by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this review on how to enter to win a copy of If You’ve Got It, Haunt It, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore.

As the owner of the vintage clothing boutique It’s Vintage, Y’all, Cassandra “Cookie” Chanel knew that the estate sale of Charlotte Meadows would provide an ample supply of beautiful, quality fashion for her store. What soon has Cookie doubting her sanity, though, is the sudden appearance by the late Charlotte herself, decidedly dead, but also quite vocal and definitely opinionated. The self-made real estate agent knows a thing or two about persistence, and even if Cookie is the only one who can see or hear her, Charlotte’s not about to let her own murder by strangulation go unsolved.

More than willing to allow the Sugar Creek Georgia police department to lead the investigation, Cookie goes to her best friend, Heather, for help exorcising the ghost. Unfortunately, it turns out that Heather, who owns an occult store, is something of a psychic fraud, if a well-meaning one. Just as disturbing is that the adorable stray white kitten Wind Song seems to have far more prescient powers. Her talents with tarot cards and a Ouija Board prove dire, but contain astoundingly good grammar.

The ladies soon learn that a private investigator is similarly interested in Charlotte’s murder, but his own death indicates that danger still lingers, despite Charlotte’s adamant claims that she was universally loved. Unnerving Cookie even more is the handsome presence of Detective Dylan Valentine, who is suspicious about her continual involvement in his case, as well as certain that she is hiding a secret. Whatever his interest in Cookie though, dating is pretty much off the table unless she can encourage Charlotte to move on, giving Cookie peace of mind and a little privacy.

The author of numerous paranormal and mystery series, Rose Pressey nicely walks the line between Charlotte’s feeling understandably unavenged and being an annoying nag. Cookie and Charlotte are a very entertaining team, with Charlotte providing unsolicited diet and fashion critiques that Cookie unapologetically ignores. Chapters alternate between headings of the blog Cookie’s Savvy Vintage Fashion Shopping Tips and Heather’s Heartfelt Tip for Getting Rid of an Unwanted Ghost, the former being far more knowledgeable, but the latter more entertaining. The tone is always fun and humorous without becoming absurd, and the information about vintage couture, and the beautiful descriptions will have readers yearning for accompanying illustrations.

The mystery plot moves along swiftly and the clothing never distracts from Charlotte’s compelling reason for haunting Cookie. This is a charming new series that blends the paranormal and vintage fashion with a lead character who copes admirably with a relentless, if well-dressed, incorporeal client.

To enter to win a copy of If You’ve Got It, Haunt It, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Haunt,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 3, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book and you will be supporting an indie bookstore & a portion goes to help support KRL.

If You’ve Got It, Haunt It

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).