What do you think?
Rate this book
A Haunted Haven Mystery #3
Haunting License
When a fisherman is murdered, Florida innkeeper Maureen Doherty must cast a wide net to catch a killer—with a little help from her ghostly tenants . . .
It’s June in Haven, Florida, a “between seasons” time in the tourism business, and Maureen’s Haven House Inn is feeling the pinch. There are plenty of ghosts in residence, but Maureen needs living guests to pay the bills.
Inspired by an old brochure she finds in a trunk she inherited along with the inn from her mysterious benefactor Penelope Josephine Gray, she gets the brilliant idea to revive a June fishing tournament from twenty years ago, hoping to reel in anglers who’d love to catch the Gulf Coast’s popular kingfish and take home a trophy.
But one fisherman won’t make it to the tournament. While walking on the beach with her golden retriever Finn, Maureen discovers a body. When Officer Frank Hubbard arrives, he recognizes local charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel.
Now it’s up to Maureen and her spirited sleuths to sort through the red herrings and bait a hook for a killer before someone else ends up sleeping with the fishes . . .
It’s June in Haven, Florida, a “between seasons” time in the tourism business, and Maureen’s Haven House Inn is feeling the pinch. There are plenty of ghosts in residence, but Maureen needs living guests to pay the bills.
Inspired by an old brochure she finds in a trunk she inherited along with the inn from her mysterious benefactor Penelope Josephine Gray, she gets the brilliant idea to revive a June fishing tournament from twenty years ago, hoping to reel in anglers who’d love to catch the Gulf Coast’s popular kingfish and take home a trophy.
But one fisherman won’t make it to the tournament. While walking on the beach with her golden retriever Finn, Maureen discovers a body. When Officer Frank Hubbard arrives, he recognizes local charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel.
Now it’s up to Maureen and her spirited sleuths to sort through the red herrings and bait a hook for a killer before someone else ends up sleeping with the fishes . . .
Audio CD
First published June 25, 2024
38 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Carol J. Perry
36 books780 followersCarol J. Perry is the author of the Witch City Mystery series and the Haunted Haven series, both from Kensington Publishers. The Witch City stories take place in the magical city of Salem, Massachusetts--the "Witch City." Carol was actually born in Salem (on Halloween eve!) and knows the city well. The Haunted Haven books take place in Carol's adopted home state of Florida. As an experienced travel writer for magazines and newspapers, Carol knows her way around the Sunshine State too. The Salem books are based of course on a real city but Haven, Florida is made up of bits and pieces of some of the Sunshine State's charming older towns--bypassed by the theme parks. Readers of the Witch City books have come to know O'Ryan, a most remarkable cat. The new series introduces Finn, a lovable Golden Retriever.
Carol lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband Dan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Carol lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband Dan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
September 25, 2024
Haunting License by Carol J. Perry is the third book in the paranormal cozy A Haunted Haven Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in this new paranormal mystery series will contain it’s own mystery that will be solved within so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. Of course there will be some character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series in order.
Maureen Doherty had been settling into her career as a sportswear buyer for a department store when she got the news that the store would be closing. At just that moment when Maureen needed it most she received a letter from a lawyer informing her that she had a mysterious inheritance waiting for her in Haven, Florida. Maureen is now the new owner of a cozy inn on the Gulf of Mexico. The only catch to the inheritance is the inn is supposed to be haunted but not believing in ghosts Maureen saw it as the opportunity for a new career path.
Now as Maureen is getting settled into her new life in Haven, Florida it’s June and that is the slow season for tourism in town. As Maureen is going though an old trunk in the inn she finds an old brochure from twenty years before advertising a Haven fishing tournament and gets the idea to revitalize the event to bring in guests. Unfortunately for Maureen just as the idea for the tournament begins to take shape she stumbles upon the body of a fisherman as she’s walking the beach leading to yet another murder needing to be solved in the small town.
I have been following the A Haunted Haven Mystery series from the beginning since I really enjoy the crossing of the two genres bringing the paranormal into a cozy mystery. When I ask for quirky fun characters in my mysteries they don’t necessarily need to be of the living variety so incorporating a couple of ghosts here or there will also do the trick. And on top of the small town vibes and the quirky characters there’s also a fun mystery to be solved in each installment of this series which will continue to bring me back time and again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Maureen Doherty had been settling into her career as a sportswear buyer for a department store when she got the news that the store would be closing. At just that moment when Maureen needed it most she received a letter from a lawyer informing her that she had a mysterious inheritance waiting for her in Haven, Florida. Maureen is now the new owner of a cozy inn on the Gulf of Mexico. The only catch to the inheritance is the inn is supposed to be haunted but not believing in ghosts Maureen saw it as the opportunity for a new career path.
Now as Maureen is getting settled into her new life in Haven, Florida it’s June and that is the slow season for tourism in town. As Maureen is going though an old trunk in the inn she finds an old brochure from twenty years before advertising a Haven fishing tournament and gets the idea to revitalize the event to bring in guests. Unfortunately for Maureen just as the idea for the tournament begins to take shape she stumbles upon the body of a fisherman as she’s walking the beach leading to yet another murder needing to be solved in the small town.
I have been following the A Haunted Haven Mystery series from the beginning since I really enjoy the crossing of the two genres bringing the paranormal into a cozy mystery. When I ask for quirky fun characters in my mysteries they don’t necessarily need to be of the living variety so incorporating a couple of ghosts here or there will also do the trick. And on top of the small town vibes and the quirky characters there’s also a fun mystery to be solved in each installment of this series which will continue to bring me back time and again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 11, 2025
(3.25 stars)
The charms of this cozy mystery series include the location, a small beach town on Florida’s Gulf Coast (near Tampa/St. Pete), the recurring mixture of characters, and the ghostly residents of the Haven Inn. For me, this third book in the Haunted Haven mystery series lacked enough of the quirky ghosts. The story didn’t really need them, but I missed them nevertheless. This time the story takes place in June, a slow time for the inn, and Maureen decides to revive the tradition of a fishing contest, which brings in more business, which she sorely needs. The mystery involves bird watchers and a creepy guy who may or may not be stealing Indian artifacts from the local historic mounds.
It was fairly predictable and too much time was spent on how she was going to set up a store within the inn and what it would carry, which I found boring.
I hope the next book in the series gives us more of Lorna (a resident ghost) and more fun.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The charms of this cozy mystery series include the location, a small beach town on Florida’s Gulf Coast (near Tampa/St. Pete), the recurring mixture of characters, and the ghostly residents of the Haven Inn. For me, this third book in the Haunted Haven mystery series lacked enough of the quirky ghosts. The story didn’t really need them, but I missed them nevertheless. This time the story takes place in June, a slow time for the inn, and Maureen decides to revive the tradition of a fishing contest, which brings in more business, which she sorely needs. The mystery involves bird watchers and a creepy guy who may or may not be stealing Indian artifacts from the local historic mounds.
It was fairly predictable and too much time was spent on how she was going to set up a store within the inn and what it would carry, which I found boring.
I hope the next book in the series gives us more of Lorna (a resident ghost) and more fun.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 10, 2024
“Haunting License” is a great addition to Author Carol J. Perry’s ‘Haunted Haven’ cozy mystery series! Protagonist, Maureen Doherty is looking for ways to increase business for the Inn, and gets the idea for a fishing tournament from some of the contents in an old trunk left by the Inn’s previous owner, Penelope Josephine Gray. The whole gang from the previous two story’s are back in this one, and there’s a doozy of a murder mystery to solve, plus a cold case from 20 years ago. Everyone helps. I thought the culprit was fairly transparent, but readers can judge that for themselves.
I really enjoy the helpful story cast—the front porch rockers; Chef Ted; interior decorator friends, Trent and Pierre who build a gorgeous gift shop for Maureen; the Inn ghosts—Lorna and Reggie—and Officer Frank Hubbard, to name a few. There’s just the right amount of humor to the story—I particularly enjoy ghost Lorna who loves helping herself to the women guest’s clothing when they’re not wearing it! Plus, I enjoyed learning about the bird species.
The plot is lively, entertaining, and thought provoking with the Indian Mounds the center of the crime and mystery. I highly recommend this story and the series!
I honestly reviewed an unedited arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoy the helpful story cast—the front porch rockers; Chef Ted; interior decorator friends, Trent and Pierre who build a gorgeous gift shop for Maureen; the Inn ghosts—Lorna and Reggie—and Officer Frank Hubbard, to name a few. There’s just the right amount of humor to the story—I particularly enjoy ghost Lorna who loves helping herself to the women guest’s clothing when they’re not wearing it! Plus, I enjoyed learning about the bird species.
The plot is lively, entertaining, and thought provoking with the Indian Mounds the center of the crime and mystery. I highly recommend this story and the series!
I honestly reviewed an unedited arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2024
#HauntingLicense #NetGalley is the third book in this great series by Carol J. Perry.
Maureen Doherty has inherited Haven House Inn, located in Haven, Florida. The inn sounds beautiful, and it comes with a few spectral guests, which adds excitement to the story.
In this book, while running on the beach with her dog Finn, Maureen discovers the body of a local fisherman, and this sets forth an investigation that includes theft and lies.
The staff and the guests add a lot of color to this book, and of course, the ghosts add a bit of fun as well.
Maureen is still understanding how she became the recipient of such an inheritance, and the discoveries she finds in a locked trunk shed some light onto the mystery.
I really liked this story, it was well written and grabbed my attention from beginning to end.
All the characters are likeable and easy to relate to, which makes this such a fantastic series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
I'm excited to recommend this story to other readers.
Maureen Doherty has inherited Haven House Inn, located in Haven, Florida. The inn sounds beautiful, and it comes with a few spectral guests, which adds excitement to the story.
In this book, while running on the beach with her dog Finn, Maureen discovers the body of a local fisherman, and this sets forth an investigation that includes theft and lies.
The staff and the guests add a lot of color to this book, and of course, the ghosts add a bit of fun as well.
Maureen is still understanding how she became the recipient of such an inheritance, and the discoveries she finds in a locked trunk shed some light onto the mystery.
I really liked this story, it was well written and grabbed my attention from beginning to end.
All the characters are likeable and easy to relate to, which makes this such a fantastic series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
I'm excited to recommend this story to other readers.
November 24, 2024
4.5⭐
Haven House Inn, where the number of guests equals the number of ghosts. At least the ones left are benevolent and helpful. Reading some documents from the previous owner, Maureen Doherty brainstorms that resurrecting the annual fishing tournament would not only be good for her inn, but also for the fishing boats and the town as a whole. But the murder of one of the fishing boat captains and potential plundering of burial mounds need to be solved first. Great characters people the story, both recurring and new in this book. In fact, I would love to go spend my vacation there with them.
Haven House Inn, where the number of guests equals the number of ghosts. At least the ones left are benevolent and helpful. Reading some documents from the previous owner, Maureen Doherty brainstorms that resurrecting the annual fishing tournament would not only be good for her inn, but also for the fishing boats and the town as a whole. But the murder of one of the fishing boat captains and potential plundering of burial mounds need to be solved first. Great characters people the story, both recurring and new in this book. In fact, I would love to go spend my vacation there with them.
June 28, 2024
I thought the mystery was a little week it was very straight forward who did it but I loved all the character building we got. Kim was a wonderful addition, the kitten story line was cute, and Ted. I love the ghost in this series, I wish they could have played an even bigger role but it was a good addition to this series. I can’t wait for the next.
July 8, 2024
3.5 stars
August 19, 2024
A pleasant, if predictable mystery. Haven sounds like a great place to visit and I enjoyed learning about the archeological significance of Indian burial mounds. There wasn't really a mystery in this one. The criminal was obvious, but there was a bit of excitement, trying to catch him. The attraction of this series is mostly its quirky characters, especially Lorna, the resident ghost.
October 27, 2024
"Haunting License (A Haunted Haven Mystery #3)" by Carol J. Perry. Is a casual paranormal cozy mystery. By casual I mean that there are ghosts that are supposedly everywhere in this town. Many of them in Maureen's inn that she owns and runs. That seems to be it for paranormal activity, it's a pretty normal cozy mystery otherwise.
When a local charter boat captain is found dead on the beach many other mysteries get revealed. At the same time Maureen is trying to draw in business with a fishing competition that she decides will be in honor of the victim. She gets sucked into figuring out what happened to this captain and if it's got something to do with the death of a fisherman at the original fishing competition she's trying to revive.
About two-thirds of the book was the mystery. The last third was them trying to figure out where the suspect was hiding. At that point they were pretty sure of who the culprit was.
I found it to be a very entertaining book. I hadn't read the previous books in the series and I think I will now. This book read well fairly stand alone. However, I did feel a tiny bit like I may have liked it more if I'd read the previous books first.
When a local charter boat captain is found dead on the beach many other mysteries get revealed. At the same time Maureen is trying to draw in business with a fishing competition that she decides will be in honor of the victim. She gets sucked into figuring out what happened to this captain and if it's got something to do with the death of a fisherman at the original fishing competition she's trying to revive.
About two-thirds of the book was the mystery. The last third was them trying to figure out where the suspect was hiding. At that point they were pretty sure of who the culprit was.
I found it to be a very entertaining book. I hadn't read the previous books in the series and I think I will now. This book read well fairly stand alone. However, I did feel a tiny bit like I may have liked it more if I'd read the previous books first.
August 28, 2024
This book has a bit of everything for a cozy; not only a mystery, but also a cold case, ghosts, a slowly budding romance, some reno and new business vibes and a dramatic ending. I do love the concept behind this book, the MC inherits a crumbling inn in a quaint Florida town. She is doing whatever she can to drum up business and is also settling in with the town. She's also getting along with and used to the ghosts that live in the inn (and even her own suite). There was a lot of information about different bird species which I found quite interesting, without being overwhelming.
However, me personally, I feel like there is not enough character development for book 3 in a series, but many cozy readers don't find that necessary especially if they're mostly interested in the mystery aspect. Also, this one was very slow moving with a lot of side plots that mostly meandered a bit too much for me personally.
In the past I have listened to the audiobook and I do think that would help a bit with the pacing, so I recommend going that route if you can!
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC copy of this novel; my thoughts and review and my own.
However, me personally, I feel like there is not enough character development for book 3 in a series, but many cozy readers don't find that necessary especially if they're mostly interested in the mystery aspect. Also, this one was very slow moving with a lot of side plots that mostly meandered a bit too much for me personally.
In the past I have listened to the audiobook and I do think that would help a bit with the pacing, so I recommend going that route if you can!
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC copy of this novel; my thoughts and review and my own.
May 13, 2024
ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Haunting License is a Summery, cozy murder mystery that was an easy, quick read. It was short and simple, and a lovely introduction into the genre of cozy mystery for me. I hadn't realized Haunting License was the third book in a series until after I started reading it. Luckily, Perry concisely recaps important information in a way that makes this book easy enough to read as a standalone without having read the other books previously. I'd like to read the first two books after having read the third one.
That being said, I didn't feel particularly compelled by the characters, and the plot had a bit of a jarring pace. For a murder mystery, the murder got sidelined and not treated as a major aspect of the story. The main character also appears to exposition in dialogue both to herself and to other characters who are already aware of the information Maureen states- an issue that I believe could be fixed by including more brief, internal monologues, rather than verbalizing everything.
Despite this, Haunting License was still exactly what you would expect from a cozy mystery. I ended up rating it 3.5/5 stars.
Haunting License is a Summery, cozy murder mystery that was an easy, quick read. It was short and simple, and a lovely introduction into the genre of cozy mystery for me. I hadn't realized Haunting License was the third book in a series until after I started reading it. Luckily, Perry concisely recaps important information in a way that makes this book easy enough to read as a standalone without having read the other books previously. I'd like to read the first two books after having read the third one.
That being said, I didn't feel particularly compelled by the characters, and the plot had a bit of a jarring pace. For a murder mystery, the murder got sidelined and not treated as a major aspect of the story. The main character also appears to exposition in dialogue both to herself and to other characters who are already aware of the information Maureen states- an issue that I believe could be fixed by including more brief, internal monologues, rather than verbalizing everything.
Despite this, Haunting License was still exactly what you would expect from a cozy mystery. I ended up rating it 3.5/5 stars.
October 1, 2024
Carol J. Perry's third entry into her Haunted Haven mystery series seems to have hit its stride.
A long time fan of the author, I love her Witch City series that is set in the infamous Salem, Massachusetts.
I am now warming up to Perry's move to sunny Florida's Gulf of Mexico.
Protagonist Maureen Doherty, a Massachusetts transplant, has finally settled into her new life. In addition, she now has a love interest in Chef Ted Carr. The other characters are also getting more interesting.
Added to that, her ghostly inhabitants are moving to the forefront. Pianist Billy Bedraggoned Bailey almost appeared in this mystery. The mysterious Absynthe (an apparition who holds down a barstool on occasion) has, tentatively been identified.
That said, this mystery was a bit too obvious to me, but the why was the secret to uncover, not the who. Since other readers might not guess who killed the likeable Eddie Manuel, I will remain silent so the next reader can discover all. Read this delightful novel and enjoy.
A long time fan of the author, I love her Witch City series that is set in the infamous Salem, Massachusetts.
I am now warming up to Perry's move to sunny Florida's Gulf of Mexico.
Protagonist Maureen Doherty, a Massachusetts transplant, has finally settled into her new life. In addition, she now has a love interest in Chef Ted Carr. The other characters are also getting more interesting.
Added to that, her ghostly inhabitants are moving to the forefront. Pianist Billy Bedraggoned Bailey almost appeared in this mystery. The mysterious Absynthe (an apparition who holds down a barstool on occasion) has, tentatively been identified.
That said, this mystery was a bit too obvious to me, but the why was the secret to uncover, not the who. Since other readers might not guess who killed the likeable Eddie Manuel, I will remain silent so the next reader can discover all. Read this delightful novel and enjoy.
June 28, 2024
2.5 stars.
The quality has dropped significantly. There is far too much exposition, and the writing is very stilted and doesn't have a natural flow. Here's an example.
"'I think I’ll try a Fairy Godmother,' she said, naming the fruity, elderberry-based cocktail mixed with a few potent drops of green, anise-flavored absinthe."
Things also feel over-explained. For example:
"'I should have been with you instead of running earlier. Maybe we should start running together again.' The two had developed a habit of taking early morning runs on the beach together, along with Finn."
You've mentioned running three times in as many sentences and reiterated that they used to run together. That paragraph is followed by repeated references to their secret quasi-relationship that culminated in a single kiss, which is also mentioned repeatedly in short succession.
Maureen is not believable as a 27-year-old; I picture her as a 60+ retiree. "Ted" and "Maureen" are not exactly common names for twentysomethings these days. There are so many anachronisms in the way that the characters talk. At one point Maureen says, "Maybe one of the cleaning girls wears that perfume." Outdated and sexist term aside, in all likelihood the "cleaning girls" are her age or older. The main cast all seem to be written to be 60+ ("The man is a sap" and frequent references to "MYOB") so it works. I think the series wouldn't lose anything by ageing up all the characters, and it would be less jarring. I don't understand why this character seems so much older than Lee Barrett (in her thirties) from the author's Salem Witch City series.
I feel that the ghosts are handled very oddly. It gives off a vibe like they were originally residents at the inn but were changed to ghosts to make the series more "interesting." The previous mystery with the movie theatre had a much more natural feel to the ghost subplot.
I am missing the "mysterious benefactor" subplot that was prevalent in the first and second mysteries. It was interesting to see Maureen tap into the town's history. I felt that the previous installment left a lot of that mystery unresolved, and I was hoping to see more of it in this one. It took almost a third of the book before Maureen investigated that or found another clue. The letter written by Charlotte is also a bit of a letdown in that it spells out the mysterious circumstances under which Penelope (Maureen's benefactor) and therefore Maureen inherited the inn. It's a bit of a "deus ex machina" and doesn't seem very realistic.
The main mystery is not very interesting. It feels like there are no stakes.
Typical cozy mystery rudeness in judging physical characteristics:
"Maureen accepted a credit card and made a copy of the driver’s license—noting that the attractive woman’s birthdate stated that she was over forty, although she certainly didn’t look it."
The story has a decent flow. There are interesting asides and subplots, but they don't detract from the main mystery. I like the fishing subplot a lot. I think it's great character development for Maureen and also the hotel. I love when the protagonist shows growth over the course of the series. The story is a little bloated with extra characters and runs a little long; it should be trimmed.
I like how the cop trusts Maureen and seeks her insight because of her intuition/her communication with the ghosts. It's always difficult to figure out how to get the protagonist to investigate without veering into "too stupid to live" territory. I prefer an alliance rather than an antagonistic relationship with the professional detective in these stories. It does get into "leave the detecting to the professionals/TSTL snooping" territory later on, which is a shame.
It's pretty ridiculous of Ted to say, "I don't approve of what you did" to Maureen. He's her employee, not her parent, guardian, or employer. Typical "the man must be In Charge of the Silly Woman" that you see in cozies.
Miscellaneous:
At one point, something is referred to as "yucky." It was ridiculously out-of-place and very childish.
Spay and neuter your cats! It's also such a cliche to have a cat giving birth to kittens. I don't think it added anything to the story. I hope they're not going to adopt one of the cats. A shedding animal that poops in a box sounds *perfect* for an inn with a restaurant.
I don't love the power differential in the budding romantic relationship with Ted. I'd have preferred it if he were a joint owner in the inn, or he independently owned a restaurant next to the inn.
In an attempt to make the characters sound young, Kim says "OMG." It's very "how do you do, fellow kids."
The quality has dropped significantly. There is far too much exposition, and the writing is very stilted and doesn't have a natural flow. Here's an example.
"'I think I’ll try a Fairy Godmother,' she said, naming the fruity, elderberry-based cocktail mixed with a few potent drops of green, anise-flavored absinthe."
Things also feel over-explained. For example:
"'I should have been with you instead of running earlier. Maybe we should start running together again.' The two had developed a habit of taking early morning runs on the beach together, along with Finn."
You've mentioned running three times in as many sentences and reiterated that they used to run together. That paragraph is followed by repeated references to their secret quasi-relationship that culminated in a single kiss, which is also mentioned repeatedly in short succession.
Maureen is not believable as a 27-year-old; I picture her as a 60+ retiree. "Ted" and "Maureen" are not exactly common names for twentysomethings these days. There are so many anachronisms in the way that the characters talk. At one point Maureen says, "Maybe one of the cleaning girls wears that perfume." Outdated and sexist term aside, in all likelihood the "cleaning girls" are her age or older. The main cast all seem to be written to be 60+ ("The man is a sap" and frequent references to "MYOB") so it works. I think the series wouldn't lose anything by ageing up all the characters, and it would be less jarring. I don't understand why this character seems so much older than Lee Barrett (in her thirties) from the author's Salem Witch City series.
I feel that the ghosts are handled very oddly. It gives off a vibe like they were originally residents at the inn but were changed to ghosts to make the series more "interesting." The previous mystery with the movie theatre had a much more natural feel to the ghost subplot.
I am missing the "mysterious benefactor" subplot that was prevalent in the first and second mysteries. It was interesting to see Maureen tap into the town's history. I felt that the previous installment left a lot of that mystery unresolved, and I was hoping to see more of it in this one. It took almost a third of the book before Maureen investigated that or found another clue. The letter written by Charlotte is also a bit of a letdown in that it spells out the mysterious circumstances under which Penelope (Maureen's benefactor) and therefore Maureen inherited the inn. It's a bit of a "deus ex machina" and doesn't seem very realistic.
The main mystery is not very interesting. It feels like there are no stakes.
Typical cozy mystery rudeness in judging physical characteristics:
"Maureen accepted a credit card and made a copy of the driver’s license—noting that the attractive woman’s birthdate stated that she was over forty, although she certainly didn’t look it."
The story has a decent flow. There are interesting asides and subplots, but they don't detract from the main mystery. I like the fishing subplot a lot. I think it's great character development for Maureen and also the hotel. I love when the protagonist shows growth over the course of the series. The story is a little bloated with extra characters and runs a little long; it should be trimmed.
I like how the cop trusts Maureen and seeks her insight because of her intuition/her communication with the ghosts. It's always difficult to figure out how to get the protagonist to investigate without veering into "too stupid to live" territory. I prefer an alliance rather than an antagonistic relationship with the professional detective in these stories. It does get into "leave the detecting to the professionals/TSTL snooping" territory later on, which is a shame.
It's pretty ridiculous of Ted to say, "I don't approve of what you did" to Maureen. He's her employee, not her parent, guardian, or employer. Typical "the man must be In Charge of the Silly Woman" that you see in cozies.
Miscellaneous:
At one point, something is referred to as "yucky." It was ridiculously out-of-place and very childish.
Spay and neuter your cats! It's also such a cliche to have a cat giving birth to kittens. I don't think it added anything to the story. I hope they're not going to adopt one of the cats. A shedding animal that poops in a box sounds *perfect* for an inn with a restaurant.
I don't love the power differential in the budding romantic relationship with Ted. I'd have preferred it if he were a joint owner in the inn, or he independently owned a restaurant next to the inn.
In an attempt to make the characters sound young, Kim says "OMG." It's very "how do you do, fellow kids."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2024
Haunting License by Carol J. Perry is a great cozy mystery that is the third book in the Haunted Haven Mystery series.
I have just really enjoyed all three books thus far in this series, and I really like the paranormal threads that are infused into this series that takes place in Haven, Florida with Maureen as our MC and amateur sleuth. Finn is so cute, and this gives the reader a nice balance between a coastal backdrop and culture with a Northeastern spirited vibe.
The murder/mystery was fun as always and I really am looking forward to future books.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books/Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/25/24.
I have just really enjoyed all three books thus far in this series, and I really like the paranormal threads that are infused into this series that takes place in Haven, Florida with Maureen as our MC and amateur sleuth. Finn is so cute, and this gives the reader a nice balance between a coastal backdrop and culture with a Northeastern spirited vibe.
The murder/mystery was fun as always and I really am looking forward to future books.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books/Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/25/24.
March 6, 2024
Haven, Florida is a beautiful place- beaches, food, shopping and another murder. Maureen Doherty is dragged into a mystery that may be the end of her business or her life. With a fashionista ghost, a handsome chef and her quirky friends, Maureen is on the case.
I love Carol J. Perry's books and this one is a puzzling mystery and a fun read. In this series, Maureen works with the local detective to solve crimes. She's smart, good-hearted and relatable. The mystery has twists and turns that kept me guessing. Be sure to have something g to snack on because the food descriptions are wonderful.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I love Carol J. Perry's books and this one is a puzzling mystery and a fun read. In this series, Maureen works with the local detective to solve crimes. She's smart, good-hearted and relatable. The mystery has twists and turns that kept me guessing. Be sure to have something g to snack on because the food descriptions are wonderful.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 11, 2024
I forgot I had given up on this series and I am glad I stuck it out. This one had a lot of archaeology and event planning in it, which was fun for me. What I feel it didn’t have a lot of was investigating, or it got buried with all the other goings-on. The mystery was easy to solve and wasn’t the main focus of the book. As another reviewer mentioned, Maureen comes off as much older (in her 60s) than the young woman she is described as so it gets a little confusing at times. I still don’t think I will continue with the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for an honest review.
May 5, 2025
It was definitely fun to catch up with Maureen, Ted, and the crew at the Haven Inn. Being set in an Inn, you have a good-sized cast of characters, but they are lovely and really add to the backdrop of our stories. I also enjoy all the time and effort that goes into improving the Inn and saving it. Often, in cozy series, the MC owns a business but spends no time actually working at it, this is a pleasant change of pace and Maureen's interactions, often move the story along and help make things happen! In this case, Maureen and company organize a fishing derby to offset slow summer sales. Unfortunately, Maureen finds a local popular fishing captain dead on the beach one morning on her run with Finn. How does this tie into what's going on at the Inn, come for the ride, and find out. It is definitely worth your time!
June 20, 2024
This was a nice cozy addition to this series.
It moved fairly quickly, has good mystery. We kinda know ahead of time who the bad person is and it was fun to read how they proved it. Love the dogs and cats in the story too. Maybe the next book can have more of the ghosts in it. Looking forward to the new one.
It moved fairly quickly, has good mystery. We kinda know ahead of time who the bad person is and it was fun to read how they proved it. Love the dogs and cats in the story too. Maybe the next book can have more of the ghosts in it. Looking forward to the new one.
April 10, 2025
Decent. Wish there was more build up for the climax
August 9, 2025
2.5-3 stars. Once again, the distinct voices of the narrator were more enjoyable than the actual mystery. I felt that the mystery was secondary to the stuff about the inn itself.
March 7, 2024
I thoroughly enjoy this series and all of the characters. I'm pleasantly surprised with how well Carol J Perry is able to spin new stories that still seem rather plausible considering the setting is a small town. For anyone interested in a cozy novel, with a fun little paranormal twist, this is a series for you!
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expresed are mine and mine alone.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expresed are mine and mine alone.
September 2, 2025
My only complaint is I do wish the narrator would just say the word "woof" instead of trying to give the dog a "voice". And unfortunately, the dog woofs a lot.
March 5, 2024
Maureen is learning to manage the inn that was left to her by a stranger, but she's still wondering how to make it a permanent paying business. She loves her new home in Haven, Florida, and is becoming familiar with everything, including the fact her new plans for a gift shop on the premises is firming up.
While walking her golden retriever Finn on the beach one morning she sees what appears to be a body floating next to shore. She calls her friend Officer Frank Hubbard. He discovers that the dead man is Eddie Manuel, a charter boat captain, but doesn't know why he would be there, or who would have wanted to kill him -- because he's sure it wasn't an accident.
While Maureen tries to stay out of the investigation, she digs into her benefactor's old trunk and finds enough information on an old fishing tournament that she decides to revive in order to bring business to the town and, of course, to her inn. With the town and fishermen on her side, she has enough people to make it worthwhile.
But one of her guests is a photographer for a small birding magazine -- and once Maureen meets his boss, she thinks the man is creepy. Another guest who is an archaeologist, puts thoughts in Maureen's head that things around there aren't on the up and up, and Eddie might have stumbled across something he shouldn't have. Should Maureen stay out of it and just plan the tournament? Or should she go with her gut feelings and put herself in harm's way?...
This is the third book in the series and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love books that have friendly spirits in them, and even if the scenes were sparse, they were still fun to read. At times, Maureen's ghosts do give her the information and unexpected turns that she needs. I'd love to say more on the subject, but I don't want to spoil the book for others.
The plot was done very well, with enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. I love how the author weaves together different storylines that connect somehow, and eventually the key to finding the truth shows up in an unusual way.
By this I mean that when the climax does come, it is unexpected, although we are given a clue a little earlier on by what actually might occur, but it still surprises, and the ending itself is rather a treat to read. There is also an epilogue that tells us the outcome, and gives us something to look forward to in the next book, of which I eagerly await. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
While walking her golden retriever Finn on the beach one morning she sees what appears to be a body floating next to shore. She calls her friend Officer Frank Hubbard. He discovers that the dead man is Eddie Manuel, a charter boat captain, but doesn't know why he would be there, or who would have wanted to kill him -- because he's sure it wasn't an accident.
While Maureen tries to stay out of the investigation, she digs into her benefactor's old trunk and finds enough information on an old fishing tournament that she decides to revive in order to bring business to the town and, of course, to her inn. With the town and fishermen on her side, she has enough people to make it worthwhile.
But one of her guests is a photographer for a small birding magazine -- and once Maureen meets his boss, she thinks the man is creepy. Another guest who is an archaeologist, puts thoughts in Maureen's head that things around there aren't on the up and up, and Eddie might have stumbled across something he shouldn't have. Should Maureen stay out of it and just plan the tournament? Or should she go with her gut feelings and put herself in harm's way?...
This is the third book in the series and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love books that have friendly spirits in them, and even if the scenes were sparse, they were still fun to read. At times, Maureen's ghosts do give her the information and unexpected turns that she needs. I'd love to say more on the subject, but I don't want to spoil the book for others.
The plot was done very well, with enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. I love how the author weaves together different storylines that connect somehow, and eventually the key to finding the truth shows up in an unusual way.
By this I mean that when the climax does come, it is unexpected, although we are given a clue a little earlier on by what actually might occur, but it still surprises, and the ending itself is rather a treat to read. There is also an epilogue that tells us the outcome, and gives us something to look forward to in the next book, of which I eagerly await. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
July 5, 2024
This was a fun addition to this series.
In this one, Maureen almost immediately finds a body washed up on the beach. It turns out to be that of a local fishing charter captain Eddie Manuel. So his murder is the one we are trying to figure out throughout the whole book. Something fun about this series (and I think cozies in general) is that there was a lot of other stuff going on as well and we didn't fully focus on the murder. Maureen has dragged down a big trunk full of Penelope Josephine's stuff. She found a picture of a fishing tournament that had been held in Haven in 2000. Doing some digging, she found out that it only ran for one year, because a murder happened the last day of the tournament. But it's a slow time at the inn and Maureen thinks it will be a good idea to reinvent the tournament.
We get a few new characters in this book as well as all the oldies. An archaeologist Kim, and 2 men who own and work for a birding magazine stay at the inn. Maureen becomes good friends with Kim. Their friendship is very sweet. The 2 men Ron and Harvey are working, Harvey owns the magazine and writes articles and Ron takes pictures. Harvey is a jerk, he is very rude to Maureen on a number of occasions, but Ron is pleasant. We get a few scenes with some ghosts, Lorna is always my favorite. She lives in Maureen's suites. We get to know Ted the cook better as well as the 4 older employees who live at the inn. They are all so sweet.
The plot was fun, Maureen really worked hard to put on this fishing tournament in a short amount of time as well as open her inn's gift shop, and put on a birthday party for someone who helped her out in a previous book and has come back for a stay. There is no shortage of things going on and I was never bored. The murder was constantly brought up so we didn't forget about it, but so much other stuff went on too. It all flowed well together.
Something I'm slowly getting accustomed to is the writing style of cozy mysteries in general. I don't really know what it is, it almost feels like even the dialogue is so incredibly formal and not at all how people would actually talk to each other I think. This is true with all the cozies I have read and something that still takes me a minute to get into.
Overall, I'm really invested in this series, it's always a good time and I can't wait to read more!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In this one, Maureen almost immediately finds a body washed up on the beach. It turns out to be that of a local fishing charter captain Eddie Manuel. So his murder is the one we are trying to figure out throughout the whole book. Something fun about this series (and I think cozies in general) is that there was a lot of other stuff going on as well and we didn't fully focus on the murder. Maureen has dragged down a big trunk full of Penelope Josephine's stuff. She found a picture of a fishing tournament that had been held in Haven in 2000. Doing some digging, she found out that it only ran for one year, because a murder happened the last day of the tournament. But it's a slow time at the inn and Maureen thinks it will be a good idea to reinvent the tournament.
We get a few new characters in this book as well as all the oldies. An archaeologist Kim, and 2 men who own and work for a birding magazine stay at the inn. Maureen becomes good friends with Kim. Their friendship is very sweet. The 2 men Ron and Harvey are working, Harvey owns the magazine and writes articles and Ron takes pictures. Harvey is a jerk, he is very rude to Maureen on a number of occasions, but Ron is pleasant. We get a few scenes with some ghosts, Lorna is always my favorite. She lives in Maureen's suites. We get to know Ted the cook better as well as the 4 older employees who live at the inn. They are all so sweet.
The plot was fun, Maureen really worked hard to put on this fishing tournament in a short amount of time as well as open her inn's gift shop, and put on a birthday party for someone who helped her out in a previous book and has come back for a stay. There is no shortage of things going on and I was never bored. The murder was constantly brought up so we didn't forget about it, but so much other stuff went on too. It all flowed well together.
Something I'm slowly getting accustomed to is the writing style of cozy mysteries in general. I don't really know what it is, it almost feels like even the dialogue is so incredibly formal and not at all how people would actually talk to each other I think. This is true with all the cozies I have read and something that still takes me a minute to get into.
Overall, I'm really invested in this series, it's always a good time and I can't wait to read more!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 31, 2025
The Haunted Haven series continues its cozy charm in Haunting License. With its small-town setting, quirky characters, and a dash of the supernatural, it delivers exactly what cozy mystery fans expect: light suspense balanced with a fun, breezy tone. The light tone and playful ghostly antics balance the whodunit, making it easy to settle in with a mug of tea and escape to Haven, Florida. It’s the sort of read where you know what you’re getting: a small town with big personality, gentle humor, and a cast that feels like old friends. C.S.E. Cooney’s narration adds a breezy charm, her voice perfectly matching the story’s easygoing pace.
That said, one element didn’t quite work for me: the relationship between Maureen and Ted. While I appreciate that this series leans on mystery rather than romance, the dynamic between them feels a bit flat. It’s like they’re reading from a script labeled “couple,” with zero chemistry to sell it. Their forced dynamic feels like an afterthought, pulling me out of the story’s spell. It’s a reminder that while cozies do their best work with charming communities, a dash of realistic romance can help anchor the heart of the story.
Still, the ghostly antics and cozy setting were enough to keep me hooked, happily flipping pages to the end.
If this review tickled your detective senses 🕵️♀️🔍, come snoop around my blog for more feel-good mysteries, page-turning escapades, and the occasional plot twist that even I didn’t see coming. 📚✨ Swing by Views She Writes — where books aren’t just read, they’re interrogated (nicely) until the truth spills out.
That said, one element didn’t quite work for me: the relationship between Maureen and Ted. While I appreciate that this series leans on mystery rather than romance, the dynamic between them feels a bit flat. It’s like they’re reading from a script labeled “couple,” with zero chemistry to sell it. Their forced dynamic feels like an afterthought, pulling me out of the story’s spell. It’s a reminder that while cozies do their best work with charming communities, a dash of realistic romance can help anchor the heart of the story.
Still, the ghostly antics and cozy setting were enough to keep me hooked, happily flipping pages to the end.
If this review tickled your detective senses 🕵️♀️🔍, come snoop around my blog for more feel-good mysteries, page-turning escapades, and the occasional plot twist that even I didn’t see coming. 📚✨ Swing by Views She Writes — where books aren’t just read, they’re interrogated (nicely) until the truth spills out.
June 26, 2024
2 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the characters in this cozy where an inn keeper, who mysterious inherited the Inn from someone she did not know or know why she was chosen to inherit, needs to drum up business during the slow season of June so decides to revive a fishing tournament. However, nothing runs smoothly, particularly when she comes across the body of a fisherman during a morning walk along the beach.
Maureen, the inn keeper, is a likeable character who overall is smart when it comes to investigating. She goes with other people to investigate and when there is a threat to her safety, she makes sure she isn't alone. Sometimes she doesn't do the completely safe thing but there aren't any oh, she deserves the Darwin award for this move. In addition to the normal characters, there are quite a few ghostly characters as well who haunt the town. They provide some interest but aren't major factors in the mystery accept for a few clues here and there.
There were some side threads to the story including finding out about how she was chosen to inherit the inn and a slow burn romance. The information about Native American burial mounds was interesting as well.
However, the culprit was obvious pretty quickly. In fact, the effort to catch the murderer took a while. During that entire time I was hoping there would be a surprise twist and that person wouldn't be the killer. No such luck. That lessened my enjoyment a bit.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Maureen, the inn keeper, is a likeable character who overall is smart when it comes to investigating. She goes with other people to investigate and when there is a threat to her safety, she makes sure she isn't alone. Sometimes she doesn't do the completely safe thing but there aren't any oh, she deserves the Darwin award for this move. In addition to the normal characters, there are quite a few ghostly characters as well who haunt the town. They provide some interest but aren't major factors in the mystery accept for a few clues here and there.
There were some side threads to the story including finding out about how she was chosen to inherit the inn and a slow burn romance. The information about Native American burial mounds was interesting as well.
However, the culprit was obvious pretty quickly. In fact, the effort to catch the murderer took a while. During that entire time I was hoping there would be a surprise twist and that person wouldn't be the killer. No such luck. That lessened my enjoyment a bit.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 24, 2024
Princess Fuzzypants here: Maureen is settling into her new life as innkeeper in Haven FL but realizes that she needs to do something to kick start the business and fill her rooms again during the off-season. She gets an inspiration from a trunk left to her from her deceased benefactor. A fishing tournament. She pulls it all together with a lot of help from her staff and friends in a week and names the event after a local fisherman whose body she had discovered. But things take a dangerous turn when she spies the suspected killer removing a bag from a protected mound in the forest. There is a lot going on.
Without telling too much, with the help of a new ally and fellow target, they get drawn into a story filled with rare birds, photography, archeology and of course, ghosts. Her inn is well haunted and while the locals play it down, she has become good friends with several of her spooks who are very protective of her. And so is her dog Finn and her two inherited kitties Bogie and Bacall. It all makes for an entertaining and exciting read. I do like Maureen. She is smart and capable but does not let her curiosity run off half-cocked. She works with the local police chief who wavers between wanting to use her as a sounding board and telling her to mind her own business. It is all a little different and a lot of fun.
Five purrs and two paws up.
Without telling too much, with the help of a new ally and fellow target, they get drawn into a story filled with rare birds, photography, archeology and of course, ghosts. Her inn is well haunted and while the locals play it down, she has become good friends with several of her spooks who are very protective of her. And so is her dog Finn and her two inherited kitties Bogie and Bacall. It all makes for an entertaining and exciting read. I do like Maureen. She is smart and capable but does not let her curiosity run off half-cocked. She works with the local police chief who wavers between wanting to use her as a sounding board and telling her to mind her own business. It is all a little different and a lot of fun.
Five purrs and two paws up.
September 28, 2024
It's fun to think that towns like Haven exist. This is book 3 in A Haunted Haven Series. I have read one of the previous books. When a fisherman is murdered, Florida innkeeper Maureen Doherty must cast a wide net to catch a killer—with a little help from her ghostly tenants . . .
It’s June in Haven, Florida, a “between seasons” time in the tourism business, and Maureen’s Haven House Inn is feeling the pinch. There are plenty of ghosts in residence, but Maureen needs living guests to pay the bills.
Inspired by an old brochure she finds in a trunk she inherited along with the inn from her mysterious benefactor Penelope Josephine Gray, she gets the brilliant idea to revive a June fishing tournament from twenty years ago, hoping to reel in anglers who’d love to catch the Gulf Coast’s popular kingfish and take home a trophy.
But one fisherman won’t make it to the tournament. While walking on the beach with her golden retriever Finn, Maureen discovers a body. When Officer Frank Hubbard arrives, he recognizes local charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel.
Now it’s up to Maureen and her spirited sleuths to sort through the red herrings and bait a hook for a killer before someone else ends up sleeping with the fishes
It’s June in Haven, Florida, a “between seasons” time in the tourism business, and Maureen’s Haven House Inn is feeling the pinch. There are plenty of ghosts in residence, but Maureen needs living guests to pay the bills.
Inspired by an old brochure she finds in a trunk she inherited along with the inn from her mysterious benefactor Penelope Josephine Gray, she gets the brilliant idea to revive a June fishing tournament from twenty years ago, hoping to reel in anglers who’d love to catch the Gulf Coast’s popular kingfish and take home a trophy.
But one fisherman won’t make it to the tournament. While walking on the beach with her golden retriever Finn, Maureen discovers a body. When Officer Frank Hubbard arrives, he recognizes local charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel.
Now it’s up to Maureen and her spirited sleuths to sort through the red herrings and bait a hook for a killer before someone else ends up sleeping with the fishes
September 2, 2024
This is the third and what I hope is not the last of the Haunted Haven series. The characters the author has created are very well written and likeable. The premise of city girl inheriting a dilapidated inn is not original but is presented realistically. The “haunted” part of the story is noticeably less present in this book.
Having previously organized large functions, I had to ignore the fact that Maureen organized the ‘save the town’s economy’ fishing tournament within a couple of weeks. Even ignoring the ability to organize something that large, including that many businesses, how did participants schedule time to attend so quickly? I know, I know. It’s a story. Let it go.
There was a lot going on but it was all woven together nicely. The accidental(?) death, Momcat, questionable guests, and the budding romance. The sidekick being a hotel guest was another nicely written touch. It fell into place and seemed to make perfect sense. It felt like a little too much time was spent on the desecration of Indian sites and artifacts. It was an important part of the story but after the first dozen mentions it became more lecturing than informing.
Having previously organized large functions, I had to ignore the fact that Maureen organized the ‘save the town’s economy’ fishing tournament within a couple of weeks. Even ignoring the ability to organize something that large, including that many businesses, how did participants schedule time to attend so quickly? I know, I know. It’s a story. Let it go.
There was a lot going on but it was all woven together nicely. The accidental(?) death, Momcat, questionable guests, and the budding romance. The sidekick being a hotel guest was another nicely written touch. It fell into place and seemed to make perfect sense. It felt like a little too much time was spent on the desecration of Indian sites and artifacts. It was an important part of the story but after the first dozen mentions it became more lecturing than informing.
March 4, 2024
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of HAUNTING LICENSE (Book 3 of the Haunted Haven mystery series) by Carol J. Perry in exchange for an honest review. After the excitement of Christmas and renovations on the inn, tourism is in a slump, and Haven House Inn’s rooms are empty. In order to pay the bills, Maureen finds inspiration from the past. Maureen, with community support, revives the June fishing tournament and names it in honor of a recently deceased charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel. However, as anglers and others show up for the competition, Maureen finds herself looking to the past and linking Eddie’s death with that of a contestant from the first and last fishing tournament twenty years ago.
I like this book and enjoy the series. I recommend this book to fans of the series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal cozy murder mysteries featuring haunted towns, inns, and ghosts.
#HauntingLicense #NetGalley
I like this book and enjoy the series. I recommend this book to fans of the series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal cozy murder mysteries featuring haunted towns, inns, and ghosts.
#HauntingLicense #NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews