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Hope Herring #9
Deadly Mistakes
This is book 9 in the Hope Herring paranormal cozy mystery series by USA Today Bestselling Author J A Whiting and Nell McCarthy.
It is spring in Castle Park, NC and Hope and her teen daughter Cori are looking forward to spring break, but in the midst of warm weather and flowering trees, Detective Robinson asks Hope to assist on a new case. Not only is Hope drawn into a mystery that hits close to home, but the mother of one her students makes an unexpected request and Max her resident ghost gets into trouble in an Internet chat room bringing an unwanted visitor to the house.
With danger knocking on her door from multiple sides, will Hope be able to solve the problems or will mistakes lead to tragedy?
It is spring in Castle Park, NC and Hope and her teen daughter Cori are looking forward to spring break, but in the midst of warm weather and flowering trees, Detective Robinson asks Hope to assist on a new case. Not only is Hope drawn into a mystery that hits close to home, but the mother of one her students makes an unexpected request and Max her resident ghost gets into trouble in an Internet chat room bringing an unwanted visitor to the house.
With danger knocking on her door from multiple sides, will Hope be able to solve the problems or will mistakes lead to tragedy?
- GenresMystery
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2022
98 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
174 books322 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2024
Teachers are being knocked off at Hope's school. Three are dead, all killed the same way, shot in the left eye. The police ask Hope, who's been involved in the past, to help with the investigation. She's also asked by a parent to watch her daughter while she's away for a week, the week before spring break. That doesn't go great because the daughter is being "stalked". The resident ghost Max is the home security system which comes in handy when the armed stalker turns up at Hope's house.
Speaking of stalking, Max initiated an online relationship to just chat about history. He tries to shut it down when the woman wants more than just chat. The woman Chloe refuses to take no for an answer and wants to track him down. She shows up to the house, too. When the woman doesn't give up, Hope lies and says she's Max.
In the end, the killer of the teachers is revealed. It's a pretty obvious solution.
I've been enjoying this series overall until the last two books. I have a lot of issues with this particular book for several reasons. One, Hope is getting more and more judgemental and preachy. She tells her daughter that one of the teachers has a ton of student loan debt which is why she always looks haggard from working too much. Really? She doesn't know that for a fact. She simply assumes it.
Two, and this is the one that got me the most, Hope has apparently never heard of boundaries. A parent comes to her home uninvited and asks Hope to watch her daughter for almost a week while she goes on a course. I know parent requests can be ridiculous, but that's too much. Worse, Hope agrees because she thinks it'll be a "teachable" lesson for her daughter Cori who has no siblings. Oh, and she won't take any money for it, either. In what universe would this be appropriate?
Three, when she's talking to the parent, Hope reveals something private that happened with Cori's friend Lottie when she got lured by a predator through the internet in the last book. Plus, she keeps referring to Lottie's mistake when she's talking to her daughter. Everything to Hope is a teachable moment. She doesn't respect Lottie's privacy at all.
Another thing that happens is that the girl she's watching, Jasmine, waits to the last minute to get a signature for a project, so Hope takes her to other teacher's house to get it. Of course, I know that's so she can discover the body, but again that's another boundary that's not respected.
There are so many n0-no situations in the book, it's hard to keep count. I'm going to read another book in the series, but another one like this one and I'm out.
Speaking of stalking, Max initiated an online relationship to just chat about history. He tries to shut it down when the woman wants more than just chat. The woman Chloe refuses to take no for an answer and wants to track him down. She shows up to the house, too. When the woman doesn't give up, Hope lies and says she's Max.
In the end, the killer of the teachers is revealed. It's a pretty obvious solution.
I've been enjoying this series overall until the last two books. I have a lot of issues with this particular book for several reasons. One, Hope is getting more and more judgemental and preachy. She tells her daughter that one of the teachers has a ton of student loan debt which is why she always looks haggard from working too much. Really? She doesn't know that for a fact. She simply assumes it.
Two, and this is the one that got me the most, Hope has apparently never heard of boundaries. A parent comes to her home uninvited and asks Hope to watch her daughter for almost a week while she goes on a course. I know parent requests can be ridiculous, but that's too much. Worse, Hope agrees because she thinks it'll be a "teachable" lesson for her daughter Cori who has no siblings. Oh, and she won't take any money for it, either. In what universe would this be appropriate?
Three, when she's talking to the parent, Hope reveals something private that happened with Cori's friend Lottie when she got lured by a predator through the internet in the last book. Plus, she keeps referring to Lottie's mistake when she's talking to her daughter. Everything to Hope is a teachable moment. She doesn't respect Lottie's privacy at all.
Another thing that happens is that the girl she's watching, Jasmine, waits to the last minute to get a signature for a project, so Hope takes her to other teacher's house to get it. Of course, I know that's so she can discover the body, but again that's another boundary that's not respected.
There are so many n0-no situations in the book, it's hard to keep count. I'm going to read another book in the series, but another one like this one and I'm out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2022
Great Story!
by Barbara Kelley
I absolutely LOVE this series. And I kinda figured out who the killer was and why. This episode was about three school teachers being murdered, each shot in their left eye. These teachers seem to have no connection to one another, except for the fact that they all worked at the same school as Hope Herring. Can Hope figure it out before she winds up as the fourth victim?
I love the familial bantering between Hope and her 14 year old daughter, Cori. Cori tries to get away with certain things, but Hope's "teachable moments" win out every time.
Our resident ghost, Max, gets in an online relationship with a woman who doesn't believe he is really a ghost on the Internet. I mean, he told her the complete truth about himself and she didn't believe him. However, she is computer tech savvy and traces his IP address location, which is Hope's computer and now Hope's house. The woman travelled like a thousand or more miles to find Max. Will she finally meet Max the ghost?
Also, having a resident ghost in your house can sometimes literally save your life on more than one occasion. I don't know if you believe in ghosts, but I do. There are times when I am sitting in my living room that I see or feel some other presence than my own, and nobody else is in the house. I believe this/these spirits have saved my life more than once. Anyway, Max saves Hope more than once. And Bijou, the family cat, also saves Hope's life. That cat knows a bad person and loves to bite said bad person.
I gave this book 5 stars, just like I have every other book in this series.
by Barbara Kelley
I absolutely LOVE this series. And I kinda figured out who the killer was and why. This episode was about three school teachers being murdered, each shot in their left eye. These teachers seem to have no connection to one another, except for the fact that they all worked at the same school as Hope Herring. Can Hope figure it out before she winds up as the fourth victim?
I love the familial bantering between Hope and her 14 year old daughter, Cori. Cori tries to get away with certain things, but Hope's "teachable moments" win out every time.
Our resident ghost, Max, gets in an online relationship with a woman who doesn't believe he is really a ghost on the Internet. I mean, he told her the complete truth about himself and she didn't believe him. However, she is computer tech savvy and traces his IP address location, which is Hope's computer and now Hope's house. The woman travelled like a thousand or more miles to find Max. Will she finally meet Max the ghost?
Also, having a resident ghost in your house can sometimes literally save your life on more than one occasion. I don't know if you believe in ghosts, but I do. There are times when I am sitting in my living room that I see or feel some other presence than my own, and nobody else is in the house. I believe this/these spirits have saved my life more than once. Anyway, Max saves Hope more than once. And Bijou, the family cat, also saves Hope's life. That cat knows a bad person and loves to bite said bad person.
I gave this book 5 stars, just like I have every other book in this series.
February 17, 2023
Delightful Series
I've really enjoyed each book in J A Whiting's Hope Herring Mystery series. The main characters from each book are Hope Herring, A middle school teacher and part-time baker, Hope's teenaged daughter, Cori, Edsel, the owner of the bakery where Hope works part-time, Detective Derrick Robinson, and Maximillian Johnson, the resident ghost and former owner of Hope's home. Hope has a knack of figuring out murders and solving crimes with the help of the main characters in the stories. It's vastly entertaining to read about the thought process and narrowing down of the list of suspects Hope and cast go through to solve each case. That included the murder of the original homeowner, Max, who had been murdered nearly a hundred years before Hope purchased his home.
I've really enjoyed each book in J A Whiting's Hope Herring Mystery series. The main characters from each book are Hope Herring, A middle school teacher and part-time baker, Hope's teenaged daughter, Cori, Edsel, the owner of the bakery where Hope works part-time, Detective Derrick Robinson, and Maximillian Johnson, the resident ghost and former owner of Hope's home. Hope has a knack of figuring out murders and solving crimes with the help of the main characters in the stories. It's vastly entertaining to read about the thought process and narrowing down of the list of suspects Hope and cast go through to solve each case. That included the murder of the original homeowner, Max, who had been murdered nearly a hundred years before Hope purchased his home.
August 12, 2022
Excellent.
Teachers are being murdered. All of them teach at the same school that Hope teaches at. None of them seem to have anything in common. Hope assists Dereck with trying to piece whatever very small clues there are together to solve the murders before the killer zeros in on another teacher. In the meantime, with her "teachable moments", Hope is trying to insure that Cori and her students have the tools they need to grow up to be intelligent, aware and able to think for themselves. I always enjoy reading about Hope, Cori and Max. If you're going to live with a ghost, Max is the one. Can't wait for the next installment.
Teachers are being murdered. All of them teach at the same school that Hope teaches at. None of them seem to have anything in common. Hope assists Dereck with trying to piece whatever very small clues there are together to solve the murders before the killer zeros in on another teacher. In the meantime, with her "teachable moments", Hope is trying to insure that Cori and her students have the tools they need to grow up to be intelligent, aware and able to think for themselves. I always enjoy reading about Hope, Cori and Max. If you're going to live with a ghost, Max is the one. Can't wait for the next installment.
November 23, 2022
Dead teachers
A teacher is shot in her left eye. She is single and leaves alone and the door is unlocked, Derrick calls Hope and asks her to go with him to look at the scene. Hope is asked by a parent to watch her child so she can take a class out of town. Hope agrees to watch Jasmine for the week. A second teacher is shot the same as the first, no clues at either site. A few days later a third teacher is shot. Hope is trying to figure out a motive and who is doing the murders and why. Max is still changing his clothes. I love this character, he was so serious at the beginning of the series. He is now happy and enjoy life and the internet.
A teacher is shot in her left eye. She is single and leaves alone and the door is unlocked, Derrick calls Hope and asks her to go with him to look at the scene. Hope is asked by a parent to watch her child so she can take a class out of town. Hope agrees to watch Jasmine for the week. A second teacher is shot the same as the first, no clues at either site. A few days later a third teacher is shot. Hope is trying to figure out a motive and who is doing the murders and why. Max is still changing his clothes. I love this character, he was so serious at the beginning of the series. He is now happy and enjoy life and the internet.
August 12, 2022
Wonderful series
I've enjoyed reading this series immensely. Could not put a single one down until it was complete. I find myself immersed in the characters as though they are real. Now I'll find myself wondering how they are doing and what new mysteries are they getting involved with until the next book is released and I can read all about it.
Great writing and story lines.
I've enjoyed reading this series immensely. Could not put a single one down until it was complete. I find myself immersed in the characters as though they are real. Now I'll find myself wondering how they are doing and what new mysteries are they getting involved with until the next book is released and I can read all about it.
Great writing and story lines.
August 15, 2022
A great read as always!
I love the easy flow of characters and plot. This one I didn't figure out the killer until the author told us. I would recommend this book to those enjoy mild paranormal s/ghosts. I LOVE the daily lessons that Hope relays to her daughter. Life lessons are subtle. A job well done all around!
I love the easy flow of characters and plot. This one I didn't figure out the killer until the author told us. I would recommend this book to those enjoy mild paranormal s/ghosts. I LOVE the daily lessons that Hope relays to her daughter. Life lessons are subtle. A job well done all around!
November 23, 2022
Never disappoints
JA books are always entertaining and she is a great storyteller. I am never disappointed no matter what series or stand alone book I read of hers I know I'm going to enjoy the story
JA books are always entertaining and she is a great storyteller. I am never disappointed no matter what series or stand alone book I read of hers I know I'm going to enjoy the story
August 13, 2022
Great book
This is another great book in the Hope Herring series by J A Whiting. I can't wait for the next book.
This is another great book in the Hope Herring series by J A Whiting. I can't wait for the next book.
August 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this series. I read several of her series and liked them all.
November 30, 2022
Great read
Love Hope and her Daughter. How interesting it would be to have a resident ghost! Keep up the life lessons or as known,a teaching moment.
Love Hope and her Daughter. How interesting it would be to have a resident ghost! Keep up the life lessons or as known,a teaching moment.
April 22, 2023
Loved it. Enjoyable cozy mystery with a lovable cast of characters, setting, and interesting mysteries.
July 7, 2024
Another great story!
I just love the adventures of Max! Of course to have those adventures side by side to the terribleness of murder really keeps the reader involved.
I just love the adventures of Max! Of course to have those adventures side by side to the terribleness of murder really keeps the reader involved.
February 2, 2025
Great story
Very interesting cast of characters. Made you want to continue chapter after chapter. Of course a surprise ending. Can't wait to continue on
Very interesting cast of characters. Made you want to continue chapter after chapter. Of course a surprise ending. Can't wait to continue on
November 21, 2025
Deadly mistakes
As ever, another truly interesting and incredibly interesting story. The story was very interesting and totally a possibility in the real world.
As ever, another truly interesting and incredibly interesting story. The story was very interesting and totally a possibility in the real world.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews