Death and the Ghost of Pelican Shores: A Pelican Shores (Spooky but Not-So-Scary) Cozy Mystery (Book 8)

by Bessie Barr

A full moon. A haunted dinner crawl. One too many missing neighbors.

Finn Dockrey thought Halloween in Pelican Shores meant cider shooters, caramel apples, and a night off from sleuthing. But when a lawn scarecrow turns out to be a corpse and dinner guests start vanishing mid-course, the beach fog rolling into the neighborhood feels a little too ominous.

Finn’s no stranger to chaos. The artist and café co-owner has a knack for unraveling mysteries. And a soft spot for the town’s quirky suspects. Alongside her boon-docking best friend, Birdie, a clue-sniffing golden retriever named Beau, and Queen Bean the judgmental cat, Finn finds herself knee-deep in rumors of vampires, old ghost stories, and all the creepiness the Neighborhood Haunted Crawl has to offer.

Could the culprit be Ruth and Robert Kuhl, the eccentric, jewel-dripping German neighbors? Or Count Dimitrie and his aloof (and suspiciously absent) wife, Violeta, whose garlic avoidance has tongues wagging?

As whispers swirl and alibis fray, even the friendliest neighbors start eyeing each other with suspicion.

The fog thickens as more guests vanish, and Finn must uncover the truth—before the old ghost story turns deadly.


EXTRA INFORMATION FOR YOU,

Pelican Shores Cozy Mysteries are perfect for fans of Deany Ray, Jana DeLeon, Gemma Halliday, Jasmine Webb, Josi Avari and old-school Nancy Drew and Agatha ChristieAUTHOR Bessie Barr Books can be read in any order and are free from profanity, graphic descriptions of violence, and explicit bedroom activities.Check out the cute maps at the front of the book and the recipes at the back!NOT a paranormal novel.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"Another great novel from my new favorite author!" L. Turner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"A creative and fun and SPOOKY read that steers clear of paranormal! Love it!" F. May

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"How does Bessie Barr come up with such fun stories? I LOVE this book!" J.D. Smith

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2025

Reviews

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in Bessie Barr series that I have read and written a review for her. She still has a great sense of humor with her writing, so you get to laugh a lot about what her characters are up to. Her main character Finn Dockrey and her partners in the Sandy Brews are going on a Halloween haunted dinner crawl in the Pelican Shores estate but as the night goes on people start to disappear until half the group is missing and everyone who is left start to look for the missing people. But it is every hard to check for people as the fog is so thick that they can’t see very far in front of themselves. It doesn't help that at the first house they find a dead man in the year. And everyone keeps talking about a ghost shows up on full moon nights which just happens to be this evening. Finn does not believe in ghost but there are enough people who keep talking about it and they all keep seeing someone just on the other side of dunes, but no one know who it could be. Finn is going to prove that there is not ghost just someone out there. There are lots of twist and turns for everyone to think about and they find out that the dead person was not dead just passed out. There are lots of funny things happening even Finn’s boyfriend Pace must agree that it is hard to tell what is true and what is not. But the story will keep you entertained right from the start. Enjoy the story and can’t wait to see what happens next in Pelican Cove.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween and a full moon . . .

Finn Dockery and her partners are all looking forward to Pelican Shores annual Neighborhood Haunted Crawl, but what starts as fun and laughs with dinner and drinks turns deadly when a lawn scarecrow turns out to be a corpse. Finn has made it clear that she does not believe in vampires, ghosts, or those other things that go bump in the night. However, when their friends start disappearing, and a glowing apparition is seen running on the beach Finn, Birdie, Beau, and Queen Bean with the help of Detective Pace Stringfellow will have a very spooky mystery to solve.
I absolutely adore these characters, they are always so very well written, and the way they have evolved throughout this series always keeps me engaged in their stories. Funny Halloween hijinks, and a surprising twist or two in the plot, a little bit of sweet and clean romance and a few somewhat weird neighbors made this book impossible to put down. I loved this book and recommend it to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Book Sprout.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, well-written book. It is perfect for those who like whodunits with quirky characters and a lot of Halloween. Finn Dockrey is totally relatable and witty. This book has a little bit of everything. The disappearance of dinner guests increases the suspense, and the foggy atmosphere adds an extra layer of tension, making the mystery more engaging. The cast of lovable, eccentric characters, along with the vivid descriptions and clever dialogue, adds so much to this book. The book was a quick read because I couldn’t put it down, with the twists and turns, and a great balance of spooky elements and lighthearted charm. The Halloween backdrop is perfectly executed, with cider shooters, caramel apples, and a touch of supernatural intrigue. I can’t wait for the next Pelican Shores book because this one was great.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, spooky-but-not-too-spooky read!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in the Pelican Shores Mystery series and it is a great addition to the series. In this one, Finn, her best friend, Birdie, Finn's clue finding, smart, golden retriever, Beau, and Birdie's sassy cat, Queen Bean are looking forward to a fun evening during the annual Pelican Shores Neighborhood Haunted Crawl. But the fun is short lived when one of the scarecrows turns out to be a dead man. Add to that, their friends start to disappear and Finn keeps telling everyone, the ghost stories and vampire stories are rumors. With the help of Detective Pace Stringfellow, Finn, Birdie, Beau and Queen Bee have their hands full trying to solve this case and bring a murderer to justice before there are more murders. Not only do I highly recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Jenny Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lions, Tigers and...Vampires??? It's Halloween in Pelican Shores, and rumors that the new neighbors are vampires abound! Finn, Birdie, Beau, and Queen Bean find themselves wrapped up in another death. While participating in the Neighborhood Haunted Crawl, they're keeping their eyes and ears open to try to find out who killed the Scarecrow. As they progress from house to house, their friends are slowly disappearing, and the Ghost of Pelican Shores is out to get them all!

I love this series! The characters come to life on the page, and you won't be able to stop with just one book! I wish I could visit everyone at Pelican Shores - well, maybe not the murderers!! If you haven't read any of this series, what are you waiting for - jump right in with this book and then you can go back and read the rest.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
Series, I have not read any of the prior books
Antecdotal thoughts while reading
Maps, people, it has a map! For those who have a reading challenge/bingo board asking for a map.
Cozy mystery = my kind of mystery
costume party/progressive dinner "Haunted Crawl" on Halloween night complete with a full moon
I am intrigued by the Van Gogh Starry Night consume idea. In my head I'm seeing more Ms. Frizzle dress. Teacher brain I know!
Hum..."murder boards or suspect lists or poisoned pies."
Finn and Birdie, BFFs, but also maybe police? Detectives? Busy bodies?
Maze ✔️ Soup that "smells like printer paper mixed with regret." 😆 Cellar ✔️
What is happening at the Dimitrie residence? Was this a group collaboration of scares to give? Are there vampires among us?
WTF....apples????
Queen Bean finds the secret?!
Tory's invention...uummmm
Is David a 🧛‍♂️? Dan a 🧛‍♂️?

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn, Birdie, and the gang are embarking on the Halloween Crawl, a themed Progressive Dinner Party, along with the animals in costume --- which Queen Bean is not too happy about. At their first stop, a scarecrow decoration looks a little too life like, and is found to be a dead man.
Pace allows the Crawl to continue after he questions a few people, since he thinks the man died of natural causes. The salad course of the Crawl is at the Vasilescus, who many of the Pelican Shores residents believe to be vampires.
Emmalee is the first to disappear. Then, more and more people go missing.
What happened to them? Where did they go?
This is a fast paced and fun read.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and the Ghost of Pelican Shores is a an Excellent story about Finn and her clever dog Beau, Birdie and her beautiful special cat Queen Bean. They all wear costumes and go on a Halloween Haunted Crawl with Finn's boyfriend Inspector Pace Stringfellow and at the first stop a Scarecrow is discovered dead. Inspector Pace Stringfellow begins the investigation. They continue along the Crawl which is very spooky but during the event at other stops some other people go missing. So Finn & Birdie with their pets start to investigate. There are many surprising events throughout the story especially at the end.
Superb story and series I highly recommend that you read as I enjoyed it very much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween is all about candy, drinking specialty cocktails, caramel apples, and most importantly for Finn, a respite from sleuthing. But that went out the window as soon as it was discovered that one of the scarecrows on the lawn was a body. Yikes! Finn is off to find out what happened with bestie Birdie, loyal pooch Beau, and of course we can't forget Queen Bean the cat who judges a lot. Is it a townsperson? A visitor? So many suspects and so many secrets that want to remain hidden. Absolutely fantastic characters and I loved the progression of the story. I felt like I was right there with them. Thrilling mystery right up to the end. Couldn't put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern day Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie all in one, but with Finn Dockery, Beau, Queen Bean, the handsome Pace, and bestie Birdie at the helm of it all. Bessie Barr has a way with words. Death and the Ghost of Pelican Shores is the perfect Halloween mystery with disappearing characters, a scarecrow that turned out to be a real corpse, vampires, and ghost oh my, and some of the towns eccentric suspects all mixed in the pot. This is a fun and totally Halloween appropriate mystery. I don't know how she does it, but Bessie Barr's Pelican Shores books are one of my favorite Vices. Loved this one and the cover is super adorable. Way to go!!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween means it's time for the Neighborhood Haunted Crawl in Pelican Shores. This year things are a little different when a lawn scarecrow turns out to be a real corpse and dinner guests start disappearing during dinner! Finn, her best friend Birdie, her golden retriever Beau, and her cat Queen Bean are up to their necks in the creepiness of the situation. Amidst the ghost stories and rumors of vampires, there's a bunch of quirky suspects. Can Finn get to the bottom of all this Halloween chaos before someone else dies? Perfect read for a cool autumn evening! I really enjoyed this book!

[Tylar Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Halloween brings a Haunted Food Crawl through the town of Pelican Shores mystery isn't far behind. A body is found at the first stop and along the way others go missing at various stops making it go from Halloween fun to Halloween horror. Add in ghostly sightings and rumors of vampires nothing is what it seems. This was a fun and suspenseful Halloween story, perfect for the season. Finn and Birdie join forces to find the missing friends and solve the mystery. But questions still remain, will definitely read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gotten so behind on my books and I'm sad because this is one of the series I been looking forward to reading more of. It's so funny. The cast of characters are a perfect fit to each other. They are a blast to read. The mystery is this was so fun. And the way it left off?? I hope there will be more to this story. Birdie is still a favorite. I love her personality so much. And who couldn't love Beau & Bean. I can't wait to get caught up so I can dive into some more of this series! Highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires and Ghosts aren’t real, are they?

What a fun Halloween story as Finn, Birdie, Pace and others from Pelican Shores engage in a Neighborhood Haunted Crawl. And we mustn’t forget Beau and Queen Bean as well because they play an important part in the adventure too. Most importantly, we get to sit in the golf cart along with Finn and Birdie, Queen Bean and Beau as they search for their missing friends and finally solve the mystery. Bessie Barr truly does have a gift in cozy mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly good, not-so-scary, Halloween cozy mystery. Fin and Birdie are at it again along with their pets, Beau and Queen Bean. They are on a neighborhood haunted house tour and think that there is a death body. A lot of fog and spooky things have everyone rattled. There are ghosts and vampires and mysterious happenings. Finn and Birdie along with Finn's boyfriend Detective Stringfellow, brave it all to solve the case.

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine attending a progressive dinner where the participants begin to disappear. If you live in Pelican Shores, you would be used to this type of thing happening, and you would know that one of your neighbors is behind it all. No ghosts, no vampires, just innocent party games and neighbors doing what they do to scare each other during the spooky season.

I received this book free from the author, publisher, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read one of Bessie's books, especially this series, I remember why I follow her. I so enjoyed this not murder, cozy mystery. This is Halloween, and the whole group is going from house to house for a wonderful multi-course meal, Halloween style. But as they progress, people go missing? And is this neighbor a vampire? Or is that the legendary Pelican Shores Ghost? Great read, and great fun.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween is the perfect time for a haunted food crawl and when a body turns up and people go missing and rumours of vampires in the neighbourhood this is anything but an ordinary event. Finn, Bertie and their furry friends team up to solve these mysteries. This is a fun filled cozy mystery that is perfect for the occasion and one that will keep you entertained. You won’t want to miss this one!
Cherie

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This cozy mystery is the perfect book to read for Halloween. As always the people of Pelican Shores are an eclectic mix that will make you smile and feel like a great neighbourhood. The storyline will keep you guessing throughout. A wonderful book to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Loving Pelican Shores and Finn and the gang during Halloween. All kinds of weird stuff is going on and they have to figure out who killed the scarecrow, where the missing people go and all the weird neighbors. So good. You don't want to miss this one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and the Ghost of Pelican Shores: Spooky but not so scary book 8 of a Pelican Shores Cozy Myste

A progressive dinner for Halloween costumes required. Two new couples in the neighborhood are part of this and one could be a vampire couple. Then there is the ghost tale, and a few participants go missing. A very fitting Halloween tale with a surprising ending.

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery.

This is a well-written mystery. I laughed out loud several times. Finn and her friends are on a haunted crawl. When people start disappearing , Finn and her friends look for them. The atmosphere is spooky but not scary. I recommend this to those who like humorous , spooky mysteries.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate Ms. Barr's unique story lines, and this book is no different. I can't wait to read the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Birdie are on a unique case where a scarecrow was an actual murder. This mystery is full of supernatural episodes that keeps you captivated . I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

great cozy myster

So this is about a HOA town in Texas. They have a Halloween Progressive Dinner and people start to vanish. Was it vampires, ghosts, secret wine rooms?

Clean humorous with an adorable cat and dog.

And just wait until the ending:)

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best series

Just love Finn and all her friends and foes. Pelican Shores sounds like a fun place to live. Love reading everything about them. Nobody kills? off people better. Can't wait to see who's next.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single book I read in this series just gets better and better. The writing is phenomenal as always. And that ending was *chef’s kiss*. Such a good story. You can tell care was put into the story and characters. I highly recommend this book, and all the others in the series.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely spooky story - I read it in one sitting - and it'd be great for Halloween. Lots of suspense and humour, I loved it.

[Cathy Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, spooky Halloween story. A dead body, fog, old ghost stories, rumors of scary things. Good characters, love Beau, the dog. Will Finn solve the mystery before more bad things happen? Good book.