Another Thursday review for you all and this time, we head to Oregon with Melanie West and Liza Harris (Melanie’s grandmother) as they work against a deadline to open their bed and breakfast, The Merry Ghost Inn, a reportedly haunted mansion perfectly set right along the beach.
Although a beautiful setting for Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery by Kate Kingsbury, this book takes us on a more grim ride than most cozies. Unfortunately during repairs and renovations, they stumble upon a skeleton behind one of the walls, making it that much harder to meet their deadline!
As horrible timing goes, Melanie soon runs into her trashcan of an ex-husband, which is startling to say the least (since he isn’t exactly supposed to know where she is, but you’ll have to read the book to find out why) and his appearance doesn’t end there.
Melanie’s grandmother, Liza, is resolved to crack the cold case open herself when the police put it on hold to focus on a new murder – with the most recent victim eerily resembling Melanie herself. Does someone have it out for her?
Throughout the book, Liza suspects the ghost of their inn to be real, while her granddaughter is much more skeptical, convinced that the laughing sound they keep hearing must be old pipes, or anything other than the paranormal. That is, until the ghost starts leaving them clues.
While I enjoyed this cozy mystery, I’m not sure I’ll be continuing with the series. It has more of an adult mystery feel to it with the drama, not that I’m opposed to breaking the rules of the cozy genre. Lord knows I don’t follow rules in my own writing and I refuse to niche down. My theory on grammar is that if it sounds good, who cares?
With that said, if you’re into a slow-burn almost romance, a borderline abusive ex-husband, a protective dog, and paranormal elements, then this might just be the book for you. Tell me what you think of the Merry Ghost Inn Mystery series.
Raine August 