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Ghosts in Glass Houses
This is a delightful book with a story that quickly sucked me in and kept me turning the virtual pages. Marti can see ghosts. And while we might be familiar with that concept (Odd Thomas, Sixth Sense, etc.), it’s handled very, very well...a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended. —
readper.com review
Marti Mickkleson sees ghosts. Only her great-grandmother believes her. Since she died the day before Marti was born, her support isn’t worth much in the world of the living.
When Marti wakes up in a compromising position with her estranged father standing over her, she thinks he owes her a big apology. After all, he’s dead and talking to her—and she talks back. Instead, he claims he was murdered and demands she go home and do something about it. She agrees—anything to get her father out of her life and into his own afterlife.
In Bicklesburg, she finds her once formidable mother in the throes of dementia, her perfect-prom-queen sister now a lawyer married to a not-so-perfect man, and her bad-boy high school boyfriend a private security guard watching over the family fortress. When her mother wanders away and is found cradling a bloodstained garden gnome, she and Grandma Bertie must uncover a murderer before Marti ends up a ghost herself.
Marti Mickkleson sees ghosts. Only her great-grandmother believes her. Since she died the day before Marti was born, her support isn’t worth much in the world of the living.
When Marti wakes up in a compromising position with her estranged father standing over her, she thinks he owes her a big apology. After all, he’s dead and talking to her—and she talks back. Instead, he claims he was murdered and demands she go home and do something about it. She agrees—anything to get her father out of her life and into his own afterlife.
In Bicklesburg, she finds her once formidable mother in the throes of dementia, her perfect-prom-queen sister now a lawyer married to a not-so-perfect man, and her bad-boy high school boyfriend a private security guard watching over the family fortress. When her mother wanders away and is found cradling a bloodstained garden gnome, she and Grandma Bertie must uncover a murderer before Marti ends up a ghost herself.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2017
503 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
About the author
Kay Charles
3 books65 followersKay Charles is the much nicer, mystery-writing alter-ego of dark fiction writer Patricia Lillie (author of
The Ceiling Man
and
The Cuckoo Girls
). Like her evil twin, Kay grew up in a haunted house in a small town in Northeast Ohio, earned her MFA from Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program, and is addicted to coffee, chocolate, and cake. Both their lives would be much easier if one of them enjoyed housework.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
October 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read the rest. I actually discovered this series while reading another book, The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns, where the main character mentions different mystery books she is reading through the book (so the author can just casually recommend her favorite books). So glad I looked this one up, as it was amazing!
August 17, 2017
Ghosts in Glass Houses by Kay Charles is a Kindle Scout book I won and an okay book. I liked the plot, it had some very unique twists. I thought the characters were a bit underdeveloped and very unlikable, even the ones the reader was suppose to like. Overall an okay read. Worth reading.
September 7, 2017
A complicated character with a sad childhood didn't sound like a book for me - but I was so very, very wrong- the book was entertaining and I loved Marti!
After many years of being estranged from her family, Marti returns to solve the mystery of who killed her overbearing father as well as to collect her inheritance. Along for the ride is Marti's great grandmother, Bertie who just happens to be a ghost. You see, Marti can see and speak to ghosts - a power that has plagued her all her life and caused her to be a loner - at least among the living. Bertie loves Marti and is her staunchest defender. Marti's dad, the Judge, is also with them in ghostly . form trying to help them solve the mystery of who murdered him and to make sure Marti's mother gets the help she needs after suffering an apparent breakdown. As in life, he is more annoying than helpful.
Marti is a person trying to take back her life and reconcile, as much as possible, with her demanding family. With the help of Bertie, Dmitri (an ex- boyfriend with a secret of his own), RachelAnne ( the perfect sister with the less than perfect husband), her mother, a couple of charming ghosts and a fat orange tabby cat I hope we see again - Marti is on her way to finding her place in the world and working on accepting her power.
The story was compelling, the characters well-written and very relatable. I didn't want the book to end and I am looking forward to Marti and Bertie's next adventure!
After many years of being estranged from her family, Marti returns to solve the mystery of who killed her overbearing father as well as to collect her inheritance. Along for the ride is Marti's great grandmother, Bertie who just happens to be a ghost. You see, Marti can see and speak to ghosts - a power that has plagued her all her life and caused her to be a loner - at least among the living. Bertie loves Marti and is her staunchest defender. Marti's dad, the Judge, is also with them in ghostly . form trying to help them solve the mystery of who murdered him and to make sure Marti's mother gets the help she needs after suffering an apparent breakdown. As in life, he is more annoying than helpful.
Marti is a person trying to take back her life and reconcile, as much as possible, with her demanding family. With the help of Bertie, Dmitri (an ex- boyfriend with a secret of his own), RachelAnne ( the perfect sister with the less than perfect husband), her mother, a couple of charming ghosts and a fat orange tabby cat I hope we see again - Marti is on her way to finding her place in the world and working on accepting her power.
The story was compelling, the characters well-written and very relatable. I didn't want the book to end and I am looking forward to Marti and Bertie's next adventure!
August 8, 2017
I love cozy mysteries and Kay Charles' Ghosts in Glass Houses doesn't disappoint. The story is funny and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed the plot development and look forward to more books in this series.
August 21, 2017
Wonderful
Ghost story murder mysteries are a personal favorite of mine, and this book was everything I hoped it would be. A good mystery with a lovely touch of humor and ghosts everywhere. A fun read that's hard to put down. The author has a beautiful touch with the narration and really allows the reader to experience the story as if they are along for the ride. Really enjoyed it.
Ghost story murder mysteries are a personal favorite of mine, and this book was everything I hoped it would be. A good mystery with a lovely touch of humor and ghosts everywhere. A fun read that's hard to put down. The author has a beautiful touch with the narration and really allows the reader to experience the story as if they are along for the ride. Really enjoyed it.
November 27, 2017
Roped into an investigation
Marti sees ghosts and can talk to them. Particularly her grandmother and now her recently deceased father. Her father claims he was murdered and that Marti needs to go home to bicklesburg to investigate. When she gets there she finds her mother suffering from what appears to be dementia and in need of home care.
Marti is supposed to be investigating her father's death though I found her to really just be stumbling around and she just happened to discover the truth of what was going on with her mother. The death of her father is never really explained and the motivation is sort of glossed over and forgotten. Which was kind of annoying since that was the main reason she went back to her hometown. Everything seemed to center around her mother and finding her after she disappears.
I found myself drifting off as i was reading on multiple occasions. The unnecessary detail of what each tea pot and mug looked like was not beneficial to the stories progression or the love affair with Oreos. I did like that Marti was her own person and didn't feel the need to conform to what her parents wanted and she kept her sense of individuality.
Marti sees ghosts and can talk to them. Particularly her grandmother and now her recently deceased father. Her father claims he was murdered and that Marti needs to go home to bicklesburg to investigate. When she gets there she finds her mother suffering from what appears to be dementia and in need of home care.
Marti is supposed to be investigating her father's death though I found her to really just be stumbling around and she just happened to discover the truth of what was going on with her mother. The death of her father is never really explained and the motivation is sort of glossed over and forgotten. Which was kind of annoying since that was the main reason she went back to her hometown. Everything seemed to center around her mother and finding her after she disappears.
I found myself drifting off as i was reading on multiple occasions. The unnecessary detail of what each tea pot and mug looked like was not beneficial to the stories progression or the love affair with Oreos. I did like that Marti was her own person and didn't feel the need to conform to what her parents wanted and she kept her sense of individuality.
August 24, 2017
Living with Ghosts
A fun story of someone who sees and speaks to ghosts. It was bad enough for her to have her great grandmother always with her but now her Dad has also showed up to takes us along on a mysterious adventure.
A fun story of someone who sees and speaks to ghosts. It was bad enough for her to have her great grandmother always with her but now her Dad has also showed up to takes us along on a mysterious adventure.
May 19, 2018
Fun read!
August 9, 2017
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Total mayhem and loads of fun. I think grandma is a great character and sidekick, while the story itself flows really well and I was kept guessing as to who the bad guy was.
Total mayhem and loads of fun. I think grandma is a great character and sidekick, while the story itself flows really well and I was kept guessing as to who the bad guy was.
October 1, 2017
A different sort of cozy
I've read a few cozies, and this one is a little different. For one thing, the main character, Marti. She sees dead people and can talk to them. Okay, that might not be unusual, from a cozy point of view, but her grandmother's ghost is "attached" to her, she can never get far away from her. Unlike other cozy heroes, Marti doesn't have a real occupation: she was flipping burgers at the beginning of the story. And she has some big family issues.
The supporting characters are good. I especially liked the scenes between her and her sister, as they try to re-establish a relationship and the scenes between Marti and her father.
The writing is good, Marti has the right amount of humor mixed into her, and there are enough red herrings mixed into the clues to keep you guessing.
Good story, highly recommend.
I've read a few cozies, and this one is a little different. For one thing, the main character, Marti. She sees dead people and can talk to them. Okay, that might not be unusual, from a cozy point of view, but her grandmother's ghost is "attached" to her, she can never get far away from her. Unlike other cozy heroes, Marti doesn't have a real occupation: she was flipping burgers at the beginning of the story. And she has some big family issues.
The supporting characters are good. I especially liked the scenes between her and her sister, as they try to re-establish a relationship and the scenes between Marti and her father.
The writing is good, Marti has the right amount of humor mixed into her, and there are enough red herrings mixed into the clues to keep you guessing.
Good story, highly recommend.
September 29, 2017
It was easy to get caught up in this story and keep reading to find out 'who done it." The plot moves along at a good pace. I figured out some "clues" early, but others not until the end. It's complex enough to make it interesting, but not so complex that you're left wondering what it was all about. I see a bit more romance happening in future books; this one only gave a glimpse of it. I'm hoping we get to see more of Weasel boy as well.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
August 20, 2017
I quite enjoyed this book. It's a quick read. 4 stars because I feel like the story wasn't over. The main story line (that I didn't even realize was the "main" story line) was solved and given closure, but there was so much more to this story that needed to be said. It needs a sequel, because I want to know more about the next six months :)
October 2, 2017
Great start to a hopefully long series
I enjoyed Ghosts in Glass Houses very much! Our heroine, Marti is snarky and funny, the other characters well fleshed out and the plot engaging. I look forward to further releases by this author and hope you will enjoy her books as much as I do!
I enjoyed Ghosts in Glass Houses very much! Our heroine, Marti is snarky and funny, the other characters well fleshed out and the plot engaging. I look forward to further releases by this author and hope you will enjoy her books as much as I do!
October 30, 2017
This is a very FUN read! (:-) I really enjoyed it. All the ghosts just add to the fun. It's a hoot, her dealing with all these ghosts talking to her, while she's trying to not let people know she can see and hear them. It's got great characters, an awesome story, and a heck of a mystery that will keep you guessing till the very end.
September 11, 2017
Entertaining and fun
This book was such a fun read! I couldn't put it down. The main character Marti has a dry, sarcastic personality that I loved. The kind of character who should be hitting rock bottom but instead tucks and rolls. Lots of twist and very unpredictable.
This book was such a fun read! I couldn't put it down. The main character Marti has a dry, sarcastic personality that I loved. The kind of character who should be hitting rock bottom but instead tucks and rolls. Lots of twist and very unpredictable.
September 19, 2017
Quite fun
An enjoyable read. I'm honestly not sure what the glass house is in reference to, but I enjoyed the murder mystery and the ghosts who help solved it. I'm not sure I buy off on the whole freezing aspect though.
An enjoyable read. I'm honestly not sure what the glass house is in reference to, but I enjoyed the murder mystery and the ghosts who help solved it. I'm not sure I buy off on the whole freezing aspect though.
September 24, 2017
Fun book
Lots of humor, great characters-especially the ghosts-and can't wait to read what happens next for Marti and company. More on Dimitri, I hope.
Lots of humor, great characters-especially the ghosts-and can't wait to read what happens next for Marti and company. More on Dimitri, I hope.
October 30, 2017
I'm hooked!
Partway through I checked to see if their was a sequel and I was sad to see there wasn't. I love this crazy family. I can't wait to read more.
Partway through I checked to see if their was a sequel and I was sad to see there wasn't. I love this crazy family. I can't wait to read more.
December 5, 2017
Funny but kept me engrosssd
Thought it was a quite light hearted but funny murder mystery. Once I started it I found it hard to put down!
Thought it was a quite light hearted but funny murder mystery. Once I started it I found it hard to put down!
March 23, 2018
I LOVED this book. I was hooked from the very beginning and was rooting for Marti to catch a break. I really, REALLY hope the author continues this series!
March 6, 2018
This was a mildly amusing mystery read. The main character (whose name escapes me) can see dead people. She's permanently haunted by her deceased grandmother. Since she started seeing dead people quite young, she's been seen as crazy and weird (among her peers) and medicatably crazy by her parents. She's been in counseling and institutions. 10 years ago, she left her family behind and went on the road. Since then, she's living at a subsistance level, trying to keep minimum wage jobs (hard to do when talking to ghosts), and self-medicating with heavy doses of alcohol as needed.
One day, her father The Judge shows up, announces that he was murdered and her mother "isn't well" and says that he'll haunt her unceasingly unless she goes home and takes care of business. As a carrot, he's left her a chunk of money in his will that she can only access by going home and acting responsibly for 6 months.
Home she goes, back to the bristly arms of her mother (who's seeming a little demented), her sister and brother-in-law (both hostile to varying degrees), and a niece who can also see dead people. And the insular town that had rejected her as crazy back in the day.
It's a formula that has been done before. I didn't find Main Character very sympathetic, though perhaps that's because all of my experience with mental illness has been remote and observational. If I had spent a few minutes considering how it feels to be perceived as crazy when one is actually seeing ghosts, maybe I'd have liked her more.
One day, her father The Judge shows up, announces that he was murdered and her mother "isn't well" and says that he'll haunt her unceasingly unless she goes home and takes care of business. As a carrot, he's left her a chunk of money in his will that she can only access by going home and acting responsibly for 6 months.
Home she goes, back to the bristly arms of her mother (who's seeming a little demented), her sister and brother-in-law (both hostile to varying degrees), and a niece who can also see dead people. And the insular town that had rejected her as crazy back in the day.
It's a formula that has been done before. I didn't find Main Character very sympathetic, though perhaps that's because all of my experience with mental illness has been remote and observational. If I had spent a few minutes considering how it feels to be perceived as crazy when one is actually seeing ghosts, maybe I'd have liked her more.
February 3, 2024
Ghosts in Glass houses is a bright refreshing new star in the mystery series world. The story had me at page one. Finally a 'real' heroine that swears, drinks and acts like a normal human being. Well, a normal human who can see ghosts and is followed around by her great grandmother in particular. Marti has been seeing and talking to ghosts since she was a small child and has paid the price for her gift by being ridiculed by society, and institutionalized by her family. After the last trip to the institution, she ran away and has been living on the fringes of society, barely surviving, trying to drink the ghosts quiet, until her recently dead father appears to her, demanding she return home and find his killer. Oh and her mother is "sick". Marti returns home and the adventure begins. The story is filled with numerous ghosts, of all ages, some mannered, some not, town characters, and a good plot to unravel. Was her father really murdered? Is her mother really sick? Can Marti appear to not talk to ghosts? What is really going on? I liked this story immensely. Our heroine was totally relatable, likable, real human, used 'real' language in appropriate situations. Her internal conversations, saying to herself what she really wanted to say and what she did say was extremely funny and very real. Can't wait to start the next one.
December 22, 2023
Wonderful
Ghosts in Glass Houses is a wonderful read. If you like those cozy mysteries then you are in for a treat. This is book 1 in the Marti Mickkleson Mysteries. Marti has been able to interact with the dead since she was young. She has been trying to live her life her way until she's summoned home. Marti is faced with a lot of who did it and why as bodies are discovered and there ghosts appear. A little danger and little twists will keep you glued to the pages as Marti uncovers what is going on. I could not get enough of this. I cannot wait for the next book and to see what Kay Charles has in stored for us next with the Marti Mickkleson Mysteries. Go click this today.
Ghosts in Glass Houses is a wonderful read. If you like those cozy mysteries then you are in for a treat. This is book 1 in the Marti Mickkleson Mysteries. Marti has been able to interact with the dead since she was young. She has been trying to live her life her way until she's summoned home. Marti is faced with a lot of who did it and why as bodies are discovered and there ghosts appear. A little danger and little twists will keep you glued to the pages as Marti uncovers what is going on. I could not get enough of this. I cannot wait for the next book and to see what Kay Charles has in stored for us next with the Marti Mickkleson Mysteries. Go click this today.
June 6, 2024
Marti didn't have a loving, understanding upbringing. She didn't even have family members who attempted to have an open mind about her ability to see ghosts. Marti, instead, was institutionalize and received electric shocks. As an adult she is pretty dysfunctional or barely functional and can still see and hear ghosts. Her father's ghost makes her go back to the family home and, once there, she begins to forge some semblance of a relationship with her sister in their shared worry about their mother. While Marti is a sympathetic character, she isn't always likable. This was an interesting book and a fast read.
September 5, 2024
A fun paranormal cozy mystery. Marti sees ghosts—she always has. And they talk to her, which can lead to some awkward situations. It would drive anybody nuts trying to sort it all out, and Marti has a lifestyle that shows it. But when her father dies and she goes home to solve his murder (and collect her inheritance), she begins to sort things out a bit better.
I liked the mystery, the plot twists. I loved Marti as a character. I especially loved the quirky ghosts in her life. Recommended for older teens and up. I give it 4.5 stars.
I liked the mystery, the plot twists. I loved Marti as a character. I especially loved the quirky ghosts in her life. Recommended for older teens and up. I give it 4.5 stars.
February 7, 2025
great world building
The author expands some old wives tales to create her world of interactive ghosties. Our outcast heroine is less snarky than some other chick lit leading ladies so she isn’t difficult to empathize with. The humor is subdued so it’s not a laugh out loud page turner. It isn’t a romance and there are a few obvious clues and repetitive thinking. It is a well written solid story that short enough to break up your regular reading lists with a cute, quaint palette cleanser that left me feeling hopeful.
The author expands some old wives tales to create her world of interactive ghosties. Our outcast heroine is less snarky than some other chick lit leading ladies so she isn’t difficult to empathize with. The humor is subdued so it’s not a laugh out loud page turner. It isn’t a romance and there are a few obvious clues and repetitive thinking. It is a well written solid story that short enough to break up your regular reading lists with a cute, quaint palette cleanser that left me feeling hopeful.
February 19, 2025
Read in a day
Liked the characters, what I especially liked, was the father, he was not a nice person, not evil, just not a nice person and there was no miraculous redemption or outright acknowledgement by him that he was wrong. The main character kept thinking about leaving but bloodymindedness kept her there more than anything and her sister wavered between friend and foe as with most siblings.
The plot kept moving and I was eager to find out what happened next.
I have downloaded the second book in the series straightaway.
Liked the characters, what I especially liked, was the father, he was not a nice person, not evil, just not a nice person and there was no miraculous redemption or outright acknowledgement by him that he was wrong. The main character kept thinking about leaving but bloodymindedness kept her there more than anything and her sister wavered between friend and foe as with most siblings.
The plot kept moving and I was eager to find out what happened next.
I have downloaded the second book in the series straightaway.
April 15, 2025
This was a good read. Not your typical ghost cozy with a newly divorced woman moving into a house that’s haunted. Marti has had an interesting life and her great grandma is her ghost that is always with her. She finds out her dad passed and there is an inheritance but she has to go back home. People in her hometown thought she was crazy because she would talk to spirits. Is it worth going home? Lots going on at home. I liked the characters and the story. Good book.
June 26, 2018
Good debut novel. The author takes the time to set up the characters. You fall in love with the small town. Who knew ghosts could be so exacerbating. Sibling rivalry and old time hurts from school. Adorable kids. The next novel in this series should move quicker because the set up is done. I'm looking forward to more.
August 7, 2018
Hard to think when you hear all that chatter
Marti sees and heard ghosts. They have been the band of her life, causing her to endure several months in mental institutions. She left home and existed by herself for 10 years. Then her father's ghost arrives and she has to return home to save her mother.
Marti sees and heard ghosts. They have been the band of her life, causing her to endure several months in mental institutions. She left home and existed by herself for 10 years. Then her father's ghost arrives and she has to return home to save her mother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews