One thing David O’Callaghan, Chief of Police of Spencer, Maryland should know by now is that ordering his half-brother Mac Faraday to stay away from something only makes Mac more curious.

Mac owns Spencer Mountain, but he has yet check out the south side of the mountain. He and David join the search for an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She slipped away from her family who are staying at the Spencer Inn. The two men are on ATV’s because of the rough terrain. When David refuses to travel further along a road that is no longer used and completely overgrown by brush, Mac becomes suspicious.

Finally, one of his Spencer Inn staff members breaks the news that an old abandoned castle is on the property. The staff member also tells Mac about the strange disappearance of a friend of David’s while partying at the castle many years ago. Her body was never found. He also learns that one of Mac’s favorite authors, Damian Wagner, stayed at the castle for four months many years ago while writing one of his famous novels.

Mac orders his staff to take him to the castle. Mac, his security chief, and David head to the abandon castle and are shocked when they literally trip over another dead body. It then becomes David’s job to find the killer(s) of those who lost their lives at Astaire Castle.

The Murders at Astaire Castle is the fifth novel in the Mac Faraday mystery series written by Lauren Carr. The author changed up the series a bit when she decided to add something a little special to the story. She wrote a Halloween tale with a touch of the supernatural that will keep readers on their toes.

The novel includes the normal cast of characters as it also brings in new visitors to the Inn. As the deaths begin to pile up, everyone close to Mac, including Gnarly, search for clues to find out who is committing the murders. Series regulars will enjoy revisiting their favorites while also meeting new characters as the surprising plot twists move the story forward. New readers will quickly get to know the inhabitants of Spencer Mountain.

Each book in this series provides further insight into the main characters and this time it is David who gets the attention when romantic secrets are exposed. The numerous players in this story could be confusing to readers in the hands of a novice author, but in the capable hands of Lauren Carr the quirky characters add to the mysterious atmosphere of the haunted castle.

The Murders at Astaire Castle is a must read for anyone who is looking for a great adventure.

A special thank you goes to Lauren Carr for providing an Advanced Reading Copy for our review. Carr’s mysteries are available at Amazon.com as well as everywhere fine books are sold.