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Graciela Harper thought that getting rid of Anne Bonny’s ghost would be the first step toward putting all of the problems of her past behind her. Maybe things would work out with Beauregard Drayton, Heron Creek’s charming mayor. Maybe she and her cousin Amelia, and their childhood friends Melanie and Will, could find a way back to the comfortable friendship that defined their lives.

But when the ghost of Glinda Davis, the town’s longtime, quirky hairdresser, puts a stop to Gracie and Beau’s relationship consummation, Graciela knows her life has changed for good. The insistent ghost drags Graciela into a world she’s only seen on reality television shows—one filled with moonshiners and backwoods politics that are solved by burying bodies, not friendly conversations.

Graciela needs to figure out exactly what Glinda’s spirit requires so she’ll get the heck out of dodge, but the further she digs into the woman’s past, the more dangers seep into the present. As Graciela gets closer to the answers she seeks, she starts to wonder if she’s going to solve a murder in the process—or die trying.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2014

45 people are currently reading
228 people want to read

About the author

Lyla Payne

39 books856 followers
I've been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. I adore telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us – past and present.

In my spare time I cuddle my two dogs, pretend to enjoy exercising so that I can eat as much Chipotle as I want, and harbor a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. I loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey.

I'm hard at work, ALWAYS, and hope to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

If you want to know more, please visit me at http://lylapayne.com

If you’re a fan of Young Adult fiction—science fiction or otherwise—please check out my work that’s published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com


I'm represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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5 stars
204 (48%)
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157 (37%)
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47 (11%)
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8 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa Shower.
664 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2021
Fun read

This series is not the type I usually read but I am hooked. Great yet quirky characters. Looking forward to #3!
Profile Image for Kelly Mccurdy.
899 reviews38 followers
March 28, 2015
~~I received this in exchange for my honest opinion~~

Ok, this book kept me book reading until I was finished and then I needed more. The mystery that is in this book is great! I didn't know where it was going until it was revealed. This is the second book in the series and it just gets better and better.

Gracie is trying to come to terms with her ability to see ghosts. She thought that it was only going to be the one, but was she wrong. In this book, she is visited by a ghost in the corner of her room, he is pouty and always changes clothes. She doesn't know who he is or what he wants. There is also another ghost that shows up. This one is much more demanding. She will go to the backwoods to find what she needs to get in order for that soul to rest.

Lyla captures the southern charm in her writing. You end up reading the book in a southern accent. It makes for a fun read. You will be disappointed if you miss this book.
Profile Image for Barbara.
82 reviews
September 1, 2015
I didn't like this one as much as the first book, but mainly because of a question with the plot. How did Graciela's fingerprints get on the knife? Did I miss something? That didn't make any sense to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
109 reviews
December 25, 2017
Really enjoying the series

Really enjoying the characters and story lines, with satisfying stories while still working on the underlying plot of the curse. Off to read book 3
Profile Image for Jennie.
43 reviews
June 11, 2018
Well, it's another Rose Garden series just another author. Really the same, also meets criminals and sort of make friends with them. A boyfriend also from a well known family. Just got ghosts and not premonitions.
Profile Image for Leslie.
1,445 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2019
Shame on you Lyla Payne! Why in the world would you have your heroine tie firecrackers to a cat's tail?! WTF?!!! Animal abuse is horrific - shame on you for making light of it!

THIS BOOK IS NOT RECOMMENDED!
406 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2023
So far I am really enjoying this series. I love how real the whole cast of characters are, although so far Beau seems a bit too perfect. I’ve enjoyed experiencing Gracie navigating her new talent and rekindling her relationships with old friends.
15 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2021
Aother good ghost story

Although the premise of there being an afterlife for me is total fiction, I find these mysteries fun and the characters interesting.
Profile Image for Donna Murphy.
117 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2022
Great Book

I am so enjoying this series. This book was so good, Gracie is just totally hysterical! I love her snarkyness, courage and emotions. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Shawna Wood.
714 reviews20 followers
October 26, 2023
It's an interesting series, I do enjoy it but I'm not overly in love with it or obsessed with it yet. The first book was better for sure. I think what bothered me the most is I felt the author was condescending and looking down on the people you would find in the region. given that I live in the area where the book takes place it just left a bad taste in my mouth and kept taking me out of the story.
Profile Image for Iza Brekilien.
1,576 reviews130 followers
December 16, 2014
Gracie was beginning to think she was out of trouble after solving Anne Bonny's mystery then pop, Glinda's ghost appears ! Plus another one, the brooding type, more discreet.
As usual, they only appear to her : "It's as though the ghost don't want anyone else to know I'm actually sane."

Glinda's ghost is quite different from Anne's : she doesn't stink, but she retains the will of iron she possessed while alive. She's been murdered and wants Gracie to find something for her. Quickly.
"More digging. You have got to be kidding me." Glinda gives me a look that says she doesn't understand my comment and that she doesn't really give a shit how I feel about it, to boot. It makes me smile, even now, because it's so Glinda.
Someday, when I can slow down long enough to assess how I really feel about my newfound ability and all of the implications that go along with it, maybe it will make me glad to know that people don't lose who they are on the other side of this life.
Even if it would make mine a little easier if they did."

Fortunately, Gracie is not as lost as she was in Not quite dead, she grew stronger and found her place. She now works at the library in place of Mrs LaBadie, which allows her to meet all of the old ladies who "bring in their smutty romance novels and swap them for new ones". Alas, there's a new detective in town who suspects her with the murder. She can hardly explain herself since she's reluctant to share about her ghosts... She's protected from him by her cousin Amelia, the very pregnant Amelia who's now sharing their grandfather's house, and whom the detective obviously admires and fears.

She's more or less Mayor Beau's girlfriend, yes, they've been frolicking under the covers ! Rather more than less, even if she has some trouble with it. "He gives me an easy smile. Everything about Beau is easy, aside from the expectations surrounding his job, and that's part of the problem. It's too easy to see him sliding effortlessly into my life."

This novel is lighter than the first and there are several characters - Glinda and the rednecks - who really are a handful ! The book ends on a cliffhanger that made me want to tear my hair off my head (almost) because in the next, we'll probably find out more about the handsome mayor and I just can't wait to read that ! And find out what the brooding ghost wants :) A great addition to the series !
Profile Image for Jaime Arkin.
1,477 reviews1,366 followers
August 24, 2014
I’m a huge fan of Lyla Payne… and for good reason. She writes stories that are captivating, fun, and sexy! This is the second in the Low Country series and just like the first, I absolutely loved it.

Gracie, our heroine, is still seeing ghosts and it seems to be causing more trouble for her than anything else going on in her life. She had hoped that once Anne Bonny’s ghost had moved on, she would be able to start fixing her own problems instead of everyone else’s. Like working on her relationships with her childhood friends, or helping her cousin Amelia come to terms with the things she has had to deal with or maybe… just maybe, take the next step with the handsome and charming mayor Beauregard Drayton.

Unfortunately, ghosts have horrible timing and the appearance of Glinda Davis’ ghost in Gracie’s life creates more issues than simply finding out who killed her.

Once again, Payne gives us a well-written, wonderfully paced story, and I for one couldn’t put it down. Her characters are so well developed… even the not so alive ones. And I absolutely love Gracie. She’s a little bit lost personally, but underneath that you can see that she’s independent and stubborn, loyal and an amazing friend and she’s funny! And Beau… *swoon*. As much as Gracie tries to get him to see that she just isn’t who he should be pursuing a relationship with, he pushes back and shows her why he is.

But at the heart of this story, we have another mystery. Who killed Glinda, and why… and what secrets was she hiding, and while you definitely get hints along the way, the story unravels at a perfect pace. And where she leaves you with this installment will have you begging for the next in the series, that’s for sure.

I can’t wait to see what we get next from Lyla Payne, and this series has so much on the horizon, from our mystery ghost, to Mrs. LaBadie, to Beau and even Gracie’s own issues, I’m excited for more.

I can count on Payne for an amazing story, wonderful characters and yes, some sexy swoon and romance. If you haven’t picked up this series yet, definitely give it a try!
Profile Image for Kelsey.
63 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2014
Gracie Harper is back, and her life isn’t any less crazy. She thought her special little gift of seeing ghosts was over with the pirate Anne Bonny, but unfortunately for Gracie she’s as attractive to the spirits as ever. And this time it’s someone she knows, the town hair dresser Glinda Davis who happens to show up covered in blood right as Graciela is about to get it on with the irresistible mayor Beau Drayton. Now her ghostly girl won’t leave her alone and is hell bent on Gracie getting some information out in the open. Determined to get this haunt off her back and solve the case, our spunky narrator takes off on a crazy adventure that may just get her into more trouble than she’s used to (and she’s no stranger to trouble).

One of the best parts of this book is Graciela herself. I totally fell in love with her voice in NOT QUITE DEAD and we get a deeper look into her new life in Heron Creek. She is such a strong character, yeah she has some major trust issues as well as a couple other crazies hiding in her closet but she is not one to back down from anything. For everything she’s been through, she handles everything with characteristics worth of her name.

More adventures, more haunts, and more antics continue to be as much a part of our girl has the low country itself. It’s never a dull moment when Gracie’s around, and I personally cannot wait for the next installment (that cliffhanger was killer!).
837 reviews
February 10, 2017
Good story but needs a bit of polish. I found several errors that should have been caught by the editor or proofreader. Nothing earth shattering but occasionally annoying and distracting. That issue aside, the story was pretty good. There were a couple of surprises that made things interesting and the cliffhanger at the end left me anxious to read the next book in the series. I really like the low country setting and the author describes the locations Grace visits quite well. This is more of a murder mystery than a ghost story but the mix of the two is more than satisfying.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
234 reviews9 followers
August 15, 2014
I absolutely loved Not Quite Dead and am equally thrilled with this follow up!

The pacing of this story was perfect. There wasn't a second where I could put my Kindle down. I had to know what would happen next! This is a fun 'who dun it,' and even though I figured out the villain the second of their introduction, I'm still happy with the end result.

I loved the relationship between Graciela and her friends. I felt like I was just getting to know them with the first book, but here I was comfortable with them. As if they could be my own friends. I'm also very appreciative that Graciela and Will haven't gone 'there.' Not yet anyway. I adore Beau��� enough said. I also took a shining to the new Detective in town; you'll have to read the book to meet him!

I'll save the surprise at the ending for you to discover yourself, but just know that I wanted to flip my table! If I was sitting at one anyway.

Finally, the identity of the mystery ghost has me thirsty for more. I cannot wait for the next book! Except I have to. Unless I master time travel sometime soon. ;-)

Five stars from this happy reader!
Profile Image for Jamie Davis.
91 reviews27 followers
August 22, 2014
Gracie Anne, as Beau calls her, finds herself in yet another ghost caper as Glinda lurks nearby wanting Gracie to find answers. The mystery ghost in mixed garb remains a part of Gracie's long list of unanswered questions.

Relationships are still a struggle for Gracie as she muddles through murky clues and the life Heron Creek has thrust upon her, but she's trying to remember how to let others in. She is forced to accept that unlikely alliances can sometimes save the day, things aren't always as they appear, and everyone has skeletons in their closet.

I'm "Not Quite Patient" for the next in this series to come along because I'm dying to know where Gracie's penchant for trouble will lead her next. Beau, mixed garb ghost, Mrs. LaBadie … so many stories are waiting to unfold! It's unlikely Gracie's life will be dull. As Millie told her, "So you're being haunted. Deal with it."

The author created yet another set of characters that make you want to know them personally. Her gift for story telling crosses genres and ages. I can't wait to see where she takes Gracie and the gang.
Profile Image for Lyla Payne.
Author 39 books856 followers
Read
August 15, 2014
A couple of things, y'all!

The first book in this series, NOT QUITE DEAD, is ON SALE for just $.99 for the next couple of days! I encourage you to give it a shot!

Second, NOT QUITE COLD is looking awfullllly lonely with NO reviews yet! I'm dying for more people to fall in love with Gracie, and if YOU love Gracie, I have an opportunity for you!

The first 5 people who post reviews* (it doesn't have to be on Amazon. If you read on iBooks or B&N, there is fine) will receive a $5 gift card! The second 5 people will get a little swag gift in the mail from me. ALL TEN of you will receive a free early copy of the 3rd Gracie book when it's available!

*I ask only that these reviews are HONEST. Being positive is not a prerequisite! http://www.amazon.com/Quite-Lowcountr...
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,228 reviews40 followers
May 29, 2016
Book 2 just as good if not better than book 1 Graciela amazes me again doin it for herself.
I'm not convinced she is meant to be with Mayor Beau he seems to want to control Gracie to much but not really give anything of himself, why doesn't he talk about himself ?? But he is constantly wanting to know everything about Gracie, he is always telling her to trust him but trust is a two way street and how to you give trust if it's not reciprocated, when it comes to Gracie's safety Beau needs to trust she will ask for help when she needs it and also that she can take care of herself, not to mention trust Gracie's instincts and intuition she is not stupid even though Beau portrays her that way.
This is only the second book but I'm loving how Gracie is growing into herself and helping Millie come out of herself more as well I really admire female characters who can take care of themselves.
Profile Image for Keli Barrett.
10 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2015
The second book in the LowCountry series.

Gracie's smart mouth and insistent need to help ghosts and through caution to the wind almost gets her killed. AGAIN. But with Millie and Mayor/Boyfriend Beau at her side, she seems to be progressing out of her original depression and drunken state. Engaging in the mystery behind poor Glinda (the hairdresser)'s death, Gracie finds herself as the main suspect. Throw in Big Ern and Clete, hillbilly outlaw moonshiners and a deputy sheriff from a few towns over and you have yourself a tangled web!

Lyla Payne does it again as she elaborates on Gracie's story and develops the southern atmosphere of Heron Creek!
Profile Image for Bailie.
17 reviews
November 7, 2015
I love this series! and this is only the second book! Honestly I love the way Beau and Gracie are together, and I love the way Gracie is beginning to once again find her place in Herron Creek. The accuracy of loosing someone close to you in the first book, is continued in this one, with a lot more twists and suspense added to the story line. Like I said about the first book, I would recommend this book and series to anyone, including a stranger on the street. it has a little bit of everything for everyone.
Profile Image for Kandy.
262 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2016
Well, I should start by saying it's not as great a the first, but not far off. I am definitely going to have to follow this through (like I wouldn't). And can I just say...CLIFFHANGER!!!
Wow I was knocked off my feet with this one and I am ready for the next few books!!! I felt like we were just on the brink of figuring it all out, and WHAM, books over :) very well done with that part. I am not usually a mystery reader, but this, this is a good story of who done it's, friendship, and love. I am glad I followed through on my promise to start this series.
Profile Image for Jan.
867 reviews44 followers
December 23, 2016
In this second book in the series, Gracie discovers that her ghost problems are not over when the ghost of the town's very recently deceased hairdresser interupts her romantic evening. Before she knows it, Gracie is the primary suspect in the murder and is determined to find the real killer. Really? That's never a good idea.

This series is fun. Gracie is so snarky. But she is a good friend and actually pretty smart except when it comes to always wanting to take care of things herself. It could get a girl killed. I have already started the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Jenn.
288 reviews
January 16, 2015
I love Gracie...Lyla Payne does an amazing job of keeping you guessing in this book. With some mystery books you can start to piece together what is going to happen, or at least look back and see it, but I was not able to do that with this one. Just as soon as I thought I knew what was going to happen she throws a curve ball to make second guess everything. She leaves you with a major cliff-hanger at the end. I cannot wait to see what is to come in book 3.
200 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2015
I enjoyed the book even with the couple inconsistencies. Graciela seems to be growing up and healing and building bridges to her childhood. I have to say I am getting more interested in her ability to deal with ghosts and uncovering their life than her interactions with her boyfriend and the authorities. More ghost story and less love story is called for in my opinion. if the author can concentrate on one important storyline instead of 2-3, it may take care of the inconsistencies.
Profile Image for Marilyn Groves.
276 reviews10 followers
July 9, 2020
I bought #2 immediately after #1, and would have bought #3 if it was available (out in August 2015). Great main character with a wonderful and fun relationship with the mayor. Sure a lot of crime in a little town, but the ghosts will help solve it!

The author does a terrific job of multiple plots at once - it makes the entire book very entertaining and interesting.
Profile Image for Tracy Trixy.
629 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2015
Another great read!
After reading Graces antics in the last book there was no way I couldn't not read the second part!
So we have Anne who has now gone, but right in middle of some adult cuddles another ghost pops up, but this ghost Grace knows, and considers her a butcher of hair!
More Nancy Drew investigations start, and this time Grace gets into some danger. Time for book three.... :)
Profile Image for Ashlee Lau.
244 reviews
May 10, 2016
Not Quite Cold is a great continuation in what is turning out to be an amazing series! The writing continues to be flawless, and as we dive deeper into the past, and the relationships that Gracie has recovered and began, the reader is left wanting more. It is witty, emotional, and a real story of growth and family.
473 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2015
Well, what the hell happened. That is not a cliff hanger. That is just horrible. Now I am supposed to purchase the next book to find out the poop on Beau. Not nice. Not nice at all. It's like being in the middle of a sentence and whoops - sorry out of book space. Too bad for you!!! Did I miss something?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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