When mayhem breaks out in Melanie’s seaside Oregon town, she must race save the ones she loves with the help of her B&B’s resident friendly ghostThe Merry Ghost Inn is well and truly open for business. Melanie West, her grandmother, Liza, and their beloved sheepdog/wolfhound mix, Max, are rapidly getting the hang of running their charming bed-and-breakfast inn on the rocky Oregon coast. Not … rocky Oregon coast. Not that business goes without a hitch―when your hostelry boasts its own laughing resident ghost, you’d better be expect the out-of-the-ordinary. But Melanie and Liza take it all in stride…until a hotshot real estate developer arrives in Sully’s Landing, touting his plans to build a tacky amusement arcade smack dab in the middle of the tasteful cliff-side town.
No one in Sully’s Landing can stand the gaudy developer, but it’s still a shock when he ends up murdered. It’s even more shocking when Liza’s friend, Doug, emerges as the chief suspect. Melanie and Liza put on their sleuthing caps yet again and set out to clear Doug’s name. They nearly check into accommodations six feet under when, en route to the crime scene, their brakes give out and they narrowly miss plunging over the cliffs to the beach below. Meanwhile, the merry ghost who haunts the inn tries to help by dropping clues for Melanie to find, but her mind is otherwise preoccupied when the killer kidnaps Liza and holds her prisoner.
Now, it’s up to Melanie to piece together the ghost’s clues, save her grandmother, exonerate her friend, keep her guests happy, and make sure Max gets his walkies in Kate Kingsbury’s third mirthful Merry Ghost Inn mystery, Be Our Ghost.
more
A pleasant storyline with lots of banter between the characters. A very realistic world with all the mystery you can muster.
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.
I thought this was a brilliantly fun cozy. I love how the ghost of the inn has been given such a wonderful personality despite not saying anything. I enjoyed the blooming romance and how it didn’t get pushed in your face. I also truly enjoyed the trio who make up the 3 who take care of the inn. There weren’t many clues provided throughout the story but they were there though definitely subtle. I enjoyed the genuineness of the difference between generations of characters. I couldn’t help trying to fantasy cast the characters in my head as I read along and that is always a bonus with me. I love when a book is that alive. I also really admired how there’s a story arc that is being played out among the series’ books and I’m interested in where it’s going to go. All in all, this is a terrific cozy and I definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Kate Kingsbury, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
This was my first book although it is the 3rd book in the series. I was able to enjoy this book as a stand-alone mystery even without the backstory of relationship and character development from previous books. I do plan on reading the previous books in this series. The characters are great. I love the relationship between Melanie and her Grandmother Liza. Also really love how Melanie feels about her dog. If my dog was lost I would feel the same way Melanie did, I would be very worried too. Another wonderful character is the assistant Cindi, she is unique and true to herself. The mystery is well plotted and has several red-herrings along the way.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
ghosts, pet, cozy-mystery, contemporary, humor, murder, amateur-sleuth
Melanie has a lot on her plate: sharing the running of the bed and breakfast with her outrageous grandmother Liza and only one semi reliable employee, the ongoing search for her mother who vanished somewhere in England almost thirty years ago, and now Liza is investigating the murder of a vile man who only valued money because her friend is the chief suspect and this leads to threats and warnings, and then there’s the quixotic house ghost.
The mystery is well done and the characters certainly are, the publisher’s blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, just enjoy! I really enjoyed reading it even if it did force me to stay up way too late!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
Be Our Ghost by Kate Kingsbury was another delightful afternoon read for me. I enjoy returning to Sully’s Landing to find out how Mel, Liza and Orville/Arthur are doing now that the B & B is up and running.
I love the relationship between Mel and Liza. You can tell that they truly love and care about each other. Ms. Kingsbury’s description of the Oregon coast where Sully’s Landing and the Merry Ghost Inn are located always makes me feel like I am there with Mel and Liza. All of the characters are very likable and I enjoy tagging along with Mel and Liza as they are doing their sleuthing in town. The continuing mystery regarding Mel’s mother is also revisited in this book and may be resolved at this point. The plot was quickly paced, there were several suspects and the twists kept me guessing until the reveal.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. I would like to sincerely thank Crooked Lane books for providing me with the ARC.
Paranormal cozies have rapidly become my favorite genre right after urban fantasy, and this latest in the Merry Ghost Inn series fit the bill for my reading pleasure. Just like most other cozies/paranormal cozies, this one flowed smoothly, wasn’t overly complicated, and there wasn’t much violence/blood. A great, fun plot was on the menu, and I enjoyed every second of the book. I hadn’t read the ones before this one, but I was in no way confused as the author did a great job of giving information as it was needed. I can’t wait to read more! Highly recommend! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
Be Our Ghost is the third book in the Merry Ghost Mystery series.
Liza Harris owns the Merry Ghost Inn and with the help of her granddaughter, Melanie West has been doing very well since opening. The inn also has a resident ghost, Orville, who only laughs once in a while and when the spirit moves him will provide clues for solving of mysteries that might come up from time to time. But things in the quaint little town of Sully’s Landing are in turmoil.
Jason Northwood, a real estate developer, is trying to get the residents to support to build an arcade in the business district of town. Sully’s Landing does enjoy a decent summer tourist crowd but the residents feel that for the most part, the little town will end up being overrun with tourist, to say nothing of the loss of several longtime downtown businesses. Northwood has scheduled a meeting in his hotel room of the towns council members to try and convince them to support his development plan. A few hours after the meeting broke up Northwood’s body is found in his room.
Everyone at the meeting is considered persons of interest, but soon the police have fingered Shaun, owner of the hardware cafe and a good friend of Liza, as the murderer. Liza and Melanie both feel that Shaun is not the killer and set off on their own investigation.
Once again Kate Kingsbury provides the reader with a well-plotted and nicely paced story with a cast of wonderful characters and one ghost. The ghost, Orville, only contributes a few laughs and will leave some clues for Melanie and Liza to follow.
A delicious sounding recipe is also included in the book.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.