Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman by Traci Wilton

 Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman

Book Summary

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, this fun, cozy series sees a widowed B&B owner teaming up with a charming ghost to solve murders—an engaging read for fans who like a paranormal tinge to their mysteries.

 

Saturday night at the movies has some added flair now that Darren and Elise Shultz are reopening one of Salem’s classic theaters. Charlene is delighted to help the couple with their venture, and Darren has lined up a cult classic double-header featuring Lon Chaney in The Wolfman. But things get hairier than expected when Elise starts to choke on her popcorn mid-movie—and once the lights go up, she’s dead . . .

When tests reveal Elise's popcorn was poisoned, Detective Sam Holden eyes her husband as the guilty party. Charlene doesn’t believe Darren would hurt his wife—even if his company’s specialty seasoned salts were sprinkled on the fatal snack. But who else had a motive to do something so unsavory? With a little help from Jack, the handsome ghost who haunts her B&B, Charlene delves into the ill-fated couple’s past. And the more she learns, the more Charlene wonders if this time, she’s bitten off more than she can chew . . .

My Thoughts

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman by Traci Wilton takes us to Salem, Massachusetts where Charlene and Avery are getting ready to view Lon Chaney in The Wolfman.  Darren and Elise have renovated (resurrected) an old movie theater.  The Spellbound Movie Theater will feature Darren’s creative seasoned salts which will be served with fresh popped popcorn and locally made soft pretzels.  Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman is the seventh A Salem B&B Mystery and it can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  The main characters (Charlene, Avery, Jack) are developed and realistic.  I love Avery’s enthusiasm.  Avery is going to make an excellent police officer (I have a feeling that it will not take her long to become a detective).  

I normally have an easy time reading the books in this series, but I found myself struggling this time around.  There were some aspects of the book that I found disturbing (not in a fun way).   I enjoyed the descriptions of Charlene’s B&B as well as the movie theater.  The mystery was unique for a cozy mystery as well as a little odd.  I liked the way the victim was killed.  There are a large handful of suspects.  The details of the crime such as the suspects and how the victim died are rehashed multiple times (I got it the first time).  The crime can be solved long before the reveal if you pay close attention to the details (an episode of CSI that I watched many years ago gave me a leg up).  I did find the reveal to be a tad longwinded and dramatic.  There was one aspect that I wish had not been included.  I did tire of Sam warning Charlene and Avery to stay away from the theater and suspects (wild horses could not keep them away from trouble).

I enjoyed Jack’s input.  His background was helpful.  The epilogue helped wrap things up.  I am probably in the minority, but I am not a fan of Sam for Charlene.  I feel she needs a modern version of Jack.  Someone who appreciates her intelligence and enthusiasm for mysteries (not someone who tells her to keep away from the whodunits). I like how the author tied the mystery to Lon Chaney’s The Wolfman.  Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman is a hair-raising tale with a magnificent movie theater, appetizing popcorn, a poisoned partner, ghost stories, tasty seasoned salts, startling suspects, and a howling whodunit.  

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman is available from Amazon*.  The next A Salem B&B Mystery is Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid which will be out on February 20, 2024. You can find the other six A Salem B&B Mysteries here.  You can follow Traci Wilton on Amazon and receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  On August 29, I will return to share my thoughts on My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine.  I am off to put my feet up.  I am still suffering from swollen feet (and ankles) and a rash on the same areas (thanks to the heat).  I hope that fall arrives soon.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton

 Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past

Book Summary

Salem, Massachusetts B&B owner Charlene Morris is looking into a holiday hit-and-run, with a little help from her ghostly housemate . . .
 
Charlene’s parents are in town for Christmas, and her mother is driving her up a tree. Her bed-and-breakfast’s resident ghost, Jack, isn’t fond of her either—and he’s showing it with some haunting high jinks. But when Charlene takes her mom and dad out for dinner, the less-than-seasonal spirits take a deadly turn.
 
David Baldwin has just won a fortune in the lottery—and it adds a lot of drama to the charity auction he’s hosting at his restaurant. When he caps off the evening by playing Santa and handing out checks to some of the attendees, the mood shifts . . . and Charlene observes mysterious tensions between David and his flashy, bleached-blonde wife, his neglected teenage son from a previous marriage, and his hostile business partner, among others. And they’re only a few on the long list of potential suspects when David runs into the road and is mowed down by a fleeing motorist. Now it looks like it’s going to be homicide for the holidays . . 

My Thoughts

Charlene Morris and parents are dining at Bella’s in Salem, Massachusetts.  It is a charity dinner to raise funds for Felicity House.  After an awkward moment involving envelopes, David Baldwin (the restaurant’s co-owner) starts acting odd.  He takes off running outside where he is hit by a car which promptly takes off.  David has just won the lottery which had people coming out of the woodwork with their hands out.  He has a wife who was enjoying the riches, but she is also has a boy toy on the side.  Charlene sets out to dig up the truth.  She is also trying to raise funds so the kids at Felicity House can have a happy holiday since someone decided to put the kibosh on a donation.  Can Charlene wrap up the mystery before Christmas Eve?  

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton is the third novel in A Salem B&B Mystery series.  I would suggest reading the series in order.  I found myself a little confused for the first couple of chapters (and I have read Mrs. Morris and the Ghost).  There were so many characters introduced that I found it hard to keep everyone straight (it gets better after the first couple of chapters).  We get to meet Charlene’s parents who are in town for ten days (and Charlene is counting down the days).  I like Charlene’s father, but her mother is a piece of work (a real negative nelly).  I just love Jack, the resident ghost of the bed and breakfast.  He is handsome, kind, caring, thoughtful, and amusing.  Jack pulls some humorous pranks.  I love the setting of Salem.  It is a wonderful town rich in history.  I enjoy the vivid descriptions of the area as well as Charlene’s beautiful bed and breakfast.  Charlene actively investigates the hit-and-run.  She asks questions and happens to overhear some pertinent information.  There is a red herring or two along with plenty of suspects.  I liked the mystery.  You need to pay close attention to the clues if you are to identify the guilty party.  I do not know why Sam bothers to tell Charlene to stay out of the case.  He should know by now that she is not going to do it.  I love how Jack helps Charlene work through the clues.  I would like to see more of Jack in future books (he needs to work on his jealousy though).  There is a great Christmassy atmosphere in the story.  I thought it was wonderful what Charlene is trying to do to help Felicity House.  Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining cozy mystery (except for Charlene’s mother).  Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is a charming whodunit with flavorful pasta fagioli, a deadly hit-and-run, a glum mum, a jealous Jack, a dearth of donations, a handy new helper, and a Happy Holiday!

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Salem B&B Mysteries here.  The first novel in A Salem B&B Mysteries is Mrs. Morris and the Ghost and it is on Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for visiting today.  I will be back tomorrow with Christmas with the Bobby Girls by Johanna Bell.  It is the 3rd book in The Bobby Girls series.  I need to go get gift bags for the larger gifts today (without spending a mint).  If I can find a mermaid bag for my youngest niece, it would be fabulous.  She is into mermaids this year (made shopping easier).  I found shopping for my oldest niece the hardest.  She is twelve going on thirty.  Too old for toys but too young for some of the teen items (make up for example).  I hope you have a jolly 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.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton

Happy Book Release Day!  Here are a few of the books that came out today:  Penne Dreadful by Catherine Bruns, Death in a Budapest Butterfly by Julia Buckley, Needled to Death by Annelise Ryan, Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton, And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder, and A Family for Gracie by Amy Lillard.  Which book are you looking forward to reading?

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton is the first novel in A Salem B&B Mystery series.  Charlene Morris is a widow who is moving from Chicago to Salem, Massachusetts for a fresh start.  She purchased an 8,000 square foot mansion, sight unseen, and plans to open Charlene’s Bed and Breakfast by Halloween.  After getting the furniture moved in and enjoying a meal at a local Italian restaurant, Charlene drifts off to sleep.  She awakens in the middle of a stormy night to find an elegantly attired man in her bedroom.  Dr. Jack Strathmore IV introduces himself and asks for Charlene’s assistance in proving he was murdered three years ago.  Charlene is the first person that can see Jack and he cannot move on until this is resolved.  If Charlene wants to get her new bed and breakfast ready for occupancy in a month and not have her new guests scared away by Jack, she will need to investigate.  It is one way to get to know Salem and its residents!

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is an enjoyable new cozy mystery.  Charlene Morris lost the love of her life eighteen months ago and every where she goes in Chicago there are reminders.  She has purchased a massive mansion in Salem, based on pictures sent to her by the realtor, where she plans on opening a bed and breakfast.  She wants it to be an elegant establishment.  Having a resident ghost was not the plans even if he is handsome and charming.  Dr. Jack Strathmore IV is convinced he was murdered three years ago and believes it is the reason for why he is unable to move on to the great beyond.  Charlene is the first person who can see Jack and he needs her help.  I like Traci Wilton’s conversational writing style.   It is engaging and made this new cozy mystery easy to read. Charlene is a strong protagonist who is ready to move forward with her life away from her meddlesome mother.  I found Charlene’s first reaction to Jack to be realistic and humorous.  Jack is a great character.  He has charm, wit, twinkling blue eyes and is a snappy dresser.  Charlene sets out to discover who harmed Jack by talking with his wife, old friends, Detective Sam Holden, and the coroner.  Charlene has all the subtly of a bulldozer.  She is direct and pushy which leads to some ticked off individuals (but it is just her first time investigating). This whodunit can be solved before the reveal courtesy of the less than subtle clues.  Charlene has a couple of men interested in her including Sam Holden.  I would like less romance in future books (lots of flirting) and a more action packed mystery.  I thought the story lagged during the middle and could have benefited from a peppier pace.  The ending was a delight and left me smiling.  A Persian named Silva joins Charlene in her new home.  The cat’s antics had me giggling and I thought Traci Wilton captured a cat’s demeanor perfectly.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Charlene’s beautiful new home, the furniture and the sights of Salem.  The author took the time to establish the main characters and setting the stage for the series (wonderful world building).  The first chapter of Mrs. Morris and the Witch is at the end of the book.  Mrs. Morris and the Ghost has a magnificent mansion, a pretty Persian, flirtatious fellows, a gallant ghost, and a reluctant gumshoe.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is available on Amazon today.  Mrs. Morris and the Witch comes out April 28, 2020. Thank you for stopping by today.  I am featuring A Whisker in the Dark by Leighann Dobbs tomorrow.  It is the second novel in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series.  May you have a sunny day (we are experiencing an abnormal amount of rain lately in my area).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader