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Gwen's Ghosts #5
Dead Reckoning
A paranormal women’s fiction ghost mystery series from HP Mallory and JR Rain, authors of the Haven Hollow Series!
Not wanting to pay any attention to my messy love life (I’ve got not one man vying for my attentions, but two!), I’m happy to put all my focus into my newest case…
Hugo Williams, one of Morley-on-Avon’s residents and an employee at the antique shop, has gone missing.
Or has he simply gone on vacation? By the fact that he packed a bag before he disappeared, it’s a little unclear.
Yet his girlfriend, Fiona, swears there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark… Or England, as the case may be.
After doing a little snooping (with the help of my ghostly friend, Petra), I’m starting to agree with her.
And that’s the absolute last thing Inspector Lean wants to hear—seeing as how I’ve already been involved in every mystery in Morley since I arrived here.
To make a sticky situation even stickier? I have a feeling the culprit might be none other than Fiona’s father…
Not wanting to pay any attention to my messy love life (I’ve got not one man vying for my attentions, but two!), I’m happy to put all my focus into my newest case…
Hugo Williams, one of Morley-on-Avon’s residents and an employee at the antique shop, has gone missing.
Or has he simply gone on vacation? By the fact that he packed a bag before he disappeared, it’s a little unclear.
Yet his girlfriend, Fiona, swears there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark… Or England, as the case may be.
After doing a little snooping (with the help of my ghostly friend, Petra), I’m starting to agree with her.
And that’s the absolute last thing Inspector Lean wants to hear—seeing as how I’ve already been involved in every mystery in Morley since I arrived here.
To make a sticky situation even stickier? I have a feeling the culprit might be none other than Fiona’s father…
- GenresMysteryParanormal
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2023
53 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
H.P. Mallory
373 books2,823 followersI’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.
My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.
Thanks for checking out my books and I hope you enjoy them! Happy Haunting!
H.P.
My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.
Thanks for checking out my books and I hope you enjoy them! Happy Haunting!
H.P.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 15, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 6
Gwen and Petra continue to investigate the missing boyfriend by following the girl's father. It is not what she suspected. They find the boyfriend. Continued in book six.
I would recommend this series and authors to 👍 readers of fantasy family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 6
Gwen and Petra continue to investigate the missing boyfriend by following the girl's father. It is not what she suspected. They find the boyfriend. Continued in book six.
I would recommend this series and authors to 👍 readers of fantasy family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
August 16, 2023
3.75stars--DEAD RECKONING is the fifth instalment in the contemporary, adult GWEN’S GHOSTS cozy, paranormal mystery serial co-authored by HP Mallory and JR Rain focusing on forty-two year old, American novelist Gwen Dance and her ghostly ‘assistant’ Petra Shearwater. DEAD RECKONING should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the cliff hanger and events of book four LEFT FOR DEAD.
SOME BACKGROUND: American Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Dance is a forty two year old novelist who is journeying through life with a 19th century Victorian ghost named Petra Shearwater as her spirit companion/guide. At the age of eight, while on vacation in Morley-on-Avon, England, Gwen and her family would visit the local tourist areas including Chambon Hall where a young woman had mysteriously died but for Gwen the spirit of the young woman was still alive, and no one else by Gwen was able to see. Petra Shearwater in her ghostly form would befriend the eight-year old Gwendolyn Dance, and they would become lifelong friends solving murders and crimes in Morley-on-Avon.
Told from first person (Gwen), third person, and memories from the past DEAD RECKONING focuses on the search for Hugo Williams. With the help of Petra, Gwen’s ghostly assistant, Gwen begins to ferret out the people responsible but finds herself targeted by a street gang, and a thief who is hoping for a big score. Not only does Gwen have help from Petra but another ghost who refuses to move on from the past, is willing to help but at a cost.
DEAD RECKONING is another fast paced novella focusing on Gwen Dance’s need to uncover the truth. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are magical and determined.
SOME BACKGROUND: American Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Dance is a forty two year old novelist who is journeying through life with a 19th century Victorian ghost named Petra Shearwater as her spirit companion/guide. At the age of eight, while on vacation in Morley-on-Avon, England, Gwen and her family would visit the local tourist areas including Chambon Hall where a young woman had mysteriously died but for Gwen the spirit of the young woman was still alive, and no one else by Gwen was able to see. Petra Shearwater in her ghostly form would befriend the eight-year old Gwendolyn Dance, and they would become lifelong friends solving murders and crimes in Morley-on-Avon.
Told from first person (Gwen), third person, and memories from the past DEAD RECKONING focuses on the search for Hugo Williams. With the help of Petra, Gwen’s ghostly assistant, Gwen begins to ferret out the people responsible but finds herself targeted by a street gang, and a thief who is hoping for a big score. Not only does Gwen have help from Petra but another ghost who refuses to move on from the past, is willing to help but at a cost.
DEAD RECKONING is another fast paced novella focusing on Gwen Dance’s need to uncover the truth. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are magical and determined.
August 25, 2023
Gwen and Petra are back and while Gwen is trying not to deal with her screwed up love life there is a mystery to be solved. Hugo has disappeared, everyone thinks he just went on a vacation . His girlfriend thinks something bad has happened to him, he was going to propose to her and he vanished. After Gwen starts snooping around she thinks that Fiona is correct and with the help of Petra she is out to figure it out. Inspector Leon doesn't want her anywhere around this case cause it seems trouble follows Gwen everywhere including the last couple that happened in her town. The culprit could be someone very close to Fiona like her father.
Petra and Gwen are back and I must admit they are funnier then ever. Petra is becoming more of an assertive woman even though she is a ghost . Gwen is having a crisis and is trying not to figure it out but having two men wanting her isn't a bad thing. She is really becoming a well rounded woman They are truly best friends even though one is a ghost . I love how they protect each other and keep each other on the same page . The rest of the gang is back and trying to keep everyone safe and figure out the mystery before someone dies.
This is book 5 in the series and it is such a good fun read. The characters are so well written and becoming more and more complex. Each mystery is full of intrigue and there are some comic relief through out. The authors really have fun with these characters and what they get up to. This would be a great series to read up to Halloween if you want a fun ghost story that has comedy and best friends . Check it out they need to be read in the series so check them out.
Petra and Gwen are back and I must admit they are funnier then ever. Petra is becoming more of an assertive woman even though she is a ghost . Gwen is having a crisis and is trying not to figure it out but having two men wanting her isn't a bad thing. She is really becoming a well rounded woman They are truly best friends even though one is a ghost . I love how they protect each other and keep each other on the same page . The rest of the gang is back and trying to keep everyone safe and figure out the mystery before someone dies.
This is book 5 in the series and it is such a good fun read. The characters are so well written and becoming more and more complex. Each mystery is full of intrigue and there are some comic relief through out. The authors really have fun with these characters and what they get up to. This would be a great series to read up to Halloween if you want a fun ghost story that has comedy and best friends . Check it out they need to be read in the series so check them out.
December 13, 2023
2.5/5
Oooookay... ouch. Too much of how this story ended up going did not work for me. I really liked Petra taking the lead and getting a larger role in the story, but I also distinctly remember her not liking going through solid objects. So some contradictory development(s) happen.
Worse, FMC took a walk down the TSTL path even getting into a heated discussion with Petra over how foolish doing so would be. I mean, why? Why is it more important to go hike out to a rickety building and climb questionable ladders etc to see if someone is alive when you have no means of helping them with basic necessities if they're in rough shape. Especially since you're not even bothering to take the time to inform others of said location. More importantly, why are you only having Petra look for the building and not bother ensuring someone's there first before hiking out there (and conveniently discovering, "Oh look! I have no cell signal").
And for me, the whole motivation for the kidnapping didn't work for me. I suppose if you have no knowledge or inkling of what might be involved then maybe the failure in logistics can be forgiven. Personally, these problems combined with FMC going full on TSTL and I got booted very hard from the story. A definite shame since the first half of the story was a fun read.
Oooookay... ouch. Too much of how this story ended up going did not work for me. I really liked Petra taking the lead and getting a larger role in the story, but I also distinctly remember her not liking going through solid objects. So some contradictory development(s) happen.
Worse, FMC took a walk down the TSTL path even getting into a heated discussion with Petra over how foolish doing so would be. I mean, why? Why is it more important to go hike out to a rickety building and climb questionable ladders etc to see if someone is alive when you have no means of helping them with basic necessities if they're in rough shape. Especially since you're not even bothering to take the time to inform others of said location. More importantly, why are you only having Petra look for the building and not bother ensuring someone's there first before hiking out there (and conveniently discovering, "Oh look! I have no cell signal").
And for me, the whole motivation for the kidnapping didn't work for me. I suppose if you have no knowledge or inkling of what might be involved then maybe the failure in logistics can be forgiven. Personally, these problems combined with FMC going full on TSTL and I got booted very hard from the story. A definite shame since the first half of the story was a fun read.
August 18, 2023
Gwen and Petra are back and are checking into the disappearance of a man they are fond of. Hugo is supposed to propose to his girlfriend, Fiona. All of sudden he disappears! Gwen knows something is amiss. She decides to check out Fi’s father; what she discovers is a very disturbing but will lead her to other suspects. When questioned by the local officer once again, it is because they found Gwen in a compromising position with well-known thugs. When they do decide to check on a place after following a suspect, Gwen best hope that help will be on its way for she is facing a life and death situation once again! The dialogue and shenanigans these two become involved with will have the reader chuckling a lot and aloud! Gwen’s two loves will take a back seat in this part of their journey, except at the very end where it counts! Another great mystery to be solved by the book writer and her apprentice ghost!
August 31, 2023
Dead Reckoning is book 5 in the Gwen's Ghosts series.
Dead Reckoning is another great book in the Gwen’s Ghosts series. Full of twists and turns Gwen continues her investigation in locating a missing man. The police still don’t believe he’s missing, but Gwen’s affinity for seeing ghosts proves otherwise. The mystery is unique, and the authors are developing Gwen’s world well. I was engaged from the very beginning.
I enjoyed every single thing about this story. The setting is simple yet perfect for the story being told. The characters are three-dimensional, interesting, and written well. I'm excited to see where these extraordinary authors take us in the next book.
Dead Reckoning is another great book in the Gwen’s Ghosts series. Full of twists and turns Gwen continues her investigation in locating a missing man. The police still don’t believe he’s missing, but Gwen’s affinity for seeing ghosts proves otherwise. The mystery is unique, and the authors are developing Gwen’s world well. I was engaged from the very beginning.
I enjoyed every single thing about this story. The setting is simple yet perfect for the story being told. The characters are three-dimensional, interesting, and written well. I'm excited to see where these extraordinary authors take us in the next book.
June 29, 2024
Fun story tho books 4 & 5 follow the same storyline & should be condensed into 1 book
This series of books are fun and fast moving. Perhaps they seem fast moving because all of the books is this series are approx 100 pages long and the reason I'm giving only a 4 star review. Books 1-3 should have been condensed into 1 book as they were all the same story line. Books 4-5 should be one book as well.
The main character and her prim and proper, tho sarcastic side-kick ghost are entertaining. And I won't spoil the surprise, but Gwen finally makes her decision between her two love interests! Yay, bout time!
This series of books are fun and fast moving. Perhaps they seem fast moving because all of the books is this series are approx 100 pages long and the reason I'm giving only a 4 star review. Books 1-3 should have been condensed into 1 book as they were all the same story line. Books 4-5 should be one book as well.
The main character and her prim and proper, tho sarcastic side-kick ghost are entertaining. And I won't spoil the surprise, but Gwen finally makes her decision between her two love interests! Yay, bout time!
September 30, 2023
I love where this series is going now.
This is the fifth novella in this PWF series. I love the partnership of crime novelist turned amateur sleuth and her ghostly sidekick.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Good old fashioned investigating … or in Gwen’s case, sticking her nose into other people’s business.
If you’re a fan of light-hearted, cosy mysteries, I recommend this series.
The reading order so far:
Book 1, Dance with the Dead
Book 2, Dead and Gone
Book 3, Dead of Night
Book 4, Left for Dead
Book 5, Dead Reckoning
This is the fifth novella in this PWF series. I love the partnership of crime novelist turned amateur sleuth and her ghostly sidekick.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Good old fashioned investigating … or in Gwen’s case, sticking her nose into other people’s business.
If you’re a fan of light-hearted, cosy mysteries, I recommend this series.
The reading order so far:
Book 1, Dance with the Dead
Book 2, Dead and Gone
Book 3, Dead of Night
Book 4, Left for Dead
Book 5, Dead Reckoning
August 28, 2023
Gwen finds herself in precarious situations regularly. There are several such instances in this installment of the series. There are mysteries to be solved and she can't seem to help herself. I love how Petra is such a devoted friend and not only helps to solve the case but helps to save Gwen. It was poignant and touching when they work with a broken hearted ghost to right wrongs.
September 2, 2023
This is book five in the series and picks up from the fourth book so don't pick up this book and hope your going to catch up. Gwen is trying to deal with her love life but Hugo has gone missing though only his girlfriend thinks something bad has happened because everyone else thinks that he has gone on vacation. Gwen and Petra take the case and another adventure begins.
January 14, 2024
Really Interesting Mystery
I loved this mystery. A young man goes missing, and everyone, including the police, think he took off with some unknown woman. But his local girlfriend begs Gwen to investigate. There was so much going on in this mystery! There had to be at least 4 separate plot points, but they all fit in the story beautifully. Really great writing here.
I loved this mystery. A young man goes missing, and everyone, including the police, think he took off with some unknown woman. But his local girlfriend begs Gwen to investigate. There was so much going on in this mystery! There had to be at least 4 separate plot points, but they all fit in the story beautifully. Really great writing here.
February 1, 2025
I have heard of some weird robberies and kidnappings to facilitate them, but this story takes the cake! The plot is straightforward and the premise is what happened to Hugo and why. The answers were astonishing. I definitely recommend this book.
August 26, 2023
Another great read by this pair of authors. I always enjoy the mischief these characters get into. Fun paranormal mystery. Really enjoying this series.
September 7, 2023
This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was fun, action packed and fast-paced. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series.
November 11, 2023
Interesting, feels more like a complete story
November 21, 2023
The fifth installment of this series is just as amazing as the last four. Gwen and Petra are the dynamic duo on the case. These two are quite the team. Even so, Gwen finds herself the center of attention by some rather nasty people. This is a great series. Don't read as a standalone though.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews