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Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium #1
Get Up and Ghost
THE DEAD IN CASTLEBERRY, GEORGIA HAVE A LOT TO SAY—AND CHANTILLY ADAIR CAN HEAR THEM.
Divorced mom Chantilly Adair hightailed it out of Birmingham, Alabama leaving her ex-husband and over twenty years of memories behind to start fresh in her hometown.
Chantilly keeps busy taxiing her tween son around town and running the historical society, but life surprises her when she takes a tumble down the stairs at work.
Now Chantilly doesn't just work at the historical society, she sees the history of Castleberry play out right in front of her—dead people and all.
As the town prepares for the annual BBQ competition, the king of BBQ is found dead, and Chantilly doesn’t know what’s worse—being the prime suspect, or thinking a ghost is the murderer.
Can Chantilly find the real killer, or will she wind up a Castleberry legend like the ghosts she sees?
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2020
879 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
143 books535 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
March 2, 2021
3,75 stars
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December 31, 2023This book is the first in my paranormal cozy series featuring a strong woman who's just gone through a divorce and moves back to her hometown with her son. She falls down the stairs at her new job as manager of the local historical society and finds she can see ghosts!
And they want her to solve their murders.
Always free in Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback, kindle, and audio format!
And they want her to solve their murders.
Always free in Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback, kindle, and audio format!
May 20, 2019
Great New Series! Do you love a little paranormal in your cozy? This book is for you! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Chantilly, who is the main character. I liked how the character evolved from not being paranormal to being paranormal after hitting her head. She had quite the time trying to make sense of it, and the writing is excellent. If you have ever read my reviews you know I am a huge fan of a CROSSOVER even if its only one line, I am a sucker for them.
Can you see where this is going? Ahhh, I love that a special character from one of the authors other series "shows up" to help Chantilly.
The characters are so fantastic in this book and the story is well thought out. I really enjoyed this Book 1 in this new series and I cannot wait to see what Chantilly is up to next!
Can you see where this is going? Ahhh, I love that a special character from one of the authors other series "shows up" to help Chantilly.
The characters are so fantastic in this book and the story is well thought out. I really enjoyed this Book 1 in this new series and I cannot wait to see what Chantilly is up to next!
February 22, 2022
Castleberry, Georgia. Present day. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson’s Get Up and Ghost (Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium #1) begins with Chantilly Adair returning to her hometown of Castleberry, Georgia after 20 years and a divorce. Having an interest in the history of Castleberry, Chantilly becomes the head of Castleberry’s Historical Society. After a slight fall downs a few steps, Chantilly begins to ‘see’ things. It takes her awhile to put it all together, but now Chantilly actually sees and hears the history of her hometown. It all starts with historic Hamilton House and being a judge for the local BBQ contest. Oh, I guess I should mention that Chantilly finds a body of a major contestant for the BBQ first prize after they had had ‘some words’. A light and fun Southern cozy mystery with some delightful characters and a ghost or two thrown in. 4 stars.
June 13, 2019
Chantilly is the head of the Gerogia Historical Society in the northern town of Castleberry. She loves her job and does it well. She moved back after her divorce and brought her 12 year old son with her.
After falling down the stairs at work she is starting to see and hear things that are not normal for her. When one of the BBQ contestants die she is on a mission to set the record staright for her and a ghost?
This was a fun story to read and a great start to a series. I loved Chantilly, Del, Thelma and Chantilly’s assistant Olivia. We also have a sexy detective that thinks dating is a big hassel for him.
The writing was superb you wanted to know what was going to happen. Was there really a ghost who killed Billy? We can’t forget her new friend Angela Panther who knows what she is doing and guiding Chantilly. You will be kept guessing up until the end at least I was. There are so many twists and turns.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
After falling down the stairs at work she is starting to see and hear things that are not normal for her. When one of the BBQ contestants die she is on a mission to set the record staright for her and a ghost?
This was a fun story to read and a great start to a series. I loved Chantilly, Del, Thelma and Chantilly’s assistant Olivia. We also have a sexy detective that thinks dating is a big hassel for him.
The writing was superb you wanted to know what was going to happen. Was there really a ghost who killed Billy? We can’t forget her new friend Angela Panther who knows what she is doing and guiding Chantilly. You will be kept guessing up until the end at least I was. There are so many twists and turns.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
January 1, 2023
What an awesome read this was!!
The characters were phenomenal!! I truly enjoyed getting to know all of them. They made for an interesting read.
The storyline was incredible! Aspenson has such a knack for telling stories. She can keep her audience in suspense from beginning to end! This is a very well written story and I highly recommend it.
The characters were phenomenal!! I truly enjoyed getting to know all of them. They made for an interesting read.
The storyline was incredible! Aspenson has such a knack for telling stories. She can keep her audience in suspense from beginning to end! This is a very well written story and I highly recommend it.
May 26, 2019
This was a really fun and well-told story.
Chantilly Adair has returned to her home town and her deceased parents home with her son, after going through a bitter divorce that had hit her blindsided. She came home one day and half of the furniture was gone, along with her husband's things.
She is now the head of the Castleberry Georgia Historical Society. After taking a tumble down the stairs and getting a bump on her noggin the size of a walnut. She was given the unique ability to see and hear ghosts.
This is not something she enjoys, especially as the ghost of a young bride to be who committed suicide has decided it's up to Chantilly to prove it was really murder instead. Oh yea, that was close to one hundred years earlier.
After she has an argument with the owner of a restaurant over renovations, which is located in one of the historical buildings. He is found (by her) with a knife in his back. Guess who's one of the suspects?
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the author of the Lily Sprayberry series, and also of the Angela Panther (Whom I was introduced to today) series.
This was a really fun and well-told story with defined characters, a few twists, and a bit of humor.
It's a nice introduction to a new series that should have some interesting stories coming from somewhere in this historical town in Georgia.
Chantilly Adair has returned to her home town and her deceased parents home with her son, after going through a bitter divorce that had hit her blindsided. She came home one day and half of the furniture was gone, along with her husband's things.
She is now the head of the Castleberry Georgia Historical Society. After taking a tumble down the stairs and getting a bump on her noggin the size of a walnut. She was given the unique ability to see and hear ghosts.
This is not something she enjoys, especially as the ghost of a young bride to be who committed suicide has decided it's up to Chantilly to prove it was really murder instead. Oh yea, that was close to one hundred years earlier.
After she has an argument with the owner of a restaurant over renovations, which is located in one of the historical buildings. He is found (by her) with a knife in his back. Guess who's one of the suspects?
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the author of the Lily Sprayberry series, and also of the Angela Panther (Whom I was introduced to today) series.
This was a really fun and well-told story with defined characters, a few twists, and a bit of humor.
It's a nice introduction to a new series that should have some interesting stories coming from somewhere in this historical town in Georgia.
May 18, 2019
Excellent new series! I absolutely loved Chantilly the main character as she tried to figure out what was happening to her after she hit her head. I also loved that a character from another series makes an appearance in the book to help Chantilly get a handle on things. The plot line was fun and entertaining as well as intriguing as you try to figure out "whodoneit!" If you like a good cozy mystery with a touch of the paranormal with a ghost or two tossed in, then this book is absolutely the next one you should pick up. I am excited to see where the characters next adventure takes them!
June 5, 2019
Carolyn has done it again! Chantilly and Austin are so relatable as mother and son, returning home to nurse wounds. Love the SEC references!!!! Who knew a bump on the head could turn you into the local ghost detective!!! Everyone is so colorful and fun! You feel for Agnes. You want to find out why she is haunting the Hamilton House. Who killed Billy? Then wow Angela Panther and her mom show up to help Chantilly learn what her gift means!!!!! It was s great read and I want more!
June 6, 2019
First in a new series!!! What a great start. I loved the phone conversations with Angela Panther. (A different series character making a small appearance.) A little weird but weird is good in this case. Enjoyable. I read this in one sitting. Would recommend.
May 22, 2019
Great start to a new series! Love the town & the quirky characters. I look forward to more in this series!
June 10, 2019
Chantilly is the director of the historical society and a judge in the upcoming BBQ competition. Things have been really busy lately and she managed to fall down some stairs at work and bump her head. She's doesn't want to go see the doc because his office reminds her too much of her daddy passing away. When she starts seeing and hearing things when nobody is around she gets a little worried. Doc prescribes rest and maybe icing the bump on her head when she refused to have tests run. Pretty soon, she's sure she's seeing at least one ghost. Next thing you know, someone is murdered and Chantilly is a suspect. She and her friends look into it as much as they can even though the handsome police officer/coach doesn't want her to. She has to do something before she ends up in jail or dead. This is a great cozy mystery. I really like the snark and outright laughs! That makes it my favorite kind of cozy. I definitely suggest trying it, especially if you like to laugh with cozy characters!
May 19, 2019
Such a wonderful story! So different from all the other books Carolyn has written! I love how Chantilly at first is just a "normal" person, until she hits her head and it all goes from there. The twists in the story are really cool and the book is really enjoyable. I loved the added little extra of a certain person I have come to know and love a lot. That was a big surprise and made me smile :D
I couldn't put the book down, once I started reading it. I really look forward to reading more. I hope Carolyn is already working on part 2 :D I read the book as an ARC for an honest review.
I couldn't put the book down, once I started reading it. I really look forward to reading more. I hope Carolyn is already working on part 2 :D I read the book as an ARC for an honest review.
June 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, disclaimer- I mostly read this in daytime since I’m easily freaked out! Great to have a new paranormal mystery that is well-written and has great characters! Frightening ghosts and Adair is a wonderful protagonist! She’s not wimpy, but believable and fearless! Great start to a new series! I’m looking forward to the next which will be out soon!
**I received a preview copy in an exchange for an honest review. I’m really happy I was introduced to this new series!
**I received a preview copy in an exchange for an honest review. I’m really happy I was introduced to this new series!
June 18, 2019
This book was a delight to read. I loved everything about it. I haven’t read the Angela Panther series but am going to check them out. For those who know her, Angela makes an appearance in this book. I love Chantilly and really enjoyed her psychic development. It was nice to be in on that journey and I thought the author did well with her timing on the development of Chantilly’s ability. I enjoyed the mystery. I thought it was well done and it wasn’t until close to the end that I figured it out. There is quite a bit of humor in the story. I laughed out loud, possibly too hard, at some of the conversations.
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy Southern mysteries, humor and ghosts. I can’t wait to read more!
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy Southern mysteries, humor and ghosts. I can’t wait to read more!
May 31, 2019
A fall down the stairs has a lot to answer for!
Awesome. Okay we've all read stories were the main character has started to see ghosts because of a head injury but this has a nice fresh feel to it with two deaths running alongside each other although one happened in the distant past and one is fresh. Great down to earth characters and an approach to murder and ghosts that is totally believable. From disbelief to acceptance but all overlaid with such common sense that it rings true.
Her divorce and death of her father has left her and her son floundering but returning to her home town feels right as does her work for the historical society. The fall down the stairs though has left a persistent headache and now she is starting to see things. However all this intensifies when she finds a contestant in the upcoming barbecue competition dead. Okay the man had had rows with nearly everyone including her but he still deserves justice. An old suicide (although the view she is shown shows that it was murder), a list of suspects, ghosts, a handsome detective and a reporter trying to blacken her name. Can she bring justice to both murder victims? Will she make peace with her new talent?
Awesome. Okay we've all read stories were the main character has started to see ghosts because of a head injury but this has a nice fresh feel to it with two deaths running alongside each other although one happened in the distant past and one is fresh. Great down to earth characters and an approach to murder and ghosts that is totally believable. From disbelief to acceptance but all overlaid with such common sense that it rings true.
Her divorce and death of her father has left her and her son floundering but returning to her home town feels right as does her work for the historical society. The fall down the stairs though has left a persistent headache and now she is starting to see things. However all this intensifies when she finds a contestant in the upcoming barbecue competition dead. Okay the man had had rows with nearly everyone including her but he still deserves justice. An old suicide (although the view she is shown shows that it was murder), a list of suspects, ghosts, a handsome detective and a reporter trying to blacken her name. Can she bring justice to both murder victims? Will she make peace with her new talent?
June 9, 2019
This story takes place in a quaint, Southern, small town full of mystery and intrigue. Chantilly's two elderly friends Del and Thelma add delightful comic relief. Does Chantilly's bump on her head cause hallucinations or a new gift for seeing ghosts? You'll need to read it to find out! I highly recommend this book!
August 10, 2025
3 stars
The book was boring to get into, and the bickering was a bit too much at times. I didn’t like the main character and won’t be continuing with the next book.
The book was boring to get into, and the bickering was a bit too much at times. I didn’t like the main character and won’t be continuing with the next book.
June 7, 2019
What a great little cozy!
This is a new to me author and I really really enjoyed the story. The characters were hilarious and the story line was was well developed. Think of it like Golden Girls meets Casper with a little Murder She Wrote and you have Chantilly and her gang!
Can't wait to read the next in the series and to check out the rest of Carolyn's books!
This is a new to me author and I really really enjoyed the story. The characters were hilarious and the story line was was well developed. Think of it like Golden Girls meets Casper with a little Murder She Wrote and you have Chantilly and her gang!
Can't wait to read the next in the series and to check out the rest of Carolyn's books!
June 4, 2019
Sometimes life just keeps throwing you curve balls. Chantilly Adair has moved back to her hometown of Castleberry Georgia to start over after her divorce. After slipping on some stairs at work and banging her head she is seeing things, and now she found the towns most obnoxious citizen murdered. Chantilly is pegged as one of the prime suspects. As she works to clear her name, she comes to realize that her life will never be the same again. This is a fun beginning to a new paranormal cozy mystery series by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson.
May 20, 2019
I absolutely love this new series! Chantilly Adair is a newly divorced mom who moved back into her childhood home in Castleberry, Georgia with her teenage son after her divorce is final. She works for the Castleberry Historical Society, and is also placed in charge of the annual BBQ competition. Chantilly takes a tumble down the stairs and hits her head, and starts seeing the ghost of Agnes Hamilton, who died over 100 years ago, found hanging from the rafters of the Historic Hamilton House still dressed in her wedding dress. As plans for the BBQ competition are heating up, one of the contestants is found (by Chantilly of course) dead in his office. As she found the body and one of the last to see the victim alive, that makes Chantilly a suspect in his murder and she is determined to find the real killer. The ghost of Agnes Hamilton keeps appearing to Chantilly, giving her clues as to not only Agnes' demise but also the recent murder, making it difficult for Chantilly to tell the difference between reality and her visions. This book has it all, a hunky detective (who is also her son’s lacrosse coach), two older eccentric friends who are constantly bickering at one another, a much younger friend who also works with Chantilly, and a very lovely town with very likable characters. A familiar name from another series by this author also makes an appearance (but I won’t tell you which one), which is an added bonus to Ms. Aspenson’s followers! I love how this author builds the characters throughout her books, and am looking forward to watching these characters, and Chantilly’s psychic abilities, grow through more books in this series.
May 27, 2019
Hey y’all, you gotta read this right quick!
I’m not from the South, I’m not even from the States, but even I could tell that this story oozes Southern Charm. And I loved it!
Ever since Chantilly unintentionally skipped the bottom half of the stairs and knocked her noggin up good, she's been seeing and hearing things other people don’t. She also has blackouts. She chalks it up to exhaustion, but we, as readers, know it’s more than that! I loved that!!!
Bobby has serious anger issues and he’s making enemies left, right, and center. So when he’s found dead, there are plenty of suspects. Chantilly being one of them! So what else can she do but investigate? Without meaning to, Chantilly is actually confusing the police more than helping.
The book was well-written. Drawing me in. I laughed out loud a few times at Thelma. She and Del are a hoot. And I loved that Angela from the Angela Panther Mystery Series made an appearance. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal cozy murder mystery!
I’m not from the South, I’m not even from the States, but even I could tell that this story oozes Southern Charm. And I loved it!
Ever since Chantilly unintentionally skipped the bottom half of the stairs and knocked her noggin up good, she's been seeing and hearing things other people don’t. She also has blackouts. She chalks it up to exhaustion, but we, as readers, know it’s more than that! I loved that!!!
Bobby has serious anger issues and he’s making enemies left, right, and center. So when he’s found dead, there are plenty of suspects. Chantilly being one of them! So what else can she do but investigate? Without meaning to, Chantilly is actually confusing the police more than helping.
The book was well-written. Drawing me in. I laughed out loud a few times at Thelma. She and Del are a hoot. And I loved that Angela from the Angela Panther Mystery Series made an appearance. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal cozy murder mystery!
May 27, 2019
I loved this book! It has great characters and a wonderful storyline. Chantilly is a fabulous main character, a divorced mom of a teenaged boy, she works hard to raise him properly. Thelma and Del are hilarious and they really help to make this a fun story.
When Chantilly falls down the stairs at the historical society, she soon realizes that she has a new, shall we say 'talent'. She is now able to hear and see ghosts; ghosts who want her to solve murders. So one more thing she has to deal with along with: raising a son who stinks after practice, arranging and judging a BBQ competition, an old high school rival who still holds a grudge.
This is going to be a great series and I can't wait for the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
When Chantilly falls down the stairs at the historical society, she soon realizes that she has a new, shall we say 'talent'. She is now able to hear and see ghosts; ghosts who want her to solve murders. So one more thing she has to deal with along with: raising a son who stinks after practice, arranging and judging a BBQ competition, an old high school rival who still holds a grudge.
This is going to be a great series and I can't wait for the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
May 29, 2019
I loved this book! The main characters were believable and sone of the other characters were hilarious. I really enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the story and those characters. I didn’t figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed. It was a definite surprise. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series!
May 19, 2019
Great new series from Carolyn Ridder Aspenson! Divorcee Chantilly Adair and her son, Austin moved back to Castleberry, Georgia into her parents home. Chantilly recently fells down the stairs at her new job at the Historical Society and got a concussion. Which is only the beginning of her problems .... as she begins to see and hear things. At the Hamilton House is where the first murder in this small town happens...the death of Bobby Joe Pruitt. Though years ago Agnes Hamilton supposedly hung herself in the Hamilton House and everyone thinks she still is haunting the place. Since Chantilly thinks she can hear and speak to ghost she decides to get in touch with Arron Banner, a special investigator about assistant that he received from a local psychic, Angela Panther to get some advice. You will have red the whole book to find out the rest!!!
May 20, 2019
This first book in a new series hits it out of the park! The characters are great and I look forward to seeing more development. The story is a mystery that is well paced with a few twists and a heck of a surprise. I had the killer wrong and I enjoy when the author is able to surprise the reader like this one did. As a long time fan, the cameo from Angela Panther was one of my favorite parts. I really hope this becomes a long running series, there is a lot of potential here. I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
June 12, 2020
A fun read! Definitely a series I will be following and thank goodness there are quite a few already out! I don't love it as much as I do the Angela Panther series, but I think that is more because I am just getting to know everyone although I really love these characters. I have read all of the Angela Panther series and loved it more with every book. I expect to feel the same as I progress through this one.
May 20, 2019
The first book in a new series shows promise of things to come. Well rounded cast of characters bring complications for Chantilly to untangle. A great diversion to read. I highly recommend the book and I await the next book.
May 20, 2019
Chantilly Adair is a divorced mom who has moved back to her hometown. She’s pretty normal until she’s falls a work hitting her head. After that she hears and sees things. Although hearing her dad in her mom is a little comforting, seeing a bride swing from the chandelier is more than a little upsetting. When Bobby Joe Pruitt, top competitor in the BBQ contest, is found dead, Chantilly is one of the prime suspects and she must prove her innocence. Can Chantilly solve the most recent murder and maybe settle some of the town’s ghosts?
This is a fun book. I really enjoyed it and anxiously await the next chapter in the series.
This is a fun book. I really enjoyed it and anxiously await the next chapter in the series.
May 15, 2019
This book was a wonderful surprise. Chantilly gets some unexpected help from a couple of surprising places that made the story really exciting. A great group of characters form a wonderful group of supporting friends and allies also. Chantilly has to solve murders in the past and the present and there are lots of suspects and couldn’t wait to find out who did what. What a great start to an awesome new series. Looking forward to more of Chantilly’s adventures. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews