The newest series by Erin Huss is a journey into the paranormal. Her Cambria Clyne series is excellent, and she continues the tradition of awkwardly funny heroines in Making a Medium.
A mystery within a paranormal mystery, it’s the story of Zoe Lane and her realization that she can see ghosts. Of course, it’s not as straightforward as “oh, look at that.” It’s more like, “what the heck is happening/am I going crazy?” This thought is due mainly in part to her overbearing mother, who is hiding secrets from Zoe.
But Zoe has more significant problems, in the form of Willie, who appears to her after she is almost hit by a car. The two form an uneasy but amusing bond. He acts as a spiritual guide, commenting on everything from Zoe’s fashion sense (she doesn’t have one) to her life (she really doesn’t have one), while she tries to solve the mystery of how he died.
The interaction between the two quickly became my favorite parts of the book. Even as Zoe learned how to use her “gift,” she still maintained her awkwardness. More than once, I laughed out loud at her efforts trying to cover for talking to Willie – which of course to everyone else looks like she’s talking to thin air.
I also liked how Zoe’s character grew throughout the novel. She gained a backbone and started to embrace her talents. Both the primary mystery and Zoe’s mystery are well-plotted and not easy to solve, so that is an added bonus.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the continued paranormal experiences of Zoe. My Goodreads review is below.
Pre-order for 99 cents on Kindle (Available 5/09/19); available now in paperback.
Making a Medium: a humorous, cozy mystery! by Erin HussMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this author’s Cambria Clyne series (that’s another good series to pick up), and I was excited to see her branch out into another series. Zoe Lane is sheltered by her real estate agent mother (who reminded me of Tammy Faye Bakker) and is socially awkward as a result. In a twist of events, she finds out that she can see ghosts, mainly when Willie shows up claiming that he was killed and that Zoe needs to help him. What follows is a fun whodunnit, filled with vivid characters and witty dialogue. I loved Zoe’s awkwardness and how Willie calls her “person.” The mystery driving the plot was good (I can usually guess but didn’t get this one) as was a secondary plot involving Zoe’s past. All in all, a great start to the new series. Visit my blog at www.firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. Both reviews were written based on a pre-release digital copy.
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