The Secret of Lockwood Manor

The Grumpy Ghost #2

by Maggie March

He's grumpy, overprotective, and dead. She's falling for him anyway.

When romance writer Anna McGuffin moved into Lockwood Manor, she expected creaky floors and drafty windows. Instead, she got an adorable ghost dachshund named Daisy and the grumpy spirit of handsome Victorian detective Richard Lockwood. Between Richard's unsolicited writing critiques and disapproval of her friendship with local baker Hank Miller, Anna's new life is anything but peaceful.

Just as Lockwood Cove gears up for its annual Founder's Day celebration, a mysterious death at nearby Campbell House pulls Anna into a tangled web of secrets spanning more than a century. To complicate matters, the town medium claims she possesses something powerful enough to summon Richard's spirit during the festivities.

What starts as quaint, small-town fun turns dangerous when the séance unleashes something sinister from the past. As Anna and Richard solve one mystery together, a greater threat emerges—along with the inconvenient truth that the most fascinating man Anna has ever met has been dead for over a century.

The Secret of Lockwood Manor is a paranormal cozy mystery brimming with small-town secrets, supernatural mischief, and laugh-out-loud moments—where the past won't stay buried, feelings get complicated, and solving murder has never been so entertaining!

Genres: Mystery

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 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

[Elaine C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Anna's friend Hank buys another historic house in Lockwood Cove, she is excited for him. He has big plans to turn it into a bed and breakfast, and has hired his old friend Pete to do the contract work. However, when Pete is found dead under a chandelier, Hank is totally devastated. He feels to blame. Anna has reason to believe this wasn't an accident, so she and long-dead Lockwood Cover founder Richard Lockwood look into the details of the situation. Along the way to solving the case, disruptions during the Founders Day Celebrations makes Richard and Anna realize that there are worse things than murderers!

[Linda Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lockwood and McGuffin ! What a pair! A must read!

Lockwood and McGuffin ! What a pair!
a Handsome, , Grumpy Victorian Ghost and
A real Psychic Medium! A must read!

Thank you, Maggie!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it when series does something rather different from similar books and in this one having a grumpy ghost really works. Richard, the ghost, even worked for Scotland Yard at one time and that itself makes it even more interesting.

In this case there's a guy, Hank, who has bought a place that he plans to turn into a Bed and Breakfast place. He has a guy working on fixing things up but a problem arises.

The guy dies. Was it an accident or was it murder? Why is there a candy bar wrapper in the secret passageway? Does the doctor have a secret? What about the group of thieves that's been robbing homes? What is this one person supposed to be revealing about Richard?

A lot of questions that get answered in this really good addition to the series. I think Anna and Richard are two of the strongest characters I've read about in these books and I plan to keep reading any new ones that come out.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lockwood Mayor series is a spin off of the Lucy McGuffin series. Cousin Anna has seen ghosts since she was a little girl and now living in haunted house while she tries her hand at writing a romance novel. Lockwood Manor is haunted by a handsome Brit gentleman, ex Scotland Yard detective, who has gotten rather fond of her and gruffly aids her, along with Daisy his son's dog. There is a mystery that Richard doesn't want to share, involving another mansion, designed by the same architect. When the mayor buys the house with dreams of making it into a B&B, his dream is smashed when his friend, who comes to town to help him renovate it, is found dead beneath the chandelier. Anna gets dragged into the mystery, with Richard following to keep an eye on her. The same charming humor found in the original series.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Lockwood Manor by Maggie March reveals more about the former inhabitants of Anna’s new hometown of Lockwood Cove. Friend Hank is part of this story because of his buying and renovating the Campbell House. It just may have as many secrets as Lockwood Manor.

The death of Hank’s friend, some seriously clever criminals and Founder’s Day supernatural shenanigans make this an interesting page-turning story. Ghost Richard Lockwood grows on me so I like him as a character almost as much as I like Anna and sweet Daisy. Events from the first book are mentioned in this book but it all background for the read so feel free to read this book first. Then read the first book because you will want to do so. The Secret of Lockwood Manor is a great addition to a fun supernatural cozy mystery series that I am loving.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SECRET OF LOCKWOOD MANOR is the second book in The Grumpy Ghost series by Maggie March and it was a nice continuation. Once again, Anna is playing amateur sleuth along with her sidekick resident ghosts, Richard, a founding father and previous owner of the house she’s living in and ghost dog, Daisy. This time, Hank who’s the mayor, is at her side also trying to find out whodunnit.

There are multiple stories being told that are woven together. There is a dead body but is it murder or an accident? There are secrets, crimes committed, injuries, sadness, anger, ghostly happenings, town events and a hint of romance. The story has a good flow and quite a few twists and turns. There is closure with the solving of the crimes but a few loose ends which I’m hoping get resolved in the next book. A cozy paranormal mystery that had me trying to figure out whodunnit on several fronts.

[Jo Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the series. It's Founder's Day and of course, Richard Lockwood, dead 130+ years is on everyone's mind. Victorian dress, and orchestra, maybe some romance for Anna and a stuck on herself spiritualist who boasts that she owns something owned by Richard and she will force him to answer to him. Of course Richard is annoyed and tells Anna there is no way he will answer to her.
Anna and Hank Bake My Day bakery owner have developed a nice friendship and she wonders if there is more to come.
At the celebration, when Madame Corrine gets ready to show Richard's item, suddenly things get wild. Chairs slide around the room, sheet music flies into the air, there is loud noises and Anna realizes she is in the presence of a ghost. But why would Richard put on a show?
I guess you have to read the book.

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna is back with a new murder to solve as well as the ongoing mystery of Alistair Hawthorne's involvement with Richard Lockwood. There are several side events that add to the plot that eventually culminate in the resolution of the murder of Hank's friend (Anna's wannabe beau), Pete. Hawthorne remains a problem for Anna and Richard to deal with in upcoming books, which I'm looking forward to. The characters in these stories are fun and quirky, adding to the overall enjoyment. Highly recommended.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Anna McGuffin has a secret which not many people know about. She can see ghosts. When she moves to Lockwood Cove it’s nothing like she imagined furthermore staying in the Lockwood manor was interesting to say the least. As Founders Day draws near things happen. Not to mention her friend Hank but the Campbell House. There’s more to that house. I don’t want to give anything away. I highly to read. A grumpy ghost a sweet invisible dog named Daisy.
Laugh out loud moments.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery, and this is the second book in the Grumpy Ghost series. This book took me a while to get into, and I have to say the mystery parts I found are just ok. I loved that we get to know more about Ghost Richard Lockwood, My favorite characters in this book are the two ghosts (Richard and the ghost dog). I hope the mystery is better in the next book because I love the characters.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this new series, Anna McGuffin and the ghost of Richard Lockwood (along with Daisy) make for a fun sleuthing combination. I am a huge fan of Luch McGuffin and now her cousin Anna. The small town setting with fun competing characters are just so enjoyable to read. Fun who dunnit questions keep you turning pages along with wanting to learn more about all the characters and the mysteries of their pasts. Great series.

[Jeriann Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Intriguing Mystery for Anna and Richard

The Grumpy Ghost continues in book 2, The Secret of Lockwood Manor and another murder happens, requiring our intrepid pair’s combined skill to bring a murderer to justice.

I really am enjoying this series. Who knew a ghost could use Siri to call 911. Anna and Richard are perfect for each other but there’s one slight problem. He’s a ghost.

I look forward to seeing where this series will go.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun, quick read. I am really enjoying spending time with Anna and Richard. The whodunit part of this book is fun to try and figure out. I like reading about all the people Anna is becoming better friends with and settling into this town. I look forward to the next mystery and book. I am leaving this review voluntarily after being sent a free book.

[TD 😈🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book about Anna and the ghostly trio! I think I liked the second book better than the first one only because we got to see some relationship development between Anna and Richard.

I can’t wait to Crack into the third book as I’ve already read the fourth and the fifth is coming out soon, so I got to be ready!

[Maureen Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a handsome ghost even if he's grumpy? Light and Fun read with a mystery that Anna McGuffin wants to solve. Richard Lockwood and Anna are a great together. I totally enjoyed this story.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 2 in the Grumpy Ghost series. I enjoyed this book even more than the first! Lots going on here both romantically and ghostly. I can’t really write too much without giving away things that happened but I like where every thing is leading up to. The next book, which comes out later this year, should definitely clear up a lot dangling secrets. Can’t wait to read it!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story.

This series keeps getting better and better. I’m so anxious to find out what will happen in the next book in this series.
Could Anna possibly be whom I think she might be? If so, it will be interesting to see how the ghost of Richard will react to it.

[Brenda Griesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Lockwood Manor

Finding out more about the characters. The more you know about them, the more you like them. When one mystery is solved, another one begins. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with book one, I loved this book. It was fun and it had a great mystery, as well as a few fireworks at the conclusion. I can't wait to read what happens next with Anna and Richard and Daisy! I highly recommend this series.

[Sandi Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

entertainment with a sinister twist

Fast but good read. Entertaining for all ages A little history blended in that makes me want to learn more about Victorian living and culture.

[Angie Metzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

I really liked this one. Just like the first one, it's a quick read and kept me reading non-stop. Finished them both in one day. Its funny and suspenseful, and I'm starting to like the idea of Anna and Richard.

[Jeremy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ghost story

Another successful book in the series. I love the characters and how we more about the town. The Founders day celebration making interesting twist. My only complaint is that felt the mystery was solved a little too soon.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book and series. I absolutely love it. The characters are wonderful and the mysteries keep you guessing. I can't wait for the next one!

[Gail Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and Captivating

A wonderful story with rich characters and a gripping plot. I loved it!
It changes direction enough to keep the excitement going.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series

Book two in a fun series. A ghost detective and the modern woman who communicated with him. A perfect partners to solve mysteries

[Janice Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the connection between Anna and Richard. I have laughed so much at them.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Ghost 2

Oooh, spooky! An amusing book. Good enough to continue on with this series. At least for a little bit longer.

[Janet Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery series.

[Georgia hillstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

best ghost ever

This book was fun I liked book one this even better with the ghost being more active. Could not put down once I started reading.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean. Fun premise.