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Genie and Adriana Darling Mysteries #1
Genie and the Ghost
New York jewelry designer Genie Darling has returned to her childhood home in quaint Cobblewood Cove for one reason to sort through generations of old family heirlooms and hand anything of historical interest over to the local museum.
But after a failed mugging attempt, and the appearance of a beautiful but ghostly young stranger in a vintage evening dress, Genie realises there’s something suspicious - and spooky - going on.
The glamorous and friendly spectre turns out to be Genie’s own great-great-aunt Adriana, who died in 1929 in mysterious circumstances.
When there are more attempts on Genie and her home and her main suspect dies in a suspicious accident, she decides to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Does it have anything to do with Adriana’s death and reappearance?
With her unflappable, pet-whispering aunt and cat Cleo by her side, Genie sets out to lay this ghost to rest by solving the mystery and unmasking the culprits.
But digging up the past can be deadly …
Genie and the Ghost is the first book in a fun-filled paranormal cozy ghost murder mystery series.
But after a failed mugging attempt, and the appearance of a beautiful but ghostly young stranger in a vintage evening dress, Genie realises there’s something suspicious - and spooky - going on.
The glamorous and friendly spectre turns out to be Genie’s own great-great-aunt Adriana, who died in 1929 in mysterious circumstances.
When there are more attempts on Genie and her home and her main suspect dies in a suspicious accident, she decides to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Does it have anything to do with Adriana’s death and reappearance?
With her unflappable, pet-whispering aunt and cat Cleo by her side, Genie sets out to lay this ghost to rest by solving the mystery and unmasking the culprits.
But digging up the past can be deadly …
Genie and the Ghost is the first book in a fun-filled paranormal cozy ghost murder mystery series.
216 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2023
439 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 12, 2023
Genie Darling has taken up residence in her recently dearly departed great aunt’s house. For company she has her mother’s cat, Cleo, and her great-great aunt Adriana’s ghost. Adriana died in suspicious circumstances after a car crash nearly a century ago and after sifting through family heirlooms and documents to take to the local museum, Genie discovers a mystery which is just waiting to be investigated and gets involved in all sorts of mischief.
This is a fun, cosy and enjoyable whodunnit. It has an entertaining plotline and some amusing characters, my favourite being Cleo the cat. She’s a quiet presence but has quite an intrinsic role in the story. I liked the idea of a ghost as part of an amateur detective duo - Adriana being quite the flamboyant one. If you’re looking for some escapism from the trials and tribulations of every day life, you couldn't do any better than reading this. It will make you smile with a shiver! 👻
This is a fun, cosy and enjoyable whodunnit. It has an entertaining plotline and some amusing characters, my favourite being Cleo the cat. She’s a quiet presence but has quite an intrinsic role in the story. I liked the idea of a ghost as part of an amateur detective duo - Adriana being quite the flamboyant one. If you’re looking for some escapism from the trials and tribulations of every day life, you couldn't do any better than reading this. It will make you smile with a shiver! 👻
September 30, 2023
Great read! Lovely characters and fast paced plot. Completely different to your usual ghost story or indeed cozy mystery. Thoroughly recommend.
September 15, 2023
This was such a fun read! I loved the mix of past meets present with Genie and Adriana’s relationship. There were so many great twists and turns that I couldn’t guess. I can’t wait to see where the story goes and if Adriana gets to stay or move on.
August 2, 2024
I’m travelling at the moment so I’m always on the lookout for straightforward, easy, entertaining reads that aren’t‘t too challenging as my days are pretty full on.
Now there‘s plenty of cosy mystery type stuff out there but a lot of it leaves you somewhat underwhelmed - however, the thing with Carmen Radtke is, you simply know you‘re in safe hands and she‘ll bring that baby home.
This new series does it just as brilliantly as her other books - well written, rounded characters, solid, believable plots, a good dash of humour, a lot of heart, and neatly tied up endings leave you wanting for absolutely nothing.
Another winner from Carmen!
Now there‘s plenty of cosy mystery type stuff out there but a lot of it leaves you somewhat underwhelmed - however, the thing with Carmen Radtke is, you simply know you‘re in safe hands and she‘ll bring that baby home.
This new series does it just as brilliantly as her other books - well written, rounded characters, solid, believable plots, a good dash of humour, a lot of heart, and neatly tied up endings leave you wanting for absolutely nothing.
Another winner from Carmen!
December 17, 2024
Delightful! A wonderful introduction to a fantastic ghost series. This story combines 1920's golden age history and current culture to make a rolicking good time. Character development is spot on, especially of Adriana (the great-great Aunt ghost). World building is fabulous, down to the creaks in the floorboards. I did not figure out the who dun it which added so much to the story. Highly Recommended!
October 10, 2023
A great cozy mysteries with a ghost. Genevieve "Genie" Darling returns to her Hometown and moves into her aunts old place. Through circumstances she runs into a ghost, Adriana, that claims to be her great great aunt Who died mysteriously in 1929. It was brilliant and wonderful. It Provided a great mystery With fun characters.
October 22, 2023
I’m such a sucker for a cosy mystery read, and when it’s October how could I not want to read a paranormal cosy mystery? The first book I’ve read by this author but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this one, loved the characters and the dual timelines aspect. Highly recommend
March 16, 2024
I love fun endings and riches
Good characters, good story line and fun combo of timeless ghost and Genie. I would love to have the ghost relative and cat, a mystery to can solve and an international prospect.
Good characters, good story line and fun combo of timeless ghost and Genie. I would love to have the ghost relative and cat, a mystery to can solve and an international prospect.
October 21, 2023
A good cozy read. A quick read finished it in a weekend. Love cozy mystery’s for an escape this is well written and good characters. Worth a read.
October 25, 2023
I enjoyed this story. Getting to know Genie and her aunt Adriana is like meeting old friends. They interact well and have. quite a comedic relationship. The story is developed brilliantly so that it feels like you are within the story. I look forward to more adventures with these characters.
November 1, 2023
Genie and the ghosts by Carmen Radtke.
New York jewelry designer Genie Darling has returned to her childhood home in quaint Cobblewood Cove for one reason only: to sort through generations of old family heirlooms and hand anything of historical interest over to the local museum.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Genie and her ghost sidekick Arianna. 5*.
New York jewelry designer Genie Darling has returned to her childhood home in quaint Cobblewood Cove for one reason only: to sort through generations of old family heirlooms and hand anything of historical interest over to the local museum.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Genie and her ghost sidekick Arianna. 5*.
November 14, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke has two generations of Darling’s solving a mystery.
Will Genie solve the mystery?
Genie Darling Harper and Adriana Darling
Genie Darling Harper, better known as Genie Darling, returns home to Cobblewood Cove. You see, her mom is away on her honeymoon, and someone needs to go through their family’s old belongings for the museum being put together. Well, let’s say that a lot of things have been happening. Genie is an excellent detective. I love the scenes where she’s arguing with Adriana and the cat, Cleo. It’s all so amazing.
Adriana Darling is a ghost from 1929, and she was murdered. Could Adriana’s reappearance as a ghost have something to do with Genie’s experiences with crime? There is only one way to find out, and that is to solve the mystery. Adriana is a real hoot, and I love this character so much.
The Mystery
Genie Darling Harper was almost mugged, and her house got broken into all in one night. Plus, the appearance of her great-great aunt Adriana and things are just peachy for this latest generation of the Darling family. Part of me already figured out who it could have been, and I was right. Except I didn’t have the motive for anything. Once that was revealed, it all clicked into place.
Five Stars
I am giving Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke five stars. I am also recommending this book to whoever wants to read it. Ms. Radtke can transport you to the same place as her characters. I felt like I was standing alongside Genie and Adriana, trying to solve the mystery. Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke is an excellent start to a wonderful series.
Thank you for dropping by! What do you think of Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke?
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Genie solve the mystery?
Genie Darling Harper and Adriana Darling
Genie Darling Harper, better known as Genie Darling, returns home to Cobblewood Cove. You see, her mom is away on her honeymoon, and someone needs to go through their family’s old belongings for the museum being put together. Well, let’s say that a lot of things have been happening. Genie is an excellent detective. I love the scenes where she’s arguing with Adriana and the cat, Cleo. It’s all so amazing.
Adriana Darling is a ghost from 1929, and she was murdered. Could Adriana’s reappearance as a ghost have something to do with Genie’s experiences with crime? There is only one way to find out, and that is to solve the mystery. Adriana is a real hoot, and I love this character so much.
The Mystery
Genie Darling Harper was almost mugged, and her house got broken into all in one night. Plus, the appearance of her great-great aunt Adriana and things are just peachy for this latest generation of the Darling family. Part of me already figured out who it could have been, and I was right. Except I didn’t have the motive for anything. Once that was revealed, it all clicked into place.
Five Stars
I am giving Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke five stars. I am also recommending this book to whoever wants to read it. Ms. Radtke can transport you to the same place as her characters. I felt like I was standing alongside Genie and Adriana, trying to solve the mystery. Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke is an excellent start to a wonderful series.
Thank you for dropping by! What do you think of Genie and the Ghost by Carmen Radtke?
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
November 12, 2023
GENIE AND THE GHOST by Carmen Radtke
The First Adriana and Genie Darling Mystery
When you go to the old family home to clean things up and donate family heirlooms to the local museum, you expect some family memories to turn up, you don't expect to actually see old family members, especially one that's been dead for almost 100 years! But that's just what happens when Genie Darling returns to Cobblewood Cove. In addition to the multitude of quilts and tapestries from recently departed Aunt Libby, Genie encounters Adriana, her great-great-aunt, who happens to be a ghost. With an attempted mugging and burglary something nefarious is going on. Could it have something to do with Adriana's premature death?
Genie Darling makes a great protagonist with Adriana a super foil. Genie's smart and not afraid to put herself out there for her family. I love Adriana's special animal ability and especially love her relationship with Cleo. I also love the friendship that Genie and Adriana have developed. Genuine caring and lots of laughs. I can just picture them dancing. And Genie tilting to one side as she carries a brick in her bag so that Adriana can accompany her. The multigenerational mysteries were intriguing and I enjoyed watching Genie uncover the truth.
One thing I found a bit odd were the amount of British terms and slang. The story is set in New York state, yet things were put in the boot of the car and she carried a torch when the lights went out. Genie did travel to various countries growing up, and I understood everything, but it was a bit puzzling as she wasn't British nor was the book set there.
Funny and endearing GENIE AND THE GHOST is a lighthearted paranormal mystery focusing on family.
The First Adriana and Genie Darling Mystery
When you go to the old family home to clean things up and donate family heirlooms to the local museum, you expect some family memories to turn up, you don't expect to actually see old family members, especially one that's been dead for almost 100 years! But that's just what happens when Genie Darling returns to Cobblewood Cove. In addition to the multitude of quilts and tapestries from recently departed Aunt Libby, Genie encounters Adriana, her great-great-aunt, who happens to be a ghost. With an attempted mugging and burglary something nefarious is going on. Could it have something to do with Adriana's premature death?
Genie Darling makes a great protagonist with Adriana a super foil. Genie's smart and not afraid to put herself out there for her family. I love Adriana's special animal ability and especially love her relationship with Cleo. I also love the friendship that Genie and Adriana have developed. Genuine caring and lots of laughs. I can just picture them dancing. And Genie tilting to one side as she carries a brick in her bag so that Adriana can accompany her. The multigenerational mysteries were intriguing and I enjoyed watching Genie uncover the truth.
One thing I found a bit odd were the amount of British terms and slang. The story is set in New York state, yet things were put in the boot of the car and she carried a torch when the lights went out. Genie did travel to various countries growing up, and I understood everything, but it was a bit puzzling as she wasn't British nor was the book set there.
Funny and endearing GENIE AND THE GHOST is a lighthearted paranormal mystery focusing on family.
October 5, 2023
Good
A string of bad luck for Genie (Geneviève, pronounced the French way) Darling, Lands her in the old family villa in Cobblewood Cove. There she is trying to sort out the house for her mother, while donating unwanted historical pieces to the local museum- and it’s there she is suddenly faced with the ghost of her great-great-aunt Adriana.
An attempted mugging, and a burglary where family papers are stolen, leads Genie to suspect something fishy is going on- and it might just lead to finding out how her aunt died, and why…
This is a fast, fun paranormal cosy mystery, with an interesting cast of characters, and an intriguing storyline.
Add in a few interesting men, a potential new friend, and a finicky feline, and you have an enjoyable story with an underlying mystery that will draw you in.
While we did gain a few answers in this book, there are some that are left a little open, and hopefully we’ll learn more in the future books in series.
An entertaining read for the paranormal cosy mystery lover.
A string of bad luck for Genie (Geneviève, pronounced the French way) Darling, Lands her in the old family villa in Cobblewood Cove. There she is trying to sort out the house for her mother, while donating unwanted historical pieces to the local museum- and it’s there she is suddenly faced with the ghost of her great-great-aunt Adriana.
An attempted mugging, and a burglary where family papers are stolen, leads Genie to suspect something fishy is going on- and it might just lead to finding out how her aunt died, and why…
This is a fast, fun paranormal cosy mystery, with an interesting cast of characters, and an intriguing storyline.
Add in a few interesting men, a potential new friend, and a finicky feline, and you have an enjoyable story with an underlying mystery that will draw you in.
While we did gain a few answers in this book, there are some that are left a little open, and hopefully we’ll learn more in the future books in series.
An entertaining read for the paranormal cosy mystery lover.
December 8, 2024
I am so glad to have found the Adriana and Genie Darling Mystery series! This delightful cozy series comes with a ghostly Flapper from the 1920s, Adriana. She is also the main character's great-great aunt. Genie has come to the homeplace as a favor to her mother, intending to weed out excess stored items and find things that are donatable to the local historical museum. Genie's presence unwittingly opens a can of worms that leads to a robbery and worse.
This thoroughly enjoyable novel has a quick pace, a fun story line, and a good mystery with tangled clues. Don't miss this one!
This thoroughly enjoyable novel has a quick pace, a fun story line, and a good mystery with tangled clues. Don't miss this one!
September 17, 2023
An enjoyable cosy mystery, with a paranormal twist in the form of a loveable ghost, this was the perfect light read for a restful Sunday. Genie is smart and a likeable heroine/sleuth with her ghostly sidekick, who is brimful of personality. I look forward to reading more of their adventures and hope that Adriana will be sticking around for a good while yet.
October 11, 2023
Genie can see and talk to the ghost of her Aunt who lived in the home she inherited in the 1920's. Aunt Adriana wants Genie to solve her death. Gangsters and boot legging and her Sister involved with the wrong crowd are exciting to read about. So fun I recommend this book which is a first in a new series.
December 7, 2025
Different twist on this paranormal mystery. Genie has the task of cleaning out her mother's newly inherited home. She unexpectedly is able to see her great-great aunt, Adrianna. Her ghost is tied to the house and Genie. A lot of suspicious happenings have Genie and Adrianna digging into the boxes in the attic. Surprises along the way before they figure out what and why.
October 16, 2023
A fun read with a double mystery - one from the past and one from the present. Adriana makes for a fun character and I love the way she interacts with animals, especially Cleo the cat.
Well worth the read.
Well worth the read.
October 24, 2023
This was a fun book to read. The characters were very likable and an interesting mystery. It was a little odd how quickly Genie just accepted that there was a ghost in the house but you got past that fairly soon.
September 9, 2023
I had lots of fun with this one! The historical voice and references were on point. A quick, intriguing mystery!
September 26, 2023
What an entertaining read, I laughed soo much. Ghostly goings on, a mystery to solve, and a partnership that I'm hoping will continue to have adventures . Loved it.
October 31, 2023
Such a great cosy mystery and the perfect book to read before Halloween - loved the author’s writing style, it’s fun and light. A real entertaining book.
December 8, 2024
It kept me hopping.
This book was funny and kept coming up with mysterious clues. It was a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This book was funny and kept coming up with mysterious clues. It was a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
December 1, 2025
Old family home with your great, great aunt's ghost to keep you company. What more could you ask?
The author is a fantastic storyteller. The detailed descriptions allow you to feel as if you are in this house, looking at all the old trunks of clothing, books, letters, and jewelry. Add in the mystery of why someone tried to steal Genie's purse. He broke into her home and stole the box of papers she had gathered from around the house. He sent someone to pose as a handyman to set up an easy way to get into the house when it was empty. It is so well crafted that it is somewhat of a surprise when all is revealed. You must read it to find out. Enj9y!
The author is a fantastic storyteller. The detailed descriptions allow you to feel as if you are in this house, looking at all the old trunks of clothing, books, letters, and jewelry. Add in the mystery of why someone tried to steal Genie's purse. He broke into her home and stole the box of papers she had gathered from around the house. He sent someone to pose as a handyman to set up an easy way to get into the house when it was empty. It is so well crafted that it is somewhat of a surprise when all is revealed. You must read it to find out. Enj9y!
November 15, 2023
Reading a lot of “light” ghost stories as research for a kids book, so this was interesting. The huge cast list at the start almost put me off. Not sure why it’s there as I skipped it and let the characters introduce themselves as in any other book. It gets going at Chapter 2 and I raced through from there. Super concept, loved the ghost!
December 23, 2024
Terrific start!
I loved the start to this series. I’m so glad that I started reading it! What wonderful characters! I figured out who the bad guy was. It honestly wasn’t too hard. But the story was still so enjoyable and fun. It gave me some laugh out loud moments…maybe even a snort or two! This is definitely a series I’ll be continuing!
I loved the start to this series. I’m so glad that I started reading it! What wonderful characters! I figured out who the bad guy was. It honestly wasn’t too hard. But the story was still so enjoyable and fun. It gave me some laugh out loud moments…maybe even a snort or two! This is definitely a series I’ll be continuing!
June 20, 2025
Great read
This book was a great read. It was comical in parts, the characters were quite entertaining.
It was very well written. It was so enjoyable I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book was a great read. It was comical in parts, the characters were quite entertaining.
It was very well written. It was so enjoyable I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 5, 2024
Light really enjoyable mystery with a twist namely the Ghost.
April 26, 2025
Really fun!
An old fashioned mystery story in the modern that keeps.you smiling on every page. It's like seeing "Topper" for the first time!
An old fashioned mystery story in the modern that keeps.you smiling on every page. It's like seeing "Topper" for the first time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews