It’s the Christmas season in the charming small town of Starport Cove. But amid shopping for gifts, decorating, baking sugar cookies, and organizing the Christmas Bazaar, the discovery of a body is not the holiday event that anyone expected. When antique store owner Milton Cenford is found dead in a suit of armor, amateur sleuth Tarsey Quinston is determined to find the killer. As quirky visitors arrive in town and create more questions than answers, Tarsey finds herself investigating rumors of a missing historic diary penned by a First Lady from Starport Cove and looking into paranormal activity. Will the discovery of a mysterious hidden passageway and an encounter with a ghost lead Tarsey and her intuitive cat Silver down the path to danger? Or will they finally unveil the identity of the killer?
It is Tarsey and Steve Quinston’s first Christmas in Starport Cove. Tarsey is busy getting ready for the holiday and organizing the Christmas Bazaar but stops by to visit her friend Amanda’s consignment shop. Amanda tells her that the shop next door is going to be available soon and she is hoping to expand her shop into that space. Amanda wants to visit the antique shop next door and see if the owner Milton Cenford is having a going out of business sale plus it allows her to check out the space. She asks Tarsey to come along. When they arrive Milton’s shop appears to be closed so they go around back and find the door ajar. Tarsey calls the police but Amanda rushes right in where she finds Milton sitting at his desk wearing a knight’s suit of armor, his staring out of the helmet’s visor. The man is dead, his office has been ransacked. The police arrive just in time to see them leaving the crime scene.
It isn’t long before Tarsey starts to investigate and she learns about a historic diary that belonged to the First Lady that has been missing for years. Could Milton have found the diary? Is that why he was killed? Tarsey gets some help from her cat Silver and another unusual source as she tries to solve the mystery of the murder of Milton Cenford.
The people of Starport Cove are an eclectic bunch and they are pretty serious about their history. In fact, the city’s historical society owns all the buildings on Main Street and leases them to the shopkeepers. They also have a set of rules that must be followed by the tenant. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story including the paranormal factor that played a huge part in solving the mystery. The building’s history was so interesting and added to the story. Tarsey’s empathic sensitivities played a major part in the book as she could see and feel what others couldn’t. Starport is a typical small town filled with some really quirky characters. All have plenty of room to develop as the series continues.
The mystery was interesting. A diary of a former First Lady who lived in the Main Street buildings during the Civil War appeared to be key to Milton Cenford’s murder. Someone wanted it bad enough to kill. Tarsey was like a dog with a bone to find the diary. She had a little help from her friends to focus on just where the book could be located. Then things go a little crazy. The novice amateur sleuth/empath made a mistake, and from there the ending was a bit confusing with a variety of things happening before we got back to the matter at hand. The showdown was entertaining but then I still had I had more questions than answers.
Amongst the mystery of Milton’s death, there was a subplot that just felt off. An event to recognize Steve and Tarsey’s cat Silver for the part he played in the mystery in the previous book. Steve and Tarsey were led to believe they were just picking up a certificate but the cat shelter’s director planned a big event complete with a band that startled poor Silver enough to run out of the shelter. She should have known better. Plus the woman was on a mission about their new leash program for cats. The woman was offputting because of the way she pushed her agenda and didn’t take Silver, Tarsey, or Steve into consideration at all. She even tried to get them involved in another event that no cat no matter how special would want to be involved in.
I loved the way Starport went all out for the holiday season and that a visitor to the town made it even more special. I also enjoy the way Tarsey’s cat Silver is very present in the Pet Momma Cozy Mysteries. He is almost always by Tarsey’s side. He shares his thoughts with the easy-to-understand meanings of each of his MEEOOOWWW’s. He also always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
A Ghostly Clue was a curious mystery with a driven protagonist, a ghost with a clue, and a lovable feline.
This was a thriller right out of the gate- finding a body in the first chapter!!!! And it doesn't stop there! Tarcey and Amanda's
sleuthing hits too close to the mark and the killer can't afford that!!! Some strange and interesting characters are introduced along the way. And we can't forget the ghost and Silver the cat's contributions. This was a great twisted storyline that kept me turning pages and held my interest. I voluntarily read a free copy of this provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
This was an entertaining cozy murder mystery story. The main character Tarsey is well written and very likeable. She is embracing her special ability to see ghosts as she looks for the murderer of shop owner Milton. The story's setting is detailed for the reader to visualize the town and shops. This the 2nd in a series but can be read as a standalone. Enjoy! I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Leans into all the best tropes of this genre. One of the things I like about cozy mysteries is that even though the story always seems like it’s exactly the same, there’s always a cool twist that you’re not expecting so it always keeps you coming back for more. Great for those of us who like the comfort of repetition but also the surprise of new adventures.
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. I liked the characters in the book. The mystery was fun! Silver was one of my favorite characters. He sounds so playful. The story went along at a fast pace because it was so good. Highly recommend...
It is Christmas time and Tarsey and her husband Steve are getting ready for the holidays. Tarsey visits her friend Amanda at her consignment shop and they go over to Milton's shop next door. They discover Milton dead in a suit of armor and a ghost appears to Tarsey so there is another puzzle to solve. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
I love cozy mysteries, but this one fell short. The setting lacked that cozy ambiance as it wasn't vividly described. While the story itself was engaging, the dialogue felt awkward, and the ending seemed disjointed. The subplot with the cat and the leash felt out of place, and the shelter angle didn't integrate smoothly. It's unclear why the shelter manager didn’t have a clue of how loud noises affect animals. I'd give this author another chance for more natural storytelling and better cohesion in future cozy mysteries. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the second cozy mystery by Maryann Shanesy, the Quinstons and their cat, Silver, have finally settled into their home in Bluffington Hills. They are looking forward to spending their first Christmas in Starport Cove, and Tarsey is excited about putting up her lighted Christmas village. But their Christmas is about to be interrupted by a murder. Yes, this story takes place around Christmas, but it is the perfect read for any time of year.
Everyone is busy shopping and getting ready for the holidays, but today, Milton hasn’t opened his antique store, Milton’s Treasures, on time. Amanda, who owns the consignment shop next door, becomes worried about him when she finds the door to his shop open, so she goes to check on him. Tarsey happens to be visiting her friend Amanda at this time. When Amanda screams, she runs after her and finds her staring at Milton’s body. That is definitely something they didn’t expect to find at this otherwise joyful time of year.
Amanda and Tarsey aren’t recognized by the officers who respond to their call and are initially regarded are suspects in Milton’s murder. But Tarsey’s suspicions rest on two ruthless businesswomen who are determined to buy the now ownerless antiques store.
Finding the body of the owner of the antique store is only the beginning. Tarsey can verify that paranormal activity goes on in the antique store: she meets the ghost of a Civil War soldier inside. It appears this ghost is trying to tell her something. And she discovers that a historical diary penned by a First Lady from Starport Cove is missing.
There is a cute subplot involving Silver, her cat. Besides Silver helping to solve Milton’s murder in her own feline way, Silver is also learning to walk on a leash. Yes, it is possible to leash train a cat, but not any of my kitties. That would be a disaster.
And the shelter who helped Tarsey adopt Silver, not realizing how a crowd and noise would affect the kitty, provides some hilarity as well as some uneasiness when a scared Silver makes a mad dash for freedom and disappears.
The identity of the killer escaped me until he (or she) was clearly identified. Yes, I had my suspicions as to who the culprit was, but every one of them turned out to be so wrong. Congratulations to the author on writing a wonderful book and for once again fooling me.
It’s nearly Christmas, and Tarsey is taking some vacation time from the nonprofit where she works. Visiting her friend Amanda at her consignment shop, she is told that the owner of the shop next door is retiring, and Amanda is thinking of expanding her own shop. But when the two go to visit the shop next door, they discover a ghastly scene. Milton is sitting at his desk in a suit of armor, dead. Tarsey, an amateur sleuth, is struck by this unusual circumstance, and wants to delve into the mystery concerning this poor man’s death. But she is about to uncover even stranger things, including a hidden passageway and a ghost who inhabits it. Luckily, she and her husband own a special cat, Silver, who is sensitive to ghostly beings, as is Tarsey herself, being an empath. It will take some help from others, and the ghost, but Tarsey finally gets on the right track. It’s quite an interesting tale. The mystery with its ghostly addition is intriguing as well as entertaining. The characters are likable, but they could use some more development, perhaps in future books. Silver is a delightful addition, and his character is quite believable. He hates loud noises, isn’t crazy about walking on a leash, and loves to knock ornaments off the Christmas tree. The secondary characters are also interesting, and some even show some growth of character in this short tale. I liked the Christmas setting, the decorations in the town square, and the 12 foot Christmas tree that Tarsey’s husband thought was just the right size. This cozy is a great ghostly tale for Christmas, or really, any time. I received a free copy through BookSirens, and voluntarily reviewed the book.
A Ghostly Clue by Maryann Shanesy is the second book in the Pet Momma cozy mystery series. It features Tarsey Quinten as its main character, her attorney husband, her friend Amanda, and Tarsey’s cat named Silver. It’s the first I’ve read in the series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone book.
The cozy, small town setting lends itself to a feeling of community where the characters know a lot of people in town. Tarsey and her best friend Amanda, who owns a consignment shop, are among them…they know lots of townsfolk. However, with the murder of the shop owner in the building adjoining Amanda’s, a few new, quirky characters wander into their lives. Since Tarsey and Amanda found the murder victim, they feel inclined to figure out who killed him and if these new people in town have anything to do with it.
I enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out who the killer was. From the book’s description, I was expecting a light, cute ghost story like others I’ve read but not some of the other new age elements including using objects such as a pendulum, a medium, and Tarsey being an empath. I do think some people are highly sensitive and can sense how others are feeling more than others can. I’m just not comfortable with the mystic elements and wish I’d known about it ahead of time. However, lots of people are fine with it, and it doesn’t take away from enjoying the murder mystery.
A Ghostly Clue will appeal to paranormal mystery lovers, especially those who love cats in their cozies! Its small town vibe and entertaining mystery make it an enjoyable, quick cozy read!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
A Ghostly Clue is a quick-reading, cozy mystery set in a small town and authored by Maryann Shanesy. I plan to read A CATastrophic Neighborhood, the first book in A Pet Momma Cozy Mystery series. However, there was enough background information that I wasn’t lost at all, but it would be great to have some of the missing details.
There were quirky characters, including a ghost, a murderer, at least one amateur sleuth, a cat who seemed to understand what others were saying, small-town businesses, and lots of gossip. Tarsey, her cat Silver, and her friend Amanda always seemed to be front and center, but Tarsey, an empath, didn’t show her fear when following clues to figure out whodunnit and why. There are some paranormal elements, which added another layer to the story.
The story has a few unexpected twists and turns as clues are gathered and sometimes discarded. There are some red herrings to sift through to get to the truth. There are multiple suspects and surprises, and some are thrown out little by little. Some activities are set during the holiday season, and a few participants seemed unlikely. There is closure in solving the crime, and it wasn’t what I expected.
A Ghostly Clue is a cozy mystery in a small town with a lot of characters and some paranormal activity. Sit back and relax to see if you can figure out whodunnit.
A charming book that kept me interested from start to finish. Lovely short read length at 138 pages - much fulls the pages. Told by the main character, Tarsey, who's friend occupies the clothes shop next to the store of which they one day find the store owner dead and in a suit of armour. Tarsey investigates, not only the surprising murder in a happy go lucky small town, but also soon discovers a secret passageway linking the two old buildings where a ghost of a man lurks. Several characters raise your suspicions, and Tarsey manages to put the pieces together and solves the mystery. Liked this book so much that i would definitely want to read the 1st book in this series (this is the second book). Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this E-ARC book. My opinions are my own.
A first Christmas in Starport Cove for Tarsey and Steve Quinston doesn't pan out quite as well as hoped. Her friend Amanda is planning to expand her consignment shop into the antique store next door after it closes for good. They decide to visit to see if he is having a sale and instead find the owner, Milton Cenford, dead at his desk wearing a suit of armor. Tarsey decided to investigate and finds that there is a missing diary and wonders if that is the cause of the murder.
If you enjoy a fun ghostly paranormal cozy with an adorable cat then you will love this book. It's fun to read. The mystery was not too easy to solve but the best is the way that the characters are written. Love this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Organizing the Christmas Bazaar,the discovery of a body is not the holiday event that anyone expected. When antique store owner Milton Cenford is found dead in a suit of armor, amateur sleuth Tarsey Quinston is determined to find the killer. As quirky visitors arrive in town and create more questions than answers, Tarsey finds herself investigating rumors of a missing historic diary penned by a First Lady from Starport Cove and looking into paranormal activity. There was a Ghost who couldn't find his way to the other side. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Steve and Tarsey Quinston move to Bluffington Hills and own a abandoned cat “Silver “. Tansey and Amanda Worthshire her friend find Milton the owner of an antique shop murdered. There is a lot of strange things surrounding Milton’s shop. A exciting read with interesting characters and ghost. I enjoyed this read. I received this ARC copy via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
I really enjoyed this storyline. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I will now go back and read it. Lots of twists and turns, keeping you reading. I really like that this is cozy mystery but is not sickeningly sweet. I didn't figure out who the murderer is further into the book than usual. I've read so many, that I usually figure out who did it very soon. I love Silver, Tarsey's cat. Can't wait to see what happens next!
3.75 A Ghostly Clue could benefit with some filling in to give it that "cozy" feeling but the mystery itself was pretty interesting. The characters, are engaging and once they are filled in a bit more along the line, could be quite delightful. I enjoyed the read and will read more in this series as they come along. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This second entry in the Pet Momma cozy mystery series is a fun, quick read. The author has made an excellent start on developing characters that readers will want to follow as more books are written in the series.
The writing here is well-done, with a nicely paced plot, witty dialog, appealing characters, and a cracking good mystery. Fans of cozy mysteries, especially ones with a paranormal overlay, will thoroughly enjoy this one.
I was attracted by the cover, the grey cat is lovely and I'm owned by 2. This is a solid mystery, a cute and entertaining story that kept me reading and guessing. The author did an excellent job in describing the town and the paranormal side is well done. Entertaining and compelling. HIghly recommended I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A very entertaining mystery with a cat , a ghost and a murder to be solved.
Something different from the normal mysteries. Seeing ghosts and communicating with them is not part of my world so it gave an interesting twist to the story.
Looking forward to the next mystery with Silver!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A great second installment in a very enjoyable cozy series. A well-written story and Tarsey is a very likeable character. I look forward to more in this series.
I received a review copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a free copy. I liked how a ghost helps Tarsey solve the murder and how Tarsey helps the ghost in turn. I liked Silver.