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The McTavish Chronicles #5
The Mourning Ring
Some secrets are buried. Some are sealed in gold. Some have been waiting eighty years to be found.
When author Coby McTavish brings his family to the brooding clifftop halls of Serpent's Manor for the birth of his child, he expects chaos. He gets considerably more.
A midwife who is not what she seems. A black cat that appears from nowhere and answers to no one. A booming voice inside his head that knows things it has no right to know. And on the rocks far below the cliff's edge, discovered by accident and unearthed by a drone in the hands of a teenage boy, the skeletal remains of a young woman — along with a small, ornate, gilded ring that has been waiting in the darkness since the last year of the Second World War.
The ring carries an inscription. A date. A hidden compartment. And a message so dangerous that its owner died before she could deliver it.
As a killer stalks the manor's corridors, a detective with blue eyes and impeccable timing arrives to complicate everything, and the ghosts of Grimloch grow restless in ways that cannot be explained and cannot be ignored, Coby finds himself drawn into a mystery that reaches from the present all the way back to the blackouts and betrayals of 1945 — and to a woman named Daisy, who has been trying to tell him something for a very long time.
The Mourning Ring is the fifth instalment in The McTavish Chronicles — a gothic mystery series soaked in Scottish atmosphere, dark humour, family chaos, and the persistent, unsettling sense that the dead are never quite as gone as we would like them to be.
Some rings are given in love. Some are given in warning. This one was given by a ghost.
When author Coby McTavish brings his family to the brooding clifftop halls of Serpent's Manor for the birth of his child, he expects chaos. He gets considerably more.
A midwife who is not what she seems. A black cat that appears from nowhere and answers to no one. A booming voice inside his head that knows things it has no right to know. And on the rocks far below the cliff's edge, discovered by accident and unearthed by a drone in the hands of a teenage boy, the skeletal remains of a young woman — along with a small, ornate, gilded ring that has been waiting in the darkness since the last year of the Second World War.
The ring carries an inscription. A date. A hidden compartment. And a message so dangerous that its owner died before she could deliver it.
As a killer stalks the manor's corridors, a detective with blue eyes and impeccable timing arrives to complicate everything, and the ghosts of Grimloch grow restless in ways that cannot be explained and cannot be ignored, Coby finds himself drawn into a mystery that reaches from the present all the way back to the blackouts and betrayals of 1945 — and to a woman named Daisy, who has been trying to tell him something for a very long time.
The Mourning Ring is the fifth instalment in The McTavish Chronicles — a gothic mystery series soaked in Scottish atmosphere, dark humour, family chaos, and the persistent, unsettling sense that the dead are never quite as gone as we would like them to be.
Some rings are given in love. Some are given in warning. This one was given by a ghost.
252 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Iwan Ross
30 books26 followers
WHERE THE DEAD ARE NEVER TRULY GONE.
Iwan Ross writes atmospheric supernatural suspense infused with mystery, emotion, and dark intrigue.
His stories blend gothic settings, unsettling secrets, and deeply human characters—where the past refuses to stay buried and every truth comes at a cost.
Growing up, books became both refuge and compass, shaping the haunting, character-driven worlds he writes today. His work often explores themes of survival, belonging, and the unseen forces that linger just beneath the surface of everyday life.
He is the author of The McTavish Chronicles, including Serenity Falls, a darkly humorous gothic thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.
When not writing, Iwan works as a technical writer and lives with his wife, Marna, and their spirited Jack Russell, Benji.
Iwan Ross writes atmospheric supernatural suspense infused with mystery, emotion, and dark intrigue.
His stories blend gothic settings, unsettling secrets, and deeply human characters—where the past refuses to stay buried and every truth comes at a cost.
Growing up, books became both refuge and compass, shaping the haunting, character-driven worlds he writes today. His work often explores themes of survival, belonging, and the unseen forces that linger just beneath the surface of everyday life.
He is the author of The McTavish Chronicles, including Serenity Falls, a darkly humorous gothic thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.
When not writing, Iwan works as a technical writer and lives with his wife, Marna, and their spirited Jack Russell, Benji.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 10, 2026
I am going to be very honest… Iwan Ross’s novel, THE MOURNING RING, should become a movie or mini-series...
It’s. That. Good!
Ross blends the perfect plot and detailed imagery flawlessly. He loses himself in his writing in a way that pulled me into his imagination, keeping me vested in the story he expertly created. I think this author is at the top of his game writing haunted gothic fiction. The book starts off strong in tone and continues that way throughout the storyline. No lagging or boring parts for me. The paranormal elements and the past and present timelines drew me in, giving the plot robust support. (I will not look at my rings the same!)
Such an entertaining gothic mystery! The creepy atmosphere, dark secrets, and the haunted manor had me cuddling under my blankets! (Had to hide from any shadows lurking in my bedroom while reading late at night! Hahaha!)
If you enjoy reading an atmospheric gothic mystery that raises your pulse, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of THE MOURNING RING!
5/5
It’s. That. Good!
Ross blends the perfect plot and detailed imagery flawlessly. He loses himself in his writing in a way that pulled me into his imagination, keeping me vested in the story he expertly created. I think this author is at the top of his game writing haunted gothic fiction. The book starts off strong in tone and continues that way throughout the storyline. No lagging or boring parts for me. The paranormal elements and the past and present timelines drew me in, giving the plot robust support. (I will not look at my rings the same!)
Such an entertaining gothic mystery! The creepy atmosphere, dark secrets, and the haunted manor had me cuddling under my blankets! (Had to hide from any shadows lurking in my bedroom while reading late at night! Hahaha!)
If you enjoy reading an atmospheric gothic mystery that raises your pulse, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of THE MOURNING RING!
5/5
Review of advance copy
The Mourning Ring
is an absolute triumph — atmospheric, clever, unsettling, and utterly impossible to put down. As the fifth instalment in The McTavish Chronicles, this book proves the series is not only maintaining its magic but deepening it with every entry.
From the moment the story opens, the sense of gothic dread is irresistible. Serpent’s Manor is the perfect setting for a mystery steeped in secrets, ghosts, wartime echoes, and family chaos, and the balance between suspense, dark humour, and emotional depth is masterfully handled. The discovery of the ring and the skeletal remains below the cliffs launches a plot that is richly layered and deeply satisfying, weaving together past and present with real skill.
What makes this series so special is the way it combines chilling mystery with warmth, wit, and wonderfully human characters. Coby McTavish remains a compelling lead, and the strange, supernatural elements are woven in so naturally that they feel both eerie and believable. The wartime thread adds real poignancy, and the sense of long-buried truths rising to the surface gives the whole novel tremendous momentum.
Beautifully written, grippingly plotted, and drenched in Scottish gothic atmosphere, The Mourning Ring is one of the strongest books in the series yet. A must-read for fans of intelligent mystery, memorable characters, and ghostly intrigue.
From the moment the story opens, the sense of gothic dread is irresistible. Serpent’s Manor is the perfect setting for a mystery steeped in secrets, ghosts, wartime echoes, and family chaos, and the balance between suspense, dark humour, and emotional depth is masterfully handled. The discovery of the ring and the skeletal remains below the cliffs launches a plot that is richly layered and deeply satisfying, weaving together past and present with real skill.
What makes this series so special is the way it combines chilling mystery with warmth, wit, and wonderfully human characters. Coby McTavish remains a compelling lead, and the strange, supernatural elements are woven in so naturally that they feel both eerie and believable. The wartime thread adds real poignancy, and the sense of long-buried truths rising to the surface gives the whole novel tremendous momentum.
Beautifully written, grippingly plotted, and drenched in Scottish gothic atmosphere, The Mourning Ring is one of the strongest books in the series yet. A must-read for fans of intelligent mystery, memorable characters, and ghostly intrigue.
July 30, 2026
I really enjoyed how the summary blends historical mystery with supernatural elements, creating a compelling narrative that keeps you wanting to uncover the truth alongside Coby McTavish. The connections between the present day and the secrets of 1945 add depth, while the hints of ghosts, hidden messages, and family drama make the story even more engaging.
The Scottish setting, combined with dark humor and a strong sense of mystery, gives the novel a unique charm. It feels like the perfect blend of gothic suspense, historical fiction, and paranormal intrigue.
The Scottish setting, combined with dark humor and a strong sense of mystery, gives the novel a unique charm. It feels like the perfect blend of gothic suspense, historical fiction, and paranormal intrigue.
Review of advance copy
This is a page turner. If you like a good chase, spooky places and very complex characters, this is for you. Even the weather and car become extra characters. Loved how the past and present coexist in the storyline. Enjoyed every second of it. This is a story for young adults to seniors who like a bit of a WWII tale as well
July 31, 2026
This was an intriguing mystery with a dash of history and the paranormal in a creepy gothic Scottish manor setting. I enjoyed the story and the spooky vibes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 17, 2026
In my opinion, the book starts off a bit slowly, but otherwise the plot, character development, and mystery are excellent! I like the historical element!
A great book for the weekend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great book for the weekend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Scottish Gothic Mystery with Grit.
The Mourning Ring was a complete surprise. I've read every book in The McTavish Chronicles, and they all share common threads: characters, pets, and even recurring ghosts. By now, anyone familiar with the series knows Josephine. Then, the ARC email arrived. I clicked the link, and seeing the cover for the first time, my breath caught. I knew things were going to be different. And "different" is an understatement. The blurb hooked me. I put it aside, but my mind kept returning to the story, the ring, a cat, and the setting. Unable to resist, I opened the file and started reading. I'd never encountered this before: an author seamlessly blending spectral spirits of the past with modern elements. It captivated me from start to finish, keeping me guessing "whodunit" from the first page to the last. As an early reader, I won't spoil the details. This is a must-read for anyone who loves haunted manors, gothic fiction, and Scottish settings. Thanks for making me feel like part of the McTavish family. Well done, Iwan.
The Mourning Ring was a complete surprise. I've read every book in The McTavish Chronicles, and they all share common threads: characters, pets, and even recurring ghosts. By now, anyone familiar with the series knows Josephine. Then, the ARC email arrived. I clicked the link, and seeing the cover for the first time, my breath caught. I knew things were going to be different. And "different" is an understatement. The blurb hooked me. I put it aside, but my mind kept returning to the story, the ring, a cat, and the setting. Unable to resist, I opened the file and started reading. I'd never encountered this before: an author seamlessly blending spectral spirits of the past with modern elements. It captivated me from start to finish, keeping me guessing "whodunit" from the first page to the last. As an early reader, I won't spoil the details. This is a must-read for anyone who loves haunted manors, gothic fiction, and Scottish settings. Thanks for making me feel like part of the McTavish family. Well done, Iwan.
Review of advance copy
This was an okay read for me. I liked the Scottish Gothic atmosphere, the old manor setting, the mystery of the skeleton, the ring, and the wartime cipher. There were some intriguing ideas here, and the darker humour gave the story a distinctive tone.
That said, I struggled to follow the plot at times. There were moments where I wasn’t completely sure what was happening or how certain pieces of the mystery connected, which made it harder for me to stay fully invested. The atmosphere was strong, but the story itself sometimes felt a little muddled.
Overall, it had a great premise and some enjoyable Gothic mystery elements, but it didn’t fully come together for me. An okay read, but not one I completely connected with.
That said, I struggled to follow the plot at times. There were moments where I wasn’t completely sure what was happening or how certain pieces of the mystery connected, which made it harder for me to stay fully invested. The atmosphere was strong, but the story itself sometimes felt a little muddled.
Overall, it had a great premise and some enjoyable Gothic mystery elements, but it didn’t fully come together for me. An okay read, but not one I completely connected with.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed reading this story very much. This story has a spooky mystery. It was a page turner from first page to the last. Highly recommend to anyone that loves a good mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I look forward to reading more from this chronicle of books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I look forward to reading more from this chronicle of books.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews