The Tourist is Toast

Sedona Spirit #2

by Carly Winter

A tourist is shoved from a cliff. It’s up to an unruly ghost to solve the murder.When Bernie and her ghostly grandmother, Ruby, witness the killing of a tourist from a far, they find themselves ensnared in a vengeful group of suspects, each having an excellent motive for pushing the man to his death.

Deputy Adam Gallagher has been assigned to solve the case. The problem? No one is talking. When Ruby approaches Bernie with a secret plan to nail the murderer and help Adam, she reluctantly agrees.

As Bernie and Ruby do their part to assist Adam, Bernie realizes the case is far more complicated than anyone thought. Unraveling it may put them all in danger. Can she find the murderer and get the dead man justice before the killer gets to her first?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Mystery

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Carly Winter writes fun, small town cozy mysteries, always with a dash of humor and quirky characters. When not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, on a Pilates reformer or enjoying the fantastic Arizona weather (except summer - she doesn't like summer). She does like dogs, wine and chocolate and wishes Christmas happened twice a year.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Bernie was on an ATV with the ghost of her grandmother, Ruby, and Deputy Adam Gallagher was nearby on his, they were there for the beauty of the moon, shining over the cliffs of Sedona. But their shock was profound when they saw the silhouettes of two people fighting and suddenly one disappeared over the edge. Was someone murdered? Adam immediately made his way to the spot, where he found his friend Jack, who was running a tour, calling his tourists back to the vehicle. The sheriff arrived and everyone was taken back to the station for interviews.

Now it was up to Adam to discover who had killed Harold, a tourist who was with his wife and her friend Nancy. They weren't allowed to leave town before the case had been solved. The two other men on the tour were strangers, but they had to remain as well. Would Adam, along with Bernie & her ghostly grandma solve the case?

The Tourist is Toast is the 2nd in the Sedona Spirit series by Carly Winter and it was great fun! Ruby is a delight, with only Bernie able to see and talk to her, but Adam knows about her, and talks to her although she can't converse with him. Adam also has a ghost at his home, and only knew he was there by Ruby telling Bernie. An entertaining paranormal cosy which I recommend.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I love paranormals and I love cozies. Leave it to Carly to combine my two loves into single series. This is the second book in the series, and my first read of the series (which I have now remedied). Carly being the talented writer she is, if you don’t read them in order, you’ll still be fine.

Ok…now onto my thoughts on the story. It was fast paced and entertaining. Bernie and Ruby are a hilarious pair, and Adam acknowledging Ruby while she’s in the room is really sweet. I found myself reading the book and thinking “is this a breadcrumb of a clue as to who committed the murder?” Sometimes it was, and sometimes it wasn’t. Either way, I had a great time trying to solve the murder first.

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

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny mystery

This was a funny story, the second in the Sedona Spirit series. It felt like it was more of a novella rather than a full length story. I love grandma Ruby, she cracks me up with her antics.

[Carolyn Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moon-rise ride on ATVs into the Sedona desert is just what Bernadette (Bernie) and Adam need! Of course, Bernie can't resist letting her unconventional grandma's ghost come along; she loves going for a ride, and promises to be good.

After a few minutes of staring at the beautiful moon, the couple (?) is distracted by a scuffle on a ledge across the way, then a man is pushed to his death!

The fateful group was one of Jumping Jack's Jeep Tours! (We're pretty sure Jack wasn't the killer--he had an alibi.) Who killed the unlikeable and rich Harold? His wife? Her best friend and companion? Unknown relatives? Or were his attitudes and treatment of people so bad that a stranger was moved to murder?

Deputy Adam Gallagher gets to work, and Ruby, the dearly departed grandma, listens to interviews and conversations to help crack the case. Bernie takes more chances than she should...

On a side note, the ghost in Adam's condo (Ned), makes friends with Ruby--reluctantly--and his haunting efforts take a new path.

I liked this second book a little less than the first for one primary reason; Bernie believes that Adam has no chance of solving the case without help from herself and Ruby. Although he asks for her opinion, Bernie is feeding a delusion, and I'm not a fan of delusion.

3/5 Stars I do not intend to read more in this series.

#TheTouristisToast
#AHumorousParanormalCozyMystery
#SedonaSpiritCozyMysteriesBook2
#WestwardPublishing
#CarlyWinter #CarlyWinterAuth
#CozyAnimalMysteryCat
#WomenSleuths
#FictionFemaleSleuths
#FictionBedandBreakfastMystery
#FictionCozyMysterySedonaArizona
#FictionResidentGrandmotherGhost
#FictionSchizophrenia

Note to publisher:
Chapter 1
"crossing my arms over my chest"
*There’s no need to say where people cross their arms unless it’s in an unusual place, such as above their head. Everyone knows the usual place. (First of three times mentioned.)
--------
Chapter 14
a
an
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Chapter 17
closed.
close
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rustic
rust?

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview: Bernadette is out to help Adam with a presumed haunting in his home. And she's the woman to do it, as she is being haunted by her grandmother Ruby. Though they also have an ATV date later. This gives them Adam and Bernie a good view of the night sky, especially when they catch a glimpse of a man falling to his death. Who could want to hurt Harold? Will Jake keep his tourist Jeep rides? And will the police appreciate Ruby's and Bernie's help? Let's find out.

Dislikes: I'm a big fan of the Constitution. The Rights issued in it, are written as checks on the government. So, none of the rights are guaranteed only to the guilty. If you were to look at anyone under the metaphorical microscope, then he/she can easily appear to be guilty. So no, denying yourself a lawyer does not give you the appearance of being innocent, it just makes you look ignorant. And calling for one, does not automatically make you guilty.

The second point is related to the first. A conversation with a lawyer is a privileged conversation. No one should try to circumvent the Constitutional Rights of others in such a way. If it was legal, then every police department would have a loved one snooping in the lawyer offices to find out information needed for the case.

Likes: Ruby did care for her granddaughter.

Jake and Bernie didn't turn on Darla when she started to spiral.

Conclusion: This isn't a good fit for my tastes. Perhaps you need to be a fan of ghostly tales to like this one. Enjoy the read.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast and fun read from Carly Winter. The characters are just as well described and delightful as in book 1.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

This book answers the questions left behind from book one and provides more background on many of the characters. I was only disappointed in having solved some of the mystery very early. Other than that I definitely enjoyed learning more about Ruby and her life. Reading about her and Ruby's sleuthing exploits was a blast. Adam's ghost was a fun addition. All in all a very good read.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie can see ghosts, especially her eccentric grandmother. On a desert night ride with her boyfriend deputy Adam they witness a murder. Adam investigates and Bernie and her grandmother are going to help wether he likes it or not. A great fun read, loved the characters especially Ruby ghost grandmother. The story is great, entertaining and funny.

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

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie can see ghosts, especially her eccentric grandmother. On a desert night ride with her boyfriend deputy Adam they witness a murder. Adam investigates and Bernie and her grandmother are going to help wether he likes it or not. A great fun read, loved the characters especially Ruby ghost grandmother. The story is great, entertaining and funny.

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

[Kymm · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this the second book in the series I can say, I'm hooked and want to keep reading. Very seldom do I read series books one right after the other, but in Sedona Spirit by Carly Winter I'd barely finished the first book before I started "The Tourist is Toast" book 2. Winter is in my top 5 cozy authors so I knew it would be good but with a grandmotherly ghost as one of the amateur sleuths along with her granddaughter it's cozy gold. Happy Reading!

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie with her ghost grandmother, are out in the desert, with Adam, to see the moon rise. A full moon, it is beautiful, but they witness a murder! Someone gets pushed off a cliff. As they are already there, Adam takes charge of the scene & starts to try to sort out just what had happened. The people involved were on a tour, run by their friend, Jack. They say the man jumped. Being a ghost is good, as they find out something interesting via her listening in!

[Jean Sibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally like paranormal series but this one was different. Not so heavy on the witches, warlocks, demons, etc. Just two ghosts. Ruby, Bernie’s ghostly grandmother, was a hoot. Her banter with Ned, Adam’s ghost, was funny. The mystery was good too. Kept me guessing until the end. Look forward to the next book in the series.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if your dead grandmother's spirit was connected to you by a 15 foot "tether"? What if you had a crush on a cop who believed you about it? What if while on a date with this cop, you both witness someone being pushed off a cliff?
This is a fun and yet still a bit icky, story of just that. Icky because of the strangeness of grandma being there all the time.

[Conni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was good. But boy the trouble they can get into! I am a little sick of Ruby not really helping her. She just listens in. She can't touch anything so doesn't help. I would be interested to see where it goes with Adams ghost thou

[Kassyreadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Sedona Spirit series and it was just as cozy as the first book! I didn’t want to put this down and a lot happened for such. I loved the bread crumbs that were thrown in as clues! I had my suspicions about someone but I was wrong!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this cozy series! If I were to die and come back as a ghost, I’d like to think I’d be like Ruby - she’s so much fun. And I was sort of right I guessing the murderer in this one and I won’t say anymore and ruin it for anyone

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and this series so far. Bernie and her grandmother are a pair, along with Adam. The mystery was well thought out and the twists and turns were great. I had no idea who the villain was until the end. Strongly recommend reading.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great who did it mystery that keeps you guessing. Bernie is solving another mystery with her grandma's ghost. Lots of laughter, puzzling and surprises are in store. Officer Adam accepts their help even though it's not exactly legal. An enjoyable story.

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

This is heading into being a really good series. Love the scenery and the characters. And did not expect the ending.

[Eileen Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This was another good story. Again, I have the next one downloaded, but my kindle needs charged so I wait til tomorrow

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10. I'm only carrying on reading because I love people that can see ghosts.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. I enjoyed it!

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Harold and who is the ghost in Adam's place??? She said that she worked hard for it!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Harold and why??? Money??? Thank you, Ruby!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Wilhelmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

It has just the right amount of humor and mystery. Couldn’t put it down. Definitely looking forward to the next volume.

[Carolyn S. Balderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

better than book 1

You definitely need to read this one especially if you enjoyed book 1 because this one is better…l highly recommend book 2:. I’m going on to book 3 now.

[Deb Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Don’t miss this series if you like cozy mysteries! #1520.

[K. Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

The stories about Bernie and her dead grandmother Ruby are funny and easy reading. If you have a free-spirited grandmother, you'll enjoy Bernie's stories.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Ruby and her actions are so funny. She really keeps Bernie on her toes.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie and her ghostly grandmother Ruby partly see a murder (not well enough to see who did it). They and the local detective work to solve the case.

[Nadia Vriendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and fun reading. And always fun to read stories that take place in a town you visited 😀