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Destiny Bay Cozy #1
A Ghost For Christmas
Be careful what you wish for
Mele Keahi wasn't looking for excitement when she came to Destiny Bay. She'd just lost her man, her job and her self esteem, and she needed comfort. Instead, she found herself involved in a murder, sparring with a suspicious detective and coming face to face with a ghost from her Hawaiian childhood. Not what she'd bargained for--but then--sometimes you just have to deal with what the cat dragged in.
At 31,500 words, 178 paperback pages, A Ghost for Christmas is the first book of the series.
Mele Keahi wasn't looking for excitement when she came to Destiny Bay. She'd just lost her man, her job and her self esteem, and she needed comfort. Instead, she found herself involved in a murder, sparring with a suspicious detective and coming face to face with a ghost from her Hawaiian childhood. Not what she'd bargained for--but then--sometimes you just have to deal with what the cat dragged in.
At 31,500 words, 178 paperback pages, A Ghost for Christmas is the first book of the series.
186 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2014
624 people are currently reading
895 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
December 5, 2016
The day Mele Keahi arrived in Destiny Bay to visit her Aunt Bebe, she had no idea she would suddenly be embroiled in murder. Opening the gate to her aunt’s property, then tripping over a body wasn’t her idea of a quiet arrival where she would receive love and sympathy – all the comfort that her aunt could provide.
When the detective investigating the murder showed his suspicion for everyone, including Mele, she was sure she should have stayed home. But it was the appearance of a ghost from her childhood in Hawaii which unsettled her the most. What was going on? Mele felt she was in over her head – and was she in danger as well? This wasn’t the Christmas she’d envisioned…
A Ghost for Christmas by J.D. Winters is my first by this author and the first in the Destiny Bay Cozy series, and I was impressed. A light cosy mystery which was fun and entertaining – I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer either. I’ll be checking out more work by this author. Highly recommended.
When the detective investigating the murder showed his suspicion for everyone, including Mele, she was sure she should have stayed home. But it was the appearance of a ghost from her childhood in Hawaii which unsettled her the most. What was going on? Mele felt she was in over her head – and was she in danger as well? This wasn’t the Christmas she’d envisioned…
A Ghost for Christmas by J.D. Winters is my first by this author and the first in the Destiny Bay Cozy series, and I was impressed. A light cosy mystery which was fun and entertaining – I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer either. I’ll be checking out more work by this author. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2020
Mele has driven up the coast to visit her Aunt Bebe after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job. Upon arrival she spots a male ghost (whom she's seen before in her teens) in the window of her Aunt's house and then trips over a man's body on the sidewalk. Great introduction to the mystery. Interesting Hawaiian references and secondary characters. Looking for more of this series.
December 9, 2025
I would rate this book 3.5 stars. While the pacing was somewhat slow at times, it still proved to be quite entertaining, and the mystery gripped my attention. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist—I was completely wrong about the identity of the killer, and I always appreciate when a story can mislead me so effectively. This is my first experience with this author, and I’m curious to see how their writing evolves in future installments.
The characters initially felt a bit vague and underdeveloped, but I have faith that as the series progresses, they will become more fleshed out and relatable. The setting is established as a quaint little wine town in California, which adds a charming backdrop to the unfolding drama.
The protagonist, Mele Keahi, arrives in town to visit her aunt, seeking solace after enduring the emotional turmoil of a recent breakup. She looks forward to reconnecting with her favorite relative and enjoying the peace and quiet that she so desperately needs. However, her plans take a shocking turn when she discovers a dead body on her aunt's front walkway upon her arrival. This gruesome find sets the stage for a riveting mystery.
In addition to the unsettling murder, Mele must grapple with the unexpected return of her handsome childhood ghost and the prospect of a new romantic interest arriving on the scene. The central question looms: can she assist in unraveling the mystery of the killer's identity before she becomes the next target?
The introduction of a large ensemble of characters sometimes made it challenging to keep track of everyone, but it ultimately contributed to the rich tapestry of the story. I wished for a bit more build-up before the body was discovered; revealing it earlier diminished the tension that could have been cultivated. Nevertheless, the entertainment value and compelling mystery kept me engaged until the final page and sparked my interest in exploring more books in this series.
The characters initially felt a bit vague and underdeveloped, but I have faith that as the series progresses, they will become more fleshed out and relatable. The setting is established as a quaint little wine town in California, which adds a charming backdrop to the unfolding drama.
The protagonist, Mele Keahi, arrives in town to visit her aunt, seeking solace after enduring the emotional turmoil of a recent breakup. She looks forward to reconnecting with her favorite relative and enjoying the peace and quiet that she so desperately needs. However, her plans take a shocking turn when she discovers a dead body on her aunt's front walkway upon her arrival. This gruesome find sets the stage for a riveting mystery.
In addition to the unsettling murder, Mele must grapple with the unexpected return of her handsome childhood ghost and the prospect of a new romantic interest arriving on the scene. The central question looms: can she assist in unraveling the mystery of the killer's identity before she becomes the next target?
The introduction of a large ensemble of characters sometimes made it challenging to keep track of everyone, but it ultimately contributed to the rich tapestry of the story. I wished for a bit more build-up before the body was discovered; revealing it earlier diminished the tension that could have been cultivated. Nevertheless, the entertainment value and compelling mystery kept me engaged until the final page and sparked my interest in exploring more books in this series.
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December 30, 2018Love this Cozy Mystery story!
Wow, I loved this story so much even though it didn't have a HEA for Mele. I loved this story because of what Mele went through to find the murderer of the body she found as she arrived at her aunt's home and I can't wait to read the rest of the series to find out if she finds true love with a certain hunky police detective!
Wow, I loved this story so much even though it didn't have a HEA for Mele. I loved this story because of what Mele went through to find the murderer of the body she found as she arrived at her aunt's home and I can't wait to read the rest of the series to find out if she finds true love with a certain hunky police detective!
March 20, 2018
Overall this was a decent read. It was like a lot of other cozy mysteries. Cute and fun. However, I was a little disappointed by the lack of ghost in the story. I will continue this series because like I said before its not bad.
March 27, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters are very well defined, most of them are immediately likable, and the ones who aren't so likable are that way for a reason.
There is action, humor, romance and a bit of the paranormal to this story. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future, and hope it continues for a long time to come.
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
There is action, humor, romance and a bit of the paranormal to this story. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future, and hope it continues for a long time to come.
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
December 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Not really much of a ‘ghost’ story. Characters were likable. Ended a bit abruptly, I thought anyway. But was a quick and enjoyable read. Look forward to reading more from this author.
December 25, 2019
This was a proper mystery with many suspects and lots of twists to the end. Some cozies don't have a lot of actual detection, the answer falls into place very quickly and easily; not so in this book. The ghost really doesn't play into the mystery at all. In addition, I thought the characters were developed, the story line was good and some nice Hawaiian flavor.
June 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this cozy
A fun new cozy for me. Fun paranormal characters to help the humans out and keep life interesting. Ready for the next one.
A fun new cozy for me. Fun paranormal characters to help the humans out and keep life interesting. Ready for the next one.
February 1, 2020
It was okay. Nothing really stood out.
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August 1, 2022A Ghost for Christmas is the first book in the Destiny Bay Cozy series and follows our main character Mele who, recovering from a bad romantic breakup, decides to visit her Aunt Bebe. She arrives, however, to find a dead body on her Aunt’s doorstep.
As it turns out, the corpse was that of a wealthy vineyard owner who was pretty much despised by everyone who knew him. He was also trying to steal her aunt’s business which made Mele suspect that her aunt may have had something to do with the murder. Then things heat up even more when a second murder takes place only days later. Mele, along with the help of two family ghosts and the local detective, gets closer to discovering the identity of the killer. Of course, Mele’s meddling puts her own life in jeopardy culminating in a face to face encounter with the killer.
It was a fun, humorous, light little mystery with no real violence or gory bits. The protagonist was likable as were the secondary characters (except for the villain, of course) and I felt that the story was believable. I was a bit disappointed, however, because given the title of the novel, I thought it would be more ghost centric but this was not the case. There were two ghosts in the story: Aunt Jane and the handsome Dante but they played a very minor role in the story, appearing only a couple of times and all we really learn about them is that Dante was a ghost from Mele’s childhood. The story also had little to do with the Christmas season so in this way, I thought the title was a misnomer; the title suggested that a ghost and the holiday would be central to this story, neither of which was the case.
A Ghost for Christmas was quite a quick read and really could have used some further character development, IMHO. But still, it was a fun, entertaining story though I’m undecided as to whether I’ll be continuing on with the series. I don’t mind a cozy mystery from time to time, but truth be told, I prefer my mysteries and thrillers a little more on the darker side.
This review originally appeared on my book review blog at rogersreads.com
As it turns out, the corpse was that of a wealthy vineyard owner who was pretty much despised by everyone who knew him. He was also trying to steal her aunt’s business which made Mele suspect that her aunt may have had something to do with the murder. Then things heat up even more when a second murder takes place only days later. Mele, along with the help of two family ghosts and the local detective, gets closer to discovering the identity of the killer. Of course, Mele’s meddling puts her own life in jeopardy culminating in a face to face encounter with the killer.
It was a fun, humorous, light little mystery with no real violence or gory bits. The protagonist was likable as were the secondary characters (except for the villain, of course) and I felt that the story was believable. I was a bit disappointed, however, because given the title of the novel, I thought it would be more ghost centric but this was not the case. There were two ghosts in the story: Aunt Jane and the handsome Dante but they played a very minor role in the story, appearing only a couple of times and all we really learn about them is that Dante was a ghost from Mele’s childhood. The story also had little to do with the Christmas season so in this way, I thought the title was a misnomer; the title suggested that a ghost and the holiday would be central to this story, neither of which was the case.
A Ghost for Christmas was quite a quick read and really could have used some further character development, IMHO. But still, it was a fun, entertaining story though I’m undecided as to whether I’ll be continuing on with the series. I don’t mind a cozy mystery from time to time, but truth be told, I prefer my mysteries and thrillers a little more on the darker side.
This review originally appeared on my book review blog at rogersreads.com
July 3, 2015
A Ghost For Christmad Cute, likeable story. The ending was a bit too abrupt, but a real page turner. The characters could use a little more development, they were flat and one-dimensional. Overall, an enjoyable read and not bad for the first in a new series.
May 25, 2015
I liked this book and will read more.
February 8, 2016
Fun murder mystery
This book was such a fun read. The characters were interesting and having a ghost or two in the mix was a nice touch. I want to read the rest of the series.
This book was such a fun read. The characters were interesting and having a ghost or two in the mix was a nice touch. I want to read the rest of the series.
August 16, 2016
A ghost for Christmas
I enjoyed this ghost story very much. It was fast reading and I love mysteries. Thanks so much, looking forward to the next Mele story.
I enjoyed this ghost story very much. It was fast reading and I love mysteries. Thanks so much, looking forward to the next Mele story.
February 23, 2025
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/4gX1kyf.
On a visit to her aunt's house after a bad breakup Mele notices first a ghost in the window that has plagued her periodically throughout her life followed by a man dead on her aunt's doorstep. After calling the police she still can't get over it and is determined to find out who is behind the grizzly murder. It could be anyone from her aunts best friend, her aunt, to anyone in between. Will her ghostly apparitions be a help or a hindrance to solving this crime or will she end up joining them as ghosts?
This book is adorable and fast paced. It is a who-done-it with a little bit of very light romance thrown in. Closer to attraction and tiny date than anything else, but it was cute. I really liked the detective and the woman who was always running in this book (can't remember her name right now). The detective was gruff and kind of a pain, but he was all goo on the inside. Then the woman was a real friend, even in the short encounters.
Mele and her aunt are very sweet and I loved how the ghosts popped in and out and how that was explained. The author did a good job with setting and mixing in Hawaiian aspects along with small town living. Also, the scene in the book with the statue was amazing. Trying to be vague with that one. The author does a good job of flipping blame from person to person until she is ready for you to know who the culprit was.
This is book one in a series, but I felt everything was well explained and enjoyed all aspects of the book. The book did not end on a cliff-hanger and is one that you could feel content stopping here if you weren't ready to pledge to a series or continue on to enjoy more activities Mele gets into.
On a visit to her aunt's house after a bad breakup Mele notices first a ghost in the window that has plagued her periodically throughout her life followed by a man dead on her aunt's doorstep. After calling the police she still can't get over it and is determined to find out who is behind the grizzly murder. It could be anyone from her aunts best friend, her aunt, to anyone in between. Will her ghostly apparitions be a help or a hindrance to solving this crime or will she end up joining them as ghosts?
This book is adorable and fast paced. It is a who-done-it with a little bit of very light romance thrown in. Closer to attraction and tiny date than anything else, but it was cute. I really liked the detective and the woman who was always running in this book (can't remember her name right now). The detective was gruff and kind of a pain, but he was all goo on the inside. Then the woman was a real friend, even in the short encounters.
Mele and her aunt are very sweet and I loved how the ghosts popped in and out and how that was explained. The author did a good job with setting and mixing in Hawaiian aspects along with small town living. Also, the scene in the book with the statue was amazing. Trying to be vague with that one. The author does a good job of flipping blame from person to person until she is ready for you to know who the culprit was.
This is book one in a series, but I felt everything was well explained and enjoyed all aspects of the book. The book did not end on a cliff-hanger and is one that you could feel content stopping here if you weren't ready to pledge to a series or continue on to enjoy more activities Mele gets into.
December 17, 2020
The first installment in the "Destiny Bay" cozy series, featuring Mele Keahi, a displaced island gal with the ability to see ghosts.
After a nasty breakup, Mele goes to visit her Aunt Bebe in Destiny Bay. She was hoping for some R&R, but instead, she literally stumbles over a dead man on the sidewalk in front of Bebe's house. Because Bebe had a contentious relationship with Kyle, she's now a suspect in his murder. Mele knows her aunt wouldn't have killed a man, no matter how much of a jerk he was, and she begins asking around in an effort to find other suspects for Detective McKnight to look into. In the meantime, Mele reconnects with her friend, Jill, and is shaken when the ghost of a handsome man from her childhood in Hawaii appears in Bebe's house. Then there's the ghost of Aunty Jane, whom Bebe can also see, in the garden. Mele's suspicions and investigations land her in the sights of a killer, and it may take a ghost to keep her safe.
Eh. On its surface, the story was cute and light. Mele was likable. I did not like Detective McKnight; he was an utter ass, but of course, he's the apparent love interest. Maybe it's just me? If a guy was that much of a jerk to me the first time we met, there would be no romance. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Plus, McKnight confronted Mele a few times to ask what her thoughts were on the case. Um, no. Especially not if he still considered her a suspect. The plot didn't really flow so much as chug along, but it was novella length, so I can overlook that aspect.
I'd like to award 3 1/2 stars, but as it stands, I'm going with 3.
After a nasty breakup, Mele goes to visit her Aunt Bebe in Destiny Bay. She was hoping for some R&R, but instead, she literally stumbles over a dead man on the sidewalk in front of Bebe's house. Because Bebe had a contentious relationship with Kyle, she's now a suspect in his murder. Mele knows her aunt wouldn't have killed a man, no matter how much of a jerk he was, and she begins asking around in an effort to find other suspects for Detective McKnight to look into. In the meantime, Mele reconnects with her friend, Jill, and is shaken when the ghost of a handsome man from her childhood in Hawaii appears in Bebe's house. Then there's the ghost of Aunty Jane, whom Bebe can also see, in the garden. Mele's suspicions and investigations land her in the sights of a killer, and it may take a ghost to keep her safe.
Eh. On its surface, the story was cute and light. Mele was likable. I did not like Detective McKnight; he was an utter ass, but of course, he's the apparent love interest. Maybe it's just me? If a guy was that much of a jerk to me the first time we met, there would be no romance. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Plus, McKnight confronted Mele a few times to ask what her thoughts were on the case. Um, no. Especially not if he still considered her a suspect. The plot didn't really flow so much as chug along, but it was novella length, so I can overlook that aspect.
I'd like to award 3 1/2 stars, but as it stands, I'm going with 3.
December 20, 2020
Cozy mysteries are always a hit or mis for me, and I've found most of my holiday ones especially to be a miss this year. So too is the case with A Ghost for Christmas.
This was really very nothing of a book if I'm being honest. The main character didn't really have much personality, and the main romantic interests had absolutely no chemistry. It was also barely even a Christmas novel. A Die Hard style book, really.
The plot and mystery was okay, but there was nothing special about Mele Keahi or any of the side characters that interested me. I also thought the ghost thing was worked in poorly, with her being able to see Dante and Aunty Jane without any real explanation, and they didn't add that much to the story.
This book's romance was also thrown together haphazardly, as if J.D. Winters felt she (I'm assuming female author) had to include an amateur detective/professional detective romance but didn't know where to start. As it was, they had no chemistry, and she never even knew his first name.
As for the mystery itself, it wrapped up in a weird way, with the motive not being super thought out on Winters's part.
I do not plan on continuing this series, because, again, I don't actually care enough about the characters or romance to be able to continue.
This was really very nothing of a book if I'm being honest. The main character didn't really have much personality, and the main romantic interests had absolutely no chemistry. It was also barely even a Christmas novel. A Die Hard style book, really.
The plot and mystery was okay, but there was nothing special about Mele Keahi or any of the side characters that interested me. I also thought the ghost thing was worked in poorly, with her being able to see Dante and Aunty Jane without any real explanation, and they didn't add that much to the story.
This book's romance was also thrown together haphazardly, as if J.D. Winters felt she (I'm assuming female author) had to include an amateur detective/professional detective romance but didn't know where to start. As it was, they had no chemistry, and she never even knew his first name.
As for the mystery itself, it wrapped up in a weird way, with the motive not being super thought out on Winters's part.
I do not plan on continuing this series, because, again, I don't actually care enough about the characters or romance to be able to continue.
November 19, 2024
A Ghost For Christmas by J.D. Winters is a delightful cozy mystery, and the first installment in the Destiny Bay Cozy series.
After a tough breakup, Mele Keahi heads to visit her Aunt Bebe in search of some rest and relaxation. However, her peace is short-lived. Upon arriving, she discovers a dead body, an unexpected ghost from her past, and a growing list of suspects. With her knack for solving strange incidents, Mele begins her own investigation into the murder. But as she digs deeper, she realizes that she might just become the next victim.
This mystery is full of intriguing suspects and compelling motives. The plot is engaging and easy to follow, with a nice supernatural twist that adds depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of old Hawaiian folklore and the Dutch Christmas traditions, which added a unique cultural flavor to the narrative. The characters are vibrant and well-developed, and for some reason, I couldn't help but feel that Mele and the detective would make an excellent match.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a festive twist, A Ghost For Christmas is definitely worth the read.
After a tough breakup, Mele Keahi heads to visit her Aunt Bebe in search of some rest and relaxation. However, her peace is short-lived. Upon arriving, she discovers a dead body, an unexpected ghost from her past, and a growing list of suspects. With her knack for solving strange incidents, Mele begins her own investigation into the murder. But as she digs deeper, she realizes that she might just become the next victim.
This mystery is full of intriguing suspects and compelling motives. The plot is engaging and easy to follow, with a nice supernatural twist that adds depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of old Hawaiian folklore and the Dutch Christmas traditions, which added a unique cultural flavor to the narrative. The characters are vibrant and well-developed, and for some reason, I couldn't help but feel that Mele and the detective would make an excellent match.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a festive twist, A Ghost For Christmas is definitely worth the read.
July 3, 2019
"Mele Keahi thought she was going for a vacation at her aunt’s – just what she needed after a breakup and a lifetime of heartbreak since her mother disappeared. What she wasn’t expecting was finding a new guy… or that dead body on the doorstep! Could her sweet aunt really be involved? Or was it someone else near and dear to her? And then there was the handsome ghost from her Hawaiian childhood. Not what she'd bargained for--but sometimes you just have to deal with what the cat dragged in. Will she figure that out before the murderer finds a way to silence her forever?"
A wonderful captivating surprising delightful read, full of surprised – ghosts, murders, theft –and, a happy ending! And now I’ll be wondering forever --- who is Dante!!! And do plan to try the recipe included for: Chicken Hekka -
A wonderful captivating surprising delightful read, full of surprised – ghosts, murders, theft –and, a happy ending! And now I’ll be wondering forever --- who is Dante!!! And do plan to try the recipe included for: Chicken Hekka -
June 18, 2017
I took a vacation and hoped to be able to get some reading done. I picked this one for being light and easy to read. I didn't realize how easy to read it would be, about 1/3 of my typical reads in length.
Mele Keahi is going to stay a while at her aunt's house after a bad breakup for a chance to recover and eventually start over. When she arrives, there's a dead man on the walkway to the house. I'm sure that bodes well. Did her aunt do the deed? And the police want a decent alibi from Mele, too, because driving most of the day isn't going to cut it, right?
Easy to read. Characters are cute. Not severely taxing to read. A good airplane read (which is where I read it). Entertaining. I might be interested in reading further adventures if I knew there was a tad more complexity.
Mele Keahi is going to stay a while at her aunt's house after a bad breakup for a chance to recover and eventually start over. When she arrives, there's a dead man on the walkway to the house. I'm sure that bodes well. Did her aunt do the deed? And the police want a decent alibi from Mele, too, because driving most of the day isn't going to cut it, right?
Easy to read. Characters are cute. Not severely taxing to read. A good airplane read (which is where I read it). Entertaining. I might be interested in reading further adventures if I knew there was a tad more complexity.
February 10, 2019
This was an incredibly quick read, which made me nervous. Winters does deliver a full story in that quick amount of time, and for that I was impressed - it was an enjoyable enough evening read while my husband watched basketball. If you're looking for something quick and light, with a few likable characters, it's a good book.
The romance through-line didn't feel real and/or felt rushed. I would've enjoyed more time getting to understand those interactions.
I did enjoy Mele, Aunty, and Sami (of course). The background supernatural elements were there, and, again, something I would have really enjoyed digging into more. When they did pop up, I was intrigued, but I'm left with a lot of questions still. I'll definitely be pawing through the next in the series. :)
The romance through-line didn't feel real and/or felt rushed. I would've enjoyed more time getting to understand those interactions.
I did enjoy Mele, Aunty, and Sami (of course). The background supernatural elements were there, and, again, something I would have really enjoyed digging into more. When they did pop up, I was intrigued, but I'm left with a lot of questions still. I'll definitely be pawing through the next in the series. :)
November 25, 2020
I avoided reading this one because, as you can see, it's #1 which means there are more that come after it and I really try to keep away from getting sucked into series ... but ... I do like my holiday mysteries, so I'm glad I finally sat down and read it because it was such a delight.
I got the Kindle version and I made little notes as I went along trying to solve the murder, as any good detective would. It was a quick read because the story moved along at a pretty good pace. In fact, I tried to only read one chapter a day, but that didn't last and I finished it in just a few days. Oops! I hope you get sucked into it as well.
Oh! And the appearance of a couple of ghosts is a nice little addition to the storyline.
Also, there's a recipe at the end!
I got the Kindle version and I made little notes as I went along trying to solve the murder, as any good detective would. It was a quick read because the story moved along at a pretty good pace. In fact, I tried to only read one chapter a day, but that didn't last and I finished it in just a few days. Oops! I hope you get sucked into it as well.
Oh! And the appearance of a couple of ghosts is a nice little addition to the storyline.
Also, there's a recipe at the end!
December 14, 2021
Mele's mess of a life doesn't get any better when she arrives at her Aunt Bebe's house. Instead of having a sanctuary, she finds a dead body on arrival. Who hated the vintner enough to kill him? Well, everyone. Including Bebe.
Though the focus was more on ghosts and less on Christmas, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I loved how everyone was accepting of each other (barring the ubiquitous gruff detective, of course). And there was a cat! A beautiful spectre of a cat who was very catlike. My only complaint was the denouement which felt a little rushed. That aside, the story was a great read - it drew me in and didn't let go.
Recommended.
Though the focus was more on ghosts and less on Christmas, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I loved how everyone was accepting of each other (barring the ubiquitous gruff detective, of course). And there was a cat! A beautiful spectre of a cat who was very catlike. My only complaint was the denouement which felt a little rushed. That aside, the story was a great read - it drew me in and didn't let go.
Recommended.
April 13, 2023
"A Ghost for Christmas" is an odd book. Christmas plays only a very minor part and the ghost in question (there are two) does nothing until right at the end.
Hawaiian Mele Keahi is visiting her aunt Bebe in Destiny Bay, California, after breaking uip with her boyfriend. The very first thing that happens is that she nearly trips over a dead body in Bebe's front garden.
Of course Mele just has to find out who the killer was (it's a cosy so that part is almost obligatory).
It's a fairly solid procedural but I didn't think it had much energy, it kind of floated to a finale.
A pleasant way to pass an hour or two, but I'll have forgotten it in a week.
3 Stars.
Hawaiian Mele Keahi is visiting her aunt Bebe in Destiny Bay, California, after breaking uip with her boyfriend. The very first thing that happens is that she nearly trips over a dead body in Bebe's front garden.
Of course Mele just has to find out who the killer was (it's a cosy so that part is almost obligatory).
It's a fairly solid procedural but I didn't think it had much energy, it kind of floated to a finale.
A pleasant way to pass an hour or two, but I'll have forgotten it in a week.
3 Stars.
December 6, 2017
When you have a bad break up with a man what do you do? You run home for comfort. So Mele Keahi heads to wine country to her closest relative, her Aunt Bebe. On arrival she spies the ghost who had haunted her in her teen years in Hawaii AND a body in the front yard.
If she wants to gain peace of mind she is going to have to clear her aunt of any possible part in the murder of Kyle Madronna, her neighbor and the body in her yard.
Simple cozy mystery with nothing to do with Christmas other than a time of year when she visits her aunt. Pleasant and easy to read.
If she wants to gain peace of mind she is going to have to clear her aunt of any possible part in the murder of Kyle Madronna, her neighbor and the body in her yard.
Simple cozy mystery with nothing to do with Christmas other than a time of year when she visits her aunt. Pleasant and easy to read.
December 28, 2017
Mele Keahi has come to her aunt's house on Destiny Bay to heal from losing her boyfriend, her job, and her sense of direction. Instead of the comfort she was looking for, Mele trips over a dead body as she walks up to her aunt's house. Mele is thrust into first one murder investigation and then another.
A Ghost For Christmas is the first book in the Destiny Bay cozy mystery series and suffers some from trying to find its place. I will likely try the second book before I give up on the series. I am hopeful the character development and storytelling will even out.
A Ghost For Christmas is the first book in the Destiny Bay cozy mystery series and suffers some from trying to find its place. I will likely try the second book before I give up on the series. I am hopeful the character development and storytelling will even out.
May 10, 2019
Going mad
Nicely done. Kept my attention to the end. Could have been developed out a bit.
I am done but this won't let me submit until I have written a certain amount of words. This is not user friendly. I should be able to write what I want to and be done
Please change this feature.
Let me go. Let me go. I promise not to write another review if you just let me go today. What do I have to do? I will never write another review. Promise!!!!! Help me! I am stuck in text mode and I can't get out! Help me!
Nicely done. Kept my attention to the end. Could have been developed out a bit.
I am done but this won't let me submit until I have written a certain amount of words. This is not user friendly. I should be able to write what I want to and be done
Please change this feature.
Let me go. Let me go. I promise not to write another review if you just let me go today. What do I have to do? I will never write another review. Promise!!!!! Help me! I am stuck in text mode and I can't get out! Help me!
December 29, 2022
A fun, cozy mystery
I finally found a Christmas read for the season that didn't make me cringe. And I really enjoyed it!
Mele is a good, relatable heroine who also happens to see ghosts. Her natural curiosity turns her into an amateur sleuth when she discovers a body outside her aunt's house.
Reading like a Hallmark mystery, there's just enough intrigue to keep the reader invested, and it's short enough to read in a few hours while moving at a good pace. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I finally found a Christmas read for the season that didn't make me cringe. And I really enjoyed it!
Mele is a good, relatable heroine who also happens to see ghosts. Her natural curiosity turns her into an amateur sleuth when she discovers a body outside her aunt's house.
Reading like a Hallmark mystery, there's just enough intrigue to keep the reader invested, and it's short enough to read in a few hours while moving at a good pace. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 17, 2018
Coming to visit her aunt, and she sees a man, that she hadn’t seen in years, and knew he was not real, leaving her shaking. If that wanted to haunt the house, then she didn’t need to stay and be haunted.I was visiting because I lost my job.As I walk to the front door, a dead man is sprawling out. It was aunt best friend husband, but why here. Not much more on the ghost from the beginning. The battering with the detective, made this a good cozy mystery to read.
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