Bumpy Oak Books

**I was provided with an electronic ARC by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Leanna Renee Hieber continues her Spectral City series with book two, A Sanctuary of Spirits. The series follows Miss Evelyn “Eve” Whitby, medium and head of the secret Ghost Precinct instated by Governor Theodore Roosevelt, and Jewish police detective Jacob Horowitz. The two and their respective teams attempt to solve cases utilizing the additional resources presented by the ghosts who have not yet crossed over.

I was not provided with book 1 of the series, but did seek it out on my own so that I would be best prepared for book 2. I am so very glad that I did. Book 2 picks up very neatly where book 1 had left off. While it is certainly possible to start with book 2, this is truly one of those series where it is best to read in order or you will miss out on important details.

I found that the general pace of this book was rather meandering, even with the overarching and driving plot which continues through the series in addition to the romantic subplot and individual book-specific mysteries that were introduced. I enjoyed the amount of representation in the book (POC, disability, religious beliefs, LGBTQ) particularly given the time period in which it was set. Once the final wrap-up began, the pace was much faster, which felt a little imbalanced toward the end.

I enjoyed Hieber’s writing style and tone, and find that it definitely lends itself toward eerie or paranormal type novels. That being said, I am glad to have read this book, but feel it is more in the range of “okay” or “good” rather than “excellent” or “great”.

I do own others of Hieber’s books and do look forward to reading them in the future.