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The Lamplight Murder Mysteries #4
Murder at Castle Calvera
High in the snowy Drakesen Mountains, Castle Calvera has stood for centuries. A beacon for scientists and philosophers alike, its grand library holds ancient knowledge, and a wondrous observatory crowns the tallest tower, one of the few to pierce Ahgra’s ever-present cloud cover.
But Castle Calvera has been closed for five long years. Until now.
The castle's reclusive mistress has invited an exclusive group to a dinner like none the astrophysicist, the biologist, the artist, the sleuth, the mountain man, the priest, the nun...
...and, of course, one Huntress, sorely in need of a holiday.
Snowbound, the guests will discover there is far more to Castle Calvera than meets the eye. Ghosts haunt the living, and something wicked prowls the frozen valleys. As dinner twists into a murder investigation, mind-bending revelations will forever change Isabeau Agarwal's perception — not only of the wider world, but of her own heart and soul.
But Castle Calvera has been closed for five long years. Until now.
The castle's reclusive mistress has invited an exclusive group to a dinner like none the astrophysicist, the biologist, the artist, the sleuth, the mountain man, the priest, the nun...
...and, of course, one Huntress, sorely in need of a holiday.
Snowbound, the guests will discover there is far more to Castle Calvera than meets the eye. Ghosts haunt the living, and something wicked prowls the frozen valleys. As dinner twists into a murder investigation, mind-bending revelations will forever change Isabeau Agarwal's perception — not only of the wider world, but of her own heart and soul.
435 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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October 26, 2026I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS COMING OUT OH MY GOD THANK YOU MORGAN STANG YOU WILL BE REINCARNATED AS A LOTUS FLOWER
November 1, 2026
I'm not sure it's the tightest mystery in the sense that you could solve it without any assistance from the detective, I think the first book might still take the cake on that. But I think it was the most fun and interesting book to read so far, a bit ahead of the second book.
My other nitpick is that you consistently portray the Whistler as 10-feet tall, but then decide that's "close to 12" at the end. That's shenanigans. Didn't like that.
Otherwise keep up the good work.
My other nitpick is that you consistently portray the Whistler as 10-feet tall, but then decide that's "close to 12" at the end. That's shenanigans. Didn't like that.
Otherwise keep up the good work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2026
This is another excellent book in the series!
The sequel does not disappoint; it features another compelling detective mystery and reveals numerous secrets. Additionally, it contains plenty of foreshadowing and clues for the upcoming books, which I hope will be released as soon as possible.
The sequel does not disappoint; it features another compelling detective mystery and reveals numerous secrets. Additionally, it contains plenty of foreshadowing and clues for the upcoming books, which I hope will be released as soon as possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This latest entry did not disappoint!
We're back with our favourite quartet of Izzy, Evie, Penny and Mr Homes. This time visiting a snowy castle along with a limited list of other invited guests, what proceeds is nothing short of entertaining chaos. Full of twists, turns and unexpected revelations this latest installment will keep you guessing throughout. Some people smarter than me may guess some of the plot but I didn't see any of it coming.
Morgan's worldbuilding continues to be excellent, characters new and old are diverse and likeable, the humor is great and scattered in nicely and his blending of elements between stories to keep the story connected to previous and possible future entries is second to none.
The ending as well 💔
All the stars out 5, this continues to be one of my favourite series.
We're back with our favourite quartet of Izzy, Evie, Penny and Mr Homes. This time visiting a snowy castle along with a limited list of other invited guests, what proceeds is nothing short of entertaining chaos. Full of twists, turns and unexpected revelations this latest installment will keep you guessing throughout. Some people smarter than me may guess some of the plot but I didn't see any of it coming.
Morgan's worldbuilding continues to be excellent, characters new and old are diverse and likeable, the humor is great and scattered in nicely and his blending of elements between stories to keep the story connected to previous and possible future entries is second to none.
The ending as well 💔
All the stars out 5, this continues to be one of my favourite series.
October 30, 2026
I stand by my first impression of the series and when I picked up this volume Penny is Best Girl
Really, this is such a beautiful story of love, ambition, friendship, family, and what it means to be alive. What could go wrong with Isabeau going on vacation to a secluded, closed off castle high in the mountains during a snow storm, and don't mind the dead whale.
Really, this is such a beautiful story of love, ambition, friendship, family, and what it means to be alive. What could go wrong with Isabeau going on vacation to a secluded, closed off castle high in the mountains during a snow storm, and don't mind the dead whale.
October 27, 2026
Criminally underrated series
This book is my favorite in the series so far! I have no idea why this series isn’t more popular but it is a true hidden gem. The detective work in a fascinating dark fantasy steampunk world has just enough tropes and callbacks to classics of the genre to keep you engaged with wonderful twists at every turn. Plus they’re pretty funny. I rarely laugh out loud at a book but I think every one in this series made me laugh at least once. Seriously, check these out!
This book is my favorite in the series so far! I have no idea why this series isn’t more popular but it is a true hidden gem. The detective work in a fascinating dark fantasy steampunk world has just enough tropes and callbacks to classics of the genre to keep you engaged with wonderful twists at every turn. Plus they’re pretty funny. I rarely laugh out loud at a book but I think every one in this series made me laugh at least once. Seriously, check these out!
November 2, 2026
;I received an ARC, he did not pay me to beta read, edit, or ask him "WHY IS A WHALE THERE" but i did it anyway, much to his annoyance...Why he still lets me have ARCs is a mystery*
*I still bought a copy at full price anyway*
"HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS"
-2026, me
-
Fear is weird.
What is terrifying to some, to others, it's something they shrug, say "Ew", and move on with their life.
Take. Mother. Friking. Snails. For example.
They are the bane of my existence and deserve yeeting of the highest kingdom. I love all animals but if I see a snail, bro is getting evicted and moved to the nearest tree (much to my neighbor's chagrin). Birds are also at the top of the list and I will scream if I see a CANADIAN GOOSE run at me at top speeds.
But skull squishing? De-skinning like someone's an apple?
That's fine!
All is this to say is we all live in different spheres of life and come together for this one book. It's beautiful that what is scary for some and not for others and yet, we still choose to pick up this book anyway and are united to either love or dislike something. ("Hate" is only deserved for slop. And "Starside".)
That's what it means to come together to solve a murder with an astrophysicist. You meet and touch souls you would never meet in your daily life.
All because of one book.
-
"Calvera" will get you feeling cozy at the fireplace, sobbing for people you only knew for a few hours (and then going to bed having a dream about them which freaked me tf out), scared over whistling, shivering at multiple men taller than you (I'm almost 4'11), and twitching over owls.
Stang keeps outdoing himself and it makes me feel honored that I'm in the same timeline (even if it's dark) that I get to read his work.
He keeps getting away with his glorious crimes of writing some of the best books I've ever read that I wish I read these books as a kid and not HP.
I am cynical AF due to disability. But...he has the ability to cast a spell to make me love reading and feel like a goth kid again.
Thank you, Stang, keep getting away with this.
-
Cover:
Beautiful, Etheric Designs keep outdoing themselves, simple and does the job
Prose:
Approachable, he doesn't question that the good reader has a brain and doesn't need to describe what a piece of ham looks like
+2
Plot:
Simplistic, however, he keeps you on your toes, even for someone like me who is good at suss'ing out plot lines and twists, I had no idea what was going to happen until the very end.
+2
Pace:
It is slow in the beginning because we are setting the scene but that it just brrs to the end
Characters:
Even the damn side characters are fleshed, wtf. I know that's normal for Stang yet DAMN. Every single one of them has their fears, desires, personality etched into their heart that I got attached to EVERYONE. Even Angus' fixation with anchovies.
Also I'm rootin' for my favorite side ship and I hope we get to see them again, you'll see when you get to them lol
+6.7
Vibe:
Spoopy castle where there's Day of the Dead and ravens
Worldbuilding
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
+1000
-
Stang, you don't read reviews I know, but it really is an honor to get to ARC your work.
Your books touches more souls than you can imagine.
5/5
*I still bought a copy at full price anyway*
"HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS"
-2026, me
-
Fear is weird.
What is terrifying to some, to others, it's something they shrug, say "Ew", and move on with their life.
Take. Mother. Friking. Snails. For example.
They are the bane of my existence and deserve yeeting of the highest kingdom. I love all animals but if I see a snail, bro is getting evicted and moved to the nearest tree (much to my neighbor's chagrin). Birds are also at the top of the list and I will scream if I see a CANADIAN GOOSE run at me at top speeds.
But skull squishing? De-skinning like someone's an apple?
That's fine!
All is this to say is we all live in different spheres of life and come together for this one book. It's beautiful that what is scary for some and not for others and yet, we still choose to pick up this book anyway and are united to either love or dislike something. ("Hate" is only deserved for slop. And "Starside".)
That's what it means to come together to solve a murder with an astrophysicist. You meet and touch souls you would never meet in your daily life.
All because of one book.
-
"Calvera" will get you feeling cozy at the fireplace, sobbing for people you only knew for a few hours (and then going to bed having a dream about them which freaked me tf out), scared over whistling, shivering at multiple men taller than you (I'm almost 4'11), and twitching over owls.
Stang keeps outdoing himself and it makes me feel honored that I'm in the same timeline (even if it's dark) that I get to read his work.
He keeps getting away with his glorious crimes of writing some of the best books I've ever read that I wish I read these books as a kid and not HP.
I am cynical AF due to disability. But...he has the ability to cast a spell to make me love reading and feel like a goth kid again.
Thank you, Stang, keep getting away with this.
-
Cover:
Beautiful, Etheric Designs keep outdoing themselves, simple and does the job
Prose:
Approachable, he doesn't question that the good reader has a brain and doesn't need to describe what a piece of ham looks like
+2
Plot:
Simplistic, however, he keeps you on your toes, even for someone like me who is good at suss'ing out plot lines and twists, I had no idea what was going to happen until the very end.
+2
Pace:
It is slow in the beginning because we are setting the scene but that it just brrs to the end
Characters:
Even the damn side characters are fleshed, wtf. I know that's normal for Stang yet DAMN. Every single one of them has their fears, desires, personality etched into their heart that I got attached to EVERYONE. Even Angus' fixation with anchovies.
Also I'm rootin' for my favorite side ship and I hope we get to see them again, you'll see when you get to them lol
+6.7
Vibe:
Spoopy castle where there's Day of the Dead and ravens
Worldbuilding
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
+1000
-
Stang, you don't read reviews I know, but it really is an honor to get to ARC your work.
Your books touches more souls than you can imagine.
5/5
October 31, 2026
Really good
I have enjoyed this entire series. It's a great blend of mystery, horror, comedy, adventure, social commentary, the macabre, and a dab of queer love.
This book specifically hit me in all the feels.
I am excited that Murder at Castle Calvera is longer than previous books. There was more room to expand the background plot lines and tie all the books together. When a book keeps your attention and makes to crave more of the story, it is a pleasure to read a bit longer.
Last, I love Penny.
I have enjoyed this entire series. It's a great blend of mystery, horror, comedy, adventure, social commentary, the macabre, and a dab of queer love.
This book specifically hit me in all the feels.
I am excited that Murder at Castle Calvera is longer than previous books. There was more room to expand the background plot lines and tie all the books together. When a book keeps your attention and makes to crave more of the story, it is a pleasure to read a bit longer.
Last, I love Penny.
November 2, 2026
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. This is my favourite entry in the series so far. They don’t need to be shorter books. This was perfection. I laughed out loud, I got choked up, I was on the edge of my seat, it made me think. This may be my favourite book series of all-time and I hope they keep coming,
October 30, 2026
There's no point in trying to tell others if they'll like the 4th book in a series. You've read this far, you know you like it. So I suppose the only thing I have to add is that this particular entry felt a bit like Gideon the Ninth, which is a good thing.
This is also the only book in the series that almost felt like a cliffhanger. It's not (the story wraps up nicely) but it ended in a way where I'll be mad if Morgan goes the way of Martin and Rothfuss and doesn't write the next book.
This is also the only book in the series that almost felt like a cliffhanger. It's not (the story wraps up nicely) but it ended in a way where I'll be mad if Morgan goes the way of Martin and Rothfuss and doesn't write the next book.
November 3, 2026
Another favourite for me
Absolutely brilliant! I love Stang’s books and this one will be going onto my favourites shelf with the others. The fun nods to Clue, Poe, Christie, and others are wonderful as is the sociopolitical commentary on contemporary good and evil. I look forward to the next Lamplight book as well as any others in the future.
Absolutely brilliant! I love Stang’s books and this one will be going onto my favourites shelf with the others. The fun nods to Clue, Poe, Christie, and others are wonderful as is the sociopolitical commentary on contemporary good and evil. I look forward to the next Lamplight book as well as any others in the future.
November 2, 2026
This series is so good. Can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews