Holly Davis never imagined having a haunted bed and breakfast would be the secret to her success—or that a secret might leave her B&B DOA . . . After the syndicated TV show Inquiring Minds airs footage of their resident ghost at Holly Grove, a converted antebellum plantation house, it seems as if half the state of Louisiana wants to book a room. There’s only one small problem: the ghost of … one small problem: the ghost of her not-so-dearly-departed husband Burl has . . . departed. For the sake of business, Holly’s willing to keep up the pretense of still being haunted. But after an outspoken debunker challenges the show’s credibility, the TV crew returns to Holly Grove to prove the ghost is real.
Following a disastrous séance, Holly is sure she’ll be exposed as a charlatan. Surprisingly, the debunker suddenly becomes a believer—after he’s pushed off the widow’s walk to his death and rises as a ghost. Now his inquiring mind wants to know: who murdered him? When he asks for Holly’s help, she can’t say no. But this time it’s her turn to watch her step, because if the killer gets spooked, the next ghost haunting the B&B may well be its owner . . .
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This is the first book I’ve read in the series. It appears there was only one before it and I didn’t see a great deal of spoilers for anything. In fact, I’m going to buy the first book in the series as soon as I can as there were just enough hints of things that happened to wet my appetite. There was humor, suspense, and a diversity of characters with attitude.
I love the haunted B&B concept and how clearly we feel the importance of holding on to her family’s property. It was a very understandable motivation. The characters were realistic and Ms. Kopfler did a brilliant job of playing with our minds regarding certain ones. She led you through the story as though she was the Pied Piper and you were helpless to do anything but follow. I highly recommend this book and anxiously anticipate the next in the series.
Thank you to Pamela Kopfler, NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Penguin Random House Publisher Services for the chance to read this story and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
Downright Dead
A B&B Spirits Mystery, Book #2
Pamela Kopfler
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Holly Davis never imagined having a haunted bed and breakfast would be the secret to her success—or that a secret might leave her B&B DOA . . .
After the syndicated TV show, Inquiring Minds, airs footage of their resident ghost at Holly Grove, a converted antebellum plantation house, it seems like half the state of Louisiana wants to book a room. There’s only one small problem: the ghost of her not-so-dearly-departed ex Burl has . . . departed. For the sake of business, Holly’s willing to keep up the pretense of still being haunted. But after an outspoken debunker challenges the show’s credibility, the TV crew returns to Holly Grove to prove the ghost is real.
Following a disastrous séance, Holly is sure she’ll be exposed as a charlatan. Surprisingly, the debunker suddenly becomes a believer—after he’s pushed off the Widow’s Walk to his death and rises as a ghost. Now his inquiring mind wants to know—who murdered him? When he asks for Holly’s help, she can’t say no. But this time it’s her turn to watch her step, because if the killer gets spooked, the next ghost haunting the B&B may well be its owner . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
I love the characters in this book. Holly is willing to do almost anything to save her Bed and Breakfast from going under. She is even willing to fabricate a ghost. She had a real ghost (her ex, Burl) but he has passed on, thank to help from her. When a ghost debunker dies, and comes back as a ghost, she does not have to pretend anymore. I really like the characters, they are well developed and well rounded. Nelda and Miss Alice are very funny and added a lot to the story. And I liked the personal change to Holly’s life.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I felt like I was walking the halls of the Bed and Breakfast, watching all of the scariness taking place. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times but I was wrong.
I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am already looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
I enjoyed the first book in this series and this one was just as fun. The reality show is coming back to Holly’s Louisiana Bed and Breakfast to film a follow up on her ghost. There is just one problem her BB is no longer haunted and an internet blogger is also arriving to debunk the show and the BB. Holly would like to call off the filming but Sylvia is determined to go ahead. When the blogger turns up dead everyone staying Holly Grove is suspect. The book did start off a little slow but once the murder takes place the action picks up. All the same fun characters are back. I really like Nelda and Miss Alice. I also enjoy the small southern town setting but this story takes place at the BB. Jake also returns but there is no romance yet. The mystery was OK and the solution did make sense. I look for word to reading the next book in the series. This series does not need to be read in order. Enjoy this fun series.
Holly Davis is back again, and she’s preparing to reap the benefits of the ghostly reality show filmed at her B & B when she learns that there’s going to be a follow-up show. There’s only one glaring problem – her ghost has departed! With no Burl, and dreamy Jake still stuck in Central America, Holly must fend off a determined ghost debunker on her own, which is proving to be difficult until he’s found dead and she’s accused of his murder. Downright Dead is Pamela Kopfler’s second B&B Spirits Mystery, and is just the right mixture of cozy, funny, ghostly, and delicious (note to self: must learn to make the perfect Sazerac!). A fun read for lovers of cozy mysteries!
Good read
Enjoyed the ghostly story. Very few suspects wasn’t too hard to figure out but a fun read
I enjoyed the book very much. As I hadn’t read the first book in the series it was a little difficult to catch on as to what had happened previously. I enjoyed the story and the characters.
I had read the first book earlier this year and enjoyed it so much, that I just had to read this one. The ghost filming crew from the last book was back to get more coverage of Holly’s B&B ghost, but he wasn’t there anymore. A ghost debunker joined the mix and ended up dead, along with another person from the TV crew. Holly and Jake had to work fast to get this solved or Holly might just be the one put away for the first murder.
I really loved this book! I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but it was definitely funny, tear-jerking in places and I think you’ll want to punch out the debunker as much as I did lol.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley and the publisher. My opinions are all my own.
Fantastic, suspenseful and fun ghost story. Loved it
This book is the second in the series, and I think a very worthy addition. As was the first one, this one was fun, well-written, and a good who-done-it. Oddly enough, I think Nelda is my favorite character over the main character Holly. Not that I don’t like Holly, because I really do, but at times I do find her a bit…hmm, I’m not sure. Flighty maybe. That aside, I really did enjoy this latest addition to the series, and the end surprise really threw me in a good way! I’m hoping that in the next book we explore that surprise. And, to be honest, I hope we get to see what the moving pictures were all about, and we have another great big ghostly mystery! If you like light paranormal cozies, you need to give this great book (and series) a try! Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.