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Soul Seeker Cozy Mystery #1
The Apparition in the Attic
Professional home stager Brynn Sullivan is known as the person to call if you can’t sell a home. Little do her clients know that she has a secret!
When a beautiful Victorian sits on the market for too long, the desperate realtor reaches out for help. But this time, Brynn may be in over her head as a ghostly mystery from the past collides with a present-day murder. Will she be able to solve both cases in time?
If you like paranormal cozies, funny spirits, and amateur sleuths, you’ll love this delightful new series from Courtney McFarlin.
When a beautiful Victorian sits on the market for too long, the desperate realtor reaches out for help. But this time, Brynn may be in over her head as a ghostly mystery from the past collides with a present-day murder. Will she be able to solve both cases in time?
If you like paranormal cozies, funny spirits, and amateur sleuths, you’ll love this delightful new series from Courtney McFarlin.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2021
595 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Courtney McFarlin
190 books59 followersCourtney McFarlin currently lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her fiance and their two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 16, 2023
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I almost didn’t finish it. The paranormal story was intriguing. But the story quickly turned into a romance story. And the ghosts got shoved to the back burner for a while. I just felt like the story was all over the place. And the ending predictable. Still not sure exactly what I thought about this book. Giving 3 stars and moving on.
June 28, 2021
This is first in a new series for those who like paranormal mixed in with a bit of mystery. Brynn Sullivan is the one they call to help sell difficult houses. Not only is she a whiz at staging homes, but her ability to see and talk to ghosts helps with dispelling any existing hauntings. The first book has Brynn staging an older Victorian while trying to solve not only a murder from the past, but maybe also one from the present. I enjoyed the characters in this story, especially the precocious black cat, Bernie. The story had just the right amount of mystery and creepiness and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 1, 2023
Not my cup of tea
It was ok I guess, I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe to young adults. Really not very exciting or just plain bland
It was ok I guess, I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe to young adults. Really not very exciting or just plain bland
August 4, 2021
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a series by this name, but it wasn't anything super off the wall, so I really enjoyed the book. I love that Bernie cat! Brynn had good reason to fear someone flesh and blood though since all the ghosts she dealt with were of the friendly or curmudgeonly type. It was pretty cool that she combined this talent with her design talents of staging a home. I liked her friend Sophie from the library, she cracked me up! And I did like her cousin Logan so much. Even though he was only a little older, he really was like a big brother to Brynn. Zane, the handsome security guard the realtor hired was looking out for Brynn too. ;)
I had a feeling I knew who the current day perp was, so the fun was seeing how the person was caught (and it was soooo good!). Brynn was looking into a centuries-old cold case which was connected, and she would've been killed if it hadn't been for her new ghost friend. Not gonna lie, I could've used a tissue toward the end, but it was the sweet and happy kind of eye leakage for what was going on. This is the kind of sweet ghost story with a happy ending that I really enjoy!
I can't wait to see what the next book brings and borrow it on KU too. There was just a small intro to what the case might be toward the end.
I had a feeling I knew who the current day perp was, so the fun was seeing how the person was caught (and it was soooo good!). Brynn was looking into a centuries-old cold case which was connected, and she would've been killed if it hadn't been for her new ghost friend. Not gonna lie, I could've used a tissue toward the end, but it was the sweet and happy kind of eye leakage for what was going on. This is the kind of sweet ghost story with a happy ending that I really enjoy!
I can't wait to see what the next book brings and borrow it on KU too. There was just a small intro to what the case might be toward the end.
February 22, 2025
I liked the main character, but she did have one incredibly TSTL moment towards the end of the book. I also thought the ending was a bit sloppy and needed more explanation and closure. I really liked the cat.
I felt as if the author wasted narration on the details of all the things the main character bought to stage the house. I didn't quite understand where she was getting the money to buy all the furniture and curtains and paintings to stage the house. It must have cost a small fortune, and what is she going to do if the eventual buyer of the house doesn't want to buy all those furnishings? It felt like unnecessary padding in a short book that was already lacking in some major mystery plot details. We never did find out exactly what the ghost was doing that caused people to back out before completing potential sales of the property.
I liked the main characters enough to continue with the series. I have lots of cousins, but there is one who feels like a brother, so I understand her relationship with the cousin. I'm not quite sure what she sees in the security guard. He did not make a great first impression on her or me. I don't understand why she suddenly started to see him as a potential love interest.
I felt as if the author wasted narration on the details of all the things the main character bought to stage the house. I didn't quite understand where she was getting the money to buy all the furniture and curtains and paintings to stage the house. It must have cost a small fortune, and what is she going to do if the eventual buyer of the house doesn't want to buy all those furnishings? It felt like unnecessary padding in a short book that was already lacking in some major mystery plot details. We never did find out exactly what the ghost was doing that caused people to back out before completing potential sales of the property.
I liked the main characters enough to continue with the series. I have lots of cousins, but there is one who feels like a brother, so I understand her relationship with the cousin. I'm not quite sure what she sees in the security guard. He did not make a great first impression on her or me. I don't understand why she suddenly started to see him as a potential love interest.
November 19, 2025
Brynn Sullivan llega para salvar casas… y para meterse de lleno en más de un lío fantasmal.
Este primer libro de la serie ha sido una auténtica delicia. Tiene ese aire cozy paranormal que entra como un té calentito en un día frío: reconforta, entretiene y te deja con ganas de seguir leyendo. La protagonista me ha encantado; he conectado muchísimo con ella y con su forma de enfrentarse tanto a lo cotidiano como a lo sobrenatural. Además, el romance suavecito que empieza a asomar añade un puntito adorable que no eclipsa la trama, pero sí la enriquece.
Uno de mis detalles favoritos es su gato, que no es solo un compañero inseparable, sino un elemento que aporta chispa, humor y un toque casi mágico a la investigación.
La mezcla entre el misterio del pasado, el asesinato del presente y los espíritus traviesos funciona de maravilla. Se lee rápido, se disfruta más rápido aún y deja con muchas ganas de seguir con el segundo libro de la serie.
Perfecto si te gustan los cozy mysteries con fantasmas simpáticos, protagonistas carismáticas y ese tipo de historia que te hace sonreír mientras investigas.
Este primer libro de la serie ha sido una auténtica delicia. Tiene ese aire cozy paranormal que entra como un té calentito en un día frío: reconforta, entretiene y te deja con ganas de seguir leyendo. La protagonista me ha encantado; he conectado muchísimo con ella y con su forma de enfrentarse tanto a lo cotidiano como a lo sobrenatural. Además, el romance suavecito que empieza a asomar añade un puntito adorable que no eclipsa la trama, pero sí la enriquece.
Uno de mis detalles favoritos es su gato, que no es solo un compañero inseparable, sino un elemento que aporta chispa, humor y un toque casi mágico a la investigación.
La mezcla entre el misterio del pasado, el asesinato del presente y los espíritus traviesos funciona de maravilla. Se lee rápido, se disfruta más rápido aún y deja con muchas ganas de seguir con el segundo libro de la serie.
Perfecto si te gustan los cozy mysteries con fantasmas simpáticos, protagonistas carismáticas y ese tipo de historia que te hace sonreír mientras investigas.
July 28, 2022
Good
Able to see ghosts her entire life, Brynn Sullivan is often requested to stage their houses by local real estate agents; and maybe she can figure out why the house isn’t selling at the same time?
Her unofficial ghost busting job is what causes her to be asked to help stage a Victorian in her small hometown. The ghost she meets there opens Brynn’s eyes to a mystery a century old, and one which might just have links to the present day!
An enjoyable cosy paranormal mystery, with a cute cat for added character. Add in Brynn’s playboy cousin, an attractive newcomer to town, a bored librarian, as well as a few older town residents that have know Brynn since she was a tot, and you have an interesting group of people that add character to the tale.
The story moved fairly quickly, and the mystery is fairly simple to figure out (though not so easy to prove), but no less enjoyable for that fact.
A fun and quick cosy paranormal mystery for fans of ghosts and those who see them.
Able to see ghosts her entire life, Brynn Sullivan is often requested to stage their houses by local real estate agents; and maybe she can figure out why the house isn’t selling at the same time?
Her unofficial ghost busting job is what causes her to be asked to help stage a Victorian in her small hometown. The ghost she meets there opens Brynn’s eyes to a mystery a century old, and one which might just have links to the present day!
An enjoyable cosy paranormal mystery, with a cute cat for added character. Add in Brynn’s playboy cousin, an attractive newcomer to town, a bored librarian, as well as a few older town residents that have know Brynn since she was a tot, and you have an interesting group of people that add character to the tale.
The story moved fairly quickly, and the mystery is fairly simple to figure out (though not so easy to prove), but no less enjoyable for that fact.
A fun and quick cosy paranormal mystery for fans of ghosts and those who see them.
February 22, 2022
Bryan's new friends
When her father's friend calls to ask Bryan to meet him at a Victorian that he has listed for sale, she arrives to find UT in impeccable shape. Noting small touches to make the home's beautiful exterior more appealing, she's excited to find the interior just as well maintained. Learning that numerous families have made offers, all full price, the home has passed inspections, and yet none have gone to closing, each offer being removed before closing, Brynn realizes its not just her home staging company that's been called on. It might have more to do with the flash from the attic window, or the sense she's not alone in the house, and the small town's knowledge that Brynn has special abilities!
When her father's friend calls to ask Bryan to meet him at a Victorian that he has listed for sale, she arrives to find UT in impeccable shape. Noting small touches to make the home's beautiful exterior more appealing, she's excited to find the interior just as well maintained. Learning that numerous families have made offers, all full price, the home has passed inspections, and yet none have gone to closing, each offer being removed before closing, Brynn realizes its not just her home staging company that's been called on. It might have more to do with the flash from the attic window, or the sense she's not alone in the house, and the small town's knowledge that Brynn has special abilities!
October 15, 2021
Another book I wouldnt usually read but just for a change of reading material once in awhile from my murder mysteries which I try to solve before the ending of the book. This story was about a witch who was hired to stage a home to get it sold. Brynn ended up meeting dead people in the home. Most of them have not passed over to the other side. Brynn decided to help them do this plus get this old Victorian home sold and maybe even get another job like this to do. She helped get close to over 30 people to cross over to their loved ones who were deceased alread and waiting for the others. She also has a cat that talkes to her to , shes a witch after all.
November 15, 2023
On the plus side, this is one of the less clunkily written books in the cozy mystery genre. The prose flows smoothly so it didn’t make me cringe while reading.it. It also featured a likable heroine and her supernatural cat. The mystery was about the same as most of the genre, with too few suspects – in this case, one – and an obvious bad guy. Unfortunately the relationships in the book are just so off-putting. The heroine and her cousin have a relationship that’s more fitting toward childhood sweethearts than cousins, and the soon-to-be-boyfriend that she meets is a condescending jerk. I won’t be continuing the series.
July 7, 2024
If you go into this with the expectation that it will be a very light read with limited character development and "world building", you'll be ok. This is a cozy mystery focusing on the abilities of Brynn to see ghosts. The mystery was easy to solve with the antagonist clearly outlined. A very cold case - serial killer - started to give some structure to the mystery but was not really developed. Quick solution at the end that was almost anti-climatic. Not certain how I felt about Brynn's cousin and their relationship, it seemed pretty childish based on their ages. The love interest in the book, Zane, did not start well - improved a bit - but needs some work.
October 26, 2021
Apparition in the Attic
This is a well written intense paranormal cozey mystery with past murders to be solved but first a charming lady is about to meet a charming ghost. Most of the characters found in this tale are vibrant and colorful 😀but a tale of intrigue,mystery, mayhem and murder has to have some shady even eval characters, that's what makes Courtney McFarlin such a good story teller the balance is here the suspense and the easy flow that has brought to life this new series .Acquire " Apparition In The Attic " today for hours of entertainment. 🙂🤫😏😥😀😌Kat
This is a well written intense paranormal cozey mystery with past murders to be solved but first a charming lady is about to meet a charming ghost. Most of the characters found in this tale are vibrant and colorful 😀but a tale of intrigue,mystery, mayhem and murder has to have some shady even eval characters, that's what makes Courtney McFarlin such a good story teller the balance is here the suspense and the easy flow that has brought to life this new series .Acquire " Apparition In The Attic " today for hours of entertainment. 🙂🤫😏😥😀😌Kat
July 29, 2022
This was a good read. While most paranormal cozy mysteries involve the heroine learning about her abilities as an adult, Brynn has had most of her life to come to terms with it, so its complexity doesn't interfere with the story. What I found unrealistic was the idea a stager would have a week to stage a house; in my experience, they get a day or two. Still, as is, it keeps the story going.
Brynn is an engaging character, and I look forward to reading further entries in the series. Very minor proofreading errors kept it from a 5-star rating.
Brynn is an engaging character, and I look forward to reading further entries in the series. Very minor proofreading errors kept it from a 5-star rating.
July 20, 2022
Bryan solves a serial killing.
Bryan is staging a lovely old Victorian house for sale. As with most of her houses she stages it isn't the paint or carpeting that's the problem, it's the ghosts that inhabit the buildings. Bryan tries to find out why the ghost is disrupting the sale of the house and to see them off to their forever space. This story covers several hundred years. Good story
Bryan is staging a lovely old Victorian house for sale. As with most of her houses she stages it isn't the paint or carpeting that's the problem, it's the ghosts that inhabit the buildings. Bryan tries to find out why the ghost is disrupting the sale of the house and to see them off to their forever space. This story covers several hundred years. Good story
October 18, 2021
How can she solve a 125 year old murder.
This was a fun quick book to read with a few scary moments but all goes well. Glynn is handling several layers of commitments she signed on for with only a few days to get everything done. I won’t tell you about these commitments because you will need to read for yourself to find out. Her black cat is a hoot too.
This was a fun quick book to read with a few scary moments but all goes well. Glynn is handling several layers of commitments she signed on for with only a few days to get everything done. I won’t tell you about these commitments because you will need to read for yourself to find out. Her black cat is a hoot too.
December 14, 2021
Paranormal Cozy
Bryan is a house stager, one that can communicate with the dead. She expects to find one in the Victorian house she was hired to stage, but she stepped into so much more.....recent and century old murders. Well written, fast moving with family connections a ND a touch of romance. Outstanding tale
Bryan is a house stager, one that can communicate with the dead. She expects to find one in the Victorian house she was hired to stage, but she stepped into so much more.....recent and century old murders. Well written, fast moving with family connections a ND a touch of romance. Outstanding tale
July 30, 2022
I really liked this book. Well written, great characters. It has humor, paranormal activity, mystery and is clean cut. I have read the 2nd and am now on my third in this series.
Brynn the main character sees and tails to ghosts and tries to help them figure out why they are still here and not crossed over. Logan, Zane and Dave are some of the regulars in these books.
Brynn the main character sees and tails to ghosts and tries to help them figure out why they are still here and not crossed over. Logan, Zane and Dave are some of the regulars in these books.
November 22, 2025
I enjoyed reading this clean cozy mystery. Brynn is a house stager with an additional talent of being able to talk to ghosts. This house and ghost sends Brynn on an investigation of not only the history of this house but a possible decades old unsolved murder. Murder, cousins who are best friends, danger and a possible romance all kept the story flowing easily until the dramatic end.
November 23, 2025
Surprising
A riveting supernatural ghost story. I liked the characters and the setting for this tale. Brynn does an excellent job of staging a home for realtors who are trying to sell a home. She is able to see ghosts that may be haunting the house. I'll look forward to reading more in this series.
A riveting supernatural ghost story. I liked the characters and the setting for this tale. Brynn does an excellent job of staging a home for realtors who are trying to sell a home. She is able to see ghosts that may be haunting the house. I'll look forward to reading more in this series.
June 28, 2021
Good
This book kept me hooked from the very beginning page. The heroine can see and communicates with spirits. Trying to solve whatever problem has kept them earth bound. What an exciting mystery series!
This book kept me hooked from the very beginning page. The heroine can see and communicates with spirits. Trying to solve whatever problem has kept them earth bound. What an exciting mystery series!
July 22, 2021
Great story
First time I've ever heard of this author but I'm so happy I found her. This story kept me guessing & I can't wait to read the next book. Highly recommended this new author & her books! Happy reading everyone
First time I've ever heard of this author but I'm so happy I found her. This story kept me guessing & I can't wait to read the next book. Highly recommended this new author & her books! Happy reading everyone
October 13, 2021
Absolutely Terrific!
Stayed up all night reading this book. Enjoyed every twist and turn. Ghostly characters that have such personalities, it makes you believe they're real. Truly enjoyed this and look forward to more.
Stayed up all night reading this book. Enjoyed every twist and turn. Ghostly characters that have such personalities, it makes you believe they're real. Truly enjoyed this and look forward to more.
October 13, 2021
Great series starter
Fun characters, good story plot, hints of romance. Loved meeting these new friends especially Bernie and I would love a burger and fries from Jill's. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. Oh and read in one sitting!!
Fun characters, good story plot, hints of romance. Loved meeting these new friends especially Bernie and I would love a burger and fries from Jill's. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. Oh and read in one sitting!!
October 18, 2021
Apparition in the attic
What could be better than a haunted Victorian mansion? I find these ghostly tales relaxing. Add some romance fiesty heroin and even a cat and you will be entertained from page ones to the end.
What could be better than a haunted Victorian mansion? I find these ghostly tales relaxing. Add some romance fiesty heroin and even a cat and you will be entertained from page ones to the end.
November 13, 2021
Loved it great start to a quick to read paranormal book. The lead character can see ghosts. She is a person a sales agent calls when they can't sell a house. This house has a ghost and she sets out to help her find out how she ended up that way. In the process thereby puts herself in danger.
November 19, 2021
Ghosts galore!
I would recommend this book for teens on up. Bryn's cat is adorable and helps her solve a two- hundred year old murder mystery. She meets a very nice female ghost who also helps her find clues. This is a great read with many interesting people and ghosts.
I would recommend this book for teens on up. Bryn's cat is adorable and helps her solve a two- hundred year old murder mystery. She meets a very nice female ghost who also helps her find clues. This is a great read with many interesting people and ghosts.
December 18, 2021
Wow
Awesome story, I read it in one sitting! I’ve ordered the next book, very glad to begin a new and most interesting series to read!
The characters are very real and the plot so intriguing.
You will so want to try their.
Awesome story, I read it in one sitting! I’ve ordered the next book, very glad to begin a new and most interesting series to read!
The characters are very real and the plot so intriguing.
You will so want to try their.
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December 24, 2021It Always Help if You Read the First Book First
When I started this one, I had already finished 2 and 3, kind of messed up this one, but it sure helped to understand the other two better. LoL. I love that Bernie is an intrical part of the story. It
When I started this one, I had already finished 2 and 3, kind of messed up this one, but it sure helped to understand the other two better. LoL. I love that Bernie is an intrical part of the story. It
January 19, 2022
I loved this!
First time reading this author. A young woman, can see ghosts. Her real job, is staging houses to sell. She, and her black cat,Bernie, also solve a 100 year old mystery.
First time reading this author. A young woman, can see ghosts. Her real job, is staging houses to sell. She, and her black cat,Bernie, also solve a 100 year old mystery.
March 19, 2022
Great start
A small historic town, down to earth characters, and a main character with a little something extra all work together to start a new paranormal series that I can't wait to binge.
A small historic town, down to earth characters, and a main character with a little something extra all work together to start a new paranormal series that I can't wait to binge.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews