Fixing to Die

Fall has come to Mississippi, and An’gel and Dickce Ducote are in Natchez at the B&B of Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of an old friend. Mary Turner and Henry Howard, live in Cliffwood, one of the beautiful antebellum homes for which Natchez is famous.

Strange things have been going on in the house for many years. The French Room, in particular, has become the focal point for spooky sensations. An’gel and Dickce suspect the ghostly goings-on are caused by the living and not the dead. When Mary’s cousin, several times removed is found dead in the French Room, An’gel and Dickce must scrutinize the haunted family history to catch a killer.

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Series: A Southern Ladies Mystery – Book #4
Author: Miranda James
Genre: Paranormal/Ghost Cozy
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Rating:

Fixing to Die is a great addition to the “A Southern Ladies Mystery” series. It is intriguing, filled with great locations, characters, and the odd ghost or two. Ms. James has crafted a thrilling who-done-it with plenty of clues to direct the reader to the killer’s identity.

This series is a delightful way to introduce characters that are not the average age for most cozies. An’gel and Dickce are not young by any means but are filled with a sense of adventure, a zest for life, and experiences that younger characters cannot convey. Sisters who argue as most siblings do, they still manage to work together, live together, and care about each other. They will always have each other’s back, even when they do not agree on the issues.

Mary and her husband live in a charming old house filled with history and family antiques. But they come from different worlds and at times do not understand the other’s needs, or obsessions. It isn’t surprising that they differ on the cause of the odd things happening in their very old B&B, and enlist the Ducote sisters to help straighten things out.

Most of the suspects are easily distrustful without being too overt. It is easy to take a dislike to them and therefore jump to the conclusion that they are killers, one and all. The twists and turns are scattered throughout the story and have the reader jumping from one suspect to another seamlessly. There is no single clue that will lead the reader to the killer; they will need to adjust their perceptions as they read through to find the right suspect.

Natchez Mississippi is set on the Mississippi River. It is a wonderful old city known for antebellum mansions. These mansions predate the civil war such as Stanton Hall or Longwood. This makes for an ideal location and setting for this series. The history and the possibly haunted mansion is a definite draw and will encourage readers to explore the city and history of this magical place.

This series, including Fixing to Die, are wonderful journeys through the old south with plenty of southern charm. There are colorful characters and beautiful old homes. This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes a story that will leave them smiling and looking forward to the next addition.