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Charlie Parker #13
Phantoms Can Be Murder
Charlie receives an enigmatic letter from her namesake aunt, her father's estranged sister whom she's never met. Soon she's off to England. In the charming medieval Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds it isn’t only slightly-eccentric Aunt Louisa’s beliefs in the occult or her spooky “haunted sites” tours that pique Charlie’s interest.
When a friend of Louisa's is plagued by a series of pranks, Charlie and Louisa offer to find out what's behind them. But Charlie soon discovers that something sinister is brewing and she finds herself drawn into an investigation of crimes that are far too real.
When a friend of Louisa's is plagued by a series of pranks, Charlie and Louisa offer to find out what's behind them. But Charlie soon discovers that something sinister is brewing and she finds herself drawn into an investigation of crimes that are far too real.
266 pages, ebook
First published May 17, 2012
106 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Connie Shelton
94 books310 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 17, 2017
Great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed the setting of a historical English town a couple hours from London; I wish I'd been able to visit when I was in England. Very good plot, even though I had suspected the one 'who done it' about a third way through. I'm ready for the next one now!
June 11, 2023
A trip to England …
Charlie travels to England to meet an aunt she never knew existed. Naturally, while vacationing in the quaint village, word of Charlie’s profession as a private investigator come to light. She’s asked to look into some eerie phenomena happening to a shop owner.
With no explanations other than assuming the cause is supernatural in nature, Charlie takes on what has to be her strangest case yet.
Having been to England, I can say I easily imagined myself back there, investigating small towns, experiencing car rides in vehicles on the wrong side of the road, and enjoying some truly fantastic fish and chips. Loved the book, Connie! Am feeling like a broken record by repeating what I’ve said twelve other times now, but I’m getting ready to start the next!
J.
Charlie travels to England to meet an aunt she never knew existed. Naturally, while vacationing in the quaint village, word of Charlie’s profession as a private investigator come to light. She’s asked to look into some eerie phenomena happening to a shop owner.
With no explanations other than assuming the cause is supernatural in nature, Charlie takes on what has to be her strangest case yet.
Having been to England, I can say I easily imagined myself back there, investigating small towns, experiencing car rides in vehicles on the wrong side of the road, and enjoying some truly fantastic fish and chips. Loved the book, Connie! Am feeling like a broken record by repeating what I’ve said twelve other times now, but I’m getting ready to start the next!
J.
March 3, 2020
How have I missed Charlie Parker all this time? But I finally found her and I’m a fan!
Phantoms Can Be Murder pulled me right into Charlie’s world and her dilemma. What’s a private investigator to do when she learns she has an aunt she never knew, living in a place she’s never heard of? For Charlie, the answer is simple. You investigate. But the planned quick visit goes slightly off track soon after Charlie arrives in Bury St. Edmunds. A medieval town in Suffolk seems just the place to enjoy her newly-discovered aunt’s vocation of leading tours in haunted places. Less enjoyable are the sinister happenings at a local shop her aunt frequents. When the shop-owner asks for help, Charlie digs in. When the shop-owner dies, Charlie has to ask herself, was cause of death natural or unnatural? And Charlie can’t rest until she knows for sure.
I found Charlie to be spunky and real. A character you can get to know and be glad you did. The mystery was nicely done and fun to read. I gave Charlie and her latest mystery five ghostly stars.
Phantoms Can Be Murder pulled me right into Charlie’s world and her dilemma. What’s a private investigator to do when she learns she has an aunt she never knew, living in a place she’s never heard of? For Charlie, the answer is simple. You investigate. But the planned quick visit goes slightly off track soon after Charlie arrives in Bury St. Edmunds. A medieval town in Suffolk seems just the place to enjoy her newly-discovered aunt’s vocation of leading tours in haunted places. Less enjoyable are the sinister happenings at a local shop her aunt frequents. When the shop-owner asks for help, Charlie digs in. When the shop-owner dies, Charlie has to ask herself, was cause of death natural or unnatural? And Charlie can’t rest until she knows for sure.
I found Charlie to be spunky and real. A character you can get to know and be glad you did. The mystery was nicely done and fun to read. I gave Charlie and her latest mystery five ghostly stars.
November 2, 2019
This was a really good book. I liked the characters and the setting. It was a good story.
April 3, 2025
An unexpected letter from Louisa, Charlie's long-estranged aunt, has Charlie on a flight to Bury St. Edmunds—solo since a work contract forces Drake to remain Stateside to deal with a finicky client. The English town is quaint, quiet, and quintessentially British, and Charlie's trip looks like it will be a true vacation until Louisa introduces her to a friend who is being subjected to a series of pranks. Charlie doesn't believe in ghosts, but this case is causing her to re-evaluate those feelings.
4.5 Stars
Charlie, our heroine, is so well written that I almost feel I know her in real life. I also loved the new character of Aunt Louisa who, it appears, has traveled a great deal and lived an extremely interesting life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we spend more time getting to know Louisa as the series progresses.
The eerie setting of Bury St. Edmunds was perfect for this mystery. The ghostly nature of a centuries-old town dialed up the spooky factor. Descriptions of the buildings, streets, and ruins heightened the atmosphere.
The difference between the seasoned detective (Charlie) and the novice (Louisa) had me chuckling. It was delightful that Charlie had her aunt interview suspects, especially as Charlie ensured Louisa's safety. I had pinned down a part of the mystery before Charlie unraveled it, but not all, which led to a surprising ending.
This series is so flawless that I recommend it to any cosy lover.
4.5 Stars
Charlie, our heroine, is so well written that I almost feel I know her in real life. I also loved the new character of Aunt Louisa who, it appears, has traveled a great deal and lived an extremely interesting life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we spend more time getting to know Louisa as the series progresses.
The eerie setting of Bury St. Edmunds was perfect for this mystery. The ghostly nature of a centuries-old town dialed up the spooky factor. Descriptions of the buildings, streets, and ruins heightened the atmosphere.
The difference between the seasoned detective (Charlie) and the novice (Louisa) had me chuckling. It was delightful that Charlie had her aunt interview suspects, especially as Charlie ensured Louisa's safety. I had pinned down a part of the mystery before Charlie unraveled it, but not all, which led to a surprising ending.
This series is so flawless that I recommend it to any cosy lover.
October 25, 2024
free ebook from series i like
husband and wife fly helicopters, she is pi too. they got a puppy
she found out she has a aunt she was named after who lives in england. her dad was the brother to her aunt and they didnt speak. she didnt know why
the aunt wanted her to come to england so she did. her husband had to stay home and work
the aunt had a friend at the yarn shop, odd things were happening, yarn rearranged in the night, her cold tea got super hot and burned her hand, etc. her friend asked her to look into it and she is
the lady at the yarn shop died. she is looking into it to see if one of the people who didnt like her(there were many) did it
the husband was having affair with lady in next shop but his wifes assistant wanted him and killed the wife. she threw the pi down the stairs but her aunt brought the police and she got out
she went home and the assistant was arrested
husband and wife fly helicopters, she is pi too. they got a puppy
she found out she has a aunt she was named after who lives in england. her dad was the brother to her aunt and they didnt speak. she didnt know why
the aunt wanted her to come to england so she did. her husband had to stay home and work
the aunt had a friend at the yarn shop, odd things were happening, yarn rearranged in the night, her cold tea got super hot and burned her hand, etc. her friend asked her to look into it and she is
the lady at the yarn shop died. she is looking into it to see if one of the people who didnt like her(there were many) did it
the husband was having affair with lady in next shop but his wifes assistant wanted him and killed the wife. she threw the pi down the stairs but her aunt brought the police and she got out
she went home and the assistant was arrested
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
I can't believe how much I enjoyed meeting one of Charlie's namesakes. I hope that Aunt Louisa shows up in another book down the road. What would be great if she could come to visit New Mexico. Considering that they touch upon the fact that Charlie has some money stashed away, it would be well spent to bring Aunt Louisa for a visit.
June 4, 2017
Fun English cozy!
Wonderful read and cannot wait for next one in the series!
One of her best to date and love the English setting!
Wonderful read and cannot wait for next one in the series!
One of her best to date and love the English setting!
April 27, 2020
Enjoy listening to Connie Shelton's books. Good to have books that don't have vulgar language.
January 28, 2021
Murder again
I really enjoyed this story. The charicchters were all very interesting and believe able. In fact Archie made me so mad. Lol. You really must read it.
I really enjoyed this story. The charicchters were all very interesting and believe able. In fact Archie made me so mad. Lol. You really must read it.
January 27, 2024
Another great story in the Charlie Parker series! I’m not a fan of accents in audiobooks but Rebecca Cook does a great job. Connie Shelton and Rebecca Cook make a great team! Highly recommended
December 2, 2024
The aunt wasn't so bad as Charlie's dad think.
It is really quite good addition to the series.
It is really quite good addition to the series.
July 5, 2012
I really enjoyed this one, especially the British locale. I hope future books can incorporate her aunt as she was a fun character as well. The mystery was interesting and had me guessing throughout the story.
January 8, 2016
Phantoms Can Be Murder
Another great Charlie Parker mystery. This story takes place in England and we meet Charlie's Aunt Louisa. The two of them have a problem to solve. Looking forward to number 14!
Another great Charlie Parker mystery. This story takes place in England and we meet Charlie's Aunt Louisa. The two of them have a problem to solve. Looking forward to number 14!
May 23, 2019
Hoopla
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews