The Mystery of the Spirits

Snow & Winter, Book 5

By: C.S. Poe

Narrated by: Wyatt Baker

Antique dealer Sebastian Snow and homicide detective Calvin Winter have been happily married for a year and a half. In that time, there’s been nary a mystery in sight, and for a recovering sleuth like Sebastian, an uneventful life is exactly what he needs.

That is, until Calvin’s lieutenant enters the Emporium and demands insight on a bizarre object known as a spiritoscope, hailing from the early days of the Spiritualism movement. Sebastian’s extensive knowledge of Victorian curiosities leads him to consulting for the NYPD - putting him at odds with his husband. And as the bodies begin to stack up, so do the seemingly dead-end clues, which if Sebastian can’t make sense of, might result in a whole lot more death.

Mystery, murder, and marriage…Sebastian’s back.

©2021 C.S. Poe (P)2022 C.S. Poe

So Good

This series just gets better and better, intriguing snd fun. Wyatt Baker is perfect in his narration.

Love my boys

I am so happy to return to Calvin and Seb. Honestly this book came as a happy surprise I wasn’t expecting to get any more but I’m def not complaining. We get more snark and sleuthing from our favorite non detective and his actual detective husband trying his best to keep him safe despite Seb’s best efforts.

More mystery of course and this time the police are actually coming to Sebastian for his help when a strange antique is found with a body and no one knows weird old stuff like Sebastian. Of course just looking and reporting his knowledge isn’t enough for Seb and when he starts asking questions more bodies start appearing.

Poe is great at hiding the killer I had no clue it would be them and in the end my suspicions were all off 😅Having more Seb and Calvin in their new married life is so amazing and crazy to think this whole series spans only about a year. Sebastian really has a knack for getting himself into some strange murdery situations. Here’s hoping we get more Snow and Winter. I’m really excited to get more Neil, we do get an appearance in this one, his and Sebs snark is adorable. 10/10 would reread entire series.

Second read through was in audio. Narrated by Wyatt Baker, he does a fantastic job bringing my boys to life. I’ve only listened to his Poe books but I see he does some Merikan books so I bet those are great too.

Amazing story and brilliant narration

This story is amazing! CS Poe brings Sebastian and Calvin back in the most spectacular way. Even married for a year and a half, they're still learning about each other. This is more than just an interesting case that Sebastian, unfortunately, gets involved in. It's an emotional story that will make your heart beat faster and fall just that much deeper in love with these characters.
Wyatt Baker's narration is brilliant. He does Sebastian and Calvin so well. This is the best book in the series narration wise as he just hits all the points.

love, murder and snarkiness is the Sebastian way

The Mystery of the Spirits by C.S. Poe and is narrated by Wyatt Baker was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This is the 5th book in the Snow and Winter Saga and I am so happy they are back. Sebastian is as grumpy and lovable as ever and Calvin is supportive and adorably perfect for Sebastian. The story begins with Calvin’s boss showing up asking about an item then leaving with no explanation. Then said Boss called Calvin and Seb into the precinct to help with the case using his expertise in antiques. Calvin is not a happy camper and becomes a bone of contention between the two. I was so happy to find out there was going to be a fifth book and it did not disappoint. Seb with his insecurities but lovable snarky comebacks and Calvin with his steadfast love of Seb who shows it in so many ways it makes your heart melt. All takes place in June where Poe so eloquently brings the heat right into your reading room and makes you want to turn the AC on. While Poe is masterful in bringing historical periods and items to life and as a history lover it is just the cherry on top of the sundae, Wyatt Baker is the perfect narrator for Sebastian especially with his snarkiness and attitude he throws around like its second nature. Baker’s voice makes me think that I could walk anywhere in New York and if I overheard a conversation between Calvin and Sebastian I would know who they were without question.

My fictional best friend made real

The Snow and Winter mysteries are by far my favorite books, with Sebastian bring a character who has deeply impacted me. Given the, i always set my expectations high when it is interpreted in audio, and Wyatt never disappoints! He really brings the Sebastian Snow brand of smart ass to life but also gives him such a powerful emotional edge when needed. It hits you the same way it does when you read it! What i loved most in this performance though, was his take on Calvin when he was at his most vulnerable. There is so much growth in the characters in this book and it came across in the emotions snd inflections in their voices. A stunning performance for a stunning story!

Snow & Winter again

When this one came out, I had to go on a binge. I have spent the last couple of days listening to the whole series of Snow & Winter. Each story gets better and better. The research that goes into each odd event is amazing. This one about the ability to hear spirts and how for history has transformed over the years. Love that Snow and Winter have now been married for some time, yet they are still growing together. Having listened to all of these stories it's somewhat difficult to switch narrators. But C.S. Poe's pick of Wyatt Baker is a winner. Wyatt does a fabulous job narrating not just the two main characters but the support ones as well. Love this series and will undoubtably listen to it again and again.

Wonderful addition to the series

I love this series! I fell in love with Sebastian and Calvin in The Mystery of Nevermore( 1st in the series) and each book has gotten better. The story line and dialogue are great. If you love history and mystery, you can’t go wrong with Spirits.
Wyatt Baker did an excellent job of representing Sebastian and Calvin. Their chemistry was evident. Sebastian’s snark comes through as well as Calvin’s and Sebastian’s emotions and intensity during their rare argument/ disagreements. So pleasurable listening to Mr. Baker narrate Spirits that I know I will be listening again and again.
I received a free audio copy of The Mystery of The Spirits in exchange for an honest review. And I can honestly say that it was not a chore to listen to this story. It was a joy and escape.

Great story, good but not great narration

I have loved this series and really enjoyed this follow-up visit with some of my favorite characters. Listening to the audiobook left me less frustrated with Sebastian (for investigating) than I was when I read the book, but unfortunately the trade-off was that I found the narrator occasionally annoying. Nothing's perfect. All in all, you won't go wrong with this series. 4.5 stars.

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Sebastian & Calvin encore!

Happily married Sebastian the Curmudgeon and Calvin the Protector come back out to play in C.S. Poe’s 5th installment of her Mystery series. New York is sizzling like bacon under a broiler during a summer heatwave, which makes Sebastian all the more curmudgeony. Lo and behold, an odd-ball mystery falls into his lap, but this time he was invited into the investigation at the behest of the NYPD and Calvin’s super-grouchy boss. Poor Calvin just wants to protect his husband and shield him from some of the more oppressive aspects of his work world. Sebastian saunters forth into the investigation and some moderately dangerous situations, wrapped in the justification that he’s a hired consultant. Like that would give him Superman like powers to stay safe.
More exquisite research by CS Poe on the history of fortune telling and talking to spirits in NYC bring a fresh premise to the mystery.
My only time quibble is that a few times I couldn’t tell if Sebastian was speaking or Calvin was speaking in the Audible. I wished the narrator made their voices more individually unique.
All in all – an excellent listen.

Love Snow and Winter!

I absolutely love being back with Snow and Winter! I relistened to this whole series and I just love it so much. This series is so amazing and CS Poe has made such an amazing world. I love seeing these characters growth. Wyatt Baker does an amazing job with this narration. When I read this story a bit ago I felt every emotions and now listening to it made it even more. I absolutely love listening to this story!