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Dandelion Ponds #1

In High Spirits

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How do you rest in peace when you’re stuck between two worlds?

Daisy Montgomery lived her best life. She was a good person, treated people well, was kind to animals and didn’t have any enemies. Or so she thought.

Then one night she was attacked by a force so powerful that it separated her body from her soul, and she found herself stuck somewhere between life and death. Unfortunately for Daisy being a spirit had its limitations, and it seemed unlike every other ghost she’d ever read about, she lacked the ability to walk through walls.

Luckily her little dog Alfie led her to super sexy Charlie O’Sullivan, a man who can not only see her spirit and open doors for her, but he made her question everything she thought she knew about her life.

Was her fiancé really her soul mate who loved her more than her money?
Did her late father’s inheritance put a target on her back?
Did he bequeath her more than his money?
And what is the dark force that is shadowing her every move?

When her attacker kills again, she must use her newfound knowledge to discover who they are before her loved-one’s lives are irreversibly and tragically changed forever. With the help of Charlie and his merry band of spirit helpers, she followed the clues, leading her to a discovery that put her in a race against a murderer.

But can she solve the crime before the killer destroys everything she ever loved? Will she walk to the light and rest in peace? Or will she be stuck forever between the two worlds?


The secrets of Dandelion Ponds are so dangerous and treacherous that not even the dead can save them!

In High Spirits is the first in a brand new cozy paranormal mystery series

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2020

86 people are currently reading
93 people want to read

About the author

Beth Prentice

53 books173 followers
Beth Prentice is the award winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of the several series and standalone novels.
She was born in Manchester, England, but after moving backwards and forwards across the world 13 times in 14 years she decided that at the age of 18 that Australia was to be her home. She now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia where every day is a good one. She is the lucky mother of two grown up children, and, along with her ever-patient husband, she is the proud but sometimes flustered owner of four dogs, a cat, and a canary. She has always had a love of reading, and even though her background is in accounting, she has now discovered her love of writing. Her main wish is to write books you can sit back, relax with, and escape from your everyday life...and ones that you walk away from with a smile! When she's not writing you will usually find her at the beach with a coffee in hand, pursuing her favorite pastime --people watching!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,104 reviews3,021 followers
November 30, 2020
Daisy Montgomery woke in a strange house with an unknown man nearby. The only thing familiar was Alfie, Daisy’s little dog. After finally working out she’d been separated from her body in a singularly brutal attack and her body lay in the hospital in a coma, the stranger, Charlie O’Sullivan – who could see and hear her speak – decided to help Daisy find out who had tried to kill her and why.

Visiting with Charlie’s mother Dorothy, Daisy met other spirits and learned more about what was happening. But whoever tried to kill her, was attacking Daisy’s loved ones. Daisy and Charlie needed to find the culprit before that person made another attempt to kill Daisy. But could they do it? No one else could see Daisy so Charlie had to be her mouth piece. What would be the outcome to these strange occurrences in the once quiet Dandelion Ponds?

In High Spirits is the 1st in A Dandelion Ponds Mystery series by Aussie author Beth Prentice, a paranormal cozy mystery which I quite enjoyed. Entertaining, unusual, intriguing, I’ll definitely check out book 2. Recommended.
Profile Image for Federica De dominicis.
362 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2022
I loved it! The premises are a great, fresh idea, and the characters are likable and very realistic in their reactions, adding a layer of reality to a completely paranormal mystery. It feels really like a classic, "Murder, She Wrote", mystery, but with a heavy dose of spirits and magic.
Very well written and fast paced!
Can't wait to read the next!
Profile Image for Paranormaly Romantic.
54 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2022
Reviewed at Paranormal-y Romantic

Just when I think I’ve read just about every spin on a Paranormal Cozy Mystery story along comes In High Spirits to break that presumption. What a fun, intriguing, and engaging introduction to the Dandelion Ponds Mystery series. I had a blast, and you can bet that I’ll be back for more!

Without giving away too much it seems that Daisy has awakened – well – deceased. But, not really dead. She’s finding herself half in the spirit world and half in the real world and it’s frustrating, frightening, and dangerous in so many ways. It seems that aside from her faithful pup, Alfie, and the stranger whose home she wakes up in (drawn by her dog’s presence) she can’t interact with people or things, like doors. Charlie (who certainly would turn a woman’s eye if she weren’t already engaged – and kinda dead?) has adopted her dog after he was surrendered, and she’s thankful but confused because the man she loves should have still kept Alfie, shouldn’t he? Charlie is the only person who can help her now if she can convince him to that is.

