Good morning, bookworm! How are you on this fine autumn day? Speaking of autumn, I have just the book to curl up to during the darkening evenings: The Unquiet Spirit by Penny Hampson. Do you want to know more about it? Then walk this way…

Let’s start with the blurb: A new beginning. A house with a past. A man with secrets. It was a dream come true… that turned into a nightmare. Kate Wilson thinks moving back to Cornwall might be the answer to her prayers. But it isn’t long before she begins to have doubts. Is the house she inherited from her godmother haunted? Or is she going out of her mind? With a stalker, threats, and attempted break-ins, Kate’s troubles multiply. Then there’s her enigmatic neighbour, the brooding Tom Carbis; a man with secrets he doesn’t wish to share. Can she trust him when he says he wants to help? In her quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding her, will Kate uncover more than she bargains for? Set in beautiful Cornwall, The Unquiet Spirit is a gripping suspense with paranormal and romantic elements. Fans of Barbara Erskine will enjoy this tale.

And now, a little about the author: Some time ago Penny Hampson decided to follow her passion for history by studying with the Open University. She graduated with honours and went on to complete a post-graduate degree. Penny then landed her dream role, working in an environment where she was surrounded by rare books and historical manuscripts. Flash forward nineteen years, and the opportunity came along to indulge her other main passion – writing. Penny joined the New Writers’ Scheme of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and three years later published her debut novel, A Gentleman’s Promise, a historical mystery/romance. Other books in the same genre soon followed. But never happy in a rut, Penny also writes contemporary suspense with paranormal and romantic elements. Her first book in this genre is The Unquiet Spirit, published by Darkstroke. Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

Finally, my review: Thank you to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for the digital copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. This was a delightfully cozy mystery to snuggle up and read with a hot chocolate. Kate’s strong character had me hooked from the outset as she swallowed her grief following the death of her godmother. The paranormal element of this story starts immediately and I had goosebumps at some parts. The scent of rosemary often accompanies these occurrences and I think I’ll be transported back to this book every time I smell it!

I liked the grumpy Tom and the way his past was slowly revealed. My favourite part of the book was when Kate begins to delve into the history of a pair local lovers, as I’m drawn to the idea of someone’s letters one day being a window to the past. The different threads and characters’ stories were sewn up securely by the end of the story, something I find satisfying in a cosy mystery.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical romance novels, cosy mysteries and are fans of Tami Hoag and Barbara Erskine.

Does that sound like something you’d like to read? If so, click on the book’s image to purchase your copy (I don’t get paid for pointing you in that direction, I’m just being a helpful bookworm!). If you’d like to know more about Penny Hampson and her work, click on the button below to go to her website.

I’ll leave you in peace to get on with your reading. Farewell, and please do visit again soon!