Cass Donovan is reminded that you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes from the dead . . .When stories begin circulating of a centuries-old ghost haunting the Bay Island lighthouse, Cass is caught up in mystical happenings of her own, with countless voices from the beyond all clamoring for her attention with dire warnings. But before she has a chance to learn whether … chance to learn whether there’s a connection between the rumored ghost and her restless visitors, the lighthouse keeper mysteriously falls to his death, and Cass’s reputation for communing with the dead lands her right in the middle of the police investigation.
Cass knows the victim was no saint, as he made little effort to hide his philandering ways from his wife or anyone else, and often acted out with no thought for the feelings of others. But had he finally gone too far, or were there more menacing motives behind his murder? As Cass begins building a list of suspects, including the man’s supposedly grieving wife and a mysterious new woman in town, she also turns her ear to those otherworldly voices, hoping for a clue. And as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes too late that if she’s not careful, she’ll soon be communicating with the dead in person . . .
Praise for the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series:
“The future shows much success for this series! Fun, vibrant characters (as well as a sexy smolder or two for good measure) give the novel just the right tone.” —RT Book Reviews on Death at First Sight
“I loved the protagonist, Cass. She and her friends were very well developed, and felt like a group of people I’d like to get to know.” —The Book’s the Thing
“I stayed up far too late into the evening because I couldn’t put it down. A well-crafted mystery with a quirky cast of characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end.” —The Mysterious Ink Spot on Death at First Sight
About the Author:
Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series, which takes place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series, which is set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.
Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island. She recently relocated to Clermont, Florida, with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.
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It’s time to return to Bay Island in the fifth installment of the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series by author Lena Gregory. I’ve enjoyed this series from the very first book. It does have paranormal elements to the story, in the form of Cass’ psychic abilities but for me, that only enhances the story and the series. What keeps me coming back to this series is the characters and their friendship. I love how the author has written the friendship between Bee, Cass, and Stephanie. For me, it’s like catching up with old friends – one who has the unfortunate knack of being around when someone dies or finding a dead body. This time around, Cass is trying to solve the mystery surrounding the death of the local tour group owner/operator, which is complicated by her newly awakened ability to hear voices from beyond. The mystery kept me engaged. There is a lot to sift through and plenty of suspects to choose from in trying to determine the killer’s identity. Once again, Cass finds herself in the middle of a climatic reveal as she and Bee narrowly escape the killer. I love how the author ended this book; it left me with a smile and looking forward to seeing how these characters continue to evolve in future books.
I will always return to Bay Island to catch up with Cass, Bee, Stephanie, and everyone else on this island. I know I’m in for a good read and will be entertained and kept guessing.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Beyond the Page, through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This has quickly become one of my favorite series! Cass is fantastic as she runs Mystical Musings. She is having some issues with her powers this time though. Whenever she does a reading now she gets bombarded with too many voices for her to make any sense of what they are saying. Instead she just heard the word lighthouse so she goes to visit with her friends. Things are going great until a body falls from a high window landing hard. Giving CPR Cass tries to talk to the deceased but had no luck. The rumor mill states otherwise though so she starts investigating just to be on the safe side leading to a surprising ending with an extra touch of awe. A well written cozy mystery with a touch of the paranormal making for a delightful story full of unexpected twists. The eclectic mix of characters has something for everyone with Beast adding just the right furry touch. A total must read series! I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Synopsis:
Cass Donovan is reminded that you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes from the dead . . .
When stories begin circulating of a centuries-old ghost haunting the Bay Island lighthouse, Cass is caught up in mystical happenings of her own, with countless voices from the beyond all clamoring for her attention with dire warnings. But before she has a chance to learn whether there’s a connection between the rumored ghost and her restless visitors, the lighthouse keeper mysteriously falls to his death, and Cass’s reputation for communing with the dead lands her right in the middle of the police investigation.
Cass knows the victim was no saint, as he made little effort to hide his philandering ways from his wife or anyone else, and often acted out with no thought for the feelings of others. But had he finally gone too far, or were there more menacing motives behind his murder? As Cass begins building a list of suspects, including the man’s supposedly grieving wife and a mysterious new woman in town, she also turns her ear to those otherworldly voices, hoping for a clue. And as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes too late that if she’s not careful, she’ll soon be communicating with the dead in person . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really like the friendship between Cass, Bee and Stephanie. They are such good friends and would do anything for each other. And I really like how dramatic Bee can be, he makes me laugh. The secondary characters in the book add a lot to the story.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect of this book, and thought that Cass being able to communicate with the dead made it even more interesting. The mystery was well plotted and had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. The ending was very climatic and nerve racking.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like paranormal cozy, give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Beyond The Page Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
This is the 5th book in the series. Although, it’s not terribly confusing, I did struggle through the first part of the book, not the author’s fault. I had no background on Cass, Bee or Stephanie, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters immediately. Despite that, I thought the story was good.
Cass Donovan, the owner of Mystical Musings on the boardwalk, has psychic abilities. So, not only do people stop to browse her shop, but they also ask for a reading.
Cass has two best friends, Bee Maxwell and Stephanie Lawrence. Cass had been trying to do readings for Stephanie to answer the question of when will Stephanie and her husband, Tank, become parents.
From one reading with Stephanie, there is a push for, Cass and her friends go to the Bay Island Lighthouse, where they learn about the new ghost tours given by the owner/keeper now. It is here that they hear about the death of the lighthouse keeper from the late seventeen hundreds, and a rumor of a buried treasure. Cass is assaulted with voices and suddenly realizes that she is being warned away from the lighthouse. Before any of them could make a move, they witness someone tumble out of a window, and Cass swears she sees a shadow move back, but she’s not sure if the vision is real.
Due to Cass’s reputation, rumors start that Cass spoke to the deceased and knows who the killer is. Now, Cass needs to figure out who the killer is before the rumors send the killer to her.
I loved the paranormal parts in this book, and also, the friendships between Bee and Stephanie. I’m not one to try to figure out the mystery, but let the book unfold and tell the story. I was surprised, and the ending made me cry.
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Beyond the Page Publishing and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
For some odd reason, I missed the two books before this one having read the second one in the series. However, I was able to dive right in like I had never left. Cass is an interesting character and has grown quite a bit since I last saw her in the second book. I just love Bree and Stephanie, although I wish I had a little more description of them; I had a hard time picturing them in my mind. The mystery was excellent in this book, and the very end had me balling like a baby. Why, you ask? Read it and find out. This is an excellent cozy paranormal mystery (not a lot of paranormal) with a good plot and great characters. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
This is the fifth book in the series but my first. The characters were a delight to read about. The mystery is well-paced and plotted. Several well-placed red herrings kept me on my toes, guessing whodunnit. I look forward to catching up on the previous book to learn more about the characters’ backgrounds.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
Such a great story! I have really enjoyed seeing Cass’s psychic abilities become more pronounced as this series has progressed. In this latest book, Cass is having trouble blocking out all of the ghostly voices she hears. On a visit to the lighthouse with her best friends, Stephanie and Bee, they witness the lighthouse owner fall to his death. Cass sees a shadow in the window as Fred falls and feels that he was pushed. Now she is trying to figure out what happened by listening to the voices. The caretaker of the lighthouse gives Bee a transcript of an old diary of a young girl that once lived in the lighthouse. Legend had it that her beloved was a pirate and had hidden treasure somewhere. The man had died and is said to haunt the lighthouse at night looking for the treasure. A woman has come to town and stated that she was buying Fred’s tour company, though no one knew it was for sale. The woman seems to also be psychic and helps Cass out. I love how throughout this book, Cass, Bee, and Stephanie all look out for each other and are always there for one another. This was a very intriguing story and I hope to see more of Cass honing her psychic abilities and adventures of the three friends. I look forward to seeing what is next for Stephanie and Tank as well. A definite must-read series!
I’m excited to be back on Bay Island with Cass, Bee, Stephanie, Tank and Luke.
Cass’s mystical talents are hitting an all time high – she hears voices of the departed constantly. The voices bombard her as she tries to run her business and go about her normal routine. When she hears about the haunting of the Bay Island lighthouse, she can decipher if the voices are warning her about the lighthouse or something else. Then, one of the local lighthouse keepers falls to his death out of one of the lighthouse windows. Cass now isn’t sure if his death was accidental or on purpose, or rooted in the mundane or the mystical. Either way, Cass finds herself right in the middle of the investigation. The victim was not faultless and the author gives the reader plenty of means, motives, and opportunities to figure out along the way.
Grave Consequences is another fabulous book in the Bay Island Psychic series. I feel like Cass, Bee, and Stephanie are friends and I enjoy their characters, actions, and antics. Their dynamics create a warm and emotional friendship, where they all have each other’s backs and best interested at heart. Cass is a very down-to-earth character and has been likable from the beginning of the series. I find her easy to connect to, whether you believe in her abilities or not. Stephanie and Bee are excellent sidekicks, always there for her and supportive.
I enjoy the flow of the story, the just right pacing, and the smooth conversational dialogue between everyone. As with all of the books in the Bay Island Psychic series, I find myself totally immersed in the plot, the characters, and the setting. I visualize the story and find myself wanting to tag along with Cass, Bee, and Stephanie on their many adventures.
I may have been provided an ebook of this series to review but I will be buying a paperback for my bookshelf.
GRAVE CONSEQUENCES by Lena Gregory
The Fifth Bay Island Psychic Mystery
Cass Donovan and her friends, Bee and Stephanie, decide to have a day of fun and visit the island’s lighthouse. It seems that Fred, the lighthouse keeper has decided to add ghost tours, citing an old legend of the tragic romance between a local girl and a pirate. Bee starts to get treasure fever and Cass wonders if Mystical Musings could become a stop on the tour. As the trio gazes at the scenic view, Cass sees Fred fall from the third floor window. She also sees a shadow. Was that the shadow of a spirit…or a murderer? With her mediumship abilities growing, Cass tries to cope with the barrage of voices and make sense of what they’re saying. Can she make contact with Fred? Or will she just make herself the target for a very human killer?
GRAVE CONSEQUENCES is a story of friendship. The deep bond between Cass and Bee is evidenced by all that they do for each other. Even though each can get annoyed with the other, they are always there for each other and would give everything to help the other person, no matter what. Such friendships are rare and should be cherished.
This fifth Bay Island Psychic Mystery is emotional. Watching Cass suffer as she tries to get a handle on her new abilities, her inability to understand messages received, and fear for her friends keep the tension high. New characters, including a possible mentor for Cass, along with a tragic ghost story provide intriguing new storylines. Filled with lots of twists and turns GRAVE CONSEQUENCES keeps readers guessing.
Although this is a more somber mystery, laughs and humorous scenes serve to lighten it. I especially love how Beast raises the vibe of every scene he’s in. GRAVE CONSEQUENCES is a compelling mystery that kept me engrossed from start to finish.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
Stories are going around town about a ghost from centuries ago haunting the Bay Island lighthouse and searching for treasure. Cass is surrounded by voices who want to be heard but she can’t separate them from each other. When the lighthouse keeper mysteriously falls to his death, rumors say that Cass spoke to him and named his killer pulling her into the investigation. There’s a new woman in town with a mysterious past but she has something in common with Cass. Can she be trusted? Can Cass find the killer before she joins the dead?
I love this series and this book is a prime example of why. It’s full of intrigue and mystery as you follow the twists and turns throughout the story. The relationships are well-done and the characters are wonderful. I’m eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Building upon previous books in this series, you can red this as a stand alone but it will be best appreciated if you have some exposure to Cass, Bee and Stephanie. Trust me, you will love the previous books in this series. Author Lena Gregory has created one of my favorite series.
Beast adds some needed lightness to the dark topics covered.
Cass can’t control the voices in her head. She can not help them all and can’t help the most important ones if they all speak at once! Plus, she knows there is something important someone is trying to message to Cass regarding her best friend Stephanie.
It helps to know tha Stephanie and husband, Tank, a police officer, have been trying to adopt a baby. They are turned down because the birth mother is afraid Tank’s job has the potential to leave Stephanie a young widow and single mother. Stephanie is heartbroken.
Meanwhile, there is a new ghost tour business in town. Could this mean another source on income for Cass? There is something strange about the woman running the tour company, a woman whose husband disappeared under suspicious circumstances. She has psychic abilities of her own and has ties to Amanda, from the local lighthouse.
Speaking of the lighthouse, is there really a treasure hidden there, from pirates long ago?
True or not, someone seems to be haunting the shoreline. Cass, Bee and Stephanie are in the wrong place at the right time as the lighthouse keeper, Fred, falls to his death upon the rocks.
Filled with tension and swirling emotions, this episode of the series will keep you on the edge of your seat. Not all mysteries and problems can or will be solved within these covers!
It’s almost time for the Summer tourist season on Bay Island and Cass is trying to focus on doing a psychic reading for her friend, Stephanie. Soon the voices from the other side become too distracting and Cass stops the reading. In an effort to lighten Stephanie’s mood, Cass and Bee take Stephanie for an outing to the island lighthouse. Instead of a pleasant afternoon seeing the sights, they become involved in a death. The lighthouse keeper falls to his death and the police face the big question – was it an accident? or was it murder? If Cass can just sort out the voices and somehow connect with the dead man while dealing with the rest of her day to day life, she might also track down the killer.
I really enjoy this series as well as the other series Lena Gregory writes – The All-Day Breakfast Cafe mysteries – and it’s so nice to spend time with Cass, Bee and Stephanie. The setting is charming and the psychic angle hits just the right note. The mystery had me hooked from the beginning and kept me guessing to the end.
My thanks to the publisher, Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.