Review - Mrs Morris and the Vampire

I have hopped around with this series, reading ones that interest me in the moment.  I picked this as perfect for Halloween.

1st  Mrs. Mossis and the Ghost

2nd  Mrs. Morris and the Witch 

6th  Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold

Author: Traci Wilton

Copyright: August 2021 (Kensington Cozies) 338 pgs

Series: 5th in Salem B&B Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Charlene Morris, Salem B&B owner

Setting: Modern day, Salem Massachusets

Obtained Through: library 

Book Blurb: "It’s B&B owner Charlene Morris’s second Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, and one she won’t soon forget when a self-proclaimed vampire is murdered . . .

 

Charlene’s bed and breakfast is fully booked with guests wanting to experience Salem’s wildest holiday—especially the annual Witch Ball, held at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. At the dance, actual witch and winery owner Brandy Flint has her back up over her daughter Serenity’s new beau—it’s bad enough he’s a decade older, he also claims to be a vampire from Romania.

 

As for Charlene, with handsome ghost Dr. Jack Strathmore haunting her B&B, she has developed an open mind regarding the supernatural. But her mind is blown when the clock strikes midnight, the lights flare and dim, and the vampire vanishes—leaving behind only his cape and a wooden stake with a thick red substance on the sharp tip. The next morning, a naked man washes up on the shore with a hole punched through his chest, and Detective Sam Holden has a homicide on his hands. Now Charlene and Jack must put their heads together to find out who staged the trick to stake a vampire . . ." 

My Thoughts:

Charlene is an enjoyable character. She is determined, thoughtful, and a good hostess.  I don't think I could have a parade of people through my house and enjoy them like she does.  This has all the atmosphere for a great Halloween read with vampires, witches, ghosts, and underground tunnels with Salem's tragic past. You might think it is more paranormal from the subject, but Jack's ghost is the only such element.  Everything else has a human explanation, so don't let that deter you.  I can't leave out Silva, her plush white cat who is always up to something and is featured on the cover wearing a costume.

It is a shame that Jack is a ghost because he would be a perfect romantic partner with how he supports Charlene's sleuthing efforts.  Sigh. This is so reminiscent of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. 

The plot is just tangled enough to keep you guessing and the killer reveal wasn't completely a surprise to me (I'd had a few suspicions), but it will startle many I think.  I breezed through this fun adventure in short time as the pacing kept my interest.  The killer reveal had some tense moments and I loved it.  The wrap-up answered any remaining questions and I miss Charlene and Jack already.

My only hesitation and thing I would change is how the source of most conflict in the story is between Charlene and her potential romantic interest, police detective Sam Holden.  This is actually a pet peeve of mine and this series has Charlene sleuthing then trying to make up for it endlessly with Sam.  In a prior book he even arrested her for interferring. That is so wishy-washy of Charlene in my opinion and the two aren't compatible with that dynamic, at all.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

Here is a short video of sites in Salem.

https://youtu.be/O0W8zBCui-M

Review - Mrs. Morris and the Witch

I found this series and have been skipping around reading it.  It is a good series for approaching Halloween.  See what you think.

1) Mrs. Morris and the Ghost (click here)

6) Mrs Morris and the Pot of Gold (click here)

I am reviewing the second in the series today, hope you enjoy.

Author: Traci Wilton

Copyright: April 2020 (Kensington Cozies) 219 pgs

Series: 2nd in Salem B&B Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Charlene Morris, new B&B owner

Setting: Modern day, Salem, Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Halloween is the biggest holiday of the year in Salem, Massachusetts—but when B&B owner Charlene Morris finds the dead body of a witch, it spells trouble . . .

Charlene, recently widowed, has renovated her historic mansion just in time to greet guests arriving for the town’s annual Halloween festivities. She’s lucky to have a helpful staff to provide support—as well as a handsome ghost named Jack standing invisibly by her side.

Unfortunately, while the revelers head out on haunted tours, have their fortunes told, or grab a drink at Brews and Broomsticks, a killer walks among them. When Charlene discovers Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop, she starts getting cozy with the local coven, looking for clues to locate the crafty culprit. Salem may be famous for the false accusations of witchery in centuries past, but this time someone is genuinely guilty—of murder . . ." 

My Thoughts:

Charlene, recently moved from Chicago and is still missing her deceased husband but she is adapting to her new life in historic Salem as a B&B owner. Jack Strathmore is the extremely handsome ghost who owned the family mansion and chose to stay with Charlene when he could have "gone to the light".  Their relationship is enough for both of them at the moment which is a unique approach.  Will Johnson and wife Minnie are her small staff and delightful.  Detective Sam Holden, six foot tall resembling the actor Sam Elliot, is fond of Charlene but being patient.  Silva is her plush white cat who is a sweet cat with little antics.

In this book in the series, Salem is used and adds quite a bit to the story.  The plot was just complex enough to provide some twists. The climax was well done and provided some good chills and tension.

This has an enjoyable heroine, handsome flirty ghost, nicely developed murder mystery, and good pacing.  This is cozy goodness and an entertaining mystery. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Review - Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold

 Salem, Massachusetts, B&B owner Charlene Morris will need the luck of the Irish—and the help of a ghost—to unveil a hooded killer 

First book in the series is Mrs. Morris and the Ghost (click here) 

Author: Traci Wilton

Copyright: Aug 2022 (Kensington Books) 306 pgs

Series: 6th in Salem B&B Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Charlene Morris, new B&B owner

Setting: Modern day, Salem, Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Charlene has hired a van to ferry her B&B guests to an all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club—but she should have booked a hearse. It’s never a good sign when the family black sheep drunkenly crashes a party by punching the guy dressed as a leprechaun. But things go from troublesome to fatal when Charlene stumbles upon a second brawl in an upper room—and this fight Connor Gallagher loses, his anonymous assailant rushing past Charlene, hidden by a hoodie.

 Now Detective Sam Holden has another homicide on his hands, with Charlene as the only eyewitness. Even if she can’t give the police sketch artist much to go on, Charlene is determined to ID the murderer, with the help of Dr. Jack Strathmore, the charming ghost who haunts her B&B. The answer lies in the motive, and to uncover that sleuth and spook will need to shine a light on Connor’s shady past—before the killer pulls another Irish goodbye . . ." 

Charlene, previously of Chicago, still misses her deceased husband but she has settled into her new life in historic Salem as a B&B owner. Jack Strathmore is the extremely handsome ghost who owned the family mansion and chose to stay with Charlene when he could have "gone to the light".  Their relationship is enough for both of them at the moment.  Will Johnson and Minnie, her small staff, are delightful as grounds maintenance and cook/housekeeper.  Avery is a teen who works part-time and has become like family to Charlene.  Detective Sam Holden is six foot and resembles the actor Sam Elliot, and is fond of Charlene but waiting for her grieving to end.  Silva is her plush white cat who is a sweet cat with little antics.  To complicate things further, Charlene's parents come for a surprise visit.  Charlene and her mother historically have a contentious relationship, so she isn't happy to see them.

The setting of Salem wasn't utilized particularly. Rather, the Irish annual celebration takes center stage in this outing.  The investigation takes place in and around caring for and entertaining her B&B guests.  The plot has some meaty aspects and the murderer isn't easy to detect.  There is plenty going on and keeps the readers interest.  The climax was nail biting and quite suspenseful.  

This is a perfect mix of tenacious heroine, flirty ghost, well developed murder mystery, and spot on writing.  This is a cozy goodness and the Jack makes a charming ghost for the ideal entertaining mystery.  I am now on a mission to read the ealier books I've missed.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Book Review - Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas

One more holiday read that I didn't get reviewed sooner.  Lynn Cahoon's Kitchen Witch Mysteries.  This is part of the Lynn Cahoon's Kitchen Witch world and characters, but not officially part of the series because it is a novella.  I have placed it roughly after the second book (Two Wicked Desserts), although I could be wrong.

Author: Lynn Cahoon

Copyright: Oct 2021 (Kensington)

Series: 2.5 in Kitchen Witch Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy paranormal mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Mia Malone, owner cook school and dinner delivery business 

Setting: Contemporary--Magic Springs, Idaho

Obtained Through: Netgalley for honest review

Book blurb "For all its merriment, Christmas can also bring melancholy—and in Magic Springs, Idaho, Mia finds that the season has brought her an unhappy ghost who’s pulling poltergeist-style pranks to get her attention. When she demands an explanation, the ghost just sends a message: Ask Mary Alice—that is, Mia’s beloved Grans, who’s been training her to develop her witchy talents. If anyone can figure this out, it’s Grans . . . even if she still hasn’t managed to free Mia’s cat from a previous spell that she cast.

The restless spirit turns out to be Magic Spring’s most well-known ghost, Dorothy, who supposedly died peacefully in her sleep. Now Dorothy claims she was murdered, and she wants her killer brought to justice. And she doesn’t have much patience about it, so the pressure is on Mia—with some help from her boyfriend, Trent, and a strangely secretive Grans. There aren’t many dicing-and-chopping days till Christmas—but this year, the most important gift Mia can give is to cheer up this troubled spirit . . ."

This was my first of this series and it stands well on its own as a complete story.  Mia is a powerhouse of energy and drive.  I enjoyed her relationship with her grandmother and boyfriend, Trent. This is a short and light mystery that heavily features the preparations for a big holiday open house for Mia's business. Dorothy's ghost keeps talking about a deadline that she has to get the killer caught by, which provides a little surprise at the end.  This was well rounded even though a novella.  The ghostly elements aren't scary but provide the impetus to investigate.

Rating: Good - A fun quick read

Review - Mrs. Morris and the Ghost

I discovered this series in my search for Halloween-ish mysteries to celebrate the season.  I am so glad I found it, because I am already eager to read the rest of the series.  If you aren't familiar with this series, see my thoughts on it below. 

Author: Traci Wilton

Copyright: July 2019 (Kensington Cozies) 332 pgs

Series: 1st in Salem B&B Mystery series

Sensuality:  Adult topics discussed

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Charlene Morris, new owner of Strathmore mansion. 

Setting: Contemporary.  Salem, Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Library

Book blurb: "A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start—so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore—and explains that he used to live here—when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won’t be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she’ll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . ."  But Jack's isn't the only murder Charlene will deal with.

Charlene Morris is truly missing her deceased husband and Chicago held too many memories.  She is a "go-getter" with lots of drive and energy. Jack Strathmore is the extremely handsome ghost who owned the family mansion and believes he hasn't moved on because he was murdered.  He can be a bit pushy since he was catered to in life and was a renowned doctor.  Will Johnson and Minnie are her first staff hires.  Will handles the landscaping and maintains the grounds and his wife, Minnie, is housekeeper and cook.  Detective Sam Holden is six foot and looks like the actor Sam Elliot, mustache and all. He is pointedly interested in Charlene. 

The setting of Salem is just touched on in this first book since the mansion being turned into the Bed & Breakfast is the main stage for the story.  I look forward to more about Salem in future books.  The story moves along at a steady pace and kept my interest.  

The killer reveal was well done and I hadn't considered that character as the murdered.  The reveal was tense and played out logically.  I really liked the wrap-up and wonder how the situation with handsome Jack the ghost will develop over the series.

My Thoughts:  I found this to be a delightful ghostly cozy mystery.  I am looking forward to the next in the series already and wish I would have discovered it sooner.  A perfect mix of tenacious heroine, flirty ghost, well developed murder mystery, and spot on writing.  This is great for anytime of the year, not just Halloween.  I can't help but think this might be inspired by the movie The Ghost and Mrs Muir.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list