My last book of 2019 was The Ghosts of Notchey Creek - Harley Henrickson Cozy Mystery Book 2 by Liz S. Andrews.
About:
"It's the holiday season in Notchey Creek, and whiskey distiller Harley Henrickson is busy mixing yuletide cocktails at her store, Smoky Mountain Spirits. There is snow on the ground, holiday music in the air, and wreathes on every lamppost. Everything seems perfect for the town’s biggest event of the year, the Small Town Christmas Festival. Even Harley’s pet pig, Matilda, is feeling festive, wearing the Elf on the Shelf costume Aunt Wilma bought for her. But not all is merry and bright in this little mountain town. Harley senses something eerie in the air, and it all points to Notchey Creek's oldest and most beautiful home—Briarcliffe.
No sooner has rock star Beau Arson settled into his ancestral mansion of Briarcliffe, than a self-righteous ghost hunter arrives in town, telling macabre tales about Beau’s new home. According to legend, a young woman by the name of Margaret Reed hung herself in the woods behind Briarcliffe on Christmas Day, over a century ago. To make matters worse, Beau has been experiencing ghostly encounters at night, seeking to drive him from his family’s home.
When Harley finds the body of a mysterious woman in the woods near Briarcliffe, and then a wealthy antiques dealer is murdered, she decides to investigate. Can Harley intervene before a century of lies, greed, and passion destroy Beau Arson’s new life—the past he’s just only come to know?
In the meantime, other issues are causing problems for Harley. Aunt Wilma and Opha Mae Shaw are designing a Christmas dress of epic proportions for Harley (and one for Matilda, of course). Uncle Tater and Floyd have been devising top-secret plans in The Shed that might have to do with the upcoming Christmas Parade. And Harley’s best friend, Tina Rizchek, is at her wit’s end when her colorful grandmother and pet parrot visit from Pittsburgh for the holidays. "
The book is wonderfully written with an intriguing, ghostly mystery, interesting characters including Harley's quirky relatives; Uncle Tater and Aunt Wilma and her pet pig Matilda. (see Matilda on the cover). While there are some laugh out loud moments in this book, the mystery is very good and well developed. The story grabbed me right away and read this book almost in one sitting.
About:
"It's the holiday season in Notchey Creek, and whiskey distiller Harley Henrickson is busy mixing yuletide cocktails at her store, Smoky Mountain Spirits. There is snow on the ground, holiday music in the air, and wreathes on every lamppost. Everything seems perfect for the town’s biggest event of the year, the Small Town Christmas Festival. Even Harley’s pet pig, Matilda, is feeling festive, wearing the Elf on the Shelf costume Aunt Wilma bought for her. But not all is merry and bright in this little mountain town. Harley senses something eerie in the air, and it all points to Notchey Creek's oldest and most beautiful home—Briarcliffe.
No sooner has rock star Beau Arson settled into his ancestral mansion of Briarcliffe, than a self-righteous ghost hunter arrives in town, telling macabre tales about Beau’s new home. According to legend, a young woman by the name of Margaret Reed hung herself in the woods behind Briarcliffe on Christmas Day, over a century ago. To make matters worse, Beau has been experiencing ghostly encounters at night, seeking to drive him from his family’s home.
When Harley finds the body of a mysterious woman in the woods near Briarcliffe, and then a wealthy antiques dealer is murdered, she decides to investigate. Can Harley intervene before a century of lies, greed, and passion destroy Beau Arson’s new life—the past he’s just only come to know?
In the meantime, other issues are causing problems for Harley. Aunt Wilma and Opha Mae Shaw are designing a Christmas dress of epic proportions for Harley (and one for Matilda, of course). Uncle Tater and Floyd have been devising top-secret plans in The Shed that might have to do with the upcoming Christmas Parade. And Harley’s best friend, Tina Rizchek, is at her wit’s end when her colorful grandmother and pet parrot visit from Pittsburgh for the holidays. "
The book is wonderfully written with an intriguing, ghostly mystery, interesting characters including Harley's quirky relatives; Uncle Tater and Aunt Wilma and her pet pig Matilda. (see Matilda on the cover). While there are some laugh out loud moments in this book, the mystery is very good and well developed. The story grabbed me right away and read this book almost in one sitting.
The story centers around a historical mystery, going back to Prohibition. There are stories about the history of Briarcliffe, ghosts, a dead body that disappears, and a sighting of a women walking around the grounds with a noose around her neck.
I mentioned the humor. Here's an example:
Mayor Ruby Montgomery addressing the local sheriff: "I don't see why someone always has to get themselves killed right before one of my festivals. It's uncanny and most inconvenient...Then there is Beau Arson. His minions are congregating around town again, like those zombies on TV, doing shots outside Bud's Pool Hall, harassing the costumed artisans. Tiny Tim had his crutch stolen the other night and my Ghost of Christmas Past had it's glowing cone...And I swear one of them sneaked into City Hall and replaced the Christmas music with Twisted Sister." lol If you are from Texas you may be reminded of Greater Tuna. (laughing)
The book delivers everything I want in a story including a hint at romance. The story ends with an opening to the third book, which I am really looking forward to.
I read the first book in this series, The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek, in February 2019.
https://gbmysteries.blogspot.com/2019/02/
If you are looking for a new series, I recommend this one.
Here is the author's webpage: https://www.lizsandrewsauthor.com/
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.
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