I thoroughly enjoyed this! I honestly didn't think I would get into it much after reading the summary, but once I started reading the prologue I was hooked! Ada was a great character and truly relatable in so many ways, except the amazing fact she can't see and talk to ghosts. I loved her throughout the story and her being so strong willed and determined! My favorite characters were actually the ghosts like Dennis, The Inspector and Rose! Such an interesting book and unlike anything I've ever read. Astonished by it, so much that I plan to look into reading more by this author!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my own true opinions after fully reading this book.

This book says YA - but the language reads more middle grade, very simplistic and naive at times. But the content of the book is definitely YA or even adult, with kidnapping, sexual assault and multiple murders - yet the middle grade style keeps it almost cheery. I couldn't really grasp what the author was after, what was the mood she was going for. Is is a supernatural comedy? Cosy mystery? Violent thriller with sexual assault?

One star for sex/sexuality/gender positivity, otherwise I would have given it just one star - a real slog to get through.

The Curious Life of Ada Baker is the first book in what is sure to be a smashing series of paranormal crime novels about the titular psychic. Ada is a relatively normal woman, except for the whole living with ghosts and allowing them to use her body thing…it’s not what it sounds like!

With the help of her ghostly friends, a skeptical detective, and a hermit librarian who possesses paranormal skills of his own, Ada Baker is on the hunt for a killer in this “supernatural cozy crime novel.”

Perfect for fans of dry British humor and the Riley Thorn series by Lucy Score!

What I liked about the book:
1. I can’t say that I’ve read a book where a human could not only hear and see the dead, but could also channel the abilities they had in life too, but I found this super interesting! For example, one of Ada’s ghostly roommates, Mrs. E, was a cook when she was alive, so Ada could simply let her in her body and Mrs. E could cook a five-course meal using Ada’s body to prepare it. I loved this concept and was sure some bad ghost was going to take control of Ada at some point.

2. I loved that the ghosts had different abilities. For example, most ghosts could not touch or move things, but some, who were called poltergeists, did have that ability. I loved watching Dennis hone this ability of his and help Inspector Jolly learn as well! Their ghost friendship around this was just the sweetest thing to me.

3. All of the main characters were fantastic.

Ada – I liked how Ada really owned her interesting abilities, wasn’t afraid to claim them even in front of skeptical people, and she really was just a normal woman. Ada could have come across as a real weirdo, but she came across as someone you would definitely want to be friends with, which was great.

I especially loved Ada and her roommates! They really had the feel of a true family, even though Ada was the only living one. I totally saw Mrs. E as the mom with her prim ways and always wanting to cook a decent meal, Dennis as the dad with his advice and always wanting to watch his Old Western television marathons, and Rose as the spunky sister who always wanted to be involved in whatever Ada was doing. I also loved how Ada always set them a place for tea or dinner, despite them not being able to consume, just so they felt included. This was one hell of a found family and I loved it!

Matlock was my second choice for Ada, after Jian Lee, her Kung Fu classmate. After I quickly realized that Jian was not going to be a large part of this story and we were then introduced to Matlock, I fell madly in love with the idea of her with Matlock. Matlock and Ada were complete opposites in personality, but they had a lot in common with their backstories and their view on the world. When it came down to it, they were both caring people who liked to help others and who would take a bullet for those they love. I can’t wait to see these two come together, because why wouldn’t they!?!?!?

Inspector Jolly was so confident and trustworthy that as soon as he said Matlock was a good person, I instantly believed him. Inspector Jolly was definitely one of the good ones in life and I laughed so hard when he came up with the ghost police force. Of course a career inspector like himself couldn’t just give it up, even in death!

Neville, Neville, Neville. I totally thought you were going to be involved with the murder because you were jealous of anyone else who showed affection towards Ada, you also had paranormal abilities, and you wanted to be right by Ada’s side solving the mystery. Because of this, I didn’t really give you the time of day, despite you being as awkward (read: adorable!) as the most famous Neville, Neville Longbottom. I guess you were alright after all. I kinda want you to end up with Astrid Starlight, the owner of the crystal/energy reading shop who was introduced and helped Ada at the very end of the story. I want to see more of her and I think you would be adorable together as the awkward dude and sunshine lady.

William Kent was the right amount of creepy that you wanted to know just what the hell his deal was! He was interesting and totally gave me the unsettling feelings similar to Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs. I want to know more, but at the same time I don’t…

4. I liked how the story wasn’t simply a murder mystery. Even when the mystery of who murdered Mary was closed, there were still so many things the author can, and likely will, expand on. We still need to know who killed Inspector Jolly and what the hell William Kent is doing!!!

5. I liked how there is no way in a million years you could have seen coming who the killer was. I wildly oscillated at first between this being aggravating and fantastic, but I have made up my mind that it was great. I liked not being able to solve this one…but just this one.

6. Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

“It wasn’t that Ada didn’t believe in God, it was only that she’d never felt the need to go to a special place to speak to him.”

– Couldn’t agree more, sis.

“All it takes for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing.”

– So true!

“I bought you some chocolate bars. I’ve heard hospital food is pretty bad.” Neville certainly knew the way to a girls heart.

- 10 points to Gryffindor!

What could have been better:
1. I didn’t like any of the side characters really, they all fell a bit flat. I’m not sure if it’s because I was on the hunt for the murderer so I trusted none of them, or if they really were very dull, but I couldn’t really get to a good place with any of them. The good news is, we will probably not have to deal with them going forward!

2. I didn’t love all the love interests floating around and Ada going heels-to-Jesus with, in my opinion, the wrong guy. He totally had a creepy Jeff Goldblum feel to him (which I will never forgive as I love Jeff Goldblum) and I hated it.

Special thank you to NetGalley, Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, and Karen Hamilton-Viall for the opportunity to read this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

From the writing style it is hard to believe that this is a debut novel from this author. It is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters and well developed worldbuilding. I love dark academia so this really hit the spot with me

DNF. The writing style didn’t work for me at all: the sentences alternated between too frilly and too flat, and I felt like at some points the book was a recap of its own contents, and at others slowed down to posturing prose. That put me off from actual events that were taking place, so I’ll leave this book to readers who are not so easily distracted by the style.

This was exactly on the vide I wanted. Dark academia, murder, psychic, case etc. It was really interesting and entertaining. Good book, definitely worth the time.

If I had to describe this book in a few words, it would be that it is a modern day Poirot with a fantasy twist. I was shocked that this is a debut novel, I assumed the tone and complexity of the novel was written by an experienced author. I love the concept that Ada is psychic and can see ghosts/poltergeists and how this helps her solve the mystery. I liked how the first few chapters allowed you to really form a relationship with Ada and allow the reader to feel as though they are there with Ada solving the death of Mary Watts. I thought that the concept of this novel was genius and gripping - I read it in less than a day as it was so difficult to put down. I also felt that you were able to get to know the different ghosts and their personalities.

I can also imagine that this would be a great book to read on holiday as it is actually quite relaxing but very exciting to read.

I love the concept and I love the storyline. We follow likeable characters on a fun adventure. I see the book is meant for adults but the dialogues read like it’s for children. Even the description somehow sounds childish. Above this, the paragraphs seem to be too lengthy to focus. Dividing them might be helpful to the reader, as well as provide more depth to the prose.