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The Haunting of Room 904
From the author of White Horse (“Twisty and electric.� �The New York Times Book Review) comes a terrifying and resonant novel about a woman who uses her unique gift to learn the truth about her sister’s death.
Olivia Becente was never supposed to have the gift. The ability to commune with the dead was the specialty of her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies unexpectedly and under strange circumstances, somehow Olivia suddenly can’t stop seeing and hearing from spirits.
A few years later, she’s the most in-demand paranormal investigator in Denver. She’s good at her job, but the loss of Naiche haunts her. That’s when she hears from the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel. The owner can’t explain it, but every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. As Olivia tries to understand these disturbing deaths, the past and the present collide as Olivia’s investigation forces her to confront a mysterious and possibly dangerous cult, a vindictive journalist, betrayal by her friends, and shocking revelations about her sister’s secret life.
The Haunting of Room 904 is a paranormal thriller that is as edgy as it is heartfelt and simmers with intensity and longing. Erika T. Wurth lives up to her reputation as “a gritty new punkish outsider voice in American horror.�
Olivia Becente was never supposed to have the gift. The ability to commune with the dead was the specialty of her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies unexpectedly and under strange circumstances, somehow Olivia suddenly can’t stop seeing and hearing from spirits.
A few years later, she’s the most in-demand paranormal investigator in Denver. She’s good at her job, but the loss of Naiche haunts her. That’s when she hears from the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel. The owner can’t explain it, but every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. As Olivia tries to understand these disturbing deaths, the past and the present collide as Olivia’s investigation forces her to confront a mysterious and possibly dangerous cult, a vindictive journalist, betrayal by her friends, and shocking revelations about her sister’s secret life.
The Haunting of Room 904 is a paranormal thriller that is as edgy as it is heartfelt and simmers with intensity and longing. Erika T. Wurth lives up to her reputation as “a gritty new punkish outsider voice in American horror.�
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2025
146 people are currently reading
19.6k people want to read
About the author
Erika T. Wurth
17books728followersErika T. Wurth’s novel WHITE HORSE is a New York Times editors pick, a Good Morning America buzz pick, and an Indie Next, Target book of the Month, and Book of the Month Pick. She is both a Kenyon and Sewanee fellow, and Kenyon faculty. She’s published in Buzzfeed, McSweeny’s, and The Writer’s Chronicle, and is a narrative artist for the Meow Wolf Denver installation. She’s a professor of creative writing at Western Illinois University. She’s represented by Rebecca Friedman. She’s an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent and lives in Denver with her partner, niece, step-kids and two incredibly fluffy dogs. Her novel THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 will be out with Flatiron books March 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
March 19, 2025
This. Was. Not. Good.
But, the premise is fantastic. Paranormal investigator, Olivia Becente investigates her sister’s mysterious suicide in the Brown Hotel. Every five years, a woman dies in room 904. She checks into a different room and is found dead in room 904 three weeks after her stay. She appears in the room the night she checks in, and then she reappears, only to die. What is the mystery of room 904? Can Olivia stop the mysterious cycle of suicide?
Here’s the thing. There is so much that I love about what the author is trying to accomplish with this book, but the execution is disjointed, choppy, and sounds like it is written by a child.
I’m not sure if it is because I read an ARC, but the writing really needs editing and cleaning up. It is missing transitions and makes awkward jumps in time without explanation. I never usually comment on this aspect of ARCs because they haven’t been published yet, but this one really affected my reading experience.
This is the first book I have read from Wurth, and I hope that it gets the rework it deserves before publication.
2.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 3/18/25
Thank you to Edelweiss and Flatiron books for the ARC of The Haunting of Room 904 in exchange for an honest review.
But, the premise is fantastic. Paranormal investigator, Olivia Becente investigates her sister’s mysterious suicide in the Brown Hotel. Every five years, a woman dies in room 904. She checks into a different room and is found dead in room 904 three weeks after her stay. She appears in the room the night she checks in, and then she reappears, only to die. What is the mystery of room 904? Can Olivia stop the mysterious cycle of suicide?
Here’s the thing. There is so much that I love about what the author is trying to accomplish with this book, but the execution is disjointed, choppy, and sounds like it is written by a child.
I’m not sure if it is because I read an ARC, but the writing really needs editing and cleaning up. It is missing transitions and makes awkward jumps in time without explanation. I never usually comment on this aspect of ARCs because they haven’t been published yet, but this one really affected my reading experience.
This is the first book I have read from Wurth, and I hope that it gets the rework it deserves before publication.
2.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 3/18/25
Thank you to Edelweiss and Flatiron books for the ARC of The Haunting of Room 904 in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2025
Olivia Becente has the ability to commune with spirits, a gift she surprisingly inherited after the tragic and unexpected death of her sister, Naiche.
A few years after that heart-breaking event, Olivia has put her gift to good use, becoming the most in-demand paranormal investigator in the Denver area.
Even though her career is a success, the loss of Naiche continues to haunt her. When she gets a call from the owner of the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel, saying he has a haunting he wants her to investigate, she jumps at the chance to explore the infamous property.
More specifically, the Brown Palace has a haunting in Room 904; where every few years, a young woman is found dead, regardless of what room she checked into the night before. These deaths hit very close to home for Olivia, and she vows to get to the bottom of it.
Her investigation leads her down complicated personal paths as past and present collide, she's forced to face a possibly murderous cult, a vindictive journalist, potentially backstabbing friends, and the truth of her sister's life.
The Horror Community is certainly being blessed in 2025. I really enjoyed White Horse by this author, and tend to enjoy Indigenous Horror in general, but this is even an improvement over White Horse for me, as far as the character interactions go and how quickly the story kicks off.
I love how Olivia, and her best friend/roommate, Alejandro, are a sort of an Ed and Lorraine Warren team in this story (IYKYK). I was drawn in from the start, learning what happened to Olivia's sister was so sad, and hearing the history of the Brown Palace was uber-compelling.
I felt like I truly went on a ride with Olivia. I enjoyed getting a front row seat for her investigation, and watching as she started to put the pieces together. She certainly showed a lot of courage against everything.
There were other aspects I appreciated too, including a historical perspective that shined a light on the Sand Creek Massacre, which occurred in the 1860s, and is connected to this land and helped develop the history of the place.
There's also some really fun mixed media elements that have to do with various potentially paranormal items on the virtual market. It's hard to explain, but just imagine the owners of Annabelle put an ad on Craig's List.
Those were such an entertaining little break among the darker narrative, and in fact, I felt like they gave the story an even stronger air of reality. People pay a lot of money for that type of object; it's a niche market, but a ravenous one.
Overall, The Haunting of Room 904 was so good. I'm such a Wurth fan at this point, I'm already anticipating whatever she's going to deliver next. I would recommend this to any Horror Reader, particularly if you enjoy Occult elements, or Paranormal Investigations.
For me, it did start to get a little muddled towards the end, nevertheless, a very solid Paranormal Horror story, with strong characters and a captivating plot.
Wurth does a great job of creating relatable characters with real emotions in them. Even when they're experiencing things that you may personally have never experienced before, you can still FEEL it. That's such a talent.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I definitely recommend the audio format and can't wait for more from Wurth!
A few years after that heart-breaking event, Olivia has put her gift to good use, becoming the most in-demand paranormal investigator in the Denver area.
Even though her career is a success, the loss of Naiche continues to haunt her. When she gets a call from the owner of the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel, saying he has a haunting he wants her to investigate, she jumps at the chance to explore the infamous property.
More specifically, the Brown Palace has a haunting in Room 904; where every few years, a young woman is found dead, regardless of what room she checked into the night before. These deaths hit very close to home for Olivia, and she vows to get to the bottom of it.
Her investigation leads her down complicated personal paths as past and present collide, she's forced to face a possibly murderous cult, a vindictive journalist, potentially backstabbing friends, and the truth of her sister's life.
The Horror Community is certainly being blessed in 2025. I really enjoyed White Horse by this author, and tend to enjoy Indigenous Horror in general, but this is even an improvement over White Horse for me, as far as the character interactions go and how quickly the story kicks off.
I love how Olivia, and her best friend/roommate, Alejandro, are a sort of an Ed and Lorraine Warren team in this story (IYKYK). I was drawn in from the start, learning what happened to Olivia's sister was so sad, and hearing the history of the Brown Palace was uber-compelling.
I felt like I truly went on a ride with Olivia. I enjoyed getting a front row seat for her investigation, and watching as she started to put the pieces together. She certainly showed a lot of courage against everything.
There were other aspects I appreciated too, including a historical perspective that shined a light on the Sand Creek Massacre, which occurred in the 1860s, and is connected to this land and helped develop the history of the place.
There's also some really fun mixed media elements that have to do with various potentially paranormal items on the virtual market. It's hard to explain, but just imagine the owners of Annabelle put an ad on Craig's List.
Those were such an entertaining little break among the darker narrative, and in fact, I felt like they gave the story an even stronger air of reality. People pay a lot of money for that type of object; it's a niche market, but a ravenous one.
Overall, The Haunting of Room 904 was so good. I'm such a Wurth fan at this point, I'm already anticipating whatever she's going to deliver next. I would recommend this to any Horror Reader, particularly if you enjoy Occult elements, or Paranormal Investigations.
For me, it did start to get a little muddled towards the end, nevertheless, a very solid Paranormal Horror story, with strong characters and a captivating plot.
Wurth does a great job of creating relatable characters with real emotions in them. Even when they're experiencing things that you may personally have never experienced before, you can still FEEL it. That's such a talent.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I definitely recommend the audio format and can't wait for more from Wurth!
January 29, 2025
I may be the only person in the world who didn't read Erika T. Wurth's recent novel, White Horse, but I have been wanting to so badly, so I knew that I would make sure to prioritize her next novel. Her upcoming 2025 horror novel, THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 is the perfect horror novel for me right now. I am not sure if it's because I did a complete rewatch of The Conjuring series and the Insidious series but this book was exactly what I needed.
After unexpectedly inheriting her late sister Naiche’s ability to commune with the dead, Olivia Becente becomes Denver’s top paranormal investigator, though the loss still haunts her. When the historic Brown Palace hotel seeks her help to solve the recurring, unexplained deaths of young women in room 904, Olivia’s search for answers entangles her with a dangerous cult, a vengeful journalist, betrayals from those she trusts, and shocking truths about Naiche’s hidden life.
THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 was excellent. It had all the medium/spiritual/conjuring vibes that I was hoping for! I listened to this book on audio and I would highly recommend doing that as I was completely engulfed in Olivia's journey. I loved the queer representation with some of the other characters and I loved the journey these characters went on to find out the truth. You will see Olivia go down unexpected paths, with some awesomely creepy moments to enjoy. The story talks about some serious topics affecting the United States right now as well, including immigration and racial bias. I found those topics expertly weaved in and very thought-provoking. I would absolutely LOVE it if Olivia returns in some capacity for future novels as this world was just too juicy to let go. THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 will be in my top reads for 2025 and I can't wait to see what Erika T. Wurth has in store for readers next!
After unexpectedly inheriting her late sister Naiche’s ability to commune with the dead, Olivia Becente becomes Denver’s top paranormal investigator, though the loss still haunts her. When the historic Brown Palace hotel seeks her help to solve the recurring, unexplained deaths of young women in room 904, Olivia’s search for answers entangles her with a dangerous cult, a vengeful journalist, betrayals from those she trusts, and shocking truths about Naiche’s hidden life.
THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 was excellent. It had all the medium/spiritual/conjuring vibes that I was hoping for! I listened to this book on audio and I would highly recommend doing that as I was completely engulfed in Olivia's journey. I loved the queer representation with some of the other characters and I loved the journey these characters went on to find out the truth. You will see Olivia go down unexpected paths, with some awesomely creepy moments to enjoy. The story talks about some serious topics affecting the United States right now as well, including immigration and racial bias. I found those topics expertly weaved in and very thought-provoking. I would absolutely LOVE it if Olivia returns in some capacity for future novels as this world was just too juicy to let go. THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 will be in my top reads for 2025 and I can't wait to see what Erika T. Wurth has in store for readers next!
March 24, 2025
3 stars - I was really interested in this title because I lived in Colorado some decades past and I’ve stayed at the famous Brown Palace Hotel and I did feel that the setting was quite authentic, as the author is a local. And while that interest was basically fulfilled, I was pretty disappointed by the writing and general flow of this story - it just felt really choppy and disjointed, overall. A lot of things were introduced that made it really hard to follow and I think it needed better editing to improve on the reading experience, so overall, a miss for me. Still, I do appreciate what the author was trying for and the native representation and history here are very important and needed.
March 19, 2025
I was excited for this one a mix of paranormal and horror intermixed with Native mysticism. I really liked the main character Olivia and I could relate to her. I did think the story was all over the place at times, but overall I really enjoyed it. I liked the mix of Native and Jewish mysticism and the relation between people of different faiths to work together. Olivia was never supposed to see the dead but after her sister mysteriously kills herself in a room where a woman kills herself every five years Olivia sees the dead. She works to find and neutralize haunting which are usually about helping a spirit feel heard. But lately she has been finding things that feel more dark. As she finds small pieces of what happened to her sister she gets closer and closer to the danger as her mother appears marked for this year’s sacrifice. This book was good and I listened to the audiobook and liked the narrator a lot. She did a good job bringing the story to life and keeping me interested in the story.
March 14, 2025
I was eager to get my hands on this book. A horror with paranormal elements and a mysterious death had all the of the qualities to be a great read.
Olivia Bacente was never supposed to have the gift; that was always her sister Naiche. But after Naiche is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Olivia begins seeing spirits. Within years, she becomes a highly sought-after paranormal investigator, but her sister's loss always haunts her. When the Brown Palace contacts her about the unexplained occurrences where a woman dies in Room 904 regardless of which room she checked, she may finally learn the truth about her sister. However, nothing is as it seems when she faces a vindictive journalist, a dangerous cult, and the shock of her sister's secret life.
This book just wasn't for. It seemed like it would be a compelling read a horror with paranormal elements, but it ultimately fell flat. There were so many things happening in this story that it just became a distraction, and I lost interest. I still think that the premise is good, and with some adjustments, it could work. But it just wasn't for me, and had it not been an ARC, it would have been a DNF for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Olivia Bacente was never supposed to have the gift; that was always her sister Naiche. But after Naiche is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Olivia begins seeing spirits. Within years, she becomes a highly sought-after paranormal investigator, but her sister's loss always haunts her. When the Brown Palace contacts her about the unexplained occurrences where a woman dies in Room 904 regardless of which room she checked, she may finally learn the truth about her sister. However, nothing is as it seems when she faces a vindictive journalist, a dangerous cult, and the shock of her sister's secret life.
