Ghost Rat

by Lisa Haneberg

Xena Cali was a successful human resources executive who plummeted off the corporate ladder. She relocates to quirky Galveston Island, Texas, to open the Paradise Lost Spy Shop and a private investigation practice in the gritty Strand Historical District. Xena uncovers and must overcome several challenges related the store's former "residents." At the same time, business owners are on edge about of a string of recent burglaries. Xena jumps in to help, but a rag-tag crime watch group makes solving the case harder and weirder. Find out what Chef Robert Irvine, a probably-fake voodoo queen, and a golf-cart-driving pot-head artist have in common in this fun and fast-moving caper.

ebook

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Lisa Haneberg is the author the Spy Shop Mystery series and over a dozen nonfiction books covering human resources, leadership, and personal success. Available series books include Ghost Rat (prequel novella) Toxic Octopus (#1) and Dead Pelican (#2). All are set in Galveston. She lives with her husband and Hazel the dog in Lexington, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Series Starter
What a great way to introduce a new series. This story is short, funny and well planned. There is a basic whodunnit cozy mystery with lots of neat spy tech equipment. It definitely makes me want to read future episodes. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

[Kristine Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the covers of Lisa Haneberg's Spy Shop Mystery series first, then the quirky premises and Galveston Island, Texas setting, and now I'm solidly a fan of the writing. What a quick, fun book to give the background, beginnings, and to set-up the rest of the series.

Haneberg not only tells a good story in 85 short pages, but she directly engages the "dear reader" with asides and extras from main character Xena Cali. The string of recent break-ins at various small businesses in the historical district is the perfect vehicle for readers to get to know not only Xena's spy-style, but also to meet the family, so to speak, with a wide cast of characters in her fellow business owners.

Already reading book two!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was a great introduction to this series of cozy mysteries. THe main character is a well-known, respected by some HR investigator who is opening a spy shop in Galveston. I'm before she even opens her shop, she's involved in breaking up a ring of thieves. Just a great way to meet a new to me author.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghost Rat is a great novella to set the stage for Haneberg's mystery novels to come. Xena Cali, her Galveston spy shop and the nosey neighborhood community make for a fun short story. I won't give away any spoilers but....there are some scenes that will have you laughing!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The characters are very likable. The storyline was good and flowed nicely. A good start to a series.

[Matt Kuhns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost rat.

Actual ghost rat.

At 85 pages of story, this fun little book is well worth your time to read.