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Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery
A retired detective. A haunted coastal town. And a grandmother's dark secret that refuses to stay buried.
The Moonhaven Mysteries, Book 1
After thirty years as a homicide detective, Sam Blackwood thought she'd seen it all. But nothing prepared her for the phone call at 3 a.m.—or the waterlogged letter from her dead grandmother warning her about blood debts, dangerous families, and a lighthouse that holds secrets older than the town itself.
Returning to Moonhaven, Maine—the place she swore she'd never see again—Sam finds a once-quiet fishing village transformed into a paranormal tourist trap. Ghost walks. Crystal shops. And beneath the circus, something far more sinister.
Eleanor Blackwood didn't die peacefully. Sam is sure of it.
As she digs into her grandmother's past, Sam uncovers a hidden room beneath the lighthouse, a century-old murder cover-up, and a legacy of magic running through her own blood. The town's most powerful families will do anything to keep their secrets buried. The spirits of Moonhaven have other plans.
With her detective instincts and abilities she never knew she had, Sam must solve a mystery that spans three centuries—before the truth claims another Blackwood.
Death at Moonhaven Light is the first book in The Moonhaven Mysteries—a paranormal cozy mystery series perfect for fans of haunted small towns, reluctant witches, and cold cases that refuse to stay cold.
🔍 If you love Aunt Dimity, Ellery Adams, or Amanda M. Lee, you'll love this series.
Buy now and discover why some mysteries require more than just detective work.
The Moonhaven Mysteries, Book 1
After thirty years as a homicide detective, Sam Blackwood thought she'd seen it all. But nothing prepared her for the phone call at 3 a.m.—or the waterlogged letter from her dead grandmother warning her about blood debts, dangerous families, and a lighthouse that holds secrets older than the town itself.
Returning to Moonhaven, Maine—the place she swore she'd never see again—Sam finds a once-quiet fishing village transformed into a paranormal tourist trap. Ghost walks. Crystal shops. And beneath the circus, something far more sinister.
Eleanor Blackwood didn't die peacefully. Sam is sure of it.
As she digs into her grandmother's past, Sam uncovers a hidden room beneath the lighthouse, a century-old murder cover-up, and a legacy of magic running through her own blood. The town's most powerful families will do anything to keep their secrets buried. The spirits of Moonhaven have other plans.
With her detective instincts and abilities she never knew she had, Sam must solve a mystery that spans three centuries—before the truth claims another Blackwood.
Death at Moonhaven Light is the first book in The Moonhaven Mysteries—a paranormal cozy mystery series perfect for fans of haunted small towns, reluctant witches, and cold cases that refuse to stay cold.
🔍 If you love Aunt Dimity, Ellery Adams, or Amanda M. Lee, you'll love this series.
Buy now and discover why some mysteries require more than just detective work.
- GenresParanormalMystery
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 7, 2026
NOTE TO SELF:
An impressive collection of books in no time at all. I don't think even Brandon Sanderson can write that fast. * sarcasm*
I wonder if the AI slaving away in the background gets any credit for its work? Poor thing.
Oh look: the author is asking reviewers to edit his AI slop. 🙄🙄🤮
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Date: 7 June 2026
An impressive collection of books in no time at all. I don't think even Brandon Sanderson can write that fast. * sarcasm*
I wonder if the AI slaving away in the background gets any credit for its work? Poor thing.
Oh look: the author is asking reviewers to edit his AI slop. 🙄🙄🤮
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Date: 7 June 2026
April 19, 2026
Not very well written
Many inconsistencies. Timelines wrong. Too many mistakes to read another of this author's book. Don't waste your time or mine.
Many inconsistencies. Timelines wrong. Too many mistakes to read another of this author's book. Don't waste your time or mine.
June 9, 2026
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A retired homicide detective turned writer, with mild writer's black inherits an old house in rural Maine. There's a ghost, and a lighthouse that seems downright Lovecraftian, and the usual small town secrets.
I'm not big on paranormal cozies, but this one is better than most.
A retired homicide detective turned writer, with mild writer's black inherits an old house in rural Maine. There's a ghost, and a lighthouse that seems downright Lovecraftian, and the usual small town secrets.
I'm not big on paranormal cozies, but this one is better than most.
May 3, 2026
Detective/Writer/Witch
All I can say is that you have to read this and be sucked into a mystery that will keep your interest to the last page. Great story line, interesting characters and a fascination to read the next book in the series.
All I can say is that you have to read this and be sucked into a mystery that will keep your interest to the last page. Great story line, interesting characters and a fascination to read the next book in the series.
April 17, 2026
Exceedingly Enjoyable
A wonderful first book, a mystery, magic, old money and danger. Well crafted with people I want to know and I would love a cinnamon roll please. I am so ready for book 2.
A wonderful first book, a mystery, magic, old money and danger. Well crafted with people I want to know and I would love a cinnamon roll please. I am so ready for book 2.
April 22, 2026
Death at Moonhaven Light
This story kept me invested. It reads differently from other cozy paranormal books. I enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to book 2.
This story kept me invested. It reads differently from other cozy paranormal books. I enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to book 2.
April 2, 2026
Great story!
When I saw the book and decided to give it a try, I didn’t expect much.
But I was totally wrong! The story line, the characterizations were all extremely well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
When I saw the book and decided to give it a try, I didn’t expect much.
But I was totally wrong! The story line, the characterizations were all extremely well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
April 6, 2026
I enjoyed the book but there were mistakes that change the book. SPOILER ALERT Chapter 24 Sam had just shot Mark. He had begun the breaking ritual spell and then stopped when he was shot. Chapter 25 says that Mark hadn't started the breaking ritual spell. So, is this a choose your own ending type book? Sam lunges forward to grab the page. Instead of shooting Mark, he gets the gun away from her. I still liked the book. I just wonder which chapter was correct? Was he shot or was he just hurt. The book ended with Mark having killed Owen Pierce and going to jail for it and other crimes. Maybe it was an earlier version.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It reminds me of those simple old-timey mysteries, but with the paranormal thrown in at the forefront.
I realize that this is book number 1 in the series and was written some time ago, but there are some sentences that could use editing. I hope that this author will take another stab at editing the book. Though few, the issues actually made me have to go back and reread a sentence or two prior. For instance, closer to the beginning of the book author states that Sam was in the kitchen and realized it grew cold and it was after midnight. A sentence later, author states that she went to bed at midnight. So there are a couple things like that. They're not detrimental to the story, but disrupts the flow for a few seconds. Despite that, it is a really good story, with nicely paced progression and believable characters, plus this book has all the elements for the lovers of paranormal mystery. I can only Imagine that the other books will get better with both story and writing technique. I'm going to continue reading the series.
I realize that this is book number 1 in the series and was written some time ago, but there are some sentences that could use editing. I hope that this author will take another stab at editing the book. Though few, the issues actually made me have to go back and reread a sentence or two prior. For instance, closer to the beginning of the book author states that Sam was in the kitchen and realized it grew cold and it was after midnight. A sentence later, author states that she went to bed at midnight. So there are a couple things like that. They're not detrimental to the story, but disrupts the flow for a few seconds. Despite that, it is a really good story, with nicely paced progression and believable characters, plus this book has all the elements for the lovers of paranormal mystery. I can only Imagine that the other books will get better with both story and writing technique. I'm going to continue reading the series.
June 4, 2026
ai;dr.
AI detector result: AI-generated.
AI detector result: AI-generated.
June 14, 2026
Good story, but many major jnconsistencies. Like the author had developed two different scenarios and left both in.
April 9, 2026
Acquired Kindle edition when offered free on Amazon.
I finished two chapters and set it aside because there were too many errors.
Not really spoilers because this is all in only the first two chapters.
The book opens with the main character, Sam Blackwood, receiving a call at 3:00 a.m. to tell her that her grandmother has just died. Why the grandmother's lawyer is calling at 3:00 a.m. isn't explained, and Sam doesn't seem surprised at this. Nor does she seem particularly surprised when the lawyer informs her she is her grandmother's sole beneficiary, inheritor of the grandmother's home in Moonhaven, along the coast of Maine. The lawyer tells her he will be sending a packet to her "the next day." The packet duly arrives at 2:00 p.m. the following day, with mysterious contents. Three hours later, Sam leaves Portland -- Portland, Maine, not Portland, Oregon -- to drive three and a half hours up the coast.
It was already getting dark when the Ford rolled out of Portland,
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 10). Independent. Kindle Edition.
So she's leaving at approximately 5:00 p.m. and it's already getting dark. Best estimate then is that the season is either October or February, but nothing is specifically stated at that point.
After three and a half hours of driving, one would expect that at 8:30 p.m. full dark had fallen.
Sam rolled into Moonhaven at dusk,
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 11). Independent. Kindle Edition.
What???
Moonhaven is described as
. . . [A] quiet, slightly lost fishing village where people knew their place and the only tourists were the ones who got lost on their way to Bar Harbor.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 11). Independent. Kindle Edition.
According to Google, the drive from Portland to Bar Harbor is right around three hours, yet according to this book it takes longer to get to Moonhaven "on the way to Bar Harbor." Does not compute.
There's another reference to the time of day being dusk on page 13, as Sam is driving through town and being able to see all kinds of details of the buildings and signs and so on. When she reaches Cliff Road on her way to the house, the trees form a tunnel which seems out of sync with either October or February, when they'd be leafless. On page 14 there's another reference to dusk and the trees forming a tunnel.
Sam reaches the house.
She opened the door. Cold rushed in—not ordinary Maine February cold.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 14). Independent. Kindle Edition.
So there's confirmation that the opening of the book at least takes place in February. Northern Maine in February is cold and snowy, and especially cold at night. This description doesn't suggest extraordinary cold, and there's no mention of snow at all, not even on the ground from previous weather.
But the main thing -- pun intended -- is that Sam has opened the door.
Owen Pierce then arrives, another character, and there is a conversation between him and Sam, after which
“Thanks,” Sam said, but didn’t move toward the house. She waited for him to leave first.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 16). Independent. Kindle Edition.
If she's already opened the door, how can she be far enough away from the house to not move toward it? Schrodinger's Retired Detective?
But at the end of Chapter Two, this happens:
Sam reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys that had come in Ellison’s envelope. Time to go inside.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 17). Independent. Kindle Edition.
Inconsistency after inconsistency.
And then there's Sam herself. She's a retired detective with thirty years on the police force. But . . .
Thirty years since she’d left Moonhaven at eighteen, swearing she’d never go back.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 6). Independent. Kindle Edition.
Does this mean she became a police detective immediately upon joining the force at age eighteen? And now at age 48 she's able to retire?
This many errors in so few pages does not bode well. I'm not going to waste any more time on it. The story might have been interesting, but it's hard to tell with all these errors. A decent editor might have helped.
I finished two chapters and set it aside because there were too many errors.
Not really spoilers because this is all in only the first two chapters.
The book opens with the main character, Sam Blackwood, receiving a call at 3:00 a.m. to tell her that her grandmother has just died. Why the grandmother's lawyer is calling at 3:00 a.m. isn't explained, and Sam doesn't seem surprised at this. Nor does she seem particularly surprised when the lawyer informs her she is her grandmother's sole beneficiary, inheritor of the grandmother's home in Moonhaven, along the coast of Maine. The lawyer tells her he will be sending a packet to her "the next day." The packet duly arrives at 2:00 p.m. the following day, with mysterious contents. Three hours later, Sam leaves Portland -- Portland, Maine, not Portland, Oregon -- to drive three and a half hours up the coast.
It was already getting dark when the Ford rolled out of Portland,
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 10). Independent. Kindle Edition.
So she's leaving at approximately 5:00 p.m. and it's already getting dark. Best estimate then is that the season is either October or February, but nothing is specifically stated at that point.
After three and a half hours of driving, one would expect that at 8:30 p.m. full dark had fallen.
Sam rolled into Moonhaven at dusk,
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 11). Independent. Kindle Edition.
What???
Moonhaven is described as
. . . [A] quiet, slightly lost fishing village where people knew their place and the only tourists were the ones who got lost on their way to Bar Harbor.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 11). Independent. Kindle Edition.
According to Google, the drive from Portland to Bar Harbor is right around three hours, yet according to this book it takes longer to get to Moonhaven "on the way to Bar Harbor." Does not compute.
There's another reference to the time of day being dusk on page 13, as Sam is driving through town and being able to see all kinds of details of the buildings and signs and so on. When she reaches Cliff Road on her way to the house, the trees form a tunnel which seems out of sync with either October or February, when they'd be leafless. On page 14 there's another reference to dusk and the trees forming a tunnel.
Sam reaches the house.
She opened the door. Cold rushed in—not ordinary Maine February cold.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 14). Independent. Kindle Edition.
So there's confirmation that the opening of the book at least takes place in February. Northern Maine in February is cold and snowy, and especially cold at night. This description doesn't suggest extraordinary cold, and there's no mention of snow at all, not even on the ground from previous weather.
But the main thing -- pun intended -- is that Sam has opened the door.
Owen Pierce then arrives, another character, and there is a conversation between him and Sam, after which
“Thanks,” Sam said, but didn’t move toward the house. She waited for him to leave first.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 16). Independent. Kindle Edition.
If she's already opened the door, how can she be far enough away from the house to not move toward it? Schrodinger's Retired Detective?
But at the end of Chapter Two, this happens:
Sam reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys that had come in Ellison’s envelope. Time to go inside.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 17). Independent. Kindle Edition.
Inconsistency after inconsistency.
And then there's Sam herself. She's a retired detective with thirty years on the police force. But . . .
Thirty years since she’d left Moonhaven at eighteen, swearing she’d never go back.
Van, K.S.. Death at Moonhaven Light: A Retired Detective Paranormal Cozy Mystery (The Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1) (p. 6). Independent. Kindle Edition.
Does this mean she became a police detective immediately upon joining the force at age eighteen? And now at age 48 she's able to retire?
This many errors in so few pages does not bode well. I'm not going to waste any more time on it. The story might have been interesting, but it's hard to tell with all these errors. A decent editor might have helped.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews