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Sometimes a graveside goodbye isn’t the end.

That’s usually when I get a middle of the night phone call.

In this case, the person seeking help from their friendly neighborhood reaper is none other than the director of Beechwood’s funeral home.

Who may be more of a frenemy than a friend. Oops.

Here’s to hoping I can help rid the funeral home of its latest unwanted guest without burning the last bits of kindling on the bridge back to Karla’s good graces.

After all, if there’s one person you want on your side, it’s a summoner of the dead.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2024

366 people are currently reading
357 people want to read

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Danielle Garrett

90 books1,406 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books399 followers
September 4, 2024
Happily ever after when you’re a woman with an affinity to ghosts and a nose for solving murder mysteries is never dull. Scarlett’s back! And, I couldn’t be happier after a four year hiatus for the series.

Mean Ghosts is the eighth in a series of standalone paranormal cozies with a slow burn romance and building friendships across the length of the series making it best read in order. Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries are a spin off series from the Beechwood Harbor Magic series about halfway along that series and there are a few crossover moments between the series.

So, yes, Scarlett and the familiar cast of characters are back. Flapjack her irascible and hilarious ghost cat, Hayward her genteel Victorian ghost friend, Gwen who died as a hippie, and then of course Scarlett’s husband, Lucas, who is gone on occasion for security work while she tends to her flower shop and wrangles the town’s ghost population.

A funeral home worker is killed and Scarlet needs to figure out his secrets to learn what caused his death. It wouldn’t hurt if her iffy friend, the funeral home operator and ghost summoner, also wasn’t keeping her own secrets.

Meanwhile, I cracked up and enjoyed when sweet Hayward wanted to orchestrate a ghostly musical production of Cats among his fellow ghosts. Yes, you can imagine Flapjack having a field day with that one even as Scarlett tries to help.

It was so fun to be back in Beechwood Harbor, a human town hiding a bunch of paranormal secrets including a fun paranormal sentient inn and Scarlett’s own goings on. Some of the tension was gone from the earlier books because of course Scarlett and Lucas have settled into married life and work as partners, but ghostly antics were fun and the mystery was still a pretty good one for suspense.

Amanda Ronconi continues to deliver a strong narration piece and voices the characters so well with that perfect wry tone.

All in all, I was well pleased to get this new release in the series after the long wait. These are generally paranormal cozies, but can border on urban fantasy at times, so I recommend them to broader audiences who read or listen in both genres.

I rec'd an audio digital from Tantor Audio to listen to in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on Aug 22nd.
Profile Image for Ashley.
200 reviews
December 4, 2025
rating: ★★★★★
audio narrated by Amanda Ronconi

If the series had to end, I’m glad it ended with this! I’m not crying…
Profile Image for Cassie.
402 reviews69 followers
July 14, 2025
I think this was the final book in this series, with the way that it ended at least. 😭

I loved every bit of this series. These characters are some of my favorites and I am so glad I got to know them. I will be missing them for sure and I will most definitely have to revisit this series someday so I can be reunited with them once more. This book could not have ended any better than it did. It was perfect.

If you’re new to the cozy mystery genre or even if you just want something that adds a little huzzah to your cozy mysteries, then I highly recommend this series! It’s very cute, full of lots of banter, has so many heartwarming moments, and the mysteries are fun.

Here’s to Scarlett & Co. May our paths reunite someday. 🫶🏻
Profile Image for Zimmy W.
966 reviews15 followers
August 4, 2025
i’m so emotional this was so good
1,310 reviews4 followers
November 23, 2024
Karla, the ghost summoner worker at the funeral home, contact Scarlet because a ghost seems to be stuck. Although the two of them don’t have the best relationship, Scarlet doesn’t hesitate to try and help. Because it’s an unusual situation investigation seems to be needed. The usual ghost trio isn’t as involved because Hayward and Gwen are planning to put on a ghost production of Cats. Flapjack seems to be involved in both.
Scarlet is quite happy in her new house with Lucas, Lizzie is taking over the apartment above the flower shop and things seem to be moving along nicely. But a mystery soon takes over.
This is a nice mystery with a few surprises along the way. The characters are always interesting and enjoyable. The growth of all the secondary characters has been nice to see.
This is the last book currently in this series but I believe there may be more to come, at least I hope so.
This is definitely a series I would recommend for cozy fantasy mystery reading.
Profile Image for Mohan Vemulapalli.
1,153 reviews
March 13, 2025
"Mean Ghosts" is another charming and zany cozy featuring Scarlet the ghost whisperer and her crew of memorable and ghostly sidekicks. Even though the series is now in its eighth installment this book still feels fairly fresh.

In this book Scarlet's least favorite member of the local paranormal community asks her to intervene when an employee of the local funeral home continues to show up at work after having died in a tragic work accident. Of course, there is more going on and Scarlet is soon investigating a murder while managing the normal ghost hijinks and getting wrapped up in a ghostly production of the worst musical ever.

This one is definitely a lot of fun and well worth reading for anyone who has gotten this far in the series. Hopefully, we will see Scarlet and the gang in action again soon with a ninth volume.
185 reviews5 followers
March 15, 2025
Still hooked on this series

I am still hooked on this series, as well as the other books/series by Danielle Garrett. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Leigh Brooker.
225 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2024
Well it's with great sadness that I've now come to the last book in the series so far as it looks like there will be another at some point in the future. I certainly hope so as I've enjoyed this series immensely, the stories are fun, the characters are fantastic and the town of Beechwood Harbor seems a wonderful place to live even though there's alot of ghosts and a murder or two.

When our friendly neighbourhood ghost whisperer gets a visitor to her shop the last person she expected it be is Karla, the director of Beechwood's funeral home. After all the last run in these two had wasn't exactly friendly. Can Scarlet help Karla with her ghost problem while staying on her good side, because if there's one person she doesn't want to annoy is the summoner of the dead.

Scarlet always seems to make friends when she's investigating and trying to help the ghosts with solving their problems, so i was surprised when her and Karla didn't hit it off in a previous story, it was an even bigger surprise that Karla came to Scarlet for help after making her thoughts known to Scarlet. But being the soft hearted person she is, she's ready to forgive her and help with her ghost problem, one of her many loveable traits that she has and makes it one of many reasons why i adore her so much. I'll admit I didn't really like Karla all that much at the start of the story but by the end I really warmed up to her. Hopefully I won't have to wait to long to catch up with my girl Scarlet in the future.

Lucas is his usual adorable self and seems much happier now he's back working for himself, and if course he's on hand to help out Scarlet when she needs more than just ghostly intervention. And although these books are clean romance there's just enough innuendo between the two to make my heart go pitter patter and all gooey inside. Totally in love with this guy.

And then there's my feline with no filter Flapjack, who's definitely stolen my heart with his sarcastic quips melodramatic nature and total disregard for putting his paw in his mouth. I'd definitely adopt him in a heartbeat.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for more in this series as I enjoyed it so much but in the meantime I will check out more by this author because simply put I've fallen in love with her writing. Again I can't recommend this series enough to anyone who loves a cozy mystery with great characters and the best sassy ghost cat in the world. Love it.😁
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
March 22, 2024
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series

This is a very entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Scarlet is a young woman who has the ability to see and speak to ghosts. She can also help them cross over. She owns a flower shop in the small beachside town where she lives. There are a number of paranormal that live around town including a witch and her husband a shifter who owns a Cousy in up on the hill above the harbor. Scarlet has a few cohorts including her ghost cat from when she was a child another ghost she picked up on her travels to Europe The ghost of a young woman she met on her travels as well. In her flower shop once a week all the ghosts have a get together to go over issues they are having and talk. Scarlet recently got married and lives and her a little bungalow with her husband Who runs a business as a personal trainer and still does cyber security work on the side. Read and see whether adventures take them this time. What happens who did it and they find out. Check it out
Profile Image for Devi.
736 reviews39 followers
September 20, 2025
Mean Ghosts leans even harder into the clever mix of mystery and supernatural sitcom I’ve come to love from this series. Karla, the funeral home’s ever-put-together ghost summoner, calls on Scar for help with Garth—a newly deceased spirit who’s supposed to be moving on, but absolutely refuses. It’s not just stubbornness; he’s waiting for something, and the whole mystery of what anchors him adds poignancy to the book.

The mystery unfolds with clever twists, and that gut-punch reveal about Garth’s past (no spoilers, but oof!) hit me hard. Amanda Ronconi’s narration is a dream, giving Karla’s urgency and Flapjack’s snark their own spotlight.

On the lighter end, Hayward and Gwen’s determination to stage a ghostly production of Cats was the kind of subplot that has me grinning at stoplights while listening. Add FlapJack somehow weaving himself into both the haunting and the theatre production, and you’ve got equal parts laughter and intrigue. The humor is sharp, but there’s always heart beneath it—especially when it comes to the ghosts who aren’t quite ready to go.

If you love cozy mysteries with paranormal flair, this is your next obsession. Grab it for a cozy night in!
Profile Image for Zaena.
33 reviews
December 27, 2025
Cozy Mystery Cozies!

Danielle Garrett has a way with a mystery. And ghosts. One of which is a wisecracking Himalayan cat!
I've just finished the Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries and I have to say, it is quite nice reading a series of mysteries that I didn't figure out in the first two chapters! In fact, each mystery was woven together with such artistry, that it took the entire story of each book to solve. It made me very happy- I usually figure who did what and when a few chapters into a book.
There are currently 9 books in the series; I will definitely be waiting for number 10! Trust me, if you love a good murder mystery that involves ghosts, a touch of the Supernatural and a sweet, clean HEA romance you'll love them too!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
291 reviews
July 6, 2025
4.5 Well another series done. I can’t tell if I am happy or sad. So excited to see how it ends but also sad that’s over. You become so invested in the characters and who is doing what when that you just have to find out. Once you do at that point you think oh it’s done. Well it definitely ended on a high note. I am hoping that with the new series we will see scarlet and Lucas and her gaggle of ghosts in the next series. Really am enjoying Danielle stories. They are quick easy entertaining comical stories. I wish I knew exactly which ones to read first but I would start with Holly’s story. That one seems to be the correct order.
Profile Image for Catherine.
486 reviews
March 4, 2024
Haunting at the Funeral Home?

Scarlett is back with a new adventure! With the ever snarky cat, Flapjack, plus ghosts Gwen and Heywood, newlywed Scarlet tries to figure out why Garth, assistant and handyman at Beechwood Harbour Funeral Home was electrocuted. Karla, a frenemy and ghost summoner/owner wants Scarlet to investigate. But both Garth and Karla are hiding secrets. Add to that, Heywood wants the ghost group to do their own version of the musical, 'Cats'. This absorbing and funny mystery will have you wanting to read the whole series!
Profile Image for Renee Marski.
Author 93 books80 followers
March 10, 2024
Funerals and fishing lures

Karla, the local summoner and funeral home director, comes to Scarlet for help. Despite the tensions between them, Karla's handyman, Garth is tethered to the funeral home and she needs Scarlet's help. Garth died fixing a light and it was assumed to be an accident but Garth has a dream that says otherwise. Between trying to help Garth and her ghostly trio planning a musical, Scarlet has her hands full.

The twists in this one were so fun! It was great to have the gang back together!
360 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2025
The book blurb is pretty much useless as a synopsis for this book. Basically, Scarlet receives a call for help from her acquaintance Karla saying that the former maintenance guy at the funeral home, Garth, is now haunting it and she wants him gone. Garth ends up remembering something that makes them think his death wasn't the accident everyone thought it was and so Scarlet and her posse of ghosts investigate.
This is a fun mystery but that's always the case when Flapjack is around - if Danielle Garrett stops writing this series, I hope she replaces it with one featuring Flapjack; it doesn't even have to be a mystery. Which is looking possible since there were four years between the publication of this book and its predecessor. I know she has several other series out there so I'm not casting any shade. I was able to see the solution coming, but turned out that was only a small part of it. The conclusion was as satisfying as the journey. I just hope we don't have to wait another four years for the next one.
Profile Image for s.v.bruce-hadenhotmail.com.
8 reviews
March 13, 2024
Absolutely brilliant.

Brilliant series

I loved these books and all the characters, Scarlet can see and hear ghosts, at the beginning she has 2 ghosts living with her Hayward and Flapjack who is a sarcastic talking ghost cat. Scarlet has her work cut out trying to keep these ghosts friendly with each other but Flapjack always has a sarcastic answer ready when she tries can't wait for another adventure with them.
Profile Image for Jodi Sweet.
1,782 reviews9 followers
March 31, 2024
Murder, musical, and cats

Yup, we have all three going on in this story! Plus some thieving too. The ghosts are putting on a play, wait, a musical! Cats! And Flapjack is giving Hayward and Gwen so much sarcasm and grief over it. He’s so funny! Scarlett does her best to keep the peace, but we all know how that usually works out. lol! The murder mystery was a good one. Was it a murder? Was it an accident? Hmmm…whichever it was, it was great!
1,368 reviews13 followers
June 6, 2024
Enjoyed this addition to the series very much!

I really enjoyed the storyline and the great characters in this ghostly mystery. Flapjack, as always, is my favorite character, along with the ghosts. I'm reading and very much enjoying 2 series by this author. Can't wait to read more of both!!!!
359 reviews
June 18, 2024
Excellent addition to the series

Danielle Garrett has written two different series set in the mythical little Washington State town of Beechwood Harbor. This one was definitely my favorite. It was sweet, poignant, beautifully crafted, and it reached a satisfying conclusion. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Teresa.
1,120 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2024
A musical

Yes, a ghostly musical. Scarlett's ghost buddies have decided to bring more "worldly" pursuits to town. Just what Scarlett needs, among the death of one of the funeral home's long-time employees, his ghost hanging around and unable to leave the funeral home, and someone nearly killing the home's mortician!
23 reviews
August 5, 2024
Great Series, Marvelous Addition!

Simply fun series. The cat, Flapjack, is a ghost, one all cat owners might dread being haunted by because he also talks. A scary ghost, lol. Good characters with fun interactions, very entertaining! Hard to put down, looking for more in this series, a second 7 book collection please?
Profile Image for Amanda.
44 reviews
January 8, 2025
I discovered Danielle Garrett's works through Audible. I've been a fan of cozy mysteries for a while now and she is definitely one of my favorites. The worlds and characters she creates are so comforting. They feel like friends to me! This is the first series of hers I have finished and the goal is to get through all of them. Flapjack is my favorite 😍
35 reviews
March 7, 2024
Another great enjoyable read in this series!

It was nice catching up with Scarlet and Lucas new life in Beechwood Harbor. You also get to see more of how Scarlet interacts with the ghosts. Flapjack comments are always comical. I would love to see Hayward and Gwens new musical.
8 reviews
March 22, 2024
Never disappointed.

I was looking forward to the newest book, I've read them all,in Ms. Garret' s various series. I was not disappointed. This was a great read and leaves me anxiously awaiting the next. Bravo!
Profile Image for April   ♥"LOS" ♥.
3,095 reviews61 followers
June 19, 2024
I am so happy to be back in Beechwood Harbor with Scarlett, Flapjack, Gwen and Hayward! Follow along with this ragtag group of friends as they embark on solving another murder mystery in their sleepy magical town.
194 reviews
September 10, 2024
love them all

I am reading all of this authors books just now one after the other I know I will run out soon so it makes me so sad I have enjoyed this book fest all stories and series are great roll on more in 2024
313 reviews
December 27, 2024
Wonderful!

This book is definitely a wonderful way to spend your reading time. It is chock full of mystery and humor with each character showing their own personalities. Scarlet, Lucas, Flapjack and all the rest coming together in Beechwood Harbor.
Profile Image for Kayan Sherrer.
132 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2025
This series is one that you should read

I have read all the books in this series so far and its a wonderful read. Clean, fun, with lovable, quirky, snarky characters you won't be able to get enough of.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews

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