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Cedar Creek Mysteries #3
The Phantom in the Footlights
The starring role in this production goes to the phantom, and he may close the curtains for good . . .
When film star Sloane Reid decides to audition for Cedar Creek’s new community theater, she hopes to recapture her love for the stage and connect with her local community. But before the first rehearsal can even begin, a series of strange occurrences threatens to shut down the show.
As Sloane becomes more deeply entangled in a web of deception, betrayal, and criminal activity, it doesn’t take her long to realize the supernatural being she’s battling may not be the only threat she’s up against.
Can the former Spectral Slayer figure out how to appease The Phantom in the Footlights before the secrets of the past bring about a deadly curtain call?
This third volume in Cedar Creek Mysteries continues Sloane’s transformation from globe-trotting celebrity to small town heroine. The Phantom in the Footlights combines romance, mystery, danger, and intrigue with the help of a ghost or two!
When film star Sloane Reid decides to audition for Cedar Creek’s new community theater, she hopes to recapture her love for the stage and connect with her local community. But before the first rehearsal can even begin, a series of strange occurrences threatens to shut down the show.
As Sloane becomes more deeply entangled in a web of deception, betrayal, and criminal activity, it doesn’t take her long to realize the supernatural being she’s battling may not be the only threat she’s up against.
Can the former Spectral Slayer figure out how to appease The Phantom in the Footlights before the secrets of the past bring about a deadly curtain call?
This third volume in Cedar Creek Mysteries continues Sloane’s transformation from globe-trotting celebrity to small town heroine. The Phantom in the Footlights combines romance, mystery, danger, and intrigue with the help of a ghost or two!
- GenresParanormal
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2020
About the author
Violet Howe
34 books336 followersViolet Howe enjoys writing romance with humor. She lives in Florida with her husband (her knight in shining armor!) and their adorable but spoiled dogs. When she’s not writing, Violet is usually watching movies, reading, or planning her next travel adventure. To learn more about Violet or her books, visit www.violethowe.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 29, 2023
The Phantom in the Footlights by Violet Howe
Cedar Creek Mysteries #3. Mystery with some romance. Best read as part of the series. Same main couple with many secondary characters spanning the three novels.
Sloane Reid decides to audition at the new Cedar Creek community theater when she hears about it. The old warehouse is undergoing renovations to turn it into a theater and Sloane feels she and Dani Ward could become friends. As they discuss the changes being made, some of the bags of groceries that Dani had just brought in fell off the table. And one of the maintenance men said his tools had been pushed to the floor by someone. But no one else was in the building. Yes, there appears to be a ghost in residence.
Dani and Sloane investigate other wild stories by former tenants of the building to find what what’s going on and who the ghost might be. Assuming it is a ghost and not someone that simply doesn’t want the theater to open.
By this time in the series we know Sloane and expect arguments with Tristan and paparazzi around town. This books expands the town parameters a bit as well as expanding the ghost factor. Expect a few goosebumps when unexpected things happen at the theater.
A good mystery and addition to the series. I enjoyed the concept and twists.
4.5
Cedar Creek Mysteries #3. Mystery with some romance. Best read as part of the series. Same main couple with many secondary characters spanning the three novels.
Sloane Reid decides to audition at the new Cedar Creek community theater when she hears about it. The old warehouse is undergoing renovations to turn it into a theater and Sloane feels she and Dani Ward could become friends. As they discuss the changes being made, some of the bags of groceries that Dani had just brought in fell off the table. And one of the maintenance men said his tools had been pushed to the floor by someone. But no one else was in the building. Yes, there appears to be a ghost in residence.
Dani and Sloane investigate other wild stories by former tenants of the building to find what what’s going on and who the ghost might be. Assuming it is a ghost and not someone that simply doesn’t want the theater to open.
By this time in the series we know Sloane and expect arguments with Tristan and paparazzi around town. This books expands the town parameters a bit as well as expanding the ghost factor. Expect a few goosebumps when unexpected things happen at the theater.
A good mystery and addition to the series. I enjoyed the concept and twists.
4.5
August 12, 2020
This book has it all!
Action, suspense, romance, small-town charm mixed with celebrity annoyances, wrapped up with a poignant romance, friendships, and humor.
As with the first two books in this series, I couldn't put it down. I started reading at 10:30 last night and it's now 6 am. Totally worth going without sleep. But I would recommend that you block off enough time so you're not up all night.
As to the mystery of who the ghost is, why he's upset, and a few other questions I can't mention without giving away spoilers. I had no clue to any if these questions up to the very end. The author did a great of keeping me guessing.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, with humor, romance, and real-to-life characters. OMG, Mrs. Myrtle McGillicuddy, she is the bomb. The police department needs to hire her as an interrogator. One who can do your hair or your nails while getting info you never plan to share. The woman is lethal, with a sweet smile and a southern accent. Or maybe I just gave her the accent. She wins my vote for best supporting character.
Action, suspense, romance, small-town charm mixed with celebrity annoyances, wrapped up with a poignant romance, friendships, and humor.
As with the first two books in this series, I couldn't put it down. I started reading at 10:30 last night and it's now 6 am. Totally worth going without sleep. But I would recommend that you block off enough time so you're not up all night.
As to the mystery of who the ghost is, why he's upset, and a few other questions I can't mention without giving away spoilers. I had no clue to any if these questions up to the very end. The author did a great of keeping me guessing.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, with humor, romance, and real-to-life characters. OMG, Mrs. Myrtle McGillicuddy, she is the bomb. The police department needs to hire her as an interrogator. One who can do your hair or your nails while getting info you never plan to share. The woman is lethal, with a sweet smile and a southern accent. Or maybe I just gave her the accent. She wins my vote for best supporting character.
August 11, 2020
I love Cedar Creek. I love Tristan and Sloane. I love all of the side characters and hope they all get their own stories!
The characters are well-written and believable. I sometimes find myself getting frustrated with them, well mostly Sloane, from time-to-time, but I totally get their (again, her) thinking and they eventually communicate quite well. Tristan is a saint and just the sweetest. He really loves Sloane and it comes through. I love Rita, but am curious if there’ll be any more development with Ray. I can’t wait for more.
Oh, and the mystery aspect of this book was great. It starts off kind of slow but it picks up and has some twists!
You’ll love this book and all the books in Cedar Creek Mystery and Families.
The characters are well-written and believable. I sometimes find myself getting frustrated with them, well mostly Sloane, from time-to-time, but I totally get their (again, her) thinking and they eventually communicate quite well. Tristan is a saint and just the sweetest. He really loves Sloane and it comes through. I love Rita, but am curious if there’ll be any more development with Ray. I can’t wait for more.
Oh, and the mystery aspect of this book was great. It starts off kind of slow but it picks up and has some twists!
You’ll love this book and all the books in Cedar Creek Mystery and Families.
August 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this new book by Violet Howe, It was great to visit with Sloane, Tristan and everyone else. This book has it all, mystery, romance, humor, and a ghost! what more could you ask for? I have to say i was late for work because of Violet and The Phantom in the Footlights, i got to work early and thought i would read for a few minutes, and the next thing i know someone is knocking on my car window, asking if i was planning on coming in. :) This is a great book and i am already looking forward to the next in the series. Violet is an auto buy for me, i am never disappointed in any of her books.. give it a try you wont be sorry.
August 31, 2020
I absolutely love this new book from Violet Howe. This book has it all, romance, mystery, humor and a ghost! The story and the characters are why I love this series so much. Sloane can sometimes frustrate me more then most of the.characters but by the end you understand her more. Tristen is genuinely a sweet guy and he would do anything for sloane and it comes out thought this whole series. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Ceder Creek Mystery series but while you wait you should definitely read her other series Ceder Creek Families. You will love it.
August 3, 2020
“Life has a strange sense of humor sometimes…”
Famous actress Sloan Reid, best known for her role as the Spectral Slayer, has once again found herself in the middle of a ghostly mystery. In the third installment of the Cedar Creek mystery series, Sloan is determined to downplay her celebrity persona and become more community minded. After all, she is secretly engaged to local Deputy Tristian Rogers, so what better way to set up roots in the town he serves and protects than to join the local community theater! Too bad the local spirit that has cursed the building has other plans…
Violet Howe’s Cedar Creek mystery series makes me wish I had connections at the Hallmark Mystery channel! Seriously! With each story, I find myself devouring the pages faster than my fav bottle of wine! Writing a review for this installment was difficult because there is so much action going on that I didn’t want to spoil the mystery! So just trust me and READ IT! Highly recommend and wish I could give more than 5 Stars!!
Readers Note: This is the 3rd book in the series, and I would recommend reading in order to thoroughly enjoy!!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Famous actress Sloan Reid, best known for her role as the Spectral Slayer, has once again found herself in the middle of a ghostly mystery. In the third installment of the Cedar Creek mystery series, Sloan is determined to downplay her celebrity persona and become more community minded. After all, she is secretly engaged to local Deputy Tristian Rogers, so what better way to set up roots in the town he serves and protects than to join the local community theater! Too bad the local spirit that has cursed the building has other plans…
Violet Howe’s Cedar Creek mystery series makes me wish I had connections at the Hallmark Mystery channel! Seriously! With each story, I find myself devouring the pages faster than my fav bottle of wine! Writing a review for this installment was difficult because there is so much action going on that I didn’t want to spoil the mystery! So just trust me and READ IT! Highly recommend and wish I could give more than 5 Stars!!
Readers Note: This is the 3rd book in the series, and I would recommend reading in order to thoroughly enjoy!!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
July 28, 2024
3rd book in Cedar Creek Mysteries. This was a good paranormal mystery. Characters had great interaction. Waiting anxiously for book #4.
July 30, 2020
I loved the story of Tristan and Sloane. The characters in this book are so enjoyable and easy to relate too. The twists and turns help to keep the ghost story going. The friendships between Sloane and the townspeople are so accurate of small town living. An amazing book written by a wonderful author. I did not read this book in Cedar Creek order and the story was still wonderful and now I must read the first two books. You will love Cedar Creek
June 29, 2021
In book three of the Cedar Creek Mysteries, our favorite characters are back one more time with another ghostly mystery to solve. This time Sloane decides to get involved with Dani who is attempting to turn a former autobody shop into a community theater, only she’s run into some problems. Some are financial, and some are otherworldly. Helping out financially is no problem and that gets taken care of right away, but the otherworldly one is the most troubling. It seems that there’s been a not so nice spirit living in the shop for at least four years, and it’s even blamed for taking the life of a would be tenant. No business has been able to last since the shop closed, and it’s up to Sloane to figure out who the ghost is and why they’re still there.
Not only does she have that going on, but some racy photos of her and Tristan have been published, and to offset the bad publicity, they’re going to release the announcement of their engagement. They’ve kept it a secret since The Glow in the Woods, but Sloane needs some positive publicity to offset those pictures. But that has her mother reaching out to her for the first time in years, and mommy dearest never just checks in to make sure her daughter is doing well.
We have old friends from other books in the series popping in as well as new friends being made. Over all, Sloane is settling in nicely in Cedar Creek.
Ms. Howe has written a wonderful book, a great series, and if you love mysteries with a ghostly touch, I suggest you settle in and read the Cedar Creek Mystery series. She has created a wonderful small town set in the heart of central Florida full of interesting characters and imaginative storylines.
Not only does she have that going on, but some racy photos of her and Tristan have been published, and to offset the bad publicity, they’re going to release the announcement of their engagement. They’ve kept it a secret since The Glow in the Woods, but Sloane needs some positive publicity to offset those pictures. But that has her mother reaching out to her for the first time in years, and mommy dearest never just checks in to make sure her daughter is doing well.
We have old friends from other books in the series popping in as well as new friends being made. Over all, Sloane is settling in nicely in Cedar Creek.
Ms. Howe has written a wonderful book, a great series, and if you love mysteries with a ghostly touch, I suggest you settle in and read the Cedar Creek Mystery series. She has created a wonderful small town set in the heart of central Florida full of interesting characters and imaginative storylines.
May 23, 2022
It was so nice to jump back in with Sloane and her ghost BFF Chelsea. The entire Cedar Creek catalog focuses on family and friendships and this one is no different. Between her speeding habit and her desire to help a new friend, she's gotten herself in a little bit of trouble. Unraveling the mystery took her out of her comfort zone, but her willingness to do whatever it took meant that it was a true group effort.
August 22, 2020
The phantom in the footlights
Violet has done it again. Another page turner. Love how the people interact with each other. Will another couple be getting together. Will Dani be able to see ghosts too. Star tuned to book 4!
Violet has done it again. Another page turner. Love how the people interact with each other. Will another couple be getting together. Will Dani be able to see ghosts too. Star tuned to book 4!
August 23, 2020
Another winner
This series keeps getting better. The dialogue was better than ever and the story kept you guessing from start to finish.
This series keeps getting better. The dialogue was better than ever and the story kept you guessing from start to finish.
January 29, 2022
I love Violet Howe's series of books. The only one I don't have is Maggie of the Tales Behind the Veils series.
May 27, 2025
Just finished this series of three books. Light reading and an interesting, fast read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews