The Secret of Moonrise Manor by Stephanie Bearce

Wednesday Addams + Sherlock Holmes = Raven Gallows—a curious girl who uses her budding skills as a mortician and a scientist to investigate a mysterious death at her small town’s haunted hotel.

Raven Gallows lives in a funeral home and is determined to become a famous detective. Her first case is one close to home—find the truth surrounding her mother’s puzzling death six years ago.

When a mummified man is discovered behind a wall at the Moonrise Manor Hotel, Raven is shocked to see that the body is clutching her mother’s gold and silver locket.

Raven gathers her friends—Cosmina Wilde, who thinks she can talk to ghosts; Miles Farnsworth, who works at the haunted hotel; and Eric Wong, who possesses unparalleled computer skills—and sets out to learn the identity of the mummy. As they follow the clues, they discover more than they bargained for, including a stash of stolen art and a legend of a secret society.

The Secret of Moonrise Manor is a story about family, friendship, and the courage it takes to pursue the truth.

Kindle Edition, 256 pages

Expected publication February 4, 2025

by Shadow Mountain

4.5/5 stars

I requested a digital arc of this book as soon as I saw that cover, it screams spooky adventures and mayhem.

This was such a fun and quirky story that centers around Raven Gallows, with a name like that of course she happens to live in a funeral home.  Along with her grandmother, aunt and a teenage sister. Her best friend is a ghost hunter and new friend works at the haunted hotel, and why not just pull a computer expert in the midst. It all starts as an innocent walk through this supposedly haunted mansion when three of them stumble across a mummy hidden in the walls. They get more than they bargain for as they search on their own to discover the who and why along with what is going on.

I really enjoyed my time spent in this read. It wasn’t hard to connect with Raven, who is still mourning the loss of her mother even though it was 6 years ago.  But now she starts to question the past and this community. Like I said it was quirky, entertaining, mysterious, with a great cast of characters, some ghostly vibes and a well written story.

The ending was great in that, I’m hoping that there is a sequel because I think there was a little door left open.

My thanks to Shadow Martin Publishing (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.