A Spirited Reckoning

by Clare Lockhart

Welcome to Bookend Bay, where the coffee is spiced, the ghosts are cheeky, and midlife is murder.

Wedding bells are about to chime for Quinn Delaney’s best friend, but for Quinn, the only thing ringing is the spectral voice of a true-crime podcaster haunting her cafe.

This egocentric ghost has a bone to pick, and it involves the untimely demise of Bookend Bay's chauvinistic bookstore manager.

As cryptic messages appear mysteriously around her cafe, and with a team of spectral sleuths eager to solve the case, Quinn's life becomes a paranormal punchline.

With her cafe overrun by restless spirits and her reputation on the line, Quinn must rely on her wits and courage to uncover the truth behind the murder and banish the ghosts for good.

Throw in her obsessive otherworldly twin whose good intentions backfire, and it's a recipe for a hilarious cozy caper!

Can Quinn unravel the riddles, save the wedding reception, and reclaim her cafe before the caffeine runs dry and her sanity snaps?

Dive into A Spirited Reckoning, a Midlife is Murder cozy mystery and find out!

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Clare Lockhart writes light-hearted, paranormal, cozy mysteries featuring middle-aged sleuths who are going through a few changes. Some are welcome (freedom to live the dream) and some not so much (supernatural abilities and a rash of murders).

If you like reading about best friends who find themselves in the odd pickle, twisty murder plots, and cheeky, paranormal visitors, then you’re in the right place.

Clare lives in a small town, a stone’s throw from Lake Ontario, in Canada, and has recently taken up sailing with her partner John. Sailing has to be one of her most challenging and rewarding life experiences. She loves to read, of course, travel and is a bit of a foodie.

Clare comes by her interest in the paranormal honestly. Her dad loved this stuff, so it was natural for her to believe there was more to our world than we perceive. Therefore, you may find a ghost, a psychic witch, and even a parallel universe in her stories.

She also writes time travel romance under the pen name Sharon Clare.

Reviews

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of ghosts in this story! The first one is caught chatting to young Gabriel (2 years old) who can see him. He was a podcaster of real crime stories and says that someone is going to be murdered! Turns out he was correct. A nasty author dies in the bookshop he was managing. A rumour gets out that Break Thyme a coffee and cakes place is haunted. Locals spurn it, much to the distress of its owner, Quinn. Quinn is able to see & talk to ghosts and has a “twin” Brielle who pops in to visit whilst she, Brielle, is asleep! Quinn is Gabriel’s grandma. The news spreads that there is a murder riddler/ghost at the café & crowds flock there! Quinn is horrified by it all. The clues and the help some of the ghosts give her solve the case.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wedding, way too many ghosts and a murder!

Being a woman of “a certain age” myself, I really enjoy reading stories about women who are past their twenties and thirties, who are grandmothers and know what menopause is like. So, I really do enjoy this series of books by Clare Lockhart. They’re funny, realistic—especially with the bathroom trips—and heartwarming. They’re filled with love and family and community. And don’t forget the murder and how Quinn and Toni are called upon to help solve it. I really enjoy these stories and cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you, Clare Lockhart!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story with a lady that can see ghost and has a twin from another realm. Quinn runs a cafe/bakery with her friend Toni and they are doing good. Cafe is busy they have a book club that meets once a month and both have loves in their lives. Then there is a murder that brings a whole new bunch of problems and ghosts into their world. Quinn is helping Cody her police friend with the investigation, which goes totally off the rails when a ghost pod caster shows up.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if life is not busy enough for Quinn, Toni, and Brielle with the planning for Toni's wedding. When the temporary book store owner dies it gets even busier.
A fantastic book to read. The characters are so relatable, and the ghosts cause a lot of fun mayhem. The storyline is great to follow along with a few surprises on the way. A really great book to relax with and just enjoy.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this addition to the series. The characters are well developed and you get annoyed with the ones you should get annoyed with. The story, for me, has a sad ending but a necessary one. I do like how the whole family pulls together and helps make the wedding and reception beautiful and meaningful. Also how they pull together with support. This is my honest opinion and I would recommend it to those who like clay mysteries. I am an ARC member.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The coffee is spiced, the ghosts are cheeky, and midlife is murder.
Wedding bells are about to chime for Quinn Delaney’s best friend, but for Quinn, the only thing ringing is the spectral voice of a true-crime podcaster haunting her cafe.I liked this book very much. It was an enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! This was my first foray into this series, and I thought it was so cute and cozy. One of the best quick cozy reads I've read in a while.

We follow Quinn, cafe owner/part detective, to solve a murder mystery. There's hilarious ghosts that follow her around, and one ghost in particular likes to write riddles to help solve the murder.

This has quite the twist at the end, and I thought it was so well written. A fantastic story.

I'm an ARC member!

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spirited Reckoning:A Paranormal Cozy Mystery book 7 Midlife I'd Murder

Seeing one ghost and your twin double is something else, but then a new ghost comes and she finds her young grandson can see ghosts too. With a murder to solve and ghostly high jinks from a podcaster of all things the mystery is conflicting suspects and nerve racking mischief.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and Entertaining Read

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one and it was well worth the wait. Another amazing addition to the series. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat. Enjoyable and entertaining. Highly recommend reading and look forward to reading more from Clare Lockhart.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters abound in this delightful story. Quinn has many gifts, including interacting with her twin from another dimension and ghosts! This was a fun whodunnit that kept me guessing and entertained! I was delighted to read an early copy of the book and these are my opinions.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Paranormal.

Wonderful setting in a small town on Lake Superior. Intriguing characters live and spiritual. Interesting plot with plenty of suspects and twists and turns. Enjoyable read.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story. Bookend Bay is a great place to live usually. When there’s ghosts helping to solve a case, things get weird. Will Quinn be able to solve the case and save the day. Can’t wait for more.

[Ordean Zora · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍🏻

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't find this book as good as the previous ones in the series. I couldn't get into it & it took me days to complete.

[Nanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ladies solved another murder, dealt with ghosts, and secrets were told.

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toni's wedding

An obnoxious book store manager is found dead. The ghost of a true crime podcasters wants to help solve it, with the help of his ghostly followers.