A Ghostly Light

Mel loves renovating old properties in the San Francisco area, so when her friend Alicia hires her company, Turner Construction, to renovate a historic lighthouse in the Bay, she can’t wait to get started. Alicia wants to transform the island property into a paying Inn, saving the history of the lighthouse and its former residents. No one thought that murder would get in the way.

Alicia’s abusive ex-husband, Thorn, shows up and is promptly killed, leaving Alicia as the only suspect. Of course, there are a few other problems with the renovation of the lighthouse beside the police investigation into Thorn’s death. First, the project is a colossal undertaking that will take time and lots of money. Second, Mel has recently become terrified of heights and is doing her best to hide the fact from her clients and crew, which makes her job almost impossible, and her life a nightmare. Last but most definitely not the least, some of the former residents are still living on the island and in the lighthouse, which wouldn’t be an issue if they were alive.

Mel has little choice if she wants to finish this project; she has to find out who killed Alicia’s ex and help the ghost in the attic find peace. If she fails, the project will be ruined, and her friend will end up in prison for a murder she didn’t commit.

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Series: Haunted Home Renovation – Book 7
Author: Juliet Blackwell
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Rating:

Mel Turner is a memorable character filled with ambition and determination but has a softer side as well, one where she is fearful of failing in her relationship with boyfriend Landon and losing the love of her step-son Caleb. Her friends are colorful and loyal as well as entertaining all on their own, especially her ghost hunter mentor, Olivier.

The characters are highly relatable; the reader can easily see their family and friends within the pages of this book. Juliet Blackwell is a talented storyteller who again shows that she can create interesting and well-rounded characters as well as exciting plot lines. The location of San Francisco Bay is wonderfully detailed in a way that makes it easy to see and feel the city and the lighthouse even if the reader has never been to the city. The small island where the lighthouse is located will come to life as the reader imagines the keepers and their families living and working on the lonely island in a time long past.

This book is a delightful fast read with several twists and turns that will keep the reader not only turning the page but surprised by the outcome. The reveal of the killer is very emotional and may even bring a tear to the eye of many readers. Happily, this book is recommended to anyone who enjoys a good mystery that is plot-driven with characters that are charming and memorable.