Painted Lies

Storage Ghost Mystery #7

by Gillian Larkin

A short mystery with ghosts.

Grace Abrahams helps ghosts who can’t move on until their problems have been solved. The ghosts she meets are attached to items found at storage locker auctions.

Grace is faced with a difficult case this time as she can’t see the ghost who now needs her help. The ghost communicates by causing figures in paintings to move. Grace studies the paintings, and the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together.

When Grace works out why the ghost needs help, she’s furious and has to take drastic action.

Genres: Mystery

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2024

About the author

I'm an avid fan of mystery stories. I started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. My favourite fiction detective is Poirot, I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are.

I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.

I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.

You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.

You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.

Reviews

[Klara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review won’t be very long either. In this book, the ghost artist really got on my nerves—I'm not exactly sure why, but she just did. That said, I did like the unique twist of her communicating through moving pictures; it was something fresh and really well done. Aside from my annoyance with her character, the book was an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for a rainy day when you’re stuck in a reading slump.

Overall, it was a light, comforting story that worked well for the mood I was in.

[Kay Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painted Lies (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 7)

Again like the other books in this series it had me from the start. If you like a quick read and a wholesome stories these books are for you. I can hardly wait for the next one. I have really enjoyed them.

[Sandra Nedopričljivica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from "storage lockers" and very nice idea with moving painting figures!

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited but depending on book got them that way, as freebie, or bought them. Some were sets Storage Ghost Mysteries - The Box Set 1-5 as set 6-9 as Storage Ghost Mysteries - Box Set 2 and all should be available separately.

Jacob's Coins: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 1)
Lost And Found: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 2)
Tick Tock: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 3)
The Write Dream: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 4)
Daisy’s Chain: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 5)

Zach's Guitar (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 6)
Painted Lies (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 7)
Dead Wrong (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 8)
The Last Post (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 9)

Dying To Laugh (A Storage Ghost Mystery Book 10)

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Abrahams can see ghosts. Ever since she survived a car crash that her parents died in, she has had this dubious talent. Usually ghosts find her through the storage locker auctions her brother goes to in order to buy stock for their second hand shop. This time Grace happened to go to the sale along with Frankie, and kept seeing writing appear and disappear; writing that said "help" and "I'm trapped" and such. Grace convinced Frankie to buy a certain storage locker, and in that locker she found a cardboard box with mysterious writing on it that appeared and disappeared, but no ghost. This is the first mystery that no ghost appeared to talk to Grace. However, she worked around that. Inside the box were two paintings and a very nice brush set. Believing the ghost to be attached to the brushes, she kept those and the paintings. She made a contact with the ghost even though she didn't manage to see her. Grace knows something is wrong and sets about trying to solve the mystery and help release the ghost from her misery.

What follows is an interesting and unusual chain of events that lead to a satisfying resolution after some risks and much sleuthing by Grace. This story is unlike the others in the series and was very enjoyable. Ms Larkin weaves her story with a little magic and makes it a fun and fast story. The main characters carry over from other books, however each is a stand alone book. They are good clean mysteries that will leave readers of all ages satisfied.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short tale from the pen of Gillian Larkin.

This story is very well done, intricate, and about a humble artist. (As most of them are, in my experience, however there are always big exceptions to the rule.)

I really enjoyed this. Actually, 'enjoyed' is probably the wrong word to use as the ending will tell you. So sad, it tore my heart apart. I adore Grace and I thought her strength of character, love and compassion, shone through in this tale. She always stands up for what she believes in, thank goodness for that!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Diane Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this. I liked revisiting the storage auctions, I've missed them. Even Pearl annoyed me less in this book.

I liked the idea that Grace couldn't see the ghost and her story was told through her art. It was quite meta, but not in a pretentious way.

I don't know why, but I prefer the Storage Ghost Mysteries to the Murders. Possibly because the story could go anywhere and not only to a killer.

[Vicki Highley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist. I really enjoyed this book in the Storage Ghost Mysteries series. Grace talks her brother into purchasing a storage locker and then only takes a box of painting supplies, because of messages only she can she. What the box leads her to is something that she has never experience in her ghost helping before. Gillian Larkin knows how to tell a story and have you affected by it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All the thought and opinions are my own.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I think even though it was a little different from the other stories in series it was very good. I really enjoy them and hope they continue.