Ghosted by Murder

by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is back. This time it's a to solve a murder with a town full of suspects.

Being ghosted is one thing, but when it happens in both the literal and figurative sense, it gets complicated. I’m Chantilly Adair, Castleberry’s resident psychic medium, and I thought I’d seen it all—until one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, Robert Hale, starts giving everyone the cold shoulder, especially his fiancée. When he turns up dead and his ghost flat-out refuses to talk to me, things go from awkward to downright deadly.
With the townsfolk gossiping about Robert’s shady dealings and plenty of suspects who wouldn’t mind seeing him stay ghosted for good, it’s up to me to dig into the mystery. As more secrets unfold, the living are being as tight-lipped as the dead, and I’m left piecing together clues before the killer strikes again.
With my police-chief husband Jack working the case from the legal side, I work to convince a very stubborn ghost to help me solve his own murder. But in a town like Castleberry, where the past is never truly buried, getting ghosted might just be the deadliest clue of all.

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.

Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Carolyn Ridder Aspenson book release! Whether it’s a cozy, paranormal or thriller release, you can be assured that you will thoroughly enjoy your reading experience! How do you narrow down the suspect pool and find a murderer when the victim was disliked by almost everyone in town? Chantilly is about to find out! As if that situation isn’t daunting enough, Robert Hale’s ghost isn’t talking either and Chantilly will have to sift through the clues without his input. This is another great addition to this entertaining series!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another scary visit with Chantilly Adair who is known for her ability to see and communicate with ghosts. She also assists those ghosts to go into the light and be at peace. Robert Hale has made several enemies in town and when he appears to her, she knows that he has died. She tells her husband, Jack, who is the local police chief, of Robert’s presence as a ghost. When Robert’s body is found, the death is confirmed as a murder, but who hated him enough to want him dead? Since Robert isn’t talking, she questions those who had previously mentioned being upset with Robert, such as Elise his former fiancée; Hank Boudreaux who Robert had not paid the money he owed; Mindy Deveraux who blamed him for hiring one of her best employees and Dallas Greene who was upset with Robert’s new scooter business. When Chantilly is threatened, she obviously has upset someone, but who? Beyond her known subjects, is there someone else who held a grudge against Robert and if so who and why? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is fun and entertaining. I love the quirky characters. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. This is a fantastic cozy mystery.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosted by Murder : Midlife in Castle berry Psychic medium cozy mystery book 10

Great mystery , great characters. Love that others know she can see a hear ghosts. Lots of suspects but the identity of the murderer and why.

[Cathy Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chantilly

These books are so enjoyable. I have loved every single one. You got your basic places and people. The situations change from book to book, but Chantilly and her friends figure it out every time.

[Linda Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"GHOSTED BY MURDER": MIDLIFE IN CASTLEBERRY

"GHOSTED BY MURDER": MIDLIFE IN CASTLEBERRY SERIES

Carolyn did it again! Another great read and added a new sidekick for Chantilly! Love it!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and Suspenseful

I couldn’t put this book down. Love the characters, Bean and the town. The crime had so many clues and kept me on the edge of my seat!