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Kay acquired a beautiful antique sideboard at an estate auction, but a ghost has unfortunately conveyed with the furniture. Her stately Victorian isn’t big enough for this additional spirit, but Kay isn’t sure who is haunting the sideboard or why. And finding out the identity and motivations of the ghost might not be enough to convince the spirit to move on.

A murder, a cover-up, and a bushel full of secrets come to light, along with a guilt that carries on beyond the grave. This ghost needs a sordid past to come to light to ease her troubled soul, and Kay is determined to help.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2017

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Libby Howard

24 books107 followers

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5 stars
499 (54%)
4 stars
273 (30%)
3 stars
122 (13%)
2 stars
15 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,060 reviews478 followers
October 9, 2019
Let’s see if I can recall what this one is about . . ..

The judge who rents part of Kay’s house has a boy who has become interested in the idea of antiques. Finding, buying, restoring, selling. Kay goes with him to an auction, ends up buying a side-table (while he buys an entertainment center).

Apparently a ghost came with the side-table. Kay spends the book investigating why a ghost would be there, and how to help her move on. It’s obvious Kay has never bought used furniture before, because there’s several steps she missed between acquiring a used side-table and putting said side-table into her dining room. (like cleaning it and stuff).

Another decent book.

Rating: 3.77

October 9 2019
Profile Image for Tari.
3,654 reviews103 followers
January 16, 2021
Instead of dealing with a murder this time, Kay had to figure out how to send a ghost on to where they needed to be. The ghost woman was attached to a sideboard she'd bought from an estate sale and while the judge got interested in the case as well, Kay couldn't say anything to him about seeing ghosts. But her new friend, the guy whose parents owned the sideboard previously, was very open to what she told him.

The history mystery was really interesting and using some old journals and letters, Kay was able to figure out what really happened to help her new ghost friend have a happily ever afterlife. I kind of liked Kay's new friend Matt, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks around.
Profile Image for Linda Langham.
2 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2019
Excellent book

This tenderly written novel
poignantly expresses with compassion and understanding the lives wives of earlier generations were often forced to lead in order to care for themselves and their children, while skillfully comparing the stresses of marriage and raising families, and the accompanying guilt many present-day couple face in balancing both a career and a family.
This book ,also, with clarity describes the many secrets that had to be hidden at times for a woman’s entire life, in order to be considered women of propriety and integrity.
These secrets, and often accompanying shame and self-guilt that occurred when lives, especially those of women were required by propriety,in radically different faces of a marriage occurring within the privacy of the home as opposed to what was commonly thought within the town or community.
Often these private lives were very separate and the truths inside the marriage never known to the community.These secrets,much like a tsunami, precipitated actions that created individual grief and fear in generations, both present and in the future.
The truth, oftentimes learned only decades after those involved are dead, may vindicate the actions women were forced to take. Their private lives and their love was often kept both secret and silent for years. Behind this facade hides the sad, yet heroic love often demonstrated by those living in these restrictive, judgmental and difficult times required the sacrifice of personal happiness of many wives and mothers to prevent their personal condemnation and that of their children to survive to in the restrictive communities of which they were a part.
Women were not often not viewed as equal equals in marriage, but as merely a chatelaine to manage their households and satisfy the public expectations of a wives in a society which viewed males inherently in control of decisions to be made, with martial love and intimacy often being sacrificed to meet society’s structure and be accepted during the generation in which they lived and died.
Profile Image for hana.
435 reviews
April 16, 2018
Heartbreaking mystery

Kay acquires a beautiful antique sideboard, with a ghost attached. Starts researching who the ghost was and why she still around.
This mystery also had Judge Beck attached and became curious about what had happened to these people, even ask his paralegal team to search for reports from over 90 years ago. We get to hear his regrets, his love for his children and his sense of justice.
Like Judge Beck said this book made me feel the urge to hug my girl tight and tell her that I love her, tell her that no matter how hopeless things seem, I'm always here for help. I might yell at her first, but I'll always help.
Once again, I wish the recipes included, they sound delicious.
265 reviews3 followers
May 9, 2025
I'm in love this this series - I've read Books 1-3 and I can't begin to describe how heartwarming, and funny these stories are. Kay's husband recently passed away after an accident left him an invalid and Kay was his care taker for the 10 years before his death. She's now trying to decide to sell the home that she and her husband renovated. Instead of selling a friend talks her into taking in a man in the middle of a divorce and his son and daughter. The way the author describes her feelings and thoughts is amazing. Kay has some really quirky friends and along with her job she solves murders and has started seeing ghosts. One ghost she thinks might be her deceased husband. Wonderful stories.
167 reviews
March 24, 2018
I am so enjoying these books. I am not one for reading many books on a kindle device, but I discovered these books quite by accident. They are fast reads. The main character, Kay, is a 60 year old recent widow. she has a huge Victorian house that she just rented 3 rooms too, a judge in his 40s and his 2 teens, he is going through a divorce and needs a "homey" place to stay. Having just had cataract surgery , Kay is suddenly seeing ghosts and getting involved in murders, she works for a detective as a skip tracer. In this book, she acquires a antique sideboard, with a ghost attached. and starts researching who she is and why she is still around.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,423 reviews12 followers
November 6, 2021
A little different story from this cozy mystery series this time, it's not a murder which Kay gets caught up in but more of a ghost mystery.

Kay wins a sideboard at an auction but it comes with an additional extra, a ghost! Only she can see it, and when she works out who the ghost is, she's more confused than ever!

Madison and Henry are still loving living at her house with their Father, Judge Beck, and between the Judge and Kay they crack why the ghost hasn't moved on.

Best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters.

I'm really enjoying this series, looking forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for jimtown.
960 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2020
The characters were likable in this fairly average mystery surrounding a haunted antique sideboard. It's the first I've read in this series but from what I gathered, sixtish Kay had recently lost her husband. Luckily by book three she has a good friend with his part-time children renting part of her home, and she meets a likable guy at an auction who is more than happy to help her. It took me a bit to get into the story, but it did get better as it progressed. I was wrong on who I thought was haunting the sideboard and with what I thought happened. Likable enough.
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,763 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2022
Antique Secret: A Locust Point Mystery (Book 3) — Libby Howard/Narrator: Margaret Strom (22 chapters) Feb. 11-12, 2022

This is the third book in the series in which a recently widowed woman in her early 60’s solves mysteries concerning the ghost she sees.

In this one, a very kind and loving woman carries a secret to her grave that Kay feels obligated to solve.

Great supporting characters and wonderful, original storyline. Best book yet.

As stated before: the narrator, Margaret Strom, is absolutely perfect to voice for this series.

Four stars.
Profile Image for Ann Mills.
275 reviews
June 12, 2022
I’m really enjoying this series

Yup, still a ghost involved. This was a really good story with a lot of historical drama. I can believe the events really happened since my paternal grandparents where an arranged marriage. My grandma was 36 when her family made her marry her cousin’s widower in 1924. My grandpa was 47. I remember her telling me that “they” made her get married. She was content to be a spinster. Young women today don’t understand the strides we have made. Ok, I’m off my soapbox now.
Profile Image for Mary Cokenour.
476 reviews6 followers
October 12, 2017
I can relate so much with the main character, Kay Carrera, that it would be very difficult not to enjoy this series.

After purchasing a side board, Kay finds a very remorseful spirit is attached to it. Now to find out the truth behind the story of the twins, Mabel and Lucille, whose lives changed drastically in the 1920s. Just as I thought I had it all figured out, author Libby Howard doesn't perform the stereotypical plot twist and had me completely fooled till the end. Good for you Libby!
99 reviews
February 18, 2018
Another winner!

This is the third book in the Locust Point Mystery series. I enjoyed it as much as I did the first two. It has been fun to watch the characters develop. And new characters joining the cast. The more I get to know the main character, the more affinity I feel with her. So many similarities! The ending in this one was not at all what I expected.
These books are a quick read, about 2 hours. On to #4!
365 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2018
Another good read in this series. The familiar characters get more depth and a few new characters are added that work well. I shall be reading the rest of this series. The story they uncover is unfortunately totally believable and the struggles they have when the answers they are getting are not what they want to believe rings true. No one wants to believe bad stuff about characters they are emotionally invested in.
198 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2019
I really truly like these books! I am a product of my generation. A baby boomer. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll was the name of my game. This 60 year old has my number.

A few mistakes. Yes. Not nearly as many as so many of the e books I have. Sheese, had I not looked back, the last sentence would have turned out so different.

I am continuing to read these stories. No matter where they may take me.
112 reviews
April 1, 2018
A different kind of mystery

Firstly, I really like Kay and the judge. Kay is a little younger than I am and it's unusual to find a character I can identify with. This mystery happened 95 years earlier so it was interesting how she solved the problem of the newest ghost in her dining room.
Profile Image for Mysterygal3.
79 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2018
One two three hits home run

This is the third book in the series and I can honestly say I have enjoyed each one. This author has well written storyline. Interesting characters, some on the curly side (every good book needs a few colorful characters, as in life) I can't wait to start reading book 4
649 reviews4 followers
August 22, 2018
Nice read

Great characters, good plot, totally unexpected twists. I was already to be upset that the most obvious solution would be the great "reveal", but was pleasantly surprised that Ms Howard found a way out of the plot that I didn't see coming. I'll definitely read the next one.
408 reviews7 followers
September 9, 2018
Just OK

I enjoyed part of this book, the character development, the progression of the overall story line. But honestly this book that like filler, the mystery was OK, nothing too crazy. I did find certain parts of the story interesting, but overall it just felt like it was an in between place holder for the preceding book and the following book.
996 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2020
A touching story that helps solve a family story from the early 1920. The ability of the main character to see “ghosts” and feel their aura is problematic for me but the author presumes we all want to help this ghost transition to the next plane. But the story has many poignant moments as we learn the real story.
364 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2020
A good story, but not as good as when the children are more involved.

I didn't like this book so much because it was confusing; along with the set of twins the grandparents, great grandparents, and great great grandparents were part of the story. Then at the end I figured out where the missing letter was so the story ended well.
58 reviews
December 2, 2020
Good

This is a good story, easy to read and interesting. The main character is relatable. I have read the previous two books and those build into this one. I especially enjoyed the parts about the kids and about antiquing. Also the cat although his role is much less than in book 2. This is worth reading.
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,377 reviews14 followers
January 31, 2022
The story is so twisted and it happened so long ago that I’m surprised that the truth came out. This author, like so many others, repeats the facts over and over again. Nobody has to do that, the reader is much smarter than that. Just say it once in a while. I did love the unveiling of the true facts, so very interesting!!
Profile Image for Kim.
398 reviews7 followers
August 31, 2022
Another Engaging Mystery

I really enjoyed listening to this story. The mystery this time was focused on solving something from almost a century ago. The research Kay carried out was very interesting. I also liked how Kay's life in Locust Point took a minor detour.

Can't wait to download the next Locust Point mystery.
Profile Image for Carolann Hiller.
312 reviews7 followers
October 19, 2017
Ghostly unrest

Successfully winning a bid on a love!y antique sideboard in an auction and taking it home only to find a ghost attached. Meeting the great grandson of the ghost leads to research as to why the ghost is stuck earth side. Lots of twists and turns.
68 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2018
Awesome paranormal story

A truly exciting story of how someone can get caught up into circumstances beyond their control. I am so glad that Kay was able to finally put Mables spirit to rest. A great page turner and I recommend this book to everyone.
1,063 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2018
Great read

OK I love this series by Libby Howard and I don't usually like ghosts in my cozies but this one is different and I love Kay and all those in locust Point and I think you will too so if you haven't read it yet give it a try I'm glad I did I'm getting the next book now
Profile Image for Jeanette Hurrelbrink.
415 reviews7 followers
August 9, 2018
Antique Secrets

Easy poolside read. A continuing story of Locust Point . This was the most interesting of the three I have read. A piece of furniture holds a secret. The shy introduces several new characters that I sure will appear in the next book.
Profile Image for Robin Resch.
651 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2019
A mother's love

This is the third book of this series. Well written. Love the characters and story line. Looking forward to seeing what happens next with Matt. Hope to see a love connection.
Profile Image for Liz Etnyre.
752 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2020
As the earlier books in this series still a lovely read, still too short! Did not almost kill off the main character in this one, which is much appreciated, as three books in a row would have been a bit much!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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