Book 79, 2024
Southern Spirits by Angie Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished reading Southern Spirits by Angie Fox last night. It's the first installment in the author's "Southern Ghost Hunter" series of paranormal cozies. The main character is Verity Long.
Verity is on the verge of losing her late grandmother's stately home, all because she found out her fiancé was cheating on her, compelling her to jilt him. Beau's wealthy family sued Verity for the wedding expenses...and won. When she accidentally traps a ghost on her property, Verity gains the ability to see and communicate with spirits. She uses her newfound ability to help Ellis Wydell, town bad boy and Beau's older brother. Ellis doesn't believe in ghosts, but something is happening on the historic property he purchased, and if Verity can move some spirits on, he'll gladly pay what she's asking. Verity learns there are more than just ghosts haunting the property. There's also a malevolent poltergeist that presents a very real danger. She soon finds out that the current haunting may have its roots in a long-ago murder, and that the killer doesn't want his secret to get out.
This was delightful and a little bit creepy, too. Verity is an amazing character--smart and tough in equal measure. Other characters were fully realized. I especially liked Frankie, the ghost that Verity accidentally grounded on her property. The story moved along quickly, making it difficult to set aside.
Favorite lines:
♦ You have no idea how hard it is to give a skunk a bath.
♦ "I haven't been the same since you offered to undress me in my room." // I snorted. "You were injured. It was a mercy disrobing."
Very good, entertaining, and I'll look for more in the series. Four stars.
1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? No, she's a graphic designer
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) Yes
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? No, she has a SKUNK! Woo!
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No
6. Did the mc find the body? Kinda?
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? No
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes