Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason Review: A Fresh, Inclusive Cozy Debut You Can’t Miss

Read Time: 4 minutes

🎧 Listened in Audio (ARC from NetGalley)
📢 Narrated by Jacqueline King, Jonathan Case, Ayesha Antoine, Barnaby Edwards, Angus King, Anna Acton, Roy McMillan
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
🏷️ Published by Harper Audio and William Morrow Paperbacks
📚 Genre: Cozy Mystery

Book Blurb:

Detective Midge McGowan, a neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ woman, is handed a mysterious ticket to a haunted house tour as she retires from a challenging police career. Surrounded by an eclectic group, the tour quickly takes a sinister turn when a murder occurs. With a sharp cast of characters and atmospheric chills, Midge must unravel the mystery in this cozy, respectful, and heartfelt debut that delicately explores identity and community.

Let’s Talk about the book:

Murder Most Haunted is one of those rare debuts that feels fully formed. Emma Mason’s first novel delivers everything you want from a modern cozy mystery. A small-town haunted house setting, witty banter, and an unexpectedly moving core. What grabbed me first was the character of Detective Midge McGowan: an overweight woman, part of the LGBTQ+ community, portrayed with honesty and compassion. She’s likely on the spectrum (my interpretation), and though she’s married, she’s hesitant to share that part of herself, calling her wife her companion in public. There’s a quiet ache in that detail, one that says so much about the world she’s navigated and how it’s shaped her.

Emma Mason threads neurodivergence and LGBTQ representation through the story with zero preachiness. It’s natural, lived-in, and authentic. The toxic police-station backstory is only a whisper here, quickly replaced by a found-family vibe among the haunted house guests. The narrative respects its characters and the reader alike, avoiding clichés and tokenization. Add in the subtle humor and personality clashes within the group, and you’ve got a story that’s lively, warm, and deeply human.

The multi-narrator audiobook format works brilliantly, each voice distinct yet cohesive. It adds a layer of texture that enhances the mystery rather than complicating it. Midge may doubt herself socially, but professionally she’s razor-sharp. Once the haunted tour turns deadly, her detective instincts take over, and her calm logic cuts clean through the chaos.

The mystery itself is smart and satisfying, and what stands out most is how deftly Mason handles sensitive subjects. No gore, no cheap shocks, just clean, clever storytelling with heart. The ending threw me for a loop; the clues were there but subtly tucked in, keeping that perfect cozy balance of comfort and curiosity.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Murder Most Haunted is a clever, inclusive, and emotionally resonant debut cozy mystery that celebrates character as much as crime-solving. Midge McGowan is quietly powerful, flawed, and unforgettable. I’d happily follow her into another haunted house, or any other case she takes on.

If you like this…

You may also like…

• Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
  An elderly tea shop owner finds a dead body in her café and decides she can do a better job than the police.
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
  A group of retirees in a peaceful British village solve murders over tea and biscuits
• The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
  It’s witty, British, and wonderfully character-driven, offering the same mix of clever deduction and human warmth that made Midge’s story shine.
• One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters
  A historical cozy mystery featuring Brother Cadfael, a monk with a nose for solving medieval murders in a beautifully detailed setting.
• The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley
  Meet Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old detective with a passion for chemistry and solving murders in an English village—quirky and clever.

Who’s Joining Midge’s Ghost Tour Next?

Have you ever been drawn into a mystery because of the characters as much as the plot? Or do you look for diverse, inclusive representation in your cozy reads? Drop your thoughts below. Let’s talk haunted houses, hidden clues, and all things cozy!

book links:

Amazon CA
Goodreads
Check out more books from Harper Audio and William Morrow books