A Mackinac Island Ghostly Murder Mystery. She’ll fall in love again…with a man and the island. Charlotte returns to her Aunt Bess and Mackinac Island, a quaint retreat that welcomes summer tourists and allows no cars, to renew herself and write about the island’s ghosts.She’s come to help Bess with her heartache, an ended love with Shaun, and to renew a friendship with neighbor Hannah. In winter …
In winter Mackinac closes down and everyone looks forward to the ice bridge that freezes across the Straits of Mackinac.
Until Hannah disappears into the icy waters crossing it.
Everyone says it’s an accident. But Charlotte and her admirer cop friend, Mac, don’t think so. Something isn’t right. Hannah was too smart to go off the path.
So it’s murder…but why…how…by whom?
In the end, it’s Mac–and perhaps Hannah’s ghost–who saves Charlotte and Bess’s lives when the killer decides they’re too close to the truth and tries to kill them, too.
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Love this book wish she would write more about these characters! Especially love the location I have been there and really loved it!
I loved this book with the wintery setting on Mackinac Island and the mystery that arises when a niece arrives on the island to stay with her aunt. It was perfectly atmospheric with descriptions of the brutal weather, the elegance and history of the grand hotel, ghost stories and even romance. What I was most impressed with was that the mystery complemented, rather than overwhelmed, the story and setting. If you love the community and atmosphere of Mackinac Island, mystery, ghost stories and romance, you will enjoy this book!
I loved the setting, Mackinac Island, mostly in the winter. The island and the frozen connection to the mainland (hence “Ice Bridge”,) are characters in the story, not simply places.
Cozy mystery that gives a look at Mackinac Island in the winter, a time few people are able to experience it.
could not put it down
I found it hard to put down.
Great book, good story to keep you interested. Always more interesting when it is based on an area/location that you know or are familiar with. (Mackinac Island). Good page turner till the end. My first book by this author, interested enough to want to read more of her books.
Having been to Mackinaw Island many times that was the hook for me to read this book. I could relate to the environment the book was set in although there were a couple of places I wasn’t aware of in my experience.
I live near Mackinaw Island so know the area. Quit accurate in description of place. The quality of the writing is so-so.
This is a compelling story, captivating the reader immediately with the accurate descriptions of Mackinac Island, the soul-twisting healing period for Charlotte, the sweetness and love of Aunt Bess despite her own heart-ache, and Hannah’s irresistible, no-nonsense passion for life. The author must have spent time on Mackinac Island. Her portrayal of the iconic island, especially the winter, is spot-on, and she describes it so vividly that I swore I could hear the winds howling outside, then the quiet, soft, non-sound of the snow falling. As someone who has spent a huge portion of her life living in Northern Michigan, and who has visited Mackinac Island countless time, both during the season and during off-season, I was pleasantly surprised to read the loving, yet harshly-realistic descriptions of one of my favorite places on earth. But the characters and the beautiful weaving of their stories are what kept me up until 3 in the morning to finish this book. I know I will read it again (and possibly again), slower the next time so that I can savor every nuance of these three women and Mac – the man who is lucky and sensitive enough to be an integral part of their lives. What a beautiful story. Thank you, Kathryn Meyer Griffith, for sharing it with us.
Good read
If there’s one thing I know about Kathryn’s stories, whether horror or suspense or thrillers, it’s that they’re not predictable. You think you know what’s going to happen, but then she throws you some sidewinder scenarios and it’s anything goes from there.
She has now proven to me that she can write a great romance mystery also. Many of her books have these elements included in them, but this is the first one of hers I’ve read that isn’t a horror story too.
You’ll meet some really great characters. So genuine, you’ll feel like you’ve known them a long time. The main protagonist, Charlotte, just arrived on Mackinac Island, running from a fiance who jilted her for her best friend almost at the altar, and a job she couldn’t stand. Staying with her Aunt Bess, who could sure use her company, perhaps they’ll both find a new sense of worth and love for life.
Her chance encounter with a handsome police officer, Mac, stirs feelings she knows she shouldn’t have. It’s too soon. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be friends. And, upon expressing her interest in writing a book, Mac suggests that Charlotte write about the ghosts that are rumored to be roaming the island.
This was such a great idea to add to the story. I always enjoy reading stories with writers in them, and it was fun to read about some of the ghostly encounters as they’re related to Charlotte. I’d like to read that book!
Charlotte is surprised how quickly she settles into her new life, and she renews a loving friendship with her elderly neighbor, Hannah. Hannah has been her friend since she was a young lass and they enjoy that same trust and love again.
But then Hannah goes missing and Charlotte fears the worst. Could she have fallen victim to the Ice Bridge? The ice bridge is a way for islanders to cross the lake when winter settles in and cuts them off. Once it’s checked and deemed safe, they use it ride their snowmobiles to land and replenish supplies. If something happened to Hannah, they might never find her body.
Charlotte won’t rest until she finds out what happened to Hannah. Accident or murder, she’ll dig out the clues and find out the truth, no matter the danger she may be in.
I’ve visited Mackinac Island several times. The author paints such a vivid description that I see it all anew, even though it’s been years since I was there. I’d love to visit in the winter, see the fabulous Grand Hotel encased in icicles, snow covering the beautifully shaped shrubs and historical homes. I wouldn’t be brave enough to venture on the ice bridge, though.
It was such a wonderful surprise how much I loved this story. I love her horror and thriller stories with demons and witches and rampaging dinosaurs, all out to kill you or eat you or both. This has none of that. There’s a murder, but nothing even younger readers can’t handle, a sweet brush at new romance, and some truly wonderful characters. I ate this up and sure didn’t want it to end. Kathryn’s talented writing shines as the story flows smoothly and quickly to a fabulous ending.
Great setting, interesting characters, okay for a romantic mystery with suspense,
Would love another book with these characters. Much fun!
Great read, unexpected happenings, highly recommend.