TGIF used to mean happy hour drinks or curling up with delivery pizza. But when you live in an inn for paranormal beings, the end of the week often signals the beginning of chaos.
And this Friday? A banshee has invaded the basement, I’ve shifted from human to cat three times in one day (a personal record I never wanted to set), and my confidential files at SPA headquarters have mysteriously vanished.
Getting rid of the shrieking banshee is priority number one, and all we have to do is solve a local murder.
Easy enough, right?
The suspect pool quickly narrows to four grieving family members, but it doesn’t take long for the waters to muddy as secrets and resentments bubble to the surface.
Between vengeful spirits, family feuds, and my own mysterious past catching up with me, surviving until Monday is looking less likely by the hour.
Maybe I’d be better off as a full-time cat after all.
This book is part of a fun, quick-witted paranormal mystery series that has wonderful characters and great plots! The setting is unique as it is a town and Inn that caters to the paranormal community, so you get witches, warlocks, ghosts, familiars, shifters, vampires and so much more. The mystery is well written and keeps you engaged as you follow the clues to find the answer to the mystery. The audiobook narration is fantastic and really brings the story to life with the conveyance of emotions and action as well as bringing unique personalities to life. I would classify this as a cozy mystery so if you like a good cozy with a paranormal twist then I would recommend you start with book one and read or listen you way through to this one as each book builds the characters backgrounds a bit more with each story. Add in the hours of entertainment you'll get reading or listening your way to this book which is book 4 in the series and this is a winning series for you! The author delightfully weaves humor throughout while still giving you a well plotted mystery. I can't wait to check back into the Inn and see what is up for these characters in the next book!
"Banshees in the Basement (Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries #4)" by Danielle Garrett is a pleasantly cozy paranormal/magical mystery. Don't let the cover fool you. It's cozy, which is what I like and I gave it a chance knowing some of this author's other cozy mystery series already. The book is fairly standalone but it is helpful to know the other books since there's a little history building that may make it more enjoyable m.
This particular book has a Banshee invading the inn's basement because its home is being flooded whenever a new ghost gets upset. The man was a ship captain and lighthouse museum tour guide. Blair gets pulled into helping the new ghost resolve is issues so that he'll at least stop flooding the lighthouse. Turns out he may not have fallen down the lighthouse stairs by accident.
There is more development on what seems to be a cross over between books mystery. Blair's boyfriend and his work partner are concerned someone (a vampire?) is after Blair. Her file with sensitive information about her is stolen and it leads to an ex-agent known for give information to the highest bidder.
Overall, a cute paranormal cozy mystery. There's small touches of romance. Lots of magic and paranormal mentions. I like that Ms. Garrett seems to do her research on banshees to give the one in the book a more historical accuracy rather than create her own version. I will have to go and read the first books in this series now too.
🎧 Listened in audio 📢 Narrated by Amanda Ranconi ⏱ Duration: Approx. 6 hours 🏷️ Publisher: Roots & Wings Press 📅 Published: June 18, 2025 🧙♀️ Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery 📚 Series: Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries #4
Blair just wants clean laundry. That’s it. That’s the dream. Instead, she finds a banshee squatting in the basement, and honestly, if that doesn’t perfectly sum up life at the Magic Inn, I don’t know what does. Danielle Garrett once again proves she has an endless well of creativity. Every book in this series manages to raise the paranormal bar while still feeling grounded, warm, and deeply comforting. From the opening scene in the inn’s haunted basement to the last click of Amanda Ranconi’s narration, the story brims with charm and chaos in equal measure.
There are no shortages of magical beings here, but what really keeps me hooked is the emotional core. These books are packed with love, found family, and a sense of belonging that makes Beechwood Harbour feel like a place you want to live, even with the occasional murder and shrieking spirit. It’s the kind of story where you speed through because you can’t get enough, then immediately regret finishing because now you have to wait for the next one.
And then there’s Amanda Ranconi. Honestly? This narration is the reason I fell hard for audiobooks. Danielle Garrett writes magic, but Amanda Ranconi speaks it. Her range, timing, and emotional nuance bring every character to life so vividly that when the book ends, real life feels a little dull by comparison. I genuinely looked around my house like, “Why am I not in Beechwood Harbour right now?” Found family audiobooks don’t get better than this.
Would I recommend it? Banshees in the Basement is cozy perfection with equal parts mystery, laughter, and heart. The paranormal elements blend so smoothly with the small-town charm that you’ll want to move in. Fans of lighthearted supernatural mysteries and strong, quirky heroines should mark their calendars.
I loved this book. I listened to The Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries series but hadn't realised the author was writing a sort of spin off series. It's set in the same location and features most of the same characters but in this series (well this book anyway) the main character is a shifter cat Blair. I will have to go back to the beginning of the series to find out what I missed, although it's not necessary to enjoy this book as it does work as a without. Its just when a series is as good as thisis I don't want to miss out on the fun and adventure. I love the characters, you know you are in for an entertaining time when witches, shifters, a fairy godmother oh and a banshee all live under one roof. The characters are well developed and like able. The mystery is also very well written to keep you guessing and plays out at a good pace as each clue is discovered. Add in the magic and you have another great series.
When screeching from the basement Blair and the rest of the residents of Beachwood inn are surprised to discover a banshee has moved. She is not moving out until the lighthouse she lived in is dried out and a killer caught. The ex boat captain that works there has been murdered and as he is a magical being when he gets up set the lighthouse floods. At the same time Blair's files are stolen and with her boyfriend afraid she is not safe from the rogue vampires he asks her to help him investigating the murder and at the same it keeps her safe. With the anniversary of the sinking of his boat the family who lost loved ones they don't have far to look for suspects but which one is responsible? I like the narrator. She is one of the really talented one, either that or she is using magic. I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
By far, my favorite author of the year and one of my favorite narrators ever! Whenever I hear Amanda Ronconi is narrating another book, I immediately fan girl and jump right into the story. Danielle is one of my favorite writers (I own several of her books already with my favorite being the Sugar Shack Mysteries) and I've been dying to check out this series!
The story goes like this: a vengeful banshee decided to take over the basement as secret confidential files from SPA have gone MIA. There is a list of suspects but have been narrowed down to 4 family members who seem to be grieving but it doesn't take long for the family feuds to ensure. Find out what happens next in the 4th installment of the Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries
As expected, I absolutely loved this story! The characters are wholesome and relatable, the setting is captivating and mysterious and gives me all the good vibes that I can expect from Danielle's stories. I definitely would love to get a physical copy of this book! Its a must need for me!
I would love to thank Danielle, Amanda, the Publisher, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
Blair is just coming into her powers and settling into life at the inn when she begins to hear sounds coming from the basement… and turns out, it’s a banshee. With the banshee’s home being flooded, Blair discovers that the cause of the flooding is due to a spirit – a spirit who doesn’t remember how he died. Deciding to help solve his murder, Blair quickly narrows down the suspect list, but the more she digs into things, the more secrets begin popping up.
I always love these cozy mysteries written by Danielle Garrett, and this was no exception. While I haven’t read the first ones in the series (didn’t realize it until I started this one that it was a completely different series than the one I read), it wasn’t hard to pick up from context the main plot points that help carry the story, though I think I would have cared more about certain characters and events if I had actually read the ones before this. I loved the way the mystery unravelled and how she went about using both her own gifts and a ghost cat to solve the murder. Overall this was a fun, super cozy mystery, and I will always recommend any of Garrett’s series as a fun, quick read.
Ahoy there mateys! I requested this book from Tantor Audio because the main character shapeshifts into a cat. I missed the fact that it is the fourth book in a series even though the description made that very clear. Even so, I was easily able to jump into the series. It is fun and cozy. Basically the main character, Blair, is trying to control her magic abilities and deal with the fact that magic exists. She finds out there is a banshee in the basement and it makes a ton of noise. The banshee won't leave because there is a ghost in its lighthouse. The murder has to be solved. This is a popcorn book that was extremely pleasant. I am glad I read it but don't think I will track down the beginning of the series given that my curiosity about shifting into a cat has been dealt with. I do think urban fantasy readers would like this author. She has 9 series to choose from. Arrr!
Side Note: One cool thing on her website says: "If you’re looking to enjoy the full Beechwood Harbor experience, you’ll want to refer to the master reading list which lists all books in all crossover series in chronological order." There are also coloring pages to track which books of hers that ye have read. Nifty.
This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Amanda Ronconi (I seriously love her narrations. Especially when she's working with Danielle Garrett).
Danielle Garret is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Her books are so calming. The story was fun and inventive, a murder mystery set in a magical part of our own modern world, with witches, shape shifters, warlocks and Vampires, and ghostly cats.
The characters are always a little quirky and charming, Blair is fully grown but just now discovering that she's a shape shifting witch with an inability to stop herself from transforming into a cat every time she's startled? I'm sold.
Garrett's worlds are so "positive", and I don't mean there's no darkness, but that the relationships between these people seem so healthy and reaffirming.
They're quite lovely places to find yourself in for a few hours. This was worth the time to read.
Blair McGill is having adventures as she slowly learns the magical world, and finding a banshee in the basement laundry, when she goes downstairs to do some desperately needed laundry likely falls into the crazy category. And that is only a teeny piece of the novel, since the banshee is hiding in the magical inn that is Blair���s temporary home.
The banshee is hiding out in the basement since her preferred space in the town lighthouse is cordoned off as the scene of a ghastly local murder. Since Blair is dating paranormal agent Swann, Blair finds herself assisting him in the case, unexpectedly helping the ghost and uncovering the murderer and the reveal of the murderer is a shocker!
Excellent novel, fast pace action, well written cast of characters and an absolutely worthwhile read
Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ALC.
I've been a fan of Danielle Garrett's books for years, and love the audio books . Amanda Ronconi is one of my favorite narrators, and I love having her read these books. This series (number 4 in the Magic Inn Mysteries) is a branch of a branch of a branch of series, so many of the characters are interconnected and the locations are generally the same, so it's almost like visiting old friends and catching up.
In this one, a banshee appears in the basement of the Inn and Blair, Holly & Harmony investigate a lighthouse where a shifter was killed.
For lovers of cozy mystery series, supernatural / magical themes, shifters and other paranormal beings, and small town mysteries, this will be a joy!
Brandon and Blair investigate the death at the local lighthouse of Capt. Barry Clarke. Five years ago, a couple drowned when his charter boat sank. Every year the family of that couple come to Beechwood Harbor to remember. Contentious and evasive, the family refuses to cooperate. Barry's ghost has a fuzzy memory of his death. His tears flood the lighthouse forcing the banshee in the lighthouse to seek refuge at the Magic Inn's basement. As SPA agent Brandon and Blair search for clues, the time for the suspect cam of to leave draws closer. If they don't find the killer, someone will get away with murder. It's great to be back in Beechwood Harbor. Wish I could live there.
I really like books by this authore and this one was very good.
Amazon synopsis: TGIF used to mean happy hour drinks or curling up with delivery pizza. But when you live in an inn for paranormal beings, the end of the week often signals the beginning of chaos.
And this Friday? A banshee has invaded the basement, I’ve shifted from human to cat three times in one day (a personal record I never wanted to set), and my confidential files at SPA headquarters have mysteriously vanished.
Getting rid of the shrieking banshee is priority number one, and all we have to do is solve a local murder.
Easy enough, right?
The suspect pool quickly narrows to four grieving family members, but it doesn’t take long for the waters to muddy as secrets and resentments bubble to the surface.
Between vengeful spirits, family feuds, and my own mysterious past catching up with me, surviving until Monday is looking less likely by the hour.
Maybe I’d be better off as a full-time cat after all.
The mystery in this one was interesting and well written. I liked the setting of the lighthouse. I was expecting a mention of the belief that a banshee was supposed to be a harbinger of death, but that was never really brought up in the book. I was also glad to see her finally confront somebody from her past that helped give her some answers and help her see how lucky she was to have her Magic Inn "found family."
I was worried that this was going to be the end of the series, but a new book for 2026 is promised, so I have that to look forward to. Since I didn't read the previous series from which this one was spun off, I'm going to start back at the beginning while waiting for the next installment.
🎧 ARC Audiobook Review — Banshees in the Basement by Danielle Garrett ✨
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Garrett, and Tantor Media / Tantor Audio for the ARC audiobook of this chaotic, magical, SO fun read!
This story was honestly such a vibe — quirky characters, a sprinkle of magic, a hint of mystery, and just the right amount of paranormal chaos to keep me hooked. I was smiling the whole way through. 💜✨
And I HAVE to give a shoutout to the narrator… Amanda Ronconi smashed it. She brought every character to life and made the story feel even more addictive. Such a genuinely entertaining performance!
If you’re into magical mysteries, supernatural shenanigans, shifters, banshees, and that cosy paranormal mischief energy, this one needs to be on your audio list. 🔮📚💫
This is a fun story about the challenges of running an inn that occasionally hosts supernatural beings - sometimes the kind that come without making a reservation, like the banshee in the basement (getting rid of which poses a more complicated challenge than you might expect!)
Soothing unhappy spirits, solving murders, and juggling transformations in and out of feline form are all part of the job description when you're in this line of work! So strap in and enjoy the ride... The narrator does an impressive job and this one will surely find its fans.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Danielle has done it again. I listened this book and it was great. It was great to have Holly, Adam and the others in the book again. Holly and Adams children are growing up, and they are so funny. Blair is helping to solve the mystery of why the Banshee is in the basement and the murder along with Holly, and Harmony and her boyfriend Brandon. I like that Blair got to meet her grandmother and get some answers and then the ex-SPA officer putting doubts in Blair's mind and her not trusting Brandon since he never gave her any reason not to trust him. I hope that they get their happy ever after. Love the narrator and the author.
With a banshee showing up in the inn's basement, Blair, Holly, and Harmony go to investigate the lighthouse. A shifter was killed there and Blair offers to help Brandon figure it out. Turns out the family of a couple that died in a boating accident was in town. And there were altercations. To top it off, someone stole parts of Blair's record from the SPA. But the person has information and Blair wants it. She just has to be safe getting it.
A wild ride! Blair gets another piece of her past and solves a murder!
OMG!! It was so good catching up with everyone. I truly love this series. It's a lot fun with a twist of mystery to it. It starts with the Beechwood Habour Magic Mysteries & continues into the Beechwood Harbour Ghost Mysteries. If you love the world of supernatural & magic, you will enjoy this series. The characters are a mismatch of people with a variety of magical powers who help solve crimes. It's for adults so they can believe in fairy tales again. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I absolutely LOVE Danielle’s books and this one did not disappoint. I absolutely adore all these characters and how they are a part of these stories.
This is the fourth book in this spin off series and we follow Blair who is new to the magical world. She is still struggling with her shifting abilities (I forgot what a nuisance Poppy was lol)
This was another phenomenal and fun book where we get to meet new paranormal creatures as well as understanding more about Blair. I can’t wait to read more from Danielle and the magical inn folks!
I was provided a with a copy of this book in audio book format via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The Narration was excellent and very well done it. The Narrator worked really hard to make sure that each character was given their own voice. I was never confused as to who was speaking.
I didn't realise until after I got the book that it was the 4th of a series. But I really loved this book it was soo much fun and the mystery was really well written. This is a perfect rainy day read .
I enjoyed the previous book in this series but was mildly disappointed that we didn't learn more about Blair's background in that book. We still don't know everything (nor surprisingly) but by the end of the book we have made progress on piecing together more of the puzzle of Blair' childhood. The main plot of the book has Blair and her friends trying to solve a mystery to bring closure to a ghost and placate a banshee. The book is very interesting (with lots going on as usual) and I really liked it.
P.S. I read all four of these books as audiobooks, and they're all narrated well.
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I was able to read this book in a day. I usually don't like fantasy novels that have themes like this novel. I was instantly drawn to the cover and I actually really enjoyed this one! Those book has everything from vampires, ghosts, shape shifters, screaming banshees, women turning into cats, etc. Sounds cheesy but I actually enjoyed how it was written and I loved that it was a murder mystery on top of all of that! I would for sure read from this author again.
I love getting to revisit Beechwood Harbor and the gang at the Beachwood Manor. And Blair is an excellent new addition. When a banshee unexpectedly shows up in the basement of the Beachwood Manor, Blair decides to put on her detective hat and find out why the banshee has left her nearby lighthouse haunt. What she discovers instead is that a murder has taken place at the lighthouse. Now Blair finds her herself, along with her SPA agent boyfriend, trying to uncover the murderer and return the banshee to her rightful place
Things like review’s usually ruin the whole book by giving away the plot. I hate that so all I’ll tell you is you will love this book and if you don’t believe me then read it yourself. It has great characters, who get into you heart. The storyline is wonderful with a bit of snark, sadness, laughable lines and some twists and turns. So grab the book and enjoy your time reading it.
I thought it was a good mystery. I figured out who did it but that was my thought to begin with. Sad story for all involved. The fact that the parents chose not to use safety gear was not the Captains fault which is sad. I think he should not have allowed them on the ship if they wouldn't follow guidelines. Anyway it was just sad. Its nice she got to hear from her grandma and got some answers she needed.
I love Danielle Garrett’s books! She knows how to write enjoyable paranormal cozy mysteries. Banshees in the Basement is a cozy mystery for people who both love a Hallmark channel mystery movie and The Good Witch. This book has endearing characters, funny one-liners, and a macro-plot that keeps you invested. I look forward to reading more in this series!
Thank you to Danielle Garrett,Tantor Audio, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book via an advanced listener copy.
I listened to the Audiobook, and Amanda Ronconi did a great job narrating.
This is a cozy little murder mystery, with magic tossed in. It's not to be taken too seriously, and an enjoyable listen for what it is. The side characters were a bit of fun, and Blair, Holly & Harmony were a fun team to solve the mystery with.
This is book 4 of the series, and as I haven't read the others, can confirm it works as a standalone.
Many thanks to Tantor, Danielle, and NetGalley for the ALC.
I really enjoy this series (basically all of the Beechwood Harbor series). I love Amanda’s narration too. I really enjoy these cozy paranormal mysteries as a palate cleanser between books with darker or heavy themes.
Whenever I listen to one of Danielle’s books in winter, I always think of being in my garden because that’s where I’ve listened to 90% of her book, in the spring, summer or fall in the flower beds and gardens. (Michigan here and blizzard going right now).
Love the characters. The book was very entertaining and family oriented. Warmth and love radiated thru the story. I enjoyed all the books very much. Book 4 even make me cry. I can't wait for the next installment in 2026. Is going to be a long wait. Highly recommend it.😀