Fairhaven is not the town Lorelai Clay expected. It is exactly the kind of place she is trying to avoid: home to demons and witches, werewolves, vampires and Fae, and, because of the existence of a crossroads that serves as a gateway to other realms, beings from distant worlds also keep appearing.
To make things worse, a powerful corporation with deities from around the world, which is on the company’s payroll, also starts showing up. Unfortunately, it is too late to back out, for Lorelai Clay has spent a chunk of her savings on the abandoned castle, which she bought online.
Lorelai Clay must face whatever arrives on her doorstep, whilst keeping a low profile and hoping no one learns the secret of her true identity. Well, it’s easier said than done, especially with a curious, persistent Prince of Hell taking an interest in her.
If you enjoy books that blend Greek, Norse, Welsh and other mythologies into a single story, dive into this series. It is a clever, entertaining fusion of belief systems that keeps the plot fresh and surprising. With a heroine who can hold her own, mysteries to solve, and a secret origin, you will love this series.👍
Title: Crossroads Queen
Author: Annabel Chase
Genres: Fantasy > Paranormal > Mythology / Vampires / Witches / Werewolves / Demons
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 2,394
Reading Date: 30th April 2026 – 25th July 2026
The reading order – How to Read Crossroads Queen Series by Annabel Chase
- 1 Dead to the World
- 2 Dead of Night
- 3 Dead Last
- 4 Dead Wrong
- 5 Dead Weight
- 6 Play Dead
- 7 Dead Heat
- 8 Half Dead
- 9 Dead End
Dead to the World
Lorelei Clay isn’t like other people.
She isn’t even like other supernaturals. Her specialities are the nightmares of the living, communication with the dead, and cooking bacon until it’s golden brown and perfectly crispy—no magic required.
Six months ago, she moved to the ultimate fixer-upper, a monstrosity from the Gilded Age that borders the local cemetery in the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Fairhaven. Lorelei is content to spend the next few years in solitude, renovating the house and avoiding humanity, until a missing young woman disrupts her plans. Lorelei’s search for the teenager means crossing paths with the residents she’s successfully avoided so far, including the human police chief, the coven, a cursed vampire, the assassins guild, the werewolf pack, and the mysterious and infuriatingly alluring owner of The Devil’s Playground, an elegant nightclub that caters to the local supernatural clientele.
Lorelei plans to find the girl quickly and return to the privacy of her castle walls before anyone learns her secrets, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans…
My thoughts…
Lorelei Clay was originally from Bucks County but moved to London to run an agency that tracked down lost heirs. After several years abroad, she returned to her home country and now lives in the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Fairhaven.
Her previous work earned her enough money to purchase Bluebeard’s Castle, an abandoned and neglected estate that she felt an inexplicable pull towards while still living in England.
She has been restoring the castle and living alone for six months, but her peace and routine changed when a concerned brother arrived asking for her help to locate his missing sister.
The first book of the Crossroads Queen series has a very promising start. It strikes a pleasing balance of mystery and suspense that keeps you engaged until the final page.
I enjoyed guessing who was behind the killings and slowly discovering what Lorelei is capable of. There is still so much we do not know about her power, and I intend to uncover every little detail. Her two ghostly residents, Nana Prett and Ray Bauer, also make the story a delight to read.
Fairhaven is full of supernatural entities, from demons and witches to werewolves, vampires, Faes, and other beings from distant realms. I have already spotted a few potential suitors for Lorelei, although romance remains only a faint suggestion at this early stage.
But, as much as I like this version of Lorelei, I would still like to learn more about her past: the cases she solved while in England and the childhood or upbringing that shaped her into the loner she is now. 🤞 I cannot wait to read the second book.
Dead of Night
For Lorelei Clay, no good deed goes unpunished…
Reluctant ghost whisperer Lorelei Clay wants a working moat, which is the only reason she agrees to help with yet another supernatural situation. The simple ghostbusting job quickly escalates when Lorelei discovers the involvement of a powerful and ancient collective not known for their social skills.
Lorelei wants nothing more than to get back to her renovations and her life of solitude, but it becomes painfully clear that if she can’t fix this small-town problem, Fairhaven is going to suffer big-time consequences.
My thoughts…
After successfully solving her first missing-person case in Fairhaven, another matter landed on Lorelei Clay’s doorstep. She had not advertised her services or been seeking work. Her hands were already full with the ongoing project of restoring the castle she had bought.
When a real estate agent asked for her special skill to assess another house of interest, offering to repair her moat in return, she jumped at the opportunity. In doing so, she uncovered the town’s most serious problem: a dangerous secret organisation called the Corporation.
The second book offers a brief glimpse of Lorelei Clay’s childhood in its opening chapter, giving some insight into what she endured and why she keeps her ghost‑seeing ability secret.
It was an enjoyable, quick read with a touch of humour and a formidable heroine. I cannot wait to see what awaits Lorelei in the third book and to learn more about Fairhaven and its unusual residents. I also discovered I share Lorelei Clay’s habit of reading before bed! 🎉
I enjoyed learning more about her power, although many questions remain; from what little is revealed about its connection to nightmares, the demon prince seems to be the perfect match for her. 😁
Dead Last
Lorelei Clay is desperate to stay safe behind her castle walls.
She’s also desperate for money.
When a mage assassin asks for help with a delicate matter involving a ruthless vampire mobster, Lorelei agrees—for a price. Part of the deal is that Kane Sullivan can’t know. Yes, that Kane. Prince of hell. Demon to end all demons. Stubborn, nosy, and ridiculously sexy.
If only the demon weren’t so curious about her.
Lorelei has spent her life moving, hiding, lying low, and avoiding relationships of any kind.
In Fairhaven, that’s all about to change.
My thoughts…
Buying and fixing the castle has taken a large chunk out of Lorelei Clay’s account, and she now desperately needs to replenish it and restore her finances.
When a distressed brother, Gunther, turns up on her doorstep promising financial help, she jumps at the opportunity, even though it must be arranged secretly, behind Kane Sullivan, the Prince of Hell’s, back.
Because if discovered, Gunther will get into trouble with his boss, Kane Sullivan, who oversees the Assassins Guild, of which Gunther is a member.
However, helping Gunther also means Lorelei must take part in Vincenzo Magnarella’s experiment with gods’ and goddesses’ elixirs. In which, Magnarella has an unofficial agreement with Kane Sullivan to keep out of each other’s affairs, which complicates matters further.
To top it off, a mysterious illness that is disrupting the sleep of Fairhaven’s residents adds urgency to Lorelei’s promise to help, and Naomi Smith, a corporation investigator, remains determined to uncover the truth behind the deaths of two of their colleagues. Lorelei, therefore, has to stay vigilant.
A lot is happening in this instalment, and it is great fun to read. The experiment is the most intriguing element for me. I am curious about the elixirs that promise the power of a god, what they are intended for, and whether Lorelei manages to honour her contract with Magnarella and thereby help Gunther’s sister, Dusty, who has been turned into a swan.😅
On the elixir topic, I still have one question, though, and I am not sure whether it was addressed or simply not mentioned. Which elixir did Lorelei get during the fight? Was it the same one as her opponent’s, or something entirely different?
After much speculation about Lorelei’s secret, this book finally sheds light on why the other creatures showed such devotion to her in the previous instalment. Everything now makes sense as we learn her true identity and see the extent of her power, which is very satisfying.
Before the story ends, Naomi brings important truths about the corporation to light, giving Lorelei every reason to keep her distance, given her status, and on top of that, Lorelei receives a threat from Magnarella.
In short, things are about to get very nasty from book four onwards, and I hope Lorelei will still have Kane’s support when she needs it. 🤞
Dead Wrong
Lorelei Clay has spent a lifetime keeping her secret. Now that Kane has discovered it, the prince of hell has cut her off, but she has no idea why. Not only has he disappeared from her life, but he’s also disappeared from Fairhaven, and his vampire assistant refuses to divulge his whereabouts.
When a series of attacks threatens the town, Lorelei is thrust back into the magical spotlight. This time, she isn’t sure she can weather the storm on her own without drawing too much attention to herself and, even worse, endangering the lives of everyone she’s come to care about.
My thoughts…
For someone who wants to stay out of the limelight and live a quiet, reclusive life, Lorelei does not fare well in that department. Alongside the usual trouble that comes knocking at her door, this book also gives us a glimpse into the Prince of Hell’s backstory and how he ended up in Fairhaven.
It was fascinating, and I have always wanted to understand the hierarchy and where more familiar names such as Lucifer, Asmodeus, or Beelzebub rank in relation to Kane. I had never heard of Demon Kane before this series, unless it is meant to be a variation of Cain.
Anyway, I am enjoying the ride. The story in this fourth book remains entertaining, maintaining a good balance of seriousness and humour while adding a touch of tension to the slow‑burn relationships between the characters.
In the meantime, I also love the ghost residents helping with the chores around the castle, and I am glad that Lorelei finally shares her secret with them. I only wish she had more ghosts around because, at the rate things are going, with a tight budget and endless repairs still needed, it feels as though it will take several lifetimes before the castle is restored to its former glory.
By the way, how much did Gunther actually pay her for the trouble in the last book? Did she really receive the coat rack as payment? It feels like a severe underpayment, especially considering the aftermath of that fight continues to haunt her in this instalment. It puts her on the radar of a new enemy and lands her on the wrong side of Vincenzo Magnarella, who sends assassins after her in this book.
Dead Weight
Lorelei Clay is determined to put down roots in the small town of Fairhaven, no matter what the universe throws at her. After all, she’s invested her entire savings in the rundown monstrosity known as the Castle—and she’s on the verge of investing her heart in a certain prince of hell, if he can overcome his literal internal demon.
Lorelei and Kane aren’t the only ones haunted by their histories. When unfamiliar werewolves cause trouble in town, Arrowhead alpha Weston Davies realises his tragic past is about to catch up with him and threaten the life he’s managed to build.
Meanwhile, an issue with a disgruntled fae could result in an interrealm incident if it isn’t handled with velvet gloves, which isn’t exactly Lorelei’s style.
As their problems continue to mount, it becomes clear that unless they face their respective pasts, they’ll have no future.
My thoughts…
The past is catching up with the inhabitants of Fairhaven. Unlike West, the alpha of the Arrowhead wolves, who has an inkling that his past may come hunting him, the changeling and the Bridger witch have no clue about what their family members did. Unfortunately for Lorelei Clay, she is caught up in all three.
Book Five does not disappoint. Reading more of Lorelei Clay’s story, watching her tackle every issue with maturity and composure, and seeing her character develop alongside growing friendships, allies and relationships is deeply satisfying.
I cannot wait to hear Rey and Nana Pratt’s report from the Gala, if there is anything to report now that the circumstances have changed. I would also like Lorelei Clay to reveal her true identity to the few people she lets into her circle. It is only a matter of time before they find out, and that would reduce the drama and give her the chance to earn their trust through openness. 🤞
With the way this instalment ends, I am already wondering what trouble the goddess of mischief and ruin will bring to Lorelei Clay’s doorstep. Now that Magnarella is gone, I cannot decide whether the greater threat is the mad scientist Dr Edmonds or the Corporation. It should be the latter, right?
Play Dead
In Fairhaven, there’s no rest for the wicked, the weary, or anyone in between.
This time, the Wild Hunt is on its way to town, commanded by its ruthless leader, who has a score to settle with Lorelei’s friend, the Night Mallt.
Meanwhile, the Castle has opened its doors as a sanctuary for an unexpected and unwelcome visitor, which puts a damper on Lorelei’s budding relationship with the resident demon prince of hell, Kane Sullivan. Even worse, the houseguest brings another hunting party to town, one that Lorelei has been careful to avoid.
As the threats escalate and secrets are revealed, Lorelei must come to terms with a moment of truth she never anticipated—if she can survive the hunt.
My thoughts…
Referring to the previous story, I had hoped to read more about Rey and Nana Pratt’s experiences snooping at the function they attended in the previous book, but that thread is resolved by the organiser’s death.
The Corporation is beginning to make its presence felt in Lorelei Clay’s life and reveals a shocking secret about her heritage, yet Dr Edmonds does not make any appearance in this instalment.
The goddess of mischief takes refuge in Lorelei’s castle, but she does not cause the same level of havoc as before. It is the Wild Hunt that creates the real problems, and those are wrapped up with an almost too-easy solution, which makes parts of the book feel anticlimactic.
On the bright side, Lorelei’s relationship with the Prince of Hell makes genuine progress, so readers who have been waiting for that development will be delighted.
One thing I do enjoy about the series is the many mixtures of belief systems, drawing on mythology around the world. I am curious to see what else awaits in Fairhaven and what challenges the Corporation will bring to Lorelei’s doorstep.
Dead Heat
It isn’t easy being the liminal deity of a multirealm crossroads, as Lorelei Clay can attest. There are the typical issues, of course, like a wayward god stumbling into Wild Acres, and then there are the more pressing ones…
Like an incubus who wakes up with a mysterious mark on his chest and a timer on his life.
And the demon with an urgent message for Kane.
And the mysterious flying monsters with vengeance in their hearts that threaten the peace and tranquillity of Fairhaven.
And last, but definitely not least, a visit from The Corporation’s latest minion, who might finally make Lorelei an offer she can’t refuse.
My thoughts…
Fantastic read. I am enjoying the ride so far; we are on book seven, and there is still plenty of adventure, growing friendships, romance and no shortage of trouble knocking at Lorelei’s door waiting to be solved.
I definitely do not fancy being in Lorelei Clay’s shoes. Her days are so busy, and in this instalment, besides facing yet another minion from the Corporation, she is also trying to save the life of Kane’s bartender, which leads to a farewell gathering, warm moments with friends and then an adventure in another realm.
I loved the scenes with her band of friends and enjoyed following her journey to the other realm. Even if it’s only short, though.
Anyway, I am curious about what happened to the mad scientist, as he is not mentioned any more, and I would also like to know how Lorelei died before she was reborn into her current body. 🤔
Half Dead
Lorelei Clay wants to play offence for a change. She’s tired of hiding from the past she didn’t even know she had. With a promising relationship and new friends in a small town she loves, Lorelei wants to be free to live life on her terms, without the threat of death or capture hanging over her.
Kane Sullivan hasn’t exactly been hiding from his past—more like he moved without a forwarding address. Unfortunately for him, the boss he tried to overthrow never gave up the search.
And now the former prince of hell has been found.
Kane wants to do whatever it takes to keep his problems from endangering his found family. He knows better than anyone what Lucifer is capable of.
Lorelei is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the demon she loves, but if she can’t convince him to get in the game, they risk losing everything they’ve built together.
When the supreme demon finally makes his move, Lorelei realises there are some nightmares that even she can’t control…
My thoughts…
We are in the penultimate book, and it is full of action and adventure, yet I am left wondering what just happened. 🤔
It does not make sense that Lorelei Clay needs to use the get‑out‑of‑jail card when she has her nightmare power and could inflict nightmares on anyone who touches her, which is why she is always wary when people try to shake her hand. Again, it feels inconsistent.
Still, I will roll with the author’s plan, which I do not mind because it may give us more insight into the Corporation. I am confident Lorelei will beat them once and for all.
She should also help free those who were unwilling, and I expect she will find a solution for her replacement in the underworld as well. Fingers crossed. 🤞Enough rambling; let us carry on and see how the story unfolds.
Dead End
Lorelei never believed she would have a place to call home. She’d grown accustomed to hiding, to putting up walls and avoiding interaction with the world around her.
Until Fairhaven.
Lorelei has grown to love the small town with its multirealm crossroads and the residents who welcomed her with open arms, as well as those who were slow to warm up. She’s fallen in love with a demon prince and befriended ghosts, a cursed vampire, the werewolf pack, and the Assassins Guild. She’s overcome her grudge against witches and brought the local police into the fold. Now those residents are under threat, and Lorelei is the only one who can save them.
But first she has to save herself.
The stakes have never been higher. If she fails, she’ll have played a pivotal role in destroying the very place she swore to protect.
Good thing Lorelei is no stranger to sacrifice. Whatever the price, she’s ready and willing to pay it.
My thoughts…
So, this is the last book in the series, and it delivers a great ending to a great nine‑book journey. All the major questions are answered and tied up neatly, yet a few smaller ones still linger in my mind. What happened to Dr Edmonds and his crazy Avatar experiments? Did Lorelei ever discover Loki’s whereabouts?
If you enjoy mythology or want to learn the basics about the deities in a fun and engaging way, this series is well worth diving into. It weaves Greek, Norse, Welsh and other mythologies into an entertaining, action‑packed story that stays fresh and surprising throughout.
With a heroine who can hold her own, mysteries to unravel and a secret origin at the heart of her journey, this nine‑book adventure is a delight from start to finish. ❤️
