The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth
Flatiron Books (March 2025)
Reviewed by Rowan B. Minor
Erika T. Wurth, a Kenyon and Sewanee fellow, lives in Denver, Colorado and is an urban Native of Apache, Chickasaw, and Cherokee descent. She has published in The Kenyon Review, Buzzfeed, and The Writer’s Chronicle. She is a narrative artist for the Meow Wolf Denver installation and has been a guest writer at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Wurth’s horror novel White Horse is a New York Times editor’s pick and a Good Morning America buzz pick. Her most recent novel is The Haunting of Room 904.
The Haunting of Room 904 is a paranormal thriller that follows main character Olivia as she discovers her new supernatural skill. Able to see and hear spirits, Olivia learns to cope with her sister’s recent death in unexpected and unconventional ways. After becoming a leading paranormal investigator, Olivia is called to explore a classic Denver hotel where strange and inexplicable deaths occur every few years. These ghastly hauntings, as well as her newly inherited ability to hear from the dead, help her discover the unknown that lies within her sister’s life and within her own.
While Native cultures vary among different tribes, there is a belief in some tribes that the deceased can communicate with the living through visions and dreams. Some Indigenous practices also include certain rituals for the dead, such as smudging with sage. It is clear that Wurth respects her own Native ancestry and has tapped into these practices within this novel. With a gripping opening paragraph and enticing depictions throughout, Wurth’s use of language is fresh and imaginative. Her story is effortless to follow and could even be an easy read for most teens. The Haunting of Room 904 is contemporary and uses some modern vernacular, which could reach a new generation of horror lovers.
These chapters are simple and move quickly, which might be off-putting for those that gravitate toward a more dense read. Hauntings are also mild, which is great for those who might not have the stomach for splatter and body horror. Overall, this novel is a great introduction to horror and is best suited for the shelves for those who love both Native literature and on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
The Haunting of Room 904 is a thrilling and inspiring new horror novel that is subtly filled with education about Indigenous beliefs and practices. A very modern twist on a classic paranormal story, this book is sure to be a multi-generational must-read. Wurth’s brilliant writing is proof that she is a master of her craft, and helps fill gaps in Native Horror.
