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wernerkl906's review
2.0
Really?
I'd heard good things about this book and was very excited to find it on Prime reading. I was very disappointed. I don't even know where to start. The beginning was good, newly widowed older woman moves to Salem to open a B&B. And then it goes downhill. From the antique man having everything she wanted, to shelling out loads of money to furnish an entire mansion, to having practically every man she met want to date her. Oh, and did I mention the almost romance with a ghost? Yeah. Not for me. At all.
I'd heard good things about this book and was very excited to find it on Prime reading. I was very disappointed. I don't even know where to start. The beginning was good, newly widowed older woman moves to Salem to open a B&B. And then it goes downhill. From the antique man having everything she wanted, to shelling out loads of money to furnish an entire mansion, to having practically every man she met want to date her. Oh, and did I mention the almost romance with a ghost? Yeah. Not for me. At all.
bnryan95's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 39%. I tried really hard to get into this, but I just didn’t like it.
rknitss's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Ok so, this is definitely a fast read. I finished it in essentially three sittings over the course of two days. The plot moves forward at a steady pace and the plot is interesting. I wouldn't say I found the mystery compelling but I did enjoy it.
We do have some slight disability rep. with a dyslexic character, but it plays so little part in the plot I wouldn't really count it (noted for anyone doing disability reading for July). Beyond that we have themes of grief, mourning, moving on and of course romance.
I liked the chemistry between Charlene and Jack, though at times his temper made him hard to root for. We also have a love triangle situation that I won't get into since it might be spoilers.
I liked that everyone in this book was solidly an adult. Charlene is in her 40s and the other named characters float around that age range or older. I think we have one character in their late 20s. All that to say, the characters are all adultier adults and for the most part they act like it.
Slight spoiler territory now:
Charlene spends a great deal of the books going around trying to solve the mystery of Jack's death-believed-to-be-murder. She does this by going around and asking really personal and probing questions of all her new neighbors who she needs to have a good opinion of her due to the brand new business (B&B) that she's opening. I found this hilarious and wildly ineffective. She rattled the actual murderer into action, but not because she actually came up with anything.
Overall, I enjoyed the read but don't feel compelled to move forward in the series. Would recommend for people who like cozy mysteries and paranormal romances.
We do have some slight disability rep. with a dyslexic character, but it plays so little part in the plot I wouldn't really count it (noted for anyone doing disability reading for July). Beyond that we have themes of grief, mourning, moving on and of course romance.
I liked the chemistry between Charlene and Jack, though at times his temper made him hard to root for. We also have a love triangle situation that I won't get into since it might be spoilers.
I liked that everyone in this book was solidly an adult. Charlene is in her 40s and the other named characters float around that age range or older. I think we have one character in their late 20s. All that to say, the characters are all adultier adults and for the most part they act like it.
Slight spoiler territory now:
Charlene spends a great deal of the books going around trying to solve the mystery of Jack's death-believed-to-be-murder. She does this by going around and asking really personal and probing questions of all her new neighbors who she needs to have a good opinion of her due to the brand new business (B&B) that she's opening. I found this hilarious and wildly ineffective. She rattled the actual murderer into action, but not because she actually came up with anything.
Overall, I enjoyed the read but don't feel compelled to move forward in the series. Would recommend for people who like cozy mysteries and paranormal romances.
gred05's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. There are no likable characters, the dialogue was forced and I just couldn’t finish it.
ablasich's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Just not my cup of tea for a mystery. The main character was not a natural or professional investigator and that took me out of the story.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is an enjoyable new cozy mystery. Charlene Morris lost the love of her life eighteen months ago and every where she goes in Chicago there are reminders. She has purchased a massive mansion in Salem, based on pictures sent to her by the realtor, where she plans on opening a bed and breakfast. She wants it to be an elegant establishment. Having a resident ghost was not the plans even if he is handsome and charming. Dr. Jack Strathmore IV is convinced he was murdered three years ago and believes it is the reason for why he is unable to move on to the great beyond. Charlene is the first person who can see Jack and he needs her help. I like Traci Wilton’s conversational writing style. It is engaging and made this new cozy mystery easy to read. Charlene is a strong protagonist who is ready to move forward with her life away from her meddlesome mother. I found Charlene’s first reaction to Jack to be realistic and humorous. Jack is a great character. He has charm, wit, twinkling blue eyes and is a snappy dresser. Charlene sets out to discover who harmed Jack by talking with his wife, old friends, Detective Sam Holden, and the coroner. Charlene has all the subtly of a bulldozer. She is direct and pushy which leads to some ticked off individuals (but it is just her first time investigating). This whodunit can be solved before the reveal courtesy of the less than subtle clues. Charlene has a couple of men interested in her including Sam Holden. I would like less romance in future books (lots of flirting) and a more action packed mystery. I thought the story lagged during the middle and could have benefited from a peppier pace. The ending was a delight and left me smiling. A Persian named Silva joins Charlene in her new home. The cat’s antics had me giggling and I thought Traci Wilton captured a cat’s demeanor perfectly. I enjoyed the descriptions of Charlene’s beautiful new home, the furniture and the sights of Salem. The author took the time to establish the main characters and setting the stage for the series (wonderful world building). The first chapter of Mrs. Morris and the Witch is at the end of the book. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost has a magnificent mansion, a pretty Persian, flirtatious fellows, a gallant ghost, and a reluctant gumshoe.
qu33nofbookz's review against another edition
1.0
Jesus lady fire your editor don't thank him, he did you no favors. This book was a mess, especially after the first few chapters, the latter half of the book needed a lot of work. Inconsistencies, typos, poor word choice, contradictions, no research done, plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, bad structure. The characters were not very likable and had no growth and half were very cliche.
Our bipolar (there is no way she isn't she behavior and manner is so erratic and changing on a dime) MC had just moved into a mini-mansion she bought sight unseen and wants to turn it into a B&B in 1 month on a low budget only to find out it's haunted by possessive, controlling, asshole of a ghost who behaves like a 2-year-old always throwing tantrums if he's not bullying the MC.
She decides to help solve the ghost's murder so he can move on (another annoying thing...he practically demands she help him, then does stuff that would make anyone stop by not answering questions, bullying her, throwing tantrums that ruin the house, and actually tells her to stop then gets mad when she doesn't make any progress or investigates what he doesn't like or thinks she should leave alone...) and in the meanwhile falls in love with him despite the fact he's a ghost, she repeatedly insists she isn't interested in men at the moment, and he's an asshole (and the fact that she is super judgmental that his wife had an affair, which she rages about often, but when she finds out he did too she can forgive him and tell him it's okay because his wife had the affair first...so it was only natural for him to cheat too). Also, every man she meets immediately hits on her and are trying to date her even though she tells everyone she isn't interested in dating or men at the moment and tells herself that all the time.
She also worms her way into the high society/rich/old heritage families in town even though they normally don't give newcomers the time of day, which is a horrible plot hole because her number 1 murder suspect who was from a good family and married into the group and gave out money and held lots of parties for them couldn't get in after years of trying and she can after just meeting them? Nope. I don't think so.
Also, I would love to fill my house with the kind of antique furniture (and not so antique) she is buying for the very low price she is paying (really 6 big brand new side tables for the bedrooms for $50!) on a supposed to be very tight and low budget, and get half off because the male shop owners hit on her and she will TRY to send some of her customers their way, but no guarantee. The sheriff of the town she gets on her side to help her/ignore her blundering into cases is so hot to date her/get with her that he is half stalking her and bullying into her life by pressuring her every time he sees/talks to her. Lady get a restraining order if you insist on turning him down because you fell in love with the asshole ghost you didn't like at first and are actively trying to get rid of...
The ending was kinda meh and you can figure out who the bad guy is fairly easily and his reason why was just kind of like...um okay...really...that's why...sure fine whatever.
I will not be reading the next book.
Our bipolar (there is no way she isn't she behavior and manner is so erratic and changing on a dime) MC had just moved into a mini-mansion she bought sight unseen and wants to turn it into a B&B in 1 month on a low budget only to find out it's haunted by possessive, controlling, asshole of a ghost who behaves like a 2-year-old always throwing tantrums if he's not bullying the MC.
She decides to help solve the ghost's murder so he can move on (another annoying thing...he practically demands she help him, then does stuff that would make anyone stop by not answering questions, bullying her, throwing tantrums that ruin the house, and actually tells her to stop then gets mad when she doesn't make any progress or investigates what he doesn't like or thinks she should leave alone...) and in the meanwhile falls in love with him despite the fact he's a ghost, she repeatedly insists she isn't interested in men at the moment, and he's an asshole (and the fact that she is super judgmental that his wife had an affair, which she rages about often, but when she finds out he did too she can forgive him and tell him it's okay because his wife had the affair first...so it was only natural for him to cheat too). Also, every man she meets immediately hits on her and are trying to date her even though she tells everyone she isn't interested in dating or men at the moment and tells herself that all the time.
She also worms her way into the high society/rich/old heritage families in town even though they normally don't give newcomers the time of day, which is a horrible plot hole because her number 1 murder suspect who was from a good family and married into the group and gave out money and held lots of parties for them couldn't get in after years of trying and she can after just meeting them? Nope. I don't think so.
Also, I would love to fill my house with the kind of antique furniture (and not so antique) she is buying for the very low price she is paying (really 6 big brand new side tables for the bedrooms for $50!) on a supposed to be very tight and low budget, and get half off because the male shop owners hit on her and she will TRY to send some of her customers their way, but no guarantee. The sheriff of the town she gets on her side to help her/ignore her blundering into cases is so hot to date her/get with her that he is half stalking her and bullying into her life by pressuring her every time he sees/talks to her. Lady get a restraining order if you insist on turning him down because you fell in love with the asshole ghost you didn't like at first and are actively trying to get rid of...
The ending was kinda meh and you can figure out who the bad guy is fairly easily and his reason why was just kind of like...um okay...really...that's why...sure fine whatever.
Spoiler
It's the son he never knew he had.I will not be reading the next book.