I confess, I was wary of F.H. Petford’s A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving a Murder. I thought there might be a significant reliance upon ghosts telling an investigator who the murderer was; and reporting their actions. Happily, there was nothing like that. One spirit is used to move the plot along but they are “off-stage” and we never see/hear them. One or two other spirits are used as background colour but are not integral to the plot. The ghosts are believable, if that is not a contradiction in terms.

Alma Timperley inherits a Falmouth hotel from an aunt she never knew she had. I enjoyed the author’s depiction of a young woman changing from an office clerk in straightened circumstances during WWI into the confident owner of a healthy business. Although there is a murder, the murderer is revealed rather than the crime being solved – and it is certainly not solved by Alma. The main focus of the book is upon a ruthless German spy during WWI. The book is very well-written, with the author maintaining the tension: will the spy succeed in their audacious plan? Will they be unmasked as a murderer? Will they kill again?

Although the aspect of murder-solving by a ghost hunter, as mentioned in the title, is non-existent, I found this a highly satisfying novel with a touch of romance amongst the suspense. Alma does not investigate a murder and there are no clues for us to spot, but the historic background has been very well researched and is accurately depicted. Although historic accuracy may not matter too much to some people, I find that glaring mistakes destroy the reader’s immersion in the story. A good novelist researches well but uses their knowledge to make the story believable, rather than delivering a history lecture – and Frederick Petford is such a novelist.

I was delighted to read that the author has signed a contract to deliver three books about Alma Timperley, with the second currently scheduled for publication in mid-2026. I really look forward to reading it.

#AGhostHuntersGuidetoSolvingaMurder #NetGalley

My Rating : 3.5
This book a lovely cozy mystery set in Falmouth in WW2. I enjoyed the characters and the plot very much. The spiritualist side of things was well explained and made the story more engaging.
Over all, a lovely company on a cozy fall day!
Thanks Netgalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.

A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving a Murder by F.H. Petford had a fun concept, and I appreciated the mix of paranormal investigation with a classic mystery setup. The idea itself was creative, and there were moments where the atmosphere worked really well.

That said, the execution did not fully land for me. The pacing felt uneven, and some parts dragged where I wanted more momentum or suspense. I also found myself wishing for deeper character development to balance out the paranormal elements.

Overall, it was an interesting read with potential, but it did not completely pull me in. Fans of ghost stories or light paranormal mysteries may enjoy it more.

I quite enjoyed `A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving a Murder` despite the title being a slight misnomer as there isn't any ghost hunters in the story.

Set in a mid-world war 1 Cornwall, A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving a Murder starts with us finding out alongside main character Alma, that an aunt she didn't have previous knowledge of has left her a spiritualist hotel in her will, after an accidental fall from the roof of said hotel.

When she arrives, she is taken aback by the scale of the place, and uncovers a secret plot.

Whilst I enjoyed the story, I feel it wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be. It's part cosy murder mystery, part ghost story through seances and such, but half way through it goes full tilt into a war story, which was enjoyable, but I feel it took the edge away a little from the supernatural part of the story.

When Alma Timperley unexpectedly inherits a spiritualist hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall, she decides to move from London and start a new life. When one of the hotel maids dies, the police decide it was an accident during an air raid. But was it? The intelligence services believe a German spy is operating in the town too - is there a connection? As Alma begins to settle in her new role, she finds her own specific gifts may help solve the mysteries.

I absolutely adored this book. It was compelling from the start. The historical detail was spot-on and the characters well-drawn. Set during the First World War, we get an insight into the lives of those living on the south coast during the hostilities.

The story was tense and thrilling, with a hint of a romance too. Overall, a great mystery with excellent historical detail.

starts out great! the buildup is perfect, the mystery is setup, the seances are prepared.... then the story suddenly turns into an espionage thriller for some reason? it works, but it sorta relegates Alma, the ostensible protagonist, to a bit part, and frankly it's a lot less interesting than what it's promising. It's a pretty solid espionage thriller if that's what you're coming for, though. 3.25 stars. tysm for the arc.

This one was just okay for me. The idea of a Spiritualist Hotel during WWI is unique, and I liked Alma as a character, but the story moved slower than I hoped. Overall, it had potential but didn’t fully land for me. Readers who enjoy slower historical mysteries with only a touch of the paranormal may like it more.

I really struggled with the tone of this book. I went into it thinking it was a light-hearted cozy mystery, but then there was world war intrigue. I also thought it was an interesting choice to reveal the killer less than halfway through and to write from his perspective. So then the book leans speculative fiction. Plus ghosts are real and can be communicated with so it’s paranormal. I think there’s too much going on. But I really liked the protagonist in spite of the fact that I wish she had more agency. She’s not the best written female character. Sometimes I was confused as to why she was upset but then within a line or two she wouldn’t be made just as quickly.

A mix between of a paranormal romance and war novel.

I really enjoyed A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Murder! It was something different with a blend of two topics which was interesting.

There’s political intrigue, secrets, small romances and it’s based around 1914/1915 so we have anything you might expect from war time England.

I loved the element of paranormal, spiritualism and ghost and was expecting a bigger portion of the book to be dedicated to this but the parts we got were really good!

A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Solving a Murder by F.H. Petford is an interesting blend of wartime espionage and the supernatural, though it is not quite the book its title and cover suggest.

The story begins with Alma Timperley inheriting her aunt’s spiritualist hotel in Cornwall in 1914. When a maid is found dead, suspicions of spies begin to surface, and Alma’s unusual ability to speak with the dead becomes entwined with the mystery. While the premise promises a cosy ghost-hunting mystery, what unfolds is more of a spy story with a light supernatural touch. Alma, though introduced as the central figure, gradually becomes less of a driving force and more concerned with her romantic prospects, which may disappoint readers expecting a sleuth-led plot.

That said, the book has strengths. The wartime setting is vividly researched, the use of real locations adds depth, and the idea of weaving ghostly communication into the espionage world of WW1 is clever and well executed. As a spy novel with a supernatural twist, it works well and provides an unusual angle on a familiar historical backdrop.

A book slightly mismarketed, but still enjoyable for readers who like historical mysteries with a touch of the otherworldly.
Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I believe the title of the book is a little misleading. It turned out to be more of a cozy spy novel instead of a cozy murder book. Other than that I enjoyed reading it and I hope the next one is more about the hotel and Alma’s abilities.

A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Solving a Murder” is a quirky blend of paranormal mystery and cozy whodunnit. F.H. Petford brings plenty of atmosphere—creaky floorboards, ghostly whispers, and the charm of amateur sleuthing with a supernatural twist. The premise is fun and unique, and there are moments that really shine with wit and intrigue.
That said, the pacing felt a little uneven, and some of the characters could have used more depth to make them truly memorable. At times, the story leaned more on the ghost-hunting gimmick than the actual murder mystery, which might not appeal to readers who prefer tightly-plotted mysteries. Still, it’s a light, entertaining read that fans of cozy paranormal fiction will likely enjoy—just don’t expect it to be spine-tingling or razor sharp.

A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving a Murder by F.H. Petford is the story of a 1914 Spiritualist Hotel in Cornwall and Alma Timperley, who has just inherited it from an unknown relative. There is a lot of history of WW1 as the hotel is on the coast and susceptible to German spy threat. The story is a very realistic depiction of wartime and the added thread of grieving mothers and spiritualists helping them contact their sons lost in war is a different, believable or not, addition. It will be interesting to see where life takes Alma and her hotel.

Listen. If you’re going to name your book “A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Solving a Murder”, I expect AT MINIMUM one ghost being hunted and one murder being solved, preferably while someone in a sensible knit cardigan screams “THE SPIRIT WANTS VENGEANCE.” What I got instead was a WWI espionage plot wearing a novelty ghost hat and pretending it’s spooky season. It’s not.

Alma Timperley inherits a spiritualist hotel in Cornwall from a mysterious aunt she didn’t know existed and already, we’re vibing. She’s got secret ghost-seeing powers, two hot guys orbiting her like emotionally repressed moons, and the house is literally designed for séances. On paper, this should have been my whole personality. But instead of Alma going full gothic chaos and teaming up with a bitchy ghost maid to solve a paranormal murder? We got wartime spycraft, coded letters, and a lot of historical realism. Which is fine. But not what I signed up for when the book promised me Scooby-Doo with corsets.

And poor Alma! She starts off ready to discover herself and step into her power, but the moment a man with forearms and war trauma appears, she becomes the B-plot in her own story. The hotel? Barely explored. The séances? Hand-waved. The murder? Solved in a way that felt less “whodunit” and more “oh, there he is.” It’s not that I needed her to be a full-blown Sherlock-with-a-ghost-sidekick situation, but it’s deeply frustrating when your heroine has literal supernatural powers and still needs a man to hold her purse while she stumbles toward a plot twist.

Also, can we talk about the vibe confusion? One chapter we’re talking to ghosts, and the next it’s detailed reports on German U-boat strategy. I felt like I was switching between “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” and "Dunkirk" every ten pages. And the omniscient POV was whiplash-inducing. We got everyone’s inner monologue, from the romantic interest to the actual villain, which left zero suspense and all the narrative tension of watching a cat stare at a closed door for 300 pages.

To be clear: this is not a bad book. The writing is solid. The setting? Gorgeous. The historical research? Deep. If you want a gentle spy novel with a dash of spectral ambiance and a woman who’s apparently not allowed to ghost hunt without supervision, you might actually enjoy this. But if you, like me, saw that title and thought “hell yeah, this is going to be Agatha Christie meets ‘The Sixth Sense’ with a side of spiritualist grift”? Prepare to be misled by the most chaotic case of book-to-title mismatch since “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” sold me weaponized book clubs and gave me PTSD and patriarchy instead. Incredible book, but ma’am, where was the guide?!

This book owes me a séance, a mystery, and a refund for emotional whiplash. 2.5 stars. Would read a sequel only if Alma dumps both men, hires a lesbian medium sidekick, and turns the hotel into a ghost crime-fighting empire.

Huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC. Even if this book gaslit me harder than a Victorian ghost in a fog machine.

A Unique Blend of Historical Fiction, Espionage, and the Supernatural

While the title 'A Ghost Hunter's Guide to Solving A Murder' led me to expect a story centered around a haunted hotel, ghostly activity, and a central murder mystery, the plot took a broader turn—focusing more heavily on wartime espionage and looming invasion plans. That said, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment; it’s simply worth noting for readers going in with similar expectations. For the author and publishers, maybe a name change is needed.

This novel offers an intriguing mix of séances, murder, espionage, German invasion plots, and a touch of romance. I particularly appreciated the dual perspective from both British and German characters, which added depth and nuance to the narrative. However, with so much packed into a relatively short book, some elements—particularly the ghosts and the inner workings of the hotel—felt a bit underdeveloped. I would have loved more time spent on the guests, the supernatural elements, and the day-to-day life of the hotel.

There’s a wide cast of interesting characters, and while the frequent switches in perspective can be a bit confusing at first, they eventually lend a charming, gossipy tone reminiscent of small-town dynamics.

One standout aspect for me was the way clairvoyance and espionage were woven together—an unusual and refreshing combination that I haven’t encountered before. I only wish this element had been explored in greater depth, as it had the potential to be a truly standout feature.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s a solid choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction set during the World Wars, especially those looking for a unique twist with elements of the paranormal and espionage. If you’re drawn to character-driven stories with a hint of the supernatural, this is worth picking up.

3.5
It’s hard to rate this book because it’s marketed as something entirely different to what is inside the book, and that is a real shame. The title has no relation to the story whatsoever, and nobody is ghost hunting at any point. The cover suggests a cosy supernatural mystery, but it’s actually a cosy spy novel with a supernatural element to it. The blurb describes the main character as Alma, who inherits a spiritualist hotel, but she’s not really the main character, just someone who starts off as the main character and ends up more interested in which man she’s going to date. At no point is she ghost hunting or solving any mysteries. Certainly not without a man to hold her hand.
That’s not to say this is a bad book because it’s not. It’s a spy novel set in WW1 with great research and real locations you can actually visit. The author has done a great job of weaving the supernatural elements into the story, and it’s a clever idea to use the ability to talk to ghosts as a bonus when you want to be a spy. After all, it’s a time when a great many people died, therefore perfect for this kind of plot.
I do sometimes struggle when men write female characters, and this is one of those where I struggled to identify with any of the women in the book. The men get all of the action. The women are side characters, only interested in relationships, or giggling and leering at the exercising soldiers and passing them notes. Even the grieving women that visit the hotel to connect with dead loved ones are a bit thirsty. The men talk about the women as if they are ornaments (or not good enough to be) and when we had the potential in a German woman who is shut away but has information that is useful to her side of things, she passes that on and a man takes over.
There are so many things I wished for this book. I wanted Alma to build on the independence she found at the start and to not be concerned with men, but to realise that there is a life for her in Cornwall where she can come into her abilities and run a fantastic hotel, all while batting away the enemy and solving crimes with help from a series of helpful ghosts. The book I got was a cosy spy novel that was very much aimed at someone who would be unlikely to pick up this book because of the way it’s presented. And that is doing the author a real disservice. I hope the publishers reconsider the cover and title, because there is an audience out there that would enjoy it, but I don’t think will engage with it.

DNF @ 40%

Sorry to DNF it but I really struggled with this book. From the title and description I expected a different story. Plus, the writing style wasn't my cup of tea, and more than once the scenes were put together randomly without a logical thread.

This is a really fun, really enjoyable book. The star is Alma Timperley, transported from a life as a clerk, to owning a hotel and getting reacquainted with her supernatural skills.

The plot is excellent, the writing is excellent, and I really liked all of the characters (well bar the murderer obviously!)

I ate up this book. I’d love to hear more from Alma….the plot is wide open!

My thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review .

I thought the concept for this book was very interesting, a hotel that caters to the paranormal, sounds cool! People come to stay at the hotel to commune with the dead. I wished we focused more on that instead of some of the historical aspects. I enjoyed our main character and I liked her story, but I thought there was a lot going on. Not only did we have the hotel, but we had the Nazi storyline as well as a love triangle. I loved the idea of the paranormal hotel, but not the Nazi parts. The killer was revealed early on in the story so that was a little quick, I would have liked more build up for that storyline.


Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The book didn't quite live up to my expectations, but I did enjoy the story. Getting to see a German and British perspective as pretty interesting for me but I would've liked a bit more mystery surrounding the identity of the German spy. Would have also liked the book to have more cozy aspects and a stronger focus on the ghost hunter part of the title. Instead it read more like a lightweight historical drama.