This book has an intriguing premise: a professor, Samantha Hayes, discovers that her favorite four students all live in her former dorm rooms. As they start to investigate a mysterious death from years ago, Samantha is forced to confront her long-held fears that she may have been responsible for it. The novel promises paranormal intrigue and mystery, but it takes too long to deliver on these elements, making for a slow and somewhat frustrating read. One of my biggest issues with the book was the pacing. The first half moves too slowly, focusing more on character relationships and introspection than on the ghostly mystery. I was expecting suspense and eerie moments early on, but instead, the supernatural aspects take a backseat for too long. While I don’t mind a slow burn if it builds tension effectively, this one felt like it meandered rather than built up excitement. By the time the actual mystery began to unfold in the second half, I was already struggling to stay engaged. If the story had leaned into its paranormal aspects earlier, it would have been much stronger. That being said, the second half of the book does improve once the mystery picks up. When the past and present start to intertwine, the story becomes much more engaging. The writing in these sections is strong, and Howell does a good job of building intrigue. I just wish this momentum had been present from the beginning. By the time I was finally invested in the story, I felt like I had spent too much time waiting for something to happen. Another issue is the way the book is categorized. It is marketed as a paranormal mystery, but it often reads more like literary fiction. There is a lot of focus on introspection and academic life rather than an active investigation or ghostly encounters. If it had been sold as a literary novel with mystery elements, I might have adjusted my expectations. Readers who enjoy slow, character-driven stories might appreciate it more, but those looking for a true paranormal mystery will likely feel disappointed. Overall, The Spirit of Vanderlaan has a strong premise and some good moments, but it struggles with pacing and genre identity. The second half is rewarding, but it takes too long to get there. I give it ⭐️⭐️✨ (2.5/5 stars). Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review.