130) Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell

The Blurb :

San Francisco millionaire Andrew Stirling wants to sell his Victorian mansion, but ghostly music, the squeaking of a long-disappeared weathervane, and an angry ghost keep running off potential buyers. After a famous psychic is called in, she informs the Stirlings that their multi-million-dollar renovations to “update” the home have left its resident ghost extremely agitated. So contractor Mel Turner is engaged to track down and replace some of the original features of the house.

But when the beautiful psychic is found stabbed, it appears someone had a very human motive for murder. Now Mel must use her ghost whispering gift to uncover the secrets of the haunted house on the hill, and her sleuthing skills to catch a killer.

My Thoughts :

I took a bit of a reading break over the Christmas holidays because I just didn't have time to read!  However I wanted to finish one last book before the New Year started and of course it was nice to see my total books read for 2015 to be a nice round 130.  I only challenged myself to 100 so I did very well!  Hopefully next year will be just as good!

Anyway, I love this series.  A cozy mystery with paranormal elements is always a winner and this series has never disappointed.  This sixth installment sees two hauntings being solved and Mel's love life taking a turn.  There is also a lovely home involved that includes secret passages and a widow's walk.  The author really does know how to keep things interesting.

The mystery was interesting enough and the historical elements as well as the hauntings make this series well worth reading.  I enjoy the renovation elements and love the location and characters.  There is just so many good aspects of this series to count.

Juliet Blackwell also writes another paranormal cozy series also based in San Francisco and any cozy mystery lover will enjoy both.  You don't really have to enjoy the Supernatural to enjoy the books because the style and plot are just good enough as it is.

153) Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell

The Blurb :

Lately, Mel has been worried about finding enough historic renovation work to pay the bills. But while Turner Construction is in need of a project, Mel’s boyfriend, Graham, has his hands full managing the reconstruction of an ancient building shipped over from Scotland.

With the job plagued by rumors that the stones are cursed, Graham brings in Mel to look for paranormal activity. And while the ghost of a charming Scottish clansman does seem to be hanging around the site, the real shock comes when they stumble upon a body.

When the original construction crew starts running scared, Mel brings in her team to finish the job. Now all she has to do is nail down the killer, and put the spirits to rest, before anyone else winds up heading for the highlands…

My Thoughts :

My last read of 2014!  A pre-order of a must read series/author that has been sitting on my Kindle since it released.  However I don't get to read everything as soon as it comes out.  Time permitting I try but lately it takes me a lot longer than I would like.

This is the fifth installment of the Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries and I will admit straight away that it wasn't my favourite.  The plot was interesting enough but for some reason this one felt a little flat compared to the other books in the series.  The idea of moving a building from Scotland actually amused me.  I am sure this kind of thing happens but it seems like a silly thing to do.

The ghostly aspect of the story was ok but not that impressive when I think back on the previous books.  Mel being away from home and her usual comfort zone didn't help the story much and her relationship with Graham came across as a friendship when I thought they were a lot more.

A great read but there was something lacking.  It hasn't put me off the series in anyway and Keeper of the Castle gets four stars from me but the rest of the series has impressed me more.

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