Category: murder mystery

Review: Blue Blood, Black Magic: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Ella Bloom Mysteries Book 3) by Sarah Noffke

Rating 2.5⭐️

It looks as though Blue Blood, Black Magic is where I leave the Ella Bloom Mysteries behind. 

The premise is interesting, some of the elements are good but the author’s characterizations, especially when it comes down to the dynamics between the main female character and the prominent male characters in her life have me so irritated that it takes away from the rest of the narrative. 

At approximately the 50 percent point, Ella and Malcolm decide to leave the murder mystery investigation in town (and ongoing drama surrounding the inheritance) and head off to look for a mage in the mountains.  

Part of the mysteries in the series is who and what is Ella and what happened to Malcolm and his wife when he closed the Gloaming. Ella’s mysterious past is deeply personal and caught up in the death of her mother as well as her years in foster care. 

But when Tyler, the farmer whose mother is running his life, get furious at Ella, yelling at her, insisting he had the right to information about her , her powers and origin, without any reason or relationship . And Malcolm? Who Ella would reasonably expect to have her back, would defend her? He, without her consent, quickly tells Tyler all about Ella’s life, her secrets and unknown past. To her absolute shock. 

But how does the author have Ella handle being yelled at by basically someone she’s not in relationship with over withholding extremely private information, which is then freely shared by her trusted friend/associate?

“You two are the worst,” I muttered, realizing that they were ganging up on me.”

That’s the extent of it. 

Noffke leaves Ella in the wagon, accepting that she’s got no choice, no secrets, and the author still hints that “red flag” Tyler is the romance guy for her.

There’s no apology from the men for their behavior or actions. Instead the expectation, narratively, that the men know better than she does what is good for her. This from a man who has let his mother run his life and another with a faulty memory. That’s two for the Patriarchy column here . Although the story is disguised as a woman’s story. Um no. Not imo. 

I’m so irritated at the author at this point, that skimming through to the end is the only option. 

So I’ll find another author and series. There’s plenty more out there.  But here’s where I stop. 

🛑 After Note: I had wondered if I’d been harsh in my evaluation so I jumped ahead to book 6. There I found that the dynamics I disliked and discussed here are still very much in full swing in the story. 

Malcolm still has zero reservations about telling anyone , here gnomes, Ella’s “deeply held “ secrets about her magic and origin. All without obtaining any consent beforehand (which she’s very vehemently opposed to). But not once does she find a spine and ask him to obtain prior permission or tell him how uncomfortable or unhappy she is with him doing this. Multiple times. 

Spoiler:

Worse later in the plot, Malcolm turns out to be a coward, imo. His wife makes an ultimate sacrifice, believing he can find a way to bring her and The Gloaming back. But instead, acting on baseless assumptions, he commits an act of utter cowardice, that causes him to abandon her and makes him lose his memory .

Not once does Ella think that there was anything wrong with his actions.  

It’s a pattern here of excusing the questionable male behavior (Tyler’s, Malcolm’s to name two important characters) throughout the series while having Ella repeatedly telling people that her role in the investigations and relationships is always secondary, less important. 

So yes. Right choice to leave the series and author behind. Just no. 

Ella Bloom Mysteries (10 book series):

Dying For Magic #1

Magic Can Bee Deadly #2

Blue Blood, Black Magic #3

Verses and Curses #4

Raining Cats and  Curses #5

Half-Baked Curses #6

Signed, Spelled, Delivered #7

Murder Spelled in Thread #8

Spelled For Choice #9 – June 19,2026

Born For Magic #10 – July 24,2026

Buy link 

        Blue Blood, Black Magic: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Ella Bloom Mysteries Book 3)

    

Blurb 

One-Twenty-Six Press

Publication date

November 18, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

276 pages

Book 3 of 10

Ella Bloom Mysteries

Review: The Corpse Whisperer (Corpse Whisperer Book 2) by H.R. Boldwood 

Rating: 4⭐️

Necromancy, yes, zombies normally no. So I’m surprised that I’m so invested with this series and growing cast of characters.

Allie Nighthawk is a young woman who was born into a family of maternal ghost whisperers, a gift that increases generationally. 

She recently returned to her home town of Cincinnati, reclaiming her family home, rescuing a bulldog, reacquainting herself with her elderly neighbor, and working paranormal cases for the CPD. 

The last book ended with the death of her police officer partner, a character everyone, including the reader, was fond of. It showed that Boltwood isn’t afraid to eliminate her characters if she feels that the story or overall series arc calls for it. 

In a universe where zombies are more powerful and evolving, and there’s a deeper heinous design behind their evolution, it makes sense that those around Allie will be in constant danger, and some will fall. 

Part of the terrific and, at the end, moving part of this book, focuses on Leo Abruzzi, a zombie-bitten gangster who Allie has been charged with keeping safe until he can testify.  The relationship between Leo, Allie and Nonna, Allie’s elderly neighbor, turns into a real heartwarming tale. Then one of sorrow. 

The aspect of the book I’m not quite connected with is Leo, her new partner, his spineless relationship with the news reporter who hounds Allie’s life, and the reporter herself. This dysfunctional three way dynamic is absolutely irritating to read, and when you think about a cop dating a reporter during a high security event and she’s got instant connection with him and knowledge. And not Allie or Leo is telling their Chief despite their knowledge about a leak. 

Well, know that’s where I start skimming over scenarios .

I’m hoping this works it way out in the future books. Because it’s annoying. 

The hidden past isn’t so hidden anymore from the book’s final paragraphs. Something to anticipate!

Still terrific story!

Cover art by Dar Albert at Wicked Smart Designs

The Corpse Whisperer series: 

The Prodigal 

The Corpse Whisperer 

Sworn 

Torn

Whisperer Rising 

Buy link

        The Corpse Whisperer (Corpse Whisperer, the Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

If you raise deadheads, you’d better be able to put ‘em down.

Nobody said it was pretty. But in this day, when vampires aren’t just for breakfast anymore, and the dead are disposable pawns for necromancers, someone has to ante up. Looks like I won the lotto.

Imagine my delight.

You should thank me, really, because the world is batshit crazy.

When the zombie population spikes and no one knows why, it’s up to me to solve the mystery. But there’s a hitch. I’m stuck babysitting Leo Abruzzi, a zombie-bitten gangster who’s turning state’s evidence. But the mob and a powerful necromancer will stop at nothing to take us down.

The Corpse Whisperer is a 2019 Imadjinn award finalist and H.R. Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the Thomas More College Bilbo Award for creative writing.

Review:  The Prodigal (The Corpse Whisperer #1) by H.R. Boldwood

Rating: 4⭐️

Although listed as the first book in The Corpse Whisperer series, The Prodigal is considered by its author the prequel to the series. Its actual introduction to the corpse whisperer, Allie Nighthawk. 

These are my first books I’ve read by Boldwood so it’s my introduction into her writing as well as the universe of Allie Nighthawk. 

Allie is a ghost whisperer, someone who can raise the dead and equally important, put them back into the grave. In a world where zombies have been on the rise for the last few years, her talents are in demand. But the pay gap between the damage caused by the zombies and their destruction is seeing her bank account empty.

That’s got her heading back to Cincinnati, where she has a house and a past. 

There Allie’s got a rough landing into a situation where she’s in need of revenue, law enforcement is leery of her help, and the zombies are not behaving like normal. 

I really enjoyed this. It’s short but the characters, including Headbutt the Bulldog, are interesting and layered. And there’s a past darkness following Allie that seems to be a huge part of the series that is hinted at by the end of the book. 

It’s an entertaining read and sets the foundation for the series. A definite winner. 

Cover art by Dar Albert at Wicked Smart Designs

The Corpse Whisperer series: 

The Prodigal 

The Corpse Whisperer 

Corpse Whisperer Sworn 

Corpse Whisperer Torn

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: Corpse Whisperer, the Series 

Blurb 

The Prodigal is a 2021 Imadjinn Award finalist, and H.R. Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the Thomas More College Bilbo Award for creative writing.

Murder. Mayhem. Zombies. Just another day in my hometown.

Welcome to my world—I’m Allie Nighthawk, a flat-broke zombie hunter with more attitude than cash. When I roll back into Cincinnati, I’m hoping for a fresh start. Instead, I land knee-deep in not one but two murders, a mess of mayhem, and more zombies than you can shake a machete at.

The good guys? They might not be so good. And the blast from my past? Yeah, he’s back—and not exactly bringing flowers.

Now I’ve got to juggle the walking dead, the maybe-not-so-living, and the very real chance I won’t get out unscathed. But hey, it’s all in a day’s work when you’re me: the Corpse Whisperer.

Oliver Heber Books

Publication date

March 18, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

188 pages

Book 1 of 5

Corpse Whisperer, the Series

Review: Dying For Magic: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Ella Bloom Mysteries Book 1) by Sarah Noffke

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Dying for Magic, the first in the Ella Bloom Mysteries by Sarah Noffke, introduced me to another terrific author.  I throughly enjoyed everything about this book and characters and anticipate diving into the rest of the series.

The characters and storylines, multiple plots, are very well developed and intriguing. And the more the story progresses, the better the exploration of the world becomes and the history of the Magic of the town of Gloamington.

I think the element I love best is that both of the main characters are enigmas. Ella Bloom, hired to become the 6-month assistant to the town’s favorite detective, has a past life full of questions and no answers. 

And she arrives to find that the older gentleman she’s been hired to assist, Malcolm Fawkes, a renowned paranormal detective, has no memory of her or his past life.

So author Noffke builds a narrative around two people, and several animals, who have memory issues.  All while struggling with daily tasks like identifying the local community citizens, and conducting a murder investigation that the police sheriff has tabled . It’s funny, compelling, believable, and absolutely engaging watching these two people build a friendship on such a shaky but shared experience. 

I can’t think of another book or series quite like it. 

I’m highly impressed and recommending this. And quickly going forward with this series. 

Ella Bloom Mysteries (10 book series):

Dying For Magic #1

Magic Can Bee Deadly #2

Blue Blood, Black Magic #3

Verses and Curses #4

Raining Cats and  Curses #5

Half-Baked Curses #6

Signed, Spelled, Delivered #7

Murder Spelled in Thread #8

Spelled For Choice #9 – June 19,2026

Born For Magic #10 – July 24,2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 10: Ella Bloom Mysteries 

Blurb 

Ella Bloom can see magic no one else can, and it’s leading her straight to a killer…

When Ella accepts a mysterious job in the picturesque town of Gloamington, all she wants is six months away from the noise of the city and a quiet place to call home. Instead, she finds herself assistant to Malcolm Fawkes, a renowned paranormal detective with no memory of hiring her—or much of anything else.

When magic that only Ella can see leads her to a murder, she discovers Gloamington isn’t the quaint small town it appears to be. Five years ago, it was a magical haven until something went terribly wrong. Now the town’s dormant wellspring—the Gloaming—is stirring again, awakening with Ella’s arrival.

With a reluctant Malcolm by her side, Ella must navigate a web of secrets, suspicious townspeople and her own mysterious connection to Gloamington’s magical past. Someone in town is willing to kill to keep magic buried forever. Ella’s unusual abilities make her their next likely target.

The Gloaming is opening once more. Could Ella Bloom be the key to everything?

Dying for Magic is the first in an enchanting mystery series from the creator of the blockbuster Beaufont universe.

One-Twenty-Six Press

Publication date

September 30, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

262 pages

Book 1 of 10

Ella Bloom Mysteries

‎

Review:  If the Hat Fits (Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow #1) by Sara Bourgeois 

Rating: 4⭐️

I love this author’s Haunted Ranch Mysteries series, so while I was waiting on the next book in that series to be released, I noticed that she had started another series, different location and perspective on a similar type of female character. 

The author has a real fondness for older women starting over. I can get behind this.

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries series has the beauty of the Arizona desert and the unique nature that enhances the atmosphere and fantastic storytelling. 

I’ve yet to find a similar surrounding landscape here that has the same feel or that is so striking that it acts as a compelling backdrop.  

So it’s a nondescript setting that depends heavily on character development and storytelling. Luckily, it delivers on both accounts. 

Where certain characters in other series are stereotypical personalities, here Bourgeous takes them outside of the usual configuration into something interesting.

The sheriff and townspeople all have characters that surprise the reader with their depth of personality and the growth they exhibit during the story. This continues throughout the series. 

The overall magic system is one that is slowly evolving and being defined as each situation arises, and it’s an unusual one that envelops the entire town. 

There’s an ancient witch family feud, a cat familiar, and of course, a sentient house, to go along with the main character of Blythe Fairfield, a woman who is restarting her life after divorce.

The language is one of someone quietly reviewing their past and present options, no panic but a sense of resolve to make things work. You immediately understand Blythe, the circumstances that brought her to Caldron Hollow, and the thought processes as each event comes her way. However, increasing wild each one is. 

It ends with Blythe staying true to her values, at the beginning of her journey and a long way to understanding what’s ahead. The author has started to set much in motion but there is so much more that’s needs a foundation or exploration, especially with regard to the town and witch families. 

I’m definitely going forward with the series. And recommending this. Great read!

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow (4 book series)

If the Hat Fits #1

Under The Hat #2

Hat Out of Spell #3

Hat Trick #4

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow 

Blurb 

Welcome to Cauldron Hollow!

Sometimes the worst day of your life is just the beginning.

Blythe Fairfield has officially failed at adulthood. Divorced. Fired. Broke. When she inherits Gallows Gate House in the small town of Cauldron Hollow from her allegedly unhinged great-aunt, she decides it’s a temporary stop. Renovate. Sell. Leave.

Then her cat starts talking.

Cauldron Hollow isn’t just quaint. It was founded by two rival witch families. The Stoneharts stayed. The Tallowmeres were driven out.

Guess which family Blythe belongs to.

Between a house that hums with old magic, a violet streak suddenly appearing in her hair, and a snarky familiar named Pippin who keeps saying “Obviously,” Blythe barely has time to process her new reality before she stumbles over a dead body behind Merlin’s Diner.

The victim made enemies. Unfortunately, Blythe just made the suspect list.

With the town’s frustratingly handsome sheriff watching her every move and a killer determined to protect their secrets, Blythe must decide whether she’s still running from her inheritance or finally ready to claim it.

Turns out, if the hat fits… you might have to wear it.

If the Hat Fits is the first book in the Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow cozy mystery series. Expect humor, heart, magic, and a clean read with no swearing or explicit content.

Cauldron Hollow is an alternate universe to Coventry. You’ll see hints and shadows of our original wicked witches, but this book and series can be read and enjoyed on their own.

March 9, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

207 pages

Book 1 of 4

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow

Review:  Blood Code: Mahu Investigation #14: A Cutting-Edge Crime Thriller of Tech, Genetics, and Betrayal (Mahu Investigations) by Neil S. Plakcy

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’ve reading Neil S. Plakcy’s Mahu series since the beginning, where the tag line, was simply “Surfing detective Kimo Kanapa’aka uncovers crimes in the shadowy parts of the Aloha State.”

Mahu, book 1, which has since been reprinted and retitled 18 times that I can find, was originally published in August 15, 2005, when I first read it. 

What struck me then and is still now as applicable, is how great Plakcy is at pulling the reader deep into the Hawaiian island identity and culture. From the moment we meet Kimo Kanapa’aka, a police detective, and journey with him, the reader begins to hear the voices of the island. The colloquialisms, the gestures, and fluidity of the island sounds as Kimo interacts with everyone around him, be it family, friends, colleagues or those he’s arresting or investigating for cases.

Plakcy has an intimate connection with the people and places here, not just with the beaches and touristy areas but the back lots, off the track areas, and zones most aren’t familiar with. 

And as a reader who’s followed Kimo’s journey through his struggles with coming out in the first book and with the rejection of the traditional law enforcement community through his real shaky history with firefighter Mike, to finding themselves finally a HFN partnership as a family, with an adopted troubled teenager and shared parenting of twins. That’s decades of realistic daily life struggles amidst law enforcement cases and firefighter duties. And in-law problems. 

So here we are at Blood Code, book 14, Kimo and Mike are older, their children are older, and they are facing new challenges in their lives. 

So too is Hawaii. The use of AI here within the storyline, the setting down of pros and cons with  the Technological World (as relayed by a scientist here) and the views by those who have seen their work co-opted, is extremely current. And sure to stir up discussion.

The murder investigation is interesting, but I really loved being back in Kimo’s world again. The way the various people and races are portrayed, and the spiritually that’s woven into the land and the culture.

Can a reader come into this without having read the other books? Yes. But reading the other novels gives you such a rich history and foundation that I highly recommend it. 

Just remember that although it says that book 1 was published in 2018, that the latest edition and doesn’t accurately reflect the time period it was written in. That would be 2005. Yes , it makes a difference. 

Mahu Investigations (18 book series):

Mahu: Mahu Investigation #1: A Hawai‘i Crime Thriller of Identity, Murder, and Coming Out

Mahu Surfer #2

Mahu Fire #3

Mahu Vice #4

Mahu Blood #5

Zero Break #6

Natural Predators #7

Children of Noah #8

Ghost Ship #9

Deadly Labors #10

Soldier Down #11

Unruly Son #12

The Virgin Homicides #13

Blood Code #14

Accidental Contact #15

Mahu Investigations 1-3: 3 gay police procedural mysteries in Honolulu Book 16

Mahu 1-6: Six Full Gay Mystery Novels: Hawaiian Homicide with Aloha Flair (Mahu Investigations Book 17)

Buy link

 Book 14 of 18: Mahu Investigations 

Blurb 

A cutting-edge startup. A dead founder. And secrets that shouldn’t have been coded.

When tech entrepreneur Noah Kim is found murdered outside his Honolulu office, homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka and his partner Ray Donne are called in to investigate.

Kim’s company, Kahola.ai, promised to transform medical care for Pacific Islanders—blending artificial intelligence with traditional knowledge.

Now someone wants that work buried.

As Kimo digs into the world of startups, research labs, and competing interests, he uncovers a network of ambition, secrecy, and ethical lines pushed too far. What began as innovation may have crossed into something far more dangerous.

And someone is willing to kill to keep it hidden.

At home, the pressure is just as intense. When fire investigator Mike Riccardi is injured on the job, Kimo is left juggling the investigation with caring for their twelve-year-old twins—forcing him to confront what it truly means to be a parent, and how far he’ll go to protect his family.

As the case spirals from high-tech labs to deeply rooted Hawaiian traditions—and into the volatile landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park—Kimo realizes the truth could change more than one life.

If he survives long enough to uncover it.

Samwise Books

Publication date

June 2, 2025

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

280 pages

Book 14 of 18

Mahu Investigations

Review: Managing the Vampire’s Mansion (Magiford Supernatural City story) by K. M. Shea

 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I was absolutely delighted to see K.M. Shea’s new book in the Magiford Supernatural City universe, Managing the Vampire’s Mansion.

It’s a fantastically entertaining read, and the main character of Abi is absolutely endearing. I loved watching Abi slowly embed herself into the community around her and into Beckett’s undead life, changing and challenging him to do better. 

And the surprise crossover characters was amazing and great in every aspect of the storyline. And each one made me want to go back and read their series again.

There’s a mystery and investigation involved here that will pull various elements of the community together that’s very well crafted. And a hilarious bit from the gnome group that wants Beckett to do things for them and has a special way of asking. 

The love aspect I thought was rushed but the relationship was built really solidly, through believable interactions and genuine friendship. With some help from special fae tea. 

The author has said that this is a standalone and that other characters in this small lakeside town will have their stories told.  I look forward to reading every one. 

Definitely recommend reading this and the other series in the universe.

Cover Art by Melody Simmons

Magiford Supernatural City is a registered trademark of K. M. Shea LLC.  

Related Series Magiford Supernatural City universe series-all fabulous:

Magiford Supernatural City (5 books)

Gate of Myth and Power (3 book series)

Hall of Blood and Mercy (3 book series)

Magic on Main Street (3 book series)❤️

Court of Midnight and Deception (3 book series)❤️

Buy link

https://www.amazon.com/K-M-Shea/e/B005ANPMZU/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Blurb 

Starting over as a house manager in a charming small town sounded perfect. Until my new boss turned out to be a vampire. 

After burning myself out at my corporate career, I take a job managing a mansion in a picturesque tourist town to reset my life.

The house is historic. The town is charming. The locals are welcoming. And, as I accidentally discover, my unfairly handsome employer, Beckett Kinge, is a vampire in hiding.

Beckett prefers order, privacy, and absolutely no supernatural mishaps.

Unfortunately for both of us, a rogue vampire is attacking the locals. The same people who have been nothing but nice to me. As attacks escalate and secrets unravel, staying uninvolved is no longer an option.

And somehow the only person who steps up to find the vampire is me—the mansion manager with poor people skills who knows absolutely nothing about supernaturals. 

At least… I think I’m the only one working this case. But somewhere between tracking a killer and trying not to die, I realize Beckett isn’t just protecting his secret. He’s protecting me. And that might be far more dangerous for my emotional well-being. 

Regardless, the rampaging vamp has to be found, or no one in town will be safe. Not even me.

This stand alone cozy urban fantasy story is set in the same world as the Magiford Supernatural City trilogies, but is located in a different (real life!) town in Wisconsin. If you’re searching for a stand alone story with cast of characters that will make you laugh while they try to solve a mystery and muddle with the supernatural, pre-order this book today

April 24, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

271 pages

Review:  Skulls and Sunlit Secrets (The Haunted Ranch Mysteries Book 7) by Sara Bourgeois 

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries is my first dive into the writings of Sara Bourgeois but I just love what she’s accomplishing here with her characters, location and overall mystical aesthetic.

Skulls and Sunset is one of the best books in the series so far, combining the all the great elements of the series and the haunting emotional aspects of the story into one beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and obsessive love. 

This novel moves Claire’s powers and abilities forward as well as resolves a previous storyline about that huge dark mysterious creature that’s seen flying over the desert in the past story.

But the anchor of this tale is the human being who has lost her life. One we meet briefly and yet immediately becomes someone we know and identify with. Amelia Sanders, so happy and bright. 

That’s what is so impressive about this author is her capacity to make a character have such impact on the reader and story in such a short time. Like Amelia does. We are heavily invested in Claire’s investigation and want to know what happened.

 

It’s a heartbreaking mystery, with absorbing side stories to go along with it. And the ending is just as it should be, poignant and moving. 

I love this series and story. It’s not a standalone. Each builds upon the previous one .

Highly recommended! Excellent read!

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)

Death Rides The Desert #1

Bones and Cactus Blooms #2

Spirits of the Saguaro #3

Tombstones with a View #4

Body Beneath the Wither #5

Death Waits at Dead Rock #6

Skulls and Sunlit Secrets #7

The Bone Charm #8

Buy link

 Book 7 of 8: The Haunted Ranch Mysteries 

Blurb 

Everyone in Perdido Springs was looking up when Amelia Sanders died.

A total solar eclipse has turned the little desert town into a tourist destination, and Claire Caldwell just wants to survive the weekend without someone asking if her ranch does birthday parties. But when the moon covers the sun, Claire sees things the darkness reveals… creatures, pathways, and the outline of something vast moving through a world layered on top of her own.

Then the light returns. Amelia is dead outside the bar. The sheriff calls it a scorpion sting. Her friends call it impossible. A massive owl that shouldn’t exist keeps circling a house on the edge of town. And Claire is starting to realize that the murder and the owl might have nothing to do with each other, which means she has two problems, not one.

April 20, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

198 pages

Book 7 of 8

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries

Review: Ghostly Force (Ghostly #10 by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4🌈

Ghostly Force was interesting for several reasons, the first being it let many of the other terrific characters play the main roles in the murder mystery investigations, allowing for character development and more independence of character exploration for each of these people. 

 

Our series main couple, Lance and Angus, end up sidelined due to a horrific event at the beginning of the story.  It basically takes both out of the plot for most of the time, especially Lance. Although there’s a very interesting dramatic side aspect to this that involves Angus and Betty that’s threaded throughout the plot. I wonder if that will have further impact going forward.

 

Lance’s brother, Jackson returns from his deployment with his ghostly friend, Kel. A new addition to the ongoing series since he’s here permanently as is Kel. 

The mystery is sad, and not very complicated. Two murders actually. Each has a realistic plot, and an unfortunate ending for the families that feels believable . 

Ghostly Force has Lance and Angus taking an important step forward in their relationship. And, indeed, Leya seems to be setting in motion so many elements for new aspects of the series, that I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

This isn’t your typical high suspense plot but one based on character driven development and overall community dynamics, even though some characters are ghostly. 

Definitely recommend reading this!

 Cover Art by: Annabella Stone

 

Ghostly series:

Ghostly Awakening 

Ghostly Findings

Ghostly Envy

Ghostly Claus

Ghostly Target 

Ghostly Hostage 

Ghostly Death 

Ghostly Dilemma 

Ghostly Bother 

Ghostly Force 

Ghostly Grandma (coming soon) Ghostly Wedding (coming soon) Ghostly Canine (coming soon)

Buy link 

 Book 10 of 10: Ghostly 

Blurb 

When life explodes for Lance and Angus it’s up to Detectives Franks and Burns to find answers.

What started off as a celebration ends in an explosion that will change lives. Lance and Angus just wanted to welcome Jackson back to town, but the night is a catastrophic failure when everything goes wrong, leaving everyone wondering what happened.

With people dead and many others injured, it’s up to Detectives Franks and Burns to put the shattered pieces back together and figure out how an evening out ended in tragedy for so many of Fairway’s residents.

This case is personal, and Franks will do all he can to find answers and bring justice for those he is closest to.

E.L. Publishing

Publication date

April 12, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

262 pages

Book 10 of 10

Ghostly

Review:  Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock Book 4) by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Raven Cursed brings both aspects of Jane’s background and cultural heritage together in a truly momentous and compelling story. It sets in motion important elements that won’t surface in the series and for certain characters until books further on in this series. Yes, I’m farther ahead now. Just behind in my reviews. Binging will do that. 

Jane continues to develop her skills and abilities, while exploring her Cherokee roots and lost memories, ones that are extremely traumatic for her. 

Each book is so layered and complex with Hunter weaving patterns of multiple stories together that she’s building towards an even more powerful dark whole picture. There’s witch Molly, and Molly’s sister Evie’s unhinged behavior, and Molly’s important family members each with magical abilities and roles to play. 

Plus there’s also the ongoing Rick/Bruiser potential for romance and intriguing aspects because Beast has her own perspective on mating that’s not always aligned with Jane’s. She has no use for monogamy and is basically a creature of solitude. 

There’s new African weres as well.

Jane’s constant struggle with guilt and issues with her own role is my biggest issue here, other than the waffling over Ricky, who I’m not a fan of. Even in areas where she is obviously not the fault of the problem but assuming the burden anyway. 

This does get old. But I will say this odd behavior is given an explanation further in the series as well as other aspects of her personality. The author pulls it all together. 

Each book serves as a reference and meaningful building block for the series and character. Leo’s planning in depth, and there are many other things involved that can be overlooked here. I’ve double backed a couple of times already. FYI. 

Enjoy the fantastic battle scenes, the weapons, the paranormal elements and creatures. The characters are developing and evolving. 

Love this so much!

I wish I knew more about the artist who created the series covers because I really love them. Consistently great.

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

        Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock Book 4)

    

Blurb 

The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to the Master Vampire of New Orleans they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, he sends an envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane Yellowrock.

But when a group of local campers are attacked by something fanged, Jane goes from escort to investigator. Unless she wants to face a very angry mast vampire, she will have to work overtime to find the killer. It’s a good thing she’s worth every penny.

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

January 3, 2012

Language

‎English

Print length

377 pages

Book 4 of 15

Jane Yellowrock