Source: Publisher
Description: Innkeeper Maureen Doherty is well aware that no one—when asked why they come to Florida—says, “For the ghosts.” But her historic Haven House Inn has spirits to spare, and just when she thinks she’s met every ghost in town—a new one pops up to help solve a murder. Or so it seems . . .
When the body of “how-to” book writer Terry Holiday is found by Aster Paterson in her flower garden, the townspeople of Haven are shocked. But they’re even more surprised when the beloved bookshop owner insists that the spirit of her late husband Peter Paterson led her to the grim discovery. Only Aster seems unsurprised—she’s been baking his favorite shortbread cookies every day, hoping to lure his ghost back home . . .
Even Maureen is a little skeptical—until Peter’s ghost appears in the bookshop window for all to see. Haven’s hard-headed realist cop Frank Hubbard is determined to unveil whatever trickery led to the apparition, as he suspects the answer to who killed Terry Holiday may be connected to the illusion.
If Maureen’s learned anything since she moved from New England and inherited her haunted inn, it’s that 1) ghosts are real (at least some of them), and 2) so are murderers. She doesn’t need a how-to manual to solve a murder; she’s done it before. But with suspects ranging from a mystery writers group to a ghostwriter who just checked in at the inn, she will need a little help from her spirited sleuths . . .
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I have liked earlier books in this series and I love this author's Witch City Mystery series.
My Impression: I've found this series to be fairly inconsistent. The first book I absolutely adored, the second book was just okay, the third was a lot of fun, and unfortunately, I found book four to just be okay. I had a difficult time getting into this one which I'm largely putting down to mood as I was feeling decidedly under the weather when I started this. But even as I got caught up in the story I was never fully invested. The mystery was a bit odd, the writing group was a bunch of really terrible people, and if I was Maureen I would have blocked the sheriff's calls. I can get wanting to hear her thoughts or wanting her to stay out of the investigation but the guy couldn't pick a lane. He was either mad at her that she wasn't working on the investigation or mad at her that she was working on it or mad at her that information she gave him didn't prove fully accurate.
Why I Picked This Book: I have liked earlier books in this series and I love this author's Witch City Mystery series.
My Impression: I've found this series to be fairly inconsistent. The first book I absolutely adored, the second book was just okay, the third was a lot of fun, and unfortunately, I found book four to just be okay. I had a difficult time getting into this one which I'm largely putting down to mood as I was feeling decidedly under the weather when I started this. But even as I got caught up in the story I was never fully invested. The mystery was a bit odd, the writing group was a bunch of really terrible people, and if I was Maureen I would have blocked the sheriff's calls. I can get wanting to hear her thoughts or wanting her to stay out of the investigation but the guy couldn't pick a lane. He was either mad at her that she wasn't working on the investigation or mad at her that she was working on it or mad at her that information she gave him didn't prove fully accurate.
I like Maureen, her dog Finn, and the side characters at the Inn. I find the investigation into the Inn's past really interesting and I love the ghostly residents. This is definitely a series that is best read in order as there are a lot of multi-book plot points but so far I've found the even numbered books a bit disappointing. This is a fun ghosty cozy mystery series but unfortunately, I found this to be one of the weakest books in the series.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will definitely read more by this author as I've really enjoyed her other series.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would try the first book in this series and the first book in the Witch City Mystery series if you haven't read anything by her. I don't recommend starting with this book.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? I would try the first book in this series and the first book in the Witch City Mystery series if you haven't read anything by her. I don't recommend starting with this book.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Congrats on finishing the 2.5 star read. I usually put down anything I think will be under 3 stars and head for a more interesting book. Hope you find more cozies that are good ones.
ReplyDeleteThis series does sound inconsistent if you're only loving every other book. I have to admit, I read the first book and didn't love it so never tried any of the others. I'm sorry this one wasn't better.
ReplyDeleteOuch. I haven't reached the review or read for this one yet. Will be interesting to see how I find it. I think mood has a big part to play but your points seem to be very fair.
ReplyDeleteThe characters, inn and Finn sound great. I hope you try another one.
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