Erika T. Wurth’s latest novel, The Haunting of Room 904, delves into the murky waters where Indigenous spirituality intersects with generational trauma and paranormal activity. Following the success of her breakout novel White Horse (which garnered praise as “twisty and electric” from The New York Times), Wurth continues to carve out her niche as what critics have called “a gritty new punkish outsider voice in American horror.” This new offering firmly establishes her unique perspective in the paranormal thriller genre, though it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitious narrative.
Set against the backdrop of Denver’s historic landmarks, the novel introduces us to Olivia Becente, a paranormal investigator who inherited her abilities after her sister Naiche’s suicide. The story weaves together Indigenous spirituality, colonial violence, and contemporary urban life with varying degrees of success, creating a tapestry that is equal parts haunting and uneven.
Plot: Ghosts, Cults, and Colonial Legacies
The narrative centers on Olivia Becente, who unexpectedly developed the ability to commune with spirits after her sister Naiche’s suicide in room 904 of Denver’s historic Brown Palace Hotel. Five years later, Olivia has established herself as Denver’s premier paranormal investigator. When the Brown Palace summons her to investigate a disturbing pattern—women mysteriously appearing in room 904 only to reappear three weeks later and take their own lives—Olivia is thrust into a complex web that forces her to confront her sister’s death.
What begins as a paranormal investigation quickly evolves into something more sinister, connecting to the Sand Creek Massacre, a shadowy cult called the Sacred 36, and a handbook of twisted ceremonies. As Olivia races to save her mother from becoming the next victim, she uncovers dark secrets about Denver’s past and the exploitation of Native spirituality for power.
The plot’s strength lies in its ambitious scope and its willingness to tackle difficult subjects like colonial violence and cultural appropriation. However, this ambition occasionally results in narrative convolution. Several plot threads compete for attention—the mystery of room 904, Olivia’s personal journey, the historical connections to the Sand Creek Massacre, and the machinations of various antagonists. While these elements eventually converge, the path there can feel circuitous and sometimes forced.
Characters: Complex but Occasionally Underdeveloped
Wurth creates a memorable protagonist in Olivia Becente, whose journey from skeptic to reluctant medium provides the emotional core of the novel. Olivia’s guilt over dismissing her sister’s final call for help drives her actions and grounds the supernatural elements in authentic human emotion. Her relationships, particularly with her gay best friend and business partner Alejandro, offer moments of warmth and levity amid the darkness.
The supporting cast includes intriguing figures like:
- Dorian Stillwell: The charismatic, morally ambiguous leader of the Sacred 36 who harbors dark secrets
- Catherine Lambert: A wealthy, enigmatic former member of the cult with her own agenda
- Nese: A two-spirit Cheyenne ghost seeking justice after being murdered during the Sand Creek Massacre
- Jenny Kunza: A vindictive journalist determined to discredit Olivia
While these characters serve their narrative functions, some feel more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. The villains, in particular, sometimes veer toward one-dimensional territory, lacking the nuance that would make their motivations more compelling.
Themes: A Rich Tapestry of Historical Wounds and Modern Healing
Where The Haunting of Room 904 truly shines is in its exploration of themes that resonate beyond its supernatural trappings:
- Colonial Violence and Its Legacy: The novel unflinchingly examines how historical atrocities like the Sand Creek Massacre continue to haunt the present.
- Cultural Appropriation: Through the Sacred 36’s exploitation of Indigenous spirituality for power, Wurth offers a potent metaphor for colonial extraction.
- Grief and Guilt: Olivia’s journey to forgive herself for failing her sister provides emotional resonance that grounds the paranormal elements.
- Indigenous Identity: The novel thoughtfully explores what it means to be Native in contemporary urban America, addressing issues of belonging and cultural connection.
Wurth tackles these weighty themes with sensitivity and insight, though occasionally the supernatural plot mechanics overshadow the deeper explorations.
Writing Style: Atmospheric with Occasional Missteps
Wurth’s prose is at its strongest when establishing atmosphere. Her descriptions of Denver’s historic spaces—from the opulent Brown Palace to the eerie Stillwell Mansion—create vivid mental images that enhance the novel’s haunted ambiance. The snippets detailing the Sand Creek Massacre are particularly powerful, written with restrained horror that conveys the atrocity without exploitation.
The dialogue generally feels authentic, particularly in the banter between Olivia and her friends. However, some conversations become vehicles for exposition, feeling less natural as characters explain supernatural concepts or historical details to one another.
The pacing suffers from occasional unevenness. The novel starts strong with immediately engaging paranormal cases, but the middle sections sometimes get bogged down in explanations and revelations. The final act accelerates dramatically, which creates tension but also leaves some elements feeling rushed or insufficiently developed.
Cultural Representation: A Strength and Distinction
Perhaps the novel’s greatest strength is its authentic representation of Native spirituality and experiences. As an author of Apache, Chickasaw, and Cherokee descent, Wurth brings nuance and authenticity to her portrayal of Indigenous characters and traditions. The novel avoids the pitfalls of romanticization or stereotype that often plague paranormal fiction featuring Native elements.
Particularly effective is how Wurth incorporates various spiritual traditions—Apache, Cheyenne, Jewish, and others—without homogenizing them. Each tradition maintains its distinct characteristics while contributing to the overall supernatural framework of the novel.
The novel’s meditation on what it means to be “Native enough” in contemporary America feels deeply personal and adds layers to Olivia’s character journey, as she navigates criticism about her identity from both Native and non-Native characters.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Rich, atmospheric setting in historical Denver
- Authentic representation of Indigenous experiences and spirituality
- Compelling emotional core in Olivia’s journey of grief and redemption
- Creative blending of historical atrocity with contemporary paranormal fiction
- Strong, diverse cast of characters with distinctive voices
Weaknesses:
- Occasionally convoluted plot with too many competing elements
- Some supporting characters feel underdeveloped
- Uneven pacing, particularly in the middle sections
- Dialogue sometimes serves exposition at the expense of naturalness
- The final resolution feels somewhat rushed
Comparable Works and Context
Readers who enjoyed The Haunting of Room 904 might also appreciate works like:
- Stephen Graham Jones’ The Only Good Indians or The Buffalo Hunter Hunter for its blend of Indigenous experience and horror
- Rebecca Roanhorse’s Trail of Lightning for its contemporary Native protagonist navigating supernatural threats
- Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic for its exploration of colonial horror in historical settings
Wurth’s novel sits comfortably alongside these works while carving out its own distinct space in the growing field of Indigenous horror and paranormal fiction. It builds upon her previous work in White Horse, expanding her exploration of urban Native experiences and supernatural elements.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Compelling Paranormal Journey
The Haunting of Room 904 offers a unique perspective in paranormal fiction, one that centers Indigenous experiences and spirituality while grappling with historical trauma and contemporary identity. While the novel sometimes stumbles under the weight of its ambitious narrative, its strengths—particularly in atmosphere, representation, and emotional resonance—make it a worthwhile addition to the paranormal thriller genre.
Wurth has created a story that is as much about healing generational wounds as it is about confronting supernatural threats. Despite its imperfections, the novel succeeds in offering something genuinely new to readers tired of paranormal fiction that treats Indigenous spirituality as exotic window dressing rather than living traditions with context and meaning.
For readers seeking paranormal fiction with depth, authenticity, and a fresh perspective, The Haunting of Room 904 delivers an experience that lingers like the ghosts that populate its pages—sometimes beautiful, sometimes terrifying, but impossible to dismiss.