As we begin the search for answers to Daisy’s dilemma we’ll run into some very interesting characters (alive and deceased), and some very dangerous ones as well. There are a lot of things that don’t add up for Daisy, even if she cannot remember what happened to her or who harmed her. Following clues, she’s about to not only discover that she doesn’t know some people as well as she thought and that there are a lot of lies that need to be unscrambled before she and Charlie can get to the truth of who did this to Daisy. And perhaps realize that the right man for her isn’t who she thought he was.

In High Spirits is a solid, good read from start to finish. I was drawn into the mystery, changed my mind several times about who the villain was, and watch one of the most unlikely couples begin to fall in love. What’s not to love about any of that? Secondary characters always matter to me for they round out the story in so many ways – and we’ll meet some fantastic people in Daisy and Charlie’s story. I laughed out loud, got annoyed, then frustrated, (at the characters, not the story) then amazed at the twists and turns to bring us to the conclusion… and just a touch more. I had such a good time in this world and I’m ready to return. If you love a Paranormal Romance with a touch of mystery, a definite twist on the romance, and characters that leap off of the page, then you’ll want to pick this one up right now.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*
Profile Image for Nadine.
1,906 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2022
A real pageturner

The book immediately starts good, it has the right tone and such an exciting premise. I mean, being in spirit form trying to figure out who tried to kill you? And having such a wonderful guy helping you? Wow wow a million times wow! Well written in a way that immediately pulls you in, never to let go. So good! I felt all of Daisy’s emotions like they were my own, and that’s quite the feat, transferring those emotions onto the reader in that way. Brilliantly done! And is Charlie the perfect guy or what? Wow! I kept turning those pages, eager for more, yet dreading the end, because I didn’t want it to ever end! Prentice has written a true gem, a pageturner that I couldn’t put down. What a ride. The best book I’ve read in a while.

Go read it, you won’t be sorry.
Profile Image for Helen.
2,917 reviews64 followers
September 27, 2020
Oh my goodness this is a great story, witty, fun and a one sitting read truly it was so hard to put down. This is a mystery with a paranormal twist and it totally engaged me from page one, I do hope that you pick this one up and get to know Daisy and the characters that live in Dandelion Ponds.

It is nearly Christmas time and Daisy who really is such a lovely person, she is engaged to the love of her life Logan and she loves her little dog Alfie, but her life changes abruptly when she a wakes in a stranger’s bedroom and it appears that the only one who can see her or hear her is Alfie, what is going on and then the guy in the bed also appears to be able to see and hear her his name is Charlie and he is quite used to spirits his mother is a physic, Daisy has no idea what has happened to her, how did she die, is she dead?

Charlie reluctantly agrees to help her and it is not long before they discover that Daisy is somehow stuck been life and death and it appears that someone was out to murder her and Daisy must find out who that is, there seems to be lots of suspects, are they after her money or is there some other reason. With Daisy getting to know a few spirits who are also trying to help they are telling her that there is a dark force following her around what can that mean?

You need to read this story honestly the characters are totally fantastic and Charlie and Daisy are a good sleuth team finding out what is happening and uncovering secrets that Daisy is stunned to know and although Daisy is a spirit her feelings for Charlie are growing by the hour, she is not sure how this is going to work. There are lots of twists and turns and the story is fast paced. I loved it from start to finish and highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great story. The ending sets up the next book and left me wanting the next book in the series now, how long to I have to await MS Prentice? 
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
2,846 reviews47 followers
August 15, 2020
Wow! Just Wow! I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading this. A woman wakes up in a strange man's bedroom and her dog is there? But only the dog can see her? Yikes. But I was hooked! Thanks to author Beth Prentice, I found myself eagerly reading instead of doing much else today. While I've read plenty of stories with ghostly spirits, nothing can compare to the story of Daisy! This book is chock full of great characters-both dead and alive. Murder never took so many strange twists and turns, nor included both ghostly and living characters working together like this!
Talk about a great start to what promises to be a fun series! Kudos to Ms Prentice! I can hardly wait to read more!
Profile Image for Dreama .
318 reviews7 followers
April 1, 2021
Charlie and Daisy

Charlie and Daisy are so sweet togeather trying to figure out what is going on and why there feeling what they're feeling, A fast pased book that has you hooked very quickly .Murder in a small town , A dark underbelly noone knew about Spirits , Witches and motivations that has you guessing as to what is actually going on, A thoroughly interesting and well written book that anyone would be happy to read and not put down.
Profile Image for Renee Arthur.
433 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2022
Fun!

I really enjoyed reading this book and figuring out what was up with Daisy. The plot and characters were so really fun to read about.
Profile Image for P.L. Harris.
Author 25 books39 followers
October 2, 2020
Wow, what a fantastic new series starter by Beth Prentice. I loved Daisy and Charlie and their growing connection. I can't wait to see where it leads them in the next book. There are some fun-loving entertaining characters throughout the book and Frank would have to be one of my favourites. You'll have to read the book to find out why.

The mystery kept me guessing the whole way through and when I thought I knew who was the culprit, it turned out I was wrong. I did not see the end coming, but so thrilled the direction it took.

Thank you Ms Prentice for creating another wonderful series and I cannot wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Patty Duplechin.
775 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2020
This was a wonderful story. Daisy was stuck between two worlds. She is stuck between life and death. She doesn’t know what happened but lucky for her, Alfie, her dog can see her. Alfie leads her to Charlie O’Sullivan, a sexy man who can see her and help her. Charlie made her question her life. Daisy is wondering if her so-called fiancé was more in love with her money than her? Did he want her inheritance from her dad? Who is shadowing her? Can she figure out who it is and cane she stop it before other lives are changed forever? Charlie helps her with the clues. Can they solve it? What an awesome read.
Profile Image for Simran Reddy.
2 reviews3 followers
September 20, 2020
What an awesome read, can't wait to read the remaining & upcoming books! :)
Profile Image for Janie.
1,530 reviews15 followers
September 13, 2020
"In High Spirits (A Dandelion Ponds Mystery, #1)" by Beth Prentice is a great, quick, mystery read. Dandelion Ponds is a small town and Daisy is the epitome of the girl next door. She's nice to everyone, loves animals, and just seems to have her life together. One morning she finds herself somewhere between two worlds. Is dead? Is she alive? Why is it that only the dog can see her? Not leaving any spoilers here but if you're a fan of suspense and mystery books you're going to love this one.
156 reviews
September 9, 2020
Definitely a winner. I was amused and entertained by this slightly funny tale of death, ghosts, murder and the afterlife. The town of Dandelion Ponds has a lot more going own than anyone suspects and poor Daisy just got a rough introduction. Readers pay attention and keep track of all the names floating around or you will get confused like I was. The writing style was conversational and evenly paced with the highs and lows of the characters emotions. Great introduction to a series that leaves more questions unanswered as Daisy tries to navigate her new world of corporal existence and new found powers.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Judy Johnson.
839 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2020
This book was such fun and Beth Prentice has once again, hit the ball out of the park. If you are familiar with any of this author's previous books, you know you are in for a super fun suspenseful mystery with enjoyable characters, that will keep you glued to the book till the end. No spoilers in my reviews, Dandelion Ponds is a small town with more than it's share of goings-on. Daisy initially can't figure out where she is or why, or if she's alive or dead, but fortunately for us (and her) hunky and electric Charlie comes to the rescue and helps her get to the bottom of how she landed in his bedroom. This first in series paranormal cozy has everything one would expect in a fun, well-written story with a nosey neighbor, at least one dysfunctional family, twists and turns, a little suspense, a lot of (clean) sparks and heat, laugh out loud moments and super fun characters (wait until you meet Frank) that keep you interested and swiping the pages. The descriptions allow you to visualize the surroundings and insert yourself into the action, and maybe even with a little bit of eye-rolling because...well just because! One-click this now, you certainly won't be sorry, and like me, will be looking forward to the next book in this series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed above are solely mine.
Profile Image for Jenny.
287 reviews
September 1, 2020
This was something a little different for Ms Prentice, but I couldn't put it down. The writing pulled me in and the humour kept me smiling as the pages turned and plot twists developed. I had theories as I read, and some of these theories were kinda on the money, whilst other developments came out of left field. Ms Prentice kept me guessing right until the final chapter.
Ms Prentice is a go to author for me.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
379 reviews5 followers
September 1, 2020
What an awesome read. Daisy....is she dead or alive? Turning in to a ghost really helps you "see" people for who they really are..or arent. Sometimes knowing the truth might not always be a good thing...lucky for Daisy, she still has her sidekick dog, Albie to find the answers...and maybe help her find real love. This is the beginning of a fun new series.
Profile Image for Katja &#x1f1e7;&#x1f1ea;.
88 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2022
What an amazing discovery is this for me! I read a lot and finding new awesome series is always a gift! I didn’t know Beth Prentice’s work before, so I am very curious to read what she has written so far!

About this amazing book “In High spirits” a Dandelion Ponds Mystery series, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! The story started a bit slow at first, but then as I kept reading and the story unfolded more… I got totally hooked!

I think personally, because the story is from a point where the main character is a newly ghost, a story view you don’t see that often. It takes a few minutes to get used to. But as the main character gets hold of everything and the action starts, there is no way to put the book down!

In the story Daisy has to discover how everything works now that she no longer is with body, and has to find out what happened to her so she can move on. As the story unfolds, she wil discover nothing is as it seems and that life as she knew it, held more secrets she’ll be able to handle alone! Thankfully she will have help from unexpected angles and hopefully Daisy will find out the answers she seeks!

I thought it was an awesome book, filled with enough mystery and awesome characters to make you want to read it from cover to cover! I can’t wait to read what comes next and the writer’s other books 🥰.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
256 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2023
Great Paranormal Mystery! - Audiobook Review 🎧
This is my first book by Beth Prentice and I loved it!  She has quite the imagination and I look forward to listening to other books by her.  I loved Daisy and Charlie, who are the 2 main characters in this book.  Daisy winds up in Charlie’s apartment and sees her dog, but realizes that Charlie doesn’t see her at first.  Once he finally sees her and she realizes she can’t open doors, she thinks she’s dead, because she can’t remember what happened.  Charlie is a wonderful guy, who helps her do some digging around to find out that she is in a coma because she fell and hit her head.  Daisy starts to remember that she didn’t fall and that someone tried to kill her.  This is a fun, suspenseful, emotional mystery where Daisy helps track down her own killer.  I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. The mystery was solved, but there is still more to the story that I can’t wait to listen to!

Suzanne Barbetta was a new narrator for me and she was fantastic.  Her voices were different for all of the characters and her tones and emotions were great. I hope she will be the narrator for the rest of this series.
Profile Image for HeatherAnne Norbury.
304 reviews9 followers
October 16, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

There is a deep melancholy to this story with characters you will love and root for all the way. Daisy and Charley and his mom and the spirit guides. The mystery is good, but the relationships are better.

I'm not sure yet how I feel about the "big reveal" toward the end. It is definitely a major setup for future books in the series. It felt a little... sudden, not entirely necessary? I really hope the future books iron out some of the wrinkles on that. I don't like to judge a series by the first book and the relationships and authentic and colorful characters in this book will definitely have me coming back to see where the future takes the corporeal and incorporeal residents of Dandelion Ponds.
Profile Image for Sue Rae Buck.
345 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2022
In High Spirts is the first in series of the Dandelion Ponds Mystery by Beth Presentice where we meet Daisy Montgomery who is enjoying her life until one day she finds out that her body has seperated from her spirit sorta. Alfie is her connection to the handson, Charlie O’Sullivan, a man who can see spirits since his mother is a psychic. Charlie and Daisy begin investgating what happen to Daisy and that's where the mystery begins. The people Dasiy thought were her friends may not be!

Beth Presentice is new author to me and really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you Booksprout!
Profile Image for Charli.
905 reviews11 followers
August 9, 2020
Review to come on final version
4,543 reviews38 followers
July 30, 2022
In High Spirits is an amazing start to a new series! I was instantly drawn into this well written book. The more I read, the more I had to read. Now I will impatiently wait for book two! Daisy is separated from her body. Not a ghost - just a spirit, she can only communicate with one human - Charlie. Fortunately Charlie, and his mother, are helping Daisy as she tries to understand what happened when she was attacked. In High Spirits is one of the most unusual books I have read this year. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
174 reviews8 followers
July 19, 2024
It's been a very long time since Iv'e finished reading a book in 2 days. My book slump was huge. That is until I read 'In High Spirits' by Beth Prentice
Phenomenal. What a journey you're taken on. Take a look at the afterlife and what they get up to with this fabulous novel.
What a refreshing read, this book had sass, mystery, comedy and suspense. Absolutely loved the the writing style, easy to read and had me smiling all the way through. Can't wait to read more from this lovely author
Profile Image for Susan.
1,406 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2020
Until I read the Westport mysteries by Beth I didn't think cozy mysteries would be for me, but I absolutely love the humour, the drama and the simplicity of the romance in these stories. This book will keep you guessing as plot twists and turns keep you turning the pages until the very end.
885 reviews9 followers
September 29, 2022
I loved reading this book from Daisy’s perspective - she’s not dead yet, but not actively living either. Great characters and an intriguing mystery made for a great read. I definitely recommend this one.
Profile Image for Alicia.
847 reviews11 followers
December 14, 2020
Such a great premise! Lots of built-in tension, yet the action and conversations balance well. I’m Team Charlie, for sure, but I do feel bad for Logan. Not enough to give up on Darlie tho lol
516 reviews4 followers
March 23, 2021
Good

This is a fun paranormal mystery , some romance, murder and hidden agenda's. You will enjoy reading this book and will have trouble putting it down. A talented author.
88 reviews
July 21, 2024
In High Spirits

I loved the book it kept my attention the whole time I was reading it. I hated to have to put it down the whole book keeps you wanting to know exactly what happened. I would recommend this book to anyone.
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