In A Ghostly Clue, the second cozy mystery by Maryann Shanesy, the Quinstons and their cat, Silver, have finally settled into their home in Bluffington Hills. They are looking forward to spending their first Christmas in Starport Cove, and Tarsey is excited about putting up her lighted Christmas village. But their Christmas is about to be interrupted by a murder. Yes, this story takes place around Christmas, but it is the perfect read for any time of year.
Everyone is busy shopping and getting ready for the holidays, but today, Milton hasn’t opened his antique store, Milton’s Treasures, on time. Amanda, who owns the consignment shop next door, becomes worried about him when she finds the door to his shop open, so she goes to check on him. Tarsey happens to be visiting her friend Amanda at this time. When Amanda screams, she runs after her and finds her staring at Milton’s body. That is definitely something they didn’t expect to find at this otherwise joyful time of year.
Amanda and Tarsey aren’t recognized by the officers who respond to their call and are initially regarded are suspects in Milton’s murder. But Tarsey’s suspicions rest on two ruthless businesswomen who are determined to buy the now ownerless antiques store.
Finding the body of the owner of the antique store is only the beginning. Tarsey can verify that paranormal activity goes on in the antique store: she meets the ghost of a Civil War soldier inside. It appears this ghost is trying to tell her something. And she discovers that a historical diary penned by a First Lady from Starport Cove is missing.
There is a cute subplot involving Silver, her cat. Besides Silver helping to solve Milton’s murder in her own feline way, Silver is also learning to walk on a leash. Yes, it is possible to leash train a cat, but not any of my kitties. That would be a disaster.
And the shelter who helped Tarsey adopt Silver, not realizing how a crowd and noise would affect the kitty, provides some hilarity as well as some uneasiness when a scared Silver makes a mad dash for freedom and disappears.
The identity of the killer escaped me until he (or she) was clearly identified. Yes, I had my suspicions as to who the culprit was, but every one of them turned out to be so wrong. Congratulations to the author on writing a wonderful book and for once again fooling me.
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. If you would like your own copy of this cozy mystery, I’ve provided an Amazon link below.
Amazon Link: A Ghostly Clue (Pet Momma Cozy Mysteries Book 2)
Recommended Article: A CATastrophic Neighborhood (A Pet Momma Cozy Mystery)
Favorite Sentences:
Sitting at the desk in an office was a figure fully dressed in a knight’s suit of armor with a helmet covering the head.
“Silver has a purr folio,” I said laughing.
Did they just like thumbing their nose at rules?
Like a house of cards, the car hit the Ferris wheel with such force that the Santa Claus, his reindeer, and sleigh had crashed to the ground with lighted pieces and glass flying in all directions.
About the Author:
Maryann Shanesy is a native of Maryland who has always enjoyed writing. A lifelong lover of mysteries and anything gardening, she is a pet momma to a rescue dog and cat that brighten her life. She and her husband have two wonderful daughters and live in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
