Book Review: Ghost of Chance by Cate Dean

Ghost of a Chance by Cate Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, however, there are couple of reasons why it is getting three and not four stars. The biggest is that it just seemed to end. Boom, here's the killer. Maggie decides she thinks she knows who it is and that's pretty much it, with a little (well done) suspense/drama. To be fair, the clues were probably there... but I just did not see it wrapping up when it did. It did have a nice twist to the end, though.

I thought the characters were done well and that we got to know Maggie, Martin and Spencer and to some extent Enid. I wish we'd gotten more of the bakery owner, but this is book one. I enjoyed the concept of the historical items and Martin's quest for ghosts/haunted items. For readers who don't mix romance and cozy, I think there is as much to the Maggie/Martin romance as there is to the mystery. I also enjoyed getting the POV of both Maggie and Martin.

The biggest reason for a three, though, is there is no ghost in this story! **Spoiler** The object everyone is after and the reason for the murders is supposedly haunted, but we won't know that till book 2! And, the ghost that supposedly is in Maggie's shop (and is on the cover) isn't revealed until the end -- almost the last page. There are some references to cold spots and lights flickering, but that is it. Given the title and the cover, I was expecting a bit more paranormal. Having said all of that, I did enjoy the book and plan on reading at least the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by Ruth Ware and overall, I enjoyed it. The story was very well written and kept me avidly reading. It centers around Harriet, Hal, Westaway, who is in dire straits when she receives a letter from a lawyer advising her that her heretofore unknown grandmother has passed away and she will receive an inheritance. She doesn’t believe it to be true (no spoilers here), but she’s in danger where she’s at and could use the money.

Hal manages to get to the funeral, where she meets the lawyer and her previously unknown uncles. Back at the house, she also meets the somewhat creepy and very grumpy housekeeper, Mrs Warren. She suspects that all is not right and over time, we learn this is the case.

This does have a gothic feel to it, mostly from the house. The story itself is set around 2018, but I never got that feel. I always felt like it was more of the early 1900’s or a little later, due to the house and utter lack of amenities (Cell phones and computers are in the story, but it still didn’t feel like 2018 to me). The family stays at the family home, Trepassen. Hal is given a tiny, unheated room in the attic (the house doesn’t have heat), Mrs Warren is a dreadful cook, but no one else (including an aunt) steps in to take care of meals (even take out) or snacks or anything. It was a little weird. There was a town nearby, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t. The mystery unfolds somewhat organically and over a short period of time, but I think it could have moved a little quicker. I also figured out some, but not all of the mystery. The ending is very climatic (perhaps too climatic) and then it just sort of ends. I would have liked to have a more robust wrap-up. Still, we get our answers.

Having said that, I did enjoy the book and recommend it for those that like a good, somewhat gothic mystery.


View all my reviews