The House of Memory is a suspense filled ghost story, and a mystery rolled into one. It’s a combination I’ve seen before, but done with a degree of skill that is often missed in this type of book.

While the mystery part of ghost story/mystery was done well, it is the ghost story portion that really made this book an enjoyable read. Too often books that focus on ghosts either concentrate on the supernatural aspects to the exclusion of all else or go the horror route and make the undead seem as gruesome and scary as possible. One of the things I really liked about House of Memory is, while ghosts were the major aspect of the book, the world the story lives in wasn’t solely focused on them. The way ghosts are introduced as part of the world, existing next to everyday mundanity, made them feel somewhat more real and added a lot of weight to their existence in the story.

It also made them significantly creepier when you the characters start investing the focus of the ghostly problems, and the supernatural ratio cranked up. Also, who doesn’t love a nice, haunted insane asylum?

Aside from the artful way Haines weaved mystery and suspense together, the characters are the other major plus for this book. Do they hit major character archetypes common to this type of story? Sure. Are they done in a believable and enjoyable fashion that makes you forget they’re a little cliché? Absolutely. While Reginald, the side kick and expert at reading people, was interesting enough it was Raissa that really made this book shine. She is a thoroughly engaging character that felt fully fleshed out with fears and motivations of her own. It was difficult not to like her passionate yet unassuming nature, and the use of first person from her POV helps further cement the reader’s connection to the supernatural investigator. While the book itself doesn’t mention the characters previous adventures in more than a passing way, the character was engaging enough that I sought out the first title in the series to learn more about her.

And when a character is interesting enough to sell me another book, that says something.

There is actually very little negative to find in this book. It’s interesting, well paced, with enough mood to keep you on the edge of your seat and a flowing style of writing that helps the reader get lost in the pages. So I only have 2 small nit-picks that keep this book at only ‘completely excellent and fantastic’ instead of ‘oh my god, that’s the best mystery ever,’ which, isn’t that far of a step-down.

The first is the use of language. The book is set in the 20s and, mostly thanks to a supporting role by Zelda Fitzgerald, it never lets you forget it. While there are moments of 20s vernacular in the story, mostly coming from Fitzgerald, the rest of the language bounces between modern word choices and almost Victorian. I can forgive the ‘almost Victorian’ part of that, seeing as how the 20s was a time of transition from the Victorian mindset to the modern, and most of that comes from the main character so it could be a personality foible more than anything else.

The modern use of language is something else. It doesn’t detract from the story, and it wasn’t something I noticed often, but when I did it made me wish for a bit more of the 20s flare the book could have used. Although I would guess most readers would be annoyed with the fun yet bizarre language of the 20s, so the author can be forgiven for using modern phrasing instead, if for nothing else than the ease of the reader. I’m not sure there is a balance that could be found that would hit both language choices, and as I said, it did not detract from the overall story.

My other concern was the ending. I won’t give it away, and I will say it wasn’t nessicarily bad, but given how suspenseful parts of the book feels, the end seemed like a choice was made because the author couldn’t find a better ending to the story. It’s not so much that the story was unresolved or finished in a way that left the reader unsatisfied, as it didn’t one-hundred percent live up to the promise the first two-thirds of the book made, stylistically. I will say again, the ending wasn’t bad. It was just cliché.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone that likes a ghost story and enjoys a little mystery. It’s worth the read.

The House of Memory is a suspense filled ghost story, and a mystery rolled into one. It’s a combination I’ve seen before, but done with a degree of skill that is often missed in this type of book.

While the mystery part of ghost story/mystery was done well, it is the ghost story portion that really made this book an enjoyable read. Too often books that focus on ghosts either concentrate on the supernatural aspects to the exclusion of all else or go the horror route and make the undead seem as gruesome and scary as possible. One of the things I really liked about House of Memory is, while ghosts were the major aspect of the book, the world the story lives in wasn’t solely focused on them. The way ghosts are introduced as part of the world, existing next to everyday mundanity, made them feel somewhat more real and added a lot of weight to their existence in the story.

It also made them significantly creepier when you the characters start investing the focus of the ghostly problems, and the supernatural ratio cranked up. Also, who doesn’t love a nice, haunted insane asylum?

Aside from the artful way Haines weaved mystery and suspense together, the characters are the other major plus for this book. Do they hit major character archetypes common to this type of story? Sure. Are they done in a believable and enjoyable fashion that makes you forget they’re a little cliché? Absolutely. While Reginald, the side kick and expert at reading people, was interesting enough it was Raissa that really made this book shine. She is a thoroughly engaging character that felt fully fleshed out with fears and motivations of her own. It was difficult not to like her passionate yet unassuming nature, and the use of first person from her POV helps further cement the reader’s connection to the supernatural investigator. While the book itself doesn’t mention the characters previous adventures in more than a passing way, the character was engaging enough that I sought out the first title in the series to learn more about her.

And when a character is interesting enough to sell me another book, that says something.

There is actually very little negative to find in this book. It’s interesting, well paced, with enough mood to keep you on the edge of your seat and a flowing style of writing that helps the reader get lost in the pages. So I only have 2 small nit-picks that keep this book at only ‘completely excellent and fantastic’ instead of ‘oh my god, that’s the best mystery ever,’ which, isn’t that far of a step-down.

The first is the use of language. The book is set in the 20s and, mostly thanks to a supporting role by Zelda Fitzgerald, it never lets you forget it. While there are moments of 20s vernacular in the story, mostly coming from Fitzgerald, the rest of the language bounces between modern word choices and almost Victorian. I can forgive the ‘almost Victorian’ part of that, seeing as how the 20s was a time of transition from the Victorian mindset to the modern, and most of that comes from the main character so it could be a personality foible more than anything else.

The modern use of language is something else. It doesn’t detract from the story, and it wasn’t something I noticed often, but when I did it made me wish for a bit more of the 20s flare the book could have used. Although I would guess most readers would be annoyed with the fun yet bizarre language of the 20s, so the author can be forgiven for using modern phrasing instead, if for nothing else than the ease of the reader. I’m not sure there is a balance that could be found that would hit both language choices, and as I said, it did not detract from the overall story.

My other concern was the ending. I won’t give it away, and I will say it wasn’t nessicarily bad, but given how suspenseful parts of the book feels, the end seemed like a choice was made because the author couldn’t find a better ending to the story. It’s not so much that the story was unresolved or finished in a way that left the reader unsatisfied, as it didn’t one-hundred percent live up to the promise the first two-thirds of the book made, stylistically. I will say again, the ending wasn’t bad. It was just cliché.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone that likes a ghost story and enjoys a little mystery. It’s worth the read.

Great, spellbinding sequel to Book of Beloved!! Love how Haines is able to weave in historical figures like Zelda Fitzgerald in believable, yet dramatic ways! It's a hard to put down read with an intriguing story, believable characters and plenty of twists and turns!

This book was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much that I read the entire book in one (1) day. It was just that good. The thrills of menacing ghosts and murders, along with other face-paced action and plot twists. This book did not disappoint. I loved the main characters Raissa and her partner Reginald. I love that the story took place in the olden days early 1900's and interweaves the plight of African Americans into the story as well. But not so much so that the book got off track. This author really put in some work and it was amazing. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family. I also liked the way women are portrayed and how some give their ideas on the whole bit but much like the plight of African Americans/Black people it wasn't too much just enough to give an idea of the times. The female characters even though they are considered sensitive and whistles they had strong characters and it was great to see.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this second book of this series Pluto’s Snitch is called on by the famous Zelda Fitzgerald. She has asked partners Raissa James and Reginald Proctor to help her friend Camilla. After two unexplainable episodes Camilla’s mother has sent her to the Bryce Hospital asylum thinking that she has gone insane. Her mother gives permission of any and all treatment the will make her daughter docile enough to get married. Raissa and Reginald quickly find this is a difficult case that may involve many more young girls. Putting themselves in danger they are determined not only to save Camilla but as many other girls as they can.

The author takes us back to the roaring 20’s with flappers, prostitution, prohibition, possession, ghosts and more. A time when women were seen but not heard and many were treated a property. She even includes Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald and Tallulah Bankhead in the story. The author brings true history into her stories making them very believable.

What makes the story so interesting is that Raissa has a gift. She can see and hear the dead. Sometimes what she sees is quite graphic and scary but she soldiers on to get the answers she seeks. She has dead people in her dreams too, sometimes they give her more questions than answers but they almost always move her investigation forward. While Reginald cannot see spirits (yet) he is a critical thinker and has Raissa’s complete trust. Together they make a fine detective team.

Carolyn Haines is very descriptive in everything from the characters to the settings. She has to be for this story to be a success. Pictures were painted in my mind of both the human characters and the spirits. I could also clearly picture everywhere Raissa went from the Sayre house to the asylum.

There was evil at play in this story both in the living and the dead. The plot would make an excellent movie but it would be one I probably would watch peeking through my fingers over my eyes.

A fast read, hard to put down, a chilling story. You may want to read The Book of Beloved first to start this series from the beginning. I highly recommend both.

Raissa and her business partner Reginald have started a detective agency in the 1920’s which investigates cases with paranormal implications. They are invited to Alabama by Zelda Fitzgerald to help her friend Camilla. Is Camilla possessed, or mentally ill as her mother insists? Why did she try to harm her fiancé? And can Raissa figure it out before it is too late? Exploring the 1920’s fascination with spiritualism, Carolyn Haines has created a unique historical mystery.

This book was just as good, if not better than the first in the series! It was fast paced, but kept your attention and wondering what would be revealed next. Lots of puzzle pieces in this one to be put together but they all came together in the end for the big reveal and didn't disappoint.

I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.

A delightfully complex, yet simply entertaining story...mixing spirits transcending all boundaries and a multi faceted mystery..making for a ever evolving and changing story where new elements are added to create further energy and unpredictably.

The team of Raissa and Reginald form the unconventional Pluto's Snitch investigation agency set during the exciting 1920's...through their combined talents and abilities are the center of a fast paced and exciting investigation of a heart pounding rescue mission where spirits abound...both good and very evil.

Ms Haines has cleverly woven the true to life characters of Zilda Fitzgerald and Tallulah Bankhead with Raissa and Reginald and a her creation of a hard to resist supporting cast of characters...giving credence to the breadth of her vivid imagination that is able to mix tantalizing fiction with fact.

As is typical of this author's writing style, the story moves quickly, changing directions on a dime and taking the reader in unexpected directions. The stories within the story that eventually tie together keeps you on the edge in anticipation of what will happen within the next pages. This was definitely a story I could not put down and finished it in one sitting.

Ms Haines successful undertaking of the introduction of the Pluto's Snitch series in addition to her Sarah Booth Delaney series...each with widely different time period settings (both set in the south) and characters...just demonstrates what a exceptional genius she in her span of writing creativity.

With a tidy cliffhanger, the author whets the reader's appetite for the next installment in the Pluto's Snitch mystery series. I'm excited to see what's in store next for Raissa and Reginald.

This ARC book was a complimentary copy provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Raissa James is a very progressive woman living in the deep south during the early 1900’s. She can’t wait for women to finally get the vote, she smokes a little, drinks a little, knows how to drive a car, is a writer whose first story will shortly be published in the Saturday Evening Post, and she sees dead people. In fact, she owns a private investigation firm, Pluto’s Snitch, where she and her partner in investigations, Reginald Proctor, help people figure out why they’re being haunted.

Raissa’s reputation is so well known that Zelda Fitzgerald, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s new wife, has asked Raissa to look into a problem that her friend, Camilla, is having.

Camilla is due to marry, David, the love her life. But twice when David and Camilla were alone Camilla turned violent and tried to kill David.

Camilla’s mother has sent her to Bryce Hospital asylum and wants Camilla to have a lobotomy so she will be a docile wife for David. Zelda knows that her friend would never hurt anyone, especially David, and believes there’s a lot more that’s going on than meets the eye.

Raissa and Reginald travel to Montgomery, Alabama and discovers that for some reason Camilla turns violent because of the new house she will be living in once she and David marry. Now all Raissa and Reginald have to do is figure out what evil lurks in the house and why Camilla is being haunted by it. They also have to somehow keep themselves alive since someone is trying to murder them.

“The House of Memory” by Carolyn Haines is the second in the Pluto’s Snitch mystery series and it’s terrific. I thoroughly enjoyed the first Pluto’s Snitch novel, “The Book of Beloved” and if possible “The House of Memory” is better.

There’s a lot of evil beings, both dead and alive, lurking throughout the pages, not to mention a plot line that involves the people living in Montgomery and the surrounding area. The ghostly portions are intertwined beautifully with the reasons why Camilla, and other young women in the asylum, have to be silenced.

Ms. Haines definitely knows her history and all of the books in her different series are filled with historic events that make the stories very believable.

I’m a huge fan of Carolyn Haines and have read so many of her novels that I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count them all. She’s a talented writer that knows how to get her readers so fully immersed in her tales that you don’t want to put the book down.

Plan on meeting Raissa, Reginald, Camilla, Zelda, and actress Tallulah Bankhead who is also featured in “The House of Memory.” It is a little chilling at times because of the evil house and the evil people at the mental institution so keep the lights on as you read but do not miss this new installment of this ghostly series.

I’ve long enjoyed the Sarah Boothe Delaney books, so it was with great anticipation that I picked up The House of Memory. It was a well done historical thriller with a believable dose of spiritualism (Spiritualism was quite popular before and during the jazz age). Pluto’s Snitch is an investigative agency that tackles cases of a supernatural bent. Raissa can see spirits and Reginald not only has a keen insight into human nature, he has the ability to charm even recalcitrant witnesses.


In The House of Memory they are hired by Zelda Fitzgerald (yes wife of F Scott Fitzgerald, flapper and innovator) to aid a close friend. Camilla is in a mental institution after attacking her fiance. Camilla fears she is going mad, but Zelda suspects a supernatural cause. If the cause of Camilla’s sudden violent outbursts cannot be found by Pluto’s Snitch, Camilla will be lobotomized - a fate worse than death. At the same time, pretty young women are disappearing and their spirits are coming to Raissa. Something connects the women, Camilla and Bryce Hospital and Raissa is determined to figure out the truth.


The House of Memory is an excellent historical/paranormal cozy mystery that has an authentic feel and few flaws. If you like Carolyn Haines other mysteries you definitely won’t be disappointed by this jazz age read.


5 / 5


I received a copy of The House of Memory from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


--Crittermom

“The House of Memory” earns 5/5 Mysterious Visions!

I am new to Carolyn Haines’s Pluto’s Snitch series, so this second book in the series was the perfect introduction: Prohibition? Poltergeists? Possession? Who knew the ‘roaring twenties’ could be so provocative…and deadly! I didn’t feel left out of the back story and character connections having not read the first book, although “The Book of Beloved” is definitely next on my ‘must read’ list. This mystery was very entertaining with a bit of humor and history keeping me engaged. It was very intriguing to get some insights into the era with Prohibition new to society (well, if you had the money, there’s always a way to get a drink), Suffrage and the 19th Amendment near ratification, the real-life friendship between Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald and Tallulah Bankhead, mores of Southern society, the role of women, and even treatments and the plight of those resigned to mental institutions. What fascinating discussions book clubs can have beyond plot and character analysis! I found Caroline’s characters to be well developed; my favorite is Raissa James with admirable strength and loyalty. The paranormal theme was not juvenile hocus-pocus; seeing of ghosts was treated as a normal way of life and just a delightful twist to the detective genre. I thoroughly enjoyed this book all the way the exciting climatic “Oh my!”

It was OK. I read the whole thing and wanted to find out what happened, but it is not really a preferred genre for me. Although I'm always interested in finding a good ghost story, this one didn't really work for me. Haines is a prolific writer and certainly has a lot of fans, most of whom seemed to have loved this book.

Loved it! The story lines flowed together seamlessly. Chills and thrills throughout. Stayed awake all night to finish cause I couldn't put it down.

Carolyn Haines has a real gift for telling a story and this book captured and held my attention from the start. Amazing and chilling story that does not disappoint the reader. Marissa and Reginald make a wonderful team and scant wait to see what their future brings.
Reading this story during a severe storm certainly made the creep factors higher for me!
I highly recommend this book and series and can not wait for the next book.
Thank you Carolyn Haines for creeping me out once again with your story. Something you are so very good at doing!!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thank you Carolyn Haines and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity.

This is the most deliciously creepy mystery I've read in ages! Combines all the fun and glamour of the Jazz Age, with a healthy dose of the supernatural. Just the thing to curl up with on a dark and stormy night. The book reminds me in tone of DuMaurier's "Rebecca" with the perfect level of suspense and pacing. I couldn't put it down and was sorely disappointed I couldn't get snowed in long enough to read it in one sitting.