Monday, May 25, 2020

Grave Consequences - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Grave Consequences (A Bay Island Psychic Mystery #5) by Lena Gregory

Rating: Liked It
Source: NetGalley

Description: Cass Donovan is reminded that you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes from the dead . . .
When stories begin circulating of a centuries-old ghost haunting the Bay Island lighthouse, Cass is caught up in mystical happenings of her own, with countless voices from the beyond all clamoring for her attention with dire warnings. But before she has a chance to learn whether there’s a connection between the rumored ghost and her restless visitors, the lighthouse keeper mysteriously falls to his death, and Cass’s reputation for communing with the dead lands her right in the middle of the police investigation.

Cass knows the victim was no saint, as he made little effort to hide his philandering ways from his wife or anyone else, and often acted out with no thought for the feelings of others. But had he finally gone too far, or were there more menacing motives behind his murder? As Cass begins building a list of suspects, including the man’s supposedly grieving wife and a mysterious new woman in town, she also turns her ear to those otherworldly voices, hoping for a clue. And as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes too late that if she’s not careful, she’ll soon be communicating with the dead in person . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read a few books from the series and really enjoyed them so I had to pick up this latest one. 

My Impression:  Somehow I missed a few books in this series so I was thrilled to pick this one up and see what was going on with Cass, Bee and every one else on Bay Island.  It's still the same gossipy mostly goodnatured place as ever and Cass's dog Beast is still capable of getting into just as much trouble.  I do love an animal sidekick and Beast is the biggest, sweetest, most accidental trouble-making there is.  He has shown a little bit of growth but he's still the same goofy dog he was at the beginning of the series.  As well we have the genuine friendships between Cass, Bee, and Stephanie which I really enjoy.  They don't always see eye to eye but the friendship feels really true and they just seem like friends which I enjoy.

There are two primary issues in this book - the murderer mystery itself  and Cass's struggles with figuring out just what to do with all the voices constantly invading her head.  I thought seeing Cass struggle with her abilities was an interesting issue that I haven't really come across before.  There's plenty of books that involve other people's issues (and there's some of that here) but I can't think of ever seen a psychic book where the psychic is struggling to really figure out how to use her powers.   Then there's a mystery.  Who killed Fred and why and just what is going on out and the lighthouse.  There's a treasure hunt and all kinds of rumors floating around complicating things which made the book very fun and very entertaining.  The mystery is fast paced and at times I felt this slid into a bit of a jumbled feeling.  There were a few times I forgot just what had lead them to a particular location or to a conclusion.  The information was there but it occasionally got a bit lost in everything else that was happening. 

Despite that minor issue I really enjoyed this mystery.  There's history, mystery, friendships, and an absolutely fabulous dog!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I need to go back and pick up the books that I missed and want to try the other series I've seen by her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy a good cozy with a paranormal twist I think this is a great sereis.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

5 comments:

  1. I do like the sound of this one. I love a good canine sidekick and I think that it is really interesting that Cass is trying to figure out how to use her gift.

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  2. I really like paranormal cozy mysteries, and so this sounds like one I would enjoy.

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  3. Aaaaw, Beast sounds fun, and the book sounds good. I've been slowly getting into the paranormal cozy mystery and this sounds like it was well written.

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  4. A fun dog will always get my attention in a book and make me want to read it. Or indeed a puffin!! It amazes me how you keep all the characters in the cozies so well in your mind.

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  5. I haven't tried this series but I need too!

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