A Séance in Franklin Gothic

Thistlewood Star Mysteries #3

by Jessa Archer, C. Rysa Walker

Previously published as Jessa Archer.
NOW YOU SEE HER...NOW YOU DON'T

When Ruth Townsend discovers Tessa Martin's body in an abandoned factory, sprawled across a Ouija board, she does the responsible thing and calls 911. But by the time Sheriff Blevins arrives, the girl's body has vanished.

Blevins is convinced that Tessa is playing an elaborate hoax. But Ruth and her daughter, Cassie, know better. They both saw the body.
​
Ruth is certain the sheriff is hiding something, and it all seems connected to the odd cult holding a revival up in the mountains. With her best friend Wren by her side, she decides to investigate. Will Ruth and Wren figure out what happened to Tessa Martin, or will the killer slither away?

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Cozy Mystery

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

Jessa Archer writes sweet, funny, warm-hearted cozy mysteries because she loves a good puzzle and can't stand the sight of blood. Her characters are witty, adventurous, and crafty in the nicest way. You'll find her sleuths hand lettering inspirational quotes, trying to lower golf handicaps, enjoying a scone at a favorite teashop, knitting a sweater, or showing off a dramatic side in local theater.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/JessaArcher
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Reviews

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series!

Ruth, Wren, Ed, and Cassie are wonderful characters, and the supporting cast is great, too. Even those stinkers. A good plot with a surprise twist or two. I look forward to the net books and some characters getting what they deserve! I also hope to see the bear again!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Townsend is at the book signing of her boyfriend’s new book when his niece comes running through the doors saying “Tessa is dead”. It appears that the teen and a few others were at an abandoned factory doing a séance when Tessa convulses and dies. The poor girl begins to question if what she saw really happened or if her friend was pulling a horrible prank. Ruth and her daughter Cassie decide to investigate and discover the girl sprawled across an Ouija board. When they go to call for help, the body vanishes. Sheriff Blevin thinks it is all an elaborate hoax but Ruth and Cassie think otherwise.

While sniffing out the truth with the help of her friend Wren, Ruth discovers that there might be ties to an odd cult up in the mountains and that the sheriff himself might have something to hide. Can the ladies find out what happened to Tessa or find themselves in peril?
This is a perfect cozy mystery filled with the right mix of mystery, quirky characters, intrigue, and adventure.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In another trip to Thistlewood, there appears to be a little mysticism mixed up with a murder! The dead body is found in a circle of candles slumped over a Ouija board. When the body disappeared before the sheriff could get there, some thought it might have been a hoax or a prank. But with Ruth, Wren, and Cassie on the trail, it will be figured out!

I enjoyed this book like I have the others in this series. The author has an excellent way of showing us who Ruth thinks. I love that Ruth is an older heroine than we often see in books in general, and her age and profession give her a certain gravitas (while not being pedantic) The story is in the first person from her perspective, and hers is an interesting and mature head to be in as she tries to puzzle out what's going on. I thought that, on occasion, there were a bit too many information dumps scattered throughout. It seems like the author is almost trying to summarize the previous books in the series here and there, when she could just get by with a little detail or two. I won't spoil it, but the ending did surprise me, as it isn't something we usually see in cozy mysteries. All in all, I enjoyed this installment of the series.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Martin’s body was in an old abandoned factory leaning over an Ouija board. Ed is doing a book signing, when suddenly his niece comes in an tells them Tessa was dead at the old factory. So Ruth Townsend, journalist and owner of the Thistlewood star paper, and her daughter go to check it out. They find a circle of salt and lit candles all around and Tessa. After Cassie hears a sound, they get out of there and call 911. But when the Sheriff comes, the body is gone and her believes they are making it up. This just makes Ruth more determined to investigate.

This is small town cozy mystery. The characters are well described and interesting. The narrative helps make the characters more well rounded and gives the impression of what the small town atmosphere is like. It is an interesting mystery with many twist and turns that keep you guessing until the end. With each book in the series the characters grow and Cassie was emphasized in this book. The element of the paranormal was introduced and added the the mystic of the storyline. This book is well written and definitely worth reading. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dead girl fingers her killer - but is it enough?

Awesome. This series just gets better and the added supernatural touch just gives it even more appeal. The blending of the normality of the characters and the supernatural is done perfectly and adds another dimension to an already terrific read.
Ed's book is a success as is his signing at the new store. That is until she is hit with two bombshells, firstly a young woman turns up claiming to be Ed's daughter and then his niece claiming that her best friend has just been killed by a ghost. A drive to the scene, with her daughter, shows the young girl's agonising death stance. But after calling the police her body is missing when they go back but a drinks can is there instead. Add in an older boyfriend, a father keeping his son out of the public eye, a preacher wanting his own show, snakes, drugs and an explosion and stir well with lies and deception. Will they find the killer? Or has someone held back evidence? Does Ed really have a daughter and we're does that leave her? Will her daughter now accept herself and her power?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth sees Cassidy settling in and making a real go of the cafe with her postman. The Buzz is a great combo used bookstore/ coffee and gaming bar.

Ed heard from his recently widowed sister that her senior aged teen daughter is off with a volunteer group. Turns out Kate was out with friends. Things ended very badly for one of them.

When Ruth and Cassidy go to verify the suspected overdose, they see a body, leave for a better signal to call for help, and find the body missing when nasty Sheriff Steve Blevins finally arrives.

A twisted tale unravels, and it reveals a lot of the darker sides of small town life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout. I read this book and most other recent series from this author on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery from Jessa Archer! Thistlewood is normally a quiet town, normally being the key word. When Ruth Townsend finds Tessa's body in the factory she calls 911 only to have the body disappear by the time the police arrive, The police think Tessa is playing a hoax on everyone but Ruth and her daughter both know what they saw. It's up to Ruth and her trustworthy friends to get to the bottom of the mystery and find the killer. Wonderful story line and all the fun characters as in the previous books. You won't be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gisela Crossley-zels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, I think, is so far the best one in the "Thistlewood Star Mysteries". Such a page-turner! It's the third book in the series and even though it can be read as a stand-alone, because of the background information given within the story, you'll get much more out of the story after reading the first two books.
Jessa Archer takes us straight in to the middle of the drama and as the story is written in first person, it feels like you are specially selected to listen to her story. Jessa shows a well balanced knowledge of people around her and I really like her novels.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

During Ed’s book signing, his niece comes running in because Tessa is dead! Ruth and Cassie investigate the old factory where Kate said they were and find that they were doing a seance with a ouija board when Tessa died. But what killed her? The sheriff is useless, totally useless. It’s up to Ruth to figure it out.

I’m still loving this series! Just gets better with each book written! Characters are great, story flows, and the town is small so rumors run rampant!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[River · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting story! I completely fell in love withRuth, Ed, And Cassie. They and their friends make up a unique and realistic cast of characters. The search for both a victim and the culprit made for a wonderful journey. I loved the fact that it was set in the mountains of Tennessee and in a small town full of interesting hierarchies, traditions, and beliefs. You’ll definitely want to pick up this wonderful book!

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth gets an unpleasant surprise at Ed’s book signing, however, an unexpected crisis has Ruth and her daughter, Cassie, rushing to eerie Woodward Mills and into another mystery. Jessa Archer has created vivid characters and a gripping storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to love this series and this entry has a touch of the supernatural! It blends in seamlessly with the story and does not overpower it. The characters continue to evolve and this mystery had plenty of twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JoLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like these books because it’s always a good story, and the characters are well put together, but this book just didn’t end as well as expected. It felt rushed to me. It was a toss up between a rating if 2 or 3. I went with 3 mainly because it’s not a waste of time to read it though the ending felt off.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this author and series with this book but I'm excited to go back and start with the first one. The story flowed nicely with great characters. It had the right mix of mystery, small town closeness, and murder.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting so addictive and I love how the author blends the characters with the supernatural ones awesomeness personified.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Séance in Franklin Gothic is a great story. I really enjoyed this story. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this town of Thistlewood and I love the characters in this story and in the series. This is a bit paranormal with lots of action and a twisty plot for murder. It will keep you guessing to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Mystery

Another good mystery involving our intrepid small town paper reporter/editor/publisher and her best friend the local undertaker. Exciting, adventurous, well defined characters, and another good mystery in this series.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newspaper Editor Sleuth

This series just keeps getting better, font by font. Ruth Townsend, owner and editor, of the Thistlewood Star, is reinventing herself as she resuscitates the paper and boosts circulation by solving old and new murders.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered this series and now I'm binge listening to it. Love narrator Kate Rudd's performance - it really adds to my overall enjoyment of the series. Solid mysteries, great friendship between Ruth and Wren and I love the light romance.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery. I like that the main character is a reporter who can, reasonably, go around asking questions.

(Catching up on recording my October reading. Identical review for first 3 books in the series.)

[Ruth Kevghas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series and the main characters!

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling!

Another exciting book in a high quality mystery series! The characters are compelling, the dialogue sounds natural, and the pacing is fast paced...

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mystery with a few unexpected twists. Some things were unresolved at the end but Ruth, the main character, is on the case so I expect this minor plot thread will get resolved in subsequent books.

The ending was very poignant. It is interesting how Ruth and her daughter are becoming a part of this community, but on their own terms.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #3 in the Thistlewood Series

I am an avid reader of Rysa Walkers work. Prior to this series I read her CHRONOS series.
One aspect of C. Rysa Walkers` writing that I enjoy is her ability to tell a good story. I often find myself engrossed in her books and not putting them down! Her attention to minor details helps make the story more meaningful because she gives time to each part of her narrative in order to make the end story the best that it can be.

One of the aspects of this series that I enjoy is that the main character is middle age and is starting her life over in her hometown. I enjoy reading the struggles and the happy times of having a chapter 2. This character is very relatable.

This series is one of my favorites by Rysa Walker!

[Shoshanah Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tags: Cozy mystery, drug use, possibly dangerous scams, and death/murder.

This is a well-written and entertaining cozy mystery along the lines of "Murder She Wrote" with a touch of paranormal activity. There is also a bit of clean romance. I enjoyed it greatly. I'm not sure if her other works have paranormal bits in them, but would be interested in looking for them anyway.

** This is a voluntary review of a Book Sprout title.

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that this book is the best in the series. The previous books in the series provided a good bit of background on the reason for the use of fonts for those that have passed, but this book did not provide that. I actually appreciated this missing piece of information from the book, it made the flow of the book go at a quicker pace. As this series continues, the characters continue to grow individually and through their relationships with one another. This book seemed to provide the reader with the facts of the case and allowed the imagination to take off from there which to me was more exciting than trying to piece information together in snippets.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Townsend welcomes us back to her town and yet another mystery. This time a young woman is found in an abandoned factory next to an Ouija board. While the town sheriff believes it is a hoax, Ruth can't help but wonder if it is more. Along with Wren, the two women set their sights on solving the mystery since the sheriff will not.

These stories remind me a bit of the Nancy Drew series and I'm loving it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Townsend and crew are back on the case and as usual way ahead of the sheriff. A girls body is found under mysterious circumstances and then disappears. No one is certain if she is dead or missing. Ruth and her friends work to unravel the mystery and find out that the girl was involved with a fringe religious group that may have something to hide. You'll have to read to find out more...

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is she dead or not?

Another great Thistlewood Star murder(?) mystery by Jessa Archer. We learn more about the characters with each story in the series. A great storyline and some supernatural aspects keep you turning the pages. Well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.