Dead to the World Review—Ghosts, Secrets, and a Supernatural Small Town You’ll Want More Of

Dead to the World by Annabel Chase is the kind of book you sit down to read “just a few chapters” of… and then suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’re googling when book two comes out. As the first installment in the Crossroads Queen series, it lays the perfect foundation: a small town with big secrets, a tough-but-complicated heroine, and a world teeming with supernatural creatures just waiting to be uncovered.

At a Glance

A Heroine with Secrets (and Sass)

You meet Lorelei just as she’s trying to keep a low profile in the seemingly quiet town of Fairhaven. She’s been there for six months, content to mind her own business, hide her otherworldly abilities, and avoid drawing too much attention. But as it turns out, Fairhaven isn’t exactly what it appears to be—and neither is Lorelei.

She can see and talk to ghosts (which would be enough, right?), but there are hints throughout the book that her power goes far beyond that. She knows it. She fears it. And for now, she’s doing everything she can to keep it buried. The story is told from Lorelei’s first-person POV, which gives you a front-row seat to her dry humor, emotional guardrails, and growing sense of purpose. She’s a no-nonsense, sharp-witted woman in her mid-thirties who doesn’t ask for trouble—but when it comes knocking, she doesn’t back down.

Supernaturals, Secrets, and Small-Town Shenanigans

The setup is classic small-town fantasy—but with a fresh twist. When Lorelei agrees to help a local guy find his missing sister, she finds herself pulled deeper into Fairhaven’s supernatural underbelly. Ghosts, vampires, witches, werewolves, fae, demons—even a harbinger and a guild of mage assassins—begin to appear, and you realize very quickly that this is no sleepy little human town.

As Lorelei explores more of Fairhaven, you’re introduced to its residents right alongside her. The world-building is strong without being overwhelming, and Annabel Chase does a great job of keeping the pace brisk while introducing a surprisingly large cast of characters.

What to Expect

🏡 Small Town Vibes

🧚‍♀️ A Multispecies Cast: ghosts, witches, vampires, demons, fae & more

🏰 A Castle (with a moat!)

💬 Wit, Banter & Sarcasm

💘 A Hint of Romance

Final Thoughts

Dead to the World is a fast, fun, and witchy ride with a heroine who’s already earned a place on my favorite character list. The world is rich, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the supernatural elements are just the right balance of spooky and cool. Lorelei is exactly the kind of main character I love—smart, sarcastic, and just vulnerable enough to keep you rooting for her.

If you like your urban fantasy with humor, heart, ghosts, and just a little bit of hidden power waiting to explode, give Dead to the World a shot. I’m already ready for the next book in the series.