Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts by Angie Fox

Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts

Book Summary

Ghost hunter Verity Long has forty-eight hours to plan her sister's dream wedding on a budget that wouldn't even cover the cake. The venue? A stunning Irish manor in Jackson, Tennessee—enemy territory for any self-respecting citizen of Sugarland. But the place is perfect, the photos are free, and Melody is over the moon.

There's just one tiny catch. Two dead grooms, fifty years apart. And Alec's timing? It couldn't be worse.

Between her ghostly gangster sidekick Frankie bent on stealing the Irish Crown Jewels, a deadly secret hidden under the wedding chapel, and her sweet skunk Lucy finding romance with a boy skunk from the wrong side of the tracks, Verity's got her hands full. And when someone close to her is murdered, she's running out of time.

Can Verity protect the people she loves and give her sister the wedding of her dreams? Or will she lose everything before Melody can say "I do"?

My Thoughts

Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts by Angie Fox is an entertaining tale. I always look forward to visiting Sugarland, Tennessee where I can catch up with Verity, Frankie, Ellis, Lucy along with the rest of their family and friends.  Verity’s sister, Melody, is getting married at a historic and, you guessed it, haunted mansion in Sugarland’s rival town, Jackson (can things get any worse—of course they can).  Verity has her work cut out for her this time around.  I enjoyed the action, humor, and hijinks. 

Lucy makes a friend and gets into a lot of mischief, much to Verity’s dismay (it is hilarious).  Although I was aware of the perpetrator's identity prior to the discovery of the victim, the mystery remained engaging and amusing.  I laughed, chuckled, and giggled while reading this mirthful story.  Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts is the fifteenth book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Series.  You can read this story on its own, but reading the series in order helps you understand the characters and their relationships better.  Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts is a spirited story with moonshine lessons, a rushed wedding, pilfered jewels, a doomed groom, ghost heists, bachelor party merriment, and, hopefully, a happily ever after. 

Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find the other Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  Follow Angie Fox on Amazon, and they will let you know when she has a new book release.  

Thank you for dropping by today.  On Tuesday, March 3, I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Raging Waters by Dana Mentink.  It is the second book in the Elements of Danger series.  I hope that you will join me (there may be a giveaway).  May you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Secrets, Lies and Fireflies by Angie Fox

 Secrets, Lie and Fireflies

Book Summary

Verity’s grandmother returns to help Verity and Frankie solve a mystery that reveals a shocking family secret, as well as the heartwarming history of Verity’s home. This is one family reunion you don’t want to miss!

My Thoughts

Secrets, Lies and Fireflies by Angie Fox is a humorous story.  I always look forward to my yearly visit to Sugarland, Tennessee.  I can count on laughing often thanks to Verity and Frankie’s antics.  I like Angie Fox’s casual writing style which makes her stories easy to read.  There are great characters that include Verity, Frankie, Melody, Ellis, and the darling Lucy.  I could just envision Lucy in her costume, and I cracked up when I read about Ellis’s.  I loved reading about Verity interactions with her grandmother.  It was obvious how much Verity loved her.  We also get an opportunity to see what the house looked like before Verity had to sell off everything.  

The mystery was entertaining.  I liked that it involved the history of Sugarland. I found the fire devastating (the loss of books and historical documents).    I wish, though, that the guilty party had been less obvious.  This did not lessen my enjoyment (I devoured this story in a couple of hours).  There is a scene with Verity, Verity’s grandmother, and Frankie that had me laughing out loud.  The descriptive details allowed me to envision a certain person in my head which just made me laugh harder (I still giggle when I think about it—I do not want to spoil it for you by saying more).  Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies is the fourteenth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading this entertaining series in order because it will allow you to get to know Verity and Frankie (and understand their unique relationship). I was hoping that Didi, Verity’s grandmother, would have insights on how to free a certain gangster from Verity’s property.   Secrets, Lies and Fireflies is an amusing story with a blazing library, a gregarious ghostly grandmother, a curious key, peaches a plenty, a snazzy sweater, a costumed skunk, an updo hairdo, and an interesting history.  

Secrets, Lies and Fireflies is available from Amazon (make sure you have nowhere to go before you begin). Angie Fox has the 15th book Garters, Ghosts and Wedding Toasts coming out February 27, 2026.   You can find the other books in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  If you follow Angie Fox on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for popping by today.  I will return on Saturday, March 8 with Amish Home Remedy for the Heart by Debra Torres.  I hope that you have a day filled with joy.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox

 Death at the Drive-In

Book Summary

For ghost hunter Verity Long, 'helping out a friend' can mean anything from passing the peas to solving a homicide. This time, it involves digging into a cold case that's been on ice since poodle skirts twirled and Elvis's hips shook the nation.

In 1956, Kitty Cunningham disappeared on the way to the Starlite Drive-In. Now the first real evidence of foul play is coming to light in the ghostly realm—and it links directly to a modern crime. Only a sleuth with one foot in the past can solve the mystery and make things right.

Armed with her wits and flanked by a wise-cracking gangster ghost, Verity explores the hidden side of 1950s Sugarland—from the haunting echoes of the abandoned drive-in to the dusty secrets of a long-forgotten mob vault. As she stirs spirits and secrets alike, she finds some corners of Sugarland’s history are darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Verity bring the truth to light, or will she be the next one to suffer death at the drive-in?

My Thoughts

Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox takes us back to Sugarland, Tennessee where Verity and Frankie need to solve a cold case so they can save someone close to them.  The story was entertaining from beginning to end.  I laughed, giggled, and smiled.  Lucy, Verity’s pet skunk, is a sweetheart (she is a scene stealer).  I thought it was cute that Verity was teaching Lucy a scaled down version of a dog agility course.  Lucy is one clever little skunk.  Frankie is up to his normal mischief.  Verity’s backyard will soon be very cluttered (well, the ghost version will be).  The author brought the drive-in to life with her vivid descriptions.  It reminded me of my childhood visits to the drive-in with my family. We got to meet some interesting ghosts with my favorite being Verity’s old Sunday school teacher. 

Verity and Frankie had a clock on this mystery.  Things were kept lively (life is never dull with Frankie around) thanks to Frankie and the gangsters.  Someone unexpected joins Verity & assisted her with this spooky case. I was delighted (you will have to read the book to find out who) and enjoyed seeing a different side of this person’s personality. Frankie was a hoot (I loved his reaction when Verity requested his help on a clandestine mission).   We did not get to see much of Ellis this time around.  The one thing I did not like was the repetitive details (I got it the first time).  The ending was sweet and nicely wrapped up the story.  While Death at the Drive-In is the thirteenth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, it can be read as a standalone.  Death at the Drive-In is an entertaining tale with a girlfriend dilemma, a shaky still, a cold case, gang grudges, a serious Sunday school teacher, a surprising sidekick, and a killer conclusion.

Death at the Drive-In is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  The next book in the series is Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies which will be out March 7, 2025 (can you believe we have to wait a year!!).  If you follow Angie Fox on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson.  I am heading out to run a few errands.  I hope that you have a blissful spring day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Dread and Buried by Angie Fox

 Dread and Buried

Book Summary

Dead men tell no tales.

Until they meet ghost hunter Verity Long.

Verity Long is proud to say she gets along with just about anybody—dead or alive. But she’s put to the test when her well-meaning boyfriend and her sweet-as-pie sister con her into a remote island “double date” weekend with her sister’s new flame and Verity’s long-time nemesis, Alec Duranja.

Her plans to avoid the uptight police officer go up in smoke when the four of them team up for a weekend treasure hunt competition based on the island’s legendary pirate past. And it doesn’t take long for Verity and her team to discover more than game clues. Someone is using the game to dig up real pirate gold...and they’re willing to kill to keep it.

There’s no escaping the island or the game. And when the killer targets someone Verity loves, she realizes she’s the only one who can uncover the truth behind the legend. She must stay one step ahead of the dangers of the island and two steps ahead of Frankie’s new ghostly pirate buddies—all in a race against time to solve a centuries-old puzzle and take down a real live killer before he strikes again.

My Thoughts

Dread and Buried by Angie Fox is an amusing paranormal mystery.  I laughed often while reading about Verity and Frankie’s latest adventure.  I felt for Verity.  Verity loves her sister, Melody.  Melody’s birthday wish, though, was hard one for Verity to agree to.  Verity and Ellis were invited (like she could refuse) on a weekend double date to a remote island (Phantom Island) with Melody and her boyfriend (Verity’s nemesis), Alec Duranja.  The weekend gets off to a rough start when Verity runs late after forgetting Lucy’s favorite toy.  Melody waits until they are on Phantom Island to inform them the weekend is a treasure hunt, and they are competing against three other teams.  One team is particularly ruthless.  The foursome soon discovers that someone is searching for more than the game's prize.  Verity believes the island’s legend about buried treasure could be true.  She will need to keep her wits about her to stay ahead of the bad guys as well as Frankie and his new pirate chums.

I quickly devoured Dread and Buried.  Verity Long is a great character and so is Frankie.  I did miss Lucy in this book.  She is staying with a friend while Verity is away.  Frankie was not as present in this story.  He popped up now and then when Verity called for him.  I missed his witty repartee.  Alec Duranja is a character that grows on you.  Melody sees a different side of Duranja (who knew the man owned a dog), and she wants Verity to get to know him.  I thought the books she gifted Verity and Duranja were hilarious.  The mystery is fun.  While I found it easy to solve, my mother only solved part of it before the reveal (my mother could not wait to get her hands on this book).  I did find it odd that Melody would date someone who shows such antagonism towards Verity especially considering how accepting and supportive Melody is of Verity’s gift.  Dread and Buried is the twelfth book in A Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading this delightful series in order.  It will allow you to get to know the characters and Verity’s journey (her struggles and triumphs). One of my favorite lines from Dread and Buried is when Frankie says, “Is that a pirate ship in the distance?  he demanded, giddy as a goat in clover.”  Another is when Verity says, “There was something about a mystery that always puts a spring in my step.”   Dread and Buried is an entertaining tale with an isolated island, an infuriating nemesis, a thrilling treasure hunt, sweet skunk earrings, troublesome twin contenders, bothersome books, an unforeseen find, a frustrating Frankie, a precious parrot, and a vexed Verity.

Dread and Buried is available from Amazon*, Nook, and Kobo.  The audiobook will be out on June 6.  Here is a link to read an excerpt from Dread and Buried. You can find the other A Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  You can follow Angie Fox on Amazon and receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, April 25 with Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams.  It is the sixth A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel (and my favorite).  There are several good books coming out next Tuesday (I have been up late reading every night).  I hope that you have an entertaining weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Haunted Homecoming by Angie Fox

    The Haunted Homecoming

   Book Summary

Apple cider, bonfires, football, and—ghosts.

It’s homecoming weekend in Sugarland, Tennessee and ghost hunter Verity Long is tickled to see so many souls—living and dead—back in town to celebrate. But not all reunions are happy ones, and when Verity stumbles upon a dead body by the football field, it appears someone has already evened the score.

   My Thoughts

The Haunted Homecoming by Angie Fox has Verity Long welcoming her mother, Tilly and stepdad to Sugarland, Tennessee for the 106^th Annual Sugarland Homecoming Festival.  The town will be opening their time capsule that weekend as well.  When the time capsule is opened, a woman in a red dress is found dead inside.  It turns out to be Tilly’s best friend who disappeared the night of her homecoming dance.  Tilly asks Verity to investigate and get justice for her friend.  Verity will have to do her sleuthing while helping Frankie evade a Cuban mobster intent on killing him (after a couple of decades of torture).  Verity will need to solve the murder with one reluctant ghost and one overeager mother.

The Haunted Homecoming by Angie Fox is the 10^th The Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but you will be missing out on a delightful series.  I look forward to reading a new Verity and Frankie book each year and so does my mother.  When she heard I had gotten The Haunted Homecoming, she insisted I download it on her device.  I thought The Haunted Homecoming was easy to read with developed characters and plenty of humor.  I laughed often while reading this entertaining tale (and so did my mother).  Verity must deal with her mother who insists on telling people every detail of her life (especially the embarrassing stories and stuff Verity wants kept secret like her ghost hunting adventures).  Frankie, of course, is up to no good.  He has a Cuban mobster gunning for him which has Frankie plotting a way to get even.  The mystery was fun to follow.  A cold case has Verity questioning her mother’s old classmates—those alive and those who have passed.  Verity had plenty of “help” from her mother.  Verity’s mother provided many laugh-out-loud moments that included Lucy’s wearing a cheerleading outfit with a bow for her head and a wreath for Frankie’s shed.  The author ended the book on a cliffhanger which has me eager to read Give Up the Ghost. You cannot help but love a book that makes you laugh and smile.  The Haunted Homecoming is witty tale with an aggrieved girlfriend, a killer Cuban, a rumormonger mother, a freaked-out Frankie, a lovable Lucy, and a vexed Verity.  

The Haunted Homecoming is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  Give Up the Ghost will be the 11th novel in the series and it publishes May 31, 2022.  You can follow Angie Fox on Amazon so you can receive updates on her latest releases.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Complications by Danielle Steel.  I hope that you have a spirited day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Werewolves of London by Angie Fox

 

Book Summary

Werewolves of London by Angie Fox has Dr. Petra Robichaud being asked an important question when an interrupted by an emergency.  Galen has returned wounded and he has brought a severely wounded woman with him.  Galen broke her heart when he left.  Petra may have moved on with Marc, but she has not forgotten the wonderful warrior.  She does not have time to dwell on the repercussions of Galen’s return because the cease fire is over.  Wounded begin pouring into the camp and to top it off, a new prophecy is announced. As if Petra does not have enough going on, she receives an invitation to Medusa’s baby shower.  The Gorgon will soon give birth, but first Petra must come up with a baby gift before her transport arrives.  What role will Petra play in the latest prophecy?  Why does Galen’s return signal?  Is there a way to end this blasted war forever? 

My Thoughts

Werewolves of London by Angie Fox is the final novel in The Monster MASH trilogy.  While this paranormal tale can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order.  It will give you a better understanding of the characters and what is happening.  Angie Fox has given us another engaging story with unique characters, interesting storyline, and plenty of humor.  Everything comes to a head in Werewolves of London.  There is plenty going on in this book.  Petra’s current boyfriend, Marc is ready for the next step, but Petra has yet to get over Galen.  Galen, the former demigod, returns with a wounded dragon shifter who has had dreams of Petra, the one who can see the dead.  The cease fire is over which has wounded pouring into the MASH unit.  They need to keep Galen and his guest under wraps.  Petra will have to trust others if they are going to pull it off.  A new prophecy is announced that involves Petra and a bronze weapon.  It is time for Medusa’s baby shower and Petra’s attendance is requested (it is not a good idea to say no to a pregnant Gorgon).  Medusa will give birth soon and Petra has no idea what to expect.  Petra must also figure out which man is the right one for her.  I laughed often while reading the Werewolves of London. Medusa’s baby shower and the Gorgon birth were a riot.  I enjoy Angie Fox’s conversational writing style which makes her stories a joy to read.  The climax was fabulous with a charming ending.  Werewolves of London is a diverting tale with outrageous oracles, a crazed chimera, a gorgeous Galen, a wistful werewolf, an offbeat baby shower, a bothersome bronze blade, and puzzling prophecies.  

Werewolves of London can be obtained from Amazon*.  The other novels in The Monster MASH Trilogy are The Monster MASH and The Transylvania Twist.  You can find Angie Fox's other novels here.  Angie has The Haunted Homecoming releases August 17.  It is the 10th book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries starring Verity Long, Frankie, and Lucy.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  On Thursday, I am featuring Frothy Foul Play by Tonya Kappes.  It is the 9th A Killer Coffee Mystery.  I hope you have a killer day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Transylvania Twist by Angie Fox

Book Summary

The Transylvania Twist by Angie Fox has Dr. Petra Robichaud treating a pregnant Medusa at MASH 3063^rd.  There has been peace between the warring armies for the last three weeks.  They have transformed the MASH unit into supernatural clinic which is how Petra came to treat the Gorgon.  But then a new prophecy is delivered, and it has both sides gearing up.  Petra receives a note asking her to meet someone at the burned-out showers.  Petra expects it to be Galen, but instead it is Marc, the boyfriend she thought had been dead the last ten years.  He needs Petra to speak with a murdered colleague in his research lab at the Old Gold Army camp.  It seems that the enemy is developing a deadly weapon.  To get more information, Petra needs to speak with the recently departed.  Petra will need help from her werewolf roommate if she is going to go AWOL.  Petra hopes she makes is back alive because Marc has some questions to answer.

My Thoughts

The Transylvania Twist by Angie Fox is a humorous paranormal romance.  Dr. Petra Robichaud is an intelligent, strong protagonist.  She must be if she is going to treat a pregnant Medusa and not be turned to stone.  I like the quirky characters in this engaging series.  While The Transylvania Twist is the 2^nd book in The Monster MASH trilogy, it can be read on its own.  Everything a reader needs to know is included.  Angie Fox has an engaging writing style.  She draws you into the story and holds onto you until the very end.  Petra has some unique roommates with a vampire and a Star Trek figurine loving werewolf. The storyline is creative.  A war between new golds and old gods playing out in limbo with an assortment of creatures and humans.  The word imagery allows me to visualize the scenes including Petra’s cobbled together lab.  I laughed often while reading this amusing tale.  I especially enjoyed the banter between Petra and her werewolf roommate.  The Transylvania Twist blends suspense, romance, mystery, and humor into one engaging read.  You have to wonder if Petra will survive a murdered ghost, a roommate’s prolific rumors, a flirtatious goddess, a pregnant gorgon, a hellish hole, and an overflow of figurines in her bunk.  The last third of the book had me quickly turning the pages to find out what happened. The Transylvania Twist is a fun, quirky story with a prickly pregnancy, an excess of Stark Trek collectibles, a statistic loving sphinx, predictive prophecies, a back-from-the-dead beau, a damaging ghost, a daring shapeshifting dragon, and a rare rock.  

The Transylvania Twist is available from Amazon*.  The first novel in The Monster MASH Trilogy is The Monster MASH.  Werewolves of London is the final book in the trilogy and it will release on February 23.  You can find Angie Fox's other novels here.  The Haunted Homecoming is the 10th The Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery.  It will be out on August 17.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Harlequin Tour for Someone to Trust by Patricia Davids.  It is the 4th book in North Country Amish series.  I hope that you have a cheery day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Monster MASH by Angie Fox

Book Summary

The Monster MASH by Angie Fox has Dr. Petra Robichaud working in a MASH unit in limbo after being recruited (shanghaied is more liked it) by the New God Army. She has spent the last seven years trying to save the creatures who are fighting in the war between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Petra has a special gift that could get her killed if the gods become aware of it.  The only person in her life who knew the truth was her father.  Commander Galen of Delphi is on her table and his soul is leaving his body.  Petra cannot let him die.  She grabs his soul and puts it back into his body bringing Galen back to life.  Petra hopes Galen does not remember what happened, but she knows that he looked right at her.  Unfortunately, Galen does recall what happened despite Petra’s denials.  He believes Petra is the one mentioned in an old prophecy that could finally end the very long war.  When prophecies begin coming true, Petra can no longer ignore the inevitable.  Petra cannot help but wonder what she must sacrifice in order to end the lengthy war.   

 My Thoughts

The Monster MASH is the beginning of a new series for Angie Fox.  It is a departure from The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries with Verity and Frankie.  Petra is a strong woman who is used to taking care of others and having no personal life.  I did find some of Petra’s characteristics to be contrary with this image especially where romance is concerned.  There are a variety of eclectic characters including a vegetarian werewolf, a diva vampire, a demigod warrior, and a riddle happy sphinx security guard.  I thought the authors descriptive word imagery brought the scenes to life.  I could imagine the stark landscape of limbo where Petra is forced to live and work.  There are a couple of humorous moments.  I wish there had been more of them to lighten up the story.  The Monster MASH has danger, romance, creepy monsters, controlling gods, conflict, death, and horrible food.  For those who like the series MASH and paranormal stories, you will enjoy reading The Monster MASH.  It is a quick story to read with a preview of what happens in the next installment.  The Monster MASH is an intriguing new paranormal series with a dangerous demigod, problematic roommates, nosy neighbors, multiplying swamp lizards, noteworthy news on the paranormal network, a security sphinx, and a physician with a private power.

The Monster MASH is available from Amazon*.  The other two novels in The Monster MASH series are The Transylvania Twist which releases January 26, 2021 and Werewolves of London which will be out on February 23, 2021.  You can find Angie Fox's A Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  Verity and Frankie's next adventure is The Haunted Homecoming which publishes on August 17, 2021.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope everyone is having a relaxing holiday season.  I will return tomorrow with Amish Secrets by Marta Perry.  It is the 3rd book in the River Haven series.  I do hope you have a peaceful day (before the excitement of New Year's Eve).  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Southern Bred and Dead by Angie Fox

Book Summary

Southern Bred and Dead by Angie Fox has Verity Long dressed up and heading to a Sugarland Heritage Society fundraiser at the Three Angels of the Tabernacle Blessed Reform Church of Sugarland (that is a mouthful).  Verity is meeting up with Jorie Davis who has some mementoes of Verity’s grandmother that she wants to give her.  Verity is touched by the items Jorie has for her.  She steps back to her car for a moment to secure an item and Jorie disappears.  Verity hears a scream and sees Jorie fall from the church bell tower to her death.  The photograph Jorie had for Verity is gone.  Verity knows it was not an accident and despite Ellis’ disapproval, she sets out learn the truth.  Verity is also helping Frankie confront his brother, Lou.  Frankie wants answers (no matter how he has to get them).  Verity and Frankie are in for a busy and eventful week.

My Thoughts

Southern Bred and Dead by Angie Fox is the 9^th tale in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new this engaging paranormal series.  Verity Long lives with her pet skunk, Lucy and her ghostly friend, Frankie “the German” Winkelmann.  One day Verity accidentally dumped Frankie’s ashes out of the urn and onto a rose bush.  That is the day she met her first ghost--Frankie and it has been a wild ride ever since.  I thought Southern Bred and Dead was well-written with developed characters and steady pacing.  Sugarland, Tennessee is a small Southern town full of quirky residents.  We get to meet Maybelle Clemens who is quite a character.  She comes from a family of ministers, so she likes to go out of her way to shock people with her behavior.  I liked all the action in this book.   Verity has her hands full in Southern Bred and Dead.  She must find out who killed Jorie Davis, who was an old friend of her grandmother’s.  Frankie wants to know why his brother, Lou killed him.  To top it all off, Ellis is not happy with Verity’s ghost hunting business and it has caused a rift in their relationship.  The mystery surrounding the death of Jorie was multifaceted.  It was interesting and fun to solve (I love figuring out the guilty party before the reveal).  I liked learning more about Frankie and his family.  We finally learn why Frankie was killed.  I found Southern Bred and Dead to be a more serious book than the others in this series.  There are humorous moments especially with Maybelle, but it lacked that laugh-out-loud humor that is normally present.  That did not hinder my reading enjoyment.  I love visiting Sugarland with its unique residents, cozy small-town feel, plethora of specters, and Southern manners.  Let us not forget the adorable Lucy.  My favorite part of the book was Verity at the speakeasy.  She gets to enjoy some jazz music, meet a new friend, and experience a felonious first courtesy of Frankie.  Southern Bred and Dead is a delight with menacing mobsters, frightening phantoms, a deadly dagger, a bothered beau, a pious pastor, and a sweet skunk.

Southern Bred and Dead is available from Amazon* as well as Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and iBooks.  You can find the other novels in  The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries here.  Southern Spirits is the first book and the digital version is currently free on Amazon.  The next novel in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries is The Haunted Homecoming which will be out on August 17, 2021 (yes, we must wait a year!).  You can find Angie Fox's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am discussing Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien.  It is the 6th A Noodle Shop Mystery.  I hope that you have a whimsical day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!  

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.