Red Shadows at Saugatuck is the fourth entry in Randy Overbeck’s Haunted Shores Mysteries series, and it wastes no time plunging us back into the life of Darrell Henshaw, the history teacher with a ghost-sensing “gift” he never asked for. This time, Darrell, his wife Erin, and their son Leo are headed to Michigan for a family celebration, but like clockwork, something much darker is waiting for them. Ghosts, secrets, and the unsolved disappearances of Native girls from the local Gun Lake Tribe start to bubble up as Darrell is once again pulled into a mystery he didn’t go looking for.

What struck me right away was how real the characters felt, especially Darrell and his family. I loved the opening chapter where they’re fresh from a trip to Sesame Place, still sticky with cotton candy and joy, and Darrell’s dad instincts are on full display. That whole bit where their son Leo gets “lost” in the restroom for three minutes had my chest tightening. It’s those quiet, relatable parenting moments that Overbeck nails, grounding the supernatural in the mundane. Erin, especially, feels like a full character and not just a supportive spouse but a smart, capable woman with her own voice and presence.

The pacing builds in a way that’s more eerie than action-packed. One of my favorite scenes happens early on when Darrell visits the recreated Indian village at Meadowcroft and has that surreal, low-key haunting interaction with the Native elder. That moment felt… still. Intimate. And a little unnerving. Then, when the elder vanishes, and the park ranger tells him that no one was scheduled in that wigwam, it’ll give the reader chills. Overbeck clearly did his research, and it shows, especially in how delicately and respectfully he handles the very real issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. It never felt exploitative, just tragic and timely.

Where the book really grabbed me emotionally was in the smaller, more personal scares. Darrell’s growing fear that his young son might share his ghost-seeing ability is honestly heartbreaking. When Leo cheerfully talks about his invisible playground friend Monica, and Darrell realizes she’s a ghost of a dead girl, the moment hits hard. I found myself whispering “Oh no” under my breath more than once. That slow, gnawing dread works better than any jump scare. It’s the kind of haunting that lingers, especially when you’re a parent.

I really enjoyed Red Shadows at Saugatuck. It’s thoughtful, deeply human, and low-key terrifying in a quiet way. If you like your mysteries with a bit of the supernatural but grounded in family, history, and emotional truth, this book is for you. Fans of Louise Penny or Tana French will appreciate the character depth, while ghost story lovers will get their fix, too. It’s not a thriller that rushes. It’s a slow burn and one that stays with you. I’d recommend it to readers who like their mysteries to make them feel something, not just guess whodunnit.