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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Be Our Ghost by Kate Kingsbury is the third tale in A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery series. Melanie West and Liza Harris own the Merry Ghost Inn in Sully’s Landing, Oregon. Jason Northwood, a developer, wants to build an arcade in town with video & pinball machines, karaoke, a bar and much more. Northwood would need a variance from the Planning Commission and city councilors to proceed with his plan. The day after Northwood held a special event for the people who will vote on his request, he is found dead from a stab wound to the heart. Doug Griffith was vocal against Northwood’s project and had a history with the developer which puts him at the top the police’s suspect list. Liza and Melanie with help from their resident ghost, Orville set out to prove Doug’s innocence. Then their dog, Max vanishes from outside the bakery only to reappear several hours later with a warning note attached. This just makes the duo more determined to catch the guilty party. Melanie and Liza are out asking questions when the brakes give out on their car. Thankfully, they drive into bushes instead of over the cliff. When Liza goes missing, Orville provides a pivotal clue. Can Melanie get to Liza in time?
Be Our Ghost is a lighthearted cozy mystery. Melanie West and Liza Harris own the Merry Ghost Inn which is haunted by Orville. I enjoy the paranormal elements and would love to have more ghostly interactions. I am also curious to know more about Orville. I do not understand why Melanie criticizes Orville nor do I like it. There are many cozy moments with cooking, eating, gardening and chatting. Tea is consumed in large quantities. I was happy that Liza and Melanie actively investigated the murder. They questioned various people around town, but they need to work on their technique. There is misdirection and pointed clues. Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit before the reveal. I wish we had been given better closure on the case instead of supposition (what they think happened instead of facts). The ladies are told numerous times to stay out of the investigation which they do not heed (you would think they would be a little wary). Melanie is also searching for her mother. They finally have a lead and Melanie is hopeful. I could have done without the numerous descriptions of Cindi Metzger’s clothing and the lamenting on her tardiness. She wears unique outfits each day which are described in detail. There is a Blueberry French Toast recipe at the end of the book. I am giving Be Our Ghost 3 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for an ethereal and easy to read cozy mystery with a supernatural element, then Be Our Ghost is for you.
Be Our Ghost is a lighthearted cozy mystery. Melanie West and Liza Harris own the Merry Ghost Inn which is haunted by Orville. I enjoy the paranormal elements and would love to have more ghostly interactions. I am also curious to know more about Orville. I do not understand why Melanie criticizes Orville nor do I like it. There are many cozy moments with cooking, eating, gardening and chatting. Tea is consumed in large quantities. I was happy that Liza and Melanie actively investigated the murder. They questioned various people around town, but they need to work on their technique. There is misdirection and pointed clues. Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit before the reveal. I wish we had been given better closure on the case instead of supposition (what they think happened instead of facts). The ladies are told numerous times to stay out of the investigation which they do not heed (you would think they would be a little wary). Melanie is also searching for her mother. They finally have a lead and Melanie is hopeful. I could have done without the numerous descriptions of Cindi Metzger’s clothing and the lamenting on her tardiness. She wears unique outfits each day which are described in detail. There is a Blueberry French Toast recipe at the end of the book. I am giving Be Our Ghost 3 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for an ethereal and easy to read cozy mystery with a supernatural element, then Be Our Ghost is for you.
enchanterheir's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series! I can't wait to read the next book!
im211's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and especially Crooked Lane books , for whom I managed to add a new genre to my favourites!.
This novel centers around Melanie and her grandmother who own an inn, and not just any but a haunted one at that.
That setting enough intrigued me to set off reading.
We start off with a tense atmosphere of their town being revamped by an unpleasant official guy who seemed to lock horns with almost everyone he crossed paths.
But before anything can proceed a murder takes place and the whole town seems to be suspect and we'll as not so.
Melanie and grandma seeing the predicament their town and police falling into decide to do some sleuthing but with dangerous consequences...
The book was a tedious read for me, every action of Melanie's and other characters were described to the dot.
I loved seeing complexities our MC Melanie faces and not just the murder and the glimpses we get into her past and how it's impacting her now. I love a fleshed out- flawed character. I absolutely adored her grandmother, whose stubborn quirky and also quite intelligent.
The events quite slow paced and sometimes boring since you feel there's no progess. Although I admired how the author kept it real by including the police case confidentiality (in other mysteries police and press were the same since all the details were locked). We do have a on duty cop around our MCs but it's refreshing to see how they managed to pull through their sleuthing through various characters and characteristics of people they had to face.
Very well done.
The mystery wrapped up quite nicely, keeps you uncertain and guessing but I only wished the book was condensed so it's would be able to hold on to its engaging quality.
This novel centers around Melanie and her grandmother who own an inn, and not just any but a haunted one at that.
That setting enough intrigued me to set off reading.
We start off with a tense atmosphere of their town being revamped by an unpleasant official guy who seemed to lock horns with almost everyone he crossed paths.
But before anything can proceed a murder takes place and the whole town seems to be suspect and we'll as not so.
Melanie and grandma seeing the predicament their town and police falling into decide to do some sleuthing but with dangerous consequences...
The book was a tedious read for me, every action of Melanie's and other characters were described to the dot.
I loved seeing complexities our MC Melanie faces and not just the murder and the glimpses we get into her past and how it's impacting her now. I love a fleshed out- flawed character. I absolutely adored her grandmother, whose stubborn quirky and also quite intelligent.
The events quite slow paced and sometimes boring since you feel there's no progess. Although I admired how the author kept it real by including the police case confidentiality (in other mysteries police and press were the same since all the details were locked). We do have a on duty cop around our MCs but it's refreshing to see how they managed to pull through their sleuthing through various characters and characteristics of people they had to face.
Very well done.
The mystery wrapped up quite nicely, keeps you uncertain and guessing but I only wished the book was condensed so it's would be able to hold on to its engaging quality.
kim_brockway_gatehouse's review against another edition
3.0
A good cosy mystery to listen to without being taxing.
nabenn67's review against another edition
3.0
I like the characters, but personally I feel the "ghost" adds nothing to this series.
melanietalksbooks's review against another edition
1.0
The grandmother seemed stupid, not brave while not caring that someone tried to kill her and her granddaughter. She was rude and acted all bothered with the fact that people didn’t like being accused of murder. She was loud and obnoxious. She would scold the assistant for perceived improper manners but just went on confronting people over and demanding things. I think there is a way to question people without being like that. I see that dissing every type of parenting other than breeding is going to be a plot point. The MC also mentioned that the ex husband “pops in” every once in a while, which makes me think that he will keep harassing her and she’ll keep letting him. I’m going to be done with this series now.
amylwest's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
adriogg's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
gcolston1832's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0