Salem, Massachusetts B&B owner Charlene Morris is looking into a holiday hit-and-run, with a little help from her ghostly housemate . . . Charlene’s parents are in town for Christmas, and her mother is driving her up a tree. Her bed-and-breakfast’s resident ghost, Jack, isn’t fond of her either—and he’s showing it with some haunting high jinks. But when Charlene takes her mom and dad out for … her mom and dad out for dinner, the less-than-seasonal spirits take a deadly turn.
David Baldwin has just won a fortune in the lottery—and it adds a lot of drama to the charity auction he’s hosting at his restaurant. When he caps off the evening by playing Santa and handing out checks to some of the attendees, the mood shifts . . . and Charlene observes mysterious tensions between David and his flashy, bleached-blonde wife, his neglected teenage son from a previous marriage, and his hostile business partner, among others. And they’re only a few on the long list of potential suspects when David runs into the road and is mowed down by a fleeing motorist. Now it looks like it’s going to be homicide for the holidays . . .
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This is another great installment in the Salem B & B cozy mystery series. In this story, Charlene attends a holiday charity event and her friend is killed in a hit and run outside.
When her friend’s widow refuses to honor the checks he wrote to charity, Charlene starts investigating and finds out her friend isn’t the great guy she thought he was.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun cozy mystery. This series is great.
Another great book!
This is the third book of A Salem B&B Mystery and I am never disappointed.
What I loved about this book was that Charlene had her parents with her for Christmas which was a little testing for Charlene as her mother likes to make sure she puts her opinion out there whether it’s needed or not. But in the end Charlene became closer to her mom.
The story plot was excellent. I was shocked on who was murdered and did not see it coming and just as surprised to who the murderer was. I definitely got the suspect wrong.
I’m hoping in the fourth book, Sam and Charlene will grow a little closer. Charlene likes Sam but always feels a little guilty of her handsome ghost doctor.
I will never tire of this series.
Once again, this cozy series is perfect for a pandemic read…after all, it lets you escape to the comforts of a lovely B & B in Salem, MA. I’d like to reserve a suite and stroll through the town exploring the shops and restaurants.
Charlene has her hands full at the B & B, which is filled with guests, including her beloved parents, Brenda and Michael. And, of course, there is Minnie, Jack, and Silva, as well as the latest addition, Avery, the young tattooed, spiky haired, nose ringed assistant.
Of course, much like the Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, Charlene can’t seem to stay out of trouble when it comes to murder in Salem. And, no matter how many times the handsome detective Sam warns her to mind her business, we all know that sleuthing has become her business…and, truth be told, she’s good at getting folks to talk to her.
So, when she’s witness to a hit-and-run accident/murder, it should come as no surprise that Charlene is determined to find out who was behind the wheel. Was it David’s ex-wife, son, business partner, an old friend from the past, his current wife, or his current wife’s lover….the list of suspects is long, and they each have motive…
Good Evening, My Fellow Book Dragons! Ahhh, I hope you are enjoying this most lovely time of year when all the leaves are turning and thoughts turn to all things Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah. Our Gem this evening looks like a Christmas Bauble. Lovely Gems of Ruby Red and Emerald Green each carved to fit into the other like a glove or more like a mitten in this case, held together by a golden strand of cord. On the surface, as is so often the case the light from candles and twinkle lights dances and bounces from wall to wall, catching surfaces and lighting them up. But peer deeper, beyond the seam and you will see a deep black line, a flaw that sends a shiver like a deep January wind, up your spine.
This is Gem Maker and Dragon Feeder Traci Wilton’s “Mrs. Morris and The Ghost of Christmas Past”. Yes! Our beloved writing team of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton is back with the third tale in this delightful cozy series and this time it’s a doozy, for not only does Charlene have to deal with Jack, she must also keep up her holiday spirit in the wake of her Mother, not an easy task any time of the year.
Mother Brenda is one of those women who can even make a compliment seem like an insult (and it usually is) and she is driving poor Charlene up the Christmas Tree. Dad is kind and proud of his daughter, but has no control over loose lipped, narrow eyed Ma-Ma. Charlene decides that while they are staying with her at her beautiful B&B she will take them out for a bit of holiday fun. What could be more fun and more innocuous than a holiday charity auction at a lovely restaurant? Well…anywhere else that might be true, but not in Charlene’s Salem. The Game’s afoot, Charlene just doesn’t know it yet. By then end of the evening, her friend and restaurant owner, David will be dead. A victim of an accident or was this murder? Will Mum Brenda stay Mum or try to butt in? Will Charlene survive this holiday or will Chardonnay in an alley win the day?
I loved this book. Of the three so far, this is my favorite! Charlene and Jack become more real with each book, better developed, more intense and much more interesting. Charlene is so much fun to read. And Mother Brenda adds the opportunity for some very definite comic relief. Of course we see again the opportunity for Charlene to perhaps experience someday (will it be Christmas?) romance in her life again. Charlene’s grief seems real to me, not just words on a page. I get so wrapped up in these tales that I have binged my way through a book and a couple of pots of tea and find myself drifting off to sleep wondering when the next one will be heading my way!
I do want to talk about something I don’t mention very often. The cover. This cover is beautiful. I have a few books I put out when decorating for Christmas and this will be joining them this year! The colors are fabulous, the entire cover looks like those old paintings from the Saturday Evening Post covers when I was a Nestling. I did so love them.
If you are looking for a lovely tale and a bit of a distraction from a world gone mad right now, this is it. If you are looking for a holiday gift that someone will definitely thank you for, this is it. So grab a fuzzy blanket, your best p.j.s, a pot of tea or coffee or cocoa and get to reading. You’ll thank me!
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I won a copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by author Traci Wilton was a delight to read! The week before Christmas, David Baldwin, proprietor of Bella’s Italian Ristorante and newly minted lottery winner, is hosting a fundraiser to support the Felicity House for Children when he is struck and killed by a hit and run driver just outside the front door of the restaurant! As usual, the author provides lots of cozy mystery fun as Charlene works to determine who among the many suspects – cheating wife, disgruntled son, sketchy business partner, college football teammate, and many others – was behind the wheel! We’re introduced to several new characters including Charlene’s parents who are visiting for the holidays, and while her father, Michael, is likeable and pleasant, her mom, Brenda, is quite opinionated and outspoken…and I for one love her! A+ to this latest installment in the Salem B&B Mystery series!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past” by Traci Wilton, September 2020
Traci Wilton , the authors of “Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past” have written an entertaining, and enjoyable cozy mystery novel. The genres for this story are a cozy mystery, mystery and suspense, and fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events and characters. The authors have described the characters as questionable, suspect, complex, and complicated. Some are quirky and flawed but likable.
This is the third book in the series and can be read as a stand-alone. Charlene Morris owns a bed and breakfast and makes it as warm and cozy as she can, except she has one cool ghost resident Jack. When Charlene’s parents come to visit, I love how Jack shows his ghostly talents when she is annoying. Jack also seems to enjoy fooling around with the cat.
David Baldwin, one of the town’s residents, who has won a fortune in the lottery, seems to meet with foul play after he mysteriously leaves the restaurant that he partially owns. Many of the town residents have reason to have wanted their hands on David’s fortune, and it seems that Charlene can’t resist a suspenseful mystery, with danger and intrigue.
This is a perfect “Who Done It”, and a wonderful escape read, that I would highly recommend.
This was a great Book. I truly Enjoyed this story. Charlene is the Bed and Breakfast owner. This Bed and breakfast, has its own Ghost.. a jealous Ghost. David is the Manager at his Restaurant. Winning the lottery. Well that was Big. So helping out Everyone. Is what he’s doing.
But then seeing something or someone. David Goes outside.
Finding out who hit David. Well that was a twist I didn’t see.
First off, I have to say that Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past was enjoyable and, for me personally, much better than the other books in the series. It’s no secret I wasn’t a fan at the beginning. But with this latest addition, the author has won me over. This quirky story has readers smiling and empathizing with Charlene. They can see their own parental relationships within the pages and understand what the main character is going through.
It’s the holidays in Salem, and everyone is trying to enjoy themselves and get in that last-minute shopping and charity donations. Charlene is at her favorite restaurant during a charity event that will help the local children’s home expand and give the kids a merry Christmas. The twist or quirky part is that the host is run down and killed in the middle of the road, and apparently, no one saw it happen, not even Charlene.
The characters in this series have grown into very likable individuals, although I am still not fond of Jack, the ghost, who is becoming more possessive of Charlene and pouts. However, he does add a bit of humor to the situations she finds herself in with B&B guests, the police, and in this case, her mother. It’s nice to get a better idea of what Charlene left behind when she moved to Salem and bought the B&B and why she would never want to go back.
The story is a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of suspects, twists, and red herrings to keep readers happy. The victim starts out very likable, but in the end, we find out that he wasn’t what he seemed, and many had good cause to want rid of him. The unveiling of the killer in Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past may come as a surprise to some, but many readers will know who the culprit is before they reach the final chapter. I am happy to recommend this quirky holiday cozy to readers who like ghosts with their holidays, and even those who don’t.
A wonderful Christmas cozy!
Charlene’s parents are visiting for the first time since she moved to Salem to open a B&B. It’s the Christmas holiday and Charlene has taken her parents to a charity event at a local restaurant where David, the host and owner, falls victim to a hit-and-run. David’s death is no accident and Charlene is determined to find out who killed him. Jack, the resident ghost, is more serious in his relationship with Charlene but still brings laughable moments with her mom. A very enjoyable story with plenty of twists to keep readers guessing to the end.
It’s time to return to the Salem B & B Mystery series for another Cozy Mystery, this time around Christmas. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past leave Charlene with an almost in front of her eyes murder to be solved… and dealing with Charlene’s parents (especially her mother) coming to town for a holiday visit.
I’m enjoying this series very much as it grows and Charlene, along with the secondary characters, particularly our ghostly resident, Jack, create a world that is always good for a few laughs, some exasperating moments, some ghostly interaction – and a mystery that keeps me engaged in solving the puzzle but doesn’t give it away all that easily.
With her parents in town Charlene is juggling running her B & B, keeping Jack’s teasing of her cat under control, listening to her well-meaning but annoying (bordering on rude) mother meddle in her life and her choices. This night they’ve gone out to one of Charlene’s favorite restaurants where the owner, David, has just won the lottery in a big way and is passing out checks to favorite customers, friends, and a children’s charity that is looking to receive a very nice donation.
Unfortunately, not everyone in David’s life is thrilled with his lottery win or his actions this night… and before long David has run out of the restaurant and into the path of a fleeing car who just ran him down. Accident or murder? I’m guessing murder.
With twists, a few red herrings tossed about we’ll follow along as Charlene with “help” from her mother and Jack try to track down a murderer before they are the next victims. I don’t necessarily read Cozy Mysteries to solve the crime but to see how it all plays out, and Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past definitely kept me in the dark this time around. I enjoyed my time back in this world, and if you love a good Cozy Mystery with a touch of the Paranormal then you should be picking up this story and following this series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
“Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past” the 3rd instalment in the “Salem B&B Mystery” series by Traci Wilton. This is the first book I have read in the series and it can easily be read as a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.
I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series. I have the first two in paperback and the 4th pre-ordered. I loved the characters even Charlene’s outspoken mother I could relate with to some extent. I found Jacks antics funny and enjoyed Charlene along with Minnie and Avery a young teen from Felicity house. I think I would like to see Charlene adopt or foster one of the children.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.
I’m super excited to get caught up before book 4 Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress comes out March, 2021.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books, the author and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#TraciE.Hall and #PatriceWilson have another enjoyable installment out in the B&B Mystery series–#3 Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past– a fun paranormal cozy read. I enjoy Charlene and her world in Salem, and in this book her parents have come to stay for the holiday—a somewhat friction filled visit. Charlene wants to show them how independent she is, to introduce them to her friend, and to take them to a holiday charity event. Nothing goes the way she has planned, beginning with a hit-and-run. The twisty turns keep us guessing who the murderer is while we observe Charlene’s character growth. I love this series and think you will as well!
This was a fun read. The main characters are more endearing with each book, very believable, and fun to read about. The plot is easily followed and good. I highly recommend this book.
**TRIGGER WARNING** A racial slur against the Roma is used in casual conversation.
**TRIGGER WARNING** Talk of pregnancy loss.
Salem B&B owner Charlene Morris is dealing with her first Christmas season while also entertaining her parents. While at a charity event, a local restaurant owner is hit by a car in front of everyone at the event. The only problem? No one saw who the driver was. Can Charlene help get to the bottom of the devastating event?
I feel like I’m in two minds about this installment in this series. I found it a bit hard to keep my attention on the book, but at the same time, I wanted to know what was happening. I felt like the characters we were introduced to in previous books were ignored in this one and that made me sad. I wanted to see more of both possible love interests (even if one is a ghost). I enjoyed Charlene’s father but I found her mother unnecessarily cruel. I also found the use of a slur really unfortunate. It jolted me out of the story so fast and it was hard for me to get back into the story. At this point, I’m not sure if I will be continuing with this series.