Going to the chapel and we’re gonna get … haunted?
I’ve got a ring on my finger and a date circled on the calendar, let the wedding planning begin!
As luck would have it, the little wooded chapel I’ve got my heart set on, is plagued by the not-so-nice spirit of a former bride. She died on what was meant to be her wedding day and isn’t going to step aside to let anyone else take her place at the altar. She claims the chapel is cursed and points to her own murder as a sure sign, but I’m not convinced.
I’ll have to keep my new reaper powers in check and solve this case the old-fashioned way if Lucas and I have any shot at starting our happily ever after underneath the majestic pines.
I have come to love Garrett’s paranormal cozies, and this series features a florist who sees and speaks to ghosts. A Ghost Whisper, ya might say, who helps them finish their business and crossover.
Scarlett and Lucas’s wedding plans hits a dead end, when the perfect venue has a furious ghostly bride. Someone is vandalizing the floral shop, and the cat is disappearing for hours on end in this engaging tale.
I loved helping Scarlett and her ghostly pals along with her charming boyfriend, Lucas, piece together the murder-mystery. Scarlet has also decided to move to Seattle after the nuptials, but what of her ghostly friends? Will they accompany her?
While the mysteries are always engaging, I love the interaction and back-and-forth banter between Scarlett and her ghostly companions. Flapjack is exactly how one would expect a ghostly cat to behave and I giggled at his antics. This time around Garrett shared some scenes that tugged at my heartstrings. I cannot help but wonder if this is the end of this series.
Amanda Ronconi narrates and has become the voice of this series and author. I love the unique voices for all the characters. Her ability to capture their emotions and banter enhanced my enjoyment of the stories. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Diamonds are a Ghost’s Best Friend starts some time after the conclusion of the fourth book, Big Ghosts Don’t Cry. Lucas and Scarlet are engaged and planning their future life together. However, when they discover a ghost haunting the chapel in which they want to marry, Scarlet strikes a deal with the ghost to help her discover who murdered her on her wedding day.
Diamonds are a Ghost’s Best Friend feels more like the earlier books in the series, in that the recent revelations of demons and Scarlet’s newly acquired powers are only a passing mention. She solves the case much like she used to do, with the help of the departed, both the victim and those she considers her friends. I like how Scarlet uses caution and smarts to piece together the puzzle. Additionally, Lucas is a strong and permanent presence in her life, working with Scarlet rather than against her. I really have enjoyed watching their relationship blossom into the point of marriage; it’s evolving along side Scarlet, making the story richer.
Running parallel with the murder mystery is the fact that Scarlet plans to leave Beechwood Harbor for Seattle where she and Lucas will live after they are married. This brings up hurt feelings and unsettling issues with her ghostly gang. It’s something that flows in and out of the background of the book until nearly the end when Scarlet finally discusses all the pending changes with her crew. The way it’s handled and the final outcome of the book has me thinking this may be the final Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mystery, but I wasn’t able to find any confirmation of this on the author’s website.
Narration: I’ve been listening to Amanda Ronconi read the original series and now this spin-off for over a dozen books or so, and she has consistently done a wonderful job. The Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries is voiced from the first person POV of Scarlet. Ms. Ronconi captures Scarlet’s kindness, generosity, and determination. But also convincingly voices her frustration when called for. Additionally, Ms. Ronconi gives each of the three primary ghost regulars distinct and appropriate voices, and her male voices are generally deeper and fitting.
The Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries has been an enjoyable series, and I strongly urge listeners to start at the beginning of the series rather than jump in here. I hope for more adventures for Scarlet, Lucas, and the gang, but if not, I’m happy with how this one ends.
My Ratings: Story: B+ Narrator: A-
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio. Originally posted on That's What I'm Talking About
Scarlett's wedding plans come to a screeching halt when the perfect church for the ceremony appears to be currently occupied by a spiteful ghost bride. I was all anticipation for this latest installment featuring a gal with ghostly talents, her ghost friends, and her very understanding fiance to solve the latest murder mystery and it didn't disappoint.
Diamonds Are a Ghost's Best Friend is the fifth installment of an ongoing series of ghostly murder mystery adventures that work best in order to get Scarlett's romance and the progression of her grasp of her magic though yes, each book presents a resolution to the mystery by the end.
In this latest, Scarlett and Lucas are starting to plan their wedding and figuring out their future plans. Scarlett is reluctant to set a date and make plans because she knows that it will be the beginning to the end of her time in Beechwood Harbor and having to say good-bye to her flower shop, some good friends, and the good life she had there. She wants to be with Lucas in Seattle and share their lives, of course, and Lucas' patience and understanding go a long way.
But, before she can get too worried about that, the perfect setting for their marriage is an iffy prospect with a ghost who will only cut out the antics if Scarlett solves her murder, Flapjack her ghost cat is acting mysterious, and what is with the weird vandalism to flower pots in her shop? Soliving the crime of a few years back is looking like a longshot, but with the help of her ghosts friends and Lucas, she will try. And, maybe figure out how to keep her snobby domineering mother from taking over her wedding.
Each of these is always fun and thoughtful at the same time. I enjoy the antics of Flapjack and the interactions with the other ghosts and its sweet to see Lucas and Scarlett together. The relationship has come a long ways from when Scarlett tried to hold Lucas at arm's length and broke into a sweat over any type of commitment. She still takes a bit to come to grips with change, but its the more natural feelings anyone feels when they have enjoyed a place and made friends that they must leave behind. Lucas has always been so understanding and patient. He's amazing when it comes to her being able to talk to ghosts and the magic she can wield and I love it when he goes along on some of her ghostly casework.
There are some scenes between Scarlett and Flapjack that are particularly poignant because her old cat is also struggling with the changes a wedding will bring in his usual crusty way. And, a scene with Hayward had me feeling strongly sentimental.
The ghostly mystery was actually less of a draw for me compared to everything else, but still a good element. This time, its a bride killed just before the wedding and no strong clues pointing toward any one of the suspects. I enjoyed following along as Scarlett and the others investigated.
This book felt like a wrap up to the series or maybe simply it was the end of a series arc with a new one beginning next. I'm not sure and haven't seen anything to say for sure. Either way, it would be find in the sense that its good place to stop though I would happily keep reading books in the series.
Amanda Ronconi did another stellar job voicing the book and the characters. Honestly, I think more than half the shine I feel for these books is because of her work. From a laconic Flapjack, gentlemanly Hayward and spritely Gwen, sexy Lucas, and to wry Scarlett, I feel I'm right there with them on the case or in the flower shop.
All in all, it was sparkling and fun and I'm already wanting more as soon as I hit the end of this one. Well developed, humor-laced, and engaging characters make this a paranormal cozy mystery series that I can easily recommend.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
It was still really good but didn't like that two of my favorite characters will be not as present and feel like it was kind of a let down that Scarlet is upending her life a bit too much for my taste for a man. Still a good mystery and I hope things get even better as the series continues!
Diamonds are a Ghost's Best Friend continues the style I prefer where the personal and mystery story lines are intermixed throughout the book. Scarlet and Lucas are planning their wedding and futures. Of course, there is a ghost at the location where they want to hold the wedding. Some of the ghosts have different ideas about her future. To top it off there is a ghost hunter in town.
The ghost story is a more classic cozy mystery which relies on looking at the evidence and talking to people. Of course, Scarlet has the assistance of her ghost friends in gathering evidence. Other than hearing some evidence from them, Scarlet just has to act like Miss Marple and figure out the human nature aspects.
The wedding planning and house-hunting and future plans are only barely mentioned. We don't know all the results on those fronts or what Scarlet plans to do (for work) after she is married. There is also no further development of her "reaper" skills or the ability with plants. I sort of hoped we would get more on her talents. I don't know if this is the end or if there will be more with answers to some of these lingering questions.
Narration: Amanda Ronconi is a well-loved narrator with lots of experience in this paranormal genre. Scarlet, Lucas, Flapjack, Gwen and Hayward all have unique voices and are now familiar to me. I enjoyed her performance, listening at my normal 1.5x speed.
This has definitely become a comfy cozy series that I adore. I've found all of this series to this point super enjoyable, to the point that I have consumed more books from this series than pretty much any other book series I have read.
I've found that it's the characters that pull you into the story and their interactions with each other while they try to solve the mystery the most intriguing parts of the story. The solving of the mystery is fun but it's the journey there that's best part of each of these books.
All of the characters are wonderful. They add their own unique touches to each story told. However, from some of the talk going on in this book, I'm a little worried.
And now I have to admit, I just might be off to start in on the next book in this series.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I still love this series so much and these characters are so precious!
I’m sure you noticed how long this took me to read…yeah, about that.
I changed jobs and learning a whole new job has been so much fun but also is very hard. 🫠 I am now a dental receptionist! I have no dental experience or background, so this has been lots and lots of learning. Codes and insurance will be my nightmare for a long time…but I’m eager to learn everything and finally know what the heck I’m doing lol.
So, with changing my job and my entire schedule and life being turned upside down because of it, I just haven’t found the time to listen to my audiobook. I get an hour lunch 3 days a week but most of us take it at the same time so we chit chat…I’m going to have to find a way to make time for my audiobooks because that’s one thing I’m never giving up is my love for reading! 🫶🏻
Okay, enough rambling lol. Not sure when I’ll start the next book but I hope to soon! This series is amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next! 🥰
i loved this one but i kinda hate that we jumped ahead to the wedding because i was hoping we’d have more mysteries set in beechwood harbor before she moved to seattle lmao.
Still enjoying this series set in cozy Beechwood Harbor. Was very happy that some of the ghostie sidekicks get to show some growth as the main character prepares to start a new chapter.
The chapel of your dreams or should it be nightmares?
A good read. The plot is based around Scarlett, the venue she wants for her wedding, a disgruntled bride ghost and a ghost hunter. Plus the decision she has made to move from the little community she has grown to love and the ghosts that make their home here. The chapel was perfect, the ghost wasn't. Especially after her temper tantrums and threat to stop the wedding taking place (as she has done ever since her death). Murdered on her wedding day! Then there is the ghost hunter who has come into town and thrown the ghost into a tizzy, the flower pots that keep getting broken, her cat disappearing (yes e was a ghost but still ...), an unsolved murder, her mother and her pretentious airs and the move away. What is she going to do with the shop? Can she solve the murder and have the chapel of her dreams? What about the ghosts?
Wowza! This was quite an adventure for Scarlet and the gang. Scarlet planning her wedding while also trying to solve the murder of a ghost bride of the church she wants to get married in. Then there is a side story of a mysteries entity that is breaking pots at Lily Pond and Flapjack is leaving for long periods at a time and nobody knows where hes going it. It was a great mystery and installment in the Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries.
Mystery Wise: I thought the mystery was great. Scarlet along with Lucas and the ghost gang goes in sleuthing mode to find out who whacked off the ghost pride haunting the church she wants to get married. The mystery for that wasnt a slow burn, it kept me on my toes and I really enjoyed the ghost/spy scene at the police evidence room. The other side stores also blended well. The entity destroying pots at Lilypond and where FlapJack is going.
Romance/Relationship Wise: I think this is why I gave it 4/5 Stars. Lucas and Scarlet are going great, but there is no definitive proof if Scarlet is going to move away from Beechwood but if she does then wouldnt they change the title of the series? Then there is the mother of Scarlet. She goes into this mega distain for her mothers personality but we dont meet her. It would've been great to have a moment where the mom comes in and gives us an idea of how she is. Scarlet in the first couple of chapters was kinda unlikable. Just the way she treated the ghosts at first. But alas it changed as the story progressed. I did like that FlapJack is getting more personality. He is the same sassy cat but we see a soft side of him. He is very protective of Scarlet. It was also really nice that Nick made a Cameo into the story as well as other residents from the Beechwood Magic Mysteries. I looveee that Danielle Garrett world builds and branches out on the series while not just writing some parallel universe but actually meshing the series together.
All in all, the book was great, it was nice to see our heroine ghost shepherd sleuth get married. Definitely a great book and cant wait to get into the next book.
These books are just so addictive, they're funny, sweet with adorable characters i can't get enough of, with a mystery to solve each time. And again i got the wrong bad guy but I'm not the one thats investigating the case. (Good job really, otherwise the ghosts would never move on.)
Scarlet is busy planning for her future with Lucas, as well as having to make some hard decisions, so having a ghost hunter come to town and stirring up the local ghost population is a complication she doesn't need. Throw in a ghost of a disgruntled bride to be, who was murdered on her wedding day and mysterious vandal smashing pots in Scarlet's shop, what is a ghost whisperer to do?
Again Scarlet is up to her neck in problems but in her true to form nature goes through them one at a time. Not using her powers (after what happened last time) she resorts to good old fashioned detective work to help the ghost of a bride to be to resolve her murder. But it was when she found out the reason behind the broken pots in her store and her forgiveness of the culprit that if possible made me love her more.
Lucas is as funny as ever and on top form with his own detective skills, and i think he has a wee fixation on 007 due to the gadgets he has for his job. But he did come up with a unique way to use the ghosts to collect valuable information. So loveable and smart.
And my feline with no filter Flapjack who's obsession with fish continues to the point that the only way he would help was if fish were a part of the deal had me in hysterics most of the way through this one. The lil floofball rules..
And the last chapter what can i say, just magical.. Le sigh...
I'm off to the next book as I'm looking forward to seeing what the gang gets up to next. I can't say enough just how entertaining these books are, so if you want a fun, easy read these books are for you. Definitely recommend 😁
Technically, there is nothing wrong with this book. It's well written. The characters are likable and well developed. The story is interesting.
However, I'm bored.
This is a supernatural book about a reaper. A reaper who doesn't reap souls. A reaper with no discernable powers or abilities. Sure, she can push souls to the other side but she's not sure how to do it and never bothers to train or learn. She doesn't want to do it. All she wants to do is talk... and talk... and talk... and talk to the ghosts.
Even when she's solving murder mysteries, there's no action and no danger. Everything is nicely solved off page and Scarlet keeps talking... and talking... and talking.
Garrett can write. I love most of her books. I'm just BORED.
I need more supernatural OOMPH in this book... or more romance. I'm not getting either one.
4-star rating because Scarlet and Lucas are such likable characters. I still don't care for the ghost cat, Flapjack. He's taken snarky to a cruel and mean level. Gwen and Hayward are cute as can be.
Side note: It feels as if the series should have ended here. Considering that a 6 month span exists between this book and the next, I suspect that the author intended this to be the ending and then the publisher asked for more books. I'm not sure if I'll continue reading this series. I'm pretty happy with it ending here.
Scarlet is looking for the perfect place for her wedding to Lucas, when they go check out a small chapel it looks perfect until a ghost shows up and promises to stop any weddings happening. It seems the ghost, Heather, was murdered on her wedding day. Since this seems to be the perfect place for the wedding, Scarlet and friends start investigating. She also has the mystery of which ghost is breaking pots in her shop and why. This book has a couple of mysteries and shows the growth of everyone’s relationships, the wonder if parents will get along without wrecking anything, the discussion of where to live – Beechwood or Seattle, what will happen after the wedding. This was a fun, quick, easy read with interesting problems, characters and story. And of course Flapjack adds humour along with frustration. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I started this book a few weeks ago and then took a break from reading, nothing to do with this book at all!! I started another series and absolutely hated it so just stopped reading to clear my mind.
I have to say I love this series. I always worry about getting bored but this author knows how to keep me interested. I also will say I’m so very much in love with Flapjack, this ghost cat is probably one of my favorite characters of all time!! I would like a little spice, not drama but a little peak inside the bedroom but I understand this is a clean romance series. That in of it self should speak volumes for me continuing this series because I’m more of an open door romance girl myself, and rarely finish series without some romantic scenes. I am looking forward to what happens now that they are married!
Scarlet and Lucas are hunting for the perfect wedding venue for themselves at last! While it’s exciting when Scarlet finds that perfect dream chapel, when it comes with its own ghostly dead bride who is more hellllll bridezella…who wouldn’t be if they were murdered on their wedding day?
So Scarlet, ghost whisperer extraordinaire and compassionate soul that she is, strikes a deal with deceased and devastated Ms. Ritchie. She will find the murderer and give her peace so she can cross over at last, leaving the earthly realm and complete her earthly business, and free up the wedding chapel for their wedding to be.
The mayhem and chaos with ghost friends and crew ensue chasing down the villain and once revealed is a substantial shocker, and of course the sweetest part is the release of the ghost bride and her finding peace at last, and the happy couples nuptials and an absolutely worthwhile read
This is an entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters in an entertaining storyline. A young woman who happens to be able to see and speak to ghosts. She runs a flower shop in the small town in Beechwood Harbor. With the assistance of her ghosts friends and live friends some of which are supernatural and others who are not she Salz mysteries and crimes in the little town. She also helps ghost pass over when their time has come. A quickie cast of characters that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Check it out
In search for the perfect wedding venue Scarlet and Company encounter the ghost of a murdered bride. Of course Scarlett is on the case with her ghostly gang. In addition to the investigation, Scarlett is making some personal changes as she prepares for a possible move to Seattle. The ghosts are not taking this very well. Scarlett at times allows her doubts to rule and reverts to her old ways, but for the most part is slowly thinking of her and Lucas’ future. The resolution to the mystery was ehhh, it could have been better but it was still okay :). Overall the story was good because it was really about all of the gang preparing for change.
Lucas has proposed and the hunt for a wedding venue is on. Why does the church Scarlet fell in love with have to have a ghost with an axe to grind? Having died on her wedding day, this ghost is dead set on making sure no one else has a happily ever after. Can Scarlet find solve the mystery surrounding her death in time to walk down this particular aisle.
#5 in the Beechwood series, these little stories go down smooth. I'm enjoying this series, each book broadening the story and deepening Scarlet's talent just a nibble. On to book six.
Hope Scarlett and Lucas are looking at wedding venues, Scarlett meets a very disgruntled bride ghost who had been murdered on her wedding day. Scarlett hopes to help solve the mystery while trying to plan her own perfect wedding day, house-hunt with Lucas, and deal with the presence of a ghost hunter who is visiting the town. This book in the series is an enjoyable read, and furthers the relationship between the main characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Another solid entry in this cozy series about a florist who can see ghosts. I enjoyed seeing some of the main BHMM series characters have some page time here, namely Harmony and Nick. It was interesting that the mystery in this book revolved around a dead bride-to-be, while at the same time Scarlet and Lucas were planning their own wedding. Something about this book didn't hit quite as well as the others in this series, though, and I hope that Scarlet doesn't actually decide to leave Beechwood Harbor when she gets married. The setting is part of what makes this series so delightful.
I love Beechwood Harbor ghost Mysteries they are hilarious and especially this series I really like a lot I like all the books but the reason why is she does such good detail in describing every little thing and it's a really funny book like I laugh a lot and you can picture everything especially the characters and what they're doing at the time and it's just amazing and this series all the series gets me out of my head with scarlet and with Holly
It feels like a chapter is closing. Scar and Lucas start wedding planning only to run into an angry ghost bride that has spent the last two years scaring everyone away. Scar offers to help her find out who killed her in exchange for no more ghostly antics.
Things are changing for Scar and the gang. Hayward is staying in beechwood while Scar moves to Seattle with Lucas. It really feels like we are putting beechwood behind us.
I chosen this rating because the book was great! Had me turning pages like crazy. Though at one point it seemed that Lucas understood what Flapjack or another ghost said. I am sure I misread the situation but it definitely seemed like he did. But other than that I completely enjoyed this book from front cover to back. I am glad that they finally had a peaceful and beautiful wedding. That she was able to help out another ghost.