Reading Skywards – Your Friendly Bookshelf

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOK
Publisher ‏ : ‎ A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 2025
Format:  Paperback, audiobook, and ebook
Print length ‏ : ‎ 307 pages
Genre:  Fantasy Cozy Ghost Mystery

MY PERSONAL OPINION OF “Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore” By Nellie H. Steele

I got the ebook from the Kindle’s free options within the Prime membership. My reading challenge for 2025 included a cozy mystery, and this one seems like the perfect fit. It was a bit longer than I wanted it (I was hoping to be between 225-275 pages), but it was a fun read overall.

The story is cozy and funny and light at times, but there is depth… the death of a teenage daughter, the tragedy that followed her parents, the suspicious death of the first owner Henrietta, and her connection to pirates, and of course, the legend of a lost treasure waiting to be found.

It had good speed and development; some characters were annoying or barely there, but some were more intriguing. The mom/daughter duo works great, and they are smart, funny, and hopeful of the future they are trying to recreate now as widows.

It is a first installment (out of 5), and when the times allows I would definitely read the second book.

PREMISE OF THE BOOK AS FOUND IN AMAZON / GOODREADS:

When Lily Bennett and Cassie MacGuire move to Hideaway Bay, they hope to find a fresh start in the charming small town. But their new house, Whispering Manor, hides a chilling secret. Legends of ghosts, paranormal disturbances, and pirate treasure plague them.

But when these two amateur sleuths stumble across two cold case mysteries, they find dark secrets lurking around every dusty corner. And someone or something seems determined to stop their investigation. As the strange occurrences turn dangerous, the pair fear for their lives and wonder if they’ll be the next dead body turning up in Whispering Manor.

Will their perfect new town turn out to be their biggest mistake and will it cost them their lives?

MY RATING: A solid 4.2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bibliography:

• Duchess of Blackmoore Mysteries (6 books)
• Middle Age is Murder Cozy Mysteries (4 books)
• Cate Kensie Cozy Mysteries (10 books)
• Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries (5 books)
• Shelving Magic (8 books)