The Bookshop of 99 Doors ⭐⭐⭐💫

The Bookshop of 99 Doors by Jaime jo Wright


G👀dreads

In 1910, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the onslaught of superstitions that envelope the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the house is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain, and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's dark past in an effort to help bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to unravel the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Gothic, Books About Books

The How/Why: Influenced! This one was just released 4-7-2026 and lots of five star reviews on IG from bookies who received ARC/ALCs. I was shocked I was able to get it so quickly on Hoopla. Typically it takes a week or two for new releases to catch up with these library services.  
I hope I like it better than my last Books about Books. 
UPDATE: It's better than the last which was a DNF, but it's not a fav. 

⭐⭐⭐💫

🎉 Overall Enjoyment? 🎉🎉🎉

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Maybe 🤷 If you're enjoy paranormal activity with a side of Christian Fiction, even though it's not listed as paranormal 

🕮 Would I want a sequel? No ➖ 

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author?  Maybe 🤷 but nothing on my TBR at the moment.

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? Not really

🌶 Spice? No

🌪 Plot Twist? No

👟 Pace? S-L-O-W

💻 Tidbits ~ When ghostly spirits collide with religious spirits you get Scooby-Doo Meets Jesus. Who ya gonna’ call? Sing it with me *Ghost Busters*.

1888 - Minnie's father buys the mansion and they move in. Papa is elderly and not well. He seems to be haunted by the ghost of an Army Captain rumored to have murdered 11 wounded soldiers on the property. Is it the ghost of Captain Vickers or is Papa having hallucinations brought on by past trauma and dreadful memories? 

Current Day - Triss gets a job at the now mansion-turned-museum as manager of the bookshop. She’s trying to escape her family’s paranormal business because it's colliding with her Faith. But… she's heard rumors and she getting some vibes. Is the mansion haunted?

Enter Colton and Beck known for their popular social media investigative show Haunted Frequencies. They were called in hopes of publicity to draw attention to the mansion-turned-museum, rumored to be haunted.

There the plot thickens. Colton just so happens to be Triss’s brother and Beck is her ex. So much for her trying to escape the family business with deep roots to spiritual ancestors. 

Both timelines – the promise of a 100th door. Is it a portal for spirits? Will they find the door in either timeline or is just a myth? 

So many questions! No SPOILERS!

Lots of quotes:
“You must define the darkness before you can step into the light”
“God doesn’t make himself so complex and mysterious that He cannot be found by you.”

I deducted one star because the pace was very slow. At the 65% mark (audiobook) I was shocked to see I still had 3.5 hours left til the end.
I deducted half star because I wasn't all that interested in the main characters. I was more interested in the side cast.

Past timeline, Mrs. Pickston, the mansion's housekeeper who firmly believes in the house's supernatural legends. Did she dabble in healing? 
Current timeline, Elsie, the museum director whose main focus seems to be attracting more visitors by promoting the ghostly rumors. She seemed to have secrets up her sleeves. 
Both timelines, Very helpful men [read potential love interest] for both Minnie (Dexter) and for Triss (Max). 

Side Note re: Historical Fiction – Ambrose Fields Manor is not a real location. The historical significance are elements of the Battle of Gettysburg and Civil War Veterans, not specifically a real person or place. I think the author did a great job in painting the picture of the mansion. I could imagine walking through the mysterious doors.

🎧 Narrator: Erin Bennett 😑

🎧10.54 hours 🕮 352 pages

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