Anna and the Grumpy Ghost

by Maggie March

She sees dead people. He is dead people. And their canine companion has a few secrets of her own. Together, they're Lockwood Cove's most dysfunctional detective trio!

When aspiring romance novelist Anna McGuffin relocates to Lockwood Cove, she’s hoping for a quiet retreat to jumpstart her writing—not a haunted mansion complete with a grumpy ghost and a mischievous stray dachshund.

Anna's lifelong secret? She can see the dead—a fact she's managed to keep hidden from the world. But she’s never encountered a ghost quite like Richard Lockwood—a 19th-century detective with the brooding good looks straight out of one of Anna’s novels. Unfortunately, he also has a chip on his shoulder and is hellbent on driving her out of his home.

Between Richard’s sharp-tongued sarcasm and stubborn refusal to ‘move on,’ he quickly becomes more than just a ghostly annoyance—especially when he starts rewriting Anna’s manuscripts and short-circuiting her electronics. Good thing Anna’s not easily spooked. It’ll take more than a moody, meddling spirit to send her packing.

But when Tracy Grace, a nosy ghosthunter seeking a sensational story about Anna, turns up dead, Anna becomes the prime suspect. Desperate to clear her name and keep her closely guarded secret safe, Anna strikes a deal with help her solve the murder, and she’ll leave his beloved mansion for good—a pact he gleefully accepts.

Now, this odd couple must work together to catch a killer. With tensions rising, sparks flying, and a murderer on the loose, can Anna and Richard crack the case before her secret—and her life—come crashing down?

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Ghosts

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

About the author

Looking for your next addictive cozy mystery series? Maggie March delivers heartwarming whodunits that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Her stories blend clever mysteries with humor and just enough romance to make your heart flutter.

She brings the same warmth and humor from her close-knit family life – complete with a very patient husband, three grown children, two granddaughters, and one grumpy old pup – into her engaging mysteries that readers describe as "impossible to put down."

When she's not plotting her next murder mystery, you'll find Maggie at her favorite beachside café in Central Florida, testing yet another key lime pie in her quest for the perfect recipe.

Maggie loves hearing from her readers. You can write to her at maggie@maggiemarch.com

Maggie also writes heart-warming small-town contemporary romance as her alter ego Maria Geraci.

Reviews

[Valentina Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, i enjoyed it.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great paranormal

Anna has rented Lockwood Manor after her previous beach rental flooded. She immediately feels the presence of a ghost. The owner of the House who has been dead for years. It becomes obvious that she has had the experience with other ghosts. There is murder of a paranormal Podcaster at the house. Richard Lockwood the ghost and Anna investigate. I never saw the murderer.

[Linda Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little cozy mystery. It was great for a quick, fluffy spring break read. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.

[AuntieErrica (audiobooks=life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an ARC review: Surprisingly cute and well-written. I genuinely enjoyed Anna and the Grumpy Ghost. I chose it from my KU recommendations solely because of the extremely unusual cover. Not sure what March was going for here. The clip art dog that is balancing on top of the fireplace is an interesting choice, and the FMC's design is also awkward. But hey, it worked. I judged this book by the cover, and now March has my five-star rating, and I'm adding a positive review to her book's repertoire.
As for the story, I liked the comedy bits, our grumpy ghost, and that the ending wasn't predictable. Maybe for some, but I'm a bit of a dunce when it comes to figuring out murder mysteries, so they're almost always a surprise. If they're not, the author seriously flubbed. The murder didn't occur until relatively far into the novel, which was an interesting choice; however, I respect that March wanted to do some world-building with Anna and, well, the grumpy ghost in the haunted mansion.
I'm curious enough about a potential romantic interest for Anna going forward, unlikely to be with our ghost for obvious reasons, even though that would be pretty cool, and what murder she'll experience and solve next, that I might read the next book in the series.
Other than the cover, I chose this first book in the series because it starts with the letter A, which fits a book club bingo square for September 2025. In October '25, I have a new bingo board with a square for 'Haunted House.' I believe book two in this series will fit the bill.
I don't usually give these random indie KU novels, especially novellas, five-star ratings because they're often not well-edited and have tense, spelling, or grammatical issues that irritate me. Or the plot gets muddy. But March earned this for keeping me engaged and entertained.
Recommended for cozy murder mystery readers!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's sense of humor radiates through her writings. Anna McGuffin was such a successful guest in Lucy's last book that she got her own series.

Something peculiar is in the McGuffin gene pool. Lucy is a human lie detector and her cousin, Anna sees dead people. Anna has recently divorced her unfaithful husband and left Fort Lauderdale to move to Lockwood Cove, taking a leave of absence from her job to write a romance novel. (I don't remember the reason given in Lucy's last book, why she was not moving to Whispering Bay where she has relatives.) Unfortunately for her, the condo that she was renting was damaged by a recent hurricane, as were most other properties in the small town, so the only place available is Lockwood Manor. The manor is purported to be haunted- nothing to bother Anna since she has been seeing the dead since she was a little girl. But handsome Richard Lockwood, former detective for Scotland Yard, doesn't want to share his home. However, they are forced to work together, when Anna starts being harassed by Tracy Graces, a self proclaimed ghostbuster with a podcast show, who ends up dead in the house. Interesting that Tracy doesn't appear to tell them who killed her. They must deduce that themselves.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I read an advanced readers' copy as part of the author's review team. This is my unbiased, voluntary and honest review.

[Elaine C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna McGuffin is a former librarian, newly divorced, who has recently moved to the small Florida town of Lockwood Cove. Her original intention was to rent a small condo on the beach and finally attempt to do what her heart has always wanted - to write an historical romance! However, upon her arrival to Lockwood Cove she discovers that a recent strong storm has flooded her condo (along with many more homes and apartments), and it will take several months before hers is inhabitable! She VERY reluctantly agrees to rent - TEMPORARILY - Lockwood Manor, the beautiful old Victorian that comes completely furnished with everything she needs, and one thing she doesn’t - the ghost of Richard Lockwood, and he is no happier to have her stay than she is! When a murder happens in the house and Anna is a suspect, she and Richard make a deal to team up to solve the crime and save Anna from a miscarriage of justice - after all, he was a detective with Scotland Yard in his former life! The deal - once the murderer is found, Anna moves out - win/win for everyone!

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie March does comedic ghost well and that is enough to know about this book to really enjoy it. She has started a new series, and Anna can see and talk to ghosts. The condo at the beach in Florida that she supposed to rent was flooded so she needed to find somewhere else to stay and the realtor she used sent her to Lockwood manor where the ghost of Richard Lockwood, who started the town of Lockwood Cove, was currently residing. Anna, of course, can see and talk to him and thus, the premise of this book. Richard on the other hand does not want /like anyone living in his house. I thought it was well written, enjoyed the plot, and laughed my way through this story. If you need something light but enjoyable, this is a cute read.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounded up because I will probably read more in the series. Because of construction issues after a hurricane, Anna is forced to rent a haunted house. This doesn't scare her because she can see and communicate with ghosts specifically the ghost of a former Scotland Yard detective. This comes in handy when a paranormal investigator is murdered in the house and Anna must solve the murder to prove her innocence.

I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. We get to meet a cast of all-new characters. We met Anna in one of Lucy's books, but now she's on her own and with a ghost to contend with. I had fun reading about Anna and Richard and can't wait to see where this series leads. Enjoy all the new faces you will meet while helping Anna and Richard solve the mystery. I can't wait for the next book. I am leaving this review voluntarily after being sent a free book.

[Maureen Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series. A secret, humor, suspense and a hot ghost, and of course a lovable pooch. I highly recommend this read.

[Cindy Straith · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good clean mystery

I read this in one night. So good! I couldn’t put it down ! Now I have to wait for the next one. Thank you so much for the enjoyment.

[maryanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read

Simple easy read. Makes for a quick vaca read. A lot of characters without much backstory though. Will pass on future booms.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever read a cozy mystery story before. This was sweet. Quick and well written. Read this with Quiet Please! Ghosts at Work.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANNA AND THE GRUMPY GHOST is the first book in The Grumpy Ghost series and I’m looking forward to reading more. Anna can communicate and see ghosts but keeps her ability a secret. Newly divorced with a son in college she decides to start her life over in the small town of Lockwood Cove and become an author.

While renting Lockwood Manor she learns some of its history and secrets. Richard, the original owner and the town’s founding father, still inhabits the home and he and Anna have no trouble communicating even though he died over one hundred years ago. When a murder is committed in the house she becomes the prime suspect. She, Richard and a ghost dog make an unlikely team to solve the murder but set out together to do so.

There are multiple stories being told and various townspeople and small businesses to meet and visit. There’s mention of Anna’s cousin Lucy, who stars in her own series which I enjoy reading, and has her own connections to the dead. The story has a good flow with ghosts and hauntings being central to the town. There’s crimes being committed, along with secrets, new friends, and lots of investigating to solve the crimes. There is closure with the murderer uncovered and the reasons for some of the other crimes determined. An enjoyable cozy mystery filled with clues to sift through and a grumpy ghost to help clear Anna’s name. What more could you ask for?

[Stephanie Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet.

The book has a good flow, is well written, and is an easy read. That being said, I did find it a bit short, being a quick 2 hour read, and wished there had been a little more meat to the story. Though there are 28 chapters, each one is very short and doesn't feel entirely necessary. And the way the book started made me wonder if it wasn't the first in the series. (I had no idea there was a whole Lucy series and I certainly hadn't read any of them previously.) Being new to March's novels, I would have appreciated some more background on Anna's history with ghosts and her cousin Lucy at the start of this book. It just felt like I'd been thrown in without all the information.

Either way, the story was interesting and a bit humorous with some dry comedy and a few loveable characters. I'd likely read book 2 in the series (The Secret of Lockwood Manor) once it comes out in May.

Also, I did find one small error in the book in chapter one. Anna mentions that the tour bus runs twice a day even though she isn't told that my Madelyn until chapter 2.

Note: I received a free Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway on February 7, 2025.

[Tia Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how we got a quick introduction to Anna McGuffin from one of Maggie March's prior books (Lucy McGuffin series) and continuing the family tradition of being a little paranormal, we find Anna settling into her new life in a haunted house with a grumpy ghost named Richard Lockwood. Their adversarial relationship is very funny and then watching how they work together to solve the murder of a ghost-hunter showcases the Anna's skills along with Richard's prior experience (in life) being with Scotland Yard. The locals from the "Committee" to the Mayor round out a great cast who help and hinder the investigation along the way. It was a very quick, clean read and I really enjoyed a heroine about my age to cheer on. I highly recommend getting started with this great new series and catching up with the Lucy McGuffin series. Please note, I am part of the authors advanced reader team and received a copy ahead of release to read and review. This is my opinion and I hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Anna McGuffin, was introduced in one of Maggie March's prior books, the Lucy McGuffin series, and continues the family tradition of being a little paranormal. After a divorce, we find Anna settling into her new life in a haunted house with a grumpy ghost named Richard Lockwood due to her original rental of a condo on the beach being flooded and nothing else being available. He does not want anyone in “his” house and she has nowhere else to go. Due to the fact that she can see ghosts and talk to him, she sees no reason to leave. Their relationship is very funny and watching how they work together to solve the murder of a ghost-hunter showcases Anna's skills along with Richard's prior experience in real life of being with Scotland Yard. There is also an adorable ghost dog that appears. I highly recommend reading this great new series. I received this book as part of the author’s ARC team.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Anna & the Grumpy Ghost by Maggie March is a delightful first book in The Grumpy Ghost Series. I appreciated that Anna McGuffin is a bit older than Lucy McGuffin though I loved her too with Paco always having a special place in my heart. As for Richard Lockwood, his exacting manners are nice but he is not open to Anna living in his home. Since he is a ghost, he actually has no say so about it which is fun since his meddling is not scary, mostly just annoying. Since Anna can see and talk with ghosts I would think he would enjoy having someone who could converse with him.

Of course, the plot thickens when someone is found dead. No, not Richard, since he has been dead a very long time already. Together this ghost and writer work together to solve the mystery. What a great team they make together. What unique characters who can solve a crime and bounce funny one-liners off each other. Now to see more of that small dachshund.

[Tracey Mele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up on a friend’s recommendation for a light and cozy read, and it certainly lived up to that promise. At under 200 pages, it’s shorter than my usual picks, but after a sequence of heavier books, it was just what I needed to cleanse the palate.
This is the first in a new series, and I was delighted by the cute characters and the adorable small town they inhabit.
Our protagonist, Anna, is a newly divorced aspiring writer who has always had a knack for seeing and chatting with ghosts. Naturally, she finds herself in a famously haunted house, where she partners up with a somewhat grumpy sunshine ghost. When a ghost hunter is found murdered in her house, Anna and her spectral companion decide to form a paranormal detective duo.
This story isn’t scary or overly complex; it’s simply a delightful escape.

[Lucy Lakestone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to see an early review copy of this book, and I loved it. Anna is a writer stuck staying in the only rental left in a cute Florida town known for its hauntings — a ramshackle historic house haunted by a hot 19th-century detective. Whom Anna can very much see since her secret talent is communicating with ghosts. Their tension and witty banter frame this slick, fast-paced mystery as they reluctantly team up to solve a murder, while Anna tries to protect her secret and the grumpy ghost tries to kick her out. Adding to the charm is a mysterious little dog who's always ready to lend a paw. Elements of the ghost's tragic history hint of otherworldly conflicts to come. A great start to the series!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parallel Lucy McGuffin series of cozy mysteries with a supernatural touch is now joined with Lucy's cousin Anna who can talk to the dead. Apparently that is not always a good thing, especially when the ghost is grumpy, 130 years dead and living in the house she rented. There is also a sweet "ghost dog". Anna and her ghost must form an alliance to catch a murderer before Anna is charged with the crime. There is plenty of humor and snarky banter between the characters; live and dead. Anna is a great new character with plenty of spark and intelligence. While looking for the killer she unearths many other old secrets that will provide the plots for future books, yeah. Richard, the grumpy ghost, is arrogant, old-fashioned and great fun in the end. What a romp!

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful cozy mystery about Anna, a wanna-be author and the grumpy ghost who is living in the house that Anna is renting. Richard has been dead for about 150 years.

Anna can see and converse with ghosts. No one else can, but the rumor in town is that the house is haunted. There are ghost tours that come by twice a day and there is a noted ghost hunter in town. When someone turns up dead in the house, Anna is the leading suspect. She has several mysteries to solve before she can focus in on the actual murderer. The story is a bit more complex than many cozies, but that makes this book so much more interesting and enjoyable. This is the first book in the series and it ends on just the right note. It isn't scary so it's suitable for many age groups.

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series illustrates a creative way to solve mysteries--having a partner who is a long-dead ghost! Lucy McGuffin's cousin Anna has her own talent when it comes to fighting crime--she sees and talks with ghosts. In her attempt to write a novel, Anna rents an allegedly haunted house, which comes complete with the deceased Richard Lockwood in residence. A murder occurs shortly thereafter and Anna is the prime suspect so the two of them team up to find the real culprit. There are so many suspects to choose from and it kept me guessing until close to the end. This story is very well-written, humorous and fun, and I look forward to further books in this series. Highly recommended.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, more than I expected to. The characters are interesting and vivid, including the little dachshund that keeps appearing and disappearing. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed the obnoxious ghost hunter and why. The ghost is the original owner of the house the main character has leased, and the ghost was a detective with Scotland Yard over 130 years ago. They reluctantly team up together to keep her out of jail and so she can move away. They do find the murderer and she is almost burned to death in the process. I definitely recommend this book.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a new series by Ms. March. I love Anna McGuffin. She’s related to Lucy McGuffin. Anna has just relocated to Lockwood Cove, and has an issue with her rental which leads her to stay in the Lockwood Manor. Anna does know why Richard Lockwood the man in the painting shows up, but shows up in a way that surprises her. The realtor tells the painting can’t come down. A lot happens with the ghost of Richard Lockwood and Anna.

I found it to be funny; quircky; interesting, and one last thing too short. But there’s more books to come. Thank goodness.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I liked about this is that the ghost doesn't want Anna in his home. This is quite different from most other books where the ghost or ghosts welcome the new person and work with them.

The town is also interesting, especially with the ghost tour bus. The ghost dachshund is really cute, too.

There's an amazingly nothing-to-like-about-her human ghost podcaster, a murder, a missing journal, several questionable people, the nasty and stupid ex-husband and a very bright fire.

It's different from the standard book of this kind and it's really good.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great cozy!

I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. It was an interesting cozy in which a woman starting over after a failed marriage moves into a house that is rumored to be haunted. She actually has been able to sense ghosts before. When she doesn't experience the usual telltale signs, she thinks the ghost tales were merely lore. However, the rumors are true. They end up solving a mystery involving the ghost. This book was a fun read, and I liked the ending. I highly recommend reading this.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and enjoyable read. I truly enjoyed it, was a good fun pick me up in between some psychological thrillers. The one thing I really liked about this book (and honestly makes me want to read more from this author) is the way this book feels like it could be a real life scenario. Doesn't feel so much that it could only take place in a book. I know I know the secondary main character is a ghost and that isn't real life, so I guess it's more how she wrote Anna's character.

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!! I couldn't put this book down. It was a delightful start to a wonderful new series. Anna and her ghosts will keep you entertained and you'll love this. Anna finds herself starting over after a divorce and finds herself in an awkward situation with a historical house that's already occupied and he doesn't want a roommate. You will be delighted with such as excellent read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 FUN STARS!

A truly delightful and amusing read. Maggie March brings the wit and the cozy fun! Charm flies off these pages.

Anna and the Grumpy Ghost is a fast paced, original, entertaining read. I fell so easily into this story and absolutely adored these charismatic characters.

This is definitely a series I can't wait to read more of.