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Death by Haunted House
Death by Haunted House
Lee Hollis | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Haunted Flashback
This novella flashes back ten years to 2009 and a time when series protagonist Hayley Powell was still married. A new family has moved to town and moved in next door to Hayley and her young family into a long-abandoned house that is rumored to be haunted. When they move in, they are unfriendly and obviously keeping secrets, and Hayley’s husband, Danny, is certain that they are hiding something. When a dead body turns up in the woods behind their neighborhood, Danny is certain they are involved. Is he right?

I found the story here very entertaining, although I did guess a couple plot points early. Still, the solution to the mystery was a surprise, and I had to laugh at some of the events along the way. On the other hand, I found Danny extremely selfish and annoying, and Hayley does something extremely stupid, with is ironic since she complains about Danny’s behavior at times.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
  
Between a Flock and a Hard Place
Between a Flock and a Hard Place
Donna Andrews | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Meg’s Latest Case is Not a Turkey
The new home renovation TV show Marvelous Mansions has come to town and made a less than stellar impression. Meg, in her job as special envoy to the mayor, is on her way to try to keep everyone happy when she discovers the neighborhood has a new problem – feral turkeys. Naturally, Meg gets involved in trying to round them up, while Chief Burke works on trying to figure out who put them there. Then Meg stumbles on a dead body. Are the two events connected?

Those familiar with the series will be delighted with the latest entry. Yes, the antics with the turkey keep the mystery in the background for a while, but I was having so much fun I didn’t much care. It helped that I was laughing at what was happening. When Meg finds the body, the mystery does pick up and lead us through some great twists to a logical climax. The characters are their normal charming selves, and the new characters fit right into the series. If you haven’t met the characters yet, these books standalone well enough that you can jump in here. And if you are a longtime fan, you’ll be happy with the latest release.