PositiveWashington Independent Review of BooksA real strength of the book is the diverse ensemble cast comprised of Olivia’s friends and lovers, which makes this world intimate and appealing ... There’s also a satisfying series of threats here, including from a stalker ex, an untrustworthy love interest, and a racist reporter. Wurth does a good job sustaining an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere, although I—something of a weenie when it comes to spooky stuff—wouldn’t call it scary. It’s hard for metaphysical scenes to have the same impact on the page that they would on the screen; battling through a smoky spirit world can land a little flat on paper ... Nonetheless, the author keeps us guessing, offering multiple plausible theories that could implicate those closest to Olivia in the mysterious deaths and other strange happenings. I particularly enjoyed the early-chapter intros describing the Craigslist items Olivia would soon be called to investigate ... The story bounces around a bit in tone, sometimes giving us a chill Ghostbusters vibe, with a decidedly modern group of wiseacres tackling spirits in a workmanlike manner, and other times broaching serious topics like suicide, intimate-partner violence, and, of course, the historical massacre that looms over everything. As readers, we can’t always tell how much fun we’re supposed to be having ... When I started the book, I had a vague sense that I’d seen a movie with the same premise (it was Constantine, but there are plenty of other examples). But Wurth brings fresh energy to the horror genre, making The Haunting of Room 904 a satisfying escape for anyone whose real life feels a little bland.
Laura Lippman
MixedThe Washington PostThis is no romance novel. As the pandemic descends and problems mount, the story picks up pace and intensity, moving into the realm of a thriller as all three become implicated in a crime caper: an insurance scam that evolves into a murder-for-hire scheme ... Lippman builds the stories of her main characters. None are especially deep — or sympathetic ... Leaves readers so distanced from her soulless characters that they may not care enough to root for any of them.
