The Haunted Hydrangea: A Marissa Caldwell Investigates Mystery - Book Two

A Marissa Caldwell Investigates Mystery #2

by Marie Christina

Some houses keep their secrets buried. Others bloom with them.

When a Victorian-themed wedding weekend at the Bluebell Bay Bed-and-Breakfast ends with a bride collapsing during a séance, Marissa Caldwell finds herself caught in a tangle of ghost stories, grieving families, and a town swirling with scandal. What was supposed to be a weekend of tea sandwiches and velvet caftans turns deadly—and the hydrangeas outside the B&B are blooming colors no one can explain.

With whispers of poison, paranormal phenomena, and a century-old mystery echoing through Cape Miramar, Marissa must rely on her friends (and her corgi Biscuit’s impeccable instincts) to untangle truth from superstition. Was the séance truly a channel to the other side—or a perfect cover for murder?

In a town where even the gardens remember, secrets have a way of blossoming when you least expect them…

If you

- Charming small-town mysteries with a touch of the supernatural
- Cozy bed-and-breakfast settings filled with colorful characters
- Sleuthing with a side of tea, delicious baked goods, and sharp intuition
- Ghostly secrets tangled with present-day crimes
- Loyal corgis who always know when trouble’s near

Then cozy up with The Haunted Hydrangea—Book Two in the Marissa Caldwell Investigates mystery series!

Perfect for fans of Leighann Dobbs, Ellery Adams, and Alice Hoffman’s lighter magical tales.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. I would classify this as a paranormal cozy mystery book. It is also part of the series A Marissa Caldwell Investigatives Mystery. When the soon to be bride Brielle dies at the B&B Marissa and her friends decide to investigate. When they find out she was murdered they link it back to the past. Will they find out who murdered the Brielle? Will they finish the investigation Brielle started? Will they get justice not just for Brielle but the women in the past? This book had paranormal aspects to it with them seeing people from the past who are dead. Normally I don’t read paranormal books as I believe in ghost (everyone has a different opinion and that’s okay) but since I read the ARC of the first book I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to read this one. I was worried there would be drama when Marissa’s ex showed up. The one thing I do love is the possible romance between Marissa and Devon. The side characters were different but great. I was shocked when I found out who the killer was and why she did it. Overall, this was a good book.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense starts from the beginning and never stops! A book I could not put down with characters that come alive, except for one. A bride to be, her friends, her mom and fiance' have come to Bluebell Bay Bed & Breakfast for a seance to be held specifically in the Hydrangea Sun room. Everything is set and it starts, so far so good, until the bride, Briell spasms and falls onto the table, dead. Was it spirit based? Did someone slip in unnoticed and murdered and left? What was the story of the aunt she was trying to reach out to? Marissa and friends have much to uncover, especially why the dry hydrangea heads are now showing a deep purple petals where there was no color yesterday?

[Meredith Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this fun murder mystery with some paranormal undertones. It was such a fantastic read for someone who grew up loving mystery books. It is the second book in the Marissa Caldwell series and inspired me enough to go back and read book one. I think I would absolutely love to visit a place like the Blue Bell Bed and Breakfast. Ramona and Cheryl are lovable and eccentric. Devon is the mysterious and quiet handyman and groundskeeper. The crew along with Marissa try to help solve a murder while keeping their B&B going. I definitely recommend this book I was able to read as an ARC. All opinions are mine.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable paranormal mystery, the first I read in this series. Well done, as there's plenty of potential I'm sure I will read the next
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[amanda bedwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Marie has written a hauntingly magnificent murder mystery all wrapped up in the characters that are part of the B&B. With a calmness and homely feeling you feel part of the family that lives there helping solve the mysteries that are part of the bluebell bed and Breakfast.

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Marissa Caldwell Investigatives Mystery.

When the soon to be bride Brielle dies at the B&B. Marissa and her friends decide to investigate in this slow burn cozy paranormal mystery book. It a fun suspense filled story from the very start.

Will they find out who murdered the Brielle?

[Sav · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review, thankyou to the author for this opportunity.

i loved this story, i couldn't have guessed the ending in a 100 years. And that's what i want when reading a mystery.

Ramona was my favorite character in this story.
it's just a bit of a shame that i can't visit Bluebell for myself, it sounds like a very cozy place. The exact kindof place I'd feel at home



edit**4.5⭐️