Haunting and Homicide

A Ghost Tour Mystery #1

by Ava Burke

Lou Thatcher is haunted by ghosts–friendly ghosts–but when she finds herself involved in a murder investigation, she’s in for the fright of a lifetime in this new cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Ellen Byron.

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher has a gift - she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District. When rival tour guide Adam Brandt–who accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business–is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is. It’s no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she’s the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop, she’s officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away. Weaving her way through Adam’s business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Ghosts, Cozy, Fiction, Supernatural

Paperback

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

A pseudonym of Amber Camp.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new paranormal/cosy series.

Lou Thatcher has been able to see and talk to ghosts since she was a child, something she keeps very much to herself. She makes use of this advantage when she sets up a ghost tour business in New Orleans, and pretty soon she is gaining customers and interest on the internet. When a rival business operator is murdered Lou is a suspect so she sets out to discover the truth.

It is an advantage to be able to speak to the dead when you are investigating a murder, especially if the victim has any ideas about what happened. Lou manages to get herself into lots of trouble as she gets closer and closer to the identity of the killer.

There are a number of interesting characters in the story, dead ones as well as living! Lou has some very supportive family around her, and a could be love interest if the two of them ever manage to be on the same page. Altogether a very satisfactory beginning to a new series and I will watch for the next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou Thatcher was one of many who ran ghost tours in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lou's gift was that she could see ghosts, as well as converse with them, so her tours were always interesting. One of her rival tour leaders was harassing Lou, declaring all she did was fake. Lou's and Adam's rivalry had gone on a long time, and she was fed up with him. But she certainly didn't expect him to end up dead, knifed in the back, and for Lou to actually fall over his body. Immediately Lou was a suspect - she found his body, and one of her shop's souvenir knives was what had killed him. Lou needed to prove her innocence by finding the killer.

Lou lived with her Nan after the horror that was her mother and step-father, drove her out. She was more than happy with her Nan, and her little shop was in the house grounds. Just after Adam's murder, she found her sixteen year old brother, Bryce, hiding in the garden; it turned out he'd run away from home because of bullying that was out of control at school, and his father only told him to "man up"!! What a jerk! Searching for a killer was made a little easier for Lou by being able to talk to ghosts, but she still ended up putting herself in grave danger. Would she find the killer before it was too late?

Haunting and Homicide is the 1st in A Ghost Tour Mystery series by Ava Burke (Amber Camp of the Horse Mystery series) and I enjoyed it very much! A paranormal cozy mystery, with an intriguing and different type of plot, it was cleverly done. Fun characters - Mamie was great! - I'm looking forward to #2 in the series hopefully soon. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this cozy mystery on audiobook. The narrator did a good job bringing the story to life. This book was a super quick read and a fun start to a new cozy mystery series. Lou Thatcher lives in New Orleans and has a business doing ghost tours. But there is a little something different about her tours because she sees ghosts. When a rival ghost tour guide dies Lou is unfortunate enough to stumble across the body making herself the number suspect. Despite Adam have been a jerk to her she’s determined to solve who killed him even when it starts to put herself in danger. Like all successful cozy mysteries this one had great supporting characters especially the puppy. It had some interesting dynamics to the ghosts she sees and their abilities. The one thing I didn’t like was the love interest storyline, I just didn’t enjoy it and thought the book would have been better without it. Overall though I enjoyed it, and I will definitely keep an eye out for more in this series.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys learning about history in fun ways, a ghost tour cozy was an interesting theme for a book series. This is the first book in the series and did not disappoint. The main protagonist, Lou, is not only a tour guide on a ghost tour but she can actually see the ghost on her tour. Lou is an interesting, entertaining, and well-developed character for the first in the series. The mystery is well-written with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. I am super excited for this new series and hope for more in books soon.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ghost stories/paranormal elements in cozy mysteries, and this one ticked all the boxes. Main character Lou Thatcher has the gift of seeing ghosts, and it's fun how she uses that ability to give her ghost tours around New Orleans a little something extra. It also comes in handy when trying to solve the murder of a rival tour guide. There's much to love about the start of this new cozy series: Delightful, genuine characters, a strong, puzzling mystery, and of course, ghosts! Looking forward to continuing the series. [4.5 Stars]

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was decent until about page 200 when it got stupid. Main character brother comes out to parents and apparently the state of Missouri is called out for its bigotry as a whole. I want a cozy mystery not social justice nonsense.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the setting and the ghosts. I felt it was too long. I would try one more of these in the series ,if she writes anymore. As much as I love animals, there was too much talk about the dog.

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

This is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery, and this is the first book in A Ghost Tour Mystery Series. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I loved it. This is a great start to a new Cozy Mystery series. I really loved the characters, and I really loved that there are ghosts in this book. I loved how the ghosts are handled in this book. The murder that was being worked in this book was fun to follow and had enough drama you wanted to keep reading. There was some family drama stuff that also worked in the storyline which just added to all the craziness going on, but I was enjoying all of it. I really cannot wait for book two in this series to come out. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Paulette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't so sure about this cozy at first but it grew on me. Lou Thatcher can see and talk to ghosts. She runs a ghost tour in New Orleans. One of her rival tour leaders is murdered and she finds the body. As the chief suspect she feels she needs to clear herself. The first few chapters were a bit annoying but as the pace picked up, I became increasingly invested in the story. I'd probably read another in the series.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys... if this is not on your tbr, you should add it now! I loved it. It's cozy & funny & a good mystery. The MC sees ghosts and runs her own ghost tour company in New Orleans. Her business rival is murdered and all the evidence points straight to her. I felt like she was smart and tried to do the right thing when clues fell into her lap. I literally did not want the story to end. I am really hoping for book 2, although I haven't seen anything about it yet.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Haunting and Homicide, by Ava Burke, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Tallulah Thatcher or :Lou as she is known, can see ghosts, when her rival is killed she can see his ghost too, can she solve his murder, and clear her name? An intriguing read.

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐ rounded up
Delightful debut cozy mystery set in New Orleans featuring Lou Thatcher who runs a haunted tour in that most haunted city. For a new business, it's got great word of mouth. With her ability to see ghosts, Lou's friends sometimes augment the tours with a little extra. A rival tour owner is convinced she's a fake and is trying to prove it. When he's murdered, she's the prime suspect. I loved so many of the secondary characters and the ghost. Can't wait for another addition to the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher hosts ghost tours in the New Orleans Garden District and her tours are going viral because Lou has a gift. She can actually see and communicate with the area ghosts and one ghost loves to show off and watch the viral videos with Lou.

Adam Brandt also hosts ghost tours but he doesn’t have a gift and he believes Lou’s tours are complete shams until he is murdered and has his own encounter with Lou. He wants her to find his killer but she is the police’s prime suspect due to their prior discord and that the murder weapon came from her store. He doesn’t know who killed him but he knows it wasn’t Lou so she starts to dig into his past to see who wanted him dead and is framing her for his murder. She just hopes she can find the killer before they have her haunting the Garden District with all the other ghosts.

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher is a wonderful protagonist with an interesting gift – a gift she has had her whole life. She doesn’t know why the ghosts are stuck where they are and would love to help them pass to the next realm. Until then she enjoys visiting with them and showing off their talents. We also meet her loving grandmother, her grandmother’s significant other Ronald, her best friend Cady, Cady’s brother Detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s part-time employee Tess, and Lou’s teenage brother Bryce. For the first book in the series, the characters were well fleshed out while leaving room for growth as the series continues.

There are also some cool ghosts in this story and I loved how cleverly they were created. They had distinct talents and were there when Lou needed them most.

We follow Lou through her busy daily life as she works in questioning the living and the dead in her quest to find Adam’s killer. She did get herself into some sticky situations but none more so than when the killer is revealed. I truly was on the edge of my seat for the chase that occurred in the final chapters and found the takedown was especially delightful. Adam makes a request of Lou after everyone is safe. It was truly heartwarming.

A subplot deals with Lou’s dysfunctional family and I appreciated the way Ms. Burke handled the situation. I am sure there will be issues that arise in future stories as there would in real life. What occurred gives us insight into Lou’s past which makes her even more genuine.

A unique plot set in New Orleans with complicated relationships, family drama, ghosts, and more has set this series off to a terrific start. It was very easy to get invested in these characters with the interesting and entertaining mystery the author has penned. I highly recommend Haunting and Homicide and can’t wait for the next Ghost Tour Mystery!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Sarah Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first cozy that I have read with a ghost tour heroine in it. I really enjoyed that aspect about it. It was refreshingly original. I love cozies, I mostly read cozies, however, it is nice that the main character is something other than a baker, chef, store owner, etc. And I really enjoyed that Lou has a gift, the gift of seeing and being able to talk to ghosts. I thought that was really neat.

And another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was Lou herself. She's spirited (pun intended lol), strong willed, protective of her friends and family, loyal, and hard working. She protects Bryce as if she was his mother, the way a mother should. Nan and Ron were a very nice addition as well. I spent a lot of time wishing that I could get a Nan hug lol. Bryce is a good kid. What he did may have been reckless, but I also thought it was brave. Sometimes it takes more guts to stand up to the people who are supposed to love us than it does total strangers. At the end of the day, you have to do what's right for yourself, nobody else.

I've read and seen a lot about New Orleans through books and movies and I wish all the time that I could visit it, at least once. This book really made me feel like I was there, the haunted parts sure lol but still there. I thought the story was really original and I just loved Lou's snark. She really has a lot of tenacity and grit in her character. I admire that a lot.

She may not have been super great at amateur sleuthing, but it was enough to get the job done and that is what counts at the end of the day. I loved meeting all of the ghosts, that was really cool. It made me feel so bad for Adam. I felt his loneliness and his despair. Overall, a very good start to the series. I look forward to reading the next book. I recommend!

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Ava Burke for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are mine and are completely honest.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pleasantly cozy read with some surprising heft in a couple of subplots.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series debut takes place in New Orleans. Lou Thatcher runs a ghost tour business. Although she might not have the most popular route she can provide her clients with plenty of ghost sightings. That's because she can see and talk to ghosts! When rival Adam is killed, Lou becomes a suspect. Too bad the police can't talk to Adam like Lou can because he knows she didn't do it. Instead he asks for her help.

This is such a fun mystery. Lou is likeable and might not be the best at sleuthing, but she freely admits this and has great ideas at least. The side characters are wonderful and I can see them being a big part of the next story.

The ghosts are incorporated well and I'm sure some of them will be permanent characters. They play an essential role in helping solve the mystery. Some crazy stuff happens and there's plenty of motive for Adam's murder. I got the killer right though! And the showdown with them is pretty exciting.

I enjoyed everything about Haunting and Homicide from the characters, setting, to the writing. After I was finished I immediately wished there was a second one for me to read already!

You'll want to add this to your TBR! Haunting and Homicide will be released January 21. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Haunting and Homicide (A Ghost Tour Mystery #1)" by Ava Burke is the first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series. Set in New Orleans, Lou Thatcher is a ghost walk guide and tour company owner. Her tours are extra exciting because she actually can see ghosts so she knows where to get actual sightings and even has some of the ghosts playing along to give her tour guests a bit of a show.

That's where the mystery comes in. A rival tour owner thinks she's faking all the sighting and gets stabbed in the back trying to follow her for proof. So, she can see his ghost and gets wrapped up solving what happened to him. She wants to help and she wants to clear her own name, mostly the later. I have to say I didn't suspect the actual culprit until right before the reveal.

On top of a newer business and being a suspect, her teenage half brother ran away from his dad and her mom. He shows up at Lou and her grandmother's place asking for their help. Lou's mom and step dad are a real piece of work. I hope they don't give her constant problems now that her brother has been allowed to stay with her, grudgingly by his dad mostly.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home for Tallulah 'Lou' Thatcher is with her grandmother, in New Orleans, where she runs ghost tours for tourists and locals alike. There are quite a few businesses like hers, but Lou has a secret. She can actually see the ghosts she talks about, which gives her a bit of an edge! When she finds her main competitor dead, Lou can see his ghost as well, and he's less than impressed by his new status! Realising she is the main suspect, Lou begins her own investigation with a little help from her ghostly friends. She's no expert, but she must be doing something right because, it seems, someone is determined to make her their second victim.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. The first book in a new series, this is so good and I was sad to finish it. The back stories are also entertaining, and I am definitely looking forward to book 2.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was very excited to read this book because I love a good mystery and throw ghosts in there, and I am set! I think the book was strong at the beginning, but after that it just kind of gor boring for me. I love cozy mysteries, but I wish these authors would stop throwing liberal woke subjects in them...it just makes me roll my eyes.

[Melissa P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

New release from the library 😊

I am really glad that I picked up this book. Since it's the first book in a new cozy mystery series, I hope there will be a lot more. I really liked the main character, Tallulah (Lou). She can see ghosts, which can be a hit or miss in a story. For this book, it was a hit. I really liked her interactions with the deceased. I like that Lou runs a haunted tour. I liked her relationships with her friends and family. I love how they took in a lost puppy. This is a really cute cozy mystery that I highly recommend. I look forward to more in the series. Happy reading! 👻🐕🐈‍⬛

[marita lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a cute new cozy. Fast read and easy to guess who the culprit is, but it's still such a cute read - def recommend this new series.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK: HAUNTINGS AND HOMICIDE
AUTHOR: AVA BURKE
PUB DATE: 25:01:2024
🕵🏼‍♀️👻
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👻🕵🏼‍♀️
This book had amazing elements from the characters to the storyline and the setting. I liked the new venture into the FMC being able to see ghosts. That really helped her to solve the cases.
🕵🏼‍♀️👻
This is the first in the series, and I liked that the book was mainly focused on the FMC, Tallulah 'Lou'. She was an amazing character who stood up for her baby brother, nice enough to solve her horrible competitor's murder and a bad ass entrepreneur. You can't help but like her.
👻🕵🏼‍♀️
I liked that the mystery part of the book was simple. It was what the book needed. The FMC was just a typical store owner, so it was perfectly normal for her not to know her way through a murder investigation. But, she learned quickly. I didn't like who the culprit was because I was wrong 😂. But, I didn't see him coming from a mile away. So, that was okay.
🕵🏼‍♀️👻
This book was a very nice beginning, and I would definitely read the next book in the series. In fact, I'm expecting it already.
👻🕵🏼‍♀️

[Emily Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun start to a new paranormal cozy mystery series. I really enjoyed the premise of a woman who can see ghosts running a ghost tour in New Orleans, Louisiana. The characters were really likable and fun to follow. I do enjoy a paranormal cozy mystery and this was delightfully different from others I've read. I found the mystery to be clever, though I did end up guessing who the killer was.

Overall, this was fun and would be a good Halloweeny cozy mystery. I'm very much looking forward to book 2.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio arc!

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting and Homicide (A Ghost Tour Mystery, #1) by Ava Burke opens with a little girl named Lou Thatcher talking with a ghost about how she doesn't want to move. Fast forward to several years later, Lou has moved back to the Garden District of New Orleans, Louisiana. She still can see and talk with ghosts and has opened her own business . . . a haunted history walking tour. When one of Lou's competitors dies just feet from her, she becomes the number one suspect in his death. Can Lou prove her innocence, or will she end up in jail?

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for approving me and providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Haunting and Homicide. When I read the synopsis of the book, I just knew I had to read it. I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

The beginning of this story didn't immediately pull me in, but after reading a few pages, I found myself engaged with the tale the author was weaving. Give me a paranormal setting in a city that I love to visit, and I'm all there for it. Having been on a haunted walking tour of the French Quarter a couple of times, having a book built around one of these just called my name. I'm not quite as familiar with the Garden District of New Orleans, but I have had lunch at restaurant there, and the area was quite nice from what I remember. There are a few locations mentioned in the story that I know I have to check out the next time I visit, and I will definitely want to do a tour of those locations if they are offered.

I really enjoyed most of the characters in Haunting and Homicide, but of course, there were a few that I didn't care for, namely Lou's mom and stepfather. They were a piece of work, and unfortunately, there really are crappy people like them in the world. I didn't care for Adam, but he ended up growing on me. Then, there was Lou's crush . . . he seemed very uncaring and almost harsh. The reader does find out why he acts the way he does later on in the book, but I still didn't quite like him.

Ava Burke does a fantastic job of providing the reader with several suspects and their motives. I wasn't quite sure who the killer was going to end up being, and when they were revealed, I wasn't surprised about who it ended up being. Did I figure out who it was? That would be a big no! Should I have paid more attention to the clues the author gave me? That would be a resounding yes!

When it comes to cozy mysteries, I am particular on the ones I read and end up continuing with the series. Haunting and Homicide (A Ghost Tour Mystery, #1) by Ava Burke is definitely being added to my favorites list, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Five out of five stars.

[Trish (Beautiful Chaos Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟
0 🌶️

Haunting and Homicide was a fun and cozy read. The author did a great job of setting up what I feel will be an enjoyable, cozy mystery series. Lou has moved back to New Orleans to live with her grandmother. Lou also sees dead people most charmingly. They become her friends, and although she doesn't understand why they have not moved on, she converses with them and gets them to help in her Haunted New Orleans tour. This does give her a slight edge since her ghosts can manifest some interesting things, but she's not in the big leagues of ghost tours. Nevertheless, she has earned the ire of a competitor and looks really guilty when he turns up dead. So we are introduced to all of Lou's side characters and everything going on in her life.

This is a fast-paced mystery with humor and touching moments, including the adorable dog. I didn't get Lou's attitude toward the guy she's been crushing on for years at the end, but I hope the author will clear that up in the next installment. I will read the next one because I love a cozy fantasy/urban fantasy read. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lou lives in New Orleans, Louisiana and owns a ghost tour business. Lou has a special gift she can see and talk to ghosts making her ghost tours go viral. Another ghost tour business owner Adam Brandt is convinced that Lou is lying and is trying to prove it. When Lou stumbles upon Adams body and his ghost. The police think she's the prime suspect.

This was such a great paranormal cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the characters and the gumption of Lou. I'm excited to see what happens next in the series. I'll definitely be checking them out.

[Brigit (Cosy.horror.corner) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little cosy paranormal mystery. While an interesting premise where a girl giving ghost tours can see and speak to ghosts -. It didn’t quite hit the spot for me as it was slow and boring at times. The main character Lou was difficult to relate or engage with, with a preoccupation on mundane thoughts. However for those that enjoy a quaint mystery with paranormal elements, this could be up your alley.

I received a free copy of the arc from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

#HauntingandHomicide #NetGalley is the first in a new series by Amber Camp.
Tallulah "Lou" is a bit of a paranormal expert, after all, she has been communicating with ghosts for years.
While trying to create her own unique haunted walking tour, Lou finds herself mixed up in a murder investigation, and this ghost is anxious to talk!
I like this storyline so far, I'm looking forward to reading more in this new series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Sheila Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really very good! This is the first book by Ava Burke that I've ever read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next in this series to be available at my library. Totally worth the time to read.