Introducing a new mystery series for adults based on Aotearoa’s beautiful Kāpiti Coast, featuring 30 year old climate activist and cli-fi writer Bella Goodfellow, and 70 year old psychic empath Freyja Jespersen. Thrown together reluctantly, their odd-ball alliance evolves into a secret force for good.
Each book in the Chasing Ghosts Mystery series operates on four levels:
- Taut paranormal thrillers that engage their readers at a visceral gut level, delving into contemporary social issues.
- An exploration of the effects of loss and grief, and the universal desire to retain some kind of emotional connection with those we have lost.
- The nature of activism and the urgent need for climate action.
- The warm bond that develops between two strong female ‘outsiders’, each providing what the other needs to thrive.
BOOK TWO: REVENGE AND RABBIT HOLES
Launched October 2025 (The Cuba Press)
Just as life is returning to normal for unlikely housemates Bella and Freyja after their dramatic rescue of an abducted child on the Kāpiti Coast, strange threats disrupt their peace, and they find themselves helping Jonah, a young man caught up with violent conspiracy theorists. When Freyja’s usual supports fail, Bella must try to unravel a series of obscure messages to prevent Jonah from falling so far down the rabbit hole he’ll never make it out. Meanwhile, it seems the two women now face a very real menace to their own lives.
BOOK ONE: STRAYS AND WAIFS
Launched August 2024 (The Cuba Press)
Forced from her hideaway after a landslide swallows it whole, Bella finds temporary accommodation with her publisher’s elderly aunt on the Kāpiti Coast. But lilac-eyed Freyja is not what she seems, and soon Bella’s flung into a crazy scheme to expose a murderer and rescue a child.
There’s just one problem – before they can act Bella must believe what Freyja is telling her … and reopen her heart to her painful past.
You can find reviews and interviews at the links below:
https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/strays-waifs-by-mandy-hager “Strays & Waifs is a highly engaging, beautifully written read, and I look forward to reading more from this unusual crime-solving duo.”
https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/interview-mandy-hager-talks-about-strays-waifs Interview
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018950285/book-review-strays-and-waifs-by-mandy-hager radio review
https://www.wcl.govt.nz/news/author-interview-mandy-hager/ radio interview
https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=5a1d2f83-41fd-4ddf-86a4-2a8edb27760a radio interview on ‘Books Aloud’ Coast Access Radio
Mandy Hager 