This book just wasn't for. It seemed like it would be a compelling read a horror with paranormal elements, but it ultimately fell flat. There were so many things happening in this story that it just became a distraction, and I lost interest. I still think that the premise is good, and with some adjustments, it could work. But it just wasn't for me, and had it not been an ARC, it would have been a DNF for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 9, 2025
TW/CW: LANGUAGE, DEATH Of PARENT, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, DEATH OF SIBLING, CANCER, DRINKING, SMOKING
SPOILERS
About the book:
Olivia Becente was never supposed to have the gift. The ability to commune with the dead was the specialty of her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies unexpectedly and under strange circumstances, somehow Olivia suddenly can’t stop seeing and hearing from spirits.A few years later, she’s the most in-demand paranormal investigator in Denver. She’s good at her job, but the loss of Naiche haunts her.
That’s when she hears from the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel. The owner can’t explain it, but every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. As Olivia tries to understand these disturbing deaths, the past and the present collide as Olivia’s investigation forces her to confront a mysterious and possibly dangerous cult, a vindictive journalist, betrayal by her friends, and shocking revelations about her sister’s secret life.
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: �
What I Liked:
1. Writing style was good
2. Synopsis sounded interesting
3. Loved that there was a lot of learning when it came to Indigenous people and Mexican culture
What I Didn't Like:
1. Too many plots going on
2. Annoyed at the over the top focus of her sister in every page
3. Middle of book drags and becomes so boring
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Alejandro announcement that he is gay was so random. I had to laugh because what did that have to do with anything? Also not liking how author makes me him stereotypical "gay man".
I thought this book would focus more on hauntings that are going on but we continue to go back and back and back to Olivia's sister. And I get mourning definitely, but it all becomes so redundant hearing it over and over and over. And it's not just sprinkled here or there we have full blown chapters where she's just talking about her sister. Then we jump into another chapter talking about her sister again and how much she misses her. Not downplaying the death of someone but we are in a book so we do need to progress and it's not a very big book.
In a book that is this hyper fixated on one subject AKA her sister I hope that the ending isn't going to be like the ghost is attacking Olivia but her sister comes back to save her in some kind of ghost showdown.
Too much happening and not sure what I am supposed to care about. Now she has a stalker but why? Why throw that in the book??
I'm done. I'm bored.
Final Thoughts:
There just felt like there was a lot going on with this book.
� In one story we have that she's a ghost hunter and she's trying to solve all these ghost hauntings.
� But in the next plot we have that she's trying to find out what happened to her sister in this haunted hotel room that women die in every couple years - her sister included.
� Then we have her being stalked by a man named Josh.
� And then sprinkle in that her sister was actually involved in a cult.
� Also have her mother who went to the hotel room and is now 3 weeks out from being killed too.
It's all just too much. I started to care about certain storylines and less about others. I think if the author had focused on maybe two story lines it would have done better for me as a reader. I don't need every pot in the house to be on every burner on the stove to enjoy a story. I really just lost a lot of focus as I was reading.
Ended up dnfing this one at 144. I wanted to care but in the end I found myself not reaching to finish this book. The characters are flat and the story seems to drag on and on.
|
Thanks to Netgalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SPOILERS
About the book:
Olivia Becente was never supposed to have the gift. The ability to commune with the dead was the specialty of her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies unexpectedly and under strange circumstances, somehow Olivia suddenly can’t stop seeing and hearing from spirits.A few years later, she’s the most in-demand paranormal investigator in Denver. She’s good at her job, but the loss of Naiche haunts her.
That’s when she hears from the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel. The owner can’t explain it, but every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. As Olivia tries to understand these disturbing deaths, the past and the present collide as Olivia’s investigation forces her to confront a mysterious and possibly dangerous cult, a vindictive journalist, betrayal by her friends, and shocking revelations about her sister’s secret life.
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: �
What I Liked:
1. Writing style was good
2. Synopsis sounded interesting
3. Loved that there was a lot of learning when it came to Indigenous people and Mexican culture
What I Didn't Like:
1. Too many plots going on
2. Annoyed at the over the top focus of her sister in every page
3. Middle of book drags and becomes so boring
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Alejandro announcement that he is gay was so random. I had to laugh because what did that have to do with anything? Also not liking how author makes me him stereotypical "gay man".
I thought this book would focus more on hauntings that are going on but we continue to go back and back and back to Olivia's sister. And I get mourning definitely, but it all becomes so redundant hearing it over and over and over. And it's not just sprinkled here or there we have full blown chapters where she's just talking about her sister. Then we jump into another chapter talking about her sister again and how much she misses her. Not downplaying the death of someone but we are in a book so we do need to progress and it's not a very big book.
In a book that is this hyper fixated on one subject AKA her sister I hope that the ending isn't going to be like the ghost is attacking Olivia but her sister comes back to save her in some kind of ghost showdown.
Too much happening and not sure what I am supposed to care about. Now she has a stalker but why? Why throw that in the book??
I'm done. I'm bored.
Final Thoughts:
There just felt like there was a lot going on with this book.
� In one story we have that she's a ghost hunter and she's trying to solve all these ghost hauntings.
� But in the next plot we have that she's trying to find out what happened to her sister in this haunted hotel room that women die in every couple years - her sister included.
� Then we have her being stalked by a man named Josh.
� And then sprinkle in that her sister was actually involved in a cult.
� Also have her mother who went to the hotel room and is now 3 weeks out from being killed too.
It's all just too much. I started to care about certain storylines and less about others. I think if the author had focused on maybe two story lines it would have done better for me as a reader. I don't need every pot in the house to be on every burner on the stove to enjoy a story. I really just lost a lot of focus as I was reading.
Ended up dnfing this one at 144. I wanted to care but in the end I found myself not reaching to finish this book. The characters are flat and the story seems to drag on and on.
|
Thanks to Netgalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 5, 2025
Review in the February 2025 issue of Booklist and on the blog:
(review live on 2/6/25 at 7am central)
Three Words That Describe This Book: supernatural thriller, great characters, emotionally charged
First of all this is NOT White Horse. That was a straight up Horror novel and I think some people may be frustrated that this is different. This is a very well done supernatural thriller. It will appeal to horror fans because there are some serious monsters here, but it is has a huge investigative element-- one that I hope leads to more books in a series (because there is room there)
One of the best things about this book are the characters-- the awesome, diverse (in every, realistic way) and loving friends who work together here. Olivia is the main character and the only narrator, but her best friend and business partner in her paranormal investigation business, her ex, a Jewish paranormal investigator, her two best friends, and even her mother-- all of them make a great team of flawed, but believable characters who love each other. I loved spending time with all of them in this story.
The heart of the story is the trauma of the Native experience in America , in general and in the Denver area, specifically. The entire book is framed by a real historical event-- an awful one-- the Sand Creek Massacre. The tendrils from this slaughtering of Native women and children (who were told they were safe) are reaching out into the present. But it is also the story of a personal trauma-- Olivia's-- as she is coming upon the 5th anniversary of his younger sister's suicide and how it changed her life forever.
Olivia's job as a paranormal investigator leads her to taking on the case of Naiche and other women who have died in room 904 of the Brown hotel-- leading her to find out exactly what is killing them and why
For fans of Ruth Emerson's Shutter and the supernatural thrillers of Cynthia Pelayo, as well as What Grows in the Dark by Jay Evans.
(review live on 2/6/25 at 7am central)
Three Words That Describe This Book: supernatural thriller, great characters, emotionally charged
First of all this is NOT White Horse. That was a straight up Horror novel and I think some people may be frustrated that this is different. This is a very well done supernatural thriller. It will appeal to horror fans because there are some serious monsters here, but it is has a huge investigative element-- one that I hope leads to more books in a series (because there is room there)
One of the best things about this book are the characters-- the awesome, diverse (in every, realistic way) and loving friends who work together here. Olivia is the main character and the only narrator, but her best friend and business partner in her paranormal investigation business, her ex, a Jewish paranormal investigator, her two best friends, and even her mother-- all of them make a great team of flawed, but believable characters who love each other. I loved spending time with all of them in this story.
The heart of the story is the trauma of the Native experience in America , in general and in the Denver area, specifically. The entire book is framed by a real historical event-- an awful one-- the Sand Creek Massacre. The tendrils from this slaughtering of Native women and children (who were told they were safe) are reaching out into the present. But it is also the story of a personal trauma-- Olivia's-- as she is coming upon the 5th anniversary of his younger sister's suicide and how it changed her life forever.
Olivia's job as a paranormal investigator leads her to taking on the case of Naiche and other women who have died in room 904 of the Brown hotel-- leading her to find out exactly what is killing them and why
For fans of Ruth Emerson's Shutter and the supernatural thrillers of Cynthia Pelayo, as well as What Grows in the Dark by Jay Evans.
February 6, 2025
Dr. Olivia Becente, psychologist and Denver’s top paranormal investigator, is called to The Brown Palace where a string of mysterious deaths keep occurring in one of their rooms, room 904. Dealing with the grief from the loss of her sister and her own personal ties to room 904, Olivia takes on the mystery that nobody else—police, private detectives, mediums—is able to solve; every five years, a woman dies in that room, whether by suicide or homicide, nobody can tell.
It has been over two years since we, as readers, were blessed with Wurth’s , a novel that sat with me so deeply and introduced me to Wurth’s writing—thank god for that. In The Haunting of Room 904, readers are met with the same foreboding tone and haunting atmosphere present in her last novel. If you’re looking for a paranormal horror set in Colorado with deep native history, you need look no further than this. �
Unfortunately, this story got too bogged down in details and it interrupted the narrative flow. Even still, though I didn’t love this book as much as White Horse, it remains an interesting read that I would recommend trying for yourself. I greatly enjoyed the audiobook narration performed by Ina Barrón but I think because of names and details, a physical copy is necessary for full enjoyment. This would be a perfect dual read—audio and physical in tandem.
Thank you Macmillan audio for the early copy in exchange for an honest review Available Mar. 18 2025
It has been over two years since we, as readers, were blessed with Wurth’s , a novel that sat with me so deeply and introduced me to Wurth’s writing—thank god for that. In The Haunting of Room 904, readers are met with the same foreboding tone and haunting atmosphere present in her last novel. If you’re looking for a paranormal horror set in Colorado with deep native history, you need look no further than this. �
Unfortunately, this story got too bogged down in details and it interrupted the narrative flow. Even still, though I didn’t love this book as much as White Horse, it remains an interesting read that I would recommend trying for yourself. I greatly enjoyed the audiobook narration performed by Ina Barrón but I think because of names and details, a physical copy is necessary for full enjoyment. This would be a perfect dual read—audio and physical in tandem.
Thank you Macmillan audio for the early copy in exchange for an honest review Available Mar. 18 2025
February 21, 2025
Unfortunately, this one was a mixed bag and fell short for me. But first, let's talk about the things I liked.
Like White Horse, The Haunting of Room 904 has a very atmospheric setting and a great start that automatically pulled me into the story. I liked the supernatural and cult elements and the indigenous representation. Also, I listened to the audiobook version which was read by Ina Barrón who did a great job.
Okay now let's talk about the things that didn't work.
The tidbits of history were very intriguing but it was thrown into the mix sporadically and I was left wanting more. Also, the indigenous, Jewish, and South American mythology was a bit too much. It would have been much better if she had stuck with just one of these instead of all three. Overall I felt that the story came across as messy and just didn't flow.
However, just because this one didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. Take my reviews with a grain of salt. Just because I didn't love a book doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I would hate to know that I dissuaded someone from picking up a book just because I didn't enjoy it!
The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T Wurth will be available on March 18. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook!
Like White Horse, The Haunting of Room 904 has a very atmospheric setting and a great start that automatically pulled me into the story. I liked the supernatural and cult elements and the indigenous representation. Also, I listened to the audiobook version which was read by Ina Barrón who did a great job.
Okay now let's talk about the things that didn't work.
The tidbits of history were very intriguing but it was thrown into the mix sporadically and I was left wanting more. Also, the indigenous, Jewish, and South American mythology was a bit too much. It would have been much better if she had stuck with just one of these instead of all three. Overall I felt that the story came across as messy and just didn't flow.
However, just because this one didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. Take my reviews with a grain of salt. Just because I didn't love a book doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I would hate to know that I dissuaded someone from picking up a book just because I didn't enjoy it!
The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T Wurth will be available on March 18. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook!
February 11, 2025
I don’t normally read/like paranormal or supernatural novels, but Wurth brilliantly used the genre to tell the story of past injustices to native Americans � specifically the Sand Creek Massacre � and to discuss serious topics such as racial bias affecting all of us in current times. It was easy to believe that Olivia was truly seeing and hearing everyone that helped her to understand her sister’s death. Thanks to Libro.fm for an adv. listening copy.
March 6, 2025
3.25 stars - thank you netgalley and flatiron books for an early ebook copy in exchange for my honest feedback
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I used to enjoy watching ghost hunters and so it felt slightly reminiscent of that paired with a headstrong FMC and her various drama and devastating grief she carries from the loss of her sister.
I thought this book had a bit too much going on. I felt I was being pulled in so many directions that I wasn’t sure I was fully understanding where my attention should be, thus making me feel confused at various points throughout. Though, I was entertained.
I enjoyed the creepy and disturbing paranormal scenes, I loved the relationship between Olivia and her partner Alejandro. I also enjoyed the underlying theme of grief and the focus on indigenous identity.
Overall I thought this book was really strong in most regards, but I felt it was just a little disjointed and confusing.
Video review:
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I used to enjoy watching ghost hunters and so it felt slightly reminiscent of that paired with a headstrong FMC and her various drama and devastating grief she carries from the loss of her sister.
I thought this book had a bit too much going on. I felt I was being pulled in so many directions that I wasn’t sure I was fully understanding where my attention should be, thus making me feel confused at various points throughout. Though, I was entertained.
I enjoyed the creepy and disturbing paranormal scenes, I loved the relationship between Olivia and her partner Alejandro. I also enjoyed the underlying theme of grief and the focus on indigenous identity.
Overall I thought this book was really strong in most regards, but I felt it was just a little disjointed and confusing.
Video review:
August 17, 2024
I’m so disappointed in this book. I was looking forward to it since I had enjoyed White Horse, but this was just a mess, and really, I blame the editor, it needs so much more work.
This books has a lot of parts and components that could make a great story, but what resulted was something very abrupt and clunky, unrefined. The dialogue seems forced, juvenile, and oft times extraneous. I felt like I was plunked down into each scene and ripped out and slammed down into another, there was absolutely zero flow or transition. Sometimes I was bored with the amount of superfluous words and explanation, and others, I read and wondered about missing information. The overall feel of the book was like a literary characterization of a Scooby Doo episode, melodramatic and overdramatized.
I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for which I have given an honest review.
This books has a lot of parts and components that could make a great story, but what resulted was something very abrupt and clunky, unrefined. The dialogue seems forced, juvenile, and oft times extraneous. I felt like I was plunked down into each scene and ripped out and slammed down into another, there was absolutely zero flow or transition. Sometimes I was bored with the amount of superfluous words and explanation, and others, I read and wondered about missing information. The overall feel of the book was like a literary characterization of a Scooby Doo episode, melodramatic and overdramatized.
I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for which I have given an honest review.
April 23, 2025
Majorly disliked the characters, it felt like they fell into weird and boring stereotypes. Too much going on with the plot; it was so random and disjointed.
Liked the idea of this one, felt it could’ve been a cool idea to indigenous paranormal investigator, but ultimately its execution flopped.
Liked the idea of this one, felt it could’ve been a cool idea to indigenous paranormal investigator, but ultimately its execution flopped.
January 13, 2025
I have been talking about this book to other horror readers and I have been describing The Haunting of Room 904 as “true and deep horror.� A am a huge fan of Wurth’s first novel, White Horse, and her second novel did NOT disappoint.
Olivia is an indigenous paranormal investigator, who begins to become personally haunted by the spirit of her sister, a dark entity, and a medicine woman. Dark spirits circle Olivia as she investigates a cult, a haunted hotel and desperate restless spirits who were massacred by white European settlers.
Olivia is great character, with levels of regret and distrust, love and pain, and a deep pride in her heritage and culture while withstanding racism and ignorance. I would love to see a series built around her character! The scenes of her clients and their haunted items were deeply terrifying and as each item keeps linking back to her sister and the cult, Olivia is pushed to her limits trying to save her mother, her friends and herself.
This story twists and turns and builds and builds toward a very satisfying climactic scene. Great characters, great dialog and relationships, at turns funny then devastating, heart warming then horrifying. A great read!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan.Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Olivia is an indigenous paranormal investigator, who begins to become personally haunted by the spirit of her sister, a dark entity, and a medicine woman. Dark spirits circle Olivia as she investigates a cult, a haunted hotel and desperate restless spirits who were massacred by white European settlers.
Olivia is great character, with levels of regret and distrust, love and pain, and a deep pride in her heritage and culture while withstanding racism and ignorance. I would love to see a series built around her character! The scenes of her clients and their haunted items were deeply terrifying and as each item keeps linking back to her sister and the cult, Olivia is pushed to her limits trying to save her mother, her friends and herself.
This story twists and turns and builds and builds toward a very satisfying climactic scene. Great characters, great dialog and relationships, at turns funny then devastating, heart warming then horrifying. A great read!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan.Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
January 18, 2025
This is the first time I’ve shelved an ARC on the DNF. Very disappointed as I was excited to read it. I picked this up multiple times, but sadly could never get into it. This story was all over the place. There was very little transition, the changes in the story felt abrupt. The dialogue read more like YA which was not expected. It feels like it could be good, but needs better organization and editing.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC and sorry I couldn’t latch on to the story.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC and sorry I couldn’t latch on to the story.
March 19, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. It hasn't affected the contents of my review.
I'm going to keep reading this author's books as long as I like the premises, because she is improving as a writer as she goes. There are still things in here that ultimately meant I couldn't bump this up to four stars (dear lord, the sex scene*) because this simply just isn't as good as books that I have rated four stars in the past. But her ideas intrigue me, and her execution is not bad, even if it's not great. So anyway with that ringing endorsement . . .
This one follows paranormal investigator Olivia Becente, a mixed race Native person, who is still mourning the death of her sister by suicide five years before. Her sister died in the titular Room 904 of the Browne Palace Hotel, where every five years or so, young women check in and never check back out, Hotel California style. Upon her death, Olivia inherited her sister's paranormal sight (or her own were activated by the trauma) when previously she didn't believe in any of it. We come into the story when several of her jobs all point to the same haunting, that of Room 904, and her sister's death, which may not have been a suicide at all.
*I can't even explain to you how hard I laughed at this scene, which was supposed to be sexy. Also, I didn't like the guy she was having sex with and thought the "romantic" elements should have been cut entirely from the book.
I liked the way she used the supernatural/paranormal elements to highlight the atrocities done to Native peoples, and how tied the main conflict was to her Native identity. It was also extremely personal to her, as the plot ends up not only involving her dead sister, but her mother as well. Her character work, while more detailed than in White Horse, does still need some work, as the side characters sometimes fell flat.
All in all, not mad I read it. And if you liked White Horse more than I did, you will probably like this one even more.
The audiobook narrator also did a really good job bringing life to the author's otherwise bare bones writing style.
[3.5 stars, rounded down]
I'm going to keep reading this author's books as long as I like the premises, because she is improving as a writer as she goes. There are still things in here that ultimately meant I couldn't bump this up to four stars (dear lord, the sex scene*) because this simply just isn't as good as books that I have rated four stars in the past. But her ideas intrigue me, and her execution is not bad, even if it's not great. So anyway with that ringing endorsement . . .
This one follows paranormal investigator Olivia Becente, a mixed race Native person, who is still mourning the death of her sister by suicide five years before. Her sister died in the titular Room 904 of the Browne Palace Hotel, where every five years or so, young women check in and never check back out, Hotel California style. Upon her death, Olivia inherited her sister's paranormal sight (or her own were activated by the trauma) when previously she didn't believe in any of it. We come into the story when several of her jobs all point to the same haunting, that of Room 904, and her sister's death, which may not have been a suicide at all.
*I can't even explain to you how hard I laughed at this scene, which was supposed to be sexy. Also, I didn't like the guy she was having sex with and thought the "romantic" elements should have been cut entirely from the book.
I liked the way she used the supernatural/paranormal elements to highlight the atrocities done to Native peoples, and how tied the main conflict was to her Native identity. It was also extremely personal to her, as the plot ends up not only involving her dead sister, but her mother as well. Her character work, while more detailed than in White Horse, does still need some work, as the side characters sometimes fell flat.
All in all, not mad I read it. And if you liked White Horse more than I did, you will probably like this one even more.
The audiobook narrator also did a really good job bringing life to the author's otherwise bare bones writing style.
[3.5 stars, rounded down]
March 31, 2025
From the start of this book, I felt a connection to Olivia and her struggle with loss and the unexpected responsibility of inheriting her sister Naiche’s gift. I admired how she, despite being haunted by grief and uncertainty, became a sought-after paranormal investigator, using her abilities to help others while wrestling with her own pain. When the mystery of the Brown Palace Hotel was introduced, I couldn’t put the book down. I found myself completely immersed in the eerie atmosphere of room 904 and the chilling pattern of deaths tied to it. The tension and suspense built beautifully, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to uncover the truth. As the story progressed, I found myself grappling with Olivia’s challenges alongside her. I felt the betrayal of her friends and the looming threat of the dangerous cult deeply—it made her determination and resilience all the more inspiring. What resonated with me most was Olivia’s transformation throughout the book.
This book left me awestruck by its blend of supernatural mystery, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling. I walked away feeling as though I had been on an incredible journey with Olivia, one that stayed with me long after I closed the book.
Thank you to @flatiron_books @erikatwurth and @netgalley for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
This book left me awestruck by its blend of supernatural mystery, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling. I walked away feeling as though I had been on an incredible journey with Olivia, one that stayed with me long after I closed the book.
Thank you to @flatiron_books @erikatwurth and @netgalley for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
March 28, 2025
Ooooffff, lucky me for listening to two back to back insanely boring books.
January 11, 2025
Olivia is a paranormal investigator with a unique gift to commune with the dead. When she gets a call from the Browne Palace, to investigate a haunting, Olivia quickly agrees. Every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. The last girl to be found in room 904 was Olivia's sister Naiche. Olivia and her team must find what or who is behind the deaths before a new girl is found.
Horror is not a genre I usually read but I did enjoy the Haunting of Room 904. The main characters were fantastic, and I loved the relationship between Olivia and her assistant Alejandro. The audiobook was easy to listen to, but the story could be disjoined at times and took me out of the story. Overall, this was a solid read.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review The Haunting of Room 904. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Horror is not a genre I usually read but I did enjoy the Haunting of Room 904. The main characters were fantastic, and I loved the relationship between Olivia and her assistant Alejandro. The audiobook was easy to listen to, but the story could be disjoined at times and took me out of the story. Overall, this was a solid read.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review The Haunting of Room 904. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 16, 2025
Well. This book was categorized as "general fiction" and after reading the synopsis I was expecting a Scooby Doo ending where the ghost is unmasked as a person with logical way things happened: secret dumbwaiter, trapdoor, etc. NOPE. This my friends is a paranormal horror novel. And a paranormal horror book that has too many details and not enough transitions. The author slaps us in one place, dumps a bunch of information, and then slaps us somewhere else. I spent a long time sitting on this review because I hate giving one star when someone has spent their time and energy on something, but this book is too clunky in its current iteration.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Erika Wurth, and Macmillan Audio for my copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Erika Wurth, and Macmillan Audio for my copy of this audiobook.
March 19, 2025
Erika T. Wurth's "The Haunting of Room 904" delivers a paranormal thriller that interweaves Indigenous spirituality with the ghostly legacy of America's colonial violence. Following her acclaimed novel "White Horse," Wurth continues to establish herself as an important voice in contemporary Native American horror fiction. While her latest offering presents a compelling premise and important cultural themes, it sometimes struggles with pacing and character development that might leave certain readers wanting more.
The Story: Hauntings, History, and Hidden Truths
"The Haunting of Room 904" follows Olivia Becente, a Native American paranormal investigator whose gift for communicating with spirits emerged unexpectedly after her sister Naiche's suicide. Five years after this tragedy, Olivia is approached by the historic Brown Palace Hotel in Denver to investigate a disturbing pattern: every five years, a woman checks into the hotel, only to reappear in room 904 three weeks later and commit suicide � exactly as Naiche did.
As Olivia delves deeper into this mystery alongside her loyal assistant Alejandro, she uncovers connections to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, in which Colorado militia slaughtered Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The investigation leads her through a labyrinth of spiritual entities, ancestral trauma, and a sinister group called the Sacred 36 � a cult with ties to both the massacre and her sister's death. When Olivia discovers that her mother may be the next victim of room 904's curse, the race to break the supernatural cycle becomes intensely personal.
Strengths: Cultural Depth and Supernatural Innovation
Cultural Authenticity and Historical Resonance
Wurth, who is of Apache, Chickasaw, and Cherokee descent, infuses the narrative with authentic Indigenous perspectives and spiritual practices. The novel doesn't merely appropriate Native beliefs as exotic window dressing but grounds them in living traditions and historical trauma. The connection between contemporary hauntings and the Sand Creek Massacre creates a powerful metaphor for how America's genocidal past continues to haunt its present.
The novel's strongest moments emerge when Olivia confronts spirits from this massacre, particularly Nese, a two-spirit Cheyenne person whose soul was trapped in a "dybbuk box" by one of the massacre's perpetrators. These encounters feel weighted with genuine spiritual gravity rather than mere supernatural scares.
Complex Supernatural Mythology
Wurth creates an intricate supernatural mythology that blends Indigenous spiritual practices with elements from Jewish mysticism and Mayan cosmology. The novel portrays a multilayered afterlife with doorways between worlds that can be accessed through mirrors, vessels, and certain rituals. This metaphysical framework feels both coherent and mysterious, giving the supernatural elements depth beyond standard ghost story tropes.
The author's decision to structure the narrative around a specific historical atrocity gives the supernatural elements a moral weight often lacking in paranormal thrillers. The haunting isn't random but stems from specific acts of violence and exploitation that continue to resonate through generations.
Urban Indigenous Reality
Perhaps most refreshingly, Wurth portrays urban Native Americans with nuance and complexity. Olivia isn't a stereotypical medicine woman but a modern professional who navigates contemporary Denver while honoring her spiritual heritage. Her identity discussions with friends highlight the complexities of Native identity in modern America—showing how colonialism impacts even casual conversations about ethnicity and belonging.
Weaknesses: Pacing Issues and Character Development
Uneven Pacing
The novel's pacing sometimes feels uneven, with early chapters moving slowly as Wurth establishes characters and supernatural rules. While this buildup creates atmosphere, some readers might find themselves waiting too long for the central investigation to gain momentum. Conversely, the climactic confrontations sometimes resolve too quickly, with supernatural solutions appearing somewhat abruptly after lengthy buildups.
Character Relationship Challenges
While Olivia is well-developed as a protagonist, her romantic relationships sometimes feel underdeveloped in comparison to the supernatural elements. Her attraction to Dorian (a descendant of Luella Stillwell) shifts between genuine connection and plot convenience. Similarly, her past relationship with Sasha, a rabbi who helps with Jewish mystical elements, feels more functional to the plot than emotionally resonant.
The supporting characters, while diverse and interesting, occasionally fall into familiar paranormal story types—the loyal gay best friend, the spiritual advisor, the mysterious cult leader—without fully transcending these archetypes.
Exposition-Heavy Dialogue
At times, characters explain supernatural rules and historical contexts through dialogue that serves exposition more than character development. While this information is necessary for readers to understand the complex mythology, these explanations occasionally interrupt the narrative flow with information dumps rather than seamlessly integrating lore into action.
Writing Style: Atmospheric Yet Accessible
Wurth employs a direct, accessible prose style that balances supernatural elements with contemporary dialogue. Her descriptions of spiritual encounters are particularly effective, conveying otherworldly experiences through vivid sensory language:
"I could feel it, the pure malevolence of the spirits around them both, the aching, arching blackness reaching around my heart. And squeezing."
The novel's structure, which includes interludes titled "The Massacre" to provide historical context for the Sand Creek atrocity, effectively bridges past and present. These sections, written in a more lyrical voice, create some of the book's most haunting passages.
The dialogue generally feels authentic to contemporary Denver, with characters speaking in natural, colloquial patterns that ground the supernatural events in a recognizable reality. Occasionally, however, dialogue becomes the vehicle for explaining supernatural rules in ways that feel slightly forced.
Thematic Depth: Grief, Guilt, and Historical Reckoning
Beyond its supernatural trappings, "The Haunting of Room 904" explores profound themes of grief, guilt, and historical accountability. Olivia's journey isn't just about solving a paranormal mystery but about confronting her guilt over not being there for her sister before her suicide. This personal grief parallels larger questions about historical responsibility—how descendants of both victims and perpetrators of historical atrocities must reckon with inherited trauma and guilt.
The novel thoughtfully examines how colonial violence continues to manifest in contemporary America, not just as metaphorical hauntings but through ongoing erasure of Indigenous histories and exploitation of Native spiritual practices. The Sacred 36, with their appropriation of Indigenous spirituality for personal power, represents this exploitative dynamic.
Perhaps most poignantly, the book explores the difficulty of forgiveness—both forgiving others and forgiving oneself. Olivia must ultimately forgive herself for not saving her sister while confronting those who exploited Naiche's vulnerability.
Final Assessment: A Unique Voice in Paranormal Horror
"The Haunting of Room 904" represents an important contribution to paranormal horror fiction from a Native American perspective. Wurth skillfully demonstrates how America's violent colonial past continues to haunt its present, using supernatural elements as powerful metaphors for historical trauma while creating genuine supernatural suspense.
While some aspects of character development and pacing could be stronger, the novel succeeds in creating a memorable paranormal investigation enriched by cultural authenticity and thematic depth. It offers readers not just supernatural thrills but an opportunity to reflect on historical accountability and the power of believing in others.
For readers seeking paranormal fiction that engages thoughtfully with American history and Indigenous perspectives while delivering genuine supernatural chills, "The Haunting of Room 904" offers a compelling, if occasionally uneven, reading experience that confirms Wurth as a distinctive voice in contemporary horror fiction.
The Story: Hauntings, History, and Hidden Truths
"The Haunting of Room 904" follows Olivia Becente, a Native American paranormal investigator whose gift for communicating with spirits emerged unexpectedly after her sister Naiche's suicide. Five years after this tragedy, Olivia is approached by the historic Brown Palace Hotel in Denver to investigate a disturbing pattern: every five years, a woman checks into the hotel, only to reappear in room 904 three weeks later and commit suicide � exactly as Naiche did.
As Olivia delves deeper into this mystery alongside her loyal assistant Alejandro, she uncovers connections to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, in which Colorado militia slaughtered Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The investigation leads her through a labyrinth of spiritual entities, ancestral trauma, and a sinister group called the Sacred 36 � a cult with ties to both the massacre and her sister's death. When Olivia discovers that her mother may be the next victim of room 904's curse, the race to break the supernatural cycle becomes intensely personal.
Strengths: Cultural Depth and Supernatural Innovation
Cultural Authenticity and Historical Resonance
Wurth, who is of Apache, Chickasaw, and Cherokee descent, infuses the narrative with authentic Indigenous perspectives and spiritual practices. The novel doesn't merely appropriate Native beliefs as exotic window dressing but grounds them in living traditions and historical trauma. The connection between contemporary hauntings and the Sand Creek Massacre creates a powerful metaphor for how America's genocidal past continues to haunt its present.
The novel's strongest moments emerge when Olivia confronts spirits from this massacre, particularly Nese, a two-spirit Cheyenne person whose soul was trapped in a "dybbuk box" by one of the massacre's perpetrators. These encounters feel weighted with genuine spiritual gravity rather than mere supernatural scares.
Complex Supernatural Mythology
Wurth creates an intricate supernatural mythology that blends Indigenous spiritual practices with elements from Jewish mysticism and Mayan cosmology. The novel portrays a multilayered afterlife with doorways between worlds that can be accessed through mirrors, vessels, and certain rituals. This metaphysical framework feels both coherent and mysterious, giving the supernatural elements depth beyond standard ghost story tropes.
The author's decision to structure the narrative around a specific historical atrocity gives the supernatural elements a moral weight often lacking in paranormal thrillers. The haunting isn't random but stems from specific acts of violence and exploitation that continue to resonate through generations.
Urban Indigenous Reality
Perhaps most refreshingly, Wurth portrays urban Native Americans with nuance and complexity. Olivia isn't a stereotypical medicine woman but a modern professional who navigates contemporary Denver while honoring her spiritual heritage. Her identity discussions with friends highlight the complexities of Native identity in modern America—showing how colonialism impacts even casual conversations about ethnicity and belonging.
Weaknesses: Pacing Issues and Character Development
Uneven Pacing
The novel's pacing sometimes feels uneven, with early chapters moving slowly as Wurth establishes characters and supernatural rules. While this buildup creates atmosphere, some readers might find themselves waiting too long for the central investigation to gain momentum. Conversely, the climactic confrontations sometimes resolve too quickly, with supernatural solutions appearing somewhat abruptly after lengthy buildups.
Character Relationship Challenges
While Olivia is well-developed as a protagonist, her romantic relationships sometimes feel underdeveloped in comparison to the supernatural elements. Her attraction to Dorian (a descendant of Luella Stillwell) shifts between genuine connection and plot convenience. Similarly, her past relationship with Sasha, a rabbi who helps with Jewish mystical elements, feels more functional to the plot than emotionally resonant.
The supporting characters, while diverse and interesting, occasionally fall into familiar paranormal story types—the loyal gay best friend, the spiritual advisor, the mysterious cult leader—without fully transcending these archetypes.
Exposition-Heavy Dialogue
At times, characters explain supernatural rules and historical contexts through dialogue that serves exposition more than character development. While this information is necessary for readers to understand the complex mythology, these explanations occasionally interrupt the narrative flow with information dumps rather than seamlessly integrating lore into action.
Writing Style: Atmospheric Yet Accessible
Wurth employs a direct, accessible prose style that balances supernatural elements with contemporary dialogue. Her descriptions of spiritual encounters are particularly effective, conveying otherworldly experiences through vivid sensory language:
"I could feel it, the pure malevolence of the spirits around them both, the aching, arching blackness reaching around my heart. And squeezing."
The novel's structure, which includes interludes titled "The Massacre" to provide historical context for the Sand Creek atrocity, effectively bridges past and present. These sections, written in a more lyrical voice, create some of the book's most haunting passages.
The dialogue generally feels authentic to contemporary Denver, with characters speaking in natural, colloquial patterns that ground the supernatural events in a recognizable reality. Occasionally, however, dialogue becomes the vehicle for explaining supernatural rules in ways that feel slightly forced.
Thematic Depth: Grief, Guilt, and Historical Reckoning
Beyond its supernatural trappings, "The Haunting of Room 904" explores profound themes of grief, guilt, and historical accountability. Olivia's journey isn't just about solving a paranormal mystery but about confronting her guilt over not being there for her sister before her suicide. This personal grief parallels larger questions about historical responsibility—how descendants of both victims and perpetrators of historical atrocities must reckon with inherited trauma and guilt.
The novel thoughtfully examines how colonial violence continues to manifest in contemporary America, not just as metaphorical hauntings but through ongoing erasure of Indigenous histories and exploitation of Native spiritual practices. The Sacred 36, with their appropriation of Indigenous spirituality for personal power, represents this exploitative dynamic.
Perhaps most poignantly, the book explores the difficulty of forgiveness—both forgiving others and forgiving oneself. Olivia must ultimately forgive herself for not saving her sister while confronting those who exploited Naiche's vulnerability.
Final Assessment: A Unique Voice in Paranormal Horror
"The Haunting of Room 904" represents an important contribution to paranormal horror fiction from a Native American perspective. Wurth skillfully demonstrates how America's violent colonial past continues to haunt its present, using supernatural elements as powerful metaphors for historical trauma while creating genuine supernatural suspense.
While some aspects of character development and pacing could be stronger, the novel succeeds in creating a memorable paranormal investigation enriched by cultural authenticity and thematic depth. It offers readers not just supernatural thrills but an opportunity to reflect on historical accountability and the power of believing in others.
For readers seeking paranormal fiction that engages thoughtfully with American history and Indigenous perspectives while delivering genuine supernatural chills, "The Haunting of Room 904" offers a compelling, if occasionally uneven, reading experience that confirms Wurth as a distinctive voice in contemporary horror fiction.
March 16, 2025
I always seem to struggle with paranormal investigator books, but this one was one of my least favorites of all.
The storyline was interesting and kept me reading, but the constant jumping around made me dizzy to the point that I wasn’t sure what was going on. I don’t normally DNF an ARC, but I couldn’t continue with this humdrum book.
The storyline was interesting and kept me reading, but the constant jumping around made me dizzy to the point that I wasn’t sure what was going on. I don’t normally DNF an ARC, but I couldn’t continue with this humdrum book.
February 21, 2025
The Haunting of Room 995 is filled with dark foreshadowing atmospheric anxiety in Ericka’s new novel. I got to listen to the audiobook of this book. The narration was well done but it got too overloaded with details which pulled me out of the world. Overall, it was okay. The beginning was really interesting and then it just turned boring and I lost interest.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
January 15, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
I've read (loved it), and I've read some of Wurth's short stories, and I mostly enjoy what I read. But this story was so... stuttering? I don't know how to describe it as anything other than a series of vignettes, sometimes alternating between the past and present.
I just had a hard time getting into this, because I kind of loved the way it started as a series of monster-of-the-week sort of situations. I saw a review that referenced the Friday the 13th tv show and I totally see what they meant with all the supernatural objects and magic lol But don't take my lol as directed at the content of this story - this is a dark, angry novel. Bad thing after bad thing comes for Olivia and it is so relentless that I had to take a break and start a new audiobook to clear my mind while listening to this.
The narrator, Ina Barrón, does a great job tbh, I don't know I'd have been able to finish this story otherwise (because it's a lot).
I can see this book being divisive. Being familiar with this author I wasn't surprised by the content or any of the themes, it was just...relentless.
Stuttering and relentless, those truly are the best words to describe this book.
I didn't hate it though!
I've read (loved it), and I've read some of Wurth's short stories, and I mostly enjoy what I read. But this story was so... stuttering? I don't know how to describe it as anything other than a series of vignettes, sometimes alternating between the past and present.
I just had a hard time getting into this, because I kind of loved the way it started as a series of monster-of-the-week sort of situations. I saw a review that referenced the Friday the 13th tv show and I totally see what they meant with all the supernatural objects and magic lol But don't take my lol as directed at the content of this story - this is a dark, angry novel. Bad thing after bad thing comes for Olivia and it is so relentless that I had to take a break and start a new audiobook to clear my mind while listening to this.
The narrator, Ina Barrón, does a great job tbh, I don't know I'd have been able to finish this story otherwise (because it's a lot).
I can see this book being divisive. Being familiar with this author I wasn't surprised by the content or any of the themes, it was just...relentless.
Stuttering and relentless, those truly are the best words to describe this book.
I didn't hate it though!
April 6, 2025
If you are looking for a typical ghost story—look elsewhere! This book is layered, intelligent, and unsettling. Olivia is a paranormal investigator, having inherited her gifts after the sudden and tragic passing of her sister Naiche. When Olivia is called into a case in the infamously haunted Brown Palace, she jumps at the chance. Women die in room 904 of the hotel, even if that’s not the room they checked into, it’s where they “check out� (ba-dum-chhh). This investigation leads Olivia down a deeply complicated and personal path, where present and past collide. We deal with a lot here, from cults to cruel journalists to the truths of her sister’s life unfolding. The story is also intertwined with the very real life Sand Creek Massacre, which took place in the 1860’s, resulting in the deaths of over 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people—mostly women and children. It is an ugly moment in Colorado history. Erika T. Wurth takes back Indigenous imagery and culture, that is so often carelessly used. She also addresses the cruelty and misinformation and judgements that get flung around (probably at her, but using Olivia as the example) due to her indigenous background. People can be so needlessly mean and dismissive. All of that, wrapped up in a paranormal story, that toes the line between horror, true crime and even a bit of sci-fi! To break up the darkness, there are delightful moments in the book that are online listings to buy haunted artifacts. Loved it! And yes, I went down a rabbit hole of reading real online listings for haunted items—from mirrors, to dolls, to hairbrushes and jewelry. Fascinating. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this one! It is intelligent and poignant, while entertaining.
January 20, 2025
I think that listening to the audiobook helped me stay in tune with this book. The narration kept me engaged. This is definitely a supernatural horrior story. It mixes Native American, Hispanic and Jewish mysticism/religion. Which I found to be as interesting as it was odd. The author does a good job of using descendants of Native American oppressors as antagonist.
Overall it was an easy listen to me. The characters are not extremely likable, but I did find myself rooting for them to break the curse in the end.
For me this would be 3.25/5 stars.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own
Overall it was an easy listen to me. The characters are not extremely likable, but I did find myself rooting for them to break the curse in the end.
For me this would be 3.25/5 stars.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own
January 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ALC! From chapter one, this story was action-packed! Starting out strong with a paranormal awakening and opening of a Pandora’s box. The characters were a little over the top and the details felt overly done, but generally a decent read/listen.
April 21, 2025
I’ll be honest, this was not a good book.
The premise was promising. An indigenous horror novel where paranormal investigation meets several indigenous belief systems and ceremonies to provide cleansing and healing as well as a haunted hotel room that ritualistically traps and kills women. I was so intrigued! But unfortunately it all fell so flat.
The storyline was so disjointed it became hard to follow and felt borderline nonsensical. Some scenes felt so over the top that they became comical (the golem, really?) And the super intelligent, sexy, powerful and holier than thou main character was so insufferable that I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything for her or her fate.
Overall an unfortunately disappointing read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
The premise was promising. An indigenous horror novel where paranormal investigation meets several indigenous belief systems and ceremonies to provide cleansing and healing as well as a haunted hotel room that ritualistically traps and kills women. I was so intrigued! But unfortunately it all fell so flat.
The storyline was so disjointed it became hard to follow and felt borderline nonsensical. Some scenes felt so over the top that they became comical (the golem, really?) And the super intelligent, sexy, powerful and holier than thou main character was so insufferable that I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything for her or her fate.
Overall an unfortunately disappointing read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
March 14, 2025
Olivia’s younger sister Naiche died by suicide several years ago. Now the hotel where Naiche died wants Olivia to come, as a paranormal investigator, to figure why women are killing themselves in room 904 of the hotel.
Unfortunately, I did not care for this book at all. I thought it was very disjointed and skipped all over the place. I’m still not sure why certain characters didn’t tell Olivia crucial information. There was also a repetition in the writing of certain phrases, particularly involving eyes: they squinted (15 times) and narrowed (a whopping 45 times) so often that instead of following the story I found myself wondering which bodily movement description would pop up next.
I was reminded of a Scooby-Doo episode more than once while reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I did not care for this book at all. I thought it was very disjointed and skipped all over the place. I’m still not sure why certain characters didn’t tell Olivia crucial information. There was also a repetition in the writing of certain phrases, particularly involving eyes: they squinted (15 times) and narrowed (a whopping 45 times) so often that instead of following the story I found myself wondering which bodily movement description would pop up next.
I was reminded of a Scooby-Doo episode more than once while reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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