I enjoyed book 1 in this series. But man book 2 was absolutely awesome. What a unique book. I can’t say much without spoiling, so I’ll say I need book 3 please ASAP. And come on Maria wake up…lol. I’m team Frankie.

Dive into the chilling world of "Her Lost Soul" by Helen Phifer, where a teenage dare in an abandoned psychiatric hospital turns into a heart-pounding investigation. When Riley Holt, daughter of the local police chief, vanishes during a midnight escapade with friends, Detective Maria Miller steps in, her wits as sharp as the twists in this thrilling narrative. The eerie setting of the hospital, with its sinister past and connection to the infamous College Kid Killer, provides the perfect backdrop for a story that weaves suspense, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural.

Phifer masterfully crafts a tale that is as much about the secrets lurking in the shadows of Beacon Hill as it is about the complexities of human relationships. As Maria delves into the hospital's grim history and Riley's family secrets, the plot thickens. The discovery of a fresh grave and the enigmatic former caretaker of the hospital add layers of intrigue, while Maria's instincts hint at a truth more terrifying than the hospital's haunted corridors.

"Her Lost Soul" is a gripping page-turner, blending a classic whodunit with eerie, atmospheric storytelling. Phifer's skillful narration keeps you on the edge of your seat, while the multifaceted characters and clever plot twists ensure you're hooked until the very end. It's the perfect read for fans of thrillers who love a story that sends shivers down their spine. So, turn on the lights and prepare to be engrossed in this haunting tale of mystery and suspense.

I've enjoyed Helen Phifer's other series...es, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. I started with the first book, though, so I had a better grounding. And I like this series a lot. It reminds me somewhat of Graham Masterton's Patel & Pardoe series, in that they're both about a duo who have been tasked with investigating spooky crimes. (Masterton's series, though, is a lot gorier, fyi.) And of course, they're both reminiscent of something that this series even references, my beloved X-Files. So while comparison may be the thief of joy sometimes, it's not true this time. I would check out any series with this basic trope, but the stories and characters have to be engaging to make me keep going, as I will with these books.

I'm definitely hooked onto the Detective Maria Miller series! They're are fast-paced, unique and I didn't see that twist coming! I can't wait for the next one.

This is a mystery with a difference. The main characters are police officers, but they investigate where there's something weird about a case. This had a missing girl, ghosts and things that go bump in the night. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was another 'one sitting read' and although it had some 'past' moments, these were completely necessary, so not annoying as were essential to the plot. I have read the first book too, but I don't think that's necessary to read this book.

A spooky scary thriller, plenty of surprises and overall a gripping read. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Her Lost Soul is such an attention grabber, this had me so immersed into the story that the rest of the world just did not exist until I finished this book. I read it in two sittings which for an ADHDer is quite impressive!
This book gave me anxiety in the best way possible and I found myself holding my breath unintentionally on more than one occasion.
I love that this was written to incorporate the first book but gives just enough that its not being repetitive but also still doesn't require the reader to have read the first one to understand what is going on.
This book gave me a lot of House on Haunted Hill vibes (compliment because I love that movie) and is the first haunting book to really grab and keep my attention!
Thank you for allowing me to be amongst the firsts to read this book, it was truely a great book and easily in my top 5 reads of 2023!!!

I really liked this and had a hard time putting it down. Definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

This is the second in the Detective Maria Miller series. This book can be read on its own but to have the back story of the characters I would suggest reading the first book in the series “The Haunting of West 10th Street”. This story was thrilling, suspenseful, creepy, and drew you into the paranormal world. I have been enjoying Helen Phifer for a few years and this series doesn’t disappoint. Phifer has a way of developing characters that you become involved with as you read the story. When everything is going right or when everything is going downhill you are with them the whole time. This book is written in two storylines, the present day and 1960. You need to understand the back story to be aware of what is happening now. Detective Miller and Conroy are a team that investigates unusual crimes. They have been called to an abandoned psychiatric hospital where the sheriff’s daughter has disappeared. Her friends and the Sheriff’s department haven’t been able to locate her, and this hospital has a reputation for being haunted. Miller and Conroy feel that uncomfortable atmosphere as soon as they enter this hospital. They decide to interview all former staff members and realize that one of them can give them information that might solve this mystery. Pick up this well-written and entertaining book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 in the paranormal series featuring Detectives Miller and Conroy. It was all a bit unbelievable for me and failed to interest me. The dual timeline, detectives seeing ghosts and too much filler in the middle, left me losing interest. Just not the genre for me but other readers may enjoy it. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This book was entertaining enough, but it’s not one I would read again. It’d be going all secular one minute, and then in the next, the characters are busting out holy water, rosaries and Native American shaman dances. It was giving me a bit of whiplash. And then the police chief sees supernatural beings, but when another person suggests that something equally crazy is at play, he can’t or won’t believe it. Bro, you just saw a ghoul! Anything goes, clearly!!

I very much appreciate the heads up from the story itself that Maria’s previous experience with the supernatural (Book 1) is not one that I would want to read. Nope, nope, nope. Ms. Phifer is a talented writer, but I’m afraid (get it?) that I’m not her target audience, at least when it comes to her paranormal books. I’d be willing to give one of her regular thrillers a shot, though.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Gripping, thrilling and dark! Her Lost Soul is the second book in the Detective Maria Miller series. This book can be read as a stand along but you will be missing the backstories of several of the characters, so I do highly recommend reading The Haunting on West 10th Street first. It's a fantastic book and a fast read. Speaking of fast reads, this book was fast, creepy, and hard to put down read. One thing to note, this is in the Horror category but there is no gore in it. Some horrific things happen but they are on the tame side, and I doubt readers will lose any sleep over this book. This is a creepy, sinister, and haunted feeling book. Think of it more as a supernatural crime thriller that does not disappoint.

Four teenagers enter the abandoned psychiatric hospital, but only three come out. Riley Holt never made it out of the building. Her three friends had no idea what happened to her inside the building. A search is conducted and her father, who is the local police chief, is leading the search. The teenager appears to have vanished leaving no clues behind.

Detective Maria Miller and her partner Frankie Conroy have made names for themselves solving cases that others cannot solve. Their cases have a supernatural element to them. When they begin their investigation, they investigate the facility's past and learn about some troubling things that occurred there. While interviewing former staff members, they begin to feel that one employee may know more than he is telling them.

This book was told in two timelines, each being equally engaging and interesting. The psychiatric hospital was atmospheric and spooky. In the present day it is an abandoned facility but still has a creepy and chilling feel to it. In the past, it is a functioning psychiatric facility in the 1960's. In both times, there is a sense of unease. Characters feel unsettled, the little hairs on the back of their necks sticking up. Fight or flight is kicking in, but why? What dangers does this building hold?

I loved the creepy and chilling vibe in this book. I found this book to be a gripping, atmospheric, tense, spooky and fun read. I enjoyed both Maria and Frankie. They are great characters and have fun banter and dynamic between them. I enjoy the bond that they have. Another bond to note is the friendship that forms between a Hollywood starlet and a teenage girl in the 1960's timeline.


Don't let the spooky aspect of this book scare you away. Again, this is more of a police procedural with a supernatural element. I enjoyed this book that was not only entertaining, but it also showcased relationships in many forms i.e. between friends, between family members, between co-workers and between the physical world and supernatural world.

This series is a gem. It is entertaining, spooky, captivating and a fun fast read. This book is low in pages but packs a punch. I was so excited when I saw this book was available, and it was worth the wait. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Gripping, entertaining, spooky, chilling and well written.


#HerLostSoul #NetGalley #HelenPhifer #StormPublishing

4.5 round up! Wow is all I have to say! This book grabbed me from the prologue and didn’t let go until I finished!! It’s spooky, scary, mysterious, and just flat fantastic all wrapped up into one! Easy to read, easy to binge, and impossible to put down!! This is a must read for sure!

Wowweee, detectives Maria and Frankie are at it again in book 2 of this mystery, horror, Paranormal series. I couldnt put this book down!

Helen Phifer delivers in this novel with enough mystery and police procedurals to keep the story grounded while adding enough paranormal/horror to make you tense up while you read it and need to leave a light on.

