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Murder at Magpie Inn
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Expected 14 Oct 26MURDER AT MAGPIE INN - An Off the Record Mystery
A locked room. A missing woman. A trail of blood. And one question nobody in Mineral Wells wants answered.
When seventy-year-old Beth Lewis disappears from a locked room at the historic Magpie Inn, she leaves behind her luggage, her shoes, a bloodstained pillow—and absolutely no clue how she escaped. No footprints. No body. No explanation.
For true-crime podcaster Wren Calloway, that's practically an engraved invitation.
With her best friend and reluctant partner-in-crime-solving, Corbin Fisher, riding shotgun, Wren heads to Mineral Wells, Texas, determined to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads from the charming Magpie Inn to an assisted-living center filled with secrets and finally to the crumbling halls of an abandoned hospital—all three forming what locals ominously call the Mineral Wells Bermuda Triangle.
But the deeper Wren digs, the stranger the story becomes.
People are lying. Someone is hiding evidence. And the whispers about what lurks inside the old hospital are beginning to sound less like local folklore and more like a warning.
Wren has built her career investigating stories other people are afraid to tell. This time, she may have found one that should have stayed buried.
Because some mysteries aren't waiting to be solved.
They're waiting for you to get too close.
Murder at Magpie Inn is the first Off the Record Mystery, a fast-paced paranormal mystery filled with dark secrets, eerie twists, snarky humor, and a heroine who'll chase a killer—or something considerably less human—for one hell of a story.
Would you believe it?
Off the record, of course.
A locked room. A missing woman. A trail of blood. And one question nobody in Mineral Wells wants answered.
When seventy-year-old Beth Lewis disappears from a locked room at the historic Magpie Inn, she leaves behind her luggage, her shoes, a bloodstained pillow—and absolutely no clue how she escaped. No footprints. No body. No explanation.
For true-crime podcaster Wren Calloway, that's practically an engraved invitation.
With her best friend and reluctant partner-in-crime-solving, Corbin Fisher, riding shotgun, Wren heads to Mineral Wells, Texas, determined to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads from the charming Magpie Inn to an assisted-living center filled with secrets and finally to the crumbling halls of an abandoned hospital—all three forming what locals ominously call the Mineral Wells Bermuda Triangle.
But the deeper Wren digs, the stranger the story becomes.
People are lying. Someone is hiding evidence. And the whispers about what lurks inside the old hospital are beginning to sound less like local folklore and more like a warning.
Wren has built her career investigating stories other people are afraid to tell. This time, she may have found one that should have stayed buried.
Because some mysteries aren't waiting to be solved.
They're waiting for you to get too close.
Murder at Magpie Inn is the first Off the Record Mystery, a fast-paced paranormal mystery filled with dark secrets, eerie twists, snarky humor, and a heroine who'll chase a killer—or something considerably less human—for one hell of a story.
Would you believe it?
Off the record, of course.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 14, 2026
About the author
Sherry Briscoe
34 books28 followersAuthor of suspense with a touch of the paranormal. Follow Sherry on Bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sherr...
A native Idahoan with Cherokee heritage, Sherry Briscoe writes suspense mysteries with a flavor of the paranormal. Her childhood heroes were Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allan Poe, and she insists that episodes of The Twilight Zone made perfectly fine bedtime stories.
With degrees in Journalism, Photography, and Adult Education, Sherry covers all her passions of creativity and teaching others. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, who keeps her stocked in chai tea lattes and lemon drop martinis, and her Burmese cat, who shares her popcorn, pizzas and even an occasional beer. Sherry is a world traveler, US Army Veteran, and active member of her writing community.
A native Idahoan with Cherokee heritage, Sherry Briscoe writes suspense mysteries with a flavor of the paranormal. Her childhood heroes were Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allan Poe, and she insists that episodes of The Twilight Zone made perfectly fine bedtime stories.
With degrees in Journalism, Photography, and Adult Education, Sherry covers all her passions of creativity and teaching others. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, who keeps her stocked in chai tea lattes and lemon drop martinis, and her Burmese cat, who shares her popcorn, pizzas and even an occasional beer. Sherry is a world traveler, US Army Veteran, and active member of her writing community.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️½ — 2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
We are in the middle of September, it’s been raining on and off, and I needed something with spooky vibes. *Murder at the Magpie Inn* sounded like exactly what I was looking for, and when I started it, I was immediately invested.
The book starts off STRONG. We’re at the Magpie Inn in the small Texas town of Mineral Falls, where an older woman is heard screaming from inside her locked room. Guests are trying to get the door open, someone is calling the police, and finally Jeremy comes downstairs and manages to open it…only for them to discover that the woman has completely disappeared and there is blood everywhere. Like, WHAT?! I was immediately intrigued.
Enter Wren and Corbin, hosts of the true-crime podcast *Off the Record*, who head to Mineral Falls to investigate what happened at the Magpie Inn. Again, such a good setup! A creepy inn, a mysterious disappearance, a strange little town where nobody seems to want to talk, AND true-crime podcasters investigating it? This had all the ingredients for a spooky mystery that I thought I was going to love.
And I did enjoy the atmosphere. Mineral Falls itself felt unsettling, and there were definitely a few moments that creeped me out. I also liked Wren and Corbin's dynamic at times, especially the fact that despite everything going on around them, they were committed to sticking together and looking out for each other.
Unfortunately, the strong beginning ended up being my favorite part.
The middle felt much slower. We continue learning information and uncovering pieces of the mystery, but I kept waiting for something BIG to happen. Around the 75% mark, things finally started picking up again, and I thought, “Okay, here we go!” But then…the payoff just wasn’t there for me.
My biggest issue was that I finished the book still feeling like I didn't really understand what was going on. I kept waiting for explanations and answers that never fully came. I understand this is the first book and some mysteries may intentionally be left open for the next installment, but I still wanted this book to give me a little more resolution. Instead, it felt like we spent a lot of time building toward something that never completely arrived.
I also had mixed feelings about Wren and Corbin. Their banter could be entertaining, but after a while it started getting on my nerves a little, especially Wren. 😂 And everyone in Mineral Falls refusing to TALK was driving me crazy! I know the secrecy adds to the creepy small-town atmosphere, but I was basically begging someone to give us some answers.
One other small issue was the Kindle ARC formatting. I couldn't easily tell how many chapters there were or where I was structurally in the story, and some of the formatting felt strange on my Kindle. This could absolutely be specific to the advance copy and may be corrected in the finished edition, so I wouldn't hold that against the story itself.
Overall, *Murder at the Magpie Inn* had a fantastic premise, a genuinely creepy atmosphere, and an opening that immediately pulled me in. I just wish the rest of the book had maintained that same momentum and given me more payoff for the mystery it set up. Since this is the first book, I'm curious whether the unanswered questions are setting up a larger story, but as a standalone reading experience, I was left wanting more.
If you enjoy true-crime podcasts, creepy inns, mysterious disappearances, secretive small towns, and mysteries that leave some questions open for future books, this may still be worth checking out.
2.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
We are in the middle of September, it’s been raining on and off, and I needed something with spooky vibes. *Murder at the Magpie Inn* sounded like exactly what I was looking for, and when I started it, I was immediately invested.
The book starts off STRONG. We’re at the Magpie Inn in the small Texas town of Mineral Falls, where an older woman is heard screaming from inside her locked room. Guests are trying to get the door open, someone is calling the police, and finally Jeremy comes downstairs and manages to open it…only for them to discover that the woman has completely disappeared and there is blood everywhere. Like, WHAT?! I was immediately intrigued.
Enter Wren and Corbin, hosts of the true-crime podcast *Off the Record*, who head to Mineral Falls to investigate what happened at the Magpie Inn. Again, such a good setup! A creepy inn, a mysterious disappearance, a strange little town where nobody seems to want to talk, AND true-crime podcasters investigating it? This had all the ingredients for a spooky mystery that I thought I was going to love.
And I did enjoy the atmosphere. Mineral Falls itself felt unsettling, and there were definitely a few moments that creeped me out. I also liked Wren and Corbin's dynamic at times, especially the fact that despite everything going on around them, they were committed to sticking together and looking out for each other.
Unfortunately, the strong beginning ended up being my favorite part.
The middle felt much slower. We continue learning information and uncovering pieces of the mystery, but I kept waiting for something BIG to happen. Around the 75% mark, things finally started picking up again, and I thought, “Okay, here we go!” But then…the payoff just wasn’t there for me.
My biggest issue was that I finished the book still feeling like I didn't really understand what was going on. I kept waiting for explanations and answers that never fully came. I understand this is the first book and some mysteries may intentionally be left open for the next installment, but I still wanted this book to give me a little more resolution. Instead, it felt like we spent a lot of time building toward something that never completely arrived.
I also had mixed feelings about Wren and Corbin. Their banter could be entertaining, but after a while it started getting on my nerves a little, especially Wren. 😂 And everyone in Mineral Falls refusing to TALK was driving me crazy! I know the secrecy adds to the creepy small-town atmosphere, but I was basically begging someone to give us some answers.
One other small issue was the Kindle ARC formatting. I couldn't easily tell how many chapters there were or where I was structurally in the story, and some of the formatting felt strange on my Kindle. This could absolutely be specific to the advance copy and may be corrected in the finished edition, so I wouldn't hold that against the story itself.
Overall, *Murder at the Magpie Inn* had a fantastic premise, a genuinely creepy atmosphere, and an opening that immediately pulled me in. I just wish the rest of the book had maintained that same momentum and given me more payoff for the mystery it set up. Since this is the first book, I'm curious whether the unanswered questions are setting up a larger story, but as a standalone reading experience, I was left wanting more.
If you enjoy true-crime podcasts, creepy inns, mysterious disappearances, secretive small towns, and mysteries that leave some questions open for future books, this may still be worth checking out.
2.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seventy-year-old Beth Lewis disappears from a locked room at the historic Magpie Inn. The other guests hear her scream, but when the door is finally opened, all they find is a bloodstained pillow and no sign of Beth.
Enter Wren, a true-crime podcaster who decides to investigate this seemingly impossible disappearance. She brings along her best friend, Corbin, who takes care of the technical side of their podcast.
I absolutely loved these two! Their friendship is one of my favourite things about this book. They have fantastic banter, know how to tease each other and, more importantly, genuinely want what's best for one another.
The setting is another highlight. The historic inn and its surroundings are wonderfully described, making it easy to picture the places and really get a feel for the atmosphere. Every now and then the descriptions lean into the creepy side (rust streaking down drainpipes like blood, for example), but more often than not, the events themselves are unsettling enough. A necklace that disappears and reappears, a room that's been ransacked and locks that mysteriously open on their own… I would have run for the hills long ago, but Wren and Corbin are determined to get to the bottom of it all.
And there's certainly no shortage of strange happenings! "An impossible disappearance. A terrified innkeeper. Two elderly women convinced they lived inside a supernatural triangle. An abandoned hospital haunted by people who may or may not have been dead. A hostile nursing assistant. An entire town behaving as though we had stumbled into the middle of a conspiracy."
With so many bizarre occurrences, everything seems to point towards something supernatural. Wren, however, is determined to find a logical explanation. As a reader, I found myself following her lead, trying to piece together the clues and make sense of what was happening, while at the same time wondering whether there really might be something supernatural going on. I loved that constant uncertainty. Just when I thought I might have figured something out, another strange event made me question everything again.
My only real reservation is the ending. I don't mind a little mystery being left unresolved, especially in a story like this, but I would have liked a few more things to be explained. As it stands, the ending feels a little too open for my taste, leaving me with a somewhat restless feeling.
Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The atmosphere had me completely immersed in the story and I loved the combination of mystery, creepy occurrences and the wonderful friendship between Wren and Corbin.
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a dark evening when you're in the mood for a little mystery, suspense and a good dose of spookiness. Just maybe don't read it alone in an old inn!
Seventy-year-old Beth Lewis disappears from a locked room at the historic Magpie Inn. The other guests hear her scream, but when the door is finally opened, all they find is a bloodstained pillow and no sign of Beth.
Enter Wren, a true-crime podcaster who decides to investigate this seemingly impossible disappearance. She brings along her best friend, Corbin, who takes care of the technical side of their podcast.
I absolutely loved these two! Their friendship is one of my favourite things about this book. They have fantastic banter, know how to tease each other and, more importantly, genuinely want what's best for one another.
The setting is another highlight. The historic inn and its surroundings are wonderfully described, making it easy to picture the places and really get a feel for the atmosphere. Every now and then the descriptions lean into the creepy side (rust streaking down drainpipes like blood, for example), but more often than not, the events themselves are unsettling enough. A necklace that disappears and reappears, a room that's been ransacked and locks that mysteriously open on their own… I would have run for the hills long ago, but Wren and Corbin are determined to get to the bottom of it all.
And there's certainly no shortage of strange happenings! "An impossible disappearance. A terrified innkeeper. Two elderly women convinced they lived inside a supernatural triangle. An abandoned hospital haunted by people who may or may not have been dead. A hostile nursing assistant. An entire town behaving as though we had stumbled into the middle of a conspiracy."
With so many bizarre occurrences, everything seems to point towards something supernatural. Wren, however, is determined to find a logical explanation. As a reader, I found myself following her lead, trying to piece together the clues and make sense of what was happening, while at the same time wondering whether there really might be something supernatural going on. I loved that constant uncertainty. Just when I thought I might have figured something out, another strange event made me question everything again.
My only real reservation is the ending. I don't mind a little mystery being left unresolved, especially in a story like this, but I would have liked a few more things to be explained. As it stands, the ending feels a little too open for my taste, leaving me with a somewhat restless feeling.
Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The atmosphere had me completely immersed in the story and I loved the combination of mystery, creepy occurrences and the wonderful friendship between Wren and Corbin.
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a dark evening when you're in the mood for a little mystery, suspense and a good dose of spookiness. Just maybe don't read it alone in an old inn!
Review of advance copy
Murder at Magpie Inn is one of those mysteries that hooks you with a single impossible detail and then refuses to let you look away. Seventy‑year‑old Beth Lewis vanishes from a locked room — no footprints, no body, no exit, just her luggage, her shoes, and a bloodstained pillow. It’s the kind of case that feels like it should be solvable, except every clue bends sideways the moment you touch it.
For true‑crime podcaster Wren Calloway, it’s irresistible.
I loved how the book leans into Wren’s energy — curious, snarky, determined, and absolutely incapable of leaving a mystery alone. With Corbin Fisher riding shotgun (reluctantly, but with the kind of loyalty that makes their dynamic shine), she heads to Mineral Wells, Texas, ready to chase the story. And Mineral Wells is exactly the kind of place where a locked‑room disappearance feels right at home: charming on the surface, unsettling underneath, and full of people who know far more than they’re willing to say.
The Magpie Inn is only the beginning. Their investigation leads to an assisted‑living center with secrets tucked into every hallway, and then to the abandoned hospital — the one locals call part of the “Mineral Wells Bermuda Triangle.” I liked how the book handles this setting: eerie, crumbling, full of whispers and warnings. The folklore feels playful at first, then slowly shifts into something that makes the hair on your arms stand up.
The deeper Wren digs, the stranger everything becomes. People lie. Evidence disappears. And the rumours about what lurks inside the old hospital start sounding less like ghost stories and more like survival advice. The book balances humour and tension beautifully — Wren’s snarky commentary keeps things light even as the danger tightens around her.
