It was good, but not great. Liked but not loved. There aren't a lot of cozies in this genre but there are a few and this story was well written and the characters fascinating and so was the story itself. Would read it a again? No That's because nothing really made me go boom over the book. It does make a nice addition to a cozy genre that not over statured with this theme

Synopsis:

In the latest mystery from the author of Better Homes and Corpses and Hearse and Gardens, Hamptons interior designer and antiques picker Meg Barrett uncovers a veil of spooky goings-on...

The first Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair is right around the corner, and interior designer Meg Barrett has her hands full decorating rooms at the Bibliophile Bed & Breakfast for wealthy rare book collector Franklin Hollingsworth. Rumor has it Hollingsworth is in possession of an unpublished manuscript written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When the Fitzgerald manuscript's authenticator is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, Meg suspects a killer is on the loose.

Rare books start disappearing from the B & B and Meg sees a connection between the stolen books and the deceased authenticator. With the fair looming, she finds herself caught up in catching a killer and thief before another victim is booked for death.

INCLUDES RECIPES AND DECORATING TIPS (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Meg is a hard-working smart woman, who is not perfect (none of us are). I liked the fact that she has a hearing impairment, this made her seem a little more real to me. And the fact that she can read lips makes it more interesting to me. It is sure to help her in investigation, gathering clues. The other characters added a lot to the story and I liked getting to spend time with all of them.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place. And I could see in my mind the rooms of the B&B, the way they were decorated and all of the belongings in the rooms.

The mystery was well written and with so many clues to sift through and suspects to consider, it was difficult to solve. And adding to the tension was the author’s descriptions of the hurricane barreling toward them. There was plenty of suspense contained within this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With great characters, great descriptions and plenty of tension and suspense, this is a book you will want to read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the chance to read and review this book.

Ghostal Living by Kathleen Bridge is the third book in A Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series. Meg Barrett is quickly vacating the yacht (where she has been living) with her cat, Jo before the hurricane hits the area. Meg is going to stay at the Bibliophile Bed and Breakfast that she has been decorating for Franklin Hollingsworth (I would love to stay in the Louisa May Alcott room). Franklin is a rare book collector and recently acquired the unpublished manuscript of The Heiress and the Light written by F. Scott Fitzgerald for $5 million dollars. The publicity surrounding the manuscript has helped promote the first Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair. After settling into her room, Meg decides to take a walk around the grounds before the hurricane hits (who doesn’t love to walk around in the wind and rain when a hurricane will arrive within an hour). She finds an F. Scott Fitzgerald book on the path to Violet Hollingsworth’s pagoda studio where she seeks shelter when the hurricane arrives. When Meg returns to the B&B, Randall McFee is missing. Randall is the authenticator for Franklin’s F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscript. The next day, Randall is discovered on the rocks below Scrimshaw House. The police rule Randall’s death accidental, but Meg has her doubts. She immediately starts looking for clues as to why someone would Randall dead. Meg then discovers books missing from the bedrooms at the bed and breakfast and wonders if the thefts are related to Randall’s death. Franklin is finally going to read a selection from the Fitzgerald manuscript to the public, and he discovers it has been stolen. Meg has gathered the clues and almost has all the pieces fitting together when there is another death. How will Meg uncover the killer? Will she be able to find the missing manuscript?

Ghostal Living is the first book that I have read in this series. I was able to read Ghostal Living, but I felt that some background details on Meg were missing. I was curious as to how Meg ended up wearing hearing aids (and why she would go out without them). I found the novel to be slow-moving and lacking in action. The authors detailed writing did not help. While I did enjoy the descriptions of the rooms at the B&B, this type of detail can get monotonous. Readers are provided descriptions of meals, buildings, people, rooms, vehicles as well as numerous book quotes, information about authors (this was interesting, but not relevant to mystery), and old movies. It is a fine line between just the right amount of detail and too much. There is also some repetition of information (details about the book fair and the clues Meg discovered for example). I felt that the book lacked substance. I give Ghostal Living 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery was slightly complex. My favorite part was how the manuscript was concealed. If you pay close attention to the details, you can easily solve this one. I was disappointed that this cozy mystery contained a love triangle. It is an overplayed contrivance, and I was happy to see it resolved by the end of the story. I do not mind a mild romantic element in cozy mysteries (if I wanted more I would pick up one of the numerous romance novels on the market). I will (when I have an opportunity) go back and read Better Homes and Corpses (first book in series). It might give me a better understanding of Meg.

I enjoyed the characters, but unfortunately the subject matter never really grabbed my attention. I also prefer a little less description, but can understand why the author did it since it is decorator themed. It was the first book I've read by this author so that might be why some areas didn't flow for me.

Book Three in the Hamptons Home and Garden mystery series finds protagonist Meg Barrett decorating for the new Bibliophile B&B. She has an opportunity to stay in the unfinished Emily Dickinson suite with her cat, Jo. While staying at the B&B, Meg finds herself entangled in murder and a mystery. One of the other guests is found dead on the rocks nearby; books from the rooms are also missing. Meg races against the clock to put together the missing pieces before she becomes the next target.

This is a fun addition to the cozy mystery series. Reading the first two books in the series before this one will help identify the connections between recurring characters and follow the continuous storyline. Meg is a strong, independent character who suffers from hearing loss. Her hearing loss, however, does not stop her from entering dangerous situations. Quick read perfect for vacation reading or a weekend escape from reality.

Readers will also pick up a few decorating tips along the way.

Book three in the Hamptons Home * Garden Mystery series. I am loving Meg by this point. In this book she gets to decorate an entire B & B in bibliophile period style which is right up her alley. There is also a rare Fitzgerald manuscript involved in the mystery. The romance angle takes a little loop as well though I was quite happy by the end. Smooth writing, natural progression, and enough action to keep the reader hooked until the last page. Another great book for fans of cozy mysteries. I give it 4/5 stars.

Interior designer, Meg Barrett, is happily working on re-creating classic American author suites for guests at the Bibliophile Bed & Breakfast, owned by Franklin Hollingsworth. Meg's about to complete the Emily Dickinson room when she notices several missing books worth a lot of money. Hollingsworth has several employees he's considered trustworthy; but Meg has her doubts. In the midst of a hurricane--a guest disappears and meets with foul play; a priceless manuscript is stolen; and danger threatens Meg, her best friend, Elle, and various characters somehow connected to the missing manuscript. Kathleen Bridge pens an exciting tale of greed and lies and mixes in a twisted ending that is heart gripping! I enjoy the gorgeous setting of The Hamptons in this cozy series, and the richness of the historical details the author provides throughout the storyline.

I reviewed an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

This is the first book in this series I have read, and I believe it would help to have had the background of previous books. None the less, the book was fairly engaging, with enough plot twists to keep you reading. The relationships in this book felt somewhat superficial, no one was ever really developed on their own, which made it hard to connect to the characters.

Meg Barrett is a wonderful lead character and the star of her third book. You don't need to read the two previous stories to enjoy this great cozy murder mystery. Set in Sag Harbor with lots of wealthy folks in town for the Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair. Meg has decorated the new B&B based on famous authors and books. Some great advise on caring for old books and furniture. I particularly like Meg because she is a mature woman who wears hearing aids and isn't embarrassed by them.

Meg Barrett is so busy decorating the Bibliophile Bed and Breakfast for rare book collector Franklin Hollingsworth , she’s not sure she’ll have time to attend the first annual Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair. There are rumors circulating that Hollingsworth has a very rare, unpublished manuscript written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The person sent to authenticate the manuscript is found dead at the bottom of a well, and Meg wonders if the recent theft of rare books from the inn is connected to the murder. Is there someone who wants that manuscript badly enough to kill for it?