Review of 'Blithe Spirits on the Pumpkin Path' by Sharon Booth
Release date: September 22, 2026
Publisher: Boldwood Press
REVIEW
Always fun to read the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series and this is number five! Blithe Spirits on the Pumpkin Path was an absolute pleasure. I really got lost in the eclectic cast of characters and their antics and dramas while being charmed by the cosy autumnal setting and mystical atmosphere. I always enjoy revisiting characters of the village and to see what they are up to. Like catching up with old friends! And meeting new ones (including Honey the Golden Retriever!) who will add another dimension to the community.
The story focuses on Halloween and all the drama of the town putting its best face on. Plenty of festivities are planned like carving pumpkins, apple bobbing and a Séance. They have booked the celebrity Madame Mariska from the tv show It’s Haunted but as we soon learn, she has a few issues. Her younger sister, Verity, travels with her and although they care for each other, it seems Verity is at Mel’s/Mariska’s beckon call. But on this special Halloween night, something bizarre happens. We don’t know why or how at first, but eventually all is revealed and the plot twists are so clever!
One of the core themes of this novel is the importance of relationships. The dynamics between a number of members shifts throughout the story. There’s plenty of friction but in time there is growth and restoration. Once family secrets are exposed, healing and forgiveness begin. There are some touchy characters who eventually own up to their mistakes. Once that happens, the beauty of harmony spreads and a few move on as well.
I found the afterlife of these ghosts fascinating and how the author takes a step further this time into that unknown spiritual territory and gives us an amazing glimpse of possibilities. Very original, too! Sharon has a wonderful imagination to conjure up these characters, chaos and outcomes. When Verity is given a brooch and a broken tea cup by a stranger in a shop, strange events happen that cause some horrific conflicts. But these stumbling blocks become useful prompts as they take these characters down a different path towards much needed change. I loved the depth and development we see in them as they evolve in an organic way.
This story had my heart, hook, line and sinker. I continue to marvel at Sharon Booth’s imaginative deliveries and ability to invoke so many emotions in me. I was at times laughing, then crying and smiling. This is another solid paranormal magical mystery addition to the set that I continue to enjoy. The cosy warmth (even during the family-like conflicts) felt genuine and there is such a strong community spirit of concern, protectiveness and care between the resident ghosts and non-ghosts. This is an inspiring tale that I just cannot rave enough about. Get a copy and immerse yourself in this incredibly fun and festive story filled with heart, healing and love on both sides of the grave. Another must-read winner from Sharon Booth! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
