Black Cat Comes Back

The Accidental Ghost Detective Prequel

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0CW1H2BJN

Tule Publishing

83 Pages

$.99 Amazon

September 23, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm Audrey Fernsby, just a ghost of my former self floating around Moonlight Mansion in Frog Hollow, Georgia.  My death was ruled accidental...but nothing is farther from the truth.

When my precious black cat, Mocha, returns on the same night that two friends, Tilly and Sunny, arrive from Maine, I plan to out my ghostly self and enlist their clever sleuthing capabilities.

Mocha knows the truth but can she help catch the killer before someone else ends up dead in my rose bushes?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Audrey Fernsby is -- was -- the owner of Moonlight Mansion B&B in Frog Hollow, Georgia.  That's before someone unceremoniously did away with her one night about a month ago.  But her friend Tilly, and Tilly's friend, Sunny, don't know that.  Tilly has been summoned by a letter from Audrey -- whom she hadn't heard from in years -- asking for help.  Unfortunately, they've arrived too late.  But still early enough to help Audrey, who's a ghost.

Yes, a ghost, who has been waiting for them, so she can ask their help in discovering who killed her.  The people who were there that fateful night will be once again with them for the reading of the will.  And it's not going to be pretty...

I usually don't read prequels (for my own reasons), but this one had me interested, and since I love the series, I thought I'd give it a shot.  I wasn't really surprised at the writing, since Ms. Lyn is a talented writer; but the contents are what I found intriguing.  

Moonlight Mansion is described in detail, as is part of Audrey's life we don't get to see in the future books, as she's, well, a ghost.  But it gives insight as well on her friend Birdie, and now Tilly.  I'd love to hear more about that ocean voyage so long ago, but that's for another time.

Audrey's cat Mocha has been missing since Audrey died, but shows up when the two women arrive.  And of all things, loves to spend time with Sunny, which is strange because no one but Audrey could touch her.  And Mocha knows who the killer is.  So now the three women must try and ferret out a killer, using only their wits, which, luckily, are aplenty...

This was a delightful read, and I enjoyed it very much.  The ending was unexpected, and I will say no more than that since this is a short book, but worth it all.  If you haven't read the Accidental Ghost Detective series, you should do so, and this book will send you on your way.  Highly recommended.

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I was given a copy of this book from the author and BookSprout, but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Comes-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CW1H2BJN/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6874968121

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Scooping Up Scandal (A Little Dog Diner Mystery #7)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781964703220

Tule Publishing

258 Pages

$11.99; $4.99 Amazon

August 5, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Turning thirty can be murder!

When a body is discovered next to the Little Dog Diner on her milestone birthday, Dani Mackenzie finds herself scooping up a scandal instead of cutting cake.

The prime suspect is the new owner of the Blueberry Bay Grapevine, but the victim's stepbrother and ex-girlfriend also have means, motive, and opportunity.

With this trio of suspects, it will take a good nose to uncover whodunnit.  At least Dani has her best friend -- her Jack Russell, Pip -- at her side to help sniff out the killer!  But in the meantime, her kick-off to her thirties is turning into more of an upside-down cake than a celebration as she uncovers money, a business scandal, and thwarted love at the core of this crime.

It will take the victim's black Labrador and finding a winning lottery ticket to solve this mystery, but Dani never throws in the towel!  Will she and Pip once again use their experience at solving mysteries to bring justice to Misty Harbor, Maine, or will they be caught in the crosshairs of the killer?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Dani Mackenzie is awakened early one morning by a call from Cam, who owns the local newspaper, the Grapevine.  Cam tells her that someone is trying to break into Dani's restaurant, The Little Dog Diner.  But when Dani arrives, she gets a different surprise -- it's her thirtieth birthday and her friends and family have planned a celebratory breakfast for her.  But there's another surprise waiting -- the body of Thorne Waite is in Cam's office, and she claims she has no idea how it got there or who killed him.

Now Cam, along with others who knew Thorne, are suspects in the murder, and Dani's right in the middle of it.  Will she be able to find a killer?  Will she survive her birthday?  Not to mention her best friend Maggie has fallen in love with the dead man's dog and refuses to give it back to the breeder, who isn't happy about it.  Dani doesn't know what's going on, but when she receives an unexpected surprise on her birthday -- from an unexpected source -- she begins to figure out that she might be the next target of a killer....

This is the seventh book in the series, and I am sad to say that I have not read them all.  But I found this so delightful that I fully intend to correct that and read the ones I missed.  Poor Dani only wants a quiet birthday, but that's not going to happen; and she's stuck in the middle of another murder investigation, much to the dismay of Detective AJ Crenshaw.

Then there's the victim's lab, whom both Maggie and the breeder want.  Which one will get the dog?  And why does the victim's brother hang around town after the murder, acting suspiciously?  Or the ex-girlfriend annoying everyone she comes across?

Dani has her hands full, not only with her diner, (which she's not able to spend a lot of time in, but that's okay, she has her grandmother Rose saving the day there), so worrying about the diner is at least on the back burner for awhile.

Needless to say, this mystery is full of twists and turns, full of people who aren't the nicest, and questions about why the dead man was in Cam's office.  Dani dives full on into the murder, and we watch as she gathers and deciphers clues along the way.  It's a lot of fun with a lot of intrigue, a few secrets being unveiled, and an ending that was and wasn't unexpected (you'll find out!).  All in all, I really enjoyed this and hope you will, too.  Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the author and BookSprout but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Scooping-Up-Scandal-Mystery-Little-ebook/dp/B0D4MN9RQT/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6762369550

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Petals and A Poison (The Accidental Ghost Detective Book 6)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0CT7NFGD6

The Cozy Mystery Cafe (Whiskered Mysteries)

176 Pages

$4.99 Amazon

January 31, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Does this award-winning flower garden hide a sinister secret?

After the Frog Hollow Garden Tour announces the winner of this year's contest, all that's left is to enjoy a delicious banquet with friends and neighbors.  But the evening takes a chilling turn when my dog Dash discovers a body near the garden's beautiful pond.

What was meant to be a night of celebration soon blossoms into a true crime scene.  As we try to weed out the culprit, every clue points to my good witchy pal, Pearl, especially when her pet peacock is found nesting in a patch of poisonous plants.

Can Dash and the Accidental Ghost Detective team unearth this garden of secrets and restore tranquility to Frog Hollow before the poison finds its next victim?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Nikki Knight inherited her aunt Audrey's B&B when the woman was killed.  What she didn't know, however, is that she also inherited the ghost of Audrey, too, along with her quirky attorney friend and cook Birdie.  Not to mention having acquired a talking Dachshund named Dash (for short), her best friend Lacey, and a witch named Pearl whose spells always seem to come out wonky.

When she attends the garden party for Pearl, who has won this year's award for best garden, she doesn't expect to find another body.  Well, technically, Dash found the body.  She just followed him.  Unfortunately, it was the head of the committee, and Nikki has discovered that the woman regretted giving Pearl the award.  When Detective Mallory Paine arrives, she finds that the woman was poisoned, and since it might have been from something in Pearl's garden, she becomes the prime suspect.  But Nikki and her friends refuse to believe that Pearl could kill anyone.

So naturally they start their own investigation to discover a killer -- and if they can stay under the radar while rescuing an angry peacock, they just might stay alive and keep Pearl out of jail...

I must say that I really enjoy this series.  In order to read fantasy, you need to leave your logic at the door.  It's delightful enough that I can willingly step into the world of Nikki Knight and follow along as she (and Dash) sniff out clues to solve a murder.  In fact, without Dash by her side, Nikki might have a harder time than she does.

This time out, she has another problem: her relationship with the mystery writer Luc.  While she's growing fond of him (to say the least) she also wonders if she needs to let him into her world.  Will he stay or run?  What a conundrum to have, right?

Looking at all the clues, she comes to the realization that someone is framing Pearl for the crime.  Is it one of the other gardeners or the new head of committee?  Or someone who was at the party?  As it all heats up, the last clues from from an unexpected source, and we watch while Nikki puts it all together and sets the trap, hoping her fish will bite...

All in all, I loved the stories and the characters, and I can't wait to visit Frog Hollow, Georgia again.  Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Petals-Poison-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CT7NFGD6/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6260380010

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:      https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/   

Books and a Body (The Accidental Ghost Detective Book 5)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0C92BS71D

Whiskered Mysteries

184 Pages

$4.99 Amazon

June 21, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Just when I'm prepared for a dull discussion at book club, a collection of old journals written by the town's illustrious historian and author disappear from the Frog Hollow Library.  Everything points to the journals containing secrets that one of the townspeople are willing to kill to keep hidden.

When Dash and I begin our search for the journals we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a murder scene.

Now, with time in short supply, a clue appears from an unlikely source and points to suspects that place me and the members of the Accidental Ghost Detective Agency in the killer's crosshairs.

Can Dash and I uncover all the clues before we end up as the latest victims in an unsolved murder mystery?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Nikki Knight inherited her late aunt's B&B when she died -- but her aunt didn't leave.  After getting used to the ghost, she also has a Dachshund that she can communicate with, and he turned out to be quite adept at not only judging people, but helping her solve murders.

She's hoping for a quiet, if dull, night at book club at the library, but it isn't to be.  The donor of some journals written by his father might be in hot water himself, since someone doesn't want the journals read.  When they're stolen before anyone has a chance to think about it, Nikki, Dash, and the rest of the Accidental Ghost Detective Agency is on the case.  

Then a murder occurs, and Nikki is sure it's connected to the journals.  What is in them?  And why wouldn't the man's son read them first to know for sure?  But when the journals are recovered, it's the police who get to read them first.  Could an old boating accident hold the key?  Or was it really an accident at all?...

This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all.  Even if you don't care for paranormal mysteries this one is pretty darn cute.  I love Nikki, as she's not stupid and doesn't rush headlong into bad situations.  She actually thinks about what she's going to do first.  And her 'support group' of detectives is always available when she needs help.  

When the ending comes and we discover the truth of what is in the journals, and why it was kept hidden for so long, it all comes together nicely, giving us a satisfaction in it all.  Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from Whiskered Mysteries but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Body-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0C92BS71D/ref

Goodreads:       https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5733564884  

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Cookies And A Killer (The Accidental Ghost Detective Book 4)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0BYRKGF6Z

Whiskered Mysteries

185 Pages

$3.99 Amazon

March 21, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The launching of a new bakery and fundraiser in town should be cause for celebration, not a murder investigation.

Just when Nikki Knight thinks things might be getting back to normal in Frog Hollow, her friend Carla's business manager is found dead at the scene of her new, year-round Christmas bakery.

When Dale, the gourmet grocer next door, suggests that the cookie fundraiser be held at his place, Nikki and the Accidental Ghost Detective team suspect foul play.

But all signs are pointing to Carla and some strange magical happenings.  Can Dash and Nikki sniff out this case before the cookie crumbles?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Nikki Knight inherited her large B&B from her late Aunt Audrey -- who's still around as a ghost, guiding her through messy situations.  But today, Nikki, Audrey, her cook and friend Birdie, and of course, her talking dog Dash and not-talking dog Honey are all going to their friend Carla's new opening of The Gingerbread House, a year-round Christmas bakery.  They're also bringing along boxes of cookies for her to sell for an animal shelter fundraiser.  But when they arrive, Nikki finds cookie crumbs and Dash finds a dead body -- that of Carla's business manager Gail, stuffed in one of the display cases.  Now Detective Paine has another murder on her hands, and she isn't happy to find Nikki there.

But Nikki and her Ghost Detective Agency have ideas of their own.  They want to find the killer and clear Carla's name since Detective Paine thinks Carla might be the main suspect.  When Nikki's best friend Lacey shows up along with one of her beauty salon customers, Pearl, Nikki finds that Pearl can understand Dash, too.  How?  What she soon learns is that Pearl is a witch -- although a bit of a strange one -- and Nikki doesn't know what to make of it.  Will Pearl be a help or a hindrance?  How will she prove Carla 's innocence when things are pointing to her?  And will she find the murderer before they have a chance to kill again?...

This is the fourth book in the series and I absolutely love it.  Nikki is an interesting character.  She's managed to run a successful business, is intelligent and attractive, and keeps secrets well.  I do also love the fact that her love interest, Luc, is a mystery writer and doesn't keep telling her to 'stay out of' the investigation and finding clues.  He trusts her to do the right thing, and that's the biggest plus in this book (also, she might actually be giving him ideas for new mysteries, but hey--).

When she starts investigating, she relies on her trusty Dachshund Dash (Prince Dash to you) to help her with discovering clues, and his nose never disappoints.  He can smell things she can't, and therefore figure out what's really going on around them.  What he's really searching for is sausage, but that's neither here nor there!

Now with Pearl as the newest member of the Ghost Agency, things are changing, and Nikki likes the older woman, who brings her own twist on things.  I knew who the murderer was halfway through the book, but as I've said ad nauseum, I read a lot of mysteries.  When Nikki discovers the killer, she's finally put her clues together but it just might be too late (we hope not).  The clues are there throughout the story, you just have to look for them.  

One thing this has given me is the fact that I would like to visit quirky Frog Hollow and stay at the B&B and even meet Audrey in all her shimmery glory.  This series is one of the most enjoyable I read, and I look forward to many more.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the author and BookSprout, but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Cookies-Killer-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0BYRKGF6Z/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5458126472

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Hints and a Homicide (The Accidental Ghost Detective Book 3)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0BCXC24VC

Whiskered Mysteries

145 Pages

$3.99 Amazon

October 3, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nikki Knight and the Accidental Ghost Detective Agency should be getting ready for the mystery writers retreat at the Moonlight Mansion.

But when something other than Birdie's pecan scones is found in the dining room, everyone is on the case.

With the appearance of one of the attendees' dearly departed's body, Nikki, Dash, Audrey, Birdie, and Lacey are in a race against the clock to identify whodunnit in a room full of people who write this stuff for a living.

Not to mention a new detective sniffing around the case, more so than Danger Dog.

In the idyllic town of Frog Hollow, Georgia, there is never a dull moment, but the bonds of family and friendship are as strong as roots sunk deep into the Georgia clay.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

When Nikki Knight inherited her grandmother Audrey's B&B, Moonlight Mansion, she didn't also expect to inherit Audrey's ghost.  But she did.  She also has a talking Dachshund, Dash, who believes he's royalty and acts like it.  Along with her cook, Birdie, and her best friend Lacey, they've formed the Accidental Ghost Detective Agency, to solve the occasional murder.

But Nikki didn't expect to trip over the dead body in her dining room.  Now she wants to know who hated a famous author enough to want to kill him.  And when a new detective in town makes it known that she dislikes Nikki, it doesn't help her situation much.  But Audrey insists they have an obligation to the dead man in order to get their B&B on the right track.  But with a killer in their midst, it isn't going to be easy...

This is the third book in the series and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely.  Nikki is a great character, able to hold her own and think quick in situations calling for it.  She doesn't knowingly run into danger, and tries to keep her investigations on the down low, so as not to irritate Detective Paine, even if she deserves it.

With the help of her inquisitive and talkative Dachshund Dash, he helps her in her queries as he acts as her eyes and ears around people she suspects, gathering his own form of 'doggy information.'  The interaction between the two is quite humorous as well.

With the many suspects staying at the mansion, Nikki is looking for anyone who had a motive.  But when she receives information from an unlikely source, it seems all of the people who are attending the retreat are guilty of wanting the man dead.  But for Nikki, it's only a matter of time before one of them gives themselves away, and she's planning on sticking close to them until they do.

The ending is rather bittersweet, for killers have their own reasonings for murder; and still, the ending was perfect for this book.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the author and Whiskered Mysteries but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hints-Homicide-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0BCXC24VC/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5024249254

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Trails and a Traitor (The Accidental Ghost Detective Book 2)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0B69VDXGT

Whiskered Mysteries

195 Pages

$3.99 Amazon

September 2, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The town fair has brought visitors to Moonlight Mansion and they're keeping proprietor Nikki Knight and her cohorts hopping like the bullfrogs the town is named after.

What's a burgeoning detective with a ghostly grandmother, and two mischievous dogs, supposed to do when she finds a dead body trapped under a massive frog balloon?

Why start up an investigation of course!

Nikki has a sneaking suspicion the person, or persons, responsible for the crime are staying under her roof, and discovering information is harder than she initially thought.  She needs the help of the newest member of the Accidental Ghost Detective Agency...which means revealing all of her secrets.   

Will Lacey send her off to the looney bin in a glittery pink straitjacket when she learns the truth?  Or will her once rival, turned best friend, join forces with the zany cast of characters to help untangle the snarled web that has become her life once again?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Nikki Knight owns Moonlight Mansion, which was willed to her from her grandmother, Audrey.  Except that Audrey never left -- she's hanging around in ghostly form to help Nikki in whatever she needs.  Along with people Nikki grew up with, and a talking Dachshund named Dash, she's finally starting to feel safe...

Until her ex-boyfriend shows up one morning with a timid woman named Marigold in tow.  Nikki can't imagine what he wants...until he tells her that he wants $10,000 or he'll make her life miserable.  Refusing to give him the money sets off a chain of events, not the least withstanding that she knows Marigold doesn't want to be with him, but can't figure out a way to free her from his grasp.

But it turns out she doesn't have to; circumstances are such that Marigold frees herself, but is still in the crosshairs of Brooksey, the local police officer who doesn't like Nikki, and is sure someone staying at Nikki's B&B is a killer.  The problem is, so does Nikki.  But how will she find the truth?  Why, with the help of her cohorts in crime, of course...

This is the first book of Ms. Lyn's that I have read but it will not certainly be the last.  I found the characters a breath of fresh air, with Nikki being both independent and quick with her wits, which comes in handy quite often.  Dash is delightful, a dog that chooses to communicate only with Nikki, and the other main characters have quirks of their own that bring bang to the story.

The plot is done very well and the secondary characters are interesting, although some more than others.  Like Nikki, I did not like the ex, but I imagine no one could.  I really think she should have let Dash nip at him.  I also like the fact that there really isn't an 'evil nemesis'; yes, Brooksey doesn't care for Nikki, but he doesn't seem to be aiming for her, either.  

The tale was told nicely, with threads weaving in and out, until finally they come together at Nikki's convenience, and the story ends nicely, with everything back to normal -- or as normal as life can be for Ms. Knight.  I loved this tale and I eagerly await the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the author and BookSprout but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B69VDXGT?tag=autmagver-20

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4972824272

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Mixing Up Murder (Little Dog Diner Book 1)

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781644510469

Sweet Promise Press

298 Pages

$28.60; $2.99 Amazon

August 3, 2019

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Murder wasn't supposed to be on the menu at the Little Dog Diner, but that's exactly what we got served anyway.

Hi, I'm Dani Mackenzie and I'm the unfortunate soul who owns said diner.  Looks like business is going to be slow for a little while as the who town scrambles to find whodunnit.

At first I just needed something to keep me busy while on my forced vacation, but now as the clues stack up, I'm caught in the middle of this crazy mixed-up murder.  And I'll do anything to get to the bottom of what really happened and why it happened in my kitchen.

Too bad the only known witness to the crime is the victim's terrier, Pip, and no one believes she bludgeoned her owner to death.  But if not her...then who?  And, perhaps more importantly, who's next?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Dani Mackenzie is attending the funeral of her best friend Lily's husband when suddenly, Ray sits up in the casket...it turns out the entire thing was planned in order for Ray to convince his soon-to-be ex-wife that she really loved him and not to divorce him.  Stunned, Dani hurries herself and Lily out the door back to their restaurant, the Little Dog Diner.  Dani lives above the restaurant, and while they're changing clothes, she starts to get some of the story from Lily -- such as, Lily knew about the fake funeral beforehand.  Lily also might still be in love with her cheating spouse.  

When Ray wants to meet Lily, she convinces him to come to the diner.  But when they go downstairs and find the body of Ray sprawled on the floor, everything changes.  Lily bolts, and Detective AJ Crenshaw now has her in his sights as a suspect.  But that's not all -- Dani's high school boyfriend, Luke, has returned from California and he was also in the diner and might be a suspect.  What can a girl do except try to prove the innocence of friends?...

This is the first book in the series and I must say that it was quite entertaining.  I do like Dani, and the fact that she shares clues with the police as soon as she finds them.  This is a plus in itself.  She can also cook (there are so many cozies out there where the protagonist doesn't know what a spatula is for).  And the big plus is she takes in the poor terrier whose owner was killed.

When Dani starts looking for clues, she comes across them quite naturally, without having to probe people too much, so conversations don't get uncomfortable; and her friend Lily (we should call her weak Lily) gives up information sporadically.  While I'd like to spend time with Dani, Lily seems too wishy-washy for me.  Ah, well.

The plot is well done and the writing is done well, so this makes for a good first book in the series.  The clues are there (I knew the murderer before Dani, but then again, I read a lot of mysteries) and it was still fun watching her put everything together and get that final clue in an 'aha' moment.

In the end, the reason for the murder seemed a little sad, but murder is still what it is; everything else came together nicely, and I will definitely read the next in the series.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Murder-Little-Diner-Book-ebook/dp/B0B1VQSTR6/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4788330536

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/