Angie Fox celebrates 5 years of the USA Today bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter series with a limited edition boxed set of the first three stories in the series, along with never-before-seen additional content, including – deleted scenes, original art, an inside look at the characters, and a behind-the-scenes peek at how the series came together.Southern SpiritsWhen out of work graphic designer … designer Verity Long accidentally traps a ghost on her property, she’s saddled with more than a supernatural sidekick-she gains the ability see spirits. It leads to an offer she can’t refuse from the town’s bad boy, the brother of her ex and the last man she should ever partner with.A Ghostly GiftVerity Long doesn’t want to see ghosts, and she’d rather not let anyone know her little secret, either. But when a restless spirit stirs up trouble in her friend’s resale shop, Verity and her very new, very dead gangster friend team up to learn what is really happening.The Skeleton in the ClosetA haunted library is no place for a girl who can see ghosts, but when Verity Long stumbles on a dead body in the middle of the main reading room, she has to believe someone?even a dead someone?must have witnessed the crime.What reviewers are saying?5 Stars! “I fell in love with this series from the first book!”5 Stars! “I could not put it down (ended up reading all night long midnight till 3am).”5 Stars! “I loved the heroine because she is gutsy and quirky, definitely not a wilting flower, and I am super excited about where her story is going.”*This edition contains more than 50 pages of never-before-seen material and will be available for a limited time.
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I’m a huge fan of the series and I leaped at the chance to get the anniversary special edition when I saw the special features added to the first three stories- two novels and a between novella. I’ve never felt this engaged with a cozy mystery series before, but it’s the combo of sassy fun characters, small town, clever mysteries on both the ghostly and human plane bringing a strong dose of history and romance with all the rest.
Southern Spirits is book one and introduces the Southern Ghost Hunter World.
Verity Long is the town pariah after dumping the scion of the wealthiest family at the altar. Only Verity knows that Beau Wydell is not as golden as everyone thinks and his mother won a lawsuit over the expense of the wedding reception that cleaned Verity out and has her on the brink of losing her old family home to pay the debt.
While despondently cleaning out the house she inherited from her grandmother and wondering if she’ll be homeless soon, Verity mistakes a funeral urn and ashes for a ‘dirty’ vase so she dumps the contents out over her rose bushes. This lands her with a gangster’s ghost who is now tied to her house. Frankie agrees to help her find the money to keep her house (which is now his, too) if she’ll do what it takes to free his ashes from the dirt and thus, free him from being stuck either at the house or wherever she took his urn.
Verity and Frankie are hired by Beau Wydell’s older brother, Ellis, to help him with an angry ghost that is tearing up all the renovations he’s making on the property he bought. In the process, Verity sees that Ellis is nothing like his brother and Ellis learns the truth of what happened between Verity and his brother. Ellis is also a cop so he manages to accept the truth about Verity’s ghost gift and ghosts even while they work to solve what is shaping up to be a dangerous hunt for the truth that someone wants to keep unknown.
The novella, A Ghostly Gift, continues with Verity determined not to do any more ghost hunting, but still needing to make ends meet so she does a design job for her sister Melanie’s friend who owns an antique shop. Julie can’t pay, but agrees to trade Verity for household goods Verity needs from her store. Julie knows her store in the old part of town is haunted and doesn’t mind until one of the ghosts gets aggressive and begins breaking her pieces. Verity agrees to help and tows a reluctant Frankie along to help her figure out what has the ghost riled up.
Skeleton in the Closet sees Verity and the rest of Sugarland gearing up for the big celebration and festival. The town’s claim to fame was a Civil War battle fought on its doorstep and the town repelled the invaders. Founding families, the Wydells and the Jacksons are feuding over the historical displays. Verity is distracted when her ex tries wooing her again. But then the historical society volunteer’s body is found murdered just after she shares with Melanie that she found something important among the historical display items. This call puts Melanie and Verity under suspicion straining her relationship with Ellis so now she has to drag Frankie and the ghosts at the library into helping her solve the case.
Included in this edition is: how the first book came about, graphic sketches of Verity’s old family home, character sketches, the development of the covers and graphics of the ones not chosen, and deleted scenes. These extras make up about the last ten percent of the book so they are interesting for the fan and I enjoyed paging through it all. I’m not sure I would purchase this set specifically to get them if one already has the series books, but then again, it’s a fabulous limited edition that’s way more than affordable for what you get and the e-book edition graphics are crystal clear.
I love the light and humor mixed with a moderately hair-raising ghostly mystery adventures. Verity is an engaging lead character and narrator. I love that she has a pet skunk, Lucy, her bright researcher librarian sister, Melanie, southern manners and this second chance at something special with the stolid and handsome Ellis. Frankie is a fun and sparkling character in the series and he feels authentic the way he raises Cain and makes his deals with Verity before agreeing to help. The mystery and all the ghostly activities is a neat world the author created. It was fabulous revisiting the earliest stories in the series that withstood the test of a reread and also getting the extra special edition gems to please a fan. I can recommend this boxed set for fan and newbie alike.
I love this series! So fun with a good mystery.
Love the main character and other characters in the books, great story lines
I received the first book free through Bookhub and was immediately drawn to Verity Long and Frankie the ghost she accidentally bound to her. Verity has the ability to get into trouble with out looking for it and while you are rooting for Frankie you can’t but love him to. Angie Fox is an excellent writer and I can recommend this series as one of the best.
I love this series. The characters are quirky without being annoying (including the not quite mother-in-law). I’m always sorry when the book ends.
I love this series. The characters are so life like that i want to meet and cuddle Lucy
I have read the whole series, so far. Write more!!!!
Love this series. It is funny for a who done it with a Southern Gal and a ghost.
This was a great cozy mystery set it was fast paced, funny, and full of southern charm. The MC Verity is a southern belle down on her luck who just so happens to have a ghost named Frankie a German 1920’s gangster who Verity accidentally tied to an urn she has in her possession. Together they become a crime fighting due as they also investigate ways to release Frankie’s bound spirit.
The world building and characters are very well done and the humorous dialogue will keep you entertained.
I received this book from NetGalley and Moose Island Books for an Honest review.
#SouthernSpirits5thAnniversaryDeluxeBoxSet
#NetGalley
The Southern Ghost Hunter series by Angie Fox is a fantastic cosy mystery series featuring Verity Long, an intrepid southern belle down on her luck and Frankie the German, the ghost of a 1920’s gangster who Verity has inadvertently tied to an urn she has in her possession. Together they make a reluctant ghost hunting duo albeit mainly down to her prospective boyfriend and town black sheep, Sheriff Ellis Wydell, requesting her help in interviewing any spirits that are hanging around his crime scenes. When they aren’t playing ghostbusters Frankie and Verity are usually trying to find a way of releasing Frankie’s trapped spirit.
These books are filled with wonderfully colourful characters with lots of witty and humorous dialogue. The mystery element is just enough to grab your attention without being overly gruesome and spoiling the whole fun vibe of the books. Throw in a side of romance with the whole “are they/aren’t they” scenario, this series covers everything. It’s definitely one I hope continues for a long time
SOUTHERN SPIRITS is the first in a new series by Angie Fox. Though each story will stand alone, it is best that they are read in the order of release and you will want to read them all.
‘Loved’ does not begin to describe my feelings for this story. It had me holding my breath in more ways than one and so many times it’s a wonder I don’t need resuscitation!
There is a unique craziness that must be experienced and that is my recommendation. Pick up this book and read it. Get to know Verity, Ellis, Frankie the mobster ghost, and Lucy the lovable skunk.
A GHOSTLY GIFT is the second book in the Southern Ghost Hunter series.
This one is a short story that involves a WWII soldier ghost who is determined that his true love receive the gift he meant for her.
I love the dedication shown by the soldiers, by the townspeople towards those soldiers (the bottlecaps left in the bar), by the sweethearts left behind, and by the author in this display of her appreciation for our military and their families.
THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET is the third book in the Southern Ghost Hunter series.
Verity has been kicked down and then kicked some more by the town matriarch. In this story, Verity has a lot of leads that keep circling back to the wicked witch of town, errr Mrs. Wydell, but is that possible? Still there are a lot of secrets that do come out and this town will never be the same.
These three stories give a solid foundation of the who’s-who in Sugarland, TN. They also establish the fun, quirky nature of Verity and the romance that is blooming between her and Deputy Sheriff Ellis Wydell.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: SOUTHERN SPIRITS BOX SET
Series: Southern Ghost Hunter #1 – #3
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to vocabulary
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Moose Island Books
Have enjoyed the series. Some days you just don’t need any more intensity or angst.
This review is not going to be long. I am not a huge fan of a review rehashing the entire plot and spoiling it for everyone.
This is the first set of books from A ngie Fox that I have read. I loved it!!! I am going to purchase the rest of her books. The story was engaging and the charters awesome.
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Highly entertaining, fun, engaging collection of emotionally thrilling adventures filled with exciting charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and thrilling turns. Really enjoyed all three of these edge of your seat adventures. Fun and thrilling stories.
A wonderfully witty series! Southern Spirits: 5th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set is full of humor, mystery and dynamic characters, I enjoyed this immensely and would recommend you read it too.
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since this story came alive! I’m so happy it did and it was so nice to make a re-read about Verity, Lucy, Ellis, and Frankie along to celebrate their 5-year anniversary. I loved to revisit how everything started and to know all those tidbits about Verity’s house and the deleted scenes. It’s nice to remember where everything came from and to know Angie’s view of things.
I have to say if you’re new to the series, this is the perfect way to start! It’s the beginning and it has the first two novels and one novella. A quick recap of what you can find: (1) Southern Spirits = Verity Long has lost almost everything she has, all on the hands of the mother of her awful ex-fiance and it’s on the verge of losing her grandmother’s house when by accident she traps a ghost on the property (Frankie) and gains a gangster sidekick that lends her the ability to see spirits. With this new supernatural power, she gets a ‘job’ that could help her save her house working with Ellis, brother of the nasty ex, which could mean more trouble that she wanted in the first place. (1.5) A Ghostly Gift = Verity doesn’t want to see ghosts, much less to let anyone know she actually does, but when a friend has some paranormal problems at her shop she teams up with her gangster friend to help those in need. (2) The Skeleton in the Closet = Verity is helping out her sister at the library with a display when she uncovers a dead body in the middle fo the main reading room. Inadvertently she puts herself in the middle of the investigation and under the killer sights.
The bonus at the very end of the book includes a floor plan of Verity’s house, an image of the whole property, 5 deleted scenes, previous versions of the art cover and preview of the next book on the series!!
I have to say I loved it all. It’s a nice addition to my library and can’t wait to know more tidbits and obviously about our beloved characters!
I absolutely love this series. Angie Fox is such a amazing author.
I enjoy reading all of her books..Loved reading this book…
pet skunk, ghosts, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, suspense, murder-investigation, verbal-humor, situational-humor
This is the exception to my usual feelings about ebook or audiobook anthologies. Included are books 1, 1.5, and 2. The perfect start to the series starring Lucy the pet skunk, Verity, and Frankie the ghostly gangster. I loved them when they first came out in audio so this was a really good excuse to begin reading them again! The bonus bits are a wonderful addition, too! If you’ve never read anything in this series, start here and get as hooked as the rest of us!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Moose Island Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Three books and bonus materials, what a great anniversary present!
Southern Ghost Hunter Series: 5th Anniversary Special Edition by Angie Fox is Delightful! Ms. Fox has included diagrams of Verity’s home in Sugarland and some deleted scenes from the series.
These first three books are a reader’s introduction into the ghost hunting advenature’s of Verity Long, who knows how to show her southern charm to the living and all the ghosts she encounters. The mysteries are fun and light-hearted, the ghosts range from terrifying to sweet and kind, and Verity’s life is very interesting. She meets all sorts of ghostly characters, some scary and some humorous. She handles each situation with Grace and style.
This anniversary edition has the first few books and lots of extras that are entertaining and enlightening. From a floor plan of Verity’s historical home, to deleted scenes and the creation of the covers, the extra content is an appealing collection that you won’t want to miss. This is the perfect anniversary addition!
I’ve never been one to read a book twice. However, rereading Angie Fox’s first three books in the Southern Ghost Hunter Series was a JOY. It was almost like a reunion with old friends. New ghost hunter, Verity, her ghostly sidekick, Frankie, Verity’s sweet pet skunk, Lucy and Verity’s new sweetheart, Ellis ‘where it all started’ stories.
They, along with a supporting cast of very interesting heroes, villains, and everyday ‘folks’, form an exciting, mystery-packed, and entertaining story line that’s well written and none are composed by formula.
Reading the extras in this edition was really icing on the cake of the most excellent Southern Ghost Hunter Series. Now I’m off to reread them all because they’re so good!