«Castle of Ghosts» — a historical fantasy about a young nobleman from the People of Ice, who becomes embroiled in a story involving a foreign secret, an old crime, and a manor burdened with a bad reputation. This is the seventh volume in the Margit Sandemo cycle, where a family saga intertwines with mysticism, romantic tension, and the atmosphere of an old castle, in which the past seems reluctant to leave. The book is suitable for those who seek in the series not only the development of an overall plot but also a standalone intrigue with mysteries, danger, and strong emotional tension.
The hero is sent away from the court to his aunt's estate, but the road leads him to an unexpected encounter with a frightened girl named Molly. Very soon, this meeting draws him into a complicated story surrounding Jessica — a young heiress of a wealthy estate, whose name is linked with strange disappearances and foreign influence. Nearby stands a half-abandoned castle, about which dark tales circulate: here, they recall a witch, an old crime, and a ghost that seemingly does not allow the living to rest. He has to figure out whom he can trust, what lies behind local legends, and why danger is gathering around the defenseless girl.
- Tancred Paladin — a young man from the People of Ice. He is noble, straightforward, and used to acting openly, which makes him particularly sensitive to foreign lies and intrigues.
- Molly — a maid whom he meets at the beginning of his journey. Her fear and connection to the events become one of the reasons why the mystery starts to unravel.
- Jessica — an orphan and heiress of a large fortune. Her vulnerable position makes her the center of conflict, and the struggle for her safety adds a personal scale to the plot.
«Castle of Ghosts» is part of Margit Sandemo's cycle «People of Ice» and is its seventh book. The novel continues a grand family story, where the fates of descendants are intertwined with a common heritage and the shadow of a family curse. It is more interesting to read the book in the order of the series: this clarifies the origins of the characters, their family ties, and the significance of the People of Ice themselves. At the same time, within the volume, there is a standalone intrigue with a separate conflict and its own circle of characters.