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Tales of a Midlife Mortician #1
Cursed by the Corpse
When it comes to the Whithaven Funeral Home, they're just dying to get in...
When newly widowed Janey Whithaven receives a call to retrieve the body of Montpier's most recently departed, she's caught off guard. Her husband isn't even cold in in his grave. But as the only funeral home left in this part of the Lake of the Ozarks, she really doesn't have a choice. Janey thought she'd have time to grieve and figure out what to do next with the business. She never imagined being asked to step right into her darling Norm's loafers only a week after his death.
Compounding her grief - and sudden promotion to head mortician - Janey is shocked to discover her newest client is none other than Victoria Jones, her nemesis from her beauty school days. It doesn't take long before Janey learns that maybe Victoria's death wasn't the accident the coroner deemed it. Since this knowledge comes about when Victoria's ghost appears at the foot of the embalming table, it's clear something else is going on in Montpier. And that something includes murder.
Unwilling to ignore a miscarriage of justice even for Victoria, Janey is also unable to tell anyone she's now seeing - and talking to ghosts. The only answer is to embark on her own investigation, and hope she doesn't end up as the next client in Whithaven funeral home. Nothing would please Janey more than to see Victoria laid to rest once and for all. Unless she uncovers the truth of Victoria's death, neither of them will ever be at peace.
Janey never asked for this. She sure isn't ready for it. But as Norm used to say... Death doesn't care whether you've done your hair.
When newly widowed Janey Whithaven receives a call to retrieve the body of Montpier's most recently departed, she's caught off guard. Her husband isn't even cold in in his grave. But as the only funeral home left in this part of the Lake of the Ozarks, she really doesn't have a choice. Janey thought she'd have time to grieve and figure out what to do next with the business. She never imagined being asked to step right into her darling Norm's loafers only a week after his death.
Compounding her grief - and sudden promotion to head mortician - Janey is shocked to discover her newest client is none other than Victoria Jones, her nemesis from her beauty school days. It doesn't take long before Janey learns that maybe Victoria's death wasn't the accident the coroner deemed it. Since this knowledge comes about when Victoria's ghost appears at the foot of the embalming table, it's clear something else is going on in Montpier. And that something includes murder.
Unwilling to ignore a miscarriage of justice even for Victoria, Janey is also unable to tell anyone she's now seeing - and talking to ghosts. The only answer is to embark on her own investigation, and hope she doesn't end up as the next client in Whithaven funeral home. Nothing would please Janey more than to see Victoria laid to rest once and for all. Unless she uncovers the truth of Victoria's death, neither of them will ever be at peace.
Janey never asked for this. She sure isn't ready for it. But as Norm used to say... Death doesn't care whether you've done your hair.
- GenresParanormal
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2022
143 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 25, 2022
Hmmmm the book was okay, not bad, not exceptional, I wasn’t blown away, but there were aspects that I liked.
December 19, 2023
I really like this one. It was emotional and far deeper than I expected. Great writing style, great characters. Suspenseful, witty and clever.
I have found a new author with quite a few books out there.
I have found a new author with quite a few books out there.
October 5, 2024
Very cute.
September 8, 2024
This series, a lot like The Oracle series, starts with a widow. The difference is, Janey didn't find out about a second family... her husband was her best friend and business partner in the funeral home, until a car accident took him away. Some of her observations during the course of the story, realizing her Norm was gone, were so heartbreaking.
So, even though the business was Janey's and Norm's who Norm bought from his father years ago, Janey's awful mother in law and brother in law believe they have a stake in it. They do not, but they just add conflict to an already hard time.
One day, an officer shows up and asks if Janey is ready for new business yet because the corpse of Janey's frenemy had been found. Janey, wanting to try to get on with her life, agrees and that's when the weird stuff starts. Within Victoria the frenemy's throat, a little vial is lodged. Janey extracts it, fumbles with it and drops it. Mysterious smoke rises and then Janey's world goes black. When she wakes, she can talk to Victoria and other ghosts. Victoria asks Janey to help find her killer, because Victoria can't remember anything and thus starts their adventure.
If you like Ghosts... British or American television show... this puts me in the mind of this. I love the idea of people from different periods of time intermingling, and I can't wait to dig into the second book.
So, even though the business was Janey's and Norm's who Norm bought from his father years ago, Janey's awful mother in law and brother in law believe they have a stake in it. They do not, but they just add conflict to an already hard time.
One day, an officer shows up and asks if Janey is ready for new business yet because the corpse of Janey's frenemy had been found. Janey, wanting to try to get on with her life, agrees and that's when the weird stuff starts. Within Victoria the frenemy's throat, a little vial is lodged. Janey extracts it, fumbles with it and drops it. Mysterious smoke rises and then Janey's world goes black. When she wakes, she can talk to Victoria and other ghosts. Victoria asks Janey to help find her killer, because Victoria can't remember anything and thus starts their adventure.
If you like Ghosts... British or American television show... this puts me in the mind of this. I love the idea of people from different periods of time intermingling, and I can't wait to dig into the second book.
June 7, 2023
Good
Janey Whithaven is a new widow, and as a Mortician, it was her business that had to deal with the death of her beloved husband.
Barely a week later, she’s dealing with another corpse, this time an old nemesis, who seems to have passed before her time- only this time Janey can see and speak to her ghost!
Urged by the recently deceased, Janey finds herself trying to help her ghostly visitor figure out what happened, so she might rest in peace…
Warning: this book can be a bit of a tearjerker at times, so keep a tissue or your hankie handy. Janey is recently widowed, and much of the issues she is dealing with at the loss of her husband are mentioned here. Their marriage was, much to my happiness, a good and satisfying one. The drama that resulted from his death is totally nothing to do with him and their relationship, but it does put Janey in a bit of a pickle. In addition to that are the things that she is dealing with due the newest client of the mortuary.
It’s an enjoyable tale, with an interesting premise, a fascinating cast of characters, and some hints of secret things things that we have yet to find out about.
If you have enjoyed the author’s other books, or other paranormal women’s fiction in general, then you’ll enjoy this book too.
Janey Whithaven is a new widow, and as a Mortician, it was her business that had to deal with the death of her beloved husband.
Barely a week later, she’s dealing with another corpse, this time an old nemesis, who seems to have passed before her time- only this time Janey can see and speak to her ghost!
Urged by the recently deceased, Janey finds herself trying to help her ghostly visitor figure out what happened, so she might rest in peace…
Warning: this book can be a bit of a tearjerker at times, so keep a tissue or your hankie handy. Janey is recently widowed, and much of the issues she is dealing with at the loss of her husband are mentioned here. Their marriage was, much to my happiness, a good and satisfying one. The drama that resulted from his death is totally nothing to do with him and their relationship, but it does put Janey in a bit of a pickle. In addition to that are the things that she is dealing with due the newest client of the mortuary.
It’s an enjoyable tale, with an interesting premise, a fascinating cast of characters, and some hints of secret things things that we have yet to find out about.
If you have enjoyed the author’s other books, or other paranormal women’s fiction in general, then you’ll enjoy this book too.
Currently reading
October 9, 2024Newly widowed Janey tries to carry on with the mortician business she and her deceased husband ran, but the spirit of her frenemy, Victoria, has other ideas in Lisa Manifold’s breezy novel Cursed by the Corpse. Victoria opens the grieving funeral director up to the spiritual world, and Janey helps Victoria resolve a nasty problem so she can move into the light. Janey discovers through this interaction her home is haunted, there’s a coven in her community, and her nasty brother-in-law and mother-in-law complicate Janey’s life. With its likable lead, charming friends, and interesting ghosts, this novel reminded me of the television sitcom “Ghosts.” This is the first in the Tales of a Midlife Mortician series by the author.
September 25, 2023
I know it seems kind of odd to describe a book like this, but honestly compared to what I normally read, this book was pretty cute!
I got sucked into Janey's story pretty quickly and honestly impressed with the way she handled the craziness that ensued all while grieving.
That was another part I loved about this book. The way the author wrote her grief. She perfectly wrote in the authenticity that is grief itself. How it really can randomly hit at any moment. How you can finally get back to normal life, and then shut down for 4 days because it's too much.
I honestly can't wait to read the next book and hopefully get some answers!!
I got sucked into Janey's story pretty quickly and honestly impressed with the way she handled the craziness that ensued all while grieving.
That was another part I loved about this book. The way the author wrote her grief. She perfectly wrote in the authenticity that is grief itself. How it really can randomly hit at any moment. How you can finally get back to normal life, and then shut down for 4 days because it's too much.
I honestly can't wait to read the next book and hopefully get some answers!!
March 5, 2025
To be fair, I was quite quickly over this Paranormal Women's Fiction thing. I read a new one occasionally hoping that someone somehow will come up with a new twist. This one did not start to out with the long-time husband behaving badly with his secretary, so that was nice. Did I love this book? Meh ... not really. I would have liked more pizzazz with the surrounding cast. Did I like it enough to see what book #2 in the series offers? Yes. I did like it that much.
October 28, 2023
Cool concept! I enjoyed having a main character who's in her late forties and dealing with the grief of losing her husband. You don't often find a MC in that stage of life. While this series deals with death and grief as well as family drama, it is less dark than I expected. It has more of a cozy mystery feel to it.
August 24, 2024
Great start to new series
I had read Lisa Manifold Oracle series and really enjoyed her story telling. This looked very cute and did not disappoint. Other reviews will provide the background, I am just going to say that's it's a well written book that makes you want to read the next one in the series as soon as you finish. Enjoy!
I had read Lisa Manifold Oracle series and really enjoyed her story telling. This looked very cute and did not disappoint. Other reviews will provide the background, I am just going to say that's it's a well written book that makes you want to read the next one in the series as soon as you finish. Enjoy!
July 22, 2025
Fun storyline
When Janey's husband passes she has no idea how drastically her life is going to change. I really enjoyed this book, it had lots of humor in it, sassy characters, magic, and ghosts. I can't wait to start the next book in the series to see happens with her in-laws, the ghosts, and the witches.
When Janey's husband passes she has no idea how drastically her life is going to change. I really enjoyed this book, it had lots of humor in it, sassy characters, magic, and ghosts. I can't wait to start the next book in the series to see happens with her in-laws, the ghosts, and the witches.
September 30, 2022
Ghost
After her husband died she thought she would never be the same again. Then they brought in a person that she knew from her beauty school days. Strange things happened and now she can see ghost.
After her husband died she thought she would never be the same again. Then they brought in a person that she knew from her beauty school days. Strange things happened and now she can see ghost.
August 9, 2023
A good story, a bit of possible love interest, and a fascinating premise that someone suddenly can see and help ghosts (and isn't quite sure what to do about it).
The next book is just as good - maybe better.
I'll be reading this series for sure!
The next book is just as good - maybe better.
I'll be reading this series for sure!
September 5, 2023
Good book
I read the reviews and thought, why not? Best decision I made a!l week. In fact, I can't wait to read book two in this series. No spoilers other than great dialogue, fun characters, and I love the ghosts!
I read the reviews and thought, why not? Best decision I made a!l week. In fact, I can't wait to read book two in this series. No spoilers other than great dialogue, fun characters, and I love the ghosts!
November 10, 2023
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the story but found it odd that the character is being encouraged (by a ghost) to return the interest of the detective when her husband has only just died.
It just seemed an odd part of the story.
I enjoyed the story but found it odd that the character is being encouraged (by a ghost) to return the interest of the detective when her husband has only just died.
It just seemed an odd part of the story.
November 11, 2023
This story dealt with a subject not usually in cozy mysteries. It caught my attention right away and maintained it throughout. The characters, both living and dead, were likeable and fun. I will be reading this series. Recommend reading.
September 21, 2024
I like the plot but don’t think I was in the right place to enjoy this book more. I want to read the next book just to finish the story but I’d suggest anyone wanting to read this to be in a thriller/mystery reading phase. If that’s what you’re craving it’s a decent book
November 1, 2023
Who killed Victoria and why??? She is at peace, isn't she??? i enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
November 24, 2023
Awesome
New series to binge! So good I could not put it down. I love the characters, the story is fascinating and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
New series to binge! So good I could not put it down. I love the characters, the story is fascinating and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 20, 2024
I picked this up on Stuff Your Kindle day. It's actually part 1 of a bigger story, so I dropped a star for that. Otherwise, it's an enjoyable ghost story.
February 20, 2025
Interesting and entertaining
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews