Hot Flashes/Cold Cases

by Sue Hawley

As far as Peg Shaw is concerned, midlife and menopause have brought enough sweat and excitement to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, there are others who disagree. One night while stumbling back to bed from her nightly visit to the bathroom, Peg is stopped in her tracks by two women standing in her bedroom. As her husband sleeps soundly, Peg abruptly realizes that ghosts have come one is her dead grandmother and the other is her spirit guide. After her grandmother asks her to partner with other spirits to help law enforcement solve crimes, Peg reluctantly agrees to help bring justice to the deceased but persistent ghosts of a local couple. After Peg discovers that cold cases are much more difficult to eliminate than her hot flashes, she travels into unfamiliar territory where her inexperience with murder becomes no match for her determination to rid herself of her uninvited, heartbeat-less guests. After enlisting help from old friends and unexpected allies, Peg uncovers a dark secret at the heart of her sleepy township with the potential to bring more trouble than she bargained for. In this paranormal adventure tale, a middle-aged woman in the throes of menopause is thrust into solving local crimes, with help from her new friends from Deadsville.

Genres: Fiction

286 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2016

Reviews

[Christy Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining. Written from the perspective of Peg, who just wants to be left alone, she didn't sign up for this dangerous situation! The author's skill draws the reader in and you quickly find Peg endearing in her sarcasim and inner struggle as she deals with ghosts who know no personal boundaries. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope there will be more to come soon! I want to see what next situation Peg finds herself in, and laugh along as she muddles through whatever may come!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Flashes/Cold Cases
The Peg Shaw Series, Book 1
By: Sue Hawley

This is a fun listen. It is a combination cozy mystery and paranormal fantasy with great humor. Peg is wanting a quiet life now that her kids are grown and gone from the home. She is going through the change, and things around her when spirits of people she knows as well as strangers show up and tell her she needs to solve a cold case. That's when the crazy ride begins. This is a great debut book, and I look forward to more books in this series.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Brandolin Barrett.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read!!

What a wonderful find. A terrific plot that keeps you guessing and characters that are as real as you or I. Reaching the menopause is no joke as every woman of a certain age knows. However when you start seeing ghosts as well, well that takes the biscuit. Not only seeing ghosts but being charged with acting for them in bringing their killers to justice. Ghost, spirit guides, serial killer's, the mob and more are tightly woven into read that is brilliant. Regardless of how you like your cozies, filled with supernatural or not, this will be one of your favourites as it has everything. A plot that riveting and great characters.

[bluepits73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book.

I really enjoyed this listen! It was even better than I expected. I was fully hooked on this paranormal cozy from the start. It was relatively unique and a lot of fun. Peg is a little grumpy but very likeable as a character. I liked the author's style and writing.

The narrator's performance for this story was absolutely perfect. If had just the right amount of variation in tone to reflect the events of the story. She was clear and had great voice differentiation as well. Excellent performance!

Both the author and narrator are new to me, but I would gladly listen to other stories by them in the future.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and cannot wait for more of the series. The book is non stop. There is some humor, a lot of ghost, and a cold case mystery. Peg Shaw is in the first phases of menopause and trying to enjoy her boring existence her own when way. Her long time dead Nana shows up and enlists her help in finding out who murdered a couple so they can finally rest and peace and move on in their afterlife. As the investigation goes more ghosts come, some good, some bad and some down right irritating. Peg must solve the murder and not become a victim herself.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible:I thought this was a good cozy mystery/ghost/magical mystery book.I enjoyed most of it.I thought there was an excess of ghosts to keep track of.I also say magical because we all know that no police chief would open a cold case because a ghost said so.So,it was good. Brandolin Barrett was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Heather Daleccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it's fun, easy style. Definitely the kind you read when you're stressed and need a break from life. It's a unique take on the ghost cozy with the main character, Peg, recruited VERY reluctantly into taking on the cold case of a murdered couple. My favorite part is that while she's in her 60's she's portrayed as sassy and sarcastic, not sweet and doddering.
**Note- the cover has been updated and will be different if you search for it online**

[Donna Dupree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fun read with a sassy menopausal woman who can now see and hear ghosts. She has to solves two murders while dealing with ghosts, a murderer, a pompus mayor, the Ohio Mafia. Also seems that when one dies and crosses over you don't suddenly change into a good person if you weren't one in real life. Want to see what happens next for Peg.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one "hot" story.

From the 1st page to the last was a GREAT story! I laughed out loud so many times I felt grateful to Mrs.Hawley. Her snarkiness is like no other and I read a lot of books. Each character can hold their own. I sincerely hope this series continues for a long time. PLEASE PLEASE 😇

[Natli VanDerWerken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Not?




Life goes crazy at that time of life. I love how Peg Shaw's entire life changes. Seeing ghosts is nothing new, but Peg's interactions with possible angels and demons to solve crimes are hilarious. Good job, Sue. Please write another one? Please?

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook and not keen on the reader. Nothing to pinpoint, just a bit annoying. Menopausal woman helps ghosts solve murders. Light weight but not totally chick lit. Just not particularly engaging.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. A very fun but interesting mystery.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I really enjoyed this adventure and all of the characters. I am definitely going to be reading more of her books.

[Veena Soujanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating:3.75 Stars

[Kathy]

Won this off Goodreads. Can't wait to finish it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great debut and kick-off to a series about a woman, Peg, who sees ghosts, and the ghosts that she sees are most intriguing!

Peg is going through the change, but things really change one night when the ghosts of her dead grandmother and spirit guide appear in her bedroom. They want her to help "clean up the area," and to do start to do this, she needs to solve a crime -- a murder that occurred a number of years ago, but was never solved.

During the course of the story, there are more ghosts -- a couple want Peg to help solve their murder, while some other ghosts are "here" to help her investigate. Peg's husband, Andy, as well as the local police chief are also their to lend support and help in any way they can.

I know the story sounds far-fetched, but it is so well-written that if the author, Sue Hawley, had thrown little green men into this story, I probably would have believed her.

Anyways, check out this new author and for people living in NE Ohio, this story is set in Bath (as that is where this author is from).

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

[Kristin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

rcvd this book through a giveaway. Loved the book and look forward to another book. Great characters in the book! Would love to see who the next set of ghosts to enter into the next book.

[Sojourner · Rating 5 out of 5]

hot flashes, ghosts, what's not to like!? likable, sassy protagonist. good read, looking forward to next.