When the Fireflies Returned

Spookie Town Murder Mysteries #7

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Where the sixth Spookie Town Murder Mystery was more Abby’s and Frank’s stories, their mysteries to deal with, solve and remain alive through; this seventh book is old Myrtle’s story. Two mysteries, one from her far distant past of over seventy-years ago; and one for the future, a dire prediction (only a prediction as I didn't want to venture into the actual time of the pandemic because we are living through it and that has been difficult enough) of a pandemic from her grandniece, Glinda, the psychic, that will affect not only Spookie and its inhabitants, but the whole world. Mysterious bones are unearthed in the ground behind Luke’s Hardware Store, and Frank and the sheriff are determined to find out whose bones they are, and how the victim died…even though whatever happened occurred over seventy years ago. This seventh novel also revisits some of Spookie’s best loved characters and catches the readers up on what they’ve been up to recently. Then again, the town and its people are still as eccentric and quirky as ever, and the fog is always witness to their shenanigans. There are now nine Spookie Town books.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2020

About the author

About Kathryn Meyer Griffith 2023
Since childhood I’ve been an artist, and have worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over fifty-one years ago now, and have had thirty-five (romantic horror, horror novels, romantic SF horror, romantic suspense, romantic time travel, historical romance, thrillers, one non-fiction short story collection, dinosaur books, and murder mysteries) previous novels and thirteen short stories published from various traditional publishers since 1984. But I’ve gone into self-publishing in a big way since 2012; and upon getting all my previous books’ full rights back for the first time in 36 years, have self-published all of them. My seven Dinosaur Lake novels and Spookie Town Murder Mysteries (Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Ghosts Beneath Us, Witches Among Us, What Lies Beneath the Graves, All Those Who Came Before, When the Fireflies Returned, and Echoes of Other Times) are my best-sellers.
I was married to Russell for over forty-three years; have a son, two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. I live in a small quaint town in Illinois. I have a quirky cat, Sasha, and we live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk/classic rock singer in my youth with my late brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.
2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *Finalist* for her horror novel The Last Vampire ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS * Finalist * for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s books can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/ld4jlow
*All her Audible.com audio books here:
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Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:
Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forged, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire (2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Horror category), Witches, Witches II: Apocalypse, Witches plus Witches II: Apocalypse, The Nameless One erotic horror short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Things Slip Away (The Second Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Ghosts Beneath Us (The Third Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Witches Among Us (The Fourth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), What Lies Beneath the Graves (The Fifth Spookie Town Murder Mystery; sixth, All Who Came Before, When the Fireflies Returned (the seventh Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Echoes of Other Times (the eighth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Egyptian Heart, Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, A Time of Demons and Angels, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Six Spooky Short Stories Collection, Forever and Always Romantic Novella, Night Carnival Short Story, Dinosaur Lake (2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Thriller/Adventure category), Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising, Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation and Dinosaur Lake IV: Dinosaur Wars, Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors, Dinosaur Lake VI: The Alien Connection, Dinosaur Lake VII: The Aliens Return, Memories of My Childhood, and Christmas Magic 1959.

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Reviews

[Rebecca Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book, the seventh in the Spookie Town Mysteries series... I must admit to being disappointed in it.

For those who haven't read any of the series, it is a paranormal mystery series. It's light reading, with no graphic violence or sexual content, perfect for anyone. It's well written (the only exception being it's references to pop culture, which tend to make books feel outdated down the road). I have enjoyed the series up to this point.

I expected to enjoy ''When The Fireflies Returned' as much as I had the previous six books, but I did not...

The first problem (for me) was it's (unnamed) references to Covid-19. Most people read for either knowledge, or enjoyment (sometimes both!), and it's really not enjoyable to read about the prediction of a pandemic during the actual pandemic.

The second problem was that the writing seemed a bit rushed, as if the author wanted to get the book finished and out while the storyline was still relevant (this book wasn't due to be released until December of 2020). It feels like the pandemic plotline was inserted into the story at the last moment.

Bottom Line:. An OK book, but not nearly as enjoyable as the previous ones.

[KMDL · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must say that I was disappointed in this one. I liked the idea of Myrtle having her own story, but the mystery wasn't a mystery at all, and the psychic's visions were way too detailed.

Frankly, I don't want to read about the pandemic while I'm in the middle of it, I'd rather read something that takes my mind off of it.

Also, the grammar was particularly bad, which was distracting and made it seem rushed.

[Becky Delapena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the previous Spookie Town books. It was like this book was written by a totally different person. The repetitive sentences were really annoying. Like she thought the reader would forget who Hattie was 3/4 of the way through the book even though she said it over and over again. Why does she feel the need to said “The bones that were found behind Luke’s hardware store, that were there 70 years” at least 20 times? And other things that I won’t say because I don’t want to leave spoilers. But please give your readers a little more credit and stop repeating the same information. I also wasn’t happy with how Myrtle had become. She was always so spunky and chipper. She was so unhappy and boring in this book. If you had a guest writer, I’d let them go.

[Evelyn Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myrtle is at it again, the blue beast takes her everywhere she went before. The antics of Spookie continue and Myrtle always seems to be right in the middle of it all. Her great niece is on her honeymoon and since Myrtle lives with Glenda and Kyle, the house is lonely with them away.

Glenda predicts a pandemic that will make its way from China to the US. Her premonitions have never been wrong. Who should they warn ahead of time? Will they take heed? But those close to her prepare for the pandemic as much as they can while trying to enjoy life as they know it for now.

Abby upholds Glenda's talents and revs up her latest project of painting several old, abandoned buildings. She and Frank employee that Nick cancel his upcoming tour and Laura not go back to art school in January.

Frank is part of an investigation involving bones discovered buried behind the local hardware store. Although they date back 70 years, Frank is determined to find out who it was, inform any family, and see they have a proper burial.

Martha visits a friend on the West coast and falls in love with someone she meets there. So much so she's calling the gent her fiancé. Needless to say many are concerned he's after her money.

The book ends with a lovely New Years Eve get together if friends. This is book 7 in the Spookie series; I have enjoyed them all. If you want an easy read that will still hold your interest read the first - Scraps Of Paper.

[Pam Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! Great series!

I’ve read all the Spooky mysteries. I particularly loved this one as I just received my first vaccine for the pandemic just yesterday. My second will be February 11th. I found it interesting Glinda’s predictions were primarily correct except for the fact that several vaccines have been developed in rapid speed. Then, her precious toon was the first vaccines will not work. Yikes! Then she predicts this pandemic can go on for years. I read about “herd” immunity last night and pray the population will be sensible and get the vaccine when available.Great book! I love the town, characters, spirit of the characters, and look forward to your next book about Spooky! I am a writer myself currently writing my first book, a novel set in a small town, about Senior adults who are bullied. I have written a column firSeniors for twenty-five years in my home town newspaper.
Pam Rainey
Denton, Texas

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would’ve been a good book except for two main reasons:

1.) The pandemic (Covid 19) is mentioned way too many times (it’s in premonition form). I lived through it but that doesn’t mean I want to experience it again by reading about it. Books (at least fictional ones) are supposed to transport you to other worlds, entertain you, etc. Not (and I repeat NOT) make you relive unpleasant memories again.

2.) This is supposed to be a mystery book but…THERE WAS NO MYSTERY! There’s little sleuthing involved and not much investigating at all. It turns out the crime isn’t really that much of a crime, more like an accident.

If I had to add a minor third reason it’s this: Myrtle just isn’t the same anymore. I understand she’s aging BUT changing her character this much isn’t helping the story at all. She’s one of my favorite characters!

Now I’m wondering about the next book in the series: is it worth reading?

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hated to see this book end.

Hated to see this series end. One of the things I liked the best. there's no bad language in it!!! It was great that you got to revisit past characters, and got to still meet new ones. It showed how old injustices were righted. It showed how things have changed in the world, and how some things have stayed the same. I love the small town atmosphere, how people still care for and help their neighbors.
If you want to read a fun series, and are into murder mysteries and maybe enjoy some clairvoyant happenings, then I think you just may enjoy this series.

[Donna L Rhoades]

Spookie series 7th book, disappointing

I was disappointed in the last book of the Spookie Mysteries. I enjoy reading mysteries for a way to escape from the everyday routine I live in. We have lived the whole year with the virus ruling our daily lives. The book I was looking forward reading was all about the virus we have heard about all year. So much for books giving us a break from all we hear about every day.

[Evelyn Boreros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I have always enjoyed the Spooky Town stories until now.

Bringing the pandemic into her book was a very bad vibe for me. She brought some of the false rumours into her story.

Her stories all have been great and I do not understand bringing the pandemic into this last one.

Don't know if I will read any more of her books.

[Tina Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy Mystery

I've read all 7 of the Spookie Town Murders, and couldn't put them down. I love being able to follow along with the characters lives and trying to figure out the mystery as I go. KMG does a great job of sucking you in. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to curl up with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, a blanket, and a good series.

[Sharon Draffin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fear mongering at best

The Hattie plot was enjoyable and the only reason I continued reading after the first inkling of the pandemic in Glinda’s visions while on honeymoon. I lived through enough of it without more of it in a book! If these books are going to continue in this vein with more pandemic tripe I won’t be reading any more!

[Betty Houtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed all of the books in this series. I thought it was interesting to see the events caused by the pandemic set out in a psychic vision. It made it seem unbelievable that something like that could happen in such an advanced civilization. I hope the the author continues this series.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Enjoyed the tie in with the current pandemic and leaves you looking forward to the next book in this series and what will itbring to all the characters, new and old. Great story.

[Wen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always look forward to these books, have read them all. This one was a little bit of a let down, as all I could think of was who is going to die. I love all the characters, I do not wish to be sad, its been hard during this virus...I was ready for a scary mystery. Sorry

[Laurie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing series!!!! I couldn't wait to read this last installment and see what all my old friends were up to! The writing style just makes you feel that you're part of what's going on in the town, and you can visualize the shops and people. I felt like I've known them for a long time. Frank and Abigail, Myrtle and Glinda, they're all so well developed that they seem like real people. I would encourage anybody to read the whole series from start to finish!

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I love the spookie series and though I enjoyed this one too I confess it lost me towards the end, for me the pandemic doesn't need revisiting! Still. It was good to be back in spookie

[Debbie Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me awhile to finish this. I really enjoyed this series so far, but this story was SLOW. Nothing really unexpected or exciting happened. To me it was obvious about the bones that were found, on who they were.

[Ruth A Wohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

My last book of the series

I love this series. I'm going to miss that little town and all it s quirky characters. Please write more. You are can awesome writer. Thank you so much.

[Heather Mahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book

I liked the book but I guess because I am so upset with covid and also because it is still not over is why I only gave it 4 stars.

[Margaret Agee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much going on in this one

Not a lot happened in this book. Nothing very exciting. No surprises. It was my least favorite of the series.

[Jacqueline Button]

I read the first book in the series as it was free (I usually read the free version and then decide if I want to read the next). In this case I really enjoyed the first book that I was inspired to get the second and then the third right up to the seventh and last book. I thought the characters were excellent the stories ingenious, the atmosphere of the town of Spookie came through , the diners the bookshop etc.
I would highly recommend this series and applaud the author and hopefully look forward to reading many more in this series.

[Cary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the previous 6 books, but honestly this one felt rushed and lazy - it felt like a cheap shot, basically. The mystery wasn't, particularly; the mystic stuff was massively overdone to the point of ridiculousness. Very disappointed.