I read almost any mystery genre as long as it isn't too gross, gory, or violent. I don't mind thrillers, stories of suspense, some scifi, ghost stories etc., as long as it isn't "too much". When I was a kid and we traveled (rarely) or visited homes with no kids, I was happy as long as I could find something laying around their house that I could read to pass the time. Yes I read cereal boxes while eating and anything that came in the door that resembled a book. So when I started seeing all of these book related Facebook groups, I starting joining them and was introduced to several paranormal cozy series. I like to read them especially after reading an intense thriller, gets my mind off of bothersome scenes and themes. I have read several in the past few weeks through these "read and review" groups, so will give you a peek into them.
I read two books by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, in the Chantilly Adair series. I have talked about Carolyn in previous posts. She writes a few different series and is working on a new mystery series, not a cozy. Here are the three I read recently as part of an ARC group.
Ghost Are People Too: book 2 in the Chantilly Adair series
About: "Excited to introduce her to what makes her hometown so unique, Chantilly plans to throw a party the size of Atlanta’s Mercedes Stadium. Though she hasn’t attempted an event that big since her own wedding, she’s ready and willing to take the ball and run with it. But when trouble comes to town in the form of her best friend’s soon-to-be ex-husband, threatening both Chantilly and Gen, and winding up dead in the cellar of a local historical property, her plans change. The cops can’t find a suspect, other than Gen, of course. Now, for Chantilly to clear her best friend, she’ll need help from the property’s owner, who just happens to be dead…".
My take: Seeing and communicating with ghosts is new to Chantilly. When her best friend Gen's angry husband comes looking for Gen and ends up dead in front of an old abandoned house, Chantilly hopes the ghosts that remain at the house (from another century, bonus) saw what happened and can tell her, so she can clear her friend. Problem is the ghost of Anna Kentworth doesn't want Chantilly there and is making it pretty clear to leave her and her children alone or else. Good story of Chantilly trying to find out what really happened to Gen's husband, his business partners also showing up, and trying to balance her real job at the historical society planning a ghost tour. Sheriff Jack is not amused by Chantilly's getting mixed up in the case. Thelma and Del are regular characters, pun intended, in the series and provide the humor. Fun crossover with another series by this author too.
Praying for Peace: book 3 in the Chantilly Adair series
About: "Ghost talking can be murder…Castleberry Historical society manager Chantilly Adair is excited to finalize the proposal plans for the old Baptist church just outside of town, officially marking it as a registered historic property. But that excitement turns to confusion when she finds a dead body hidden in a janitor’s closet in the basement, and the former pastor’s spirit hovering nearby. Impeded by the cantankerous spirit Chantilly knows is hiding something, she must pick her way through the mystery of a long-ago fire and the dead guy stuffed inside the closet. Can Chantilly discover how the two crimes are connected, and will she find out who the killer is before she becomes the next victim?"
My take: In book three, Chantilly is getting more comfortable with her ability to see and talk to ghosts. Word is getting out among ghosts, that she can see them. While working on her next project for the historical society, to renovate the 100 year old church in town, she stumbles across the body of one of the church employees body. Not again! Chantilly is convinced this apparent murder is tied to a fire that happened 40 years ago in the church. The mayor wants the church torn down and rebuilt instead, after this incident. Sheriff Jack thinks it has nothing to do with the fire and wants Chantilly to stay out of it. The pastor that died in the fire, wants her to stay out if it too and gets pretty feisty. Chantilly has her hands full trying to juggle her real job and the ghosts that she runs into. One even has a special message he would like her to deliver. Really enjoying this series. Good story line, interesting continuing threads throughout the books, great characters, humor and a bit spooky at times.
Witch This Way: book 2 in the Holiday Hills Witch Cozy Mystery
About: "Welcome to Holiday Hills, where there is magic & mystery in the air..I wear many hats:
I'm a friend.
A sort-of girlfriend.
A ghostwriter, and…
...oh yeah, a witch.
I read two books by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, in the Chantilly Adair series. I have talked about Carolyn in previous posts. She writes a few different series and is working on a new mystery series, not a cozy. Here are the three I read recently as part of an ARC group.
Ghost Are People Too: book 2 in the Chantilly Adair series
About: "Excited to introduce her to what makes her hometown so unique, Chantilly plans to throw a party the size of Atlanta’s Mercedes Stadium. Though she hasn’t attempted an event that big since her own wedding, she’s ready and willing to take the ball and run with it. But when trouble comes to town in the form of her best friend’s soon-to-be ex-husband, threatening both Chantilly and Gen, and winding up dead in the cellar of a local historical property, her plans change. The cops can’t find a suspect, other than Gen, of course. Now, for Chantilly to clear her best friend, she’ll need help from the property’s owner, who just happens to be dead…".
My take: Seeing and communicating with ghosts is new to Chantilly. When her best friend Gen's angry husband comes looking for Gen and ends up dead in front of an old abandoned house, Chantilly hopes the ghosts that remain at the house (from another century, bonus) saw what happened and can tell her, so she can clear her friend. Problem is the ghost of Anna Kentworth doesn't want Chantilly there and is making it pretty clear to leave her and her children alone or else. Good story of Chantilly trying to find out what really happened to Gen's husband, his business partners also showing up, and trying to balance her real job at the historical society planning a ghost tour. Sheriff Jack is not amused by Chantilly's getting mixed up in the case. Thelma and Del are regular characters, pun intended, in the series and provide the humor. Fun crossover with another series by this author too.
Praying for Peace: book 3 in the Chantilly Adair series
About: "Ghost talking can be murder…Castleberry Historical society manager Chantilly Adair is excited to finalize the proposal plans for the old Baptist church just outside of town, officially marking it as a registered historic property. But that excitement turns to confusion when she finds a dead body hidden in a janitor’s closet in the basement, and the former pastor’s spirit hovering nearby. Impeded by the cantankerous spirit Chantilly knows is hiding something, she must pick her way through the mystery of a long-ago fire and the dead guy stuffed inside the closet. Can Chantilly discover how the two crimes are connected, and will she find out who the killer is before she becomes the next victim?"
My take: In book three, Chantilly is getting more comfortable with her ability to see and talk to ghosts. Word is getting out among ghosts, that she can see them. While working on her next project for the historical society, to renovate the 100 year old church in town, she stumbles across the body of one of the church employees body. Not again! Chantilly is convinced this apparent murder is tied to a fire that happened 40 years ago in the church. The mayor wants the church torn down and rebuilt instead, after this incident. Sheriff Jack thinks it has nothing to do with the fire and wants Chantilly to stay out of it. The pastor that died in the fire, wants her to stay out if it too and gets pretty feisty. Chantilly has her hands full trying to juggle her real job and the ghosts that she runs into. One even has a special message he would like her to deliver. Really enjoying this series. Good story line, interesting continuing threads throughout the books, great characters, humor and a bit spooky at times.
Witch This Way: book 2 in the Holiday Hills Witch Cozy Mystery
About: "Welcome to Holiday Hills, where there is magic & mystery in the air..I wear many hats:
I'm a friend.
A sort-of girlfriend.
A ghostwriter, and…
...oh yeah, a witch.
My editor always tells me to “write what you know.” Unfortunately, that’s what’s happening...literally. When the main character in my latest novel—a witch herself—takes a new job with the Magical Bureau of Investigators, she stumbles upon a threat so big, it could destroy everything she holds dear. Fiction, right?
Nope. For reasons beyond my witchy sixth sense, everything I write is now happening to me in real life! Did I mention my character gets into REALLY bad situations? Now I’ve got to figure out who’s cast this awkward spell and find a way to reverse it. And if I don’t do it soon, I might just wind up the "dead" in my deadline."
Nope. For reasons beyond my witchy sixth sense, everything I write is now happening to me in real life! Did I mention my character gets into REALLY bad situations? Now I’ve got to figure out who’s cast this awkward spell and find a way to reverse it. And if I don’t do it soon, I might just wind up the "dead" in my deadline."
My take: I liked this second book in the Holiday Hills series with Abby O'Dell. In this book, Abby is getting used to her magic, having Cooper as her familiar and things moving along with Gabe, the police chief. There's a new man in town, Ryland, who all the women are swooning after and Abby's best friend, Stella, seems to be developing a relationship with. Gabe hires a Deputy, Austin. At first Abby is suspicious but after hearing Gabe's information on Austin, she relaxes. Two fires in town put everyone on edge. The second was her mother's home. Now this is personal. This story is a roller coaster of events. Things that happen, end up in Abby's book she is writing, only she didn't put them there.
Twist, turns and things not what they seem with a satisfying ending.
Killing Time by Suzanne M. Trauth: book 6 in the Dodie O'Dell series. This is the first book I have read in this series.
About: With Halloween just around the corner, Dodie O’Dell is making preparations to transform the Windjammer Restaurant on the Jersey Shore into a haunted house, while the Etonville Little Theatre is staging Dracula. But casting the titular Transylvanian is proving challenging. The amateur actors in the company are not shy about chewing the scenery, but who among them can convincingly sink their fangs into a victim's neck? When a mysterious newcomer with a transfixing Eastern European accent lands the part, rumors that he might be an actual vampire start to take flight—not unlike the bat who's recently been spotted in the town park. But everyone’s blood really runs cold when a cast member is found in a prop coffin with a real stake in his heart. Dodie decides to put her Halloween theme menu on the back burner and stick her neck out to bring the killer into the light of day. She'd better keep her wits about her, though—or Dodie may be the next one to go down for the Count . . ."
My take: While this is a series, you don't have to have read the books in the series in order. This is a good mystery with a surprise twist at the end. Set at Halloween, this would make a good book to put on your Halloween mysteries list. Dodie has promised Bill, her fiance, to stay out of investigating, but as all good amateur sleuths, she can't help herself. Just one quick drive by the house, the theater, the dark alley...All this while trying to run The Windjammer and plan a menu around the Dracula play at the theater. When Bill does ask for her help, Dodie is all in. And it almost costs her, her life, more than once. There is also some humorous moments with the other regular characters. The mystery is very complex and kept me interested and guessing.
With all of these books, I received a free copy and voluntarily provided reviews.
Twist, turns and things not what they seem with a satisfying ending.
Killing Time by Suzanne M. Trauth: book 6 in the Dodie O'Dell series. This is the first book I have read in this series.
About: With Halloween just around the corner, Dodie O’Dell is making preparations to transform the Windjammer Restaurant on the Jersey Shore into a haunted house, while the Etonville Little Theatre is staging Dracula. But casting the titular Transylvanian is proving challenging. The amateur actors in the company are not shy about chewing the scenery, but who among them can convincingly sink their fangs into a victim's neck? When a mysterious newcomer with a transfixing Eastern European accent lands the part, rumors that he might be an actual vampire start to take flight—not unlike the bat who's recently been spotted in the town park. But everyone’s blood really runs cold when a cast member is found in a prop coffin with a real stake in his heart. Dodie decides to put her Halloween theme menu on the back burner and stick her neck out to bring the killer into the light of day. She'd better keep her wits about her, though—or Dodie may be the next one to go down for the Count . . ."
My take: While this is a series, you don't have to have read the books in the series in order. This is a good mystery with a surprise twist at the end. Set at Halloween, this would make a good book to put on your Halloween mysteries list. Dodie has promised Bill, her fiance, to stay out of investigating, but as all good amateur sleuths, she can't help herself. Just one quick drive by the house, the theater, the dark alley...All this while trying to run The Windjammer and plan a menu around the Dracula play at the theater. When Bill does ask for her help, Dodie is all in. And it almost costs her, her life, more than once. There is also some humorous moments with the other regular characters. The mystery is very complex and kept me interested and guessing.
With all of these books, I received a free copy and voluntarily provided reviews.
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