What do you think?
Rate this book
Lily & Cassie by the Sea Mysteries #5
Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise
A lost journal. A restless ghost. A murder that could change everything.
When mother-daughter duo Lily Bennett and Cassie McGuire travel to Savannah in search of a legendary pirate’s journal, they expect a thrilling adventure—just not one that comes with supernatural interference. The ghost of Henrietta Nicholls is determined to use the journal to communicate more.
But their search takes a dark turn when the man Clifton inhabits—local tech whiz Nate Johnson—is accused of murder. With time running out, Lily and Cassie return to Hideaway Bay to prove his innocence, only to find themselves caught in a tangled web of lies, danger, and spectral secrets.
As ghostly whispers grow louder and long-buried mysteries resurface, they must decipher the truth hidden within the journal before the past claims another victim.
Can they clear Nate’s name before it’s too late, or will their pursuit of the truth be their undoing?
Journals, Lies & A Ghost in Disguise is a gripping paranormal cozy mystery filled with ghostly intrigue, small-town charm, and heart-pounding suspense!
Read now and discover the twists today!
When mother-daughter duo Lily Bennett and Cassie McGuire travel to Savannah in search of a legendary pirate’s journal, they expect a thrilling adventure—just not one that comes with supernatural interference. The ghost of Henrietta Nicholls is determined to use the journal to communicate more.
But their search takes a dark turn when the man Clifton inhabits—local tech whiz Nate Johnson—is accused of murder. With time running out, Lily and Cassie return to Hideaway Bay to prove his innocence, only to find themselves caught in a tangled web of lies, danger, and spectral secrets.
As ghostly whispers grow louder and long-buried mysteries resurface, they must decipher the truth hidden within the journal before the past claims another victim.
Can they clear Nate’s name before it’s too late, or will their pursuit of the truth be their undoing?
Journals, Lies & A Ghost in Disguise is a gripping paranormal cozy mystery filled with ghostly intrigue, small-town charm, and heart-pounding suspense!
Read now and discover the twists today!
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
187 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Nellie H. Steele
131 books535 followersNellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 10, 2025
Entertaining mystery listening 👻
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 5.
This is the latest release in the series with more to come! Lily, Cassie, and Rie the ghost have recovered the journal. Now they are driving to the next town. Cassie and a friend are prisoners of the killers. It all comes to a great ending. Continued in the next book. 😊
I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of a fantasy world 🌐 adventure action romantic family and friends relationship mystery novels 🙃😘2(025 😯😒
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 5.
This is the latest release in the series with more to come! Lily, Cassie, and Rie the ghost have recovered the journal. Now they are driving to the next town. Cassie and a friend are prisoners of the killers. It all comes to a great ending. Continued in the next book. 😊
I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of a fantasy world 🌐 adventure action romantic family and friends relationship mystery novels 🙃😘2(025 😯😒
June 13, 2025
📚 Book Review by R.M. Campbell 📚
Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise
By
Nellie H. Steele
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Book 5 in the delightfully suspenseful Lily & Cassie by the Sea Mystery Series. In this book, we travel with Lily and Cassie, along with the ghost of renowned and feared female pirate captain, Henrietta (Ri) Nicholls, on a quest to Savannah to retrieve a legendary pirate captain’s journal that once belonged to Ri’s brother, Clif. The journal is the object that is detrimental to Ri’s well-being. Adding to the intrigue of the story, the ghosts of Ri and Clif can inhabit objects or living humans, switching places with them. When Clif inhabits the body of a tech whiz, Nate Johnson, Nate is soon accused of murder. To prove his innocence, Lily, Cassie, and Ri must retrieve the journal and return to Hideaway Bay, only to become drawn into a web of deceit, danger, and secrets. The mystery team must untangle the mystery of the journal and prove Nate’s innocence before another tragedy claims another victim.
This was a well-written, fast-paced, and intriguing mystery, a very enjoyable and fascinating story. The character interactions were exceptionally descriptive of the tone of the story. The crescendoing suspense and tension brought a potpourri of emotions as the plot progressed. Although the mood was intense, the addition of hints of romance and comical banter made this book a joy to read. This was a page-turner for me, never wanting to stop reading until the very end. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader's Copy of this book
Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise
By
Nellie H. Steele
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Book 5 in the delightfully suspenseful Lily & Cassie by the Sea Mystery Series. In this book, we travel with Lily and Cassie, along with the ghost of renowned and feared female pirate captain, Henrietta (Ri) Nicholls, on a quest to Savannah to retrieve a legendary pirate captain’s journal that once belonged to Ri’s brother, Clif. The journal is the object that is detrimental to Ri’s well-being. Adding to the intrigue of the story, the ghosts of Ri and Clif can inhabit objects or living humans, switching places with them. When Clif inhabits the body of a tech whiz, Nate Johnson, Nate is soon accused of murder. To prove his innocence, Lily, Cassie, and Ri must retrieve the journal and return to Hideaway Bay, only to become drawn into a web of deceit, danger, and secrets. The mystery team must untangle the mystery of the journal and prove Nate’s innocence before another tragedy claims another victim.
This was a well-written, fast-paced, and intriguing mystery, a very enjoyable and fascinating story. The character interactions were exceptionally descriptive of the tone of the story. The crescendoing suspense and tension brought a potpourri of emotions as the plot progressed. Although the mood was intense, the addition of hints of romance and comical banter made this book a joy to read. This was a page-turner for me, never wanting to stop reading until the very end. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader's Copy of this book
June 17, 2025
Today, I read "Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise," book 5 in the "Lily & Cassie" by the Sea Cozy Mysteries." OMGEE, if you think Lily & Cassie's other adventures were exciting, wait until you read this one!!! It is exciting, edge-of-your-seat suspense & a page-turner!!! You will not be able to put it down!!! I can't wait to see what happens in book 6 of this series!!
June 28, 2025
Mobsters and pirates
Well, I just love these stories. The conversations get a little Too much sometimes but they're needed for the background And to see how these relationships are turning out. I can't wait for the next I hope Nate can decrypt the USB and the pirates can get real bodies.
Well, I just love these stories. The conversations get a little Too much sometimes but they're needed for the background And to see how these relationships are turning out. I can't wait for the next I hope Nate can decrypt the USB and the pirates can get real bodies.
July 13, 2025
Journala, Lies & A ghost in Disguise (Lily and Cassie by the Sea mystery book5)
This is a great exciting continuing saga with many surprises. Characters are fantastic and so is this storyline with 2 ghosts.
This is a great exciting continuing saga with many surprises. Characters are fantastic and so is this storyline with 2 ghosts.
July 24, 2025
Was Afraid the Series Was Over!
I thought this was the final book in this delightful series.
Am happy author is planning another. Of the many cozys I've read, this has maybe the most unique ensemble of characters. Highly recommend it!!
I thought this was the final book in this delightful series.
Am happy author is planning another. Of the many cozys I've read, this has maybe the most unique ensemble of characters. Highly recommend it!!
December 15, 2025
Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise book 5
Murder and mayhem. Who was murdered and where is Nate? Cassie disappeared looking for Nate. The journal found and the ghost speaks in sentences. A dead husband alive.
Murder and mayhem. Who was murdered and where is Nate? Cassie disappeared looking for Nate. The journal found and the ghost speaks in sentences. A dead husband alive.
June 30, 2025
As always a brilliant read, I do so enjoy these adventures! Highly recommend it!
October 29, 2025
Journals, Lies and a Ghost in Disquise
This is actually the first time I have been disappointed in a Nellie Steele book! Too much Ri and I like Ri~felt rushed a a bit cheesy! Sad!
This is actually the first time I have been disappointed in a Nellie Steele book! Too much Ri and I like Ri~felt rushed a a bit cheesy! Sad!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews