Death at Dark

Martha's Vineyard Murders #2

by Raemi A. Ray

Some secrets are safer lost at sea…

London based lawyer Kyra Gibson returns to Martha’s Vineyard and the beach house she inherited for an extended summer holiday. Still reeling from her father’s brutal murder and the role she and the handsome detective, Tarek Collins played in uncovering it, Kyra is hopeful for some peace and quiet. But when a summer squall reveals the wreckage of the pirate ship, Keres, rich with rumored treasure, all hopes of peace are dashed. Conservationists and treasure hunters descend on the exclusive island to lay claim to the ship. When two of the salvagers are killed, Kyra and Tarek’s friend, pub owner and amateur historian, Gully Gould is arrested for murder.

Determined to prove Gully’s innocence, Kyra, Tarek, and reformed playboy Chase Hawthorn team up to clear their friend’s name. But someone wants the treasure for themselves. And with someone willing to kill for it, there is more than just danger lurking along the island’s caves and coves. There is death.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Pirates

338 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2024

About the author

Raemi Amanda Ray is the author of the Martha's Vineyard Murders, set on Martha’s Vineyard. Her travels to the island and around the world inspire her stories. She lives in Boston.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in this series and again it was a fabulous read, Kyra has come back to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer, she intends to relax and enjoy, her last visit was filled with danger as she investigated her father’s death and after making friends and getting close to Detective Tarek Collins, he has ghosted her since she left the island, but she is happy to catch up with Chase and the other friends she has made, but when a storm uncovers the shipwreck of a pirate ship this starts a war between treasure hunters and conservationists and Kyra gets caught in the middle when two of the salvagers die and friend and pub owner Gully is arrested for murder.

When Gully is arrested his best friend Tarek arrives back on the island to prove his innocence and this brings Kyra and Tarek together again and investigating another murder, the big question is why would someone kill the two divers are they after the treasure or is there another reason, so many questions not enough answers and then when a local is murdered and another one is missing things heat up and soon Chase and Kyra find themselves in danger traipsing through dangerous caves, will they make it out alive will Tarek find them in time?

This is really another well written murder, mystery that had me turning the pages and guessing till the end so many fabulous characters good and bad and of course catching up with friends from the first book is always good, Martha’s Vineyard is a fabulous setting for this story and I am really looking forward to the next one in the series.

I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a good murder mystery, I loved it.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

["Avonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE WRAITH’S RETURN (Martha’s Vineyard Murders Book #2) by Raemi A. Ray is the second book in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series with Kyra returning to Martha’s Vineyard for an extended summer holiday and finds herself and her island friends helping one of their own accused of murder. This story can be read as a standalone, but I feel the books are best read in order as the main characters continually evolved in their relationships from book one.

This book has murder, conservationists vs. fisherman, islanders vs. vacationers, and a historical pirate story, and treasure hunters all combined in this mystery read. I am not sure if it is because there is so much going on, which should have made for many red herrings, but when I reached the end, I felt the killer was just there with no build up of tension or foreboding until very close to the end. All the information and side characters were interesting, but at times slowed the plot pace. I love Kyra, Tarek, and Chase and find them all to be interesting characters. I look forward to following them in future books, but I have to say that I liked the mystery plot in book one, A Chain of Pearls, better. The characters pulled me through this story more than the mystery plot.

Overall, a little bit of a let down after such a great debut.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded Up)

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyra Gibson has decided to take the summer off from her London law firm and spend it at what’s now, following her father’s death, her house on Martha’s Vineyard. After her visit there a few months ago, Kyra has made some wonderful islander friends. Those friends will go out of their way to keep her safe.

Tarek Collins, an investigator for the state police, is also on vacation, staying with his best friend Gully. Gully’s seriously interested in a certain pirate ship, the Keres, which is settled in the Vineyard Sound after shipwrecking in the early 1700s. When a ship that’s presumably the Keres is revealed following a storm, there’s a move to raise it. It’s rumored that it was carrying a fortune in treasure when it sank. But not everyone is onboard with the effort. Some conservationists want the ship to rest where it is in order to protect the ecosystem of the Sound.

When murders start happening, Kyra, Tarek, and Senator Hawthorn’s son Chase, find themselves immersed in the mystery. Then Gully is charged with committing the murders, and they’re desperate to find who’s behind the killings. It isn’t long before Kyra and Chase find themselves in dire and dangerous circumstances.

This is the second book in this series. It’s easily read as a standalone. I’m now a devoted fan, and eager for the next book in the series which will come out some time this autumn. While this book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, just a bit, it does answer most of the important questions brought up in the story.

As in book one, it wasn’t overly hard to guess who the bad guy was. Despite that, there were enough twists and turns and possible culprits to keep me turning pages. I loved the scene of Tyrek, Kyra, and Chase on Chases' sailboat and the beach. I really felt like I was there with them. However, it did bother me how Kyra allows Terek and Chase to over-protect her. Yes, she stands up for herself at one point, but not strongly or often enough. In the last few chapters, if Chase had used his body to protect her one more time, I might have screamed; although, I did like Chase playing hero. Conflicting emotions, I guess. It's a small matter and didn't really impact my enjoyment of the book.

Seriously, I’m jumping up and down in anticipation of the next book in the series. I love this series, and highly recommend it. Read it! I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Raemi A Ray for sending me this FREE Complimentary Paperback Copy to promote and review for her as part of the Book 2 Release.

This was only My 2nd Time reading a Mystery Thriller Novel by her let alone in a Series and I have to say this one was even more enjoyable than Book 1 was.

This book had everything I was expecting. Just imagine if you read a book based on Law and Order, Blue Bloods and NYPD Blue all in one book THIS would be THE Book.

The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. At first it was hard to choose a favorite but as the story continued Kyra and Chase easily became my favorites especially since I really enjoyed their witty banter and connections to each other. You can easily say by the end I was shipping them.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Martha's Vineyard while reading especially when the scenery was described.

Overall a Phenomenal Book 2 in this Mystery/Thriller Series!! Can't wait to read more by Raemi in the future!!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

Kyra Gibson comes back to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer. Instead of peace and quiet she crave,there is a lot going on. A wreckage pirate ship, Keres is discovered, and after that there is murder. Helping Tarek Collins the detective and maybe something more for her,as his friend Gully is accused of those deaths. Kyra wants to find who is responsible, but it sems as some can hold a grudge, and the all to happy to blame Gully.

Will Kyra prove that Gully is innocent?
Will she again face danger?

Full of secrets,this mystery grips me from the beginning. The ship history was interesting, and all story come to satisfying end. I like the friendship Kyra and Chase have, didn't expect them to connect from previous book, but they are there for each other. And Tarek ah... wish there was more of him in the book,I like him in Kyra's life. Hope to read more books in this series,they are great.

Perfect for mystery fans.

Thank you booksirens,author and publisher for my copy.

[David Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very happy to receive an advance review copy of The Wraith's Return from the author, and just in time to read it cover to cover during a tropical storm!

The Wraith's Return is author Raemi Ray's second book in her Martha's Vineyard Murders series. Building on the characters and relationships that Ms. Ray began developing in her first book A Chain of Pearls, the reader rides along with Kyra, Tarek, Chase and other familiar personalities as they investigate two murders that have been pinned on one of their island friends.

Ray’s second story is compelling, even more compelling than her first, and she does a great job of keeping her readers guessing. Her story-telling skills are more mature. While in the first book, my experience was largely character focused, in The Wraith's Return the "what" is just as important as the "who." Indeed, even the "where" takes on an even greater role as a character, with the reader getting to know aspects of the island that drive the story even more than the people in some places. (I will say, it is really, really hard to say a lot without giving away the story or the secrets!)

Character development is sophisticated. Ray excels in creating very realistic characters and she does so by capturing the awkwardness of human relationships in a way that the reader cannot help but feel, both emotionally and viscerally. The will-they or won't they tension between Kyra and Tarek is just as frustrating and just as engaging as the same tensions in the real world. It is difficult to create that kind of credible tension with fictional characters but Ray achieves it brilliantly! Their frustration underscores so much of the story, and it is delicious!

There is a candid intimacy in The Wraith's Return that extends even to the materials that follow the story. Ray pens an appeal to her readers to write reviews of the book. That is masterful. She gives the reader the story and only then asks for them to share how they feel about it. Grateful readers can hardly deny such a request and, in making the request, Ray creates a relationship with her readers that is rarely achieved.

Love the book; Love the series; and eagerly awaiting book 3, A Widow's Walk set to publish this Fall!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action packed, emotionally fueled mystery. There’s something for everyone here. Pirates, old caves, Martha’s Vineyard, death, deceit, action and more. While I hadn’t read book one I felt this story stands alone well. The characters and backgrounds are integrated well so that you can catch up and not feel as if you’re missing something. I really loved the pirate treasure hunt and the investigation that ensues because of it. It was a fun backdrop to the mystery of this book. The mystery was surprising and the ending quite unexpected! A must read for mystery and thriller fans!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chasity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery. Even though I did not read the first book in this series, I feel it did not affect understanding this story. The story did have a smaller cliffhanger at the end, but it didn't feel big enough to make me feel like I needed to know what happens next. I would read more of this series.

[sammi_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyra comes back to Cape Cod just as a wreck is found. The wreck draws in salvagers environmentalists and lots of local attention as it is speculated to be a pirate wreck, with potential for treasure. Two salvagers are murdered while diving the wreck and a bartender friend of Kyra's on-and-off love interest (a detective, of course) is the main suspect. Can they prove Gully's innocence?

I liked the setting for this and everyone's interest in the wreck and history. I've gotten to go to Cape Cod multiple times now and it felt right for the flavor of the area. The wreck was a fun and different element for this cozy mystery.

Although I did think Kyra could be a bit dull, I really liked her friendships. Grace and Charlie- their whole dynamic wasn't simple and added a layer. I absolutely loved everything with Chase. His panic attacks and past made him a character I was attached to, then add in his fun personality and he was everything. Detective Tarek fell a bit flat for me here. I think because he and Kyra had a strained relationship for so much of this book. But again, it added another dynamic to the story. All of these layers made things interesting and less formulaic.

I hadn't read the first in this series and missed one or two details as old characters came up, but found it easy enough to catch up and read this as a standalone. It's not a full standalone, because they do bring up incidents from book one without complete details, but only a couple of times and mostly you don't need full details and the times you do you can figure enough out.

I'd like to thank Raemi A. Ray and Author Marketing Experts for my free reader copy. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second installment of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders, Kyra Gibson returns to the house that she has inherited after her father passed and investigating his murder with Detective Tarek Collins. A storm uncovers a shipwreck of a pirate ship, treasure hunters and conservationists swarm the area, and two people wind up dead. Pub owner Gully gets arrested for their murder, and Kyra gets caught up in trying to prove his innocence.

I feel like Ray’s writing has only gotten stronger in this second installment. She wrote such a great murder mystery. I loved seeing the characters from the first book making an appearance in this book, plus the introduction of new characters. The plot was new and refreshing.

The ending of the book kept me on the edge of my seat. It really was a page turner. Once the murderer was revealed, which in and of itself was a shock, but then it got even better!

This book, this series, is perfect for those who love murder mysteries.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid murder mystery. Kyra heads to Martha’s Vineyard for a break. She is reunited with Tarek, a police detective, who helped solve the previous mystery (I did not read the first book) and their partnership is reinstated. Lots of twists and turns, but slightly predictable as to who the bad guy is. It would have been helpful to read the first novel so as to not get overwhelmed and caught up in the small details at the beginning. This book was given to me compliments of Tule, my opinions are solely mine.

[Angela F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next book coming in November! Really engaging story and characters. I had a feeling from the start of who the bad guy might be but everything going on still kept me hooked right through the end. Feel like there is so much more story just waiting to be told here.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @tulepublishing and @miss_raemi for my free copy 💖.

✨What it is about:
Kyra Gibson returns to Martha’s Vineyard and the beach house she inherited for an extended holiday, hoping for some peace and relaxation. However, after a ship wreckage was discovered near the island, she ends up teaming up with Detective Tarek Collins and reformed playboy Chase Hawthorn, to clear the name of their friend who’s accused of murder. ✨

💭My thoughts:
This is book two in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders, and another solid murder mystery by Raemi A Ray. She did a great job keeping me interested throughout with this new story. It starts just three months after the previous events in the series, so Kyra returns to the island sooner than I expected she would. She might not have gotten the peaceful vacation she hoped to get on this trip, but she sure got quite adventure. At times I felt the pace slow down a little, but the ending was full throttle, and the tension was palpable. This book could be easily read as a standalone, but I feel you would get a better experience by reading the books of the series in order, as having read the previous book gave me a better perspective on things. I again loved all the setting descriptions, and the different twists kept me going all the way until the end. The characters felt real and relatable too. I am excited to keep reading about what Kyra gets into next, in the third book in the series Widow’s Walk. That next story develops around a dinner party and more murder. Sounds like more fun to me!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
⛴️Shipwrecks and treasure hunts
⛴️Who done it stories
⛴️Found family
⛴️Mental health rep.
⛴️Mystery/suspense

⚠️CW: Murder, death.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Waith’s Return is the second book in Raemi A Ray’s fabulous series, Martha Vineyard Murders. There is a lot of suspense, excitement and historical information in this terrific book. I read book one and I would recommend reading it first to better enjoy the book. Prior to this book, I was not familiar with the towns and history of Martha’s Vineyard. I really enjoyed learning about this. As the book opens, Kyra Gibson returns to the island from London. She had previously inherited her father’s house after his death. She enjoyed it there so decided to return in July for a longer stay. In the previous book we were introduced to her next door neighbors Charlie and Grace Chambers, Chase Hawthorn and Tarek Collins who all are in this book. Chase is the senator’s son who has elected to stay on the family farm and help with the work. Tarek is a state policeman who seems to be at a crossroads in his career. Kyra is a lawyer in London but is questioning whether she wants to return there permanently.

It was learned that there was a discovery of the wreckage of an old ship, the Keres, that was believed to be carrying a pirate’s treasure in the waters near Martha’s Vineyard. One of Tarek’s friends, Gully owns a bar and restaurant and is fascinated by this wreck’s history. He is friends with a man who has a salvage company who is ready to help him conduct a rescue mission. A couple of his diver associates are discovered dead after an attempt to see the ship. It is determined that the diving equipment was sabotaged and their deaths considered a murder. The police are investigating but see Gully as the prime suspect. He is outspoken on the salvage missions. In addition, there are conservationists in town ready to fight the attempts for a salvage mission. Fishermen in town are also opposed to the salvage efforts because they fear the work will run off the fish.

Kyra, Tarek and Chase band together to try and figure out who murdered the divers and also to learn more about the history of the pirate, The Wraith and his Keres ship. They are also hoping to keep Gully safe from being arrested for the murders. During their investigation, Tarek and Kyra realize they are developing feelings for each other. Chase also has become a great friend to them both. I enjoy seeing the interactions and watching the romance develop. I tried to figure out who the murderer was but I wasn’t able to guess correctly. The book is very well written and such an exciting book to read. I enjoy the characters and liked getting to know many of them better after meeting them in the first book. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and the series. This is a five star book.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wraith’s Return is a challenging book to review because I had high hopes for it, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. That said, I didn’t dislike it; I just felt it had a lot of untapped potential and, unfortunately, it left me feeling a bit bored.

The book had many promising elements: the picturesque setting of Martha’s Vineyard, buried treasure, mysterious murders, a handsome detective, a charming playboy best friend, and our heroine, fresh from her English homeland. However, the story crafted from these elements didn’t quite come together. It moved very slowly and, for a mystery, it lacked tension until the last 40 pages.

Kyra, the main character, arrives from England to spend the summer in her inherited summer home (the details of which were apparently covered in the previous book). She reconnects with Chase, her playboy best friend, and they attend a party next door. The next day, they meet friends (including the handsome detective) at another friend’s bar, where they learn about the discovery of a shipwreck with a purported buried treasure that the bar owner and his friends plan to recover. Then Kyra goes home drunk.

After that, people start dying, and there are numerous meetings to discuss the accused, who surely didn’t commit the crimes, and how to prove their innocence. There are so many meetings in this book—in bars, backyards, living rooms, boats, more living rooms, and town halls. The characters do a lot of meeting and talking. The problem was that I wanted action. I wanted someone to do something! When I finally got my wish, it was a letdown. After some brief tension, the rest of the scene felt more like an inconvenience than the dangerous scenario the characters’ dialogue suggested.

This is the second book in a three-part series. I didn’t read the previous book, which might have helped me understand the characters and their backstory better, but I don’t think it would have made a real difference.

I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for providing me with a free advance review copy of this book.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyra returns to the island for a summer holiday and is lured into a hunt for a pirate ship unearthed by a storm. As her beloved island is overrun by treasure hunters, there’s someone killing off the competition. Can Kyra and Tarek capture the killer before it’s too late? The Wraith’s Return is a suspenseful mystery with a treasure hunting plot, descriptive narration, intense action scenes, false clues, and a large of cast of characters to whip your imagination into a frenzy.

Let’s start with the characters. Kyra is back on Martha’s Vineyard and she’s thrown into life on the island from the time she steps off the plane. Her fish out of water mentality is less than in book one yet she’s still trying to get her footing. Her inner thoughts are insightful, and I connected with her right away. She’s a keen observer and her POV really grabs the reader. Kyra is a wonderful heroine and very enjoyable to read from her viewpoint.

The plot is complex with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Thanks to Raemi A. Ray’s sophisticated writing, I got caught up in the treasure hunting and discovering the ship. Ray blends the murder investigation with the adventure of the treasure hunt flawlessly. The pirate ship and treasure hunting subplot make this mystery the perfect beach read.

If you’re looking for a mystery to read at the beach, pool, or on vacation, you need to read The Wraith’s Return. One of the best mysteries I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait for book three.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Deepi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Wraith's Return" by Raemi A. Ray is a second book in Martha's Vineyard Murders series. I loved the first book, A Chain of Pearls, and this sequel didn’t disappoint. The thrill I experienced in the first book only deepened here.

I always love a good murder mystery novel. What makes this book unique is that the murdered person was related to the main characters, just like in the first book. This makes the story more emotionally connected.

The character development is extraordinary. It’s wonderful to see the characters get along after the events of the first book. Chase is definitely my favorite; his charisma shines vibrantly through the pages. I also love the friendship between Chase and Kyra (FMC).

The found family trope is beautifully executed. I loved watching the gradual growth of the relationship between Tarek and Kyra, just as in the first book. I only wish there were a few chapters from Tarek’s point of view.

I loved the backstory, and I’m so glad the author didn’t leave it on a cliffhanger. The plot kept me on edge with every chapter, and I couldn’t guess the twist at the end. I also loved the cover; it made even more sense after finishing the story.

The Wraith's Return seamlessly combines the appeal of a seaside murder mystery with found family trope. Raemi A. Ray crafts a captivating sequel that deepens both the plot and characters, making it an engaging and satisfying read. I highly recommend it!!!

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wraith's Return ~ Martha's Vineyard Murders#2 by Raemi A Ray

This is the second book in this new series from Raemi, and it's an exceptional, suspenseful, intriguing read.
I found this book to be written extremely well, with wonderful characters whom we met in book one, Chase, Tarek and Kyra.
It has a tremendously believable storyline, that is filled with secrets, murder and intrigue. This alone kept me engaged from beginning to end, and to say I didn't want the book to end, is another story.
I felt that I was there too going on the adventure with Kyra. I even Googled place names, and yes they are real, this helped me while reading to get the surroundings in my head.

It's summer and Kyra has returned to Martha's Vineyard for an extended holiday from her job as a Lawyer in London.
Only days into her return to Martha's Vineyard she comes across not one but three murders!! and she tends to help Gully and Tarek solve.

I was engaged from start to finish and I can honestly recommend this book to all. However, I will say that you can read this as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first book. This will help with the characters and with the back story.

I highly recommend this book to all, if you enjoy a good mystery, you will not be disappointed in The Wraith's Return, and I am impatiently waiting for book three, though this will not be out until November 2024.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wraith's Return by Raemi A. Ray
Story starts when Kara is just landing at Martha’s Vineyard from London/NYC.
She's there to relax on Martha's Vineyard for part of the summer and still work remotely.
She finds some things a little unsettling when she attends a birthday party for a friend.
They also find out there is a ship that was wrecked from a storm in 1700's and it's now been discovered.
One of the locals is being accused of the murder that occurs and with her father’s papers she is able to help find the documents of the incident.
With island life comes rumors and gossip. There is not a lot to do on an island so everybody knows everybody's business.
Love the exploration of caves and scenes nearby. Love how the island comes together to prove one of their own not guilty.
When treasure is abound people are greedy when it comes to the money involved.
Love this series and island life. Have read a lot about the vineyard and have a list of places that I have to visit.
Can't wait to read more. Love food, sounds so yummy. Cronk is growing on me
Received this review copy from the publishing company and this is my honest opinion.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ties in well with the first, taking off pretty much where Kyra left things last in Martha's Vineyard. You don't necessarily need to read the first to enjoy this one, but I would recommend it so that you have some of the background information that is mentioned throughout the book in regard to Kyra's last adventures there. Of course, I was hoping that Kyra and Tarek's relationship would bloom further, and it always feels like a tug of war between them, but I think they are finally on the same page. The story incorporates some new characters and a bunch of the old ones, creating new issues for Kyra and her friends. The island seems to have its fair share of problems which doesn't just include shipwrecks and murders. I wasn't sure who was shaking up the efforts to salvage the Keres ship and taking lives, but by the end I had a pretty good idea. Kyra has a knack for getting herself into sticky situations it seems, but I'm glad she always has others there that can help. I enjoyed reading about her new adventure and look forward to more from this group of friends and what's next for them.

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raemi's way of writing is really good, she has you hooked within the first few pages. It follows on from book one so would say this one would need to be read in order. I'm happy to be back in the world of Chase, Kyra and Tarek and I'm already looking forward to book three!

I like how the idea of a pirate ship opened a can of worms, Gully and his team have a lot to look into when the Keres is uncovered. The relationship with Gully, Tarek and Kyra is lovely to see, the support circle, the joking when warranted, the going out of your way to help friends is a joy to read about.

I want to find out more about Gully and Tarek. I wonder what Tarek's history with Officer Evans is also.

I like how Martha's Vineyard is a real place, something I didn't know until recently! Makes it a more believable story. I like when authors use real places and do their research about certain places.

Cannot wait for book three and see where Kyra ends up, I hope there is some sort of love interest with Kyra and Tarek. I guess time will tell!

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked on this series. I read book one and enjoyed it so much that when book two became available I could not pass up the chance to read/review it also. Although, you do not have to read the books in order to enjoy them. Each book is their own complete story.

Kyra, Tarek, and Chase are working together to solve a murder. I enjoyed how well they work together and how they respect each other’s thoughts. Kyra has a relationship with each of the guys that are unique and a huge part of the story. I like that Kyra and Chase are so close that their late-night calls have become normal. Tarek is a more complex character and I look forward to learning more about his history in future books since I think that gives a better understanding of some of the decisions he makes in the book.

The Wraith’s Return is a great book that I recommend to any murder mystery reader. The setting is an area I like reading about, the characters are relatable, and the storyline moves at a great pace with enough detail that I could picture what I was reading.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me going from page one till the end of the book. I never did figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed in the book. So many murders and so little time. Kyra, Terek, Chase all are trying to provide comfort and support for Gully as he is suspected of killing the first two salvagers that were killed. Presently he is under house arrest, so they are all trying to keep him busy and occupied. They are also involved in their own investigation to prove Gully innocent. This book has all of the suspense with the pirates' treasure, the shipwreck, the old caves and the string of murders.

I really enjoyed this book as it was well written, the characters are great, and the mystery was definitely there until the end. I felt as if I was right there trying to solve all of the twists and turns and the murders. I highly recommend this book if you are up for a real mystery and one that will have you guessing who the culprit is.

I got this book from BookSprout and will be happy to leave my review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written who dun-it. Keeps you on your toes till the end. Keeps you guessing who really killed these people. Full of drama, friendship, adventure, mystery and so many twists. Krya returns to Martha's Vineyard to stay the summer at her father's home which is now hers. She has a history with this home and the people of the village. Chase in one of her friends that was involved with her and in book one. Another friend is Gully, who owns a bar. He is accused of killing 2 divers when he was alone with them looking for a sunken ship and it's treasure. Enter another friend, Tarek, who is a detective and trying to help Gully plus he is involved with Kyra. Together they all work to solve the murders of the divers and another friend. But one is still missing. What a great mystery series to read. Would recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing mystery with wonderful characters, plenty of action, and pirate treasure. But I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read the first book in the series. I wasn't really "lost" per se, but I did feel like I was at a disadvantage because I hadn't read it. So, learn from my mistake and read the first book in the series before you read this one.

The characters here are realistic, fully developed, and multi-dimensional. The relationship between Kyra and Chase was my favorite part of the story. It was deep, honest, and heartfelt.

This is the first story I have read by Ms. Ray and I will be looking for more of her work to enjoy. Another thing that I especially enjoyed was that while the characters didn't find out what happened to the Wraith, Ms. Ray provided that information to her readers. It was a special way to tie up any possible loose ends.

I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this review is my honest opinion.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wraith’s Return is the second book in the Martha vineyards murders. We re-meet our FMC, Krya. She is headed back to Martha’s Vineyard for a long summer vacation and has left London behind for now. However, her vacation is cut short when there is some pirate ship wreckage found in Martha’s Vineyard. Kyra, on her last trip to Martha’s Vineyard, made friends with Detective Tarek. However, they haven’t spoken since she left the island. One of her close friends from the island, is arrested for murder and it’s up to Kyra and Tarek to solve what happens and to prove the innocence of the man accused of murder.
I really enjoy the author’s writing style in this particular book as well as the first one I read. She has a way of writing it engaging murder and leave you guessing to figure out who did it. The characters are well written and we love the return to Martha’s Vineyard. This was a very well written murder mystery.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wraith’s Return (Martha's Vineyard Murders Book 2) by Raemi A. Ray has London based lawyer Kyra Gibson returns to Martha’s Vineyard and her inherited beach house. Once again there is a murder mystery but at least this time it is a family member who has died. However, it is a new friend that is accused of the crime. Along with another friend, detective, Tarek Collins take on proving their friend’s innocence. A cozy mystery for all with a huge surprise in that former suspect from book one, Chase Hawthorn joins in to help them solve this mystery at sea. At least it is because of the sea and a revealed wreck that the murders happen.

Intriguing read with Kyra and crew as this mystery once again has several suspects. Kyra is becoming a capable sleuth alongside of Tarek. Perhaps there is more to this couple to come.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is part of a series, and there are some things that would have been clearer had I read Book I first, but overall it was not difficult to follow the story. Interesting and unexpected twists, a few that could be guessed, but so much fun to follow Kyra's story and her life on Martha's Vineyard. There were some biases in the police department that I didn't fully understand, or understand the reason for their depth, and I don't know if that is explained in the first book. Also, and this is a small point, Kyra is constantly worrying her lower lip, other people are always raising their eyebrows, just funny little quirks that get a teeny bit annoying. But the plot is great and the book definitely makes me want to read the first book in the series now.

The publisher and BookSirens provided my copy of this ARC, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series, A Chain of Pearls, and couldn’t wait to get my eyeballs on this one. I love the Wraith’s Return cover even more than the first one (which was hard to beat). We return to Martha’s Vineyard where the peace and serenity is once again marred with death thanks to the discovery of a pirate ship. Argh! Kyra’s friend is arrested for the murder. The friends come together to get to the bottom of the mystery. With twists, more tragedy ensues, keeping the reader guessing until the end. I’m impressed with the author’s way of spinning a tale with relatable characters. Even though this is a series, reading it as a standalone would work - but why? Submerge yourself! And then you can wait with me for the third and final book in the series. Highly recommend for murder mystery readers!

[Amanda Kosior · Rating 5 out of 5]

I signed up for an advanced reader copy of this book after loving A Chain of Pearls (Book 1) in the series, and I'm so glad I did because this book was SO, SO GOOD. So good, in fact, that I read it in two days because the mystery/storyline made me want to keep going. It's fast-paced, really interesting, and an unique mystery. While you don't need to read Chain of Pearls to enjoy this one, I'd recommend it, because the characters continue to develop and their choices are defined by Book 1.

I wish I had read this on the beach because it's a perfect beach read. Highly recommend. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.