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Paranormal Realtor Cozy Mysteries #3
The Game of Homes
When Realtor Vylette West takes on a new listing at Lighthouse Bay, she expects a quick sale, not a murder scene. But when the owner’s ex-husband, a notorious gamer and troublemaker, turns up dead with a note saying Game Over, Vylette realizes someone else is holding the controller in this deadly competition.
Ronnie Brass had been playing more than just video games. Between his secret stash of stolen Nintendo prototypes, mysterious sticky notes, and a shady online group, it seems he was at the center of a dangerous game — and someone decided to Switch him off for good.
With her haunted manor whispering warnings, its cantankerous resident captain ghost chasing off visitors, a sarcastic raven delivering unsolicited commentary, and her eccentric aunt trying to “cleanse the bad vibes,” Vylette must figure out who killed Ronnie before the next player loses their life.
In Driftwood Cove, every house has its secrets — and someone’s always playing for keeps.
A clean and funny cozy mystery.
Ronnie Brass had been playing more than just video games. Between his secret stash of stolen Nintendo prototypes, mysterious sticky notes, and a shady online group, it seems he was at the center of a dangerous game — and someone decided to Switch him off for good.
With her haunted manor whispering warnings, its cantankerous resident captain ghost chasing off visitors, a sarcastic raven delivering unsolicited commentary, and her eccentric aunt trying to “cleanse the bad vibes,” Vylette must figure out who killed Ronnie before the next player loses their life.
In Driftwood Cove, every house has its secrets — and someone’s always playing for keeps.
A clean and funny cozy mystery.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
About the author
Eva Onyx
49 books13 followersEva Onyx writes paranormal cozy mysteries and cozy mysteries set in the neighboring seaside towns of Driftwood Cove and Lighthouse Bay, where ghosts drop in uninvited, the locals know everyone’s business, and there’s always one more suspect than there should be.
Her series include the Paranormal Realtor Cozy Mysteries, about a realtor who can see the dead; the Daisy Sullivan Retirement Home Mysteries, where the residents solve crimes on red scooters; and the Lighthouse Bay Antique Bookstore Mysteries. Characters wander between the series, so readers often bump into old friends.
When she isn’t plotting murders, Eva is happiest with family, a good book and a pot of herbal tea.
Her series include the Paranormal Realtor Cozy Mysteries, about a realtor who can see the dead; the Daisy Sullivan Retirement Home Mysteries, where the residents solve crimes on red scooters; and the Lighthouse Bay Antique Bookstore Mysteries. Characters wander between the series, so readers often bump into old friends.
When she isn’t plotting murders, Eva is happiest with family, a good book and a pot of herbal tea.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 14, 2026
This was a comfort read because we get to return to a familiar cast and town, but it wasn't the strongest book in the series for me.
Two things immediately worked against it. First, a large part of the plot revolves around modding game systems and cable boxes, which just wasn't very interesting to me. Second, Kevin is back. I never felt there was any real chance of him getting back together with Vylette, but he's still a slimeball and I didn't enjoy his presence.
I enjoy the ghost element of this series, but they barely appeared this time outside of the rescue near the end. The Captain is still around, but his constant concern over protecting Vylette's virtue is starting to wear thin. They're sitting on a porch together and he still acts as if it's scandalous behavior.
I also found myself questioning the timeline. Owen misses enough school that I kept wondering how his mother wasn't facing truancy issues. Maybe that would have slipped by years ago, but today schools send warnings long before absences reach that point. The book left me unsure whether I was supposed to view the setting through modern expectations or as something closer to the late 1980s or early 1990s. (Not counting the Captain's much earlier time period, of course.)
Despite my complaints, it was still a pleasant read, and I'll definitely continue the series.
Two things immediately worked against it. First, a large part of the plot revolves around modding game systems and cable boxes, which just wasn't very interesting to me. Second, Kevin is back. I never felt there was any real chance of him getting back together with Vylette, but he's still a slimeball and I didn't enjoy his presence.
I enjoy the ghost element of this series, but they barely appeared this time outside of the rescue near the end. The Captain is still around, but his constant concern over protecting Vylette's virtue is starting to wear thin. They're sitting on a porch together and he still acts as if it's scandalous behavior.
I also found myself questioning the timeline. Owen misses enough school that I kept wondering how his mother wasn't facing truancy issues. Maybe that would have slipped by years ago, but today schools send warnings long before absences reach that point. The book left me unsure whether I was supposed to view the setting through modern expectations or as something closer to the late 1980s or early 1990s. (Not counting the Captain's much earlier time period, of course.)
Despite my complaints, it was still a pleasant read, and I'll definitely continue the series.
August 2, 2026
📝 Story Review: So this third installment in the series was a little different… instead of Vylette the Realtor listing a haunted house, she got the listing BEFORE the murder took place. This one had plenty of drama in it as her ex-bf showed up and got involved, and the homicide had a variety of sketchy suspects and Vylette got herself in a serious pickle towards the end.
Overall I enjoyed this one, although with this being a clear cut homicide (unlike the first two books where it was ruled accidental and later turned out different) I was surprised by the fact that you still really only saw the one cop in this story and that he was encouraging the amateur sleuthing and even sharing classified things about the murder. It seemed a little sloppy considering this was an open investigation and not an old closed case thought to be accidental. 🤷🏼♀️ Now onto book 4!
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Series: Paranormal Realtor Cozy Mysteries, Book 3
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
Tropes 👇
- Amateur Sleuthing
- Small Coastal Town
- Ghostly Hauntings
- A Talkative Raven
- A Talkative Ghostly Sea Captain
- Realtor Disputes
- Exclusive Gaming Equipment
- Gaming & Gambling
- Piracy/Espionage
- Homicide Investigation
CW’s 👇
- An Ex that doesn’t know the meaning of NO
- Mention of marital infidelity
- Mention of Divorce
Overall I enjoyed this one, although with this being a clear cut homicide (unlike the first two books where it was ruled accidental and later turned out different) I was surprised by the fact that you still really only saw the one cop in this story and that he was encouraging the amateur sleuthing and even sharing classified things about the murder. It seemed a little sloppy considering this was an open investigation and not an old closed case thought to be accidental. 🤷🏼♀️ Now onto book 4!
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Series: Paranormal Realtor Cozy Mysteries, Book 3
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
Tropes 👇
- Amateur Sleuthing
- Small Coastal Town
- Ghostly Hauntings
- A Talkative Raven
- A Talkative Ghostly Sea Captain
- Realtor Disputes
- Exclusive Gaming Equipment
- Gaming & Gambling
- Piracy/Espionage
- Homicide Investigation
CW’s 👇
- An Ex that doesn’t know the meaning of NO
- Mention of marital infidelity
- Mention of Divorce
October 2, 2026
Game of homes
I like that the ghost is not a main character. I like that Kevin is gone for what I hope is forever. I hope the relationship with Jack continues but at a sloooow pace.
I like that the ghost is not a main character. I like that Kevin is gone for what I hope is forever. I hope the relationship with Jack continues but at a sloooow pace.
May 10, 2026
Loved this book and series
July 11, 2026
Laughed out loud!
These books are so easy to read. Great writing, equally great characters, really good murders, and I love the paranormal fun.
These books are so easy to read. Great writing, equally great characters, really good murders, and I love the paranormal fun.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews