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Amazing Grace
Jessica Fletcher meets Aunt Bea meets Odd Thomas in this Southern Gothic Paranormal Mystery with a dose of romance from award-winning novelist John G. Hartness.
Lila Grace Carter is your favorite new detective, you just don’t know it yet. She’s determined, smart, caring, and sassy as the day is long. She also talks to dead people. Of course, as she puts it, “I’m Southern. We all talk to dead people down here. The difference is, they talk back to me.”
Lila Grace has lived in Lockhart, S.C. her entire life, and has always been shunned for being different. Discovering her ability to see and talk to ghosts at an early age, she used her ability to help people settle disputes, communicate with lost loved one, and generally make life better in small ways.
Until poor dead Jenny Miller showed up on her doorstep. Now Lila Grace has a teenaged ghost following her around, a handsome new sheriff in town, and a murderer in her sleepy southern town. This ain’t Mayberry, kids.
Award-winning author and poet John G. Hartness has mined his southern roots for inspiration and color in this supernatural love letter to small-town Southern life.
Lila Grace Carter is your favorite new detective, you just don’t know it yet. She’s determined, smart, caring, and sassy as the day is long. She also talks to dead people. Of course, as she puts it, “I’m Southern. We all talk to dead people down here. The difference is, they talk back to me.”
Lila Grace has lived in Lockhart, S.C. her entire life, and has always been shunned for being different. Discovering her ability to see and talk to ghosts at an early age, she used her ability to help people settle disputes, communicate with lost loved one, and generally make life better in small ways.
Until poor dead Jenny Miller showed up on her doorstep. Now Lila Grace has a teenaged ghost following her around, a handsome new sheriff in town, and a murderer in her sleepy southern town. This ain’t Mayberry, kids.
Award-winning author and poet John G. Hartness has mined his southern roots for inspiration and color in this supernatural love letter to small-town Southern life.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2017
189 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
John G. Hartness
191 books592 followersJohn G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love.
He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles (Bell Bridge Books), the Bubba the Monster Hunter comedic horror series, the Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter dark fantasy series, and many other projects.
In 2016, John teamed up with a pair of other publishing industry ne’er-do-wells and founded Falstaff Books, a small press dedicated to publishing the best of genre fictions “misfit toys.”
In his copious free time John enjoys long walks on the beach, rescuing kittens from trees and playing Magic: the Gathering.
For free short stories and to follow his activities and appearances on his newsletter, follow this link - http://eepurl.com/fV4In
He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles (Bell Bridge Books), the Bubba the Monster Hunter comedic horror series, the Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter dark fantasy series, and many other projects.
In 2016, John teamed up with a pair of other publishing industry ne’er-do-wells and founded Falstaff Books, a small press dedicated to publishing the best of genre fictions “misfit toys.”
In his copious free time John enjoys long walks on the beach, rescuing kittens from trees and playing Magic: the Gathering.
For free short stories and to follow his activities and appearances on his newsletter, follow this link - http://eepurl.com/fV4In
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 30, 2019
Great writing pulled me into the story, the setting - South, and the slow burn romance. This is a gentle story about murder, if I can say such a thing. There was a sweet slow burn, romance with older couple - very unusual, and it felt so real. The characters seems perfectly real for a small town setting, and it felt as if I had met and knew them. The plot was easy to follow, and the reveal had enough angst to make it feel believable. Loved it and didn't want it to end.
July 23, 2019
A loving and lovable story.
An amazingly deep and tender book; Hartness has written about a place and about people he understands and cares for. While Bubba and Q. are tons of fun, these folks live and breathe, and make this reader care about them.
Please sir, may I have some more?
An amazingly deep and tender book; Hartness has written about a place and about people he understands and cares for. While Bubba and Q. are tons of fun, these folks live and breathe, and make this reader care about them.
Please sir, may I have some more?
September 14, 2019
Amazing Grace is such a great read! Lila Grace is awesome and I loved getting to know her in this first book. She's a little old Southern lady who talks to ghosts. What could be better than that! I can't wait for the next book!
March 11, 2019
This is truly a beautiful love letter to all things small town southern. Hartness clearly has a deep seeded love for his roots and it reflects in every world of this paranormal masterpiece.
Right off the bat, I love that he found a way around the “why don’t the dead just tell us who killed them” conundrum. This story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing up until the moment where they main characters figure it out. Speaking of the characters, they are all very well written as distinct, unique, and believable people that anyone from a small town would recognize and adore in a heartbeat. I myself am going to be VERY careful not to cross the Dead Old Lady Detective Agency.
One of the best things that Hartness did in this book is build a world and life for Lila Grace outside of what is happening in the book. Showing her struggles coming to terms with both her gift itself and the attention it brings her and how it shaped her life gives the reader great insight into her as a person and pulls you in. Along those lines, I will admit that the romance angle threw me off for a second, but I quickly grew to love it as another angle that gave realism, depth, and a genuine investment beyond just the murder that triggered the entire story.
I really hope there is another Lila Grace story in the future. John G Hartness is a fantastic writer that breathes life into all of his characters and I truly can’t get enough.
Right off the bat, I love that he found a way around the “why don’t the dead just tell us who killed them” conundrum. This story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing up until the moment where they main characters figure it out. Speaking of the characters, they are all very well written as distinct, unique, and believable people that anyone from a small town would recognize and adore in a heartbeat. I myself am going to be VERY careful not to cross the Dead Old Lady Detective Agency.
One of the best things that Hartness did in this book is build a world and life for Lila Grace outside of what is happening in the book. Showing her struggles coming to terms with both her gift itself and the attention it brings her and how it shaped her life gives the reader great insight into her as a person and pulls you in. Along those lines, I will admit that the romance angle threw me off for a second, but I quickly grew to love it as another angle that gave realism, depth, and a genuine investment beyond just the murder that triggered the entire story.
I really hope there is another Lila Grace story in the future. John G Hartness is a fantastic writer that breathes life into all of his characters and I truly can’t get enough.
March 14, 2022
Oof. It was "good enough." But it's less than I expect from John Hartness. I know John from the podcast, Authors & Dragons, and from his "Bubba the Monster Hunter" series. It's difficult to transition from slapstick humor to more serious literary endeavors, like "Amazing Grace." John fell in to some traps here. There were tropes and cliches galore! The book is called "Amazing Grace" and guess what the main character's name was... yep. It was "Lila Grace" or something like that. When you write silly humor books, cliches and tropes are acceptable. In fact, they're expected. But they should be eschewed when you're writing a more serious novel. Otherwise you don't set your work apart from the other stuff that's out there. It was predictable and the characters were pretty flat. The perspective was never more than skin deep. If this were my first exposure to John's work, I wouldn't be in a hurry to read him again. It's about on par with most of the drug store fiction out there. It wasn't amateurish or anything like that. It was just standard.
But this was published four years ago. I'm sure John's grown as a writer since then. I've seen, even in his Bubba series, how his writing has improved over the years. So I do hope John tries again at publishing serious fiction. For all I know, he already has. I really only know his Bubba stuff.
But this was published four years ago. I'm sure John's grown as a writer since then. I've seen, even in his Bubba series, how his writing has improved over the years. So I do hope John tries again at publishing serious fiction. For all I know, he already has. I really only know his Bubba stuff.
October 25, 2017
Murder She Wrote meets the Medium, October 25, 2017
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This review is from: Amazing Grace - A Southern Paranormal Mystery (Kindle Edition)
Amazing Grace is a wonderful take on a mystery. I loved that Lila was just a regular woman who just so happens to beagle to hold conversations with the dead. This is not one of those mysteries where the ghost knows who killed them but the detective has to prove it. This is so much better because no one knows and everyone is making discoveries throughout the book. Even the other ghosts in the story start investigating to find out who killed these poor girls. I found it interesting that only one of the murder victims stays in our world. They finally reveal reasons why without coming out and saying oh this is why she was able to move on. I also like the characters in this book as none of them are perfect. All have a side that the reader can like and one that they can be annoyed by. I am excited to read other books starring Lila, as well as books written by Hartness. Hartness also shows howbullying of any kind can lead to unexpected horrible events. Our past maybe in the past but it is always a part of us.“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book”.
Edit Review
Delete Review
This review is from: Amazing Grace - A Southern Paranormal Mystery (Kindle Edition)
Amazing Grace is a wonderful take on a mystery. I loved that Lila was just a regular woman who just so happens to beagle to hold conversations with the dead. This is not one of those mysteries where the ghost knows who killed them but the detective has to prove it. This is so much better because no one knows and everyone is making discoveries throughout the book. Even the other ghosts in the story start investigating to find out who killed these poor girls. I found it interesting that only one of the murder victims stays in our world. They finally reveal reasons why without coming out and saying oh this is why she was able to move on. I also like the characters in this book as none of them are perfect. All have a side that the reader can like and one that they can be annoyed by. I am excited to read other books starring Lila, as well as books written by Hartness. Hartness also shows howbullying of any kind can lead to unexpected horrible events. Our past maybe in the past but it is always a part of us.“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book”.
October 20, 2017
I was given a copy of this book from the author and chose to leave a review.
This is a great story and I fell in love with Lila Grace Carter the main heroine in this fun read. She not only sees dead people she can talk to them and they talk back. As she says to the new sheriff Willis Dunleavy " I'm southern. We all talk to read people down here. The only difference with me is they talk back. " when he questions her abilities.
When 16 years old Jenny Miller is killed she shows up at the home of Lila Grace asking her for help finding her killer, then a few days later her best friend Shelly Thomas is found dead too. What follows is a fast paced, funny in parts mystery. I felt liked was there watching everything unfold right I couldn't figure out who the killer was before Lila and the sheriff so I really enjoyed that. I hate when I figure out who done it before the story line tells me. This was well written and quite an enjoyable read. This is the first book I've read by this author but definitely not the last.
Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock
This is a great story and I fell in love with Lila Grace Carter the main heroine in this fun read. She not only sees dead people she can talk to them and they talk back. As she says to the new sheriff Willis Dunleavy " I'm southern. We all talk to read people down here. The only difference with me is they talk back. " when he questions her abilities.
When 16 years old Jenny Miller is killed she shows up at the home of Lila Grace asking her for help finding her killer, then a few days later her best friend Shelly Thomas is found dead too. What follows is a fast paced, funny in parts mystery. I felt liked was there watching everything unfold right I couldn't figure out who the killer was before Lila and the sheriff so I really enjoyed that. I hate when I figure out who done it before the story line tells me. This was well written and quite an enjoyable read. This is the first book I've read by this author but definitely not the last.
Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock
March 29, 2020
Recommended Read!
I loved this story and its characters Lila Grace and Willis Dunleavy. For me, they were relatable, like your favorite eccentric aunt and easy going uncle. And that this book was a quick glimpse into their lives that your Momma would normally want to keep you from really learning about as she hushed you and sent you back to your room. I urge you to read this and learn more! You'll be much happier that you did.
I do have to say that I stopped on this book only because I recognized the author's name from a Facebook group I'm usually lurking in the background in. I've never interacted with the author other than to possibly like or comment on the same post or meme as him. We seem to share a similar sense of humor about some things. So, I was curious about his writing style and I have to say I was not disappointed. Thank you for the entertainment and sharing of this story sir.
I loved this story and its characters Lila Grace and Willis Dunleavy. For me, they were relatable, like your favorite eccentric aunt and easy going uncle. And that this book was a quick glimpse into their lives that your Momma would normally want to keep you from really learning about as she hushed you and sent you back to your room. I urge you to read this and learn more! You'll be much happier that you did.
I do have to say that I stopped on this book only because I recognized the author's name from a Facebook group I'm usually lurking in the background in. I've never interacted with the author other than to possibly like or comment on the same post or meme as him. We seem to share a similar sense of humor about some things. So, I was curious about his writing style and I have to say I was not disappointed. Thank you for the entertainment and sharing of this story sir.
October 13, 2017
Another winner from one off my favorite authors
John Hardness is rapidly rising to the top of my list of favorite authors. This new character Lila Grace is great. She is a younger version of Miss Marple crossed with the ghost whispered if they were southern. Lila Grace talks to the dead and they speak back. This is a slice of unlife romantic detective novel. You get to know the characters in the town both the living and the dead. The author brings humor and warmth along with his love for southern life. I hope this is the start of a new series. All of his series involve a love of the South and have you rooting for the most unusual people such as Bubba the monster hunter. Quincy Harker, a wizard who also is the nephew of Dracula, and Lila Grace. His characters all love life and living for all it's worth.
John Hardness is rapidly rising to the top of my list of favorite authors. This new character Lila Grace is great. She is a younger version of Miss Marple crossed with the ghost whispered if they were southern. Lila Grace talks to the dead and they speak back. This is a slice of unlife romantic detective novel. You get to know the characters in the town both the living and the dead. The author brings humor and warmth along with his love for southern life. I hope this is the start of a new series. All of his series involve a love of the South and have you rooting for the most unusual people such as Bubba the monster hunter. Quincy Harker, a wizard who also is the nephew of Dracula, and Lila Grace. His characters all love life and living for all it's worth.
May 2, 2018
I picked this book up on a whim, mainly cause i love ghost stories. This was one of my favorite reads this year. It was fast paced, exciting, attention to detail was perfect it felt like i was in Lockhart, South Carolina. I really liked how he got the 'Southern' tone of his writing from the words and phrases us country folk use. The mystery of who the killer was kept me guessing till the last few chapters. I also really liked the character development we got from Reverend Turner; i really wish we would have gotten some more development from Mrs. Miller and Jenny Miller. I wasn't expecting this to be a romance but the relationship between Willis and Lila Grace caught me off guard which i really liked. It was nice that the romance didn't over power the main plot of the story. All in all Amazing Grace was a well written aside from a few noticeable typos the story was amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2022
Characters are always key in whether I will enjoy a book or not, and I LOVED the characters in this paranormal romance/mystery.
It also didn't hurt that our main characters was a little easier for me to connect with: a middle-aged Southern woman with unusual abilities. I mean, I can't literally talk to dead people, but I write, so I talk with people who don't exist all the time.
The book won me over with the opening chapters detailing Lila Grace's discovery of her special abilities in the form of a childhood friend who wasn't what she initially seemed to be, and kept on winning me over through her kindness coupled with snark and occasional melancholy.
I sincerely hoped John Hartness writes more with these characters. I'll be there for it!
It also didn't hurt that our main characters was a little easier for me to connect with: a middle-aged Southern woman with unusual abilities. I mean, I can't literally talk to dead people, but I write, so I talk with people who don't exist all the time.
The book won me over with the opening chapters detailing Lila Grace's discovery of her special abilities in the form of a childhood friend who wasn't what she initially seemed to be, and kept on winning me over through her kindness coupled with snark and occasional melancholy.
I sincerely hoped John Hartness writes more with these characters. I'll be there for it!
June 25, 2018
I didn't know what to expect when I first received a copy of this book. Paranormal mysteries are usually not my kind of books to read, but I have to say that it hooked me from page one and I stayed up late to finish the book. Lila Grace is a southern lady with a gift to see and speak to ghosts. Lila doesn't care if people think she is a bit crazy; her mission in life is to help the newly departed resolve their issues so that they can find the light. Lila has wit, style, and doesn't take no for an answer. With her special help, she works with the new town sheriff, and newly departed Jenny to solve the mystery of why Jenny and her friend Shelly have been murdered and by whom.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
October 29, 2018
Grace is a HOOT! Anyone who grew up in South Carolina and is middle age has a relative like her, maybe not the 'ghosts talk to' her part, but in every other aspect. In fact Grace reminds me of an aunt of mine who passed away a few years ago. Like Grace this aunt was talked about, spurned, and yet loved at the same time, all be it for an entirely different reason.
What about the plot? Oh, it kept me glued to the book since I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, just know if your looking for a cozy southern gothic mystery that is also a love story then you have found the right book. It's well worth your time and money and I guarentee you will fall in love with Grace just as I did. <3
What about the plot? Oh, it kept me glued to the book since I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, just know if your looking for a cozy southern gothic mystery that is also a love story then you have found the right book. It's well worth your time and money and I guarentee you will fall in love with Grace just as I did. <3
April 7, 2019
Gothic mystery with a few good laughs
This book was very hard to read at first. The content was good. The character development was good. The way it’s written is what I had a hard time getting past. It is definitely a heavy southern accent with words and phrases I was not used to.
It starts with two young girls being murdered, but the book was so much more; a little romance, a little joking, a lot of talking to the dead.
The book isn’t much of a mystery. It is, but you don’t get any clues or a reason to believe who the killer is until it is pretty much laid out for you. It didn’t take away from the book by any means, just didn’t leave much to the imagination leading up to the end. Good read!
This book was very hard to read at first. The content was good. The character development was good. The way it’s written is what I had a hard time getting past. It is definitely a heavy southern accent with words and phrases I was not used to.
It starts with two young girls being murdered, but the book was so much more; a little romance, a little joking, a lot of talking to the dead.
The book isn’t much of a mystery. It is, but you don’t get any clues or a reason to believe who the killer is until it is pretty much laid out for you. It didn’t take away from the book by any means, just didn’t leave much to the imagination leading up to the end. Good read!
October 25, 2017
I really enjoyed John Harness' take on using ghosts and mediums to help solve a murder mystery. Usually ghosts are not doing good things, like scaring people and throwing things around, but this time, the ghosts actually help come to the rescue all the while displaying their old southern charm, which permeates the entire book. It is also a tender love story of love gone wrong, of love not found, and of potential love in the here and now. The slow careful interactions between the two main living characters is beautifully choreographed and adds a humorous touch to the story. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
May 27, 2019
This was recommended by a friend. Even though I thought it was a little "awe shucks hokey" I like the fact that it's set in South Carolina and does accurately get the rural southern atmosphere perfectly. I was also pleasantly releaved that the male and female lead characters were both adults (57 years of age in Lila Grace's case). It gets monotonous constantly reading about teenagers and twenty-somethings so bravo to the author for the adult love interest in this one! I loved that part of it. The Dead Old Ladies' Detective Agency was funny and, being from rural NC myself, I could almost visualize them. Overall a nice sweet, paranormal murder mystery.
June 17, 2022
This book was thoroughly enjoyable. The characters are so sassy and richly drawn, that I felt I was there with them, drinking sweet tea. And I don't even like sweet tea, lol. Grace feels like a good friend of mine, and I also enjoyed Sheriff Willis. The tension between them was lots of fun and believable. I found it refreshing to read about romantic tension between people in their 50s.
I found it difficult to stop reading after one or two chapters, even though I was up past my bedtime. The murder mystery ride was a delicious slow burn, as was the dynamics between Grace and Willis. And the setting of Lovelace, SC came alive to me in the pages.
Well done!
I found it difficult to stop reading after one or two chapters, even though I was up past my bedtime. The murder mystery ride was a delicious slow burn, as was the dynamics between Grace and Willis. And the setting of Lovelace, SC came alive to me in the pages.
Well done!
December 27, 2018
Absolutely adored this book. From reading the description, I was a little hesitant just because as a 54-year-old woman, I don't love being lumped in with Aunt Bea and Jessica Fletcher. But Lila Grace is amazing; I am proud to be known as part of her demographic. She's smart and sassy and all the things we readers want our Southern heroines to be. But she's also sexy and empathetic and genuinely kind--not sweet, never sweet, but genuinely kind. And the mystery works, too. I didn't get impatient with it, nor did I feel cheated by the solution. So yeah, a rare 5-star read.
July 6, 2022
A pretty good murder mystery, VERY southern, that voice came through extremely clear. Just a tad preachy at times, and there were some passages that seemed to be added just to make sure you're 100% clear that Lila Grace knows everything and anything that goes on in the town, just like a Southern Old Woman should, but in general it came across very authentic, from an author who is clearly familiar with that locale.
The romance is a bit meh, I liked the ghosts and Lila Grace's relationship to them the most.
3.5 stars rounded down
The romance is a bit meh, I liked the ghosts and Lila Grace's relationship to them the most.
3.5 stars rounded down
August 12, 2023
another winner
This one felt autobiographical - in the best way. These people were real. I am now reading everything i can find with Hartness name on it. I can only hope there are MORE of these short stories, featuring this sheriff and the amazing woman who speaks with ghosts. And the ghosts who like to speak with her. That in itself would be a lovely story. Sorry murders keep happening. But she is 57years old and somehow shes also found a new lease on life, and more promise in her Small southern town. Lots of lessons, lots of laughs, lots of tears. A great novella.
This one felt autobiographical - in the best way. These people were real. I am now reading everything i can find with Hartness name on it. I can only hope there are MORE of these short stories, featuring this sheriff and the amazing woman who speaks with ghosts. And the ghosts who like to speak with her. That in itself would be a lovely story. Sorry murders keep happening. But she is 57years old and somehow shes also found a new lease on life, and more promise in her Small southern town. Lots of lessons, lots of laughs, lots of tears. A great novella.
November 15, 2017
Outstanding
For someone living in the north, but who grew up in the south this book is basically my family. I enjoyed this book so very much. It has terrific visual writing, excellent characters, and the story was fantastic. I can’t think about one thing I would consider changing. I sincerely hope there will be more from the author because I’m fully invested in the life and happiness of Lila Grace.
For someone living in the north, but who grew up in the south this book is basically my family. I enjoyed this book so very much. It has terrific visual writing, excellent characters, and the story was fantastic. I can’t think about one thing I would consider changing. I sincerely hope there will be more from the author because I’m fully invested in the life and happiness of Lila Grace.
April 16, 2018
4,5 stars
One reader describe it as "Murder She Wrote meets the Medium" which in my opinion is a perfect description. It's a funny, slightly romantic book about a Lila Grace, a former Sunday school teacher, who can see ghost. With the help of the local sheriff and her friendly ghost, she is trying to solve a murder of a teenage girl. The story has a little bit of everything (mystery, paranormal touch, romance and humor) put together in a prefect package for a short, interesting read.
One reader describe it as "Murder She Wrote meets the Medium" which in my opinion is a perfect description. It's a funny, slightly romantic book about a Lila Grace, a former Sunday school teacher, who can see ghost. With the help of the local sheriff and her friendly ghost, she is trying to solve a murder of a teenage girl. The story has a little bit of everything (mystery, paranormal touch, romance and humor) put together in a prefect package for a short, interesting read.
October 16, 2018
Please keep this Southern Paranormal Mystery going!!
I would rate this higher than a 5!
It was an extraordinary mystery in so
many ways! It had intrigue, humour,
love and " I can't believe that " moments.
I absolutely loved this book and sincerely
hope the author will decide to make a
series out of it!!!! Grace is amazing and I
love the southern charm of it all. Great,
great mystery!!!!
I would rate this higher than a 5!
It was an extraordinary mystery in so
many ways! It had intrigue, humour,
love and " I can't believe that " moments.
I absolutely loved this book and sincerely
hope the author will decide to make a
series out of it!!!! Grace is amazing and I
love the southern charm of it all. Great,
great mystery!!!!
December 2, 2018
Unconventional murder mystery
When this book popped up in my recommendations in Kindle to read, I thought why not. I like the author even thought all I had read by him before this was Quincy Harker Season One. It was a good read: a nice modern mystery set in a small Southern town involving a medium and the new Sheriff in town. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t give spoilers but if you like a nice mystery, this is for you!
When this book popped up in my recommendations in Kindle to read, I thought why not. I like the author even thought all I had read by him before this was Quincy Harker Season One. It was a good read: a nice modern mystery set in a small Southern town involving a medium and the new Sheriff in town. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t give spoilers but if you like a nice mystery, this is for you!
June 4, 2019
Enthralling!!
It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book and it's characters as much as I did with this book! And I read a lot!!! To me most books seem to have some level of repetition and "filler". So much that I often skip a paragraph here and there being as I know I'm not missing something that won't be repeated soon. I read every word of this book, I loved it that much! So thank you Mr. Hartness, you just got another follower!
It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book and it's characters as much as I did with this book! And I read a lot!!! To me most books seem to have some level of repetition and "filler". So much that I often skip a paragraph here and there being as I know I'm not missing something that won't be repeated soon. I read every word of this book, I loved it that much! So thank you Mr. Hartness, you just got another follower!
January 23, 2018
I laughed a lot while reading the book. All of the normal Hartness humor found in his Urban Fantasy series, Bubba the Monster Hunter and Black Knight Chronicles, somehow changed into cozy mystery with a 57-year old woman.
And that, THAT, folks is author's voice.
Funny, and sweet, and strong, Ms. Lila Grace (the main character) is someone I would love to know.
I really can't say much about the mystery and other stuff because about 20% of the way in, my book club met and discussed the story, so I got a ton of spoilers and that affected my reading.
Therefore I am limiting my review to the characters - which are wonderful.
And that, THAT, folks is author's voice.
Funny, and sweet, and strong, Ms. Lila Grace (the main character) is someone I would love to know.
I really can't say much about the mystery and other stuff because about 20% of the way in, my book club met and discussed the story, so I got a ton of spoilers and that affected my reading.
Therefore I am limiting my review to the characters - which are wonderful.
September 8, 2018
Good read
I loved this book just the right mix of murder mayhem mystery and romance i loved the small town southern being i am from small southern town i loved the authors writing style i will be looking for more and beg on my knees this is a long series for Lila Grace and Willis good book 👍
I loved this book just the right mix of murder mayhem mystery and romance i loved the small town southern being i am from small southern town i loved the authors writing style i will be looking for more and beg on my knees this is a long series for Lila Grace and Willis good book 👍
April 17, 2019
Fun, quick read!
This was a fun read that was quick and entertaining. It got a little weird in the middle when the romance started but maybe because I didn't see that coming. I must have painted a different picture of the characters in my mind at the beginning that made the romance weird. But overall delightful and really fun!!
This was a fun read that was quick and entertaining. It got a little weird in the middle when the romance started but maybe because I didn't see that coming. I must have painted a different picture of the characters in my mind at the beginning that made the romance weird. But overall delightful and really fun!!
February 4, 2023
Seriously, unable to put it down
I read this novel in one sitting. For a Midwestern gal in love with the idea of small southern towns, this novel was a wonderful treat. It has ghosts, mystery, intrigue, a little romance ( but not too much), and all the Southern Charm anyone could wish for.
I read this novel in one sitting. For a Midwestern gal in love with the idea of small southern towns, this novel was a wonderful treat. It has ghosts, mystery, intrigue, a little romance ( but not too much), and all the Southern Charm anyone could wish for.
July 30, 2025
I met this author at a book signing event. What a doll! After chatting for a while he said "I have the perfect book for you". He was so right, I instantly loved the book. I loved the character development, the plot, the humor, and the many layers of the story. You won't be able to put this one down! Just make sure you have Kleenex close by.
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