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Harper Harlow #3

Ghostly Deceits

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Harper Harlow and Jared Monroe are going on vacation. Sort of. The newly minted couple are in a good place, so when Jared asks Whisper Cove’s favorite ghost hunter to go to Harsens Island to visit an old friend and his family, Harper jumps at the chance. Josh Stoker and Jared have a lot to catch up on, including the hard financial times the Stoker family is struggling to deal with. In an effort to keep their business empire afloat, the Stokers have turned their ancestral family home into an inn, and this week they just happen to be hosting a murder mystery event. Harper and Jared are game to play, but when a real ghost shows up and a dangerous storm slams into the island, things spiral out of control. There’s a murderer in the house, and Harper and Jared have to find out who it is before another body drops. Jared doesn’t want to suspect his friend, but no one is off limits. When the truth comes out, two murders will be solved and Harper and Jared will be in an entirely new place in their relationship – that is if they can survive long enough to get off the island. It’s all hands on deck for another ghostly mystery, and danger is the name of the game … unfortunately so is betrayal.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2016

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Lily Harper Hart

244 books766 followers

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5 stars
1,494 (56%)
4 stars
793 (29%)
3 stars
306 (11%)
2 stars
45 (1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela.
351 reviews
August 18, 2017
As much as I love this series, this particular book didn't do it for me. And really it was just because of one thing. Every single page - and I mean every single page - had Jared telling Harper how beautiful she was and how much he loved her, how smart, how sweet, etc etc etc. Yes, Jared, we get it. I was on a sugar high by the end of the book. But maybe it was just me.

I think if it could have been dialed down just a little, it would have been much better.

Now having said that, I still think Ms. Hart is an amazing writer. I will continue reading this series along with her other books.

Update January 19, 2017...Reread this book. Still totally in love with this series.
3 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2017
Too much sexual banter!

Come on, enough is enough. Won't read any more of the series because of all the sexual banter and innuendos. It slowed down the plot. Yuck!
Profile Image for Claire Jones.
38 reviews
August 25, 2017
Seriously! How much sex does Jared need - although there is no detail, it still detracts from the story, when they could have been solving murders they were having sex or having baths!
Profile Image for Anniken Haga.
Author 10 books90 followers
November 29, 2018
2.5/5 stars

This may be because I ended up listening to book 3 right after book 2, but in this book I started seeing a lot of things I'm not a fan of.
Sure, I still get annoyed with all the men falling for the MC, and the constant bantering that isn't funny anymore, and how flat all the characters are.
And yet again, there were no really important female characters but a bunch of important male ones.

I also noticed I had some trouble with the writing now. There are some major repeating things and unnecessary words going around.
Probably to fill out the book, as it is rather short.

The story was something new compared to the two previous books, which was growing into a problem for me.
The story here focused a lot on the character development and relationship arc, which I'm not that big a fan of, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. I didn't enjoy it here.

The thing is, though, that the author don't have that much imagination, it seems.
As stated before, the characters all seem to be mostly the same - not to mention perfect in looks *ugh* - and they talk the same and banter the same. The dialogue is always alike no matter who it is between. Also, I see it in the story. While the story in this book took another path, it turned out the same as it did in the other two books. The bad guy was made from the same mold and it was easy to spot who it was and what the story was about rather early in the book.

While this series has been enjoyable - in a guilty pleasure kind of way - I don't think I will continue listening on. There are other, more interesting and well written, books out there I would rather spend my time reading/listening to.

Listened to this as an audiobook
171 reviews
April 26, 2018
This one was a little to gushie for me...it got old!
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,949 reviews28 followers
August 13, 2025
it bad

Good, this focused more on Jared and Harper without Zander being there all the time. Josh almost became the third wheel Zander and was on his way to being really obnoxious, however, he redeemed himself. Between an old murder and a new one all being interwoven the murder mystery weakened was hoot.
Profile Image for Darcysmom.
1,514 reviews
August 31, 2024
Harper and Jared are going on vacation. What could possibly go wrong?
At the request of one of Jared's college friends, Josh Stoker, he and Harper are staying on Harsen's Island which is home to Josh's family estate turned hotel. Josh is especially interested in their opinion of the murder mystery weekend that the hotel is hosting.
When a massive storm blows in, the hotel becomes isolated. When Harper sees a ghost, the fantasy murder mystery becomes real.
Ghostly Deceits is a fun, highly entertaining installment in the Harper Harlow Mystery series.
Profile Image for JadeShea.
3,235 reviews60 followers
November 19, 2018
Jared and Harper are going on vacation to one of Jared's oldest friend's house. It's going to be a murder mystery event, but it all changes when there is a real murder. Now, Harper and Jared must share her secret, and figure out what is really going on before it is too late.

This book was really good. I enjoyed it a lot more than the first two, and I liked how Jared and Harper acted together. I also thought the story was really interesting as well, and now I can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Melissa.
128 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2018
Predictable

How is this a mystery? We basically knew who the guilty parties were right away. I had hoped it was too obvious to be them... But nope, it was.

The main characters act like teenagers in heat. It was a bit annoying.
Profile Image for Harmony.
417 reviews7 followers
March 5, 2021
As much as I loved this book, I had to remove a star because of Zander. I can't stand him. I know the author is trying to make him funny but he just comes off as a massive jerk. A pouty, selfish, annoying, thoughtless, inconsiderate jerk. He's also so stereotypically gay that it's probably insulting.

I would also like the author to lose the phrase "Oh, (insert name), you had me at (insert thing)". The characters say it over and over and over. They said it so much that I wanted to hit something to make them stop.

OK now that I have that off my chest....

I love Harper and Jared. Yes, Harper is immature at times (when she's around Zander) and that immaturity is rubbing off on Jared. I kind of miss his gruffy nature and I'm not sure I like this side of him as much. The "witty" repartee comes off childish, frankly. Their relationship though is perfection. It makes me smile seeing how much they care about each other. Their friendship is special. Yes, they have an insane amount of sex (off page, this isn't that type of book). However, the friendship and respect they have for each other shines through.

This mystery was disturbing. I won't spoil it (hahahah what a change, right? I really only spoil things when I get mad at the book....) but this book is worth a read. The story is interesting and surprising. Since it is a cozy, I figured out who did it fairly early. It's just all of it and how it all came together that surprised me.

One quibble: Where was Jared's service revolver? Cops pretty much never leave home without one. They're a cop. Cops are often targets (you know because they arrest bad guys) and also because even off-duty they still have a job to do. Just like medical professionals who legally can't walk away from an accident, they have to help or risk losing their licensing. Cops are armed so I was surprised that in the final showdown that Jared wasn't armed. That final showdown was intense, seriously ... read the book.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews10 followers
January 13, 2020
Old friends and old secrets

When Jared reconnects with an old friend and bags a murder mystery holiday for Harper and himself little do the couple realise that a real murder is going to infringe on their "hide the soap" fun!!

Josh and his family have hit hard times and that's meant huge changes for the whole family. Instead of continuing to live in their mansion and enjoy a carefree life as lords of the manor, Josh has turned the huge family home into an exclusive hotel. His father Linden, who knows Harper's father from their school days, has got with the program and is doing his best to help Josh. The problem is Janet, Josh's mother, who seems to believe that she's above everyone else and is determined to block Josh's plans and spend every last penny they have.

When a storm rolls in while Jared is running an errand for Josh he catches her talking to Alice a ghost from the 80's she's just bumped into, not ready to reveal her secret it causes some tension between Josh and Jared.

As the murder mystery continues with everyone stuck in the hotel because of the fierce weather Harper discovers yet another ghost only this one is new, brand new, and the body is missing. Josh struggles to come to terms with what Harper is telling him. As Alice returns she reveals her past which will have life changing consequences for Josh and his father.
Profile Image for Anita Sobreira.
305 reviews7 followers
April 22, 2025
Ghostly Deceits is the third book in Lily Harper Hart's "Harper Harlow" mystery series. Here's what you can expect:

- Paranormal Mystery: The story combines elements of a traditional mystery with paranormal aspects, as the protagonist, Harper Harlow, is a ghost hunter.

- Character Dynamics: The book delves into the relationships between the characters, particularly Harper's personal life and her interactions with Jared Monroe.

- Intriguing Plot: In this installment, Harper and Jared investigate the murder of a teenager, which involves navigating both the world of the living and the dead.

- Balance of Humor and Suspense: Readers often cite Lily Harper Hart's ability to mix humor with suspenseful plotlines.

In Ghostly Deceits, Harper and Jared are on vacation when, of course, a murder occurs. They are staying at an old family home-turned-inn on Harsens Island where they are supposed to be attending a murder mystery event. When a real ghost shows up and a storm hits, things take a turn for the worse. Harper and Jared have to solve not one, but two murders.

The book has been described as having "lots of humor, love, and mystery" and that it is "highly entertaining".

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy paranormal mysteries with a focus on character relationships and a blend of humor and suspense.
Profile Image for Karyn.
211 reviews
November 6, 2024

So much fun!


Harper sees ghosts. She stopped caring about what others thought and opened a ghost hunter business with her bestie, Zander. Enter Jared, the new detective in town who doesn't believe in anything he can't see. Of course, sparks fly when they meet over a dead body.


I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Harper is awesome - strong in that she doesn't let anyone else tell her what to do or how to live her life, but vulnerable in that her only true friend is Zander, who she both lives and works with. Zander is absolutely ridicilous (and seriously loveable), but 100% pro-Harper, no matter what. They are joined at the hip, and anyone entering into a relationship with either has to accept that. Jared figures that out, and actually does pretty well at accepting Zander's position in Harlow's life. Every one of the side characters are also great, well developed and multi-dimensional.


Episode 3: a real murder-mystery to solve! Harper and Jared go away for a vacation at a friend's hotel for a murder mystery event. Turns out, they have a real murder mystery on their hands, one that is more than 2 decades old....

Profile Image for Danielle Bush.
1,927 reviews25 followers
April 26, 2020
I have been really enjoying this series!
Harper and Jared are going away for a week to visit his college friend Josh. Josh is throwing a murder mystery event in his old house(mansion) turned hotel.. Harper is hoping for a normal week, were she doesn't have to explain to strangers that she can see ghosts, and have them look at her funny..
However during a pretty bad storm she shes a ghostly woman, and talks to her not realizing that Josh is standing behind her.. Harper doesn't tell him about talking to ghosts right away, just tells him a story about how she talks to herself.. Josh thinks she is lying and has some mental problems, which he promptly tells Jared.. which doesn't make a difference..
Then another ghost turns up, this one is very recent in fact he was at the murder mystery party..
A lot of secrets were revealed about Josh's family, and that Harper can see and talk to ghosts..
This was another fun read, and i look forward to continuing the sereis
170 reviews
September 9, 2025
A rare 5! This was funny, romantic, murder mystery, and very sweet. This one kept me more engaged than the first few books and had a few laughs out loud moments. I typically find ‘cozy, hilarious stories’ not funny or the author trying to force the funny moments, however not in this series so far. The author knows her characters and knows them well, she has been true to them in all these books so far. I often also find authors try to help build more character for their leads and loose what made them great to begin with but not here.

In book one I thought maybe Zander and Harper’s relationship would get annoying but so far I’ve loved it and now with Jared mixed in. Great!

I am nervous out the next book since Harper’s ex shows up, I always hate the author bringing in an ex just to stir up unnecessary drama. Hopefully my faith in the author, in this series, and after this rare five star review it is done well.
202 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2024
Ghostly Deceits- A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 4

I really loved this episode of Harlows's Mysteries and shenanigans as I have come to call them. Zander and Harlow make me laugh out loud! I think they're hilarious even though others don't find them so. Then you add Jared to the mix and its a perfect circle of hilarity. All you really have to do is think about the situation. I can personally relate to some of it. Putting a gay man and a straight man together can have a lot of problems. If you haven't read this series, I would highly recommend it. You won't be sorry. Jared is really a saint. He puts up with so much. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it's him. Harlow too!
The story line was well thought out and put together. I actually did guess who the murderer was this time but only after there were a ton of revelations about the current family involved.
Kathy
Profile Image for Nikki.
544 reviews10 followers
December 8, 2025
Bringing ghost and a murder mystery to the same pages in one book makes me a happy lady. Third in the series about a woman that can see ghosts and has created a career out of it, and not in a tactless way, the series is still loveable for me. Cozy mysteries are a favorite of mine, and this is one series that I am looking forward to continuing.

Harper and her boyfriend journey to an island not too far from home as a favor from her boyfriend's friend who is starting to host events in his large family home that is on the island. The first even is a murder mystery themed weekend where guests can stay for the weekend while solving the "murder". However, there have been other potential murders on the island, and ghosts that only Harper can see. She will need to solve a real murder in addition to partaking in the pretend one at the event.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
September 25, 2022
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. If uncast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Harper Harlow is a young woman who runs a ghost hunting business with her best friend and partner Xander. Her boyfriend Jared is a police detective in their small town place department. His partner is Sanders uncle Mel. Our story this time follows Harper and Jared on the first kind of vacation getaway as boyfriend girlfriend and a little bit of time without Xander tagging along. Yet they cannot seem to get away from the ghosts. Read on and follow the adventure and see where it leads this time. Always a fun and entertaining story. Check it out.
1,255 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2024
This series is ok. I like to read it as a change of pace from other plots that have a more complex/tense premise. However, the extreme lovey-dovey comments/play, as well as the sex before anything else decisions make for a lot of skimming and eye rolling. Some is cute and believable excess is just painful and tedious. Parts of this were interesting. I wish there had been more of the murder mystery group and play. Parts of this didn't make much sense. For example, why didn't ANYONE catch on to the butler/wife issues? It was made glaring from the start. I can't connect with Zander, he is way too over the top and self-absorbed - despite all the declared love for Harper. Just don't bring Josh back as a love interest for him and it should be ok.
Profile Image for Tameka.
2,374 reviews3 followers
May 15, 2017
Favorite Line - The first line in the book. A hell of a way to open the book. the Tom foolery that goes on between Harper and Xander are comical. There is nothing better than having a best friend that you can confide everything with and is great with his sexuality.

Although I am reading the books out of order I have enjoyed the antics of Harper. It seems trouble has a lo-jack on her no matter where she goes. Reminds me of a criss between Charley Davidson and Mercy Thompson all the way down to the sarcasm.
51 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2017
What to say

The story line is good. Nice job tying it all together. I feel the author goes overboard with the love, sex and constantly having Jared seem like a sex starved individual. Seriously to the point of nauseating. It leaves you feeling that Harper is only a toy and there is nothing else to their relationship. It happens so often that it actually takes away from the story. I give it three stars. I am not sure yet if I will read the next one.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,683 reviews5 followers
October 24, 2020
I'm a fan!

This reader was SO happy that Jared was getting Harper away from Zander to begin implementing the adult concepts of boundaries and appropriateness but, oh well... At least this is a great story with an unnecessary tragedy from the past providing impact on the present, a well devised mystery within a mystery, and decent character sketches.The seven deadly sins are even represented (two overcome by a good guy going through a hard time)!
Profile Image for Kim Gargano.
8 reviews
May 21, 2023
I read the first 2 books and thought they were fun and liked the Harper & Jared "getting to know you" stage. I was excited to start book 3 but I was disappointed. Very heavy on the romance. Jared is so in love he forgets he's a cop & they literally flirt over dead bodies. (Too much for my taste) once a spirit took them to find clues and they ignored it to talk about how cute Harper is .. that's when I stopped reading.. I liked relationship as a side story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for M.
822 reviews5 followers
July 10, 2023
Ellipses. All of the ellipses..
...
...
It's driving me insane. Again, she is in a life or death situation as the victim and she needs rescuing.
I get they are in the honeymoon stage, but the constant talk in front of people how they're gonna go do it is so repetitive.
Zander is really making me uncomfortable. I think both of them need severe therapy. Especially since she's been nearly dead for 3 books now. How is there no ptsd going on?
83 reviews
August 25, 2017
Another good book in the Harper Harlow series

Another good book by Lily Hart. In this book Harper and boyfriend go to a murder mystery weekend at one of his friends hotel. Let the fun begin until a real murder happens and a 20 year old murder also shows up and both murders are related!
I would recommend this Author and all her books, yes they are that good!

Profile Image for Lisa Edwards.
49 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2017
Another winner!

I have fallen in love with the Harper Harlow series, and book 3 was not disappointing. There were wonderful, laugh out loud scenes between all the characters, 2 murders to solve while trapped on an island with the murderer. Of course, Harper Harlow's secret is what saves the day. Definitely, a must read.
Profile Image for Susan Clark.
549 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2019
Oh, What Fun!

Want to go on a Murder Mystery Event? This novel provides the pretend one and a REAL One. The interaction between Jared and his college roommate is intriguing, and the ghosts and their stories truly make us care. Honestly, I had no idea how things were going to be resolved. Trust me, I was not disappointed. 😎
Profile Image for Julie Nolan.
142 reviews19 followers
March 11, 2022
Two ghosts in one story

Quite a win when you're used to only one at time. Karen and Harper really love each other! So much that Jared's best friend, Josh is soo jealous! But respectful!
This book was my favorite out of the three books I've read so far in the series! LHH, keep 'em comin'!
667 reviews7 followers
September 7, 2023
Ghostly Deceits(A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 3

This was another winner. I highly recommend all her books and different series. If you love paranormal mysteries you will love this Author. Harper has a great imagination and she writes wonderful Chad in every series. Diana Romano CT
Profile Image for Ann Bingham.
200 reviews
June 9, 2024
Another great adventure

Great story, loved all the twists and turns. Love the characters, Harper and Jared are the best. Not one murder but two, over thirty years apart in the same house, there has to be a connection. Can they figure out who the murderer is before they strike again?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews

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