Fashions Fade, Haunted is Eternal (A Haunted Vintage Mystery #7)

Author:  Rose Pressey
Genre:  Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #:  9781496714664
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$7.00; $6.99 Amazon
December 18, 2018

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Cookie Chanel - owner of the chic clothing store It's Vintage Y'all in Sugar Creek, Georgia - has been hired to dress models for a fashion shoot.  The spread will be featured in Fashion and Style magazine's October issue - so the models are posing in a cemetery.  As someone who can see and talk to ghosts, Cookie's not spooked by the location.  But she is surprised when a new ghost appears, decked out in 1920s couture.  And she's shocked when she hears a gunshot.  Then a model runs toward her saying the grumpy photographer has been edited out of the picture - for good.  With help from her ghostly pals, Cookie must zoom in on the truth before she's the next to strike a final pose...

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Cookie Chanel lives in Sugar Creek, Georgia and owns a vintage clothing shop, It's Vintage Y'all.  She also communicates with ghosts and has her own resident spirit named Charlotte that she 'picked up' while at the deceased woman's estate sale.  Currently she's at a photo shoot in a graveyard (!) with a group of models and an obnoxious photographer when a shot rings out and she finds the photographer's dead body.

Unfortunately, this also brings another ghost to her, a 1920's flapper named Minnie who can't remember why she's there but thinks it might have something to do with the pearls Cookie recently bought that match exactly the ones Minnie is wearing.

Her boyfriend, Homicide Detective Dylan Valentine, also knows about the ghosts and seems accepting of that fact, which says a lot about how he feels about Cookie.  But when Dylan asks her to stay out of the investigation, Cookie never really agrees, deciding to find out who killed the man.  Still, there are surprises in store, such as where did the black cat in the graveyard come from, and why has he decided to latch onto Cookie; what happened to Heather (who's discovered something interesting), and who's trying to kill Cookie?  If Dylan - or Cookie - don't figure it out soon, she'll be the next ghost to visit someone hoping to solve the crime...

Because I enjoyed all the others in this series, I had high hopes for what appears to be the finale; but unfortunately, it didn't measure up.  The writing seemed disjointed somehow; almost as if the author wanted to get the book out of the way and go on to other books.  The conversations were between Cookie and her ghosts were boring, and half of them didn't make any sense.

I also didn't (still) understand why Charlotte kept pushing Cookie to go to listen to conversations when she, as a ghost, could have done so much easier and not been detected.  Why was she pushing Cookie to get into possibly dangerous situations when she could have gone anywhere undetected?  Charlotte has a knack for encouraging Cookie to go do something that will get her into trouble, and then denying she had anything to do with it.  (No wonder someone killed her.) 

And why was Cookie even investigating?  In the previous books, the ghosts had always asked Cookie to find out who killed them and why - but this time, there was no such scenario.  There was no ghost hanging around her demanding she discover who killed him.  (Yes, there was the 'ghost cat' but he wasn't hounding her constantly and following her around demanding she find his murderer).  Yet for some odd reason, she felt the need to figure it out.  (Because of this, I had a hard time believing that she would just stay out of Dylan's future investigations).  Cookie usually isn't as stupid as she was in this book, just walking into potentially dangerous situations and even leaving behind a police officer that was assigned to protect her (note to officer:  they don't fall asleep on stakeouts if they value their jobs).

I also, unfortunately again, didn't think the reason the man was murdered was plausible, and we were left with some unanswered questions that bothered me.  I also felt that as far as the vintage thing goes, Dylan and everyone else went a little over the top for Cookie.  It all came off as too saccharine for me; it could have been so much better.  It was fine for a quick mystery read.

https://www.amazon.com/Fashions-Haunted-Eternal-Vintage-Mystery/dp/1496714660/ref=

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2667840132

More on Rose Pressey's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/rose-pressey/

A Passion for Haunted Fashion (A Haunted Vintage Mystery #6)

Author:  Rose Pressey
Genre:  Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #:  9781496714640
Kensington Publishing
448 Pages
$7.99; $5.99 Amazon
May 29, 2018

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Folks say the Sugar Creek Theater is haunted.  But that doesn't scare off Cookie Chanel, owner of Georgia's chicest vintage clothing store, It's Vintage, Y'all - especially since Cookie talks to the ghost of her grandmother every day through her cat Wind Song.  Still, after she agrees to be in charge of costumers for a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, she's surprised to find the specter of a young woman in the theater, keeping watch over a trunk of 1950's dresses.  And when Cookie's best friend Heather is found standing over a stabbed actor, she has two mysteries to solve.  This is not a dress rehearsal.  A desperate killer is waiting in the wings.  If Cookie doesn't tread the boards lightly, it'll be curtains for her as well...

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Cookie Chanel, owner of a vintage clothing store, is asked to do the costumes for a local production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Sugar Creek Theater.  While in the basement she hears a scream and runs toward the stage, where she sees her friend Heather (who is in the play) standing over the body of the main actor with blood on her hands.  After calling the police she helps Heather clean herself up and eventually hears her boyfriend, homicide detective Dylan Valentine, outside the door.

After discussing what happened they naturally take Heather to the police station and Cookie waits until she can escort her home.  Realizing that Heather is the only real suspect, she knows that Heather didn't do it and decides to conduct a little investigation of her own, along with the help of her attending ghost Charlotte and her Grandma Pearl, stuck in the body of her cat Wind Song.

Also along for the ride is another ghost:  Peggy Page, a young woman who disappeared in 1956, and doesn't know what happened to her; she's been stuck in the theater since that time but doesn't know why or how she got there.  Charlotte convinces Cookie to help find the truth, and since Dylan now knows that Cookie communicates with ghosts, she vows to enlist his help if needed, too.  But will Cookie be able to find out what happened to Peggy before Heather is thrown in jail for a crime she didn't commit?  Or will Cookie, putting her own life on the line to save her friend, wind up as a ghost keeping Charlotte permanent company?

I really enjoy these books as they are quite a fun read.  I don't like paranormal books about vampires, witches, etc.; but I do love books with ghosts (as long as they're friendly) and these are written very well.  Cookie is an extremely likable character, as she's not perfect.  She has a terrific sense of style, but can't cook too well; cares about her friends but is rather klutzy.  In other words, she's an imperfect human, much like the rest of us.

As a matter of fact, she would be a lousy PI as she's prone to panic attacks (kept at bay with the help of Charlotte) and not very good at hiding herself - her main choice is bushes if she can find them - and so far has no idea how to wear disguises like the people who are usually stalking her.  Lord help her if she ever gets stuck in a desert while following a suspect!  She's not very good at thinking on her feet - when confronted with situations she just says the first thing that pops into her mind - and pretty much does whatever Charlotte pushes her to do.  Poor Cookie.  But she's still a delightful character and one that you wouldn't mind spending time with at all. 

When she does start investigating, she's very good at noticing details, which is important, and does her best to find out the truth, even when it gets her in some sticky situations.  At least she has Charlotte to help her out, but I do think that Charlotte could do a little better job without being snarky; i.e., if they hear someone out on the porch, why send Cookie out when Charlotte could just go herself and see who it is?  This is probably the only thing that bothers me about the series, but it's so minor I never let it spoil my enjoyment.

The author is very good at spinning a tale that keeps you interested throughout, and there is enough action to keep the story flowing at a nice pace.  The characters are three-dimensional and and believable; there is plenty of humor in the story to boot.  When the ending comes and the killer is revealed it is satisfying indeed.  This is a wonderful series and I enjoyed every minute of the book.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Haunted-Fashion-Vintage-Mystery/dp/1496714644/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2407838036

More on Rose Pressey's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/rose-pressey/

If the Haunting Fits, Wear It (A Haunted Vintage Mystery #5)

Author:  Rose Pressey
Genre:  Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
#9781496705556
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$7.99; $5.99 Amazon
June 27, 2017

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When Cookie Chanel lands a dream assignment of providing vintage hats for a high-society Kentucky Derby party, she;s brimming with excitement.  Leaving her mother and best friend to mind the store at It's Vintage Y'All, Cookie packs up her psychic cat and races to Kentucky.  But before she can hang her hat, her enthusiasm is dampened when the rider of the potential Derby-winning horse is put out to pasture.  Now she's saddled with the jockey's ghost, who insists she find his killer.  With suspects ranging from an odds-on favorite to a dark horse, Cookie may just find herself in a dead heat before the photo finish...

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Cookie Chanel has landed a plum gig - she’s attending the Kentucky Derby with her rich friend Danielle, and all she has to do is help Danielle choose outfits and hats.  Because of this, she’s in the attic of a home recently purchased, and the owner said she could take whatever she wanted.  Before she’s able to do so, however, she’s confronted by a ghost named Maureen who informs her that the hats belong to her and Cookie can’t have them.  But after a confrontation with Cookie and her resident spirit Charlotte, Maureen agrees if Cookie will find out who murdered her.

So Cookie, Charlotte, Maureen and Wind Song, Cookie’s cat/grandmother, have been booked into a very odd B&B with a nasty-tempered host, but other than that, she’s looking forward to spending time there.  However, during her first event with Danielle, she finds the body of Ramon Gooden, a jockey.  Now Cookie has three spirits hanging out with her, because Ramon expects her to help find his murderer too.  

But not knowing anyone in Kentucky, Cookie might find things more difficult - especially since the B&B owner is giving her such a hard time.  Still, she manages to catch bits of conversation here and there, and is pleasantly surprised when Detective Dylan Valentine shows up; she knows he can get information from the police she’s not able to do.  Unfortunately, Attorney Ken Harrison shows up also; both men are worried about her when they hear she’s found a body so hightailed it to Kentucky to see if she's alright.

So now Cookie has three ghosts to contend with, two men wanting to occupy her time, and one unhappy B&B owner who's suspicious of her.  At least she's able to delegate somewhat - she has her friend Heather and her mother back in Sugar Creek looking into Maureen's death, but trying to find a killer at the Derby isn't easy, especially when she doesn't know anything about the victim - and he won't say much at all.  It's going to take all her sleuthing skills to find out the truth and keep herself from permanently joining her temporary trio of ghosts...

I found this to be an entertaining read, and this time around she has two ghosts who need to find out who murdered them.  I always enjoy reading Rose Pressey's books, and this one was no different, but I did wonder why the ghosts didn't help out more.  As an example, she was trying to solve Ramon's murder, so why couldn't he go into the black truck and see if he recognized the driver?  Ramon appeared to be hindering instead of being helpful to Cookie's investigation by not being truthful.

Aside from that, it was a quick read and engaging enough to keep me reading it in one sitting.  This is the fifth book in the Haunted Vintage Mysteries, a cute paranormal series that has a little romance in it, too.  I look forward to reading the next in the series.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Fits-Haunted-Vintage-Mystery/dp/1496705556/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2189979801

More on Rose Pressey's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/rose-pressey/

Haunted Is Always in Fashion (A Haunted Vintage Mystery #4)

Author:  Rose Pressey
Genre:  Mystery

Paperback; Ebook
ISBN #:  9781496705532
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$7.99; $5.99 Amazon
November 29, 2016

Five Stars

As the owner of It's Vintage, Y'All in Sugar Creek, Georgia, Cookie Chanel has agreed to share her expertise with author Juliana McDaniel.  But on her way to town, Juliana is shot dead, and that was all she wrote.  Cookie picks up the thread of the story with help from her psychic cat and a couple of inquisitive ghosts.  To unmask this killer, she'll have to lift the lid on family secrets and hidden motives - because she might wind up getting capped herself if she doesn't cloche this case...

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Cookie Chanel owns a vintage clothing shop in Sugar Creek, Georgia.  She also "owns" a ghost, Charlotte Meadows, who was murdered, and is the first ghost Cookie encountered.  Now Charlotte has decided to stay, offering sassy comments even if Cookie doesn't always like it.  She also has a beautiful white cat named Wind Song that appeared one day and communicates in several ways, including otherworldly.  Life for this Southern girl has definitely gotten complicated in more ways than one.

One morning she is on her way to meet with Juliana McDaniel, who is writing a book on vintage fashion.  But she sees that the road is blocked and there has been an obvious accident.  When her police detective beau Dylan Valentine sees her, and naturally asks why she's there, then asks her to stay a moment while he turns back to the crime scene, she is approached by a young woman who mentions how handsome he is.  At first thinking Juliana escaped the accident, that notion is disavowed by her stating that 'it happened so fast'.  At that point, Cookie realizes she has another ghost on her hands...

When its discovered that Juliana was murdered, Charlotte informs Cookie that she needs to help find the killer, and to that end Cookie finds herself embroiled in yet one more investigation into a murder.  But then a mysterious man enters her shop asking about hats, and when she visits Juliana's aunt Regina, she also asks about a hat that Juliana left her, but Juliana insists Regina didn't even know about the hat.  When there's a break-in at her store, and nothing but hats (and security equipment) are taken, Cookie realizes that she needs to find out what it is everyone is seeking out before she loses her own head...

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I finished it in one sitting.  My attention was caught from the first chapter, and held through the entire book.  The plot is nicely done, and there are enough suspicious characters to keep things engaging.  While solving Juliana's murder is, of course, the main plot line, there is another - just as interesting - that centers on Wind Song.  If you've read any of the previous books, you'll know that the cat just appeared on her doorstep one day.  In this book, we learn more about how that happened and somewhat of the origins of the white cat.

We are also treated to a nice little subplot involving Dylan and Ken Harrison, a local attorney who is also attracted to Cookie, and while there is no overt action between the two, you understand that there is something going on that could spark a rivalry between them.  Only time will tell where it heads in future books.

While I'm not really into vintage clothing, I do think the fact that Cookie is interested gives us an insight into her personality.  I get that she's got a vintage clothing store, but I don't feel the need to know every detail of everything she wears or buys.  But then again, I like the idea that she at least tries to dress well instead of just throwing on jeans and a tee, brushing her hair and considering herself 'ready'.  That as well gets tiresome in books, and it's nice to see a protagonist who wants to look nice when she's out and about.

When all is said and done, and the killer finally revealed, it comes as no great surprise. since the clues were there all along, but it was still a fun read and that's what really counts.  This is the fourth book in the series and can be read as a stand alone, but for myself, I have enjoyed reading the entire series in order.  Highly recommended. 

https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Always-Fashion-Vintage-Mystery/dp/149670553X/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1795150748

More on Rose Pressey's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/rose-pressey/