What really works is the paranormal thread woven through the mystery. It’s subtle at first, then unmistakable. Wren has built her career telling stories other people are afraid to touch, but this one feels different — darker, hungrier, almost as if the mystery itself is watching her. The idea that some secrets aren’t waiting to be solved but waiting for you to get too close gives the book its sharpest edge.
A fast‑paced, eerie‑cosy paranormal mystery with dark secrets, snarky humour, and a heroine who’ll chase a killer — or something considerably less human — for one hell of a story. Atmospheric, twisty, and impossible to put down.
My thanks to Sherry Briscoe and the publisher for the ARC
For true‑crime podcaster Wren Calloway, it’s irresistible.
I loved how the book leans into Wren’s energy — curious, snarky, determined, and absolutely incapable of leaving a mystery alone. With Corbin Fisher riding shotgun (reluctantly, but with the kind of loyalty that makes their dynamic shine), she heads to Mineral Wells, Texas, ready to chase the story. And Mineral Wells is exactly the kind of place where a locked‑room disappearance feels right at home: charming on the surface, unsettling underneath, and full of people who know far more than they’re willing to say.
The Magpie Inn is only the beginning. Their investigation leads to an assisted‑living center with secrets tucked into every hallway, and then to the abandoned hospital — the one locals call part of the “Mineral Wells Bermuda Triangle.” I liked how the book handles this setting: eerie, crumbling, full of whispers and warnings. The folklore feels playful at first, then slowly shifts into something that makes the hair on your arms stand up.
The deeper Wren digs, the stranger everything becomes. People lie. Evidence disappears. And the rumours about what lurks inside the old hospital start sounding less like ghost stories and more like survival advice. The book balances humour and tension beautifully — Wren’s snarky commentary keeps things light even as the danger tightens around her.
What really works is the paranormal thread woven through the mystery. It’s subtle at first, then unmistakable. Wren has built her career telling stories other people are afraid to touch, but this one feels different — darker, hungrier, almost as if the mystery itself is watching her. The idea that some secrets aren’t waiting to be solved but waiting for you to get too close gives the book its sharpest edge.
A fast‑paced, eerie‑cosy paranormal mystery with dark secrets, snarky humour, and a heroine who’ll chase a killer — or something considerably less human — for one hell of a story. Atmospheric, twisty, and impossible to put down.
My thanks to Sherry Briscoe and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
WAIT. WHAT...? Where did the ending go??
I picked this up expecting a mystery. I did not expect it to consume my entire weekend. It was dark, it was tense, it was eerie, & jump-scare worthy - Which is what made the ending such a shock of disappointment for me.
The Quick Bite - Wren & Corbin are freelance podcasters, chasing down answers to the mysterious disappearance of a 70-year old woman from a locked room, late at night, within the Magpie Inn. But what makes this different from any other missing person case, in any other town? She's not the only one to have gone missing - 6 others have also gone missing over the years, all from locked rooms, and all without a trace.
What I DeeVoured 🖤 the friendship and banter between our two main characters, best friends Wren and Corbin. It kept a smile on my face as I read through such a tense and atmospheric plot. It was almost a bit over-the-top, but not only did it keep the story fun and faced-paced, it was also a reflection on the personalities of the main characters, both using humor to hide from facing things in rl.
What I Didn't Quite DeeVour - The ARC needs more editing - a few spelling errors, chapters seemed out of place/order near the end. And I also could have sworn I must have missed an entire chapter when the book came to it's climax! I actually went back and skimmed over two chapters - twice - to reread and make sure I didn't accidently skip ahead or miss something when clicking through pages on my kindle. It just seemed to pop - bubble burst - back to reality - out of nowhere. I was so invested! And then... BAM. Conclusion. Aftermath. Story done.
Read this if you love:
✨ witty banter between MCs
🔪 Locked-room mysteries
✨ murder mystery - amateur sleuth
🏚️ Creepy atmospheric settings
✨ town secrets
😳 WTF-did-I-just-read endings
DEE♥VOURS RATING: ★★★ - worth a taste
Some books entertain you. Some linger. This one was very entertaining, and the ending is going to linger.
Okay, now go get your book & read!
WAIT. WHAT...? Where did the ending go??
I picked this up expecting a mystery. I did not expect it to consume my entire weekend. It was dark, it was tense, it was eerie, & jump-scare worthy - Which is what made the ending such a shock of disappointment for me.
The Quick Bite - Wren & Corbin are freelance podcasters, chasing down answers to the mysterious disappearance of a 70-year old woman from a locked room, late at night, within the Magpie Inn. But what makes this different from any other missing person case, in any other town? She's not the only one to have gone missing - 6 others have also gone missing over the years, all from locked rooms, and all without a trace.
What I DeeVoured 🖤 the friendship and banter between our two main characters, best friends Wren and Corbin. It kept a smile on my face as I read through such a tense and atmospheric plot. It was almost a bit over-the-top, but not only did it keep the story fun and faced-paced, it was also a reflection on the personalities of the main characters, both using humor to hide from facing things in rl.
What I Didn't Quite DeeVour - The ARC needs more editing - a few spelling errors, chapters seemed out of place/order near the end. And I also could have sworn I must have missed an entire chapter when the book came to it's climax! I actually went back and skimmed over two chapters - twice - to reread and make sure I didn't accidently skip ahead or miss something when clicking through pages on my kindle. It just seemed to pop - bubble burst - back to reality - out of nowhere. I was so invested! And then... BAM. Conclusion. Aftermath. Story done.
Read this if you love:
✨ witty banter between MCs
🔪 Locked-room mysteries
✨ murder mystery - amateur sleuth
🏚️ Creepy atmospheric settings
✨ town secrets
😳 WTF-did-I-just-read endings
DEE♥VOURS RATING: ★★★ - worth a taste
Some books entertain you. Some linger. This one was very entertaining, and the ending is going to linger.
Okay, now go get your book & read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
"Speaking of evidence, look what I found"
"Please don't say a body part"
Wren Calloway is the podcaster and star of Off the Record podcast alongside her best friend/IT tech/ Producer/and sometimes mechanic, Corbin Fisher.
Wren hears about the weird disappearance at Magpie Inn, Texas.
The room was locked.
People heard a scream.
A 70 year old women is missing, her belongings left behind.
Blood left on the pillow of her .
The window left open on the second story, but no signs anyone went in or out that way.
What really happened to the women?
Why does everyone in the town refuse to speak?
This was a quick, suspenseful read by an author I'd never read before.
I had no idea where it was going when it began, but from the begining it drags you in straight away.
"You're standing there like a nervous parent dropping his kid off at summer camp:
"I'm standing here like someone who doesn't want to wake up tomorrow and discover you've vanished through a locked door"
Things I like:
The banter between Wren and Corbin.
The mystery and all round creepyness
The writing itself! Easy to read, flowed nicely. Descriptive without dragging on.
Mineral falls Bermuda triangle
"Did you hear anything?"
"No"
"See anything?"
"No"
"Did the lights flicker?"
"Wren"
"Did a dead women whisper your name from inside the walls?"
He turned his head slowly and stared at me.
"Just establishing a baseline"
Things I didn't like:
The ending. It felt.. incomplete? disappointing?
All in all, a solid book. I enjoyed this quick read and would be interested in continuing the off the record mystery series. For the mystery and for the loveable at times hilarious banter of Wren and Corbin.
My rating is based on the fact I enjoyed it, but the ending was abit of a let down.
"Speaking of evidence, look what I found"
"Please don't say a body part"
Wren Calloway is the podcaster and star of Off the Record podcast alongside her best friend/IT tech/ Producer/and sometimes mechanic, Corbin Fisher.
Wren hears about the weird disappearance at Magpie Inn, Texas.
The room was locked.
People heard a scream.
A 70 year old women is missing, her belongings left behind.
Blood left on the pillow of her .
The window left open on the second story, but no signs anyone went in or out that way.
What really happened to the women?
Why does everyone in the town refuse to speak?
This was a quick, suspenseful read by an author I'd never read before.
I had no idea where it was going when it began, but from the begining it drags you in straight away.
"You're standing there like a nervous parent dropping his kid off at summer camp:
"I'm standing here like someone who doesn't want to wake up tomorrow and discover you've vanished through a locked door"
Things I like:
The banter between Wren and Corbin.
The mystery and all round creepyness
The writing itself! Easy to read, flowed nicely. Descriptive without dragging on.
Mineral falls Bermuda triangle
"Did you hear anything?"
"No"
"See anything?"
"No"
"Did the lights flicker?"
"Wren"
"Did a dead women whisper your name from inside the walls?"
He turned his head slowly and stared at me.
"Just establishing a baseline"
Things I didn't like:
The ending. It felt.. incomplete? disappointing?
All in all, a solid book. I enjoyed this quick read and would be interested in continuing the off the record mystery series. For the mystery and for the loveable at times hilarious banter of Wren and Corbin.
My rating is based on the fact I enjoyed it, but the ending was abit of a let down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sherry Briscoe’s Murder at Magpie Inn delivers an atmospheric, fast-paced hybrid of classic whodunit intrigue and eerie paranormal suspense.
The story centers on true-crime podcaster Wren Calloway, who travels with her snarky best friend Corbin to investigate a puzzling disappearance tied to the historic Magpie Inn, that forms a Mineral Well Bermuda Triangle of sorts with Nazareth Hospital and Pacific Estates Assisted Living Centre.
What begins as an unsettling local inquiry quickly spirals into folklore, abandoned sanitarium grounds, and malevolent entities that suggest the threat is far darker than an ordinary killer.
*Strengths:*
▪️Brisk Pacing & Atmosphere: Channeling a strong X-Files meets Supernatural vibe, Briscoe leans heavily into dread, local urban legends, and decaying architecture to keep tension consistently high.
▪️Character Chemistry: Wren and Corbin’s dynamic offers sharp banter that cuts through the gothic creepiness without derailing the stakes.
▪️Layered Mystery: Rather than relying solely on jump scares or ghost tropes, the investigation unfolds through genuine clue-gathering, where each revelation uncovers deeper, more perilous questions.
*Considerations:*
Readers who prefer strictly grounded, non-paranormal cozy or procedural mysteries may find the overt supernatural elements jarring.
Murder at Magpie Inn is an engaging read for fans of dark folklore, investigative podcast sleuths, and mysteries that blur the line between human malice and the otherworldly.
Thanks to @booksgosocialgroup and @netgalley for a rivetting read of the ARC
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #booknook booksbooksbooks
The story centers on true-crime podcaster Wren Calloway, who travels with her snarky best friend Corbin to investigate a puzzling disappearance tied to the historic Magpie Inn, that forms a Mineral Well Bermuda Triangle of sorts with Nazareth Hospital and Pacific Estates Assisted Living Centre.
What begins as an unsettling local inquiry quickly spirals into folklore, abandoned sanitarium grounds, and malevolent entities that suggest the threat is far darker than an ordinary killer.
*Strengths:*
▪️Brisk Pacing & Atmosphere: Channeling a strong X-Files meets Supernatural vibe, Briscoe leans heavily into dread, local urban legends, and decaying architecture to keep tension consistently high.
▪️Character Chemistry: Wren and Corbin’s dynamic offers sharp banter that cuts through the gothic creepiness without derailing the stakes.
▪️Layered Mystery: Rather than relying solely on jump scares or ghost tropes, the investigation unfolds through genuine clue-gathering, where each revelation uncovers deeper, more perilous questions.
*Considerations:*
Readers who prefer strictly grounded, non-paranormal cozy or procedural mysteries may find the overt supernatural elements jarring.
Murder at Magpie Inn is an engaging read for fans of dark folklore, investigative podcast sleuths, and mysteries that blur the line between human malice and the otherworldly.
Thanks to @booksgosocialgroup and @netgalley for a rivetting read of the ARC
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #booknook booksbooksbooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I actually really enjoyed this book! My attention was captured immediately, and I found myself flying through it. I read it in a day!
Wren, our FMC, is a true crime podcaster who drags her very likeable best friend and producer, Corbin, along on a road trip to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a seventy year old woman staying at the Magpie Inn.
The town: Small
The people: Shady
The inn owners: Hiding secrets
The room: HAUNTED 👀
I absolutely loved the premise. The writing is fast paced, humorous and easy to follow, and the author does a brilliant job of building suspense and tension. There were definitely a few moments where I was genuinely creeped out, and I loved that uneasy feeling of knowing something was very wrong without knowing exactly what.
Unfortunately, I do agree with some of the other reviews regarding the ending.
This book was fantastic… until the end.
And then… it just ended.
I wanted an actual conclusion. I wanted to know the motive. I wanted an explanation for why everyone was acting so suspiciously. I could kind of piece together what I think the author wanted us to conclude, but I shouldn't have had to work quite that hard to connect the dots.
I’m all for an open ending when it leaves you questioning everything, but for me, this one needed at least a little more explanation. Even if it didn’t give us a completely sealed conclusion, I needed something to tie everything together.
That being said, I genuinely enjoyed the majority of this book and would absolutely read more from this author! 🖤
Wren, our FMC, is a true crime podcaster who drags her very likeable best friend and producer, Corbin, along on a road trip to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a seventy year old woman staying at the Magpie Inn.
The town: Small
The people: Shady
The inn owners: Hiding secrets
The room: HAUNTED 👀
I absolutely loved the premise. The writing is fast paced, humorous and easy to follow, and the author does a brilliant job of building suspense and tension. There were definitely a few moments where I was genuinely creeped out, and I loved that uneasy feeling of knowing something was very wrong without knowing exactly what.
Unfortunately, I do agree with some of the other reviews regarding the ending.
This book was fantastic… until the end.
And then… it just ended.
I wanted an actual conclusion. I wanted to know the motive. I wanted an explanation for why everyone was acting so suspiciously. I could kind of piece together what I think the author wanted us to conclude, but I shouldn't have had to work quite that hard to connect the dots.
I’m all for an open ending when it leaves you questioning everything, but for me, this one needed at least a little more explanation. Even if it didn’t give us a completely sealed conclusion, I needed something to tie everything together.
That being said, I genuinely enjoyed the majority of this book and would absolutely read more from this author! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to BooksGoSocial, Sherry Briscoe and NetGally for the ARC.
It is a great read about two friends who do podcasts about mysterious disappearances and paranormal stuff. The banter is great, though sometimes Wren does talk before her mind could stop her. Corbin is my favorite and I was hoping nothing happens to him with each page I read.
The chapters are short so you feel like flying through the book, the small town atmosphere is eerie due to its history and occupants who never want to say anything. The suspense gets higher the more you find out and stuff get revealed. The first 80% is amazing, thrilling, keeps you on edge, even with some hiccups here and there.
Then the rest just jumps to the end, and you wonder where the climax is or what just happened? Maybe some chapters got lost, or the author kept it as an open ending where the reader has to imagine further what made that ending happen that way. Even so, it felt so dislodged from the rest of the book.
There seems to be more coming from this series, and maybe we'll get an answer then, but I am sure there could've been something else to do to make it all make sense.
If we exclude that ending, this seems to be a good start to the series and I can't wait what else awaits Wren and Corbin.
It is a great read about two friends who do podcasts about mysterious disappearances and paranormal stuff. The banter is great, though sometimes Wren does talk before her mind could stop her. Corbin is my favorite and I was hoping nothing happens to him with each page I read.
The chapters are short so you feel like flying through the book, the small town atmosphere is eerie due to its history and occupants who never want to say anything. The suspense gets higher the more you find out and stuff get revealed. The first 80% is amazing, thrilling, keeps you on edge, even with some hiccups here and there.
Then the rest just jumps to the end, and you wonder where the climax is or what just happened? Maybe some chapters got lost, or the author kept it as an open ending where the reader has to imagine further what made that ending happen that way. Even so, it felt so dislodged from the rest of the book.
There seems to be more coming from this series, and maybe we'll get an answer then, but I am sure there could've been something else to do to make it all make sense.
If we exclude that ending, this seems to be a good start to the series and I can't wait what else awaits Wren and Corbin.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review ❣️
4.5 Hearts for me! ❤💞
Some mysteries pull you in slowly, but this one had me on edge almost the entire time.
I absolutely loved how creepy and atmospheric this book felt. There was something unsettling about the setting and the overall mood that kept me completely immersed. The scenes had my heartbeat racing more than once, and I was constantly trying to piece together what was really happening. I especially enjoyed the banter and dynamic between Wren and Corbin, it added a fun contrast to all the tension and mystery.
I ended up devouring this in less than 24 hours because I needed to know how everything would unfold. Every time I thought I had an idea of where the story was heading, I found myself questioning it again. The suspense and eerie atmosphere definitely kept me turning the pages.
My only issue was the ending. After being so invested in the mystery, I wanted a little more clarity and closure. It felt somewhat incomplete and left me with a few too many questions about what had actually happened. Still, the creepy atmosphere, suspense, and Wren and Corbin's dynamic made this a thoroughly enjoyable read for me.
4.5 Hearts for me! ❤💞
Some mysteries pull you in slowly, but this one had me on edge almost the entire time.
I absolutely loved how creepy and atmospheric this book felt. There was something unsettling about the setting and the overall mood that kept me completely immersed. The scenes had my heartbeat racing more than once, and I was constantly trying to piece together what was really happening. I especially enjoyed the banter and dynamic between Wren and Corbin, it added a fun contrast to all the tension and mystery.
I ended up devouring this in less than 24 hours because I needed to know how everything would unfold. Every time I thought I had an idea of where the story was heading, I found myself questioning it again. The suspense and eerie atmosphere definitely kept me turning the pages.
My only issue was the ending. After being so invested in the mystery, I wanted a little more clarity and closure. It felt somewhat incomplete and left me with a few too many questions about what had actually happened. Still, the creepy atmosphere, suspense, and Wren and Corbin's dynamic made this a thoroughly enjoyable read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Perfect start of a mystery, supernatural and horror themed book rolled into one for the month of October. The novel grabs your attention with the ominous book cover and a summary of a locked room mystery with the disappearance of a guest at the inn, trail of blood and locals being evasive and secretive.
The story starts exactly with that creating a creepy, eerie, foreboding feeling. This also captures the attention of out two main characters who are a podcasting team trying to figure out the mystery behind this. Love the banter and the friendship the characters have as they uncover the mystery in this story. It is an enjoyable read, with a balance of character development enabling one to love these two characters as they navigate through this supernatural mystery and cross ur fingers nothing happens to them!!!
Ive breezed through the book expecting more hoping to find closure to their discoveries but that kinda left me short with a lot of questions. The end seemed abrupt and incomplete but otherwise a good read.
The story starts exactly with that creating a creepy, eerie, foreboding feeling. This also captures the attention of out two main characters who are a podcasting team trying to figure out the mystery behind this. Love the banter and the friendship the characters have as they uncover the mystery in this story. It is an enjoyable read, with a balance of character development enabling one to love these two characters as they navigate through this supernatural mystery and cross ur fingers nothing happens to them!!!
Ive breezed through the book expecting more hoping to find closure to their discoveries but that kinda left me short with a lot of questions. The end seemed abrupt and incomplete but otherwise a good read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun and suspenseful read! I really enjoyed the banter and sarcasm between Wren and Corbin—their friendship was definitely one of my favourite parts. I also liked the creepy atmosphere, the descriptions, and how the mystery kept me curious about what was actually going on.
I was especially excited for the climax and what Wren and Corbin would uncover, but that's where I felt a little disappointed. The ending felt incomplete to me, and I was left wondering what exactly had happened and whether there was actually something supernatural going on.
Maybe the author intentionally left some things open for the reader’s imagination, but personally, I would have preferred a little more clarity and closure.
Still, I enjoyed the mystery and the overall atmosphere, and Wren and Corbin's dynamic made the book an enjoyable read. 3⭐️ from me!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ❤️📖
I was especially excited for the climax and what Wren and Corbin would uncover, but that's where I felt a little disappointed. The ending felt incomplete to me, and I was left wondering what exactly had happened and whether there was actually something supernatural going on.
Maybe the author intentionally left some things open for the reader’s imagination, but personally, I would have preferred a little more clarity and closure.
Still, I enjoyed the mystery and the overall atmosphere, and Wren and Corbin's dynamic made the book an enjoyable read. 3⭐️ from me!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ❤️📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
How can this be the first book that I read by Sherry A Briscoe
This was a great story. I love the characters and the plot. A book I did not want to put down
The intro was great and had me hooked right away. The characters were introduced in a well-timed manner with great descriptions. I didn't feel like there was any downtime throughout the novel, the story was well paced. I liked the relationship between Wren and Corbin, how well they knew each other and got along. I liked the creepiness of the story.
The ending didn't really resolve the mystery, but left it wide open, in a good way, and allows the reader to contemplate supernatural events and if the town was actually haunted
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of this novel for an honest review
This was a great story. I love the characters and the plot. A book I did not want to put down
The intro was great and had me hooked right away. The characters were introduced in a well-timed manner with great descriptions. I didn't feel like there was any downtime throughout the novel, the story was well paced. I liked the relationship between Wren and Corbin, how well they knew each other and got along. I liked the creepiness of the story.
The ending didn't really resolve the mystery, but left it wide open, in a good way, and allows the reader to contemplate supernatural events and if the town was actually haunted
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of this novel for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me a chance to read this ARC.
This was a fast and suspenseful read that kept me always wanting to know more. I devoured this book in only a couple of sittings. Even from the beginning it kept me hooked with its twists and turns with brilliant descriptive writing keeping me immersed at every step.
The dynamic between Wren and Corbin and the banter they shared was one of my favourite parts. It gave a great respite between the more scarier moments and as someone who can has quite young sarcastic humour it felt very relatable.
The thing that kept it from 5 stars for me is the ending. After such a strong and creepy story that you kept you questioning at every turn the ending felt anticlimactic and didn't give many conclusions to the story. It wasn't a bad ending at all just felt like there should have been more.
This was a fast and suspenseful read that kept me always wanting to know more. I devoured this book in only a couple of sittings. Even from the beginning it kept me hooked with its twists and turns with brilliant descriptive writing keeping me immersed at every step.
The dynamic between Wren and Corbin and the banter they shared was one of my favourite parts. It gave a great respite between the more scarier moments and as someone who can has quite young sarcastic humour it felt very relatable.
The thing that kept it from 5 stars for me is the ending. After such a strong and creepy story that you kept you questioning at every turn the ending felt anticlimactic and didn't give many conclusions to the story. It wasn't a bad ending at all just felt like there should have been more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn’t really in the mood for a horror book, but I started this one anyway. I was immediately drawn into the story and to the two main characters whose conversations were so much fun. You could tell they had been friends for a long time. I also enjoyed the spooky atmosphere. The glimpses out of the corner of their eyes, in mirrors, and in the yards just added to that. Then came the end where things got a little confusing. I can’t say much, but I was confused about the back-alley shenanigans, the character that ordered something which started this latest, and just why the town was so silent about everything, and really how everything came to be. I know that’s all confusing, but I don’t do spoilers. LOL! Anyway, even with the disappointing end, the book is still worth a read. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun, creepy mystery! A woman disappears from a locked room, there’s blood, missing clues, an abandoned hospital, and just enough paranormal weirdness to keep me completely hooked.
I loved the eerie Mineral Wells setting and the way the mystery kept getting stranger the deeper Wren dug. It had that perfect mix of suspense, creepy atmosphere, dark secrets, and humor that made me want to keep reading just to see what the hell was going to happen next.
Definitely a great read for anyone who likes their mysteries with a little something supernatural lurking in the shadows. I’d absolutely read more from Wren and Corbin!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I loved the eerie Mineral Wells setting and the way the mystery kept getting stranger the deeper Wren dug. It had that perfect mix of suspense, creepy atmosphere, dark secrets, and humor that made me want to keep reading just to see what the hell was going to happen next.
Definitely a great read for anyone who likes their mysteries with a little something supernatural lurking in the shadows. I’d absolutely read more from Wren and Corbin!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 20, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this cozy, supernatural mystery that takes place in a small Texas Town. Wren and Corbin are podcasters who visit the town when someone mysteriously disappears from a locked room on the second story of a Victorian inn. The book was an easy read with lots of prose. I enjoyed the relationship between the two podcasters; however, the ending was somewhat anticlimactic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for allowing me to pre read this mystery novel. I really wanted to love this book and not want to put it down and I did like it. It was cozy yet kept you questioning and there’s where I had a hard time continuing to pick it up. The beginning was awesome. Pulled me in and kept me hopeful but about a little more than a third in, it lost momentum. It took effort to finish and had this not been an ARC I may not have. As it is I’m left with too many questions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. MURDER AT MAGPIE INN follows a podcaster (Wren Calloway) and her producer/best friend (Corbin Fisher), who travel to the Magpie Inn in Texas to investigate a locked room disappearance at the inn.
There’s a sense of unease as this duo investigates the disappearance. Wren stays in the same room as the woman who disappeared, and strange things start occurring almost immediately. A necklace also keeps magically reappearing in different locations.
Most of the townspeople are closemouthed about the town’s secrets, but Wren and Corbin find a few people willing to share a few details about the town’s mysterious past occurrences.
What started out seemingly in one direction became another. I was a little disappointed with the shift, but the ending was still well done. I really liked Wren and Corbin, and will likely continue the series.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
There’s a sense of unease as this duo investigates the disappearance. Wren stays in the same room as the woman who disappeared, and strange things start occurring almost immediately. A necklace also keeps magically reappearing in different locations.
Most of the townspeople are closemouthed about the town’s secrets, but Wren and Corbin find a few people willing to share a few details about the town’s mysterious past occurrences.
What started out seemingly in one direction became another. I was a little disappointed with the shift, but the ending was still well done. I really liked Wren and Corbin, and will likely continue the series.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
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