Series Info/Source: This is the fifth book in the Madam Chalamet Ghost Mysteries series. I bought a copy of this on ebook from my Kindle.

Thoughts: This book picks up shortly after the last book left off. It was an easy read that was entertaining but it ended very abruptly. I had to re-read the last pages a few times to figure out what happened there and I am still not sure I understand.

Chalamet is supposed to be resting after the events in the last book but immediately gets caught up in strange goings on and the protests that are plaguing the city. She is dealing with the ghosts of the strange four girls that are bound to her as well. Her relationship with the Duke continues but discretely. As the story progresses, Chalamet finds out that the events happening may be tied back to the death of her father.

I enjoyed this a lot. The story is well written and easy to read. I continue to really love the characters in here as well. It was fun to see threads of the story start to come together. My only complaint is the ending. It was incredibly abrupt and confusing. I read it a couple of times and then went and read the preview of the next book (which did help a bit) but was still confused by what went on. We went from Chalamet being hypnotized to something completely different and I found it frustrating.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this. I love the characters in this series and enjoy all the ghostly happenings as well. It was fun to see the broader story make some progress here and I am intrigued to see how things wrap up in the sixth and final book. The ending of this book was very abrupt and a bit disappointing but hopefully it will make more sense when I read the sixth book. ( )

Oh, Ms. Nash, you do not disappoint! This fifth and penultimate book in series finds our clever and witty Elinor, the Madame Chalamet facing dark forces while still dealing with the aftermath of her time in the Beyond. The slow and steady burn between her and Tristan Fontain, the Duke de Archambeau continues in this delicious story feeding the hope of each of us committed readers.

Such strange happenings are afoot. An evil perpetrator is somehow using the nearly dead to cause mayhem in the kingdom. Plus the commoners are demanding better representation. The aristos, including the king, are in fear for their genteel ways of life. But who's behind all of this and can Elinor and Tristan wrangle the players and bring order back to the fore.

This was a delightful addition to this series. Elinor's empathetic and respectful handling of those of the spirit world as well as those walking on the earthly plane is charming and endearing. The dialogue is terrific, humorous and engaging. The world building is imaginative and cinematic in scope. The slow burn romance is tastefully rendered. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. However, it does end suddenly with quite the cliffhanger. The final book in series, number six, cannot get here soon enough!

I am grateful to the author Byrd Nash, for having provided an advance reader copy of this book. Her generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Rook and Castle Press
Publication Date: December 28, 2023
No. of Pages: 214
ISBN No.: 978-1954811096 ( )