The Ghostly Gilded Egg: A Cozy Mystery Short Story with a Ghostly Twist

Ghostly Guides #1

by Tess McNeill

It’s difficult to dig for clues when you've got to hide the fact that you're getting instructions from beyond the grave.

When Nora Nash—a.k.a “The Ghost Girl”—moves to the quaint mountain town of Lakeside to help her family open a bed and breakfast, she’s hoping for a fresh start—one without ghosts. But on day one, she quite literally trips over a mystery... and a ghost.

Tasked by the spirited specter of Lucille Evanston to locate a missing Fabergé-style egg meant for her beloved grandson, Nora finds herself navigating eccentric neighbors, pawn shop showdowns, and dangerous secrets buried in the woods. With the help of a skeptical new friend and her uncanny gift for seeing the dead, Nora races to recover the stolen heirloom before it—and her chance at a quiet life—vanishes for good. Wholesome, witty, and just a touch spooky, The Ghostly Gilded Egg is a charming introduction to Nora Nash’s world of cozy paranormal mysteries.

Genres: Mystery

Audible Audio

Published May 16, 2024

Reviews

[jospeh jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUY THIS BOOK NOW ! IT IS VERY INTERESTING ! SO BUY IT !

I DO LOVE EVERY SINGLE COSY I READ ! I A NOT CERTAIN WHETHER I AM A FAIR CRITIC OR A BAD ONE ! I HAVE BEEN READING BOOKS OF ALL KINDS , SINCE VERY YOUNG ! I W WAS
AN ODD GIRL ! I LIMPED AND STUTTERED AWFUL EVEN UNTIL JUNIOR HIGH !N I STILL STUTTER WHEN I AM REAL NERVOUS OR SCARED ! I WROTE POEMS FROM THIRD GRADE ON WROTE THEM FOR OTHERS , WHEN REQUESTED ! I LATER STARTED WRITING SHORT STORIES ! SOMETIMES I WROTE THEM FOR
OTHERS , WHEN REQUESTED TOO ! I HAVE NEVER BEEN GOOD
ENOUGH TO PUBLISH ! I RECEIVED SOME GOLDEN POET AND SILVER POET AWARDS, ALONG WITH HONORABLE MENTION S ! I AM IN SEVERAL ANTHOLOGY POETRY BOOKS ! I RARELY WRITE ANYTHING ANYMORE AND HAVE NOT FOR AWHILE NOW ! I AM LOSING MY SIGHT , SO I WRITE IN " CAPS " TO SEE
WHAT I WRITE ! I HAVE OTHER MORE SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES ! ANYWAY ! THIS BOOK HELD MY ATTENTION AND I , SO DEARLY ENJOYED IT ! THE AUTHOR IS ACTUALLY GIFTED IN WRITING MORE THAN MOST ARE , IN MY OPINION ! SO BUY THIS BOOK AND SLIP INTO A GREAT READ ! TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT IT , AFTER YOU READ IT ! HUGS AND SMILES TO ALL ! BARBIE 😊

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved meeting this new cast of characters in this charming ghost story. Nora Nash and her family have moved to the town of Lakeside, where her parents have retired to run a B&B. They have also moved two states away from their prior home to get away from Nora's notoriety since she can see and speak to ghosts. Nora's father is also the new handyman in town and he is immediately called to help complete some renovations on a house being prepared for sale. Nora tags along with him and as she explores the house she runs into Louise, the ghost of the former home owner! Louise is upset and can't pass to the other side because her prize Faberge egg has been stolen. The egg was to go to her grandson Tyler. Nora promises to try to find the egg and Louise sends her off to Tyler's home. The two teens team up and through a number of twists and turns they confront the alleged thief in a surprising ending. I received this book as a member of an ARC team and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Nash has a secret.
Her family moved to Lakeside because her mom and dad always wanted to retire early and open a B&B. Plus it was far enough away from her hometown (2 states over) that they hoped to give Nora a fresh start to (I would have like to have heard more about that in the story) as she was known for talking to ghosts.
She winds up learning that an egg that was special to a new client of her dad's (general handyman) grandmother was stolen on the day she passed away.
And Nora promised the grandmother she would help.

The Ghostly Gilded Egg appears to be a first in a series as there are several questions left open.
At only 57 pages long, the author did an admirable job of keeping my interest in the story as I normally don't read books this short as there's not normally enough room for plot or character development.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun short story Nora Nash can see ghosts. She is known as the Ghost Girl and her Dad decides it is time to move the family to a new town where no one knows about her Ghost problem. We now own the Lakeside Bed and Breakfast and we are excited for a new start. Her Dad is a handyman and she goes with him on a job so she can see the new town while he works. While at the house of a recently deceased Woman she runs into her ghost and is told about a missing Gilded Egg that was stolen when she died. Nora is on the case getting clues from the Ghost and trying to solve the case so the woman can move on.

[Priscilla King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora communicates with ghosts who want her to lay them to rest by solving mysteries. Although the author warns that in future books, as Nora grows up, there will be murders as well as stolen objects and missing children, this story is so wholesome you could share it with the children. Aunt Lucille wants Nora and her new friends, in a town where Nora's been warned that nobody must know that she's psychic, to find a decorated egg. They will, of course.

I like mysteries better without ghosts, but I see no reason why that should affect the story's star rating here. People who like ghosts like this story. They'll probably like the rest of the series, too.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written introduction to a new series of para cozey mysterys with a young woman as the heroine sees spirits that can help her along the way or not. The characters appear to be light hearted family that have taken over a bed and breakfast in a new to them town. I think it will be quite interesting getting to know the whole motley crew going on ghostly adventure. Acquire " The Ghostly Gilded Egg " today so that you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. Kat

[Shelly Neinast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023

A fun short cozy mystery for all ages to read. I normally read longer novels but I do download many cozy mysteries because they are short and fun to read.
The story here didn't go into much detail about Nora, who sees ghosts, but then again, it is a short story. It was fun to read and the author does a great job in keeping the reader interested.
I was given this book to read through Bookfunnel.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora can see ghosts. When a ghostly grandma asks her to solve the mystery of who stole her gilded egg she sets out to do just that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Earth Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun and quick read. I look forward to reading more of Tess's books. If you like ghost's and people who see them and help them. You will enjoy this book very much. Happy reading everyone

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great quick read, the characters are entertaining and the storyline is well written. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute, clean cozy! Suitable for 9 - 99. The plot flowed smoothly and the characters were each nicely built up. This is the first book, so there is quite a bit of background information provided but it doesn’t cause the story to drag. This has the potential to be a new favorite!

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5. A quick novella that starts the "Ghost Girl" series. I enjoyed the book overall and look forward to reading more. Although I received a complimentary copy of the book my opinion is my own.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was well-paced, had just the right amount of humor, and it left me curious about Nora and wanting to read more about her. It’s got a neat spin on cozy mysteries thanks to the supernatural element, and it has a good set up for the culprit’s reveal.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is the egg and who took it??? It's a replica!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute start to a new series. Nice to read a cozy mystery that didn’t start with a murder, although it begins with a dead person.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute start to a new series I hope! Thought this was well-written and the characters were likeable. Recommend reading.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short cozy ghost story.

[Susan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Cute Ghost Story

Short, to the point yet a little exciting. Nora will be a ghost detective I'll just bet! I bet she will have help also.

[Monica M · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was unbelievable how easy The MC meddle with stranger business without anyone protesting.
The characters are stilted too.
Also being buddy-buddy with a guy he just met for two days? Weird.

A bit clunky for me.