Jacob's Coins

Storage Ghost Mystery #1

by Gillian Larkin

A Cozy Ghost MysteryFollowing their parents’ sudden death, Frankie and Grace Abrahams are left with crippling debts and an almost empty antique shop. Frankie has watched countless TV programmes about storage locker auctions and is convinced he has what it takes to succeed so he drags Grace to a nearby auction.Whilst there, Frankie is eager to make his first bid on a locker but is totally unaware that Grace can see ghosts inside the opened storage units.Frankie buys his first locker, and unbeknownst to him, it comes with the ghost of a 17-year-old man. Despite her shock at seeing the ghost, Grace knows she must talk to the young man and find out why he looks so despondent.The ghost is called Jacob, and when he tells Grace why he's attached to certain items in the locker, she knows she has to help him become free of that attachement- but how?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Mystery, Amazon, Humor, Ghosts, Fiction

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2014

About the author

I'm an avid fan of mystery stories. I started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. My favourite fiction detective is Poirot, I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are.

I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.

I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.

You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.

You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.

Reviews

[Sandra Nedopričljivica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria Laurie's novels made me fall in love in cozy mystery world. Accidentally, I've discovered this book here on Goodreads and I liked it very much. In spite of my taste for bloody and creepy novels, this one gave me some warmth and sympathy... and a ghost. I wish I could see them and help them, it could be exciting (or not, who knows). I'll keep reading Gillian's books and the other cozy mystery stories, that's for sure.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming ghost mystery. Really loved this!

[Klara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet, and simple cozy mystery. It's so easy to read, and even though the plot isn’t super intense, I couldn’t stop reading. Frankie and Gracie are such lovable characters, and I can’t wait to continue with the series.

**SPOILER**
The plot didn’t go as I thought. Like always, I didn’t read the blurb, so I didn’t know what to expect, haha. I love how Gracie decides to help Jacob and embrace the fact that she can now see ghosts. And the part where this leads her to discover the truth about her parents’ death is a nice touch (sorry for the little spoiler).

[Diane Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!!!

It's a wonderful read... Just remember to grab a kleenex for the end. I hope to find more Frankie and Grace stories. It is pretty short but ohhh do good. I wanted more. Thank you Gillian Larkin!

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting ghost story

This is an interesting ghost story. It kind of got me hooked on this series. I might have to get the next book.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited. Every now and then something doesn't make sense, but might be reading out of order or could be the difference from story to story, some detail or other.

Jacob's Coins: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 1) - Lost And Found: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 2) - Tick Tock: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 3) - The Write Dream: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 4) - Daisy’s Chain: A Cozy Ghost Mystery (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 5)
Storage Ghost Mysteries - Box Set 2
Zach's Guitar (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 6) - Painted Lies (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 7) - Dead Wrong (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 8) - The Last Post (Storage Ghost Mysteries Book 9)

Dying To Laugh (A Storage Ghost Mystery Book 10)

Not to be confused with titles below, from Storage Ghost Murder Books
The Last Reading (Storage Ghost Murder Book 1)
A Different Shade Of Death (Storage Ghost Murder Book 2) {free with 2 other books with subscription, not ku}
A Sweet Murder (Storage Ghost Murder Book 3) *
Murder Vows (Storage Ghost Murder Book 4) *
A Deadly Lesson (Storage Ghost Murder Book 5) *
The Death Planner (Storage Ghost Murder Book 6) *
A Private Murder (Storage Ghost Murder Book 7) *
*Storage Ghost Murders - Box Set 1 A Sweet Murder- Murder Vows - A Deadly Lesson - The Death Planner - A Private Murder

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Enjoyed this story. Liked the strong yet sensitive characters. Good clean story. Excellent premise of ghosts and antiques. Will read more and recommend to others.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting premise - you know those Storage Wars shows? What if ghosts were drawn to and linked to their possessions after their death.

Unique Premise behind storage wars

Having a friend working as a site manager for a major US chain of storage facilities, I’d heard some stories about the behind-the-scenes at these places. But who knew even WERE stories? Or drama? Or storage unit auctions? Or finally, reality TV shows ABOUT storage unit auctions? Come to find out this was interesting stuff! Author Gillian Larkin apparently though it was interesting, too, and has parlayed that and a really cool premise into a series called “The Storage Ghosts Mysteries.” And the storage units (or lockers as they are termed in the series) her protagonist, Grace Abrahams, runs across have ghosts tied to their contents.

Grace and her brother, Frankie, recently lost both their parents (and almost Grace herself) in a tragic car accident. Left deeply in debt to a ruthless loan shark, Eddie Tominski, Frankie and Grace turn to bidding on storage unit auctions as a way to put stock back on the shelves of their parents’ antique store in an attempt to dig their way out from under Eddie’s demand for payment.

After her parents’ death, Grace starts to see shadows and glimpses on insubstantial things the just aren’t there. Gradually, these sitings begin to take on a somewhat more substantial “form.” Grace can see and talk to dead people.

In their first storage locker auction experience, Grace encounters and talks to her first real ghost: teenager Jacob also killed in a car accident. Together, they figure out that Grace can help him determine why he hasn’t moved on to a more pleasant afterlife and remains anchored to the contents of an abandoned storage locker.

The characters of Grace and Frankie share a typical brother-sister relationship of sibling love and antagonism. It is fun to watch them interact, care for each other, and tease. The premise of the ghosts in the storage lockers, unable to disengage from their past until some unfinished business is resolved, can be poignant, but was satisfactorily resolved in this first installment of this growing series.

This one is a quick, fun, short novella that lays an entertaining foundation for the coming additions. I can highly recommend this debut to the reader that likes their mysteries cozy and find their sit-down time at a premium. You can get the whole enchilada in the space of an hour or so. I read this book on my birthday. I was delighted.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is not to love about this book? Paranormal and storage units together, the perfect setting for a ghost story. It made for a very entertaining read. It's not long which makes for an ideal short story to read in one sitting.

The main characters, a brother and sister are are both likable. We are given bits and pieces throughout the story explaining how they came to have a shop from their parents. I thought that added an air of mystery to the story instead of learning everything all at once.

I recently discovered this author and have enjoyed everything I've read that she has written. This storage ghosts series is one I will continue to read. At the time I got this one, it was free on Amazon. You will fall in love with the writing style and creative stories and want to read all of her books.

This is a definite highly recommend if you are looking for a quick fun read involving the paranormal.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. This was a fast, enjoyable read. I love the characters of Frankie and Grace, especially Grace. I like the setup of going to storage locker sales, and helping ghosts that are trapped in the lockers. The ghost in this one was quite cute. I loved that he was mentally trapped in the 1980's. This is a great series.

[Mary Schildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inviting

Inviting

Enjoyed this short "cozy" ghostly mystery. You're hooked almost immediately and then it's over. But loved it. Looking forward to more "Storage Ghost Mysteries"

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I started reading them in the wrong order - which actually hasn't mattered - but became hooked after reading that very first(although not actually #1)book. I love the characters of Frankie and Grace. It's

[arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story

This is a sweet story line and quick to read about a brother and a sister who lost their parents in a car accident and what is happening afterwards and the secret the sister keeps about herself...

[Kay Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob's Coins

This story had my attention in the first paragraph. It was a fun book. If you have ever watched the storage shows on tv you would enjoy this short story, I know I did.

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, enchanting, and fun short story. I love Grace and the way she interacts with her first ghost Jacob. I felt for him and I was waiting for Grace to talk to his parents, however it didn't happen. Still I loved it and I will keep reading this series. Highly recommend it!

[Kathy Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story with good character development in the brother and sister who are trying to save their shop. Interesting premise that's well developed, particularly considering the short length. Looking forward to see if story unfolds in future installments.

[Melinda Labuscagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fantastic book! It's so warm and cozy, like a cup of tea on a rainy day. Definitely enjoyed it. A beautifully written book that has made me excited for the rest of the Storage Ghost Mystery books!

[Tracy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darn it, I was looking for a simple short story but now I've got another series to continue.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great start to a series. Who would have thought that Storage Wars made this happen!

[joanne heap · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star rating. Worth reading on a rainy day

Was a very good quick read. Is worth reading next book and discover their parents deaths. Can't wait for another rainy day

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a Prequel to the Storage Ghost Mystery series. Short easy read that explains how Grace can see Ghosts and helps to move them on their way.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it but it was way too short.I'd like too see them made a lot longer.

[PJ Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skips along.

Quite short, but a nice cozy mystery. A good read for a sunny day with good characters and a plot that skips along well, with a nice ending.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was interesting and different, but something about the writing kinda annoyed me. (Now, several days later, I've forgotten what, exactly, that was....)

[Joe Ethel Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told lovingly and was very heart warming. What is there not to love about this story

[Darcysmom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but the characters never really grabbed me.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I love a good cozy mystery. And this was a good one.

[Renata Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really liking these fast fun mysteries.

[Yvonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple little mystery

While it almost reads like a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mystery, I did enjoy it on a windy spring day. I look forward to the next one.