I thoroughly enjoyed this novel until the last two chapters. There was a good and solid mystery, and the characters and their personal lives evolved interestingly.
This is the first time Rylan collaborates with Ford, who isn’t in charge of the investigation as it involves a member of his family. There are new twists, a complex mystery, and a big cliffhanger.
Everything was very good until the big revelation. I found the last two chapters a bit confusing and wasn’t a fan of the cliffhanger, as we have to wait for the next novel. Some parts seemed a bit rushed or out of character, and the closure was quite abrupt.
Even if the mystery part can be enjoyed as a stand alone it’s better to read the series in order as there’s background story that could be a bit complex if starting with this installment.
I cannot wait to read the next one. This one is recommended.
Many thanks to Second Sky for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

The latest book of the Rylan Flynn series. Another ghost ism seen and this time it leads Rylan to a body. So Rylan calls it in and now is out to solve who did it. Her boyfriend is a cop and the body was a relative so he is taken off the case but him and Rylan start to solve it on their own.
If you liked the show Ghost Whisperer then you will enjoy this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ebook to review.

OMG, we are getting so much closer to finding out about the beastie "behind" the door - what a clanger at the end - I am so excited for the next book!!! I NEED IT NOW!!

I bought the audiobook today as my reading is very glitchy at the moment, and I devoured it in a short few hours. I loved the narrator she got everyone spot on and I love the voices she does for everyone. What a story! Who doesn't love an urban legend of a woman on the bridge? So sad when we hear the true story about the girl at the beginning!

So many ghosts, and so many side stories, never detracting from the main story of Kenzie. I loved the side bit with the ghost talking to Ryaln about her cheating boyfriend and helping the girl in her old house! Although it was a shame there was nothing done about bringing the ex to justice. There is nothing I dislike about this book or series...ok, I lie one thing, FORD!!!! HOW DARE HE!

I am hoping he pulls his finger out! I mean how dare he! He made my blood boil.

I never want this series to end, but I know it will soon, but I don't want it to! Rylan is evolving, her mum is evolving. Even creepy bear Darcy is evolving. And there was a moment when even I joined Rylan shouting at her mum. I feel the shift with these new characters will be interesting to watch in the next book as now there is an awareness of what is happening, and the free-flowing of their movements...well... it's going to be interesting - I know all very cryptic!

I just love Rylan! I wish I could join her ghost-hunting team!

I love this series as it’s such a great combination of genres - crime and the supernatural.
Rylan can see and communicate with those that have passed away and always seems to come across a dead body before the Police.
Things were tense between her and the Police but now she has grown closer to Ford, things are a lot more easier.
However when he identifies the body of his cousin his boss tells him he’s off the case as it’s family. But this doesn’t stop Ford and Rylan carrying out their own investigations.
This is a great read and is a series I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Second Sky for the opportunity to read this book.

A Chilling Mystery with Heart and Hauntings

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

The River Ghost by Dawn Merriman is an enthralling addition to the Rylan Flynn series, blending paranormal intrigue with a poignant and suspenseful mystery. This book draws readers in from the first pages, as Rylan, a gifted ghost hunter, encounters a spirit with a dark secret by the river. What she finds beneath the water—a murder victim with a personal connection to her partner, Detective Ford Pierce—takes the mystery to a deeply personal level, testing their budding relationship and pushing Rylan’s skills to the limit.

Merriman masterfully balances eerie, atmospheric elements with genuine emotional depth, crafting a story that’s both thrilling and haunting. The twists are clever and keep readers guessing, while the development between Rylan and Ford adds warmth to the story’s darker moments. The layered plot, with its blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, makes this a satisfying, page-turning read.

For fans of slow-burn romance and supernatural mysteries, The River Ghost delivers a uniquely captivating experience, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Rylan’s next case.

Thanks to Ms Merriman, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Gripping, shocking, well thought out and hard to put down!!! The River Ghost: A thrilling and haunting paranormal mystery proved to be another fantastic addition to the Rylan Flynn series! I always get excited when I see Dawn Merriman has a new book in this series coming out and she did not disappoint!

Rylan Flynn can see the dead. Not only can she see and communicate with ghosts, but she also works tirelessly to help solve why they are haunting the living. One night she sees a ghost on a bridge who leads her to the body of a young woman who has been murdered. Detective Ford Pierce shows up and realizes he knows the victim - it's his cousin!

As Rylan and Ford begin to investigate on their own, they learn that this case is not so cut and dry as they thought. That there are secrets and lies working overtime to keep them from the truth. There is a lot for Rylan to figure out in this book. She continues to help the ghosts and murder victims while trying to have a private life. Her relationship with Ford continues to evolve in this book as well.

This book is part mystery, part romance, and part thriller. This book has a great paranormal element involving ghosts. I find this to be very intriguing. This book has some creepy moments, some moments of tension, dread and danger as well. I enjoyed the mysteries in this book (there are more than one) and the continued relationships that Rylan has with other characters in this book.

The River Ghost: A thrilling and haunting paranormal mystery left me wanting more as several elements of this book has my interest piqued to say the least. I continue to enjoy the characters, the character development, the paranormal aspect, and the mysteries.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, thrilling and left me wanting more!

This one was a heartbreaking mystery. Rylan has come a long way from book one and I'm so invested in the character at this point. I also really enjoy the other characters. We seem to be moving along on the series mysteries as well. There was one development that shocked me and I admit, I was disappointed. I can't wait to see what happens next.

There is not a female lead character than Dawn Merriman can write that I do not love, however, Rylan has a special place in my heart and is my absolute favourite.

I eagerly await every new Rylan Flynn mystery as soon as I finish the last.

I was hooked from the first page!
I'm loving the direction this story is taking! I love how Rylann goes about talking to ghosts, and helping them where she can. We are getting some forward momentum in a few parts of Rylann's life, with her relationship with Ford and with her mom.

Rylann and Mickey find a body thanks to the help of a ghost, Turns out the victim is a relative of Ford, and that has him and Rylann working closely together. Which led to exactly where I was hoping between the two of them. yay! I have been waiting for this since book 1!

The mystery is especially twisty with lots of suspects, and secrets coming to light. Of course, Rylann ends up in danger, she just can't seem to help it. And in an extra surprising twist with how she gets out of it. And that ending, well lets just say I need the next book asap!!

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for this eCopy to review

I am hooked on the Rylan Flynn Mystery series. The 5th instalment The River Ghost is just as thrilling as the other books in the series. This time Rylan is shown a dead body by a ghost as she drives across an isolated bridge in the woods. The young woman is Kenzie Cross, who turns out to be Detective Ford's cousin, so he is ordered off the case. The plot twists and turns, revealing shocking secrets and putting Rylan in danger once again.

I love how Rylan and Ford's relationship progresses it is all going so well until the end, hopefully things can get back on track in book 6.

The River Ghost is a gripping paranormal mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. With its twists and turns, complex characters, and tense atmosphere, kept me guessing until the very end. Warning this one ends on an epic cliff-hanger - I can’t wait for book 6!

Thriller/mystery books with paranormal elements are my favourite, really enjoyed this, I was entertained and engaged throughout can't wait to read more! The writing was simplistic yet immersive and the characters believable

Thank you Netgalley and Second Sky for the chance to read an ARC of The river ghost by Dawn Merriman. This is the 5th book in the Rylan Flynn series and I could not put it down. It was a fast, easy read and was perfect for the Halloween season! At the end of the previous book, Rylan and Ford have finally moved forward with their relationship, and this in turn has Rylan starting to move forward with her personal issues. After a ghost points Rylan to a murder victim, the case becomes personal for Ford, as the victim is his cousin. Taken off the case, Ford decides to continue investigating on his own, with Rylan's help. A secondary story is the haunting of the teddy bear Rylan had picked up at a garage sale. The bear seems to move from place to place, and then starts to talk ... ok, I will admit this part kinda freaked me out! Is this a trapped spirit, or an evil entity? As with the previous books it ends on a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next book, and the question that I have been asking through the entire series...who or what is trapped in her brother's bedroom???? I have my suspicions!!!!
The river ghost comes out November 15th, and while it indicates its a YA series, I believe its for the over 16 crowd.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, Second Sky for the eARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Rylan Flynn sees ghosts, not just any ghosts, but ghosts that have had tragic ends. In this book the ghost leads Rylan to her body underneath a bridge. It's clear the poor woman was murdered. Fortunately Rylan's friend Ford Pierce is a detective and familiar with Rylan's gift to see ghosts. She immediately calls him. He arrives only to discover the dead girl is his cousin. He's sidelined from the official investigation but that doesn't stop Ford and Rylan from investigating on their own

I enjoyed the paranomal aspect and the storyline and the characters. It was a nice change from the police procedurals I usually read. Overall a good book. 3 out of 5 stars.

I just finished this latest book in the Rylan Flynn series, and it gave me literal goosebumps…and then I got angry because I have to wait to see how this is going to affect poor Rylan. LOL! The last book saw the relationship between Rylan and Ford change, and in this one we see how they are dealing with this change. Not only that, but poor Rylan has to stay on the sidelines in the hunt for his cousin’s murder. This book brings some huge changes to Rylan’s life, and I am more than ready to see how this is all going to shake out in the next installment. Well-written, spooky, very entertaining addition to the series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Dawn Merriman You can't leave me on a cliff hanger, how will I be able to wait till the next novel ? This series just keeps getting better and better, the novels are easy to read and easy to follow they have a bit of everything, supense mystery a few ghosts and I like the will they won't they nature of Rylan and Fords relationship and I need to know, What is locked up in her brothers room. Roll on the next story.

Nothing better than a detective mystery with ghosts! I love a good mystery and this one kept me interested the entire time!

This book is a lighter read than most mystery/thriller books I read. It still features murders, has some sadder moments, some romance (not enough for me to scream and stop reading) and ghosts. This can lead to some funny moments as only Rylan can see who she's talking to. I don't think it's necessary to read the entire series, but I took a chance on book one and have been reading them as they come out. I find them to be quite quick reads and I read this book in one sitting. The characters are easy to like, it's not obvious who the killer is and the plots are always different. My only problem with this book was the ending....... I now need the next book!!

This was a great fifth book in the Rylan Flynn Mystery series, it had that overall feel that I enjoyed from the first four books. The concept worked well and had that world element that I was looking for. The characters were everything that I wanted and thought the paranormal mystery element worked well overall. I enjoyed the way Dawn Merriman wrote this and can't wait to read more in this series.

I love this easy read fantasy series. Rylan Flynn ghost hunter and easer of spirits. The story continues with her getting closer to a romantic relationship with Ford, maybe; sorting out her house situation, maybe. Seeing ghosts, solving crimes and getting into trouble again? Well it is Rylan that I’m talking about so definitely. Entertaining read? Also definitely. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This series has a lot of potential and so do the main female and male characters. However, the writing and the dialogue for this characters seems juvenile at times, like they are younger in words in thoughts than they are supposed to be. I just wish with some of the life experiences Rylan has had she should be more mature, not that she shouldn't have her issues, those are developed with the plot, but how she handles them most of the times, and this book started in on the male lead as well. The ending had a little abrupt, the plot has leading up tp the climax well bit everything seemed rushed in the end and needed a little more of an explanation. Rylan's family seems to be disappearing as well, and what happened to the evil force?