Sometimes Verity Long would like to forget that she lives with the ghost of a 1920s gangster. But the reluctant housemates must once again work together when a dead detective blackmails Frankie into helping him solve a Great Gatsby-era cold case. Before she can say “bathtub gin,” Verity is dragged straight into a raging, otherworldly house party. Worse, every guest is hiding something. Meanwhile, … Meanwhile, Ellis Wydell, Verity’s living, breathing boyfriend needs Verity’s help with a police case of his own. After a dead body is discovered near the pecan orchard, Verity gives her insights, thinking her job is done. But when mysterious pecan pies start arriving at her house, she wonders who might be thanking her¿ or stalking her.Between hard-living ghosts and sugar-laden desserts, Verity has her work cut out for her. But will she uncover the secrets behind the pecan pies and dead guys? Or has she stumbled upon a recipe for disaster?
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awesome read!
I loved it. This is my favorite Verity mystery.
ANOTHER FABULOUS ADDITION TO THE SERIES & MY NEW FAVORITE!!!
Title: Pecan Pies and Dead Guys
Series: Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries
Designation: Book 7 of Series, Full-Length, Standalone, NO Cliffhanger
Author: Angie Fox
My Rating: FIVE DELICIOUSLY CUTE STARS*****
Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts, plus throw in not one but two baffling mysteries, a generous splash of spine-tingling suspense, a heaping helping of pulse-pounding danger, a light sprinkling of laugh out loud humor humor, along with a few puzzling pecan pies, and you have one heck of a recipe for murder, both past and present! I adore cozy mysteries, love gripping suspense, and completely addicted to anything supernatural but throw in a little sweet romance and I’m totally smitten! Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to find all four elements in one book but fortunately, I’ve found an author that brilliantly combines them all into one exceptional story. Angie Fox has delighted her readers yet again with Pecan Pies and Dead Guys, a full-length standalone and seventh release in the Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries Series and I totally loved it! Fox did an outstanding job of giving readers backstory for the series as well as the characters, and this book can certainly be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend, at least, reading the first book, Southern Spirits, which will introduce you to the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries world and most definitely enrich your reading experience.. I became a diehard Angie Fox fan five years ago after reading The Accidental Demon Slayer, the outrageously funny first release in Fox’s best-selling Biker Witches Mystery Series, another fabulous collection I highly recommend, especially if you love your mystery generously laced with paranormal elements, side-splitting humor, and dreamy romance. But I digress, so let’s talk about Pecan Pies and Dead Guys. The book is imaginative, unique, exciting, cute, sweet, heartwarming, and well edited. The narrative is beautifully written in the first-person with a single perspective from the heroine, Verity Long. The dialogue is smart, snappy, well executed, at times hilarious, and flows effortlessly. All the elements of this story have been well crafted and developed, but it’s the large cast of instantly engaging characters who completely steal the show. They literally explode from the pages, grab your attention, engage your imagination, and completely capture your heart! Verity Long and her cast of endearing cohorts carry this entire series and have become my favorites in the cozy mystery genre. Fox skillfully combines every single one of these elements to craft a deliciously cute and delightfully entertaining whodunit filled to the brim with danger, drama, humor, ghosts, suspense, and plot twists, with even a little heartbreaking angst and heartwarming romance.
Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! It’s my new favorite! Yeah, yeah, I know I say the same thing after every book in this series but I just can’t help myself. lol.. I adore the Southern Ghost Hunters World and the fictional town of Sugarland, Tennessee as well as the vividly depicted characters Fox has created for this series. Verity Long is an absolute delight and Ellis Wydell is one hunk of burning love! lol… And never fear, Verity’s gangster ghost Frankie Winkelmann, aka Frankie the German, from the flapper era is around to cause all kinds of trouble and Lucy, the pet skunk, is ever present for a little heartwarming comic relief. And the supporting characters in this cozy mystery completely stole my heart! I giggled, snorted, snuffled and sniffed through the entire story. Would I recommend it? You bet and I am, for ages twelve to a hundred and twelve! Angie Fox is a master of her craft and never fails to deliver a wonderfully layered whodunit of thrills, chills, and kills, expertly infusing events from both past and present to create a mystery within a mystery. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! Was I entertained? Completely and totally entertained! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
Premise: Although the last year has been difficult for Verity Long, it has also been surprisingly busy for the beautiful former aspiring graphic designer from Sugarland Tennessee. Unfortunately, the one thing it hasn’t been is profitable. Despite successfully solving several murders, life continues to be difficult. Verity is still very short on funds and desperately trying to hang on to the home she inherited from her grandmother. She lost absolutely everything after breaking off her engagement last year with her lying, cheating, now ex-fiance Beau Wydell, youngest and favorite son of wealthy, influential town aristocrat Virginia Wydell. Her graphic design services had been in demand until her almost mother-in-law used her influence to ruin her and her business. Had it been left up to the vengeful Virginia Wydell, Verity would have been tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail. Now it seems no one in Sugarland needs her services so she’s embarked on a new career and a whole new business…as a ghost hunter. Her kinda-sorta-maybe, once hush-hush, and on-the-sly boyfriend Deputy Sheriff Ellis Wydell is now her very public main squeeze! And yes, Ellis and Beau are related – they’re brothers! And let’s not forget her sweet little pet skunk Lucy and her very dead, black and white gangster ghost housemate, Franklin Rudolph Winkelmann aka Frankie the German. Yup, I said ghost. Frankie became trapped on Verity’s property when she unknowingly dumped the ashes from his urn onto the roots of her rose bush and until she can figure out a way to free Frankie, she’s stuck with the not-so-nice wise guy criminal from the flapper era. But on occasion, Frankie does actually lend her, albeit begrudgingly, some of his power so she can see all those otherworldly things that go bump in the night. At least, she still has her grandma’s home and she’s even managed to solve a few cases with Frankie’s help. Now, if she could convince everyone in Sugarland to accept her recent change in career and new abilities, she just may be able to make a real go of her ghost hunting business. Careful what you wish for, Verity; you could become a target yourself!
The world turns, life goes on, and southern bell, super-sleuth Verity Long finds herself in another dangerous situation. Thankfully, or maybe not, the universe seems to have her on speed dial with dead bodies, from both past and present, popping up at every turn. And once again, Verity finds herself neck deep in another whodunit. But if there’s one thing Verity does well, it’s solving mysteries. With plenty of help from her gangster ghost housemate, a menagerie of spiritual cohorts of the ghostly plane, and her steady beau, Verity has become quite well known as Sugarland’s very own ghost hunter extraordinaire. No, not that Beau, the lying, cheating Beau Wydell… her now, very public, no-longer-on-the-sly sweetie, Deputy Sheriff Ellis Wydell, Beau’s older brother. Nothing like keeping it in the family! Unfortunately, Virginia Wydell, Sugarland’s leading citizen, town matriarch and mother of the Wydell brothers, continues to seek retribution against Verity at every opportunity. Verity wants nothing more than to avoid Virginia and maintain the shaky peace between them, but when Ellis calls to ask for her help, there’s no way she can refuse, especially after his steadfast support for the past year. An unidentified dead girl is found at the bottom of the ravine near Wilson’s quarry and Ellis’s uncanny spidey-senses go on high alert, questioning the coroner’s accidental death finding. Ellis needs Verity’s ghostly gifts to help him solve the case. But secrets are afoot, and Verity’s plate is already full with another unsolved mystery involving the dead body of a former Sugarland judge murdered in 1929 at the Adair Estate. Frankie’s future depends on Verity solving the 90-year-old case for Inspector Julian De Clercq, the ghost she met a few weeks ago while on a Sugarland Express getaway with Ellis, a trip that quickly escalated into a double murder investigation and another dangerous brush with death for Verity! Yikes! Of course, there’s even more Wydell family drama to further complicate an already difficult situation. But on the bright side, Beau has done some serious soul-searching after the Sugarland Express debacle and turned over a new leaf, which he credits solely to Verity’s influence, much to her and Ellis’ dismay. Beau’s decided to make some rather unorthodox changes in his life, which his mother vehemently opposes. He even has another girlfriend, Zoey Lee, a brand new resident of Sugarland and owner of the town’s first food truck. Hopefully, she won’t end up being murdered like Beau’s last inamorata! lol… And to make matters even worse, pecan pies from an unknown baker/stalker have started showing up inside Verity’s home. Oh my! What’s a southern ghost hunter to do? Take the high road, be the gracious southern lady her grandmother taught her to be, solve the case, save Frankie, save the day, stay alive, make time for a little canoodling with Ellis, and bless your little heart, of course! Can Verity put all the pieces together and solve the case before it’s too late for her and Frankie? Or will it be death by pecan pie? We’ll see!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better. Angie Fox brings our favorite ghost detectives to a whole new level.
