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ablasich'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
3.5
Just not my cup of tea for a mystery. The main character was not a natural or professional investigator and that took me out of the story.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is an enjoyable new cozy mystery. Charlene Morris lost the love of her life eighteen months ago and every where she goes in Chicago there are reminders. She has purchased a massive mansion in Salem, based on pictures sent to her by the realtor, where she plans on opening a bed and breakfast. She wants it to be an elegant establishment. Having a resident ghost was not the plans even if he is handsome and charming. Dr. Jack Strathmore IV is convinced he was murdered three years ago and believes it is the reason for why he is unable to move on to the great beyond. Charlene is the first person who can see Jack and he needs her help. I like Traci Wilton’s conversational writing style. It is engaging and made this new cozy mystery easy to read. Charlene is a strong protagonist who is ready to move forward with her life away from her meddlesome mother. I found Charlene’s first reaction to Jack to be realistic and humorous. Jack is a great character. He has charm, wit, twinkling blue eyes and is a snappy dresser. Charlene sets out to discover who harmed Jack by talking with his wife, old friends, Detective Sam Holden, and the coroner. Charlene has all the subtly of a bulldozer. She is direct and pushy which leads to some ticked off individuals (but it is just her first time investigating). This whodunit can be solved before the reveal courtesy of the less than subtle clues. Charlene has a couple of men interested in her including Sam Holden. I would like less romance in future books (lots of flirting) and a more action packed mystery. I thought the story lagged during the middle and could have benefited from a peppier pace. The ending was a delight and left me smiling. A Persian named Silva joins Charlene in her new home. The cat’s antics had me giggling and I thought Traci Wilton captured a cat’s demeanor perfectly. I enjoyed the descriptions of Charlene’s beautiful new home, the furniture and the sights of Salem. The author took the time to establish the main characters and setting the stage for the series (wonderful world building). The first chapter of Mrs. Morris and the Witch is at the end of the book. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost has a magnificent mansion, a pretty Persian, flirtatious fellows, a gallant ghost, and a reluctant gumshoe.
qu33nofbookz's review against another edition
1.0
Jesus lady fire your editor don't thank him, he did you no favors. This book was a mess, especially after the first few chapters, the latter half of the book needed a lot of work. Inconsistencies, typos, poor word choice, contradictions, no research done, plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, bad structure. The characters were not very likable and had no growth and half were very cliche.
Our bipolar (there is no way she isn't she behavior and manner is so erratic and changing on a dime) MC had just moved into a mini-mansion she bought sight unseen and wants to turn it into a B&B in 1 month on a low budget only to find out it's haunted by possessive, controlling, asshole of a ghost who behaves like a 2-year-old always throwing tantrums if he's not bullying the MC.
She decides to help solve the ghost's murder so he can move on (another annoying thing...he practically demands she help him, then does stuff that would make anyone stop by not answering questions, bullying her, throwing tantrums that ruin the house, and actually tells her to stop then gets mad when she doesn't make any progress or investigates what he doesn't like or thinks she should leave alone...) and in the meanwhile falls in love with him despite the fact he's a ghost, she repeatedly insists she isn't interested in men at the moment, and he's an asshole (and the fact that she is super judgmental that his wife had an affair, which she rages about often, but when she finds out he did too she can forgive him and tell him it's okay because his wife had the affair first...so it was only natural for him to cheat too). Also, every man she meets immediately hits on her and are trying to date her even though she tells everyone she isn't interested in dating or men at the moment and tells herself that all the time.
She also worms her way into the high society/rich/old heritage families in town even though they normally don't give newcomers the time of day, which is a horrible plot hole because her number 1 murder suspect who was from a good family and married into the group and gave out money and held lots of parties for them couldn't get in after years of trying and she can after just meeting them? Nope. I don't think so.
Also, I would love to fill my house with the kind of antique furniture (and not so antique) she is buying for the very low price she is paying (really 6 big brand new side tables for the bedrooms for $50!) on a supposed to be very tight and low budget, and get half off because the male shop owners hit on her and she will TRY to send some of her customers their way, but no guarantee. The sheriff of the town she gets on her side to help her/ignore her blundering into cases is so hot to date her/get with her that he is half stalking her and bullying into her life by pressuring her every time he sees/talks to her. Lady get a restraining order if you insist on turning him down because you fell in love with the asshole ghost you didn't like at first and are actively trying to get rid of...
The ending was kinda meh and you can figure out who the bad guy is fairly easily and his reason why was just kind of like...um okay...really...that's why...sure fine whatever.
I will not be reading the next book.
Our bipolar (there is no way she isn't she behavior and manner is so erratic and changing on a dime) MC had just moved into a mini-mansion she bought sight unseen and wants to turn it into a B&B in 1 month on a low budget only to find out it's haunted by possessive, controlling, asshole of a ghost who behaves like a 2-year-old always throwing tantrums if he's not bullying the MC.
She decides to help solve the ghost's murder so he can move on (another annoying thing...he practically demands she help him, then does stuff that would make anyone stop by not answering questions, bullying her, throwing tantrums that ruin the house, and actually tells her to stop then gets mad when she doesn't make any progress or investigates what he doesn't like or thinks she should leave alone...) and in the meanwhile falls in love with him despite the fact he's a ghost, she repeatedly insists she isn't interested in men at the moment, and he's an asshole (and the fact that she is super judgmental that his wife had an affair, which she rages about often, but when she finds out he did too she can forgive him and tell him it's okay because his wife had the affair first...so it was only natural for him to cheat too). Also, every man she meets immediately hits on her and are trying to date her even though she tells everyone she isn't interested in dating or men at the moment and tells herself that all the time.
She also worms her way into the high society/rich/old heritage families in town even though they normally don't give newcomers the time of day, which is a horrible plot hole because her number 1 murder suspect who was from a good family and married into the group and gave out money and held lots of parties for them couldn't get in after years of trying and she can after just meeting them? Nope. I don't think so.
Also, I would love to fill my house with the kind of antique furniture (and not so antique) she is buying for the very low price she is paying (really 6 big brand new side tables for the bedrooms for $50!) on a supposed to be very tight and low budget, and get half off because the male shop owners hit on her and she will TRY to send some of her customers their way, but no guarantee. The sheriff of the town she gets on her side to help her/ignore her blundering into cases is so hot to date her/get with her that he is half stalking her and bullying into her life by pressuring her every time he sees/talks to her. Lady get a restraining order if you insist on turning him down because you fell in love with the asshole ghost you didn't like at first and are actively trying to get rid of...
The ending was kinda meh and you can figure out who the bad guy is fairly easily and his reason why was just kind of like...um okay...really...that's why...sure fine whatever.
Spoiler
It's the son he never knew he had.I will not be reading the next book.
renpuspita's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Mrs Morris and the Ghost is the first installment of Salem B&B Mystery and also the first book by Traci Wilton, a pen name used by Patrice Wilton and Traci Hall. Never read their books before so this is also the first time I read them. I pick it because for cozy mystery I usually search for foodies or supernatural theme. The title itself already catchy and the premise while seems standard at first (ghost and haunting place) still make me want to try.
This book is more like paranormal romance with mystery element rather than cozy mystery although still retain some cozy elements. I liked that the heroine, Charlene is already in her 42-ish and also childless so I kinda connected with her because of our same conditions. Mrs Morris and the Ghost also deals with grief, a topic that maybe hard to read especially I can feel Charlene's grief after her husband passed away and how she decide to move on while still grieving said husband. The mystery is solid, the characters are charming, the cat also adorable although she didn't provide some help to the case. There's a possibility of love triangle for Charlene, with Jack Strathmore aka the ghost that Charlene help to solve his murder is, and the local detective, Sam Holden that vaguely resemble Sam Elliot with his mustache. One is already dead, others is pretty much living, but both are devastatingly attractive. However the romance is the slow burn kind, since Charlene is still can't let go of the memories of her deceased husband. Although I got the guts that Charlene and Jack relationship will fall to platonic, since Jack is..you know..dead. Also Jack pretty much have tempers, constantly jealous and didn't want to face some truth about his death at first.
While I enjoy the story and the mystery, I didn't like how many male characters in this book seems smitten to Charlene. Not only Jack and Sam, but also the truck driver, the worker and even the bartender? Seems a little bit overkill for me, lel. Also the reason behind Jack's death is too soap opera-ish for me, I just rolling my eyes. But what can I expect from old families in Salem that pride themselves of their heritage? There's must be scandal left and right.
However, I will still continue to read Charlene's adventure in mystery sleuthing and managing her B&B. Of course she will be accompany by her cat, Silva that have her eyes color wrong in the book cover (her eyes is gold) and by the development of the story ending; with Jack that decide haunting a old mansion is a new, prospective career. Beside, I already collect the books up to book 7, so I must read them all 🤣🤣
This book is more like paranormal romance with mystery element rather than cozy mystery although still retain some cozy elements. I liked that the heroine, Charlene is already in her 42-ish and also childless so I kinda connected with her because of our same conditions. Mrs Morris and the Ghost also deals with grief, a topic that maybe hard to read especially I can feel Charlene's grief after her husband passed away and how she decide to move on while still grieving said husband. The mystery is solid, the characters are charming, the cat also adorable although she didn't provide some help to the case. There's a possibility of love triangle for Charlene, with Jack Strathmore aka the ghost that Charlene help to solve his murder is, and the local detective, Sam Holden that vaguely resemble Sam Elliot with his mustache. One is already dead, others is pretty much living, but both are devastatingly attractive. However the romance is the slow burn kind, since Charlene is still can't let go of the memories of her deceased husband. Although I got the guts that Charlene and Jack relationship will fall to platonic, since Jack is..you know..dead. Also Jack pretty much have tempers, constantly jealous and didn't want to face some truth about his death at first.
While I enjoy the story and the mystery, I didn't like how many male characters in this book seems smitten to Charlene. Not only Jack and Sam, but also the truck driver, the worker and even the bartender? Seems a little bit overkill for me, lel. Also the reason behind Jack's death is too soap opera-ish for me, I just rolling my eyes. But what can I expect from old families in Salem that pride themselves of their heritage? There's must be scandal left and right.
However, I will still continue to read Charlene's adventure in mystery sleuthing and managing her B&B. Of course she will be accompany by her cat, Silva that have her eyes color wrong in the book cover (her eyes is gold) and by the development of the story ending; with Jack that decide haunting a old mansion is a new, prospective career. Beside, I already collect the books up to book 7, so I must read them all 🤣🤣
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Infertility, and Death
Minor: Car accident and Miscarriage
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST by Traci Wilton
The First Salem B & B Mystery
After the sudden death of her husband Charlene Morris finds remaining in Chicago to be too difficult. Ready to start a new life she buys a gorgeous old home, sight unseen, in Salem, Massachusetts. With a plan to turn the place into a classy Bed and Breakfast in time for Halloween Charlene knows she has her work cut out for her. What she doesn't count on is the handsome man in her house, a man who says it's his house, a man who's actually dead. Jack Strathmore, the previous owner, happens to be a ghost and is thrilled that Charlene can actually see him for he needs her help to find his murderer. As Charlene finds herself more and more attached to her handsome ghost she grows more and more determined to discover what happened to him. Will Charlene be able to open her B & B or will she alienate everyone with her probing questions about Jack, a man who supposedly died of natural causes?
MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST is a delightful first entry to a mystery series. We start with a likeable protagonist. Charlene Morris is a mature, capable woman recovering from a devastating loss, but looking to start fresh. We then discover a charming and very attractive ghost, although prone to bouts of jealousy and temper. Then there's a good looking detective who is keen to help our widow. And we can't forget the entitled cat who is also able to see the ghost. Add in a variety of interesting characters from the winery owner who may be a witch to the ghost's wife who certainly is a b.... well, you can finish the rhyme.
A gorgeous old home, a ghost, and Salem, Massachusetts, featured in one book will always pique my interest and this first Salem B & B Mystery didn't disappoint. I enjoyed watching Charlotte transform the house and make contacts in the town. Although I'm not a fan of love triangles, there is a compelling one here. It's actually kind of a square as four people are involved. Charlotte is still grieving her husband who was her soulmate. She had no interest in developing a new romantic relationship, even though lots of men have been flirting with her. Yet she's drawn to Jack like a moth to a flame. He's a ghost, they can't have a future together...or can they? And then there's Detective Sam Holden, a man who's not shy about letting Charlotte know that he's interested in her...and that he's willing to wait.
MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST adds compelling characters to a well plotted mystery to create an engaging read. The Salem B & B is off to a great start and I, for one, would like to book a reservation!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Salem B & B Mystery
After the sudden death of her husband Charlene Morris finds remaining in Chicago to be too difficult. Ready to start a new life she buys a gorgeous old home, sight unseen, in Salem, Massachusetts. With a plan to turn the place into a classy Bed and Breakfast in time for Halloween Charlene knows she has her work cut out for her. What she doesn't count on is the handsome man in her house, a man who says it's his house, a man who's actually dead. Jack Strathmore, the previous owner, happens to be a ghost and is thrilled that Charlene can actually see him for he needs her help to find his murderer. As Charlene finds herself more and more attached to her handsome ghost she grows more and more determined to discover what happened to him. Will Charlene be able to open her B & B or will she alienate everyone with her probing questions about Jack, a man who supposedly died of natural causes?
MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST is a delightful first entry to a mystery series. We start with a likeable protagonist. Charlene Morris is a mature, capable woman recovering from a devastating loss, but looking to start fresh. We then discover a charming and very attractive ghost, although prone to bouts of jealousy and temper. Then there's a good looking detective who is keen to help our widow. And we can't forget the entitled cat who is also able to see the ghost. Add in a variety of interesting characters from the winery owner who may be a witch to the ghost's wife who certainly is a b.... well, you can finish the rhyme.
A gorgeous old home, a ghost, and Salem, Massachusetts, featured in one book will always pique my interest and this first Salem B & B Mystery didn't disappoint. I enjoyed watching Charlotte transform the house and make contacts in the town. Although I'm not a fan of love triangles, there is a compelling one here. It's actually kind of a square as four people are involved. Charlotte is still grieving her husband who was her soulmate. She had no interest in developing a new romantic relationship, even though lots of men have been flirting with her. Yet she's drawn to Jack like a moth to a flame. He's a ghost, they can't have a future together...or can they? And then there's Detective Sam Holden, a man who's not shy about letting Charlotte know that he's interested in her...and that he's willing to wait.
MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST adds compelling characters to a well plotted mystery to create an engaging read. The Salem B & B is off to a great start and I, for one, would like to book a reservation!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
eevie_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty enjoyable. The ending was kind of lackluster, but overall, I had a good time reading it.
nica00's review against another edition
2.0
A bit disappointing. Unlikeable main characters, no quirkiness or humour, and lack of atmosphere make a meh cozy.
git_r_read's review against another edition
3.0
I looked forward to reading this when I saw the premise of a woman opening a B&B that comes with a resident ghost, which is fab since the setting is Salem. Massachusetts.
The beginning showed promise with main character, Charlene, moving to Salem from Chicago to start life over after the death of her husband and to escape her overbearing mother. The house she buys I would love to live in. There's a ghost of a doctor who is thrilled that Charlene can see him. He's sure he was murdered and requests Charlene's help in proving it. Plenty of suspects, the setting is great, the story fell a bit flat and choppy in a lot of places. There are quite a few apparently single hot men in town who think Charlene is the cat's pajamas but she seems to only have eyes for Dr. Strathmore, her resident ghost.
I did finish the book and I will likely try the second book in the series, MRS. MORRIS AND THE WITCH, as I do like the premise.
The beginning showed promise with main character, Charlene, moving to Salem from Chicago to start life over after the death of her husband and to escape her overbearing mother. The house she buys I would love to live in. There's a ghost of a doctor who is thrilled that Charlene can see him. He's sure he was murdered and requests Charlene's help in proving it. Plenty of suspects, the setting is great, the story fell a bit flat and choppy in a lot of places. There are quite a few apparently single hot men in town who think Charlene is the cat's pajamas but she seems to only have eyes for Dr. Strathmore, her resident ghost.
I did finish the book and I will likely try the second book in the series, MRS. MORRIS AND THE WITCH, as I do like the premise.