This genre is not my usual pick; however, Helen Phifer does such a great job story telling and keeping the paranormal side realistic enough, it makes a great addition to her stories and remains enjoyable.

It was an unputdownable book that kept me on edge. The main characters are great and the secondary characters are very likable. Fast read, great story, highly recommend the book and the series. Cant wait to see what comes next.

Thank you to Helen Phifer, Storm publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was excited when I saw this second book. I love Maria and Frankie, and they have an excellent dynamic. I love how this series runs a thin line between mystery and horror, with a little bit more horror. I’d like it to be a little more on the urban fantasy mystery, but that really didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this book; it’s just a personal preference. Not only is this well-written, but there is one intriguing character that’s introduced just in this book, and I thought it was a clever addition. I am excited to read more about Frankie and Maria, and I am looking forward to the next one. 4 ½ stars rounded up. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Her Lost Soul: An absolutely gripping crime thriller with a shocking twist (Detective Maria Miller Book 2) by Helen Phifer is really good. It’s a different type of book genre than I normally read. I’ve read books by this author before, but this was the first book I’ve read with a paranormal element. I actually liked it and will read more. It didn’t feel far-fetched or unbelievable.

I really liked Riley, especially when she saw the damp books in the room and walked over to them, as books were her true love, and she wanted to see what people in this hospital read. This is exactly something I would do! So, I really connected with her character.

The story sometimes refers to 1960 and the events that occurred, which really laid out the story and kept it moving along without any disruption or confusion.

Her Lost Soul is a good story about good and evil, lost and trapped souls, and a good thriller and crime novel with a paranormal element.

I will read more in this series and by this author. A good, clever story. I may even go back and read the first book in this series. I look forward to more books from this author. I would recommend this book.

#HerLostSoul #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Maria and her partner Frankie are detectives focussed on those cases with a supernatural edge. They are called in to investigate when a teenage girl Riley disappears. She was in an old derelict mental hospital with her friends, and is the only one not to come out. As they investigate, they can feel the evil in the old building. After a near death experience, they call in some help and hatch a plan to try and save Riley.

This is the second in the series and I enjoyed it way more than book one. Supernatural is not my thing. This book was less focussed on that I felt and more on the emotions and the relationships. It’s set in the present day, but there are chapters set in the 1960’s where we read the story of patients back when the hospital was in operation. The two eras are destined to meet. I really hope there is another book coming!

Her Lost Soul, the second novel in the Detective Maria Miller series, is a great addition for Detectives Miller and Conroy and their Strange Crimes Unit. An abandoned psychiatric hospital and four teenagers…. What can go wrong? For three of them, this was the scare of a lifetime when they escaped the asylum, but for Riley Holt, the nightmare is just beginning. A police procedural with a paranormal twist including ghosts and evil spirits makes for a very entertaining read. This book is filled with unexpected twists and turns, the storyline is engaging, and the characters are great. I do look forward to reading about their next adventure.

I really enjoyed the first in this series and so was delighted to see another addition so soon after.
Her Lost Soul follows the same format, a not too long, slice of a Mulder and Scully type partnership, detectives that examine the slightly strange.

A run down, derelict “mental asylum” that a group of teenagers break into, potential spooky goings on, demons and a disappearance of one of the teenagers - yes please!

Dual time lines with the one set in the past when the asylum was open and mistreating its patients - yes please again!

This is proving to be a great little series. Fun spooky/horror detective stories that go for the shorter page count format that suits them down to the ground.
Good characters, fun plots that, let’s face it may have some holes in them if you think about it but the books are so much fun it doesn’t really matter or detract from the enjoyment.

I said at the end of my review of the first book that I hoped we’d see another one but I didn’t expect to see one so soon after. It doesn’t affect the quality at all. These really are a great slice of escapism. I wish more authors doing similar weren’t afraid to have a page count of under 300 pages. If the story can be told in that format then just do it. Don’t pad it out. The two in this series are as lean and trim as they come(hats off to the editor) but they are still full and complete novels with nothing missing.

I can’t wait for the next in the series where Maria Miller investigates the slightly weird.

This book definitely made me feel nervous, absolutely adrenaline rush at points. Great build up of tension and suspense.