Violent Crimes Detective Jessica Niemi is trying to pull her life back together after a series of difficult cases and the loss of a friend who had been a mainstay in her life. Unfortunately, she snaps and has a violent altercation that is caught on video. The Superintendent of the Helsinki Police Violent Crimes Unit, Helena Lappi, has no choice but to put Jessica on official leave until the news media settles down, especially considering what she knows of Jessica’s mental health struggles. Jessica retreats to a small remote island where the residents have minimal contact with the rest of the world. However, crime finds Jessica even in the remotest of places as she soon learns of the ghostly legend of the girl in the blue coat when three elderly survivors of that long-ago orphanage come to visit the island. Is Maija still haunting the island? Who is behind the deaths connected to that long-ago orphanage?

GHOST ISLAND is the fourth book in the Ghosts of the Past series. The mystery itself stands on its own merits. However, the nuances of the relationships between Jessica and her team back home, as well as her own tortured past and struggles with mental health issues, will be best appreciated in the context of the series as a whole. Some scenes may seem off-kilter to new readers without that history.

I love how all of Max Seeck’s books have a bit of the mystical to them and GHOST ISLAND is no exception. The appearances of Maija and her tragic story are, as Ake says in the book, exciting when told by firelight, as I can easily envision most of this story being told by campfire late at night. Jessica's struggle with differentiating between reality and nonreality heightens the spooky atmosphere, as does the setting itself.

Jessica is an intriguing character, both heroic and deeply flawed at the same time. Her mental health struggles with schizophrenia leave her questioning her own perception of things at times, and it’s fascinating to see her solve complex cases through her unusual views and methods. Jessica’s stability is in question in GHOST ISLAND and I love how Max Seeck unveils new layers and dimensions of what is in store for Jessica in the future.

GHOST ISLAND is a hauntingly good detective story! Max Seeck once again delivers an unusual take on the police procedural that will appeal to fans who like their stories to be both suspenseful and eerie. Highly recommended!