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Lin Coffin #1

A Haunted Murder

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This is book 1 in the Lin Coffin Mystery series.
After the death of her grandfather, Lin Coffin returns to the island of her birth, Nantucket, Massachusetts, to make a new start in life, but things don't begin smoothly. After not seeing one for twenty years, a ghost appears in her back yard and her cousin, Viv, becomes a suspect in a murder. Lin and Viv, with the help of several others, work to solve the crime before the killer strikes again.
This story has ghosts and some mild paranormal elements.
About 190 pages in length in paperback format.

In The Lin Coffin Mystery series:
1. A Haunted Murder
2. A Haunted Disappearance.- Coming soon !
Thank you for reading !

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2015

905 people are currently reading
616 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Whiting

168 books319 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.

For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.

Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor

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5 stars
1,078 (49%)
4 stars
704 (32%)
3 stars
315 (14%)
2 stars
74 (3%)
1 star
12 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
Profile Image for John.
2,154 reviews196 followers
November 5, 2016
(Disclaimer: review copy provided by the author)

As someone very familiar with Nantucket, I was interested in the setting authenticity, which I found a bit lacking: mention of cobblestone streets and whaling port history was something one could have gotten off a cursory internet glance. Honestly, I didn't get the impression that the cousins had much of an island background at all. I came away feeling that the story could've just as easily been set at say, Mystic or Kennebunkport. But, that's me; most folks have never been there, so shouldn't be as much of an issue for them.

I cut slack for the first book in a series as they're usually more about the set up than the mystery angle itself. I will say the characters were easily distinguished, rather than stock, and the plotting was decent in terms of propelling the action along. Lin's cousin was perhaps the weakest as she came across as a tad ... wimpy to me. I'm not a dog person, but was fond of Lin's sidekick Nicky (could be the artwork there though). I appreciated the resolution quite a lot, and after reading a review that said the second book is stronger, I'm open to trying another.

Narration fit the story overall, although at times I felt the "local" accent sounded almost as though it more Tidewater Virginia than New England (then again, they were settled at the same time).

Profile Image for JoAn.
2,459 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2021
A Haunted Murder was an enjoyable cozy mystery with likable characters, a lovely setting of Nantucket, a few twists and ghosts to help the MC solve the mystery.
Profile Image for Nancy Haddock.
Author 8 books419 followers
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September 1, 2017
Four stars

I liked the setting, the mood, and the characters. The author used phrases that distanced me from the characters which briefly had me distracted. Otherwise enjoyable . BTW, my star selection wasn't working today .
Profile Image for Julie.
2,004 reviews630 followers
July 6, 2016
I'm a sucker for a good ghost story. This first book in the Lin Coffin Mystery series was a fun, spooky read.

The basics: Lin Coffin returns to Nantucket, MA after her grandfather dies and she inherits his house. She is excited to return to her hometown, and to live near her cousin, Viv, again. But, almost immediately, her life is turned upside down. As a child, Lin saw ghosts. Long ago she decided to block ghosts out of her life, and learned ways to stop seeing them. After not encountering a ghost for 20 years, suddenly when she returns to Nantucket, she starts seeing spirits again. As if that wasn't bad enough, soon her cousin Viv is a murder suspect. It seems the ghosts are trying to tell her something. Lin is running out of time. She needs to solve the murder and discover what the ghosts want before someone else dies.

As with most cozies, this is a light mystery. The ghostly, spooky elements didn't interrupt the mystery plot, but blended into it pretty well. Character development is light, but that's a given for cozy mysteries. For those who love murder mysteries and ghost stories, this series is perfect. It would be a great vacation or beach read....or a great book to pick up when you just want to relax and enjoy a story.

There are 4 books in the Lin Coffin Mystery series. J.A. Whiting also writes the Sweet Cove Mysteries, and the Olivia Miller Mystery series.

I enjoyed this book! The main character is funny and determined. The identity of the murderer was a bit obvious, but it didn't ruin the book. The ghost portion of the plot was spooky and interesting. I like Whiting's writing style, and found it easy to lose myself in the story. There were a couple of editing issues (like changes in voice here and there), but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story.

I definitely plan to read the rest of this series. I loved being able to lose myself in a spooky cozy mystery for an afternoon. I want to read the Sweet Cove series as well.
Profile Image for Arlene.
504 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2017
cute and sweet

Lin, Viv,s cat and a dog... Meddling where they do and don't belong... Ghosts and villains abound.. Treasure and new friends were to be found.
Profile Image for Imjussayin.
561 reviews11 followers
October 23, 2017
A Haunted Murder: A Lin Coffin Mystery 1

In A Nutshell: Greg Hammond, a treasure hunter, is pressuring Viv to sell her home. When he dies suddenly, murdered, Viv is a suspect. Lin, her cousin, and recent resident of Nantucket is 'sort of' investigating his death. She does have the advantage of seeing ghosts. It's a somewhat somber mystery set in Massachusetts.

The paranormal aspect is interesting. The mystery is decent enough, but none of the characters, not even the ghosts jump out at me. However, it is the first in a new series. So, I look forward to some colour in the next installments.

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Book Rating

Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one or reread ?: Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
1,047 reviews5 followers
March 13, 2017
Lin Coffin inherits her grandfather's house in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and decides to pack up and move there, acquiring a gardening business to supplement her work-from-home IT gig. This gives her quite a bit of time to roam the island, as any cozy mystery lead needs to do. She and her cousin, Viv, uncover a mystery when the man trying to cajole Viv into selling her home ends up dead before they figure out why he was so adamant about buying Viv's house when his business was going under. Lin and Viv try and make sense of it all, all while Lin readjusts to seeing ghosts, an ability she's been able to suppress since childhood.

Very short, so not much time for character development, but there's a foundation here. I imagine the rest of the series will build on this. Would like to hear more "local" descriptions. Nantucket is a great place, and rather underrepresented in the descriptions here.
Profile Image for Pooja  Banga.
839 reviews98 followers
December 15, 2018
Thankgod it got over..
I think author has written many good books but according to me this book was somewhat bad..
I won't say I hated the book I would rather say I disliked the story..
There was no development of characters .. Everything was going at a very fast pace..
At one time story of ghosts and another murder ..
I think there was no formation of story ..
I haven't read many of books of the author maybe that's why I m bit disappointed..
What I get from the story isAfter the death of her grandfather, Lin Coffin returns to the island of her birth, Nantucket, Massachusetts, to make a new start in life, but things don't begin smoothly. After not seeing one for twenty years, a ghost appears in her back yard and her cousin, Viv, becomes a suspect in a murder. Lin and Viv, with the help of several others, work to solve the crime before the killer strikes again.
This story has ghosts and some mild paranormal elements.
Some may have liked the book but I think I somewhat disliked it...
Profile Image for Tari.
3,636 reviews103 followers
July 2, 2019
This book had been on my TBR since the very first day I started madly making a TBR on Goodreads. I really enjoyed it a lot and love the idea of two cousins living in the same town. At least Lin's cousin Viv gets that she can see ghosts and doesn't make fun of her for it like the kids did when Lin was little. After the murder of a man who was obsessed with cousin Viv's house, Lin started investigating to help her cousin and found out she had a couple of kindred spirits who could also see ghosts. For once in her life, she didn't feel so alone.

The book was a quick and fun read. I had a good idea of who the perp was and the fun was seeing that person get taken down. Even the pets had a hand er paw in the showdown. Lin had hit it off well with her handsome carpenter Jeff who built her little doggie door for her, and now I'm interested in reading more in the series to see what other adventures Lin, her friends and her ghost friends will get into.
3,068 reviews13 followers
February 23, 2021
“A Haunted Murder” is a cosy mystery that is slightly less than it could have been. There is no character development and a couple of holes in the plotting that are hard to just gloss over.
I'd like to think that as the first in a series it is setting the scene for better books to come.
Considering the ending, which was the biggest surprise any of those involved had ever experienced, the lack of excitement was startling.
Lin Coffin has just moved back to Nantucket. As a child she used to see ghosts, now they are back and mostly uncommunicative.
Her cousin, Viv, is under suspicion in the murder of a man who wanted to buy her house – is there something about the house that Lin and Viv don't know?
Through historical research Lin uncovers a tangled tale of witchcraft, piracy and bank robbery.
It's a likeable book in a lot of ways but doesn't have the depth or clarity of planning that would let it shine in a crowded market.
271 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2023
Lin, Carolin, Coffin returns to live on Nantucket in her grandfather's house. She bought a landscaping business & will do some computer work part time for her prior employer. Dog, Nicky.
She is a descendant from Coffin's and Witchard's original settlers of Nantucket.
Helped shelter women accused of witchcraft.
Viv, her cousin owns a bookstore, Cat, Queenie. Boyfriend, John Clayton, a realtor, lives on his boat.
Jeff Whitney, carpenter, puts in doggie door and starts dating Lin.
Friends, Libby Hartnett and Anton Wilson.
Greg Hammond, landscaper, murdered on his boat wanted to buy Viv's house.
Leonard, his employee helped determine it was:
the manager, Bill Ward who had been stealing money with his wife's help as bookkeeper

A Key was found inside wall of Viv's house near fireplace.
Box found in storeroom - necklace, maps and other items that Viv is donating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
370 reviews19 followers
March 7, 2024
This cozy mystery has been sitting in my TBR pile and I decided it was time to read it. A Haunted Murder is a cute story featuring two sisters, one of whom can see ghosts. Although she had not seen any since childhood, ghosts once again start appearing to help her solve a local murder – and clear her sister’s name in the process.

This is a quick and easy book for anyone who does not have a lot of spare time and simply wants to read something fun. Pet owners will also be enchanted by the dog who is a part of this story.

Although the ghosts and some of the townspeople try to help provide clues, these hints are often misinterpreted. However, the killer is eventually apprehended.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,436 reviews
June 21, 2017
This was a pretty good book. Lin Coffin has moved to Nantucket to start a lawncare business. She has always been a little "different" because she has the ability to see ghosts. She quickly establishes a client list and settles in. Her cousin, Viv, tells her that a man has been stalking her and wants her to sell him her house. Viv becomes a quick suspect when the strange man is found stabbed to death. This begins Lin's quest to find out what has happened. She doesn't know why she is seeing the ghosts of a man and woman from the 1800's? The book is a quick read, not deep but enjoyable.
Profile Image for Judy.
50 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2019
I have always loved Mysteries but I was surprised at myself as to how much I enjoyed this book that also included ghost. It was a fun mystery exciting full of surprises. I loved it. After reading it I found out this is the 10th book in a series. I was happy to hear that because I loved it and went directly and bought book 1 and now I'm reading book 2. I intend to read the whole series looking forward to it. If you like Mysteries with a little romance and a little ghost thrown in here and there you'll love this series of books. I am in my late 70s so I like late reading and that's what these are. Very enjoyable.
550 reviews5 followers
February 12, 2018
This book was so similar to another I had just finished reading. the MC saw ghosts, could potentially communicate with them and was really close to her cousin. The similarities however ended there.

This book didnt feel like a cosy mystery, a lot went into weaving the background and the rich history, creating the backdrop for the characters. I gave the higher rating for all the historical references and details in the book which I loved, I am hoping the characters get a little crisper in the next book.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 14, 2018
The ghosts have a task for her, shame they can't tell her what it is.

Good start to new series. After the death of her grandfather, she has decided to come home. What she didn't expect was her gift of seeing ghosts resurfacing. A ghost in the backyard, a murder and her closest family being under suspicion. Can she come not only to understanding her gift but also to clearing her cousin. Okay the characters are a bit flat and the plot could do with a bit of tightening but all in all a good solid read. The author's work gets better with subsequent works but nevertheless I enjoyed this.
640 reviews11 followers
March 3, 2024
After the death of her grandfather, Lin Coffin returns to the island where she was born. She is hoping for a new start. Unfortunately, things don't start well when a murder occurs, and her cousin becomes a suspect. Lin decides to investigate.

I loved getting to know Lin and was excited about her ability to see ghosts. It was also fun to get to know the secondary characters and learn about Lin's family history. The killer was not one I guessed right away. I also enjoyed that there was some romance included. I am definitely looking forward to enjoying more books in this series.
241 reviews
May 19, 2017
Ghosts, Bank Robbers, and Pirate Treasure

Lin could see ghosts as a child, but learned to block them. Back home, she begins to see them again. Family history explains who she sees, but not why. Is it the bank robber he was finely found not guilty of or the pirate treasure that is rumored to be in the family from hiding witches during the witch trials? Most important
What caused the murder of a treasure hunter who wanted her cousin's house?
Profile Image for Ruth Kivela.
2 reviews
August 27, 2017
Surprisingly I really enjoyed this book.

OK, I usually love mysteries. I always love any involving the East Coast, being a displaced Mainer, and of course there is a special place in my heart for Nantucket and Cape Cod, so choosing this book was a no-brainer. That being said: I also have my own reluctance about ghosts.
So I guess I'll just pick up the second book in the series right now.
J A Whiting has captured my interest....
Join me, the Author writes a good book.
Profile Image for Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman.
284 reviews9 followers
January 7, 2018
A Haunted Murder is the first in the Lin Coffin Series and did a great job establishing the background stories of what I expect will be the main characters. The story itself had just enough twists and turns to keep me thinking and guessing most of the way through. I did realize who the killer was though almost as soon as he was introduced. Nice foreshadowing in terms of relationships, back story, and why Lin and Viv's family is so important. An easy read.
5 reviews
May 22, 2017
Decent little book

I did not expect much from this book, but was pleasantly surprised. I liked the setting, and though the mystery was not earth shattering, it held my interest. Writing was decent and flowed nicely. Editing was good which was a very pleasant surprise. Will read more by this author.
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Eichelroth.
7 reviews
July 24, 2017
This is the 1st Book in the Lin Coffin series by J.A. Whiting. Her stories take place on the East Coast. This was an interesting and entertaining read. It has the supernatural aspects in this story. I'm starting the second book which has supernatural events. Can't wait to see what happens in this book. There are 5 books in this series so far and I will be reading them all.
164 reviews
September 25, 2017
Paranormal mystery

I have read J A Whiting's Sweet Cove mysteries with great enjoyment, so I am delighted to discover the Lin Coffin series. Well written, interesting mystery, sweet characters, a lovely setting, and a touch of paranormal activity. A perfect combination for a great cozy experience.
647 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2019
Very fast read

This reads like the early work of a talented author. But unfortunately one that should have been saved in a drawer and not published. It doesn't feel like real events from real people's lives. But I read the whole thing, which I never do if the book is bad. There is promise here. But that promise is not fulfilled by this particular book
Profile Image for Robin Resch.
651 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2019
I see dead people

A very nice quick read. Liked the characters. Wasn't too thrilled with the ending, but I understand the "feel" good and not "greedy" part of the ending. Hopefully the characters don't suffer any money hardships. That is one of my issues when characters give away something worth A lot of money then later complain about the lack of it.
Profile Image for Sandra Lopez.
Author 3 books348 followers
February 18, 2020
Lin Coffin could see spirits ever since she was a child. The last time she saw one when she was nine. But then she stopped because she was tired of people looking at her like a freak.

Twenty years later, Lin is hoping for a fresh start in a New England town.

The whole thing was kinda slow for me. Not a good mystery or read.
Profile Image for Noone.
830 reviews15 followers
May 1, 2020
This book is so clicheé it's not even funny.
It's not actually bad. There are no severe flaws or problems.
It just works straight through the most stereotypical light paranormal mystery plot ever conceived.
If you are not familiar with the genre and its stereotypes this probably is a pretty good book.
For me tho it was an eye-rolling contest.
56 reviews
December 20, 2020
An enjoyable new series for me

I've read other books by this author but this is a new series for me. I really enjoyed this introductory book. Lin returns to Nantucket And reunite with her cousin. Murder answers and new relationship begins. I actually enjoyed the paranormal elements and recommend The book. I'm ready to enjoy #2.
Profile Image for Susan Clark.
548 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2023
Great Story

Do you like ghost stories and murder mysteries? This is the perfect book for you. I appreciated the setting. The main characters are believable and easy to get to know and to like. Best part was that I was able to read the whole book in an afternoon. Sorr, housework. 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews

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