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Afterlife Issues #1
Dead Companions
A death.
A divorce.
A perfect house with a less than perfect past.
Jess and Libby have been through the wringer. Jess’s husband has died and Libby’s husband suffers the mother of all midlife crises.
With no money and three kids to support, the friends combine forces to buy a house together. They only have one choice -the notoriously haunted house of St. Sebastian.
Moving in doesn’t solve their problems... it’s just the beginning. Seeing the resident ghost, a long-dead mortician, changes everything.
When word gets out that Jess and Libby can see the mortician, Libby gets a job offer that they desperately need, but it comes with a caveat. She can have the job, but only if she solves the mortician’s murder. What choice does she have?
Everything has a price, but how much are they willing to sacrifice to solve a decades-old murder?
A divorce.
A perfect house with a less than perfect past.
Jess and Libby have been through the wringer. Jess’s husband has died and Libby’s husband suffers the mother of all midlife crises.
With no money and three kids to support, the friends combine forces to buy a house together. They only have one choice -the notoriously haunted house of St. Sebastian.
Moving in doesn’t solve their problems... it’s just the beginning. Seeing the resident ghost, a long-dead mortician, changes everything.
When word gets out that Jess and Libby can see the mortician, Libby gets a job offer that they desperately need, but it comes with a caveat. She can have the job, but only if she solves the mortician’s murder. What choice does she have?
Everything has a price, but how much are they willing to sacrifice to solve a decades-old murder?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
522 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hartoin
47 books231 followersUSA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin grew up in rural Missouri, but her grandmother lived in the Central West End area of St. Louis. The CWE fascinated her with its enormous houses, every one unique. She was sure there was a story behind each ornate door. Going to Grandma’s house was a treat and an adventure. As the only grandchild around for many years, A.W. spent her visits exploring the many rooms with their many secrets. That’s how Mercy Watts and the fairies of Whipplethorn came to be.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 5, 2023
3.5 Stars
A perfectly enjoyable, cozy mystery. For me, there wasn't a lot of emotional depth and Libby felt surprisingly distant considering everything that is happening in their semi-conjoined family. I don't know if this is intentional as she's still in shock, or if we just skimmed over the death of her best friend's husband and her impending divorce to keep the book feeling more light. There's several threads in the background with her divorce and Jess's insurance payout, but they were never brought to the forground. We don't even really know how Libby is feeling about everything as she never seems to dwell on it or discuss it with anyone else. I'll be interested to see how A.W. Hartoin addresses these underlying issues in the next novel. Maybe this is an attempt to keep this more in the "Cozy" genre.
The house, kids, Poptart, ghosts, and multitude of characters were all great. The characters just didn't quite resonate with me yet. I will say, I am going to jump right into the second one and am hopeful that it will be better than the first.
A perfectly enjoyable, cozy mystery. For me, there wasn't a lot of emotional depth and Libby felt surprisingly distant considering everything that is happening in their semi-conjoined family. I don't know if this is intentional as she's still in shock, or if we just skimmed over the death of her best friend's husband and her impending divorce to keep the book feeling more light. There's several threads in the background with her divorce and Jess's insurance payout, but they were never brought to the forground. We don't even really know how Libby is feeling about everything as she never seems to dwell on it or discuss it with anyone else. I'll be interested to see how A.W. Hartoin addresses these underlying issues in the next novel. Maybe this is an attempt to keep this more in the "Cozy" genre.
The house, kids, Poptart, ghosts, and multitude of characters were all great. The characters just didn't quite resonate with me yet. I will say, I am going to jump right into the second one and am hopeful that it will be better than the first.
March 22, 2023
Dead Companions is a thoroughly enjoyable read! There is a quirky menagerie of characters that are easy to love! They compel you to keep reading to find out what happens next. You'll find two friends, Jess and Libby, who decide to join their families (three teenagers) due to life's unexpected turns. In doing so, they buy Number 8 in St. Sebastian without knowing its full story. Life in this former funeral home is just what these two families need to forget about their past and embrace their future! It's "Jess and Libby at your service!" Dive in and see what these two can do for you! I look forward to reading the remainder of this series by A. W. Hartoin!
March 31, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through this book! I had so many good laughs and many questions throughout this book. But I also felt as if there were many things that were left to the imagination that required explanation.
I really enjoyed how the two families came together when they were at the hardest times in their lives. They knew that sticking together was the best way to handle everything going on.
I loved seeing all of ghosts in town and how much they were accepted for still being around. I loved seeing the ghost couple in town who visited the family often. I loved that they were like the adopted grandparent ghosts.
I wish we could have seen more of what happened from Leo's perspective with his son. I think that would have answered a few more questions for sure.
I really enjoyed how the two families came together when they were at the hardest times in their lives. They knew that sticking together was the best way to handle everything going on.
I loved seeing all of ghosts in town and how much they were accepted for still being around. I loved seeing the ghost couple in town who visited the family often. I loved that they were like the adopted grandparent ghosts.
I wish we could have seen more of what happened from Leo's perspective with his son. I think that would have answered a few more questions for sure.
May 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Just ordered the second one in the series.
April 1, 2023
Great start to a new series! I enjoyed getting to know each character, and while there seem to be more than you'd usually find in the first book of a new series, I never felt lost or confused. Each character has a unique voice and personality that is easily discernible. The relationships in the families feel real. The pacing and overall tone are perfect for the genre. I'm looking forward to the next book already!
June 26, 2024
If you like cozy mysteries then you’ll really enjoy this.
For me it was a little slow in places but still the concept on the whole was really good and intriguing.
This would be really good read in the autumn! It has those vibes because of its theme 🍁🍂
It definitely had a unique take on mystery solving!
For me it was a little slow in places but still the concept on the whole was really good and intriguing.
This would be really good read in the autumn! It has those vibes because of its theme 🍁🍂
It definitely had a unique take on mystery solving!
March 25, 2023
If you haven’t yet read author A. W. Hartoin’s Mercy Watts or Stella Bled series you don’t know what you are missing. But you can find out now by reading this book, Dead Companions, Book One – Afterlife Issues, the first book in Hartoin’s new Jess and Libby Paranormal Cozy Mystery series. Those of us who are old friends of Mercy and Stella already know that this author is an extraordinary writer and storyteller, with twists, turns and attention to detail that will amaze and delight you. And humor. Did I mention the humor? You’ll laugh, snort, giggle, snicker while wearing out your brain trying to keep up and figure out the whodunit.
Jess and Libby are BFFs who need something positive in their lives and a way to move forward. Jess’s husband Hal has died and she’s depressed. Libby’s husband – well, who knows what’s up with Derek. He’s distant, cold, mean, unreliable, undependable, and a little bit scary. If this is a midlife crisis it’s a humdinger. Libby is frustrated and not sure she wants to be with him if/when he gets over it.
Jess and Libby have nothing but each other and 3 teenagers between them – Jess’ daughter Mariah and Libby’s sons Henri and Max. No money, no jobs, no change unless they make something happen. Jess finds the “perfect” house in St. Sebastian and campaigns to convince Libby that this is the solution: combine forces and move. Tiny problem – the house is said to be haunted. Jess says so what, the kids say hey, that’s kind of cool, and after a fair amount of pressure Libby says fine, whatever. Can’t be worse than the lives they are currently living, can it? I think there is an old adage, something about not being too quick to speak. They have barely started unload the moving truck when they meet Hot Leo the mortician. That’s nice, except Leo’s dead. He was murdered, maybe, but he doesn’t know it. And dead or not he’s a really interesting guy.
It's too late to change their minds; everything they have is sunk into this house. Maybe they should have done a bit more research about St. Sebastian but what’s done is done. This is one weird town with an unusual history, and news and gossip spread like wildfire, so everyone in town knows almost immediately they can already see Leo, but maybe that means they’ll fit right in. Libby goes job hunting and the best job she’s offered (pretty much the only job she is offered) comes with the condition that she solves the mortician’s murder. Just when she thought things couldn’t be weirder, but what choice does she have? Does she have experience with ghosts? No. Has she ever solved a murder before? No. This book and series are going to be so much fun.
Dead Companions will grab you from the start, and believe me, you won’t be able to put it down. It has Hartoin’s trademark humor, often bizarre situations, goofy characters but serious topics. The plot is complex but well-crafted, the writing stellar and there are lots of clues to figure out the mystery but it’s tricky enough that you can't really get it all until the end. The family dynamics of Jess, Libby and the kids are good. These are people who care about and are comfortable with each other and I could see how they will continue to be appealing long-term. We’ve just scratched the surface for the series but the characters are well-developed with promise of more to come. Jess and Libby rely on and fully trust each other. Mariah, Henri and Max are typical teenagers, fighting, standing up for each other, giving their mothers trouble but good kids with lots of personality and a healthy dose of mischief.
I was having so much fun with this story and turning those pages so fast that I couldn’t believe how quickly and easily I just bought into the whole interacting with ghosts thing. They were just more characters with quirks like popping in and out. And the town of St. Seb is a character all its own – the usual rivalries and grudges between families and businesses, fires and other disasters, corruption, murder (well, not that usual), ghost nuns, Confederate soldiers marching through the hospital (well, okay, not usual at all). This is one interesting town and Libby and Jess and the kids are right in the middle of it. Everybody knows everybody, feuds are still going on, mysteries are still unsolved and bad things may happen.
If you are new to Hartoin’s work discovering the setting and characters and experiences will be a treat. If like me you are a long-time fan you will be absolutely, positively, no doubt about it delighted when you have the Aha! moment and realize you’ve been to St. Seb before with Mercy, are hooking up again with Tank Tancredi, Chief Gates, the Fibonacci crime family and recall the weirdness.
Dead Companions is fantastic; I am hooked on this series already and can’t wait for the next book. Did I really find some teeny tiny clues that make me think there is more to Bad Husband Derek than meets the eye and the fun with Hot Ghost Leo has only just begun? After you read and love Dead Companions – as I have no doubt you will – check out the rest of A. W. Hartoin’s books and get to know Mercy, Stella and the gang. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of this book for my honest review; all opinions are my own.
Jess and Libby are BFFs who need something positive in their lives and a way to move forward. Jess’s husband Hal has died and she’s depressed. Libby’s husband – well, who knows what’s up with Derek. He’s distant, cold, mean, unreliable, undependable, and a little bit scary. If this is a midlife crisis it’s a humdinger. Libby is frustrated and not sure she wants to be with him if/when he gets over it.
Jess and Libby have nothing but each other and 3 teenagers between them – Jess’ daughter Mariah and Libby’s sons Henri and Max. No money, no jobs, no change unless they make something happen. Jess finds the “perfect” house in St. Sebastian and campaigns to convince Libby that this is the solution: combine forces and move. Tiny problem – the house is said to be haunted. Jess says so what, the kids say hey, that’s kind of cool, and after a fair amount of pressure Libby says fine, whatever. Can’t be worse than the lives they are currently living, can it? I think there is an old adage, something about not being too quick to speak. They have barely started unload the moving truck when they meet Hot Leo the mortician. That’s nice, except Leo’s dead. He was murdered, maybe, but he doesn’t know it. And dead or not he’s a really interesting guy.
It's too late to change their minds; everything they have is sunk into this house. Maybe they should have done a bit more research about St. Sebastian but what’s done is done. This is one weird town with an unusual history, and news and gossip spread like wildfire, so everyone in town knows almost immediately they can already see Leo, but maybe that means they’ll fit right in. Libby goes job hunting and the best job she’s offered (pretty much the only job she is offered) comes with the condition that she solves the mortician’s murder. Just when she thought things couldn’t be weirder, but what choice does she have? Does she have experience with ghosts? No. Has she ever solved a murder before? No. This book and series are going to be so much fun.
Dead Companions will grab you from the start, and believe me, you won’t be able to put it down. It has Hartoin’s trademark humor, often bizarre situations, goofy characters but serious topics. The plot is complex but well-crafted, the writing stellar and there are lots of clues to figure out the mystery but it’s tricky enough that you can't really get it all until the end. The family dynamics of Jess, Libby and the kids are good. These are people who care about and are comfortable with each other and I could see how they will continue to be appealing long-term. We’ve just scratched the surface for the series but the characters are well-developed with promise of more to come. Jess and Libby rely on and fully trust each other. Mariah, Henri and Max are typical teenagers, fighting, standing up for each other, giving their mothers trouble but good kids with lots of personality and a healthy dose of mischief.
I was having so much fun with this story and turning those pages so fast that I couldn’t believe how quickly and easily I just bought into the whole interacting with ghosts thing. They were just more characters with quirks like popping in and out. And the town of St. Seb is a character all its own – the usual rivalries and grudges between families and businesses, fires and other disasters, corruption, murder (well, not that usual), ghost nuns, Confederate soldiers marching through the hospital (well, okay, not usual at all). This is one interesting town and Libby and Jess and the kids are right in the middle of it. Everybody knows everybody, feuds are still going on, mysteries are still unsolved and bad things may happen.
If you are new to Hartoin’s work discovering the setting and characters and experiences will be a treat. If like me you are a long-time fan you will be absolutely, positively, no doubt about it delighted when you have the Aha! moment and realize you’ve been to St. Seb before with Mercy, are hooking up again with Tank Tancredi, Chief Gates, the Fibonacci crime family and recall the weirdness.
Dead Companions is fantastic; I am hooked on this series already and can’t wait for the next book. Did I really find some teeny tiny clues that make me think there is more to Bad Husband Derek than meets the eye and the fun with Hot Ghost Leo has only just begun? After you read and love Dead Companions – as I have no doubt you will – check out the rest of A. W. Hartoin’s books and get to know Mercy, Stella and the gang. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of this book for my honest review; all opinions are my own.
April 4, 2023
Oh boy!! What an exciting new series, I can't wait for more. I loved this book right from the start, the story is very character driven and my heart just broke for the family but they are such wonderful characters that they soon had me chuckling along with there antics, especially the boys. The ghosts are great fun and just as quirky but I think it was definitely the family that I loved and made the book so memorable and charming. A funeral home isn't somewhere I would choose to live but it makes a great setting for a cosy mystery. The mystery was cleverly worked into the home life drama and I had no clue who the killer would turn out to be. I hope it is not too long before we get another book in the series.
Jess's husband just died and with the news her best friends husband is cheating on her, the two friends decide it's time for a fresh start for them and there three children. With a very limited budget Jess talks Libby into buying what was a funeral parlour. The house known as number eight has been empty for years and they only discover after moving in why everybody knows about number eight. The only reason they could move in, is because the resident ghost likes them and has allowed them to. He doesn't show himself to just anybody but he does let his present known. As soon as the town hears about them moving in, they are famous even the children but it is Libby and Jess who are pestered with questions. The most important one is does the ghost know who killed him. The speculation over his death has haunted the whole town for years and everybody is hoping Libby and Jess can give them the answers they need.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
Jess's husband just died and with the news her best friends husband is cheating on her, the two friends decide it's time for a fresh start for them and there three children. With a very limited budget Jess talks Libby into buying what was a funeral parlour. The house known as number eight has been empty for years and they only discover after moving in why everybody knows about number eight. The only reason they could move in, is because the resident ghost likes them and has allowed them to. He doesn't show himself to just anybody but he does let his present known. As soon as the town hears about them moving in, they are famous even the children but it is Libby and Jess who are pestered with questions. The most important one is does the ghost know who killed him. The speculation over his death has haunted the whole town for years and everybody is hoping Libby and Jess can give them the answers they need.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
April 2, 2023
A new cozy mystery series by favorite author A.W. Hartoin brings us back to St. Sebastian where interesting things happen and some people can see ghosts! Jess and Libby are best friends that need a change in life after Libby finds out her husband is cheating on her and Jess’s husband died of an aneurysm! So they take their 3 children and a cat and move to St. Sebastian and buy a house that is a former funeral home. The town is surprised about the sale since the resident ghost hasn’t approved of anyone trying to buy the house in 10 years. Turns out, the ladies have special abilities that come in handy when they try and solve the mystery of who killed the former owner that was murdered. Through some intriguing twists and situations, they settle into life in their new community and people begin to accept and welcome them to St. Sebastian. You will like these characters and this new series for the author. They are likable and relatable. We can feel what they are going through and understand. Truly the mark of a good author! I loved the new book and know you will too. I recommend it highly!
July 11, 2023
I wanted a bit of light, Halloweeny reading and this was next on my Cozy Witch Ghost TBR book. So, I opened it up and began reading. I read until my eyes started slamming shut and my Kindle was in danger of falling to the floor and hitting my Pekingese dog, MoMo.
Today I finished the rest of it.
The story concerns two women...one whose husband had died and the other whose husband ran off with his secretary. Along with the two women, Libby and Jess, are Libby's two sons (Henri and Max) and Jess's daughter, Moriah. Together Libby and Jess buy a house together but there is a catch. The house is an old funeral home and the old funeral home owner is a ghost named Leo who died from a murder that hasn't been solved.
The characters are fairly well-written. The plot is well done. The murderer is someone I didn't guess and didn't have a clue about until the murder was actually solved by Jess and Libby. The teenagers weren't obnoxious which was surprising. In fact, they were rather endearing without being mushy and unreal.
A cat that can see ghosts was a surprise and a delight to read...as was the cat's name!
Today I finished the rest of it.
The story concerns two women...one whose husband had died and the other whose husband ran off with his secretary. Along with the two women, Libby and Jess, are Libby's two sons (Henri and Max) and Jess's daughter, Moriah. Together Libby and Jess buy a house together but there is a catch. The house is an old funeral home and the old funeral home owner is a ghost named Leo who died from a murder that hasn't been solved.
The characters are fairly well-written. The plot is well done. The murderer is someone I didn't guess and didn't have a clue about until the murder was actually solved by Jess and Libby. The teenagers weren't obnoxious which was surprising. In fact, they were rather endearing without being mushy and unreal.
A cat that can see ghosts was a surprise and a delight to read...as was the cat's name!
August 6, 2025
The Ghosts Can Be Picky?
Meet Jess and Libby, Two young women who are moving for different reasons but still each a single mom. Jess has her daughter Mariah and they lost the husband and father of their household about a year ago when he died, then there is Libby and her two sons Max and Henri who moved out of their husband and fathers house when he was caught with another woman. Now that we have that out of the way as far as introductions go let me tell you about the house they moved into, it used to be a funeral home before they moved not it but it has been vacant for a long time simply because it is haunted and the ghost won’t accept anyone living there until now, for some reason he likes these two broken families very much and everything went smooth when they moved into the house. You see the ghost was the funeral director of the place when it was a funeral home and his name is Leo, he died from accidentally falling down the stairs at the hotel in the town, or did he? To find out more and solve the mystery of how Leo actually died, I recommend you read this smart and funny book, you won’t regret it;)
Meet Jess and Libby, Two young women who are moving for different reasons but still each a single mom. Jess has her daughter Mariah and they lost the husband and father of their household about a year ago when he died, then there is Libby and her two sons Max and Henri who moved out of their husband and fathers house when he was caught with another woman. Now that we have that out of the way as far as introductions go let me tell you about the house they moved into, it used to be a funeral home before they moved not it but it has been vacant for a long time simply because it is haunted and the ghost won’t accept anyone living there until now, for some reason he likes these two broken families very much and everything went smooth when they moved into the house. You see the ghost was the funeral director of the place when it was a funeral home and his name is Leo, he died from accidentally falling down the stairs at the hotel in the town, or did he? To find out more and solve the mystery of how Leo actually died, I recommend you read this smart and funny book, you won’t regret it;)
June 7, 2023
Another great book from Hartoin! Even though the book deals with grief and loss, it is still a fun filled read. Hartoin’s writing is, as aways, humorous and entertaining. Dead Companions is set in the quirky little town of St Sebastian, where everyone accepts that they may one day see ghost or two. The book centres around Libby and Jess who have lost their husbands in different ways, one through an affair and the other through death. In need of a change they end up in St Seb’s, a town we have seen before in the Mercy Watts series. This story follows Libby as she tries to navigate her way through consoling a grieving friend, Ghosts, dealing with a cheating husband, more Ghost, three teenagers, life in a new town and yet more Ghost. All while attempting to solve the mystery of the death of the previous owner, the charismatic mortician, Leo. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see what other mysteries end up at the doorstep of Libby and Jess.
August 19, 2023
3.5 stars. Despite the mostly glossed over—and pretty ludicrous—circumstances that allowed two best friends and their children to buy a former funeral home (“Number Eight”) as their new combined household, I grew to like the story and this bunch. The writing was fluid and the pacing was relatively quick.
I did think Libby was a bit standoffish and hard to like at first. Having her provide the first person narrative made it surprisingly difficult to become engaged in her part of the story. And Jess was still so overwhelmed with the sudden death of her husband that she was still emotionally in hiding and less involved in the strange occurrences around their household. But things started getting interesting when they met former ghostly resident, Leo, and Libby agreed to try to solve his murder at the request of his former relatives.
The investigation took the path of a perfect cozy mystery. The ending was excellent as well. I’ll definitely keep reading this series!
I did think Libby was a bit standoffish and hard to like at first. Having her provide the first person narrative made it surprisingly difficult to become engaged in her part of the story. And Jess was still so overwhelmed with the sudden death of her husband that she was still emotionally in hiding and less involved in the strange occurrences around their household. But things started getting interesting when they met former ghostly resident, Leo, and Libby agreed to try to solve his murder at the request of his former relatives.
The investigation took the path of a perfect cozy mystery. The ending was excellent as well. I’ll definitely keep reading this series!
July 15, 2025
I think I heard about this book through Facebook. So I was kind of interested because I like the paranormal I like a bit of mystery and the main characters made me think of me and my best friend. She’s a blonde. I’m a brunette.
So the story tells about two best friends one has lost her husband, and the other her husband basically lost his mind after the loss of Hal, Jess husband.Libby’s husband basically leaves the family. So just find a home very cheap for the both of them to live in to get away from Libby’s husband.Unbeknown it’s a mortuary but they still decide to live there. Eventually, they come to learn the home is haunted by Leo and he is very picky about who lives there.
In the end, they decide to solve his murder and they meet many new people along the way. By the way, they each have kids Jess has a daughter and Libby has twin boys. Overall a good book and interested to continue the series
So the story tells about two best friends one has lost her husband, and the other her husband basically lost his mind after the loss of Hal, Jess husband.Libby’s husband basically leaves the family. So just find a home very cheap for the both of them to live in to get away from Libby’s husband.Unbeknown it’s a mortuary but they still decide to live there. Eventually, they come to learn the home is haunted by Leo and he is very picky about who lives there.
In the end, they decide to solve his murder and they meet many new people along the way. By the way, they each have kids Jess has a daughter and Libby has twin boys. Overall a good book and interested to continue the series
March 26, 2025
This was a great book! It has a good mystery and great characters. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Amazon synopsis:
Jess and Libby have been through the wringer. Jess’s husband has died and Libby’s husband suffers the mother of all midlife crises.
With no money and three kids to support, the friends combine forces to buy a house together. They only have one choice -the notoriously haunted house of St. Sebastian.
Moving in doesn’t solve their problems... it’s just the beginning. Seeing the resident ghost, a long-dead mortician, changes everything.
When word gets out that Jess and Libby can see the mortician, Libby gets a job offer that they desperately need, but it comes with a caveat. She can have the job, but only if she solves the mortician’s murder. What choice does she have?
Everything has a price, but how much are they willing to sacrifice to solve a decades-old murder?
Amazon synopsis:
Jess and Libby have been through the wringer. Jess’s husband has died and Libby’s husband suffers the mother of all midlife crises.
With no money and three kids to support, the friends combine forces to buy a house together. They only have one choice -the notoriously haunted house of St. Sebastian.
Moving in doesn’t solve their problems... it’s just the beginning. Seeing the resident ghost, a long-dead mortician, changes everything.
When word gets out that Jess and Libby can see the mortician, Libby gets a job offer that they desperately need, but it comes with a caveat. She can have the job, but only if she solves the mortician’s murder. What choice does she have?
Everything has a price, but how much are they willing to sacrifice to solve a decades-old murder?
October 20, 2025
loved it!
This was a spur of the moment choice for a quick read. I’m so glad I chose it. The characters are very relatable and so much fun. The boys are a handful but very sweet. Mariah is stronger than she thinks even after losing her dad. The two moms, Libby and Jess are just as interesting. I related very strongly to Jess as I’ve also lost my husband. And Libby is the very best definition of a best friend. Their “family” was so accepting of having a ghost as a roommate and it was heartwarming to see how they all cared for each other. Leo, the ghost, is so charming and brought a very positive energy to story. I definitely would recommend this book. I’m getting the next one right now so I can find out what happens next.
This was a spur of the moment choice for a quick read. I’m so glad I chose it. The characters are very relatable and so much fun. The boys are a handful but very sweet. Mariah is stronger than she thinks even after losing her dad. The two moms, Libby and Jess are just as interesting. I related very strongly to Jess as I’ve also lost my husband. And Libby is the very best definition of a best friend. Their “family” was so accepting of having a ghost as a roommate and it was heartwarming to see how they all cared for each other. Leo, the ghost, is so charming and brought a very positive energy to story. I definitely would recommend this book. I’m getting the next one right now so I can find out what happens next.
August 4, 2023
Ghosts galore
Best friends Jess & Libby were each dealt low blows of life with death and divorce. To make the best of their bad situations they decide to live together and combine their families. Doing so the family ends up buying a house together with a live in ghost, they find out they can see all ghosts after meeting "theirs.".
The story is entertaining. It started out a bit disjointed but if you can keep reading, it starts to flow easier the farther into the story you go. If not for that I would've given it 5 stars. Yes I will continue the series because like I said, it is entertaining.
Best friends Jess & Libby were each dealt low blows of life with death and divorce. To make the best of their bad situations they decide to live together and combine their families. Doing so the family ends up buying a house together with a live in ghost, they find out they can see all ghosts after meeting "theirs.".
The story is entertaining. It started out a bit disjointed but if you can keep reading, it starts to flow easier the farther into the story you go. If not for that I would've given it 5 stars. Yes I will continue the series because like I said, it is entertaining.
November 1, 2024
The Afterlife
What is life like after you lose someone that you love? Two best friends have to deal with life changes after once husband dies, and the other one leaves after having an affair. Moving to a new town into a very old house the ladies discovered that they can see ghosts and not that there is a murder to solve. As ramble through their day-to-day of putting together the house and beginning to meet their neighbors they discover the ghost abound everywhere. The question is, can they put their lives back together at the same time is figuring out what happened to the ghost that let them buy the house?
What is life like after you lose someone that you love? Two best friends have to deal with life changes after once husband dies, and the other one leaves after having an affair. Moving to a new town into a very old house the ladies discovered that they can see ghosts and not that there is a murder to solve. As ramble through their day-to-day of putting together the house and beginning to meet their neighbors they discover the ghost abound everywhere. The question is, can they put their lives back together at the same time is figuring out what happened to the ghost that let them buy the house?
July 19, 2023
Absolutely brilliant, so glad I gave in to kindles peer pressure and read it. As this kept popping up when I went to ku as a suggestion for what next. The cover put me off at first.
I took advantage of the sneak peek option even though I have what seems like a never ending tbr pile and so glad I did.
Two friends are going through different issues in their personal life Libby is getting a Divorce and Jess has recently been widowed.
They decide to purchase a house together that turns out to have been a funeral home. The new house & town are haunted.
I took advantage of the sneak peek option even though I have what seems like a never ending tbr pile and so glad I did.
Two friends are going through different issues in their personal life Libby is getting a Divorce and Jess has recently been widowed.
They decide to purchase a house together that turns out to have been a funeral home. The new house & town are haunted.
October 21, 2023
Fun murder mystery...
Great story,great characters..all the characters have real, heartbreaking backstories, and their just trying to on some alot better then others,,two best friends women had their lives turned upside down when one ultra fit husband drops dead on the golf course and the other husband nowIMO has a mid life crisis....that's the start, but there's so much heart and humor in this story with the mom and teenagers and a lot of other characters..fun story with a murder mystery to solve...enjoy
Great story,great characters..all the characters have real, heartbreaking backstories, and their just trying to on some alot better then others,,two best friends women had their lives turned upside down when one ultra fit husband drops dead on the golf course and the other husband nowIMO has a mid life crisis....that's the start, but there's so much heart and humor in this story with the mom and teenagers and a lot of other characters..fun story with a murder mystery to solve...enjoy
June 20, 2024
I'm leaning to 3.5. I enjoyed the book, but it started a little slow and a little disjointed. When it finally settled down and they moved into the house things began to pick up and solidify. The secondary characters actually seemed more fleshed out than the primaries - Libby and Jess. The emotions behind the divorce and Hal's death were discussed some but kept very high level - maybe to keep the story line lighter/cozier? Overall, I enjoyed the book and do plan to read more in the series. I'll also look at others by this author.
November 3, 2024
BEST GHOST STORY EVER!
Twisty and turny story about two women, one widowed, one getting a divorce, and their kids who buy a haunted mortuary in a very special town. Great story about big life changes and how the two families adapt to their new circumstances while solving a murder and learning how to communicate with ghosts. Great read for adults and teens. Notice: themes include death of a parent, divorce, grief, dealing with (really) scary and non-scary ghosts, and financial issues. Well written with stories within stories. Can’t wait to read the next book!
Twisty and turny story about two women, one widowed, one getting a divorce, and their kids who buy a haunted mortuary in a very special town. Great story about big life changes and how the two families adapt to their new circumstances while solving a murder and learning how to communicate with ghosts. Great read for adults and teens. Notice: themes include death of a parent, divorce, grief, dealing with (really) scary and non-scary ghosts, and financial issues. Well written with stories within stories. Can’t wait to read the next book!
February 3, 2025
Departures at 8
Great fun!
Jess, who has recently lost her husband, and Libby, who has recently lost her husband, but to another woman, and also her mother, move into a former funeral home with their children. Although deceased, the former home owner apparently still lives there.
Jess and Libby are amongst the few people in town who can see all the local living challenged residents. With the help of the locals and a few ghosts, they solve the mystery of who murdered Leo, the house ghost.
Great fun!
Jess, who has recently lost her husband, and Libby, who has recently lost her husband, but to another woman, and also her mother, move into a former funeral home with their children. Although deceased, the former home owner apparently still lives there.
Jess and Libby are amongst the few people in town who can see all the local living challenged residents. With the help of the locals and a few ghosts, they solve the mystery of who murdered Leo, the house ghost.
May 12, 2023
A simply delightful read! This book has absolutely everything! It has VERY charming characters, a cute cat named Poptart, a haunted funeral home no one will buy until Jess and Libby do, humor (not laugh out loud but, lots of humor), ghosts, a mystery to solve, no graphic sex, no graphic violence, no cliffhanger ending, no editing issues to distract the reader, and bet of all….a fun read. I am absolutely looking forward to the next one! So, curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and ENJOY!
June 21, 2023
Wonderful
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. The story is heartwarming and mysterious. The characters are flawed and real like a lot of people I know. I hope the author will make this a series because the ending left me wanting to know what happens next in the lives of the characters,including the ghosts. I recommend this book to everyone including preteens.
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. The story is heartwarming and mysterious. The characters are flawed and real like a lot of people I know. I hope the author will make this a series because the ending left me wanting to know what happens next in the lives of the characters,including the ghosts. I recommend this book to everyone including preteens.
October 18, 2023
Sweet, Funny and Unique
Jess and Libby have been great friends since college. They both have teenage children and no husbands (Jess’s husband died and Libby’s went into a midlife crisis with his secretary). As an escape, they decide to buy a house together that was a former funeral home and rumored to be haunted. Strange things begin to occur and I refuse to spoil the rest of the story. Just know that I really enjoyed the book and I think you will too.
Jess and Libby have been great friends since college. They both have teenage children and no husbands (Jess’s husband died and Libby’s went into a midlife crisis with his secretary). As an escape, they decide to buy a house together that was a former funeral home and rumored to be haunted. Strange things begin to occur and I refuse to spoil the rest of the story. Just know that I really enjoyed the book and I think you will too.
October 23, 2023
4.25/4.5☆
I really enjoyed this book. A fun quick cozy mystery read, with a great cast of characters.
I loved the "blended" family, the female friendships, the mystery and investigation draws you in and, while the character development of some characters was a little shallow, I found myself caring about them all.
There were a few things I wish we got more depth on, some of which I assume will come into the play throughout the next few books in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. A fun quick cozy mystery read, with a great cast of characters.
I loved the "blended" family, the female friendships, the mystery and investigation draws you in and, while the character development of some characters was a little shallow, I found myself caring about them all.
There were a few things I wish we got more depth on, some of which I assume will come into the play throughout the next few books in the series.
October 27, 2023
Absolutely Could Not Put it Down!
If you’re into a fast paced read with twists and turns on almost every page, you’ll love this story. It’s laugh out loud funny! The characters are incredibly real and their personalities are relatable. The kids are simply the coolest teens to get to know. I read about one hundred and twenty books a year, and this was a total delight. Definitely in my top teen.
If you’re into a fast paced read with twists and turns on almost every page, you’ll love this story. It’s laugh out loud funny! The characters are incredibly real and their personalities are relatable. The kids are simply the coolest teens to get to know. I read about one hundred and twenty books a year, and this was a total delight. Definitely in my top teen.
January 4, 2024
great book.
I loved that they had a twist on seeing ghosts - that being that it is not the usual rules that apply as per 50 years of ghost stories. The main characters are two women, one a widow and one soon to be divorced. They have 3 teenagers and move into and buy a haunted house. The story is fun to read and a mystery too. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I loved that they had a twist on seeing ghosts - that being that it is not the usual rules that apply as per 50 years of ghost stories. The main characters are two women, one a widow and one soon to be divorced. They have 3 teenagers and move into and buy a haunted house. The story is fun to read and a mystery too. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
February 18, 2025
This was a fun mystery to read. Libby and Jess are quite the pair as they try to start life over again with their children. The teenagers are really good kids and provide some of the humor throughout the story. A haunted mortuary, seeing ghosts for the first time and investigating an accidental death bring this new "family" together in their new hometown. St Sebastian is a town that I would love to visit.
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