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Death in a Ghostly Hue
The past never leaves us…
Jill Madison and her brothers have never forgiven Quinn Parsons for driving drunk and killing their parents. When Parsons returns to Apple Grove from his six years in prison, he’s looking for redemption. But his thoughtless actions, so long ago, hurt more residents than the Madisons, and people are taking bets on how long Quinn will survive.
Meanwhile, the Old Friends senior group at Jill’s art center is rehearsing a radio-play of Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost,” a ghostly story of forgiveness. Jill and Angie are convinced a ghost is haunting the art center, so they decide to investigate. That’s never a good idea with these two.
Jill Madison and her brothers have never forgiven Quinn Parsons for driving drunk and killing their parents. When Parsons returns to Apple Grove from his six years in prison, he’s looking for redemption. But his thoughtless actions, so long ago, hurt more residents than the Madisons, and people are taking bets on how long Quinn will survive.
Meanwhile, the Old Friends senior group at Jill’s art center is rehearsing a radio-play of Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost,” a ghostly story of forgiveness. Jill and Angie are convinced a ghost is haunting the art center, so they decide to investigate. That’s never a good idea with these two.
Paperback
First published July 2, 2024
11 people want to read
About the author
Susan Van Kirk
23 books89 followersSusan Van Kirk's book, Death in a Ghostly Hue, has been nominated for a 2025 Anthony Award for Best Paranormal Mystery.
Susan Van Kirk was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and educated at Knox College (BA) and University of Illinois (M.Ed). She taught for thirty-four years at Monmouth High School in Monmouth, Illinois,(1968-2002), and an additional ten years at Monmouth College (2002-2012.)
She wrote a memoir of her teaching life in "The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks)," published 2010.
Her Endurance Mysteries include "Three May Keep a Secret," "Marry in Haste," "The Locket: From the Casebook of TJ Sweeney," "Death Takes No Bribes," and "The Witch's Child, and "Fabric of Lies."" Harlequin Worldwide Mystery has republished this series.
"A Death at Tippitt Pond" is a standalone cozy mystery.
The Art Center Mysteries, published by Level Best Books include "Death in a Pale Hue," "Death in a Bygone Hue," and "Death in a Ghostly Hue" (July 2024.)
She divides her time between her home in Monmouth, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona, where her children and grandchildren live.
Susan Van Kirk was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and educated at Knox College (BA) and University of Illinois (M.Ed). She taught for thirty-four years at Monmouth High School in Monmouth, Illinois,(1968-2002), and an additional ten years at Monmouth College (2002-2012.)
She wrote a memoir of her teaching life in "The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks)," published 2010.
Her Endurance Mysteries include "Three May Keep a Secret," "Marry in Haste," "The Locket: From the Casebook of TJ Sweeney," "Death Takes No Bribes," and "The Witch's Child, and "Fabric of Lies."" Harlequin Worldwide Mystery has republished this series.
"A Death at Tippitt Pond" is a standalone cozy mystery.
The Art Center Mysteries, published by Level Best Books include "Death in a Pale Hue," "Death in a Bygone Hue," and "Death in a Ghostly Hue" (July 2024.)
She divides her time between her home in Monmouth, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona, where her children and grandchildren live.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 9, 2024
Death in a Ghostly Hue by Susan Van Kirk brings deeper shades of understanding to the concepts of revenge and forgiveness by beautifully blending characters, events, and subtle clues. Her deft pentimento effect makes this a book to read. I received an ARC, but the thoughts expressed here and my recommendation of this as an easy and enjoyable read are my own.
June 4, 2025
Death In A Ghostly Hue by Susan Van Kirk is the third book in the Art Center Mystery series. It is set in the charming town of Apple Grove. Without giving away any spoilers, this book is the first I’ve read by this author and I was impressed with her talent and writing style for mysteries. The storyline was entertaining, the characters were crafted and created in a way that made them likable and relatable and it had all the elements of a good mystery, include intrigue, drama, danger and murder. I received a copy of this book from the author and these opinions are strictly my own. I look forward to reading more books by this author and I rated it a five.
September 29, 2024
Death in A Ghostly Hue is the third installment in the Art Center mystery series by Susan Van Kirk, but it's the first book I've read from this author. Despite not reading the first two novels in the series, I didn't feel lost and quickly got up to speed with the characters and their relationships.
Jill Madison, the protagonist and first-person narrator, returned home to Apple Grove after her parents were killed in a car accident. She's now the executive director of the Adele Marsden Center for the Arts (named after her mother) and is in the middle of producing a community play starring the center's senior volunteers.
When the story opens, Quinn Parsons, the drunk driver responsible for her parents' deaths, finishes his six-year prison sentence and returns to Apple Grove. He says he's in AA and is seeking redemption, and he invites her to hear him speak at a local church. Even after all this time, Jill and her two older brothers are no closer to forgiving Parsons, and they cut him no slack. They end up attending the church event though, and Jill's brother Andy threatens the man in a public setting.
Unfortunately, Parsons is found dead the next day, and Andy is arrested. Deputy Jeeter Crockett, Andy's nemesis, is convinced he has the culprit, and there's no need to investigate further.
Despite threats from Jeeter, Jill steps into amateur sleuth mode and tries to prove her brother's innocence. Her other brother, Tom, who's on the police force, has been forbidden to involve himself with the murder investigation, but no one can stop him from investigating the long-ago accident that killed his parents and one of Parsons' friends. Tom and Jill believe there's a connection between that crash and Parsons' death.
I was surprised that the investigation into the accident didn't happen sooner, given how outraged the Madison children were, and how raw their feelings of anger still are. But perhaps that was explained in an earlier book.
There is a slight paranormal theme to this story, as Jill spends some time talking to a Civil War era ghost who haunts the building where she works.
It took me a little while to warm up to Jill because she seemed so cold and unforgiving. But she does grow, and, as the details of the accident and the murder unfold, develops more compassion for others.
The mystery was complex and well-constructed.
Jill Madison, the protagonist and first-person narrator, returned home to Apple Grove after her parents were killed in a car accident. She's now the executive director of the Adele Marsden Center for the Arts (named after her mother) and is in the middle of producing a community play starring the center's senior volunteers.
When the story opens, Quinn Parsons, the drunk driver responsible for her parents' deaths, finishes his six-year prison sentence and returns to Apple Grove. He says he's in AA and is seeking redemption, and he invites her to hear him speak at a local church. Even after all this time, Jill and her two older brothers are no closer to forgiving Parsons, and they cut him no slack. They end up attending the church event though, and Jill's brother Andy threatens the man in a public setting.
Unfortunately, Parsons is found dead the next day, and Andy is arrested. Deputy Jeeter Crockett, Andy's nemesis, is convinced he has the culprit, and there's no need to investigate further.
Despite threats from Jeeter, Jill steps into amateur sleuth mode and tries to prove her brother's innocence. Her other brother, Tom, who's on the police force, has been forbidden to involve himself with the murder investigation, but no one can stop him from investigating the long-ago accident that killed his parents and one of Parsons' friends. Tom and Jill believe there's a connection between that crash and Parsons' death.
I was surprised that the investigation into the accident didn't happen sooner, given how outraged the Madison children were, and how raw their feelings of anger still are. But perhaps that was explained in an earlier book.
There is a slight paranormal theme to this story, as Jill spends some time talking to a Civil War era ghost who haunts the building where she works.
It took me a little while to warm up to Jill because she seemed so cold and unforgiving. But she does grow, and, as the details of the accident and the murder unfold, develops more compassion for others.
The mystery was complex and well-constructed.
December 6, 2024
Before you read this book you must read Susan’s first two books in this series. I recommend all three with 5 stars. This particular book I read in two days. I am a slow reader otherwise I wouldn’t have put it down.
October 28, 2024
After enjoying the first two books in Susan Van Kirk's Art Center Mysteries trilogy (Death in a Pale Hue and Death in a Bygone Hue), I was really excited to read the third book in this trilogy Death in a Ghostly Hue. Van Kirk returns to the small town of Apple Grove and features her central character Jill Madison who is the director of the local art center. In this third book, Jill's return to her hometown causes her to have to unexpectedly confront Quinn Parsons -- the man who was responsible for the death of her parents in a drunk driving accident. Recently released from prison, Quinn is looking for forgiveness. Things take a turn when Parsons is found dead, and Jill's brother Andy is arrested for the crime. Jill, her family and friends turn their attention on proving Andy's innocence and getting him released from jail. Van Kirk expertly captures the tension and worry that a family deals with when a member is on trial. The reader is easily engaged as Jill investigates the murder. Like Van Kirk's other books, the art center provides some distraction from the crime. We get to see how the center prepares to put on a radio play (The Canterville Ghost) and for an exhibition of ghostly inspired art. Then Jill herself finds comfort in befriending a ghost that haunts the art center during this time. This leads to another investigation into the center's history. Readers will enjoy this well written mystery with a genuine feel for small town life and just a touch of a paranormal spirit.
June 16, 2024
Van Kirk’s Death in a Ghostly Hue opens with Jill Madison comparing her life to an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. An especially apt comparison when Jill discovers that Quinn Parsons, the drunken driver of the car that killed her parents, has returned to Apple Grove. And he’s seeking forgiveness and redemption. Jill’s brother, Andy, is not in a forgiving mood. He threatens Parsons before most of the town. When Parsons is found dead the next day, Andy becomes suspect number one and is arrested by his long-time tormentor, Jeeter Crockett.
Jill and her best friend Angie investigate. Jill’s days are full with her duties at the Marsden Center for the Arts. The Old Friends Talk Art group is putting on a radio play of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost. In a case of life imitating art, The Marsden Center turns up haunted. The ghost, Daniel Lowry, needs his own redemption to pass to the other side.
This book satisfies on so many levels. It’s a tightly plotted mystery with twists that you won’t see coming. It’s also an emotional journey that brings the reader full circle from anger to forgiveness.
Jill and her best friend Angie investigate. Jill’s days are full with her duties at the Marsden Center for the Arts. The Old Friends Talk Art group is putting on a radio play of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost. In a case of life imitating art, The Marsden Center turns up haunted. The ghost, Daniel Lowry, needs his own redemption to pass to the other side.
This book satisfies on so many levels. It’s a tightly plotted mystery with twists that you won’t see coming. It’s also an emotional journey that brings the reader full circle from anger to forgiveness.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews