Description (from cover): “Nola Trenholm is hopeful for a fresh start in the Big Easy but must deal with ghosts from her past–as well as new ones–in this first book in a spin-off series of Karen White’s New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.

After a difficult detour on her road to adulthood, Nola Trenholm is looking to begin anew in New Orleans, and what better way to start her future than with her first house? But the historic fixer-upper she buys comes with even more work than she anticipated when the house’s previous occupants don’t seem to be ready to depart.

Although she can’t communicate with ghosts like her stepmother can, luckily Nola knows someone in New Orleans who is able to–even if he’s the last person on earth she wants anything to do with ever again. Beau Ryan comes with his own dark past–a past that involves the disappearance of his sister and parents during Hurricane Katrina–and he’s connected to the unsolved murder of a woman who once lived in the old Creole cottage Nola is determined to make her own…whether the resident restless spirits agree or not.”

My Thoughts:

A couple of years ago I came across the first book of Karen White’s Tradd Street series and was introduced to this author and her fantastic books. There are seven books currently in that series and the author decided to branch off with this new series featuring Nola Trenholm, who is the daughter of the main characters Melanie and Jack in the Tradd Street series. That series is set in Charleston, South Carolina and this book takes place several years since the last installment in that series. Nola is now twenty-eight years old and has moved to New Orleans. She purchases an old house in the city with the intentions of restoring the property and making it her home. Little does she know that this house has its own past and secrets. When she learns that a murder occurred in the house 40 years ago, she is concerned that there are lingering spirits who don’t want her to be there.

I was so excited to see that the author wanted to continue the Tradd Street series but using Nola and her own story to branch the series out. I loved Nola’s character in White’s other books and I am glad that she decided to give Nola a starring role in her own series. Nola has her own demons that she has had to face. She has a loving family and although paranormal things have been a huge part of her life, she has has her own beliefs and her own agenda. I don’t normally read books that are paranormal based, not that I don’t enjoy them, I just usually don’t seek them out. White’s books are phenomenal and mix the paranormal with real life and mystery that make it near impossible to stop reading. Her characters are well developed and have so much depth that it is impossible to not connect with them as a reader.

I am sincerely hoping that this series continues as long as the Tradd Street series has with seven books. I loved being introduced to city of New Orleans through White’s descriptive details. She really makes you feel like you are in the city and a part of it with using real places and details to make it come alive. If you are interested in this book, I highly recommend that you start with the Tradd Street series and continue through to this one. This book was another fantastic read from Karen White. It is my understanding that there is another book planned in this series and it can’t come soon enough for this reader. I highly recommend this book and all of Karen White’s books in the Tradd Street series.

Overall Rating: 5+ Stars

Author: Karen White

Series: Nola Trenholm #1

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: March 29, 2022

Pages: 384

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.