Erika T. Wurth

Kari is an Urban Native living in Denver. She loves to visit her favorite dive bar, the White Horse. She actually hopes to buy the place one day. But, things change drastically when her cousin Debby finds a bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s missing mother.

I had some big feelings about Kari! She is a struggle in more ways than one. Honestly, I hated her one minute and loved her the next. She is definitely a complex character. She has been traumatized by the disappearance of her mother show more when Kari was just a baby. So, when her mother makes a ghostly appearance, it sends Kari into a complete tail spin.

I’m a bit late with my Halloween reads. But this book fits the bill! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Indian lore and the Indian mystification. It really kept the story moving…oh and we won’t talk about the monster OR Geronimo’s weapon. Talk about edge of your seat suspense…THIS BOOK HAS IT!

Need a mystical ghost story with a spattering of Indian lore…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

"The Haunting of Room 904" by Erika T. Wurth is a captivating paranormal thriller. Set in the landmark Brown Palace in Denver, this tale unfolds in Room 904, a place shrouded in mystery where women have tragically taken their lives every few years. As someone who enjoys stories set in familiar locations, I found this backdrop intriguing.

At the core of this tale is Olivia, a Native American paranormal investigator whose own struggles are deeply intertwined with the haunting history of the show more hotel. The author has opened the door to a world rich with potential for an enthralling series, and Olivia shines as a truly relatable and captivating character. The blend of indigenous folklore and captivating legends elevates the narrative and invites readers into a rich tapestry of culture and the supernatural.

This isn't your typical ghost story filled with jump scares; it's akin to a slow-simmering chili at a barbecue—seemingly harmless at first but packing a punch later on. I opted for the audiobook version, and I can’t recommend it enough for those looking to immerse themselves fully.

So, grab a cozy blanket, pour yourself a stiff drink, and prepare for a spine-chilling journey. If you’re feeling particularly daring, try reading it alone in a hotel room—it’s perfect for those who crave a touch of the spooky! If ghosts and chilling tales are your thing, this paranormal party is one you don't want to miss!

Thank you to the author and Macmillan Audio for providing this captivating audiobook through Google Play. As always, all opinions are my own and given freely. show less

4.5★
Olivia Becente's psychic powers manifested at the time of the suicide of her sister, Naiche, has left her academic career to work as a paranormal investigator in Denver. Our heroine is a woman dispossessed: Indigenous yet lacking recognition by any registered tribe, distanced from her family after the loss of her sister, and severed from her previous professional ambitions. She also seems disconnected from her prior sense of herself; she had a plan for her future, and summoning spirits show more was not part of it.
This wasn't how she saw her life...this was her sister's life...her now dead sister. Still Olivia goes to wherever she's needed, whenever a call comes in.

Now she finds that she's about to become a "time traveler" when a series of cases takes her back to what happened during the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. Olivia begins to suspect the culprit is an ominous seance group, known as the "Sacred 36", and the sinister Stillwell family. The same cult might be connected to the suicides, not only of her sister, Naiche, but a string of other women who over the years, their bodies had all turned up on the same date... in the same room... of the same Brown Palace Hotel. It appears that the last member of Olivia’s family, her mother, might be the next victim. The supernatural riddle is about to explode.

The Haunting of Room 904 is a paranormal thriller that follows main character Olivia as she discovers her new supernatural skills. She is able to see and hear spirits. Olivia learns to cope with her sister’s recent death in unexpected and unconventional ways. After becoming a leading paranormal investigator, Olivia is called to explore a classic Denver hotel where strange and inexplicable deaths occur every few years. These ghastly hauntings, as well as her newly inherited ability to hear from the dead, help her discover the unknown that lies within her sister’s life and within her own.

While Native cultures greatly vary among different tribes, there is a belief in some tribes that the deceased can communicate with the living through visions and dreams. Some Indigenous practices also include certain rituals for the dead, such as smudging with sage. It is clear that this author has a great deal of respects for her own Native American ancestry and has explored and used some of these practices in this story. The opening paragraph can be described as gripping and enticing a depiction that is carried on throughout, and the use of language is imaginative. The story is entirely effortless to follow and could even be an easy read for most everyone. The Haunting of Room 904 may even reach a new generation of lovers of the supernatural and horror genera.

The chapters are simple and move fairly quickly, which might not be for every reader, but I really liked it. The hauntings are mild, which is a good thing for those who might not have the stomach for more graphic horror. Overall, the book is a great introduction to horror and is best suited for those who love both Native literature and "on the edge of your seat" thrillers.

This is a thrilling, and inspiring horror novel that is filled with educational information about the Indigenous beliefs and practices of the Native Americans. A very modern twist on the classic paranormal story, this is sure to become a "must-read". This is the first I have read by Erika Wurth, but I found that her writing is proof that she is indeed a master of her craft. show less

A little slow at first - but I quickly became invested in the story the creepier it got. When Kari James is gifted an old bracelet that belonged to her mother, shit starts to go sideways real fast. Though she is an indigenous woman- Kari would describe herself as an urban Indian - preferring sex, drugs, and rock and roll in the city to any other traditions. Her mother disappeared at two days old and her father was in an accident soon after that caused a serious brain injury - so Kari was show more essentially orphaned - only having her cousin Debby. But the bracelet is causing her to have visions of her mother - terrifying visions and Kari realizes that if she wants the visions to stop she is going to have to find out what happened to her mother. Dark and gritty - this was an exciting read. I hope this author writes more! show less