This is the fourth book in the Accidental Medium series and we pick up shortly after the events in the Cross Bones graveyard in London. Tanz's connection with the dead has been developing and now she doesn't have to work at tuning in to the spirit world.
We find Tanz working with Sheila to help out a celebrity client address his ghost problem, and delighted with their help he sends them off with a wad of money and a taxi to a swish cocktail bar. Whilst there Tanz meets Einar, an enigmatic, charismatic Thor like figure from Iceland, currently in London on business. There is an instant attraction and when Einar suggests Tanz meets him in Iceland so she can work on her writing at a snug free retreat. The universe seems to have aligned and all her gifts are telling Tanz to travel to Iceland, the next thing she knows she finds herself on a plane and landing in Reykjavik.
However once she arrives, although Einar is welcoming something is off. He takes her to his wilderness cabin but soon disappears leaving Tanz on her own in a remote haunted house and a mystery to solve. The universe is looking after Tanz and she meets Birta who she connects with on a deep witchy level. Still abandoned Tanz falls back on her resources and calls Thor her taxi driver to see if he can help - as it turns out he is Einar's friend and horrified about her situation he soon comes to her rescue.
Together they delve into the mystery of the dark haired woman haunting the house, receive help from Icelandic spirits of nature and discover what the universe has in store for them both - if they place their trust in it.
I loved the development of Tanz's spiritual side, it may not be for everyone but I found the blossoming of her gifts beautiful. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC and look forward to the next instalment of Tanz's adventures.

I couldn’t wait to read this and I wasn’t disappointed. I love Tanzy and her adventures, usually confined to the UK, but this time she’s a little further afield. When she meets charming Icelandic giant Einar in a bar I did wonder whether vampires were about to debut in the series. His ability to ‘glamour’ Tanz seemed almost supernatural. Soon they’re sharing champagne and a bit of naked dancing too. When he invites her to his holiday cabin in Iceland to get some writing done, she decides to be impetuous and throw caution to the wind. This impulsive decision takes her to an isolated cabin with log burners, cosy decor and the odd spectre or two, After their first night together Tanz wakes up alone, no note and no plans for Einar’s return. She’s annoyed but not heartbroken. At the least she has a few days holiday in a country cabin for free and time to process her last case. Maybe she could start working on ideas for her own play? However, Iceland has its ghosts just as much as London. Did Tanz really think they would leave her alone?

In a nightmare, Tanz sees a man staring over the edge of a cliff. Is he going to jump? Before she can act a second person appears, a strange man whose eyes seem bottomless and hold universes. She can hear a woman crying outside too and eventually a vision comes of this woman and her empty relationship with a man who doesn’t appear to love her. She follows him to work and finds him in bed with another woman, she screams and Tanz can hear his roaring anger as she wakes. It’s clear there’s a mystery here and she’s going to have to find the crying woman to work out why she needs her help. She doesn’t know if it’s going to be dangerous, especially without her friend Sheila in tow. Yet there are signs of protection: the rowan tree at the front porch; the feeling in the bedroom as if there’s a protection spell around her; the strange man from her dream who seems to be magical. Tanz knows she must help the woman, who becomes increasingly desperate and starts to bang on all the lodge’s windows to make herself heard. She just doesn’t know how to help. When her distant neighbour pays a call there’s an instant connection and Tanzy puts it down to the fact they’re both a bit witchy. Birta has the most amazing cabin a short hike away with a seventies style interior that’s retro and cozy. With their combined knowledge and skills surely they can find what their distressed ghost is looking for?

I loved the character of ‘. ‘ who is Einar’s friend and a cab driver who helps Tanz escape the cabin for a while. He has such a wholesome feel about him and is the complete gentleman. He listens to Tanzy’s story and doesn’t seem fazed by her experiences, although the knocking at the cabin is a bit unsettling. Tanzy feels very comfortable and safe around him, as he takes her under his wing. He really does take care of her, cooking for her and showing her some of the sights too. He has been friends with Einar for many years and knows how he operates. He wants Tanzy to feel like her time in Iceland hasn’t been wasted and his care of her really makes her examine why she is drawn towards unavailable men rather than those that show her how much they care. She tends to put nice men in the friend zone before anything has had a chance to develop. There’s part of her that’s addicted to the adrenaline that comes with a ‘bad boy’ and she hasn’t realised before that love doesn’t have to come with a side order of drama. ‘ ‘ also accepts every bit of Tanz, her charisma and attitude but also the spooky and paranormal side of her life too. He doesn’t ridicule or belittle her psychic abilities, showing real interest and a willingness to help as far as he can. He really does take on her quest, but also knows to step back when it’s her time to shine. He’s not overwhelmed by her and for someone who might be described as too much, there’s safety and security in that. But is safety and security sexy?

I’d guessed some of the mystery brought by the distressed woman but thoroughly enjoyed the journey as Tanzy looked for a way of fulfilling her wishes. This takes help from ?? New friend Birta and the ‘hildunfolk’. All our usual characters are here, including Sheila and Tanzy’s delightful ‘little mam’ whose always there at the end of the phone. She is often more aware of her daughter’s exploits than you’d expect from all the way over in Newcastle. I thought the author delved beautifully into Tanzy’s character and her romantic choices particularly. She has to examine her choices; to follow an unsuitable and unavailable man all the way to Iceland, but to banish a kind, available and warm man to the couch. Why won’t she let good men love her? It works well with the unfolding of the mystery around the cabin and how the choices we make because of desire are often destructive and life-changing. It seems we can be left with so many regrets that they follow us into the afterlife. I enjoyed some of the final revelations, particularly around the character of Birta. This is another solid addition to the Accidental Medium series and I felt like I’d spent a few hours with an old friend. I have a list of literary characters I’d love to have for dinner and Tanzy is definitely there at the table, possibly next to Mr Tumnus.

Tanz is BACK!!!! and so are the ghosts!!! OH my!!! This whole set of books make me laugh so much. Tracy has a corker of a set here and I love them!

This book is almost indescribable in a very positive way. Tanz hears and can be heard by dead people and they keep finding her to have the conversation and usually to invoke her help. This is part love story, part murder mystery and part exploration of how to react in difficult situations. The descriptions of the Iceland life as well as the beautiful countryside and snow weather is incredibly well told. Having suspended belief in the more rational life this book was enthralling and through tiny details made the life that Tanz leads an attractive one and one that really seen tangible. This is a lovely book that clips along at a good pace and introduces memorable characters that add to the flow.

I have just finished reading the Hidden Dead and feel totally bereft. I had to stop and take it all in as the ending totally took my breath away! I am going to miss Tanz and her crazy antics, the ghosts, the magic and the wonderful world she lives in. Can’t wait for the next book.