The Ghostly Grounds: Malice and Lunch

Canine Casper Cozy Mystery #3

by Sophie Love

Marie Fortune, 39, a successful dog groomer in Boston, leaves the stressful life behind and heads to a small town in coastal Maine to create a new life. She remains intent on renovating the old, historic house her great-aunt left her and giving it a new life as a B&B. Yet there was one thing she couldn’t plan for: the house is haunted. Two things, actually: her great-aunt also left her a dog—and he is far from a typical dog.

When Marie, her reputation for ghost-cleansing growing, is summoned to exorcise an old manor house, she finds more than she bargained for: an unexpected death occurs.

Worse, her trusted dog gets so sick, he is sent to the vet indefinitely.

Marie, on her own, must solve the murder and expel the ghosts all by herself.

Is she up to the task?

A page-turning cozy, packed with mystery, love, hauntings, travel, pets and food—anchored around a small town and a B&B in need of renovation that will capture your heart—THE GHOSTLY GROUNDS: MALICE AND LUNCH is an un-putdownable cozy that will keep you turning pages (and laughing out loud) late into the night.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Fantasy, Audiobook

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

A lifelong fan of the romance genre, Sophie Love is thrilled to release her debut romance series: FOR NOW AND FOREVER (THE INN AT SUNSET HARBOR—BOOK 1). Sophie would love to hear from you, so please visit www.sophieloveauthor.com to email her, to join the mailing list, to receive free ebooks, to hear the latest news, and to stay in touch!

Reviews

[Michelle ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this third book much more than the second one in this series. Marie Fortune is still running a bed and breakfast while supplementing her income with Ghost Cleansing. There’s also an opportunity to work on a project with Brendan.
Things take a downward turn though when Boo attempts to go after a spirit and is hurt in the process. Right after Boo is hurt, Marie finds (can you guess?) another dead body. She’s now forced to clear her name without the help of her trusted companion.
I feel we get to know all the main characters much better in this book. We learn a bit more about their motives. Rebeka is a new character, but Atticus Winslow is still lurking around. 4.5 ⭐️’s

[Susan Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite!

Sophie Love has the precise talent of turning skeptics into believers so gradually that we don’t even recognize what is happening. This book is a mystery with plenty of surprises. I recommend this one wholeheartedly, with the single proviso that readers will enjoy it the most by reading the books in order. Expect to sigh with complete satisfaction at the end.

[Jasmine Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to book 4. I really think Marie takes the cake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think Miles really understands this now. Will she ultimately pick Brenden or Robbie? Book 4 please let me know.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best in the series so far, it felt like the author knew where things were going than in the past books and I enjoyed it a lot.
So many suspects when a no good waiter ends up dead! Love how it helped to strengthen the core group at the Inn.

[Katherine Magnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigh…. On to the next (there’s 5 books in this damn series I thought was going to be just a one off book)

[Lala 💕 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay… I really do like the characters and they are growing on me to the point were I want to finish the series for the characters.

The same issues continue:
1) the way there is some ageism in how the protagonist is portrayed.
2) the pacing… how are you somehow describing multiple days and then all of a sudden it’s only been 2 days since the murder
3) some of the plot is just boring… I want to like it but eh
4) inconsistencies… how are you a former vet student that doesn’t know anything about how to take care of your sick dog (?) and then you are crying and visiting him at the vet BUT don’t pick him up after 2 days (?) and stop mentioning him… spending the first 1/2 of the book covering the mystery of the mom and then stops mentioning it in the second half ?
5) there’s no variety… always around Chapter 27 the wrong suspect is being accused and around Chapter 30 the real suspect is found… there is no variety and it’s like a copy paste formula. I understand it is a series BUT that doesn’t mean there can’t be variety.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie has the worst luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another death, where she stumble into the body, happened again. This time during an investigation. Was it the ghost that did it? The police make Marie their number one suspect, again, but know she didn’t do it. Plus Boo is sick and fake ratings are showing up on her website for the inn.
This is a great series. I love the characters, Posey is funny, and Marie and Boo are incredible. I like the new addition of Rebeka. I think she’s going to be a great character. Brendan needs to figure out what’s important to him. Yeah, I was getting frustrated with him. I’m liking Robbie more and more for a romantic storyline with Marie. Can’t wait for the next one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line was interesting enough, but Marie was infinitely more oblivious, naive and…slow? It was frustrating how frequently she overlooked or ignored the obvious, or asked whether the obvious could possibly be true. Also, she was unnecessarily nice to the wrong folks, and unnecessarily snappy with those she had no reason to do so. It as difficult to get through this one.

[Anna Morelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. I've been listening to the audiobooks, and they are definitely safe for work.

Marie has been in her new home for almost 6 months now. She still has a knack for finding trouble and becoming a suspect in murder cases. In this book, she teams up with Brenden while he shoots a pilot episode for his potential new tv show. Things don't go as planned, and by the end of the night, there is a murder victim, some paranormal activity, and a very sick Boo (Marie's dog /sidekick). Amongst other things, Marie and Brenden also have to decide where their relationship is headed.

Let me start off by saying that I love Boo! I am 100% a cat lady but would make an exception for him. I love that Marie can possibly "clean" the haunted places on her own since she doesn't like taking credit for Boo's work. I'm also a little bummed by the direction Marie and Brenden's relationship seems to be going. I guess I'll just have to read the next one to find out what happens.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie agrees to appear on a ghost hunting show with Brendan but instead finds a freshly dead body.
She feels that Brendan may be using her for her abilities (which appear to be growing) and is starting to look twice a local restauranteur Robbie Dunne.

Rebeka, a homeless girl, comes to work part time at the B&B and quickly makes herself invaluable, freeing up more time for Marie to pursue her ghostly interests. Marie allows her to stay in an unused room (where she had just discovered a hidden room off the closet). Marie learns that her mother did not die 25 years ago. Aunt June puts in an appearance!

[Dunai Fanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally I listened to the last available german audiobook of this serie. I know there are other episodes, but those are not available as audiobooks. So who knows how long, but I won’t know who really is Atticus Winslow, what happens between Marie and Brandon in the end, what’s really with ghosts and most importantly what happened to Marie’s mother and where she is in the moment..but to be honest this story was again just too simple, I like the whole atmosphere what this serie gives me, but it is just way too simple 😕

[Susanne Tz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mit Geistern hat das Anwesen recht wenig zu tun, wer also Bücher in Richtung Grusel erwartet, wird eher enttäuscht. Aber es sind ganz nette Cosy Crimes mit einem Hauch Übersinnlichem (wieso der Hund im Titel Casper heisst, erschliesst sich mir nicht, denn das ist nicht sein Name, zumindest nicht in der deutschen Fassung). Überhaupt scheint diese Autorin auf irreführende Titel und Cover abonniert zu sein.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never heard of this offer before I started listening to this series and I really like them. Even though it’s another one of those where the main character has one job, but somehow stumbles onto dead bodies all the time and it’s always solving the mysteries, in this case, the main character also has other things that she is trying to figure out. The characters are developing and so are the relationships they have. It’s actually really good.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than 2 & the last 1/4 of it was as good as all of book 1. But the reason I rated higher than the 1st 2 (SPOILER) is she finally figured out that Brendan was using her, as I suspected was the case at the end book 1. Besides since being introduced to Robbie in book 1, I thought oooo, he's perfect.

[pam laporte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without giving it away it ended with a wonderful feeling of love and peace.

Another murder and of course who was the main suspect? A partnership proposal and a hint of romance.
Something struck Boo to sickness and maybe she was a ghost cleaner ? So many questions but you will enjoy reading to find out the answers

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book like I did the rest in the series. I worried about poor Boo - you’d think he was real the way I hurried through pages to make sure he was ok. Not sure I’m agreeing with her love interest choices though - if it were me, I’d want Brendan for sure. Maybe that’s the way she goes ultimately - I’m off to read book 4 and find out! 😉

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really getting good and am waiting with bated breathe for the fourth and I know it's going to be another page turner. I would recommend this book to everyone i meet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie has once again been found in the wrong place at the wrong time...
More fun ghost chasing and murder solving with a little romance thrown in.
Will she ever be sure who has her heart?
Maybe book 4 has the answer.
🤷🏻‍♀️❤️👻

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this series and especially loved the third book. There was a little more romance woven in to the story line. I loved the mix of paranormal, a murder mystery, a fun setting, romance, and a very special dog!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these books so much. A haunted Bed and Breakfast, a dog who ghost hunts with the owner, and an amazing cast of characters. Throw in a murder or two, and it's a perfect summer read. Starting book #4 tonight!

[Jessica Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery in this series. Honestly probably my favorite so far in the series. I love the progression of the characters relationships in this series, subtle enough to be stand alone or a series.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this third book very much. It was about time some questions were answered about Maria’s past and some of the stuff that has been happening to her lately. This book is a great and entertaining read 👍.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is unfolding so nicely. I really enjoy the different take on investigating and ghost busting. Love the characters, setting and the anticipation of how some of the problems
Will get resolved. This is low key and comfortable to read. I like it a lot.

[Arely · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot thickens! I am really enjoying the story line and characters. I was unsure at the start of the series, but I am really enjoying it now. But in all honesty, she better get her business together! I don't know how she is surviving. And what happened to the handyman?

[Julie Bock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ghostly grounds, book 3

Some things were cleared up in this book. So I think I can take a little break from this series and read something else.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was almost ready to stop this series when Boo git sick..but will continue to the next episode with really liking this better with each book

[☕️Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my least favorite in the series so far. There’s not a lot that happens and poor Boo is sick and out of most of the book. She is still wrestling with her feeling for her love interest like a middle schooler.

[Lacie Jo Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, it has the perfect balance between mystery and cozy and I am so glad there are so many books in the series and great characters.

[Serena Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 175 pages