Model Ghost

The Backyard Model Mysteries #3

by T.K. Sheffield

Former fashion model Mel Tower confronts the unfashionable parts of her past in this mystery taking place at a senior resort in her hometown. During Boo Bash, a week of spooky fun that includes a Golden Bachelor-type dating competition, a designer is murdered at a charity fashion show. Mel's cousin is accused of the crime, so she investigates. Who's the killer lurking at the resort? Or is the ghoul in Cinnamon, haunting the apartment above Mel's new bookstore? Like a dressmaker ripping out a hem, Mel discovers "unseamly" motives among fashionistas while solving the mystery.

The Backyard Model Mysteries are funny, seasonal cozies. Readers will laugh and enjoy spending time in vacation towns in Wisconsin where they'll encounter quirky characters, Midwest comfort food, and zany parties. It's like taking a vacation in a book while solving a mystery.

The series has earned multiple awards, including Killer Nashville, RWA Daphne du Maurier Award, Purple Dragonfly, and Shelf Unbound.

No foul language, violence, sex, or politics.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

TK Sheffield writes stories for readers to laugh and escape. Her comic cozy mysteries, The Backyard Model mysteries are whodunnits served with a brandy old-fashioned and a side of cheese curds.

Model Ghost releases in October '24! Also in the series is Model Suspect and Model Wave.

The series has earned awards including Killer Nashville, an Eric Hoffer finalist, RWA Excellence in Mystery, and a Top 100 Notable Indie from Shelf Unbound magazine. TK has degrees from UW-Madison and Mount Mary University, and she's on the board of the Wisconsin Writers Association and a member of Blackbird Writers and the Wisconsin Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

For updates, give a follow! Thank you! (Also on Instagram as TheBackyardModel.)

Reviews

[Megan Harvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible book! I loved it!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series. The author is from Wisconsin and the book is set in a fictional town called Cinnamon, Wisconsin. The heroine is a former model named Melanie Tower. She left Cinnamon at 18 after her parents died and went to NYC to begin a modeling career. She was treated harshly by the ones in charge but she stuck it out until she retired at 50. She bought two buildings and established an arts and crafts mall and a book store. She has a dog named Max and an exuberant cousin named Lou. She’s friends with Fern Bubbles and others in town. She maintained a long distance relationship with an airline pilot named Rand for 10 years. After meeting a sheriff in northern Wisconsin named Cole, she ended things with Cole.

The books have a very detailed murder with lots of suspects to pick between. Mel is often philosophical, quoting and paraphrasing Shakespeare among others. She and Lou constantly make jokes, especially about the Chicago Bears. Mel solves the mysteries in town before the police can. Good 4 star book.

This story was set at Halloween and included lots of references to the holiday and had so,e scary moments. A designer was found murdered on the runway before a practice for a fashion show in Cinnamon.

[Roger Skrypczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who says murder mysteries can’t be fun? Certainly not T.K. Sheffield, author of Model Ghost. Unless you are a Bears or Vikings fan, I’m sure you will enjoy this fun read. This Packer fan, hodag wrangler, (born in Rhinelander) Wisconsin native had a great time reading the “Made in Wisconsin” humor. Although, some folks from neighboring states may disagree, Sheffield’s play on words, idioms, and puns were a real stitch.
Poor old Ichabod Hall was on his way to reclaim his place in the world of fashion when he was “breaded” (Cousin Louella’s term for murdered) by a greedy antagonist. Lou is a real hoot spreading idioms like butter on warm toast. Sorry, Lou, but sometimes I had to read the line again to get the joke. Lou might say I am “a little slow on the draw.” And who wouldn’t love our heroine, Mel Tower? She is smart, intuitive, independent and beautiful, all in one package. If you have a good sense of humor and enjoy a good mystery, check out Model Ghost by T.K. Sheffield.
Roger Skrypczak, Author of Tatum’s Alibi, Never Doubt Nadine and Emma’s Demise.

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of the Backyard Model Mysteries continues this hilarious and witty series with a flourish—and even a fashion show! I seriously laughed out loud all the way through this book. I love the main character, Mel. Her inner dialogue is as funny as her interactions with both friends and foe in these twisty mysteries. What’s fun is that you never know who the villain is going to be!! Entertaining with great hijinks and a hearty dose of Midwest atmosphere!

[Jennifer Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book was a lot of fun. The book itself was just not for me. I really struggled reading this book because of the style of writing. So many times it was really unclear who was speaking or really what was going on. I had to start the book over 3 times because I kept getting so lost.

[Charlene Galbreth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Proofreader needed!

There was a tremendous amount of typos/missing words that lessened the enjoyment of reading the book. Also, the puns weren't funny.