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Spirit of the Law #1
The Ghost Wears A Badge
Shelby Wolfe doesn’t believe in ghosts, but the one who asks her to solve his murder doesn’t care.
River towns—even ones named Goose Lick—have their charm. For recently divorced Shelby, Goose Lick also has extended family, which is just what she needs. It also has an old police station/former hotel for sale cheap, and Shelby knows all about rehabbing old buildings. But when the former and now deceased police chief appears with his claims of murder, she realizes she’s gotten more than she bargained for.
The chief died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the town is evenly divided on whether it was an accident or suicide. The chief insists it was neither, but it seems dead people don’t have access to all the answers. Shelby agrees to investigate his death in the hope that if she finds them for him, he’ll move on.
She soon finds that river towns have more than charm, family, and cheap old buildings. They also have secrets. And some people will kill to keep them.
River towns—even ones named Goose Lick—have their charm. For recently divorced Shelby, Goose Lick also has extended family, which is just what she needs. It also has an old police station/former hotel for sale cheap, and Shelby knows all about rehabbing old buildings. But when the former and now deceased police chief appears with his claims of murder, she realizes she’s gotten more than she bargained for.
The chief died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the town is evenly divided on whether it was an accident or suicide. The chief insists it was neither, but it seems dead people don’t have access to all the answers. Shelby agrees to investigate his death in the hope that if she finds them for him, he’ll move on.
She soon finds that river towns have more than charm, family, and cheap old buildings. They also have secrets. And some people will kill to keep them.
- GenresFiction
Audible Audio
First published May 21, 2022
40 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Lolli Powell
16 books383 followersI'm retired from the nine-to-five life and live with my husband and two cats on private land inside Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. (The handsome dog with me in the picture went to the Great Dog Park in the Sky March 1, and we miss him a lot!)
I have loved fiction since before I could read (Mom said I made up stories based on the pictures in books). Now that I no longer have the excuse of not enough time, I'm fulfilling my lifelong dream of writing novels.
Over the years, I've paid the bills by being a dancer, a bartender, a police officer, a registered nurse and a technical writer. Now I'm drawing on that life experience and my two English degrees to create stories I enjoy writing and hope readers will enjoy reading.
My Top Shelf cozy mystery series is set in a small fictitious town on the Ohio River halfway between Indiana and the West Virginia border. There are currently six books in the series: The Body on the Barstool, Whiskey Kills, Name Your Poison, Double Shot, Bottoms Up, and On the Rocks. The Top Shelf series features Ricki Fontaine, a New Yorker who moves to small-town Ohio after inheriting a dive bar from her black sheep uncle.
I have two books, The Ghost Wears A Badge and Dead Men Don't Retire, in my Spirit of the Law cozy series. Dead End, the third book in the series, should be out late 2025.
I've also published a contemporary romance, The Boy Next Door, and a standalone romantic suspense novel, The Wrong Kind of Man. I have two books, Death Notice and Undercover in my Kisses and Killers Thriller series. My novella, The Gift, is a holiday romance with a hint of the paranormal.
I also write grittier mysteries and thrillers under the name Laurel Heidtman.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I have loved fiction since before I could read (Mom said I made up stories based on the pictures in books). Now that I no longer have the excuse of not enough time, I'm fulfilling my lifelong dream of writing novels.
Over the years, I've paid the bills by being a dancer, a bartender, a police officer, a registered nurse and a technical writer. Now I'm drawing on that life experience and my two English degrees to create stories I enjoy writing and hope readers will enjoy reading.
My Top Shelf cozy mystery series is set in a small fictitious town on the Ohio River halfway between Indiana and the West Virginia border. There are currently six books in the series: The Body on the Barstool, Whiskey Kills, Name Your Poison, Double Shot, Bottoms Up, and On the Rocks. The Top Shelf series features Ricki Fontaine, a New Yorker who moves to small-town Ohio after inheriting a dive bar from her black sheep uncle.
I have two books, The Ghost Wears A Badge and Dead Men Don't Retire, in my Spirit of the Law cozy series. Dead End, the third book in the series, should be out late 2025.
I've also published a contemporary romance, The Boy Next Door, and a standalone romantic suspense novel, The Wrong Kind of Man. I have two books, Death Notice and Undercover in my Kisses and Killers Thriller series. My novella, The Gift, is a holiday romance with a hint of the paranormal.
I also write grittier mysteries and thrillers under the name Laurel Heidtman.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 8, 2024
Wonderful Surprise
I’m a fan of Lolli Powell so when I discovered book one of the Spirit of the Law I dove in and what a wonderful story it is. House flipper Shelby, newly divorced, has purchased an old building in a small town where some of her relatives live. The building had once been a hotel and then the police station, complete with jail cells in the basement. As she works at restoring it she meets the ghost of the dead x-chief of police and his dog. He wants help finding out who killed him. Getting over her shock that ghost are real, and she can see and hear them, Shelby puts on the journalist’s hat she hasn’t worn in a long time and dives into researching ‘her story’. We get to met lots of the town folk, the handsome ones, the smarmy ones, the frightened ones. This is a great story, with lots of interwoven storylines, and well written. Highly recommend.
I’m a fan of Lolli Powell so when I discovered book one of the Spirit of the Law I dove in and what a wonderful story it is. House flipper Shelby, newly divorced, has purchased an old building in a small town where some of her relatives live. The building had once been a hotel and then the police station, complete with jail cells in the basement. As she works at restoring it she meets the ghost of the dead x-chief of police and his dog. He wants help finding out who killed him. Getting over her shock that ghost are real, and she can see and hear them, Shelby puts on the journalist’s hat she hasn’t worn in a long time and dives into researching ‘her story’. We get to met lots of the town folk, the handsome ones, the smarmy ones, the frightened ones. This is a great story, with lots of interwoven storylines, and well written. Highly recommend.
February 20, 2023
Shelby encounters Chief Jeb, a ghost, who claims to have been murdered but doesn't know who the murderer is. So, Shelby is tasked to note the potential suspects and solve the case so that Jeb can rest in peace. Some suspects are tougher than others, but with an educational background in journalism, Shelby is able to prove herself a worthy investigator for Jeb's murder. Nonetheless, Shelby will find the investigation will not be so quickly solved. The story is very descriptive and plot-driven, as readers follow quirky and likeable Shelby.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
May 31, 2023
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
The chief died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the town is evenly divided on whether it was an accident or suicide. The chief insists it was neither, but it seems dead people don’t have access to all the answers. Shelby agrees to investigate his death in the hope that if she finds them for him, he’ll move on.
This is an awesome cozy mystery. The culprit was the best friend of the sheriff.
I borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
The chief died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the town is evenly divided on whether it was an accident or suicide. The chief insists it was neither, but it seems dead people don’t have access to all the answers. Shelby agrees to investigate his death in the hope that if she finds them for him, he’ll move on.
This is an awesome cozy mystery. The culprit was the best friend of the sheriff.
I borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
April 12, 2023
Great
Wonderful first book of a paranormal cozy mystery. Characters are well written, location adds to the story line. Like the author giving backstory information on characters and crimes. Storyline is intriguing, so much so read entire book in one sitting. Can't wait to read the next. Hope this is a long series.
Wonderful first book of a paranormal cozy mystery. Characters are well written, location adds to the story line. Like the author giving backstory information on characters and crimes. Storyline is intriguing, so much so read entire book in one sitting. Can't wait to read the next. Hope this is a long series.
November 12, 2023
It's a very good book. Shelby has just moved to Goose Lick, where her cousins live, and bought the old police station. She didn't realize it came with the old police chief. This was an easy to read, hard to put down book. I laughed a lot, and I love the Aunties. Will be reading more from this author.
August 3, 2024
I received this book as a freebie in return for an honest review.
Enjoyed reading this story. The heroine, Shelby, has discovered that she has a talent she didn't know existed until she started renovating the old police station. She was starting over after divorcing her husband and moved to a small town where her cousin and best friend lived.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Enjoyed reading this story. The heroine, Shelby, has discovered that she has a talent she didn't know existed until she started renovating the old police station. She was starting over after divorcing her husband and moved to a small town where her cousin and best friend lived.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
August 13, 2024
You can't go wrong with a Lolli Powell mystery--well written and keeps you guessing. When the main character, Shelby, moves into an old police station, she finds herself living with the ghost of a past police chief whose death she aims to solve.
Even though she's sworn off men, there's a hint of an attraction to one or two men in her life.
Even though she's sworn off men, there's a hint of an attraction to one or two men in her life.
June 28, 2022
Absolutely frigging awesome book! The story is really a page turner! The characters are extremely well written and relatable. I loved it and can't wait to read more about them and this wonderful town!! I highly recommend this book! ;)
October 29, 2022
Good story
I found this book by accident & decided to check it out & boy am I glad I did it was such a great story. I sure hope there will be a second book. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys paranormal stories it was definitely worth the read.
I found this book by accident & decided to check it out & boy am I glad I did it was such a great story. I sure hope there will be a second book. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys paranormal stories it was definitely worth the read.
March 13, 2023
Wonderful Characters
Hello, Lolli Powell. I'm so glad I found you. I absolutely loved my first Lolli Powell book, The Ghost Wears a Badge! The characters are so wonderful; very diverse and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend.
Hello, Lolli Powell. I'm so glad I found you. I absolutely loved my first Lolli Powell book, The Ghost Wears a Badge! The characters are so wonderful; very diverse and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend.
April 13, 2023
This is a very enjoyable book from start to finish. The characters are likable and I was cheering them on all the way. I love that, unlike many cozy mysteries, I honestly had no idea who the killer was, and was very surprised at the twist at the end.
March 9, 2024
Death comes.in many ways
A murder or is.it? Leads to many questions along the Way to closing out a 15 year old cold case and the cheifs.wish to find out what really happened to him and.Bullet.
A murder or is.it? Leads to many questions along the Way to closing out a 15 year old cold case and the cheifs.wish to find out what really happened to him and.Bullet.
September 2, 2022
I enjoyed this charming and fun mystery. I like the characters and the plot. The plot kept me guessing. I ei be reading the second book in the series when it is released.
November 25, 2022
This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author. Thoroughly enjoyable characters. Hope there is a follow up to this book.
April 23, 2023
Excellent. 5 Stars because I didn't figure it out before the end.
Great characters, great storyline.
Great characters, great storyline.
May 3, 2023
DNF. I could only deal with so much of repetitive, “I don’t believe in ghosts.”
December 23, 2023
who killed Ali Hall and Jebadiah Carpenter and why??? Jealousy??? Thank you, Jeb, for protecting her!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
April 19, 2024
I couldn't put it down. I really appreciate the book
March 16, 2025
entertaining and enjoyable
March 25, 2025
A cute story about getting help from a ghost who was a police chief and his ghost pet dog to solve a mystery murder.
March 26, 2025
Good first book
Enjoyable. with interesting characters, I do get tired with the one girl, two guys storyline. It's old and not that interesting.
Enjoyable. with interesting characters, I do get tired with the one girl, two guys storyline. It's old and not that interesting.
June 26, 2022
New to me author, I will be looking for more. Great laugh out loud original characters. Kept my interest from page one. I hope there will be many more in the series.
September 5, 2023
I loved this story! The mystery was very well done and not easy to figure out. The mystery and outcome were quite believable and hints were there, but there were enough red herrings that I didn’t guess.
The ghosts were well done and likable, and the living and non-breathing characters well developed. I enjoyed the descriptions of the area and looked it up on Google Maps. I was surprised to find Mary Ingles Hwy.
I would consider the story clean with no foul language or sex although there was some innuendo, it was very mild and not anything I would find objectionable. And I don’t object to giving someone the finger.
Lastly, there was humor and witty dialogue. Altogether, it made for a very entertaining story.
The ghosts were well done and likable, and the living and non-breathing characters well developed. I enjoyed the descriptions of the area and looked it up on Google Maps. I was surprised to find Mary Ingles Hwy.
I would consider the story clean with no foul language or sex although there was some innuendo, it was very mild and not anything I would find objectionable. And I don’t object to giving someone the finger.
Lastly, there was humor and witty dialogue. Altogether, it made for a very entertaining story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews