A Ghostly Affair

by Madeline Nixon

Talking to the dead was so not part of the plan.

Maryl Laine is certain ghosts do not exist. As a science major at Dalhousie University, she knows there’s nothing that can explain them. At least, this is what she tells herself when she starts seeing the ghost that haunts her residence.

Twenty years ago, Penelope Walsh took her last breath. Her story has been told for years, whispered in campus hallways, blamed for things that go bump in the night. But the story isn’t true and the only living person who knows is Maryl. As Maryl reluctantly accepts she can speak to the dead, Penny reveals she was murdered and warns Maryl away from a tryst with her teaching assistant. After all, illicit affairs can be your downfall. Solving a twenty year old cold case is the last thing Maryl expected from her first year of university. But after looping in her eccentric roommate, the mysterious guy from her creative writing lecture, and a former friend of Penny’s who also has psychic gifts, detective work becomes her new major.

Maryl grapples with her newfound abilities and a whole ghostly affair in the first instalment of Maryl’s Mysteries.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Madeline Nixon has been a dog walker, a nanny, a baker, a shoe saleswoman, a chocolatier, and an editor, but the title she’s most fond of is author. She’s published two nonfiction short story collection about her paranormal experiences, Feathers and Robins, several educational children’s books series, and the Like A Love Song romance series. Her most recent romance is a magical Christmas novella, Last Christmas I Love-Spelled Us Apart. When she’s not writing, you can find her hunting ghosts, planning elaborate theme parties, and baking new recipes. She lives in a suburb outside of Toronto.

Find her on Instagram, Threads, TikTok @markedwithanm!

Reviews

[Madeline Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi! I wrote this book and I just finished the final read through so I’m adding it to my reading challenge for the year.

A Ghostly Affair is a paranormal mystery, which, by default, means it deals with death. Some other potentially triggering topics discussed as part of this mystery are grief, adoption, infidelity, pregnancy, suicide, sexual harassment, and power imbalances, along with other paranormal concepts. Take care of yourself first. If you’re up to it, I welcome you to the very first case of Maryl’s Mysteries.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a Canadian new adult cozy paranormal mystery with ghosts, a bit of romantic suspense, all wrapped up in a Halifax, Nova Scotia setting, then look no further!

Available now in paperback and ebook/KU!


I really enjoyed tix new mystery and first in a series from @markedwithanm ! I have loved all her books I’ve read so far! While I’m not a full fledged paranormal reader, this one was just perfect for me. Probably because it hard some romance and mystery/solving a cold case going on that made me very interested in the storyline!

Tho book was so fun, I really enjoyed watching Maryl come to terms with her abilities, and use it for good- solving the murder of her roommates mother (that at fussy they didn’t know the connection!) I also emitted the college setting, and while I don’t wish it be back in university, it all felt very familiar! I also whirled the romance aspect- when we finally get to Maryl’s love interest, it was so good to see them both inch towards something more, despite everything going on.

The paranormal aspect was also really well done- not over the top! So if you are hesitant go pick it up due to this reason, have no fear! It doesn’t take over the whole story, even tho it’s actually heavily involved in the cold case/murder battery aspect of the story.

Highly recommend this one!

[Holly Annaleisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, slightly eerie read. Maryl pulled me in straight away. She’s so set on logic and science, fully convinced ghosts aren’t real, which makes everything that happens after that so much more entertaining. Watching her get pulled into something she can’t explain was honestly one of my favourite parts.

The whole mystery element works really well too. It’s not overly heavy, but it keeps you curious the whole time, especially with how everything starts to connect. I liked that it leans into the paranormal side without losing that slightly cozy, almost light vibe underneath it.

There’s also a bit of humour in here that I wasn’t expecting. It balances out the ghostly side of things really nicely, so it never feels too dark or overwhelming. And the small hint of romance just adds to it without taking over the story.

It’s one of those books that’s easy to get into, a little quirky, and just really enjoyable to read. I ended up flying through it because I wanted to see how everything would come together.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC.

I’ll be honest - I didn’t love this book. It may have been my mood and circumstances while reading it (out of town with various distractions) but it just did not capture my attention. Although I love all of the concepts in this book (mystery, ghosts, and romance), it just didn’t come together for me. I had trouble following who all of the characters were and keeping track of how they were all related which was frustrating. The swimming aspect also felt like an afterthought throughout despite it being an important part of Maryl’s character. It also felt slow-moving until the end where it all of a sudden got very intense, very quickly.

The romance felt like a lot of build up without a lot of reward and the side characters were all red herrings throughout (which did add to the intrigue).
Overall, it really wasn’t a bad concept and was an interesting story but the way it was executed didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. It has promise for sure and I’d consider reading the next book in the series.

[Steph Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Ghostly Affair by Canadian indie author Madeline Nixon was my first paranormal mystery. It is the first instalment of Maryl’s Mysteries, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this series. 

👻 Inspired by a very real legend 
👻 Discovering you can see and communicate with ghosts
👻 Newfound abilities
👻 Solving a 20-year-old cold case with a ghost’s help
👻 Canadian university setting
👻 Connections 
👻 Found family 
👻 Friendship 
👻 Romantic subplot

I normally don't read ghost stories, but this quirky and fun story about solving a mystery with the help of a ghost, a creative writing class and friends caught my attention. 

The book had me reading way too late into the night/morning. The story and events surrounding the mystery kept evolving as new information was discovered and the ghost revealed more about herself. Once I thought I knew a piece of the mystery, I had to keep reading until it was confirmed. And I did not see that ending coming! 

Along with really enjoying the mystery of what happened to Penny, I also really enjoyed that we got Maryl's story: her friendships, her discovering more connections with Penny, and her romantic life, which starts and ends this novel. 

I also really enjoyed the relationship between Maryl and Penny. Their final scene is a beautiful moment. One I am sure they will both treasure.  

I am now very much looking forward to more Maryl’s Mysteries. I am hopeful to see more of Penny. And I hope the next instalment reunites Maryl with her grandmother's earrings.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ Thank you to the author and the publishers for this ARC. I really enjoyed this. It was like a cozy, paranormal mystery. Who doesn't love a amateur sleuthing novel. Maryl is tasked with trying to find out who killed Penny 20 years ago with the help of some friends and classmates. There's mystery, murder, paranormal entities, found family, adultery, teacher/student relations, mentions of suicide, mentions of assult/being attacked, and more. I liked all the characters and the plot. Yeah I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good ghostie story. This book comes out April 14th, 2026.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC! Where do I even start?! I absolutely loved this book! Join Maryl and her friends as they try to solve a decades old cold case in the first book of the Maryl’s Mysteries series! Just when I’d think I knew where things were going, new information was revealed. This story grabbed my attention at the beginning, and held it right to the end. It’ll keep you on your toes, and not everything is as it seems. It was a wild ride, in the best way! As usual, I love the humour that Madeline adds to her books. If you like paranormal mysteries, I highly recommend checking this book out! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series!! 📚👻💜

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

I knew I was going to enjoy this book, but I ended up loving it even more than I expected. It's a cozy paranormal mystery with a side of romance and found family.

At the beginning of the book, Maryl learns she can see ghosts. She works with a ghost named Penny to find out the truth of how she really died 20 years ago. With the help of her friends, Maryl weaves her way through a web of lies all connecting back to Penny's death. Everyone is a suspect; through every twist and turn, Meryl is questioning who she can really trust.

Thank you to Madeline for the e-ARC copy of this book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novel that made my brain tickle. In a good way! There was so much going on - I was reading with my eyes but my brains were trying to put it all together. Lol. It had a lot of layers. Ever since I read the teasers the author sent out and saw this awesome cover, I was excited to get my hands on it. I am very excited to see where the author takes this series and what kind of mayhem Maryl gets into!

[Nifer Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐1🌶️ ARC Single POV First Person
🇨🇦 Author and setting/characters
Dalhousie University, NS
Maryl
So many twists and turns, keeps you guessing. Every new person is a suspect, especially a few of those sketchy ones...
So many interconnections, you may need a conspiracy board lol. Please check the author's note before reading, there are several topics that could be sensitive for readers.

[Monika Kozlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is my third book from this author and I think this one might be my favorite. I was invested from page one. So well written and great characters. I had a blast reading this and I know you will too.

[Becky Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun mystery book. The FMC is Maryl and she can see ghosts. She meets Penny in the hall of the university she is attending. Maryl decides she is going to solve Penny’s murder. There is dangers and secrets that people don’t want to come to light.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this mystery novel 🖤