I have to say this is my favorite, so far, in this series. With every book, the characters become more real and likable.
Will Frankie be sent to ghost prison for eternity? Will Verity eat the mysterious pies that keep showing up? How will Ellis deal with his coworkers on the police force while trying to solve a real life murder? Has Beau finally and completely lost his mind? And most importantly, is Lucy the skunk ok?
These are just a few of the questions and maybe answers you will have and enjoy during our latest trip to Sugarland. So grab your sweet tea, get comfortable on the porch and enjoy the last warm days with the gang.
I made the mistake of starting this book in the evening – leaving me with a choice of reading more or sleeping. Well written and fun to read, very hard to put down.
Even though this book is number seven, the series still feels fresh. The plot was unique, and I just love how the past and the present seem so entwined in this book to make the book an interesting read. In addition, I also love the friendship between Verity and Frankie, and I do admit to wanting Verity and Ellis to move forward in their relationship; I think it’s time they go engaged. Maybe things will finally change between Verity and Virginia if that happens. Or, at least get better. It’s time they buried the hatchet…or at least become a lot more civil. Anyway, I also knew who one of the bad guys was very quickly. The other one wasn’t nearly as obvious. However, knowing who one of the culprits was didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all. This book was fun and entertaining from start to finish. If you love cozy paranormal mysteries, give this book and series a try! Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed. (less)
Pecan Pies and Dead Guys is the seventh book in Angie Fox’ Southern Ghost Hunters series. The story begins with Verity being torn by the needs of her boyfriend, Deputy Ellis Wydell, and her ghost, Frankie the German. Ellis calls Verity to a crime scene that he feels is a murder but may be ruled a suicide. Frankie is doing his best to hide from fellow ghost Inspector de Clercq, who is calling upon Frankie to help solve a 90 year old case or be forever imprisoned on Verity’s land. The assignment is to be present on the Adair Estate for the three nights of the Red Hot Ritz.
When Verity arrives at the crime scene she can read nothing that will tell why the woman has died. The bigger surprise of the day is when Ellis’ mother, Virginia Wydell, invites them to a bar-b-que at the family home. Separated from Ellis soon after arrival, Verity makes the acquaintance of Zoey, former fiancée Beau Wydell’s latest squeeze. To her surprise, Verity finds zoey refreshing and really likes her.
Verify leaves the party to head to the dilapidated Adair Estate to begin ghostly snooping to discover who murdered Greasy Larry Knowles, a crooked judge from the late 1920s. But Inspector de Clercq is not happy to see the “live” girl. After some sleuthing, they find it necessary to hightail it out of there, as they do the second night of the annual Red Hot Ritz.
Meanwhile, mysterious pecan pies appear at Verity’s home. The second one spooks her to the point she takes it to the police station to have it tested and is taken aback when a police department employee dies as a result of a sneaked slice of pie.
With three mysteries to solve, two in reality and one on the ghostly plain, Verity, Ellis, and Frankie have much to do and will take you on a wild ride towards the answers. Again, Ms. Fox has woven exciting and interesting tales. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!
Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox is the seventh book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Verity Long is surprised when she receives a call from her boyfriend and deputy, Ellis Wydell. He wants her to come to a crime scene at the quarry with Frankie to see if can provide some insights. Unfortunately, Verity is unable to provide any helpful intel. Later that evening, Verity and Ellis are attending a barbeque hosted by Virginia Wydell, Ellis’s mother when Inspector Julien De Clercq catches up with them. They have agreed to help Inspector De Clercq with a case that has stumped him for a century in exchange for the charges against Frankie being dropped. Verity has three days to solve the murder that occurred on the Adair estate in 1928 before the ghostly crime scene and the suspects disappear for another year. In the world of the living, Virginia is on a tear because Beau has decided to quit his law practice and to become an eclectic folk artist. He says it is all thanks to Verity (oh dear) and Virginia wants Verity to fix it. Virginia dangles a precious Long family heirloom as bait. After a night of questioning ghostly suspects, Verity finds a pecan pie on her kitchen counter. Lucy knocks it over before Verity can take a bite. When another pecan pie is left in the kitchen, Verity becomes suspicious. How did the person get into her home when all the doors were locked? Come along to charming Sugarland, Tennessee where ghosts and murder abound along with eccentric citizens, adorable skunk and a determined sleuth.
Pecan Pies and Dead Guys is a part of The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries and I suggest reading the series in order. Each book builds upon the previous one in this charming Southern series. Verity has her work cut out for her in this time. There are two murders to solve along with the mysterious pecan pie problem and Beau’s desire to become an artist. Beau believes he is the next Andy Warhol and his new girlfriend, Zoey Lee is encouraging him (his artwork would work well in a haunted house). I like the variety of quirky characters with my favorite being Verity’s resident ghost, Frankie “the German” Winkelmann. Of course, let us not forget Verity’s pet skunk, Lucy (only in Sugarland). Pecan Pies and Dead Guys is nicely written with a fast pace. I quickly devoured this novel. I laughed frequently at the wacky antics in the story. Wait until you discover what Frankie has created in Ellis’ attic. The two mysteries were interesting with the ghostly one being more difficult to solve. The present day murder is a cinch to figure out. I wish the author had put a little more effort into it. The ending is sweet and heartwarming. We also get a clue as to what will occur in the next volume in this whimsical series. I am giving Pecan Pies and Dead Guys 4 out of 5 stars. I have gotten my mother hooked on this series. When she heard I received Pecan Pies and Dead Guys, my kindle disappeared (I am thankful I have a spare one). I heard chuckles emanating from her room for the next several hours.
cozy-mystery, supernatural, suspense, ghosts, family-dynamics, pet, situational-humor, snarky
Flappers and gangsters and food trucks, oh my!
Sugarland Tennessee is supposed to be a sleepy Southern town, but it is really a home to all kinds of ghostly former residents. Verity has a connection with ghosts ever since she inadvertently messed up the remains of a local gangster who now reluctantly works with her on murder cases both new and historical. This installment has one of each, but we’re not talking CSI here, more like Nick and Nora Charles with no money. Most of the humor is situational, but it’s still pretty snarky. Fun book in a great series, don’t miss it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Moose Island Books via NetGalley.
This is the first book in the series I have read by Angie Fox. I love cozy mysteries and I love ghosts. But never bothered to read any books like this until now. I have to say I enjoyed it.
Verity and Frankie were fun to read about. Frankie is gangster from the 1920’s. He is dead and stuck on Verity’s property as she put half in ashes in the soil of the rose bushes. With what is left in the Urn he can travel with Verity and she can see other ghosts.
In order for Frankie to stay out of prison he has to help a detective find out who really murdered a judge. Plus, Ellis, Verity’s boyfriend has a murder on his hands and some in town don’t believe in what Verity can see. Not to mention a down the road mother in law that is not a great person to her.
Then we have Beau, Verity’s ex fiancé dating a new lady in town Zoey who seems to want to cause trouble. Someone has been leaving Pecan pies on Verity’s with one left killing a friend. Who can be doing all of this? An angry ghost? A person on Sugarland Tenn that hates her? I will be looking at other’s in this series.
This was an absolutely fantastic read!! This is my favorite so far of the entire Verity series, each one gets better and better! The usual cast of characters are all in fine form for this installment, with the addition of a new birdy who is not all she’s cracked up to be!! ( Haha, bad pun! ) And whoooo boy was Beau in fine form throughout! I loved all of the period slang, dress descriptions, and just the overwhelming sense of a raging party in the 1920’s that pervades the majority of the story, while at the same time handling deep, complex human emotions and still managing to keep a light overall tone! This was a superbly complicated and unexpectedly complex story that comes alive into a living, breathing world that doesn’t easily let you go! Thank you ever so much for the opportunity to review this gem, I truly loved it!