by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Ghosts of Misty Hollow. We also have a link to order it from Amazon.

Newly engaged, Californians Emma Whitecastle and Phil Bowers have been invited by bestselling crime writer Gino Costello to stay at Misty Hollow, a historic farmhouse in central Massachusetts. While they first met due to their daughters being best friends, it is Emma’s ghostly experiences that have Gino so intrigued and wanting to research for his next novel. The host of her own television show and able to see and talk to ghosts, Emma realizes that this will be anything but a relaxing vacation when they are greeted not only by Gino, but by a family of ghosts expecting her help.

After sending her ever-present ghostly great-great-great-grandmother “Granny” Ish Reynolds off to learn what she can from the formerly living Brown family, Emma and Phil cope with Gino’s rather turbulent domestic situation. His socialite fourth wife Vanessa dislikes the house, Gino’s writing schedule, Massachusetts, and is not very impressed with Emma either. Gino’s assistant Leroy has a similar elitist attitude, while housekeeper Marta clutches her cross whenever she glances at Emma. It’s a stressful situation rippling with tension, which explains why Gino is so eager to abandon his work and join in on Emma’s ghostly mission.

The diaphanous Brown family is represented by Blaine, who asks for Emma’s help in discovering what happened to the two children who went missing in the late 1800s. A delightful retired librarian known to see ghosts aids in their mission, which hits a speed bump as the result of a very current murder. Hoping to wrap things up before their daughters arrive for their own visit, Emma, Phil, and Gino must investigate crimes from two different timelines without becoming ghosts themselves.

Sue Ann Jaffarian can always be relied upon for deeply empathetic characters and plotting that is as original as it is clever. She achieves the difficult task of making the mysteries of the past and present equally captivating, with the characters just as fully developed and real. Granny is feisty but caring, and the logical rules of hauntings allow her to be a vital member of the investigating team. As surprising as welcoming is the introduction of Gino, a very layered man who proves to be a vulnerable but very capable investigator as he becomes enmeshed with their quest. This series continues to feature vast amounts of humorous dialogue as it develops the characters, and this latest delivers yet another very satisfying blend of mystery and the supernatural.

To enter to win a copy of The Ghosts of Misty Hollow, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “misty,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 21, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.