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Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: A Standalone Paranormal Cozy Mystery
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2026
About the author
Christine Pope
222 books1,097 followersA native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 16, 2026
Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun hooked me almost immediately. Phoebe Finch restores historic homes for a living—and happens to be clairvoyant, a combination that worked just fine until admitting that a client's house had a supernatural presence damaged her professional reputation. Looking for a fresh start, she buys an old house sight unseen on Whidbey Island. Naturally, it comes with a ghost.
Lanny died at eighteen in what was supposedly a drunken accident, but he insists someone hit him over the head. The problem? He can't remember exactly what happened. I loved the relationship between Phoebe and Lanny, especially the very funny reality of sharing your home with a teenage boy who will now be eighteen forever.
The supporting characters are equally enjoyable. Talia quickly becomes the kind of friend Phoebe needs, Theo from the Heritage Center provides a sweet, low-spice romantic storyline, and Amaranth Hawthorne—wellness spa owner and woman far too fond of beige—creates plenty of trouble when she decides Phoebe is bringing “negative energy” to the community.
The mystery moves quickly, the paranormal elements are woven naturally into the story, and I was completely invested in both finding out what really happened to Lanny and watching Phoebe begin building a new life.
My only gripe? It's a standalone. I became invested in Phoebe and Theo, and I absolutely would have followed them into another book—or five. Luckily, Christine Pope has so many other great stories to tell!
Fast-moving, funny, cozy, romantic without being overly spicy, and thoroughly entertaining. Five stars from me.
Lanny died at eighteen in what was supposedly a drunken accident, but he insists someone hit him over the head. The problem? He can't remember exactly what happened. I loved the relationship between Phoebe and Lanny, especially the very funny reality of sharing your home with a teenage boy who will now be eighteen forever.
The supporting characters are equally enjoyable. Talia quickly becomes the kind of friend Phoebe needs, Theo from the Heritage Center provides a sweet, low-spice romantic storyline, and Amaranth Hawthorne—wellness spa owner and woman far too fond of beige—creates plenty of trouble when she decides Phoebe is bringing “negative energy” to the community.
The mystery moves quickly, the paranormal elements are woven naturally into the story, and I was completely invested in both finding out what really happened to Lanny and watching Phoebe begin building a new life.
My only gripe? It's a standalone. I became invested in Phoebe and Theo, and I absolutely would have followed them into another book—or five. Luckily, Christine Pope has so many other great stories to tell!
Fast-moving, funny, cozy, romantic without being overly spicy, and thoroughly entertaining. Five stars from me.
September 18, 2026
A cozy ghost story in the Pacific Northwest
Phoebe Finch buys the Seabrook Guesthouse in Madrona Cove on Whidbey Island, to make it her new home. She sees and feels things that most normal people don't, and soon detects another inhabitant: Lanny Olsen, a perpetually eighteen-year-old ghost, stuck in 1988, and a victim of murder. Amaranth Hawthorne AKA Stacy Baker, owner of Heron House, triggers a warning vibe, and indeed, does her best to undermine Phoebe. Nolan Gable seems guilty of, or hiding, something. Theo Lindgren in the Heritage Center is friendly, helpful, and becomes a romantic interest. Helena Price, owner of Shear Intentions hair salon, is a gossip conduit, passing on whatever she hears, true or false, makes no difference. Phoebe doesn’t give up trying to find the truth of Lanny’s murder and is eventually successful with a heart-warming ending as everyone gets what they deserve.
Phoebe Finch buys the Seabrook Guesthouse in Madrona Cove on Whidbey Island, to make it her new home. She sees and feels things that most normal people don't, and soon detects another inhabitant: Lanny Olsen, a perpetually eighteen-year-old ghost, stuck in 1988, and a victim of murder. Amaranth Hawthorne AKA Stacy Baker, owner of Heron House, triggers a warning vibe, and indeed, does her best to undermine Phoebe. Nolan Gable seems guilty of, or hiding, something. Theo Lindgren in the Heritage Center is friendly, helpful, and becomes a romantic interest. Helena Price, owner of Shear Intentions hair salon, is a gossip conduit, passing on whatever she hears, true or false, makes no difference. Phoebe doesn’t give up trying to find the truth of Lanny’s murder and is eventually successful with a heart-warming ending as everyone gets what they deserve.
September 24, 2026
Old houses and secrets.
Phoebe needs a change and buys the old b & b, with th idea to restor it to its best.
Lanny a ghost in the b & b wants abswers to his death and believes Phoebe can help.
The village is a wonderful place, full of beauty and secrets.
There will be joy and anger in it before long.
An excellent read for all lovers of the supernatual world.
Phoebe needs a change and buys the old b & b, with th idea to restor it to its best.
Lanny a ghost in the b & b wants abswers to his death and believes Phoebe can help.
The village is a wonderful place, full of beauty and secrets.
There will be joy and anger in it before long.
An excellent read for all lovers of the supernatual world.
October 4, 2026
Great story
I totally enjoyed this book. Not my usual kind of read but it had the kind of plot that kept me enthralled till the end. The protagonist was someone I truly would have liked to have met in person.
I totally enjoyed this book. Not my usual kind of read but it had the kind of plot that kept me enthralled till the end. The protagonist was someone I truly would have liked to have met in person.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an amazing book! I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews