A brand new cozy mystery series from the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Donut Shop Mysteries and the Classic Diner Mysteries, Jessica Beck!
When Christy Blake loses one of her two cats, Midnight, and her boss in what looks like a robbery attempt at her secondhand shop, Memories and Dreams, she thinks it's the end of the world. But Midnight isn't ready to go anywhere just yet, so he comes back as a ghost cat to help her track down his killer. Clearly there is a bond between Christy and Midnight that is too strong to be broken by something as trivial as death.
Jessica Beck is a pseudonym used by Tim Myers. Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times.
Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested.
When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.
Christy Blake is devastated when her cat, Midnight, and her boss, Cora, are killed during a robbery at the secondhand shop where she works. She feels as if her world is coming to an end. If it wasn’t for her surviving cat, Shadow, her best friend Marybeth and her attorney Lincoln, she might not have made it. When she sees a ghostly appearance of Midnight, she’s sure she has lost her mind, but soon realizes he has returned to find his killer.
She decides not to tell anyone about Midnight’s new status as a ghost for fear that people will think she’s crazy. Instead, Christy pays close attention to the clues Midnight leads her to. She’s not sure how long Midnight will be by her side, but she’s happy to have him in any form for as long as she can.
Lincoln informs Christy that Cora left part of the secondhand shop to her and she’s stunned. Cora has a couple of distant relatives who might give her problems, but for now, Christy agrees to run the place. Along with Midnight, she’s determined to find out who killed him and Cora. Her investigation leads her in a dangerous direction and suddenly running a secondhand shop is not so safe.
I wasn’t sure how I’d like this book since it features a heroine grieving for her cat. However, the book didn’t begin until after the murders occurred. So, I was able to get through that but it was kind of hard at first. That aside, this was a fast read. By the time I got to the last page, I was surprised that it was over. It’s 164 pages and they zoomed right by.
The characters and setting were perfect for a cozy mystery. It took some time for me to like the heroine, but once the story got going, I warmed up to her. It helped that there was some romance hinted between Christy and Lincoln. I absolutely loved the secondary characters.
The story itself was a good one, not very complex and I really wasn’t surprised at how it ended. However, it all made sense and fit well together. I’m already planning to read the next book in the series.
The story was pretty depressing because a kitty died...but the low rating is more because the first 2/3 of the book had the makings of a great mystery and then *poof* the author just basically gave a list of the suspects and then a paragraph later explained why each one wasn't a good candidate. It was like Beck lost interest in the book.
This was a heartwarming story with a mystery involved. After her boss and her dear cat were killed in a robbery, Christy tried to discover who killed her friends. With a surprising bit of help from her ghostly deceased cat, she uncovers secrets which led to the crime. An interesting and warm story, especially for those of us who have lost dear pets.
First book in this series. Looking forward to more. Hoping Midnight stays around, but, felt Shadow was overlooked. Lots to look forward to. Recommend for mystery and pet lovers of books.
The first book of The GHOST CAT has an unique theme. The owner of an odds, ends & curio shop is murder in a robbery and as Christy lent her cat Midnight to her for the day, she is also killed. Christy in deep mourning for the lost of her cat and friend, Cora. Misty is surprise to learn she has been named manager of the shop for 2 years. She is to picked 2 items from the shop for her used. Midnight ghost appears while she is doing it and tells to select a wooden box. The item is a gold necklace of value. Suddenly a number of people want to buy the shop and there attempts to break in the shop. Christy with the ghost of Midnight need to find the answer. While split is,interesting an has,a number of twists and turns, I felt the characters were swallow and there was no depth in the book. A nice quiet read and I will read the next book.
Two of my favourite things, helpful ghosts and cats. Only two books so far in this series and I am hoping it continues. Second time I have read this book number one and now to read book two for the first time. February 1, 2014 was when I read it last.
When Christy Blake loses one of her two cats, Midnight, and her boss in what looks like a robbery attempt at her secondhand shop, Memories and Dreams, she thinks it's the end of the world. But Midnight isn't ready to go anywhere just yet, so he comes back as a ghost cat to help her track down his killer. Clearly there is a bond between Christy and Midnight that is too strong to be broken by something as trivial as death.
When Cora and Christy’s cat, Midnight are murdered, and Christy inherits Cora’s shop, with stipulations, Christy is crushed. She’s not sure she wants to run the shop without her friend. But, when Midnight suddenly appears to Christy and shows her clues to his demise, Christy reluctantly agrees. Find out what the stipulations to her inheriting the shop, and what Midnight is trying to show her. You will enjoy this book. It’s a quick and easy read with suspense and excitement.
Good, easy read. Although I think she was a bit too overwrought about her cat being murdered (despite loving animals, even I think the murder of a person should be a bigger deal than that of a cat), I really enjoyed this. Good bit of suspense and I like the way she thought (outside the over the top bit on the cat).
More of a novella, this is a nicely written cozy, paranormal mystery. Christy Blake loses her boss and one of her cats to murder in a robbery gone wrong. She vows to find the killer with help from the ghost of her cat, Midnight. The characters are "real" and the plot moves along well. Add a touch of romance and it's a great rainy day read.
Christy's cat and her boss are murdered in the second hand thrift store. The shop keeps getting broken into plus Midnight the cat shows up as a ghost. Christy starts asking questions to find the murder.
The length of the book (159 pages) made things feel rather rushed. I feel like a bit more time for character development, not to mention a bit more on characters who were eventual suspects, would have been nice.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book. The mystery was on the simple side. If you have the ghost of the murdered cat he can surely point out his killer. I look forward to another book in this series to see if the characters all flesh out and the plots deepen.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.