Resurrection in Mudbug

Ghost-in-Law #4

by Jana Deleon

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the bayou…

Jadyn St. James is excited to start her job as game warden in Mudbug, Louisiana, and hopes it is the beginning of a new and improved life. She expected to run across any number of odd occurrences in the small bayou town, but she never thought her life would be in danger within a matter of days. And that’s not even the worst thing.
Helena Henry was hell on wheels—both alive and dead—when she resided in Mudbug, and a year in heaven hasn’t improved her one bit. Now, she’s back and has brought trouble with her.

When it becomes apparent that a major crime is occurring in Mudbug, Colt Bertrand is more than frustrated to be saddled with an inexperienced game warden, especially one who looks like Jadyn. But it soon becomes apparent that they need to put their differences aside if they expect to solve the crime, and more importantly, stay alive.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Fiction, Humor, Audiobook

255 pages, ebook

First published June 10, 2013

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a turn away from the previous format of this series. This time we are going all cozy and juts a flirtation. I ended up starting this series with the 6th book, so I know this "romance" will be draw out over the next book as well. So, do not go into this looking for a HEA, not yet anyway.

This major change in the format wasn't something I loved. It is one of the reasons the series has lost a star. The other reason is the fat bashing. I am sick of it! It is so very uncalled for, sure Helena isn't helping with her wardrobe, but the catty comments pissed me off. Being a curvy girl, I take offence. It was not needed at all for the story and just made me dislike the lead, who I otherwise loved.

I enjoyed the overall mystery here, it wasn't very solvable, but that wasn't a biggie. I enjoyed the journey. Helena is a riot when she gets into the thick of it and forgets she is dead.

Jadyn and Colt are the main characters this time around. They don't have a romance, more of an animosity/flirtation. Most of the book comes from their POV, but there are also scenes from the supporting cast and the bad guys. Those inside thoughts are no help in identifying the villain.

No hanky panky here, bummer. Can't have steam if there isn't a romance.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Johanna Parker, who is fantastic. I love the gentle roll to her Southern accents, they are light but distinct. The pace is quick enough to keep the reader engaged and her energy is wonderful. Great voices that stayed distinct and consistent.

I am really enjoying this series and I hope future books have less fat shaming. Although, I will say Helena gives it right back! She has enough sass to keep me in a good mood!

*** If you found this review at all helpful, please take a moment to let me know. I love reading and sharing my opinions with other readers. Thanks for taking the time to read my review! You can see more audiobook reviews on my blog www.eargasmsaudiobookreviews.com ***

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Resurrection in Mudbug in the fourth book in the Ghost-in-Law series.

I am so addicted to these books. I really enjoyed Jadyn's story (she is Maryse's cousin). I also loved that Maryse and Mildred were in this book so much.

This book is a bit different than the previous books in the series. This one is all mystery with only a hint of romance.

But I'm guessing that this couple will appear in the next book. And I absolutely cannot wait to read it.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts
This was fun! This wasn't my favorite book in the series but I did enjoy it. Helena is back and helping out with another investigation in Mudbug. This time she is helping Maryse's cousin, Jayden. I was happy to see a lot familiar characters play a role in this installment. Helena was just as over the top as she has ever been. Johanna Parker did a fantastic job with the narration. I look forward to reading more of the series very soon.

Book source: Purchased

[FangirlNation · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the group of friends in Resurrection in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon might draw back in horror to  exclaim, "She's ba-a-ack!" They thought they were rid of Helena when, a year later, the obnoxious ghost has now returned to their lives. She has annoyed God and gotten kicked out of heaven. The people who can see Helena get a scare when Maryse's cousin, Jaydn, the new game warden in Mudbug, sees Helena. They have noticed that no one ever sees the ghost until that person is in serious risk of losing her life, so they fear that Jaydn may be in danger.

Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation

[Snarktastic Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I delayed a bit in reading this one because it deviates from the "paranormal romance" format of one couple per book. And, honestly, because how on earth did Helena come back. All this is explained nicely and our recurring characters are a hoot and a half. Still.

The mystery is not very detailed or clues dropped so that we actually have a chance to solve it for ourselves. But, that isn't really what these novels are about. They are about the characters and the silliness, and that continues to be done well.

I loved the explanation for why Helena returned. It cracked me up and suited the story. Honestly, I enjoy the fact that God is even mentioned in these stories.

I will move on. I just love it in Mudbug.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Ghost-in-Law series by Jana Deleon. Jadyn St. James, a cousin of Maryse from Trouble in Mudbug has arrived in Mudbug and her first day at work she is called to assist the sheriff, Colt Bertrand, with a situation that occurred in the game reserve. A wrecked shrimp boat has them investigating possible drug activity in the area. Murder and mayhem follow.

Okay, more fun with Helena and the residents of Mudbug and a new mystery to solve. A good addition to this fun-filled series.

[Winnie Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of humor. If you liked the earlier Ghost-in-Law books, you'll be sure to love this too. Helena is back again and ready to wreck havoc. Her clothes choices are getting wackier and wackier and I had a great laugh.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maryse (the heroine in Book One) welcomes her cousin Jayden to Mudbug. Jayden St James has been hired as the new game warden. She took the job in the sleepy Louisiana town expecting her position to be filled with minor infractions, but on her first day she’s called to the a grisly scene that stuns the sheriff and causes even the coroner to pass out. Soon after that, she’s called to investigate some poachers, but the call turns out to be a ruse for a shooter to make an attempt on her life. Sheriff Colt Bertrand is at first frustrated to be saddled with an inexperienced game warden who looks like a cover model, but soon learns to look past her appearance, and they both learn lessons in trust. I noted a few typos in this book - more than with the others in this series - but the story is so fast-paced and fascinating I’d still recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 bk 118: I love the Mudbug stories. I wanted that out of the way. This return to Mudbug seems to also be a return to some of the plotting/scenes/dialog of Rumble in the Bayou (one of DeLeon's earliest books). Marsye's cousin, Jadyn, is the new game warden for Mudbug and the preserve. When a boat full of money is found in a pond, it opens up the town to a new mystery and folks wanting to kill Jadyn and Colt, the town sheriff. Helena returns after a year in Heaven (God kicked her out, but that is another plot line best left not touched.) and puts her wiles to work helping the duo solve the mystery, save their lives, and help the town solve the murders and the mystery of why there was so much money on the boat.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has unfortunately become too formulaic for me. There is always a beautiful women, who of course downplays her beauty. There is always a smoking hot guy who can't resist her, even when it jeapordizes his job. At least in this one the two don't end up as a couple right off the bat; that is will probably happen in the next book, after all how many gorgeous people can be crammed into this tiny town. What saves this series is Helena, the 'ghost-in-law'. Her reason for ending up back in Mudbug is just hilarious. Unfortunately it is revealed in the first chapter, and the rest of the book does not maintain that level of humor.

[Erin L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is hard to rate well. I love this book and the complete chaos. I can also acknowledge that parts of the plot (the romance in the romantic suspense) was poorly developed and felt tacked on, rather than a core component of the story.

The mystery was chaotic in a fun way, but also felt a little poorly set up at times. I still enjoyed the book enough to think I want to read the next in the series. Like potato chips, I can acknowledge they aren't worth it, but I also can't stop wanting more.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resurrection in Mudbug by Jana Deleon is the 4th book in the Ghost-in-law series. New Mudbug game warden Jadyn St. James is called out to a wrecked shrimp boat containing bags of money only to be followed up with a gruesome murder. Unfortunately Helena Henry's ghost has returned to Mudbug and as Jadyn can see her, it means her life is in danger. A fun mystery and it was nice that we see the return of many of the previous characters. Helena is as wacky as ever with her clothes choices becoming more and more bizarre. A wild and crazy mystery.

[Michele Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited a bit to write this review. I am a big fan of Jana DeLeon's Mudbug series. Though the story line was good, I could only give this three stars because it was so poorly edited. Editing is my biggest pet peeve and I was really disappointed with this book. Not only were there typos, but there were so many inconsistencies that at one point the main character Colt became Carter for a few pages. I assume at some time during the writing process the author considered Carter for his name but changed it along the way. Also at the end of Mischief in Mudbug there is enough evidence for an autopsy so they exhume Helena's body and do the autopsy. As the series continued they discussed the autopsy results as well as other things pertaining to the findings in the autopsy but in Resurrection in Mudbug Helena says her coffin was an empty box that she was cremated?????

As for the story itself there was a lot of action a little gore but not much romance though Colt and Jadyn, the two main characters, did have some sparks and it seems that their story will continue in a new book. The story also revisits with some of the characters from the other books in the series, mainly Maryse and Luc as well as Mildred and of course Helena. This book seemed rushed, I hope they take more time to fact check and edit before the next book in the series is released.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read and a great continuation to this series. If you haven't read the other books, you should. The plot is good, but the romance doesn't get beyond the warm fuzzes stage, a real bummer.

A boat full of money turns up in a pond in the bayou. Everyone is wading in to grab some and the gators are eyeing dinner. Jadyn, the new game warden and Maryse's cousin had to take drastic action in order to prevent anyone from becoming gator bate. Sheriff Colt likes how she handles the situation and a lot more, but he doesn't make any moves during the whole book, bummer. Bodies start appearing and they are not gator victims and Jadyn had someone shooting at her. Oh, Helena is back. It seems that God couldn't stand her either.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th book in the Ghost-in-Law series by Jana Deleon. Fun cozy mystery with a ghost. A hilarious ghost.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The reason I became hooked on this author was because of her Miss Fortune series but having caught up with that series, I was looking for something new and thought I would give it ago. Glad I did. Although in some ways nothing like Miss Fortune the light hearted humour and high jinx it still very much at the for front of the series, this time with a ghost causing all the trouble. This is book four in the series and each book is focused on a different person as she tried to avoid death and finds romance, the other characters are still they to help and of course the ghost. Who I just love, from her complaining, to wardrobe malfunctions, to being in the thick of the investigation. Where else are you going to find a ghost that was kicked out of haven. The mystery was unusual and was Just as entertaining. Off to start the next book.
Jaydn is excited to move to Mudbug for her dream job and to be close to a cousin she has only Just discovered. However her first day has her questioning that decision when she has to break up a fight over floating money, discovers a dead body and learns that she can see a ghost. The ghost Helena is normally only seen by people who's life is in danger. Can Jadyn stay a live with the help from the ghost, her cousin and the handsome sheriff long enough to get to the bottom of the murder.
I liked that the author used a different narrator for each series, so you don't get them muddled up and both are very good.
I very talented author that no matter what series you read or listen, you know you are going to be chuckling along.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story but some issues for me

I read the first 2 books in this series a while back and mostly enjoyed them, even though there were a couple of things I didn't care for. I pretty recently read the third one and was pleasantly surprised that these things seemed to be less prevalent , so I grabbed this one from the library. Unfortunately, the aspects I disliked are back with a vengeance. What I dislike most is the treatment of Helena. I get that she's annoying and was awful when alive, but she has been very helpful to all the main characters in these books, yet she's treated with ridicule and scorn by the author and by these characters. Much of this is around her appearance (and in this book especially it seemed like the first quarter was spent alternatively berating Helena's appearance and praising Jadyn's). I get these books are about beautiful people, but I did get extremely tired of reading about how gorgeous Jaydn is. There is some physical description of some of the male characters, but not nearly to the extent that the female characters are verbally ogled. I will likely read the next one with the hope that the treatment of Helena is a little gentler (as I remember it being in the 3rd book) and that there's more time spent on actual character development and less on physical description.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book in the series as much as the first 3. Helena evidently annoyed God and was sent back to earth as a ghost (after she ascended in the last book). Jayden has just been hired as the new game warden in Mudbug and has to hit the ground running when a shrimp boat is found sinking with plastic bags full of cash floating in the water. Colt is the sheriff and wants to take over the investigation. Heads butt as Jayden’s life is put in danger and the dead bodies start piling up. Helena is charged with following and helping Jayden during the investigation.

I didn’t care for the lead into romance for Jayden and Colt. Their eying up of body parts. Apologizing for their actions only to be poo-pooed. Sophomoric one upmanship. Reading the synopsis of the next two books in the series I think I’ll skip them.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jadyn St. James is thrilled to come to Mudbug to work as the game warden; her cousin Maryse Robicheraux owns the wildlife preserve, and so it's an opportunity to reconnect with family.

And then someone tries to shrink a shrimp boat full of money in the bayou ... which is how Jadyn meets the handsome sheriff, Colt.

Oh ... and Helena Henry has been kicked out of Heaven by God, so she's back ... and Jadyn can see the ghost, which is always a harbinger of danger.

The hijinks are just as hilarious, and the stakes just as high, in the previous books in this charming series. There are two books left, and I think I'm going to be sad when it's over because I'm enjoying it so much.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was getting ready to talk crap about the author making all these the same, with the same exact relationships happening to all the characters, like can there be just ONE mystery?! Without someone meeting some guy who happens to be super hot, then the SAME scenario where they resist each other until they can't, and end up having sex, THEN getting married after 2 weeks of being together?!? But im glad to report that didn't happen in this book, although I have no doubt it will happen in the next, lol but I was happy for the reprieve. Without the lame love storyline going on I LOVE this series.

[Laura (Lclwags) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first 3 books, so I continued the series. I wondered how it was still the ghost-in-law series after Helena had moved on. I was very disappointed in most aspects of this book. There is a big focus on the physical descriptions, but not on character development. We learn very little about Jadyn except that she's hot and Mayrse cousin. Helena is treated like crap and fat shamed throughout the book. Her outfits are even more ridiculous. Also, was there an editor for this book?! The grammar mistakes and typos were ridiculous. This book felt rushed. It was not up to the quality of the others.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it can be corny sometimes, I really enjoy this series. I cannot understand why they don’t want Helena back after such a loving send off they gave her in the last novel. I truly love Helena. She means well. She does help save them. She tries her best. That’s worth a lot in my book. I would welcome her with open arms. She doesn’t deserve all the negativity and disrespect they show her. I was also hoping that Jadyn would end up with Colt. I guess we have to wait and see in the next novel. Lol!

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried after the last book that the series was ending. I mean, how could Maryse and friends go on without Helena plowing through investigations and driving everyone nuts. The good news is DeLeon found a way to bring our favorite obnoxious ghost back for more havoc in Mudbug.

Nothing earth shattering here, just some murder and mayhem with two new characters thrown into the mix. The mystery kept me guessing until the big reveal, which came as a complete surprise. I was hoping for a bit more romance between Jadyn and Colt, but all we got was flirting. Maybe next book. I can wait.

[Andrea Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of this series and have enjoyed the previous book to varying degrees. This book has its pros, but the cons are pretty significant to me. Such as the extremely gory crime scene- if I wanted gore I’d read thrillers not books with funny ex mother-in-law ghosts and towns named Mud Bug. As well as characters characteristics completely changing. ie Last book Maryse was noted for being a fantastic liar. This book she “completely sucked at lying.” I will likely continue reading the series, but was disappointed with this one.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHE'S BACK!! 😱😫 Helena gets "kicked out" of Heaven and comes back to terrorize Mudbug. She comes back just as new game warden Jadyn comes to town and you guessed right she can unfortunately see Helena 😲. Bullets start flying and Helena, well she just makes everything worse. 😩 The sheriff isn't convinced that the new girl can do her job but she shows him when they bring down the bad guys. 😉 A very entertaining addition to a pretty good series. 😊

[Garnet Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little town, big crooks!

Jadyn comes to Mudbug as the new game warden. She is Maryses cousin and meets Mildred Sabine and Helena who has returned from heaven to annoy them all. Since Jadyn can see Helena the ghost, they all know she is in danger. Sheriff Colt calls her about a boat sinking in the bayou with bags of money floating around. Then people start dying. Now the sheriff and game warden have to unravel the mystery and hopefully live to tell the tale.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy these short little reads by Jana Deleon.

I was a bit sceptical about her resurrecting Helena but I’m glad she did.

This was a lot of fun, fast paced and well done.

I like that I can start reading after work and finish it before bed.

I’ll read the next one just to see what Helena panics about and whether Jadyn and Colt get it on!

[Shelley Tejchma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

This is the 5th book in the series. The characters are great especially Helena. This book is really good like the others. You won't guess the outcome halfway through the book. I only have 1 more book left. Hopefully there are more coming. I love Mudbug and I'm not ready to leave yet!!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helena's baaaaaaaaaaaaack, and as snarky as ever! Enter Jaydn, who is Maryse's cousin, and she's taken up the job of Game Warden in the Reserve... Colt is back in his hometown of Mudbug as the new sheriff- together they stumble into serious trouble. I really enjoyed this installment of the continuing saga of Mudbug, Louisiana.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's ba-a-a-ack! Even though Helena Henry ascended in book #3 (Showdown in Mudbug), her spirit apparently had a disagreement with God and she has been returned to Earth --- specifically, to Mudbug, Louisiana, home of the handful of people who can see and hear her. And, as usual, murder, mystery, and mayhem follow in her (not inconsiderable) wake...