Southern Ghost Hunter Series

Verity Long never expected to be stuck with a see through sidekick. But dumping the ashes from the urn into her rose bushes got her just that. She now had a ghost trapped on her property. Her newfound connection to the spirit world was going to come in handy when it come to solving a thirty year old mystery. And working with her ex-fiance’s smoking hot brother Ellis was going to be nothing but trouble.
This book was a great combination of funny, mystery and snark. Verity is the kind of character you wish were real because she’d make a great BFF. And Ellis, well he’s definitely book boyfriend material. Hot, sweet and just a little dangerous. I loved their chemistry as they worked to solve the mystery. Even the ghost Frankie was fun to read. His comments about modern electronics and music were pretty darn funny.
I enjoyed this story immensely and I am eager to read the next in this series! I give it 5 stars!

DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING!!!
Title: Southern Host Hunter Series: 5th Anniversary Special Edition
Series: Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries
Designation: Anniversary Edition with first three stories in the collection (Books 1: Southern Spirits, 1.5: A Ghostly Gift, & 2: The Skeleton in the Closet – Two Full-Length Novels & One Novella), Standalone, NO Cliffhanger #cozymystery #sweetromance #humor #paranormal
Author: Angie Fox
My Rating: FIVE DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING STARS*****

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 the perfect combination of these four elements in one book but thankfully I’ve found an author who brilliantly combines them all into a fabulously entertaining series. Angie Fox has delighted her readers yet again with her latest release, a supernatural cozy mystery compilation of the first three stories of her bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries Series. This collection celebrates the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the series and includes Book 1: Southern Spirits (Full-Length Standalone), Book 1.5: A Ghostly Gift (Novella-Length Standalone), and Book 2: The Skeleton in the Closet (Full-Length Standalone). As an additional bonus, Fox has also included deleted scenes and never before seen artwork and insights on several of the characters, which can only be found in this anniversary edition. Start reading here or anywhere in the series. Fox does an outstanding job of giving readers backstory in every book and each can certainly be read as a standalone, though I will say it’s much more fun when the stories are read in order of their release. But just a word of warning… Once you start, you’ll be hooked! I should know since I own them all, read them all, and LOVED them all. As I said, I own all the individual books but purchased this anniversary edition for the bonuses alone! I became a diehard Angie Fox fan seven years ago after reading The Accidental Demon Slayer, the outrageously hilarious 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 just a quick heads up – there’s a lot more sass, shenanigans, and x-rated Romance. In Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, the emphasis is on the mystery and not the romance, and any canoodling is behind closed doors. But I digress, so let’s talk about the Southern Ghose Hunter Mysteries Series. It’s imaginative, cute, laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and so heartwarming. 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. There’s so much I truly love about this collection, but it’s the cast of endearing and instantly engaging characters who completely steal the show. They literally grab your attention, engage your imagination, and completely capture your heart! Verity Long and her cast of quirky 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 adventure filled to the brim with danger, drama, humor, ghosts, suspense, mystery, and plot twists, with even a little heartbreaking angst and heartwarming romance.

Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! It’s my all-time favorite cozy mystery series! I adore the Southern Ghost Hunters World and the fictional town of Sugarland, Tennessee as well as the charming cast of characters Fox has created for this series. Southern Belle Verity Long is an absolute delight and Ellis Wydell is one hunk of burning love! lol… And never fear, Verity’s gangster ghost housemate, 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 will also steal your heart, and that includes the spirits, specters, spooks, and villains. And yes, I’m including you, Virginia and Beau Wydell! I giggled, snorted, snuffled, sniffled, and fumed through every book. 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 entertaining whodunit, layered with thrills, chills, and ghostly encounters, 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 for the series:
Although the last few months have been difficult for Verity Long, it’s also been surprisingly hectic for the beautiful former aspiring graphic designer from Sugarland Tennessee. Breaking off your engagement, having to sell everything you own, and searching for a job is enough to keep anyone busy. Unfortunately, the one thing it hasn’t been is profitable. Verity has gained some recognition, or I should say notoriety, as Sugarland’s resident runaway bride and novice ghosthunter. But what choice did she have? She lost absolutely everything after breaking off her engagement with her lying, cheating, now ex-fiance Beau Wydell, youngest and favorite son of wealthy, influential town aristocrat Virginia Wydell. And if a miracle doesn’t suddenly appear in the form of $20,000, she’s also going to lose the only thing that matters to her, the home she inherited from her grandmother. Verity’s graphic design services had once been in demand until her almost mother-in-law used her influence to ruin her good name and her business. Had it been left up to the vengeful Virginia Wydell and her lying, two-timing son Beau, 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. It seems there’s a whole lot happening on the Sugarland ghostly plane that Verity never knew existed – until now. She may not know exactly what she’s doing but hey, it’s a paying gig, so don’t judge! And that’s not the only change in her life. She’s kinda-sorta-maybe attracted to handsome Deputy Sheriff Ellis Wydell, who is also kinda-sorta-maybe sweet on Verity too! Yes, his last name is Wydell and yes, Ellis and Beau are related – they’re brothers! Huh? Oh yes, brothers! As you can imagine, the couple is trying to keep things on the down-low, for now, but you know how it is in a small town. Even with Ellis sneaking in Verity’s back door, secrets always find a way of making themselves known. I don’t think this new development will be well received by Virginia or Beau Wydell. And let’s not forget Verity’s 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 his ashes onto the roots of her grandmother’s rose bushes from a vase she received as a gift from Beau. How was she to know that the ugly vase was actually an urn? Oh no! But in her defense, she had no idea what the ashes were and what would happen. So until she can figure out a way to free Frankie, she’s stuck with the ghostly, not-so-nice, wise-guy criminal from the flapper era. And the fact that Frankie has turned her back porch and backyard shed into a speakeasy and hideout for him and his buddies hasn’t helped matters at all. Verity’s life certainly wasn’t perfect but on the bright side, she does still have her pet skunk Lucy, her grandmother’s house (for now), a maybe-kinda-secret boyfriend, and 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. It seems Verity’s life has become a lot more interesting…and dangerous. But who better to protect her on her first official case than Deputy Ellis Wydell himself. After all, he’s her first paying client who needs help with a troublesome spirit. What’s a spunky, independent, never-quit, born and bred Southern Belle to do? What any good southern girl worth her salt would do, of course! When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade! Verity’s determined to make a new life for herself and embark on a new career – as a ghosthunter! To heck with all the critics, nonbelievers, naysayers, and Wydell! And remember, we, Southern Belles, never let our enemies see us sweat! You go, Verity! lol…

A. Donovan
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous story. Keeps getting better.
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2020
This is the collection of the first 3 books in this series and the get better as they go along.
Book 1 Southern Spirits
Not all spirits come from a bottle. Verity Long is cute, smart and just got a ghost. She just inherited the ghost of the Great-great Uncle of the man she left at the altar. The Ex-beau is patently awful but Frankie, the Gangster Ghost, is hilarious. The especially sexy Deputy Sheriff discovers Verity’s new ability to see ghosts and asks her to evict the spirits destroying his property in exchange for a large sum of cash. She desperately needs the money to save her family home, so she and Frankie go on a dangerous ghost hunt.
The very funny Frankie the Gangster Ghost is overconfident and snarky. The tasty deputy is also handsome and confident and Verity just wants to save her home by any means possible. Things go bump in the night and not all of them are the ghosts.
Book 2 A Ghostly Gift (novella)
This is truly a lovely romance. Verity is back when her sister asks her to help a friend. Julie’s store has always been haunted but now they are causing damage to the wares. Of course, there is a ghost in distress and Verity is there to help. A lovelorn soldier and a lost engagement ring are the basis for a heartfelt love story. I wanted more from Frankie, the gangster ghost, but he did provide some old-time chivalry and a little snark.
Book 3 The Skeleton in the Closet
The beautiful ghost hunter is back trying to find the killer of a seemingly harmless library volunteer. Verity must also deal with the truly wicked almost-mother-in-law and the slimy and selfish almost husband. All this while hiding a flirty relationship with the deputy from Madam Wicked and Mr. Slimy.
Then there are the ghosts A frightening poltergeist, a jilted bride, a lonely Yankee soldier and a squad of Confederate soldiers and their eternal poker game. And Frankie, my favorite gangster ghost, is always there to help and make me laugh.
Added Special Features
Oh My! these are so worth the story. Cute drawings, and “A Closer Look…” at our favorite characters. But the deleted scenes — why were they deleted? They are a fantastic expansion on the characters and well worth reading.

I have read these books a hundred times, and I enjoy them more each and every time! I also loved the deleted scenes, they seemed to hit on just what I wondered about in each book! I loved it!

If you have read The Southern Ghost Hunter Series, this set is a must have. If this is your first introduction to this series, it is a must have lol. First you get the first three fantastic books in this series. So you get to meet Verity, Frankie, Lucy and Ellis and discover how they came together to make up a ghost hunting team you won’t soon forget. Second you get a inside look at Ms. Fox mind on how the characters come to life. Then there is the amazing drawings and deleted scenes. I have to say as a longtime fan of Ms. Fox I loved this special edition. It is as if we are all invited to Verity’s birthday party but we get the presents.

Oh my gosh, re-reading these wonderful creations reminded me how that first book drew me in. Then of course I HAD to have the second book. At times I think I’ve had legitimate withdrawal. There are very few writers who make me this excited for the next installment, but Ms Fox has it honed to a fine art. The extra features were so much fun to read as well with a great deal of insight into the characters and how they sometimes run roughshod over their creator. They are a spirited lot for sure. If you haven’t partaken of this feast, you must. If you are a bonafied addict like I am, you should check out the extra features. You will surely enjoy them.

Great Anniversary Edition with Fun Bonus Materials!
I just love a good special anniversary edition, don’t you? And when you pair that with three fantastic tales of mystery, memorable characters, and a little dose of Southern gentility, well, how can you resist? Angie Fox has re-released the first three books of her Southern Ghost Hunters series in a 5th Anniversary Special Edition, and just to make it really tempting, she’s thrown in some extra goodies; in depth character studies, deleted scenes, and some great illustrations.
One of my favorite mystery series, SGH follows Verity Long in her struggles and triumphs of putting her life back together after her almost-but-not-so-much wedding, that not only left her heartbroken, but with an adversary she’d rather not have. The first three tales lay out a solid foundation for the main characters and recurring settings of this series and set the stage nicely for the adventures to come. The bonus material is a wonderful addition as it adds so much to the understanding of the characters and the overall feel of the series.
If you’re a fan of Grafton’s character development, Evanovich’s humor, Harris’ touch of the supernatural, and Gilman’s clever plots, this series is for you. Fox’s writing smoothly and effortlessly takes you through the story. This is the perfect series for anyone who loves mysteries, and I highly recommend treating yourself or the mystery enthusiast in your life with this special edition.

I love all of her books. I especially enjoyed re reading these again and remembering what happens before. There are always parts that are forgotten . The drawings were great and the added deleted pages were great too and they made me laugh. Thanks, Angie.

I have read this entire series and will be rereading it soon. If you have never met Verity and Frankie, well, you are in for a treat. The first three books (Southern Spirits, A Ghostly Gift and The Skeleton in the Closet) are in this bundle and I have no doubt that you will want the rest of the series. Not only does this set have the three books but it also has some nice extras like a floor plan of Verity’s house complete with the rose bush in her living room. There is a bit of backstory about the connection between Frankie and the Wydell family. Boy, that’s a tangled story right there. There are also some insights into cover designs and some scenes that didn’t make the cut. If you are already a fan, pick up a copy for yourself for the extras and add a copy for a friend or two. Time spent with Verity and Frankie is never boring.

Deleted scenes: I love them, both in movies and books. Yes, I am the type of person who watches them whenever I buy/rent a Blue-ray or Dvd. When an author posts deleted scenes up on their website or facebook, you betcha, I read them.
I understand why authors and directors must cut scenes. Length restraints or the scene just does not fulfill a purpose with the plot or story pacing. There are some deleted scenes that it is obvious how much fun the author or creator had writing them.
I love how Angie divided the deleted scenes by characters: Frankie – our favorite gangster; Ellis – who needs more deleted scenes; and Lucy – everyone’s favorite skunk. Look out Pepé Le Pew, there’s a new skunk in town.
Another factor I liked about the deleted scenes: Before each characters’ scenes, the author writes a little introduction for them… As if someone like Frankie needs as such. – winks –
Angie, also, labels which book the scene belongs too. Which is incredibly helpful.
Other cool goodies and features: Also included in the 5th ANNIVERSARY EDITION is an image of Verity’s property with Frankie’s shack, the pond, and orchard. We cannot forget the cute drawings of Frankie, Verity, Ellis, and Lucy. I especially like the inside layout of Lucy and Verity’s home. Now, when I read future books in the series, I have a better visual.
Angie shares early book covers – ones that “almost” made the cut but needed a little something more. There are four with the last the cover we all know for the first book. It is neat to see the progress and read the author’s commentary about each one.
Honestly? I liked the first cover. Yes, it needed a few adjustments to fit Verity. Just something about it draws my attention.
Any fans of Angie Fox’s SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER series needs this special edition box set.
To read my reviews for the first three stories in the series, here are the links:
SOUTHERN SPIRITS review – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1166723136?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
SKELETON IN THE CLOSET review -https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1374921832
A GHOSTLY GIFT review – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1205021305?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
(Courtesy of Romance Junkies)