beginning, but around 15% in, I felt like things started moving really slowly. I began to get frustrated with the characters' (mainly Tatum's) choices and had to start speed reading around 60% in. The book did a lot of telling that seemed contradictory to what it was showing. We were told that Tatum pushes people away, but her many friends (constantly called family) who knew her secret seemed to prove otherwise. Her hot and cold attitude towards Jonas felt so childish and tiring by the end.

While I enjoyed the mystery and message of friendship, I didn't think Portrait of a Haunting delivered enough suspense or thrill to keep me invested in the story line, and I didn't find Tatum very likeable.

[Nikki Kossaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison Tyler Nelson’s Portrait of a Haunting The premise alone had me instantly hooked, but what really got under my skin was the way the novel treats haunting as something inherited, intimate and impossible to escape. Tatum’s Sight is not some glamorous supernatural gift. It feels invasive and exhausting.

Then there’s Tatum’s mom Amarina’s history as an ex artist who murdered her lover and used his blood in her final painting hangs over every page. The novel understands that sometimes family trauma can feel just as haunting as the ghosts themselves.

I also loved how emotionally messy the relationships were. Tatum’s grief after Mischa’s murder gives the story real weight.

What surprised me most was how atmospheric the writing is. It reminded me of gothic horror filtered through modern occult fiction.

If I had one criticism, it’s that the pacing occasionally gets tangled in its own mythology, especially once the larger secrets start unraveling. There were moments where I wanted the emotional beats to breathe a little more instead of racing toward the next revelation. But even then, the mood carried me through.

Overall, Portrait of a Haunting is haunting in the truest sense of the word. It lingers. Perfect for readers who want their horror drenched in grief and longing with a modern gothic atmosphere.

[Rose Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Portrait of a Haunting was a book that completely pulled me in. At first, I was getting acquainted with the characters and the world, but once I did, I was fully invested in the story and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

I especially enjoyed the setting and the supernatural elements woven throughout the book. The witch coven, the mystery surrounding the murder, and Tatum Alexander’s gift of Sight created an atmosphere that was both intriguing and immersive. I found myself constantly wanting to read “just one more chapter,” and there were several points where I didn’t want to put the book down because I needed to know what was coming next.

Tatum was a compelling protagonist, and I enjoyed following her journey as she embraced her abilities and uncovered secrets connected to her past. The supporting characters added depth to the story, and I quickly became invested in their lives and relationships as well.

For readers who enjoy paranormal mysteries, witches, supernatural gifts, and stories with strong character development, this is a book I would definitely recommend. It kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Tatum. I think that is a testament to the writing that you are rooting for Tatum but also wanted to shake her at times! It made you feel just how Mischa felt, wanting Tatum to allow herself all the good things she had around her. I’m a sucker for a found family and this one was unique in that it had people who challenged Tatum but you always felt the love in them doing so. The writing REALLY made me feel like I was part of the gang which made me very invested in all of the them.

The driving force of Tatum’s powers and her acceptance of them and her mom made me feel emotional for her throughout the book ( I kept track of how many times I cried, I think it ended with 8). I felt Tatum’s frustration in Amarina’s cryptic life lessons but was a MESS towards the end of the book because again, it was never a secret how much they loved each other.

Her and Jonas, UGH. Who doesn’t love a will they, won’t they?! The connection they shared was so beautiful and selfishly, as much as I wanted them to just get together already, I think it’s really nice like Tatum has to accept herself more before she accepted his love.

Overall, I loved this book. The words were crisp, the story had emotion and heart. I see bright things in this debut’s future!!

[Anniee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Portrait of a Haunting by Madison Tyler Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

Portrait of a Haunting is an atmospheric paranormal mystery that combines ghostly encounters, family secrets, and emotional depth. The story pulls readers into a haunting world where the supernatural elements create tension without overshadowing the heart of the narrative.

What I appreciated most was the balance between the mystery and the character development. The emotional themes felt authentic, and the relationships added substance to the story beyond the paranormal aspects. The eerie atmosphere remained consistent throughout, making it easy to stay immersed in the unfolding mystery.

The pacing was steady, with enough twists and revelations to keep me engaged while allowing the characters room to grow. While some sections moved a little slower than others, the overall story remained compelling and rewarding.

Overall, Portrait of a Haunting is a strong read for fans of paranormal mysteries, ghost stories, and character-driven fiction. If you enjoy atmospheric novels that blend suspense with emotional storytelling, this is one worth checking out.

[Mia Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ.

WOW. This was amazing, and were it not for the plague of adult responsibilities, I would not have gotten up from my couch and instead simply spent my day engrossed in this book.

Tatum is 3D. Her hesitancy to embrace what makes her different is something that adds another layer to her character, spread thick like peanut butter on a sandwich. She’s lovable because she’s flawed, but she’s also willing to sacrifice everything for her friends. This is no trait I would consider easy to beat. I also fell in love with Mischa (a true best friend) and Ziggy (a fierce witch). Leo and Jonas were great, but my heart will forever lie with a couple of powerful women.

To say that I was surprised by the plot twist is a complete and utter understatement. I was bamboozled in the truest sense of the word. I can’t say much without spoilers, but if you’re up for a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, this is definitely for you. I was on the edge of my seat, mentally screaming “what????” as I hit THE plot twist of all plot twists.

Madison Tyler Nelson has crafted an immersive, gothic read with undertones of found family and embracing oneself. This is by far one of my favorite reads of 2026, and I highly reccomend to anyone who loves a little spooky in their life.

[j a y d e p r a v e d · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was something else. It blends murder mystery, gothic horror, and coming-of-age drama/issues/trials, themes of loss, self-acceptance, family, and the power of self-expression/art. The best way I could describe it is kinda like a “horromance” that mixes gritty suspense with emotional themes mixed into it. Like, I sat and just looked at the wall after finishing it, the book lingered in my mind, not because I didnt feel like it was complete, but because she wrote a book that haunts the corners of my mind. It leaves you thinking past the book if that makes sense. Something that really got me was the idea that “all spirits want is to be remembered.” The echo of this you feel as the story continues just lets you also pause and relate it back to yourself. The horror elements were incredible and added that extra layer. It felt like it would make a great show or movie. This one is definitely for the thriller, horror girlies (and guys) -- ya know, the readers who enjoy paranormal mysteries, witches, supernatural gifts, and stories with strong characters. I feel that I could recommend this to any of my friends and they would devour it too.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My true rating for this book would be 3.5/5 stars.

Reading this book was primarily a positive and enjoyable experience. I found the plot to be intriguing and really loved the concept of Tatum's "Sight." I wish that Tatum had leaned into her Sight more from the start and that it had been utilized a bit more throughout the story. Tatum was scared to use her Sight and avoided it for most of her life, until she was "forced" to use it with the murder of her best friend. I expected to see a strong uptick in her usage though and found that even when she did start using it, it was a bit underwhelming. I think this is the main reason that my rating dropped for this book. It just felt a little too surface level compared to what I was hoping for. The same also applied for the witches in this book. I really wanted to see everything be developed further than what it ended up being. This led to me not being as hooked into the story as I would've liked. My immersion felt as though it remained more superficial due to these reasons.

I thought the characters were well written though. I liked their characters individually and also their relationships with each other. I thought this was the most compelling part of the story. I also generally really enjoyed the author's writing. This book appears to be a debut which I had no idea of while I was reading it. I don't think that would be obvious to many readers as the writing seems experienced. I definitely want to read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Steph1216 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tatum Alexander has the “Sight”- the ability to see spirits. Her mother, Amarina, also had it and would’ve taught Tatum more about it but was arrested before she could do so. Amarina has been in prison for murder since Tatum was nine years old but as a teen, Tatum created a found family with her friend group. That group all happened to be part of a coven and know Tatum’s ability. Tatum has been afraid of seeing spirits and has tried to avoid learning about her gift until her best friend is murdered. Her past catches up with her, forcing her to confront her fears, her mother’s crime and how everything is connected. The only way she can protect herself and her friends is to conjure up the one spirit she’s most afraid of. This story isn’t your typical ghost story; there’s supernatural history & myths explored, crimes investigated, long-standing secrets unveiled and an underlining love story involved. Everything unfolds at the right pace and doesn’t let up until the end. I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Gariele Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story packs in ghosts, witches, murder, will-they-won’t-they romance, supernatural drama, and mother-daughter dynamics almost immediately. For me it struggled to find a distinct identity amongst all of those elements.

Ultimately, it wasn’t for me, though I can see it appealing to an audience who enjoy modern murder mysteries and paranormal fiction. And young adult characters who are learning to navigate life, flaws and all. It felt too college-aged juvenile for me, but I could see this being a great fit for a reader closer to the characters’ ages.

You might enjoy this one if you like:
- found family relationships
- inherited “gifts” & magical skills
- plenty of supernatural activity at once
- trendy settings (Lower East Side / Manhattan)
- unique and diverse characters

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Madison Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Reader,

I'm incredibly proud to share Portrait of a Haunting as my debut novel. This story is a twisty, genre-blend of horror, fantasy and mystery; a story about found family, complex mother-daughter relationships, and the ghosts we can't outrun. My intention with my work is always to provide a safe space, a world where the reader can escape and feel and empathize. This book was born from the vision of a ghost on the subway, but with time, it became an exploration of grief and it's many layers. It has a fun cast of characters, ghosts that I hope stick with you, and bits of a haunted NYC - a city I love so much.

It's my hope that you love Tatum and her friends. It's my dream that this book finds someone and makes an impact. I hope you enjoy and I truly appreciate your kindness and time.

- M

[Adam Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the opening scene this book had me hooked, and it stayed that way right to the end. This story of Tatum, a woman in New York City that has inherited the gift of seeing ghosts from her mother trying to navigate both her power and the fact that someone might be trying to kill her is fast paced, romantic, and emotional. Did I mention her mother is in prison for ritualistically killing her boyfriend and now that may be coming back to haunt Tatum in very personal and tragic ways?

I loved the world building, the research, the found family, the twists. This is a book that is so much fun to read and really makes you think about your purpose, what things you are avoiding confrontation with, and whether or not that is healthy for you and the people around you. I definitely recommend this one!

[✩｡°⋆ Lala ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ Portrait of a Haunting by Madison Tyler Nelson ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

➝ • 3/5 ☆ •

☆꧁✬◦°˚°◦..◦°˚°◦✬꧂☆

Portrait of a Haunting hooked me early. The first 15–20% had the exact mood I wanted, and I thought the book was about to settle into something sharp. Instead, the story shifted into something that felt a lot less compelling. Not bad, just… not what the setup promised.

Most of the middle sat in that flat zone where the story and the writing are both perfectly serviceable but not doing much to keep the spark alive. The twist and the ending finally brought some energy back, which helped, but by then, the underwhelm had already set in.

Honestly, this feels like one of those books that might land better in audio.

☆꧁✬◦°˚°◦..◦°˚°◦✬꧂☆

If you like:
✔️ atmospheric suspense
✔️ spooky ghost vibes
✔️ slow burn mystery
✔️ psychological undertones
✔️ twist endings
✔️ Messy family history

📅 Pub Day: Oct 06 2026 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this is kind of a perfect spooky season thriller/horror, I really enjoyed reading it and finding out what was happening.
I’ll be honest the book took a little for me to get into but once I did I didn’t want to put it down. I won’t lie though there were some moments where Tatum kinda annoyed me with the way she went about things so worried about ending up like her mom so it seems almost like she was going to opposite direction only to end up coming to an important realization, though I do think she has some good growth as a character so while she annoyed me just a tiny bit it was a great part of the story.
This is such an edge of your seat thriller/horror that’ll be perfect for anyone this October wanting some spookiness during the season!!

[AMY DURAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the chance to read and review Portrait of a Haunting by Madison Tyler Nelson.

I confess was a little unsure starting this book; I've read countless reiterations with a female lead that can see and communicate with the dead, and the stories tend to feel the same, but Portrait of a Haunting surprised me. Madison Tyler Nelson did a wonderful job developing the main character, Tatum as a flawed but sympathetic person trying to navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. The writing was engaging and the story flowed nicely, although some parts of the story were repetitive and predictable,

While the plot was nothing ground shaking this was still a very enjoyable read, 4 out of 5 stars!

[Meaghan Marx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book! I cannot say enough about Madison Tyler Nelson’s newest upcoming book. If you love horror, thrillers, murder mysteries OR even found family (with some romance sprinkled in)tropes This is the perfect one for you. Set in Manhattan Tatum and her friends at St Marks coven who took her in when her mother was sent to prison for murder (a crime her she would never explain merely admit she did it) use her ability to speak to ghosts and their witchcraft to solve the murder of her roommate and best friend and a series of of attacks that were linked to the murder her mother committed all while being hunted down herself. A perfect novel for the upcoming spooky season. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley #portraitofahaunting

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is a combination of mystery, occult, witches, supernatural, and YA-coded young people angst. I decided to give it a go because it was also listed in the horror category, but ultimately there are just way too many things trying to be shoehorned in this story.
This is a debut author that is still trying to find her footing, and while the prose isn't bad, it constantly loops on itself leading to a meandering plot that doesn't really go anywhere.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and made it about 40% of the way through, but ultimately didn't find enough joy to keep trying to slog through this book.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this story, but I was so pleasantly surprised by the end. It was a beautiful tale of love, loss, family (both by blood and found), and finding oneself. Tatum's story was so compelling. I was addicted from the very first page! I think that the book kept a really good pace and I was kind of disappointed when it finished. I want to learn more about Leo and Ziggy as witches, I want to learn more about Jonas as a professor, and I want to delve into the history of the St. Marks Coven! This was such a fun read!

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that Tatum has to figure things out herself, with Mischa acting more as a companion than someone who solves the mystery for her. The story blends mystery, spirits, and witchcraft without letting any one element completely take over. The backstory involving Tatum's mother adds another layer to the mystery and connects it to the town's past. While the witch and coven elements appear early, they do not become central until later in the story.

ARC provided by Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley via NetGalley.

[Victor Manibo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like its real and figurative ghosts, Portrait of a Haunting is an eerie tale that glides seamlessly between worlds, combining the puzzle-box thrills of a murder mystery with the gripping dread of a modern gothic. With an unforgettable ensemble and an earnest heroine at its heart, Nelson delivers a ghost story about loss, self-acceptance, and the complexity of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we find for ourselves.

[D Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portrait of a Haunting is exciting, fascinating, and fresh. I found myself devouring chapter over chapter, losing myself in the action. The author's range is evident -- the brushes with the supernatural are chilling, and the emphasis on found family pulls at your heart strings. With the backdrop of modern day NYC, this story makes me look twice down alleys, wondering what's behind shuttered doors, and who may be sitting next to me on the subway even if I can't see them!

[Nayla Taniajura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it to 15% of this advanced copy from NetGalley and found myself not entirely hooked still, so I had to DNF. It felt very expository and I'm not a super fan of having a lot of stuff explained right from the getgo. Also the dialogue felt a little cheesy with the characters thrown in without being fully fleshed out/distinctive. I enjoyed the premise of this book, I just wish it didn't lack so much "show-don't-tell."

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sounds like it would be a fun read; woman who can see ghosts with a serial killer mom & witchy friends solving a mystery. But the characters seem juvenile, you'd think being surrounded by death would make one more mature. Maybe its just me, but it felt a little too YA. This had potential to be something terrifying and dark but it fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy