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Mellow Summers #1

Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice

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Mellow Summers just wanted to go to college and get her film degree. She moved into a furnished apartment with her friend Jackie only to find that it already had a tenant: the ghost of a girl who was murdered a year earlier. Now it is up to Mellow to not only discover who the murderer is, but to prove it as well.

With the help of the ghost Rachel, Mellow sets out to solve the year old mystery. She soon finds out that she may have taken on more than she can handle. Pursued by someone who wants the identity of the killer to remain a secret, Mellow will have to use all her resources to outwit him and help the spirit of Rachel move on.

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2012

373 people are currently reading
577 people want to read

About the author

Janet McNulty

76 books92 followers
Ms. McNulty has published in a variety of genres, not wanting to be tied down to just one thing. She began her writing career with her fantasy series entitled Legends Lost. Since then, she has gone on to publish in the popular dystopian genre with her Dystopia Trilogy and has even published a cozy mystery series entitled Mellow Summers. Her most recent work is her space opera, science fiction adventure series: the Solaris Saga.

In addition to writing for young adults and adults, Ms. McNulty has also published several picture books for children.

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5 stars
147 (34%)
4 stars
122 (28%)
3 stars
100 (23%)
2 stars
41 (9%)
1 star
19 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Ruthann Mccoy.
105 reviews
July 1, 2018
Sugar and Dice and Not So Nice

This is a nice, little cozy. I really liked it, and I really liked the characters, especially the ghost, and Tiny. I hope Rachel has come back in succeeding books. If you like cozies that a fast read, this is it
Profile Image for Abi.
1,994 reviews664 followers
March 24, 2015
Mel was an okay character, but I did think she was tupid at times. It was good of her to help Rachel find her killer, as so many people had ignored her plea for help before, but she put herself in danger because of it so many times!
Rachel really annoyed me at the start, but she got a bit better as the story progressed.

This wasn't a bad read, but I'm glad it was only short.

Overall, An alright read.
711 reviews
April 10, 2019
This book was a complete surprise. First that it was published, second that it is a series (there are more!).

Saying it is awful is putting it lightly. I checked and double-checked to see if this was a teen book. I could not find it listed as that. However, it is the stupidest book I have ever read. That includes books read to the kids at bedtime.

Final analysis, don’t read.
220 reviews3 followers
March 28, 2013
This would be a good book if you didn't want to invest any time into your reading. The characters have no depth and background story does not exist. The author is telling a story and basically that is all you get.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,210 reviews599 followers
January 3, 2016
This was a fun story and quick read, but a bit unbelievable at times. Overall, it was okay.

*contains some swearing
Profile Image for Lise.
1,026 reviews
September 23, 2021
Mellow Summers is ready for the work and excitement of college. She's enrolled in a set of courses designed to get her a degree in film and moved into a new apartment with her best friend who finds them both great jobs at a candle store. If only the pesky ghost of the previous tenant wasn't insisting they solve her murder, things would be perfect.

This book had a really strong start so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, our heroine is impetuous and, at times, downright foolish. Furthermore, many of the situations are written with a lack of fidelity with quite a few plot holes and an unreal view as to the actual workings of the world.

It's hard to pin down the target audience. There are strong themes that I would absolutely not want a young reader to view, but the story-telling isn't written at the adult level. I'm at a loss. The author would benefit from a strong editor who would nitpick the novella and create a robust narration.

3 Stars: I liked the premise and was fond of the characters, but found the account needed more refinement.
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,100 reviews
August 3, 2020
Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice (Mellow Summers #1) by Janet McNulty

Mellow moved into an apartment with her friend Jackie so she could go back to College to get her degree. They get a great price on the Apartment to find that it is haunted. There lives the ghost Rachel, the previous tenant who was murdered. Mellow and Rachel search to find her killer but it will be up to Mellow to prove who did it and why.

A fast paced original cozy murder mystery with a fun plot. Mellow is likable, kind and determined. Rachel is super cool in all her ghostliness. The two make a great pair, who would not like having a friendly Ghost hanging around? Overall I found Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice very enjoyable and highly recommend to those who love a great cozy murder/mystery with a paranormal twist.
Profile Image for Maria Basham.
70 reviews
September 15, 2018
GIRL POWER!!!

Omgoodnes! I absolutely loved this book! It has ever from ghosts, biker, bars, crooked cops and creepy eyes professors. Everything you need for college, right?!? Lol. I jumped into this story with both feet. A ghostly good time. I really likes how the characters in this book come together as a whole. Strength and trust go a long way, and Mrs. McNulty bright all that and more. A normal girl next door turns sleuth. Sweet, funny, but tough as nails. If you don't love this book, then you have no imagination! I highly highly recommend this book and I rarely recommend anything. It's very hard for me to get so into a story, but this one to me hostage, lol. Please grab this book. You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for William.
83 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2019
in the past year or so, I have dove into cozy mysteries. I am leaving this mostly to explain my rating. the story wasn't bad, and it did grab me, but It was over and done way too quick, and "read my other books" samples counted for about 50% of the Books volume. Yes I should have looked at the number of pages, I do tend to add cozies fast, as they are good fun to read, but, that said, I will be looking for more of Janet's books, careful to check length, this time.
Profile Image for Rebecca .
171 reviews
May 19, 2020
Great story no matter your age

Loved the first adventure of Mellow Summers as she began her first year in college. Unlike most who begin college right after high school Mellow is a little older.
There's nothing like finding an apartment near your college that you can afford. The apartment comes furnished, even with its own ghost. Come along on the adventure with Mellow and some interesting friends as she tries to help Rachael, the ghost, find who murdered her.
288 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2021
It was a fun book

I've never read any of Janet's books before and unfortunately I guess I won't in the future either. I read three to four boot books a day but even if I read only, one I couldn't afford her books times seven. I belong to kindle unlimited. Heaven knows what I'd do without it. I'd miss out on so many good authors and their books. I do recommend this book. I did enjoy it and I'm sure others will too.
Profile Image for Patricia Wolverton.
92 reviews
June 4, 2023
enjoyable, light ghost story

I normally don't care that much for ghost stories. They usually need more than horror and blood and guts. This story had interesting characters (including the ghost) , excitement and a good story. It wasn't a heavy thought provoking piece , but light and fun. Another plus was that it was clean and didn't dwell on sex or violence , but on plot ant interesting people.
Profile Image for Kimmarie Pozar.
135 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2019
Quick fun read.

Starts a little predictable, but once you get into the story it becomes a light reading ghost murder mystery. I enjoyed it for a one day read during work when I was supposed to be doing something else. Hah! - Warning however that there is light violence for those with triggers.
781 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2022
Story for pre teen readers

The story and the characters need much more development and depth to sell this as a real paranormal mystery. As it stands it is a simplistic short story for pre teen readers who don't care remotely about police procedures and aren't concerned with the immaturity of a 26 year old and how she can only sometimes defend herself.
1,687 reviews36 followers
June 26, 2022
Mellow Summers moved to a new town with her best friend so they could go to college and save money by sharing the cost of an apartment together.
They found a real bargain for rent.
Then they found the reason for the bargain.
There is a ghost there who is going to pester Mellow until she agrees to help find who killed her.

Developed characters, some humor and a fun storyline.
Profile Image for Jerrilynne Evitts.
153 reviews4 followers
October 29, 2023
Sugar and Spice and Not So Nice

I received this book as an Arc from the author and I’m writing a review because I want to. Two girls move into an apartment with a low rent. They find out a previous tenant was murdered. She’s now a ghost and asks one other to find her killer. It’s a fun twisty plot! Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Ronda.
1,675 reviews45 followers
November 17, 2023
Wanted to enjoy this one--liked the premise and the characters well enough, but the dialogue just didn't seem fleshed out. It's like the story was a rudimentary outline of a more detailed, richer versionyet to come. Hopefully future installments will evolve into a more full version of what they can be.
29 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2018
A Awesome book!!

Love the story line, I laughed and then got sad when Mel encountered the killer, just a great book, am going to download more of the series. I hope the rest is as good as the first book.

Thanks
Profile Image for Christie.
1,156 reviews11 followers
August 30, 2019
Sugar and Spice and Not So Nice is a great short story. I really liked the main characters. I also liked the storyline and that it didn't venture off track. It got right into the action and solved the case. I will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for C.
1,261 reviews27 followers
January 1, 2020
Whodunit

This story with Mellow was very good. There was one error in the beginning it correctly identified Murder She Wrote and Incorrectly identified Ghost Whisperer. That made me laugh a bit. I do think the story was played out well.
Profile Image for Shon  Michelle.
786 reviews
October 31, 2020
Cute and sassy
I started reading this book, yes very different from my Norm but I needed to get out my head some. I must say that I enjoyed reading this book.The characters where cute and sassy. The storyline was very delightful. Thanks
922 reviews10 followers
October 16, 2022
Just a Fun, Enjoyable Read Worth the Time!

Loveable characters, one comforting para normal character and a rather fast moving plot keeps readers turning pages. A Very entertaining tale!
Profile Image for Nicole.
2,819 reviews10 followers
December 2, 2022
This came across as having been written by a teenager. The story was overly simple and there was no depth to any of the characters.
Additionally, half of the book was about the author’s other works and a ten chapter preview of another of her stories.
490 reviews9 followers
June 7, 2018
Nothing memorable, but it was a cute, short, whimsical read. Don't think I would read another of her books though.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,901 reviews14 followers
June 21, 2018
It would be difficult to avoid looking into a murder when the ghost of the victim is haunting you. This would be a good vacation read.
848 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2018
Wonderful book! I loved the plot, it is full of fun and high jinks! Lots of fun, excitement, ghost and dirty cops. It is a fun book!
Profile Image for Wendy.
25 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2018
Mel and buddies...

Short and sweet. Loved this story, especially the ghost Rachel and all the misfits that Mel seems to draw to her in finding out who murdered Rachel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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