Melanie and her husband Jack are still dealing with the fallout of the theft of Jack’s book and trying to stop a movie of the story being filmed at their house as well as Melanie’s newly discovered sister Jayne who can also see spirits.

As the cistern in their yard is being excavated, new spirits appear and seem to confirm that a revolutionary war spy ring may be in involved in the restlessness.

Love this series best read in order. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

A story where the past and present collide with spirits helping to solve a historical mystery. The bonds of family and the price of keeping secrets from loved ones are explored.

To say I love this series is an understatement (and not much else of this review will make sense if you haven't read the series, so stop reading this review now and instead read the one I liked above, and then start this series ASAP).

That said, I was disappointed with the last book in the series, The Guests on South Battery. It felt forced. The mystery wasn't as engaging (and the first four books had awesome mysteries), the family connections felt stretched beyond reason, and there was contrived romance drama between Mellie and Jack that I did not appreciate. I was seriously getting worried for this series, even while still gobbling it up because it had tons of things that still make me happy.

So that was my baggage when I started reading The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street. Thankfully, this one was a big improvement on the last. The mystery was good and engaging in its own right. The characters charmed me just like they always do, though many of them didn't have a whole lot of page time. I also liked the Christmasy background activities of getting the houses ready for the big holiday event and watching the characters make decorations, bake, etc. It was charming and heartwarming. I also adored the scene when Mellie overheard someone remarking on how perfectly arranged her cloves were in her orange decoration. I wanted to high five her. Oh, and I also loved the whole plot line with Rebecca and Mark. I can't stand Mark and I can't help but like Rebecca even though she's awful, and so I loved what happened with them. The Middleton women solidarity was great.

I'm with Mellie in that I'm actually feeling...jealous? vicariously jealous? jealous on behalf of Mellie? sympathetic jealousy? whatever it is, I like Jane objectively but I wish she was also never written into the story because she's just so darn perfect (and I can't help but like her).

The only thing I really, really could have done without was the, again, contrived drama between Jack and Mellie. Oh, and the fact that Mellie isn't allowed to eat any cookies (seriously, I loved that Mellie used to be able to eat anything she wanted without ever gaining weight. If I wanted to experience having to watch what you eat all the time and not being able to eat cookies and donuts and everything worth eating, I can just live my own life.) Anyway, back to Jack. Again, I read these books because they're feel-good, swooning escapism with gripping historical mysteries and beautiful old houses. I don't read them because I want to read about my favorite couple fighting and feeling heartbroken.

Bottom line

I still love this series and I can't wait for the next book to come out.

Another fabulous installment to Karen White's Tradd Street series! Once again, Melanie must solve a ghostly mystery. Although filled with supernatural mayhem, this is truly a story of family love and redemption. While the plot has a definite conclusion, an incomplete story arc will leave readers salivating for another book.

While technically able to be read by itself, a reader who did not start at the beginning of the series might be confused by the plethora of characters and complicated relationships.

A must for Karen White fans, and a fun new story that will appeal to fans of Robin Jones Gunn's Finding Father Christmas.

I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.

I love Karen White books and this was no exception. A trip to Tradd St is always a treat and add in the holiday and definitely a delight.

I loved finally getting to go back and visit Melanie, Jack and the twins. I was so excited for another Tradd street story and for the most part I wasn’t disappointed. I loved seeing the twins older and getting into mischief and I enjoyed getting back to the other supporting characters. I also found the mystery to be delightful. It was well done and rich in history and full of creepy ghosts and a really creepy setting. Overall it was a pretty great book.

*Spoilers Ahead*

The one thing I didn’t like, and was even mad about, was the ending. The epic relationship disaster between Melanie and Jack felt like a ploy to get me to read the next book and was not necessary. I also watched Melanie struggle with becoming a better person for the entire book, only to lose it in the end? There was enough drama and tension without that and it made me angry. I love this series and I’ll still read the next one but I’m going to be annoyed at that ending for a while.

After reading my first Tradd Street series book, I was not only hooked on Karen White's writing but on the series itself and the best part, is that the series keeps getting better and better as the characters grow, sometimes in painful, very realistic ways. The ghosts are creepier, the mysteries even more solid, and the relationships and bonds more endearing.

I adore everything about this series and while Melanie sometimes frustrates me with her thought process, she is an endearing character who's growth is very much true to how most of us actually grow and learn, with lots of mistakes and bumps and bruises along the way.

And while I can't say that I loved how this ended, with so much left unsaid, undone, and unfinished, I did adore the whole book and all the scary moments and happy things that did occur along the way.


It reminded me all over again, why I love this series and will continue to read it and look forward to each new installment and hope that many more are still in the works and will be out there to devour because this is definitely a series that you will want to devour once you have started it. I can't recommend it enough for those that love a good bump n the night story and mystery that will keep you interested, turning the pages and on the edge of your seat in both anticipation and chills with what will come out of the dark next.

Christmas is drawing ever closer to the residents on Tradd Street. Melanie and Jack are back for an exciting new adventure that picks up right where the last in the series left off. The excavations, which seem never ending for Melanie, are still ongoing. Melanie starts seeing a new ghost in her backyard, one which seems to be guarding something important. So begins another wild ride for Melanie, Jack, Jayne, and new comer Anthony Longo (who happens to be the brother of long time series antagonist Marc Longo. Together they must piece together clues from a surrounding cemetery and the cistern in order to put some ghosts to rest and discover a possible treasure along the way. Of course it wouldn't be a Tradd street mystery without the appearance of Marc to complicate the team's efforts, and the sixth in the series does not disappoint.
The latest in the Tradd street mysteries is fast paced and exciting. Packed full of Revolutionary era facts as well as the history of Charleston and the surrounding area, as well as all things creepy and haunting. Although this story is set during the Christmas season, it almost seems more fitting for the Halloween holidays as it's full of creepy ghosts and haunted settings. The mystery was compelling and kept me guessing right up until the ending. Although I was caught off guard by the ending, it makes sense for the book and the series overall and I look forward to seeing how the series progresses from here in the next installment.

Stevie‘s review of The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street (Tradd Street, Book 6) by Karen White
Women’s Supernatural Detective Fiction published by Berkley 22 Oct 19

In an effort to read more holiday fiction this year, I got hold of a review copy of this book based on having read a stand-alone novel by the author before, and without realising that this one was part of an ongoing series. Going more on the title than anything more than a quick skim of the blurb, I was also expecting friendly ghosts pointing the way to Christmas Cheer and helping our protagonists solve suitably cosy mysteries. That wasn’t quite what I got.


Melanie works in real estate in Charleston (incidentally a place of which I hold very fond memories), while her husband Jack is an author who has been experiencing difficulties with both his writing and his publisher since a previous book concept was stolen by his arch-rival – Melanie’s ex, now married to her cousin – and turned into a best seller, on which a film is about to be based. Melanie, meanwhile, is very aware of the unquiet dead – not many of them both friendly and helpful – who surround her, her family, and her friends in their various historic homes.

Melanie and Jack’s home, or at least its garden, is currently the site of an archaeological dig, which has disturbed several ghosts with ties to the property and to previous mysteries that Melanie has played a part in solving. Melanie is putting off dealing with this current batch of ghosts due to the pressures of work, her young twins, and the upcoming Christmas fundraising events in which she and her house are expected to play a major role. The dead, however, are not planning on staying quiet.

Melanie reluctantly begins investigating and learns that her ex is plotting new machinations against Jack and his career, as well as disrupting her life by strong-arming Melanie into allowing the film crew for the adaptation of his book full access to her house, where the book is set. As it becomes clear that the mystery surrounding the newly active ghosts may involve hidden treasure from the time of the American Revolution, Melanie and her ex become involved in a race to solve the puzzle and each claim the treasure for themselves.

This was a very twisty book, and while I liked the puzzles and their historical background, I really couldn’t warm to any of the characters. Melanie and Jack are supposedly facing financial ruin, but can still afford to pay a housekeeper, a nanny, a handyman, and various other household helpers. I can only imagine that their idea of hardship is to do their own cooking, washing up and DIY. I don’t mind reading about the better-off tiers of society usually, but I like to see some acknowledgement from the author that the staff have lives and worries of their own too. I was also disappointed by the number of loose ends left at the close of the book, mostly relating to subplots that had dragged on throughout the book (and possibly for several books before) and to which we had been given an implied promise of resolution very shortly. I’m not really encouraged to read any more of this series.

Grade: C

3.5 Stars

I'm always excited when I hear Karen White is releasing a new book. It's even more exciting when that book is part of a series I have loved and has a holiday theme.

If you're not familiar with Karen White or the Tradd Street series, it revolves around Melanie Trenholm and her ability to communicate with ghosts. Melanie lives in Charleston, South Carolina where the rich history of the area makes for some interesting paranormal interactions. There's also some romance (Melanie & Jack), family relationships, and mystery to add to the fun. I will warn you that you can't just see the words "Christmas Spirits" in the title and jump right into reading this book because you want holiday themes. While the mystery is new, the characters and their relationships are not. You would be completely lost. I have good news for you, though -- the Tradd Street series is a fun read and you won't be mad if you go back and read it from the start.

So, what did I think of The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street? I had some mixed feelings. I'm going to lay them out for you in a way that makes sense to me.

The writing: Karen White's writing never fails to pull me in. It did have moments where things felt slow to me, but I think that's because of some of the feelings I had for one of the characters. Otherwise, Karen White left me on the edge of my seat wondering how it was all going to turn out.

The characters: Melanie is same old Melanie. She's quirky. In all of the other books that worked for me. In this one, it did and it didn't. I just feel like her character needed to mature a bit. Melanie's stayed stagnant throughout the entire series. Now, she's married with children and her family and friends are still having to manipulate her to act like an adult at times. I did love how all of her relationships and the relationships around her have grown. It was fun to see how the gang reacted to her.

The mystery: This was my favorite part of the book. As always, I was enthralled with the mystery and how the ghosts related to it. It's what kept me reading when Melanie was driving me nuts. I refuse to say more because I'm not giving anything away.

The end: I loved how the mystery wrapped up. It was perfection. All of the pieces of the puzzle revealed themselves in a great way and fit perfectly. What I didn't love was how everything else ended. There was a cliffhanger that irritated me. I got it, but it wasn't a fun way to end the book. Now I have to wait for the next book and I'm hoping it's not going to be a long wait.

As you can see, there were some great things and some that drove me nuts. If you're a fan of this series, you are going to want to read it no matter what.

Great installment in the Tradd Street stories. Loved that they explored the background mystery more, and delved more into the characters flaws. I am very interested to see where the next book takes us, and if it finally ties up all the loose threads.

This was another great installment in the Tradd Street series by Karen White. I love this series along with her stand-alone novels. It was great to see what was going on with Melanie and Jack and their family. The mystery was good and I enjoyed when I started picking up clues along the way. I am definitely looking forward the next and I believe last book of this series.

Melanie Trenholm is back in this 6th installment of the Tradd Street series. I love these books because they are a fun combination of chick-lit, sass, mystery, and spirits — real ones! As in Melanie can see, talk to, and get pushed around by the spirits that inhabit her historic Charleston home.

While she should be enjoying her best Christmas ever — complete with hunky husband and gorgeous twin babies — instead all the pent up drama of a Revolutionary War era spy ring and love triangle are released when the centuries old cistern in her backyard is excavated. Combine that with a fancy progressive dinner party Melanie has been coerced into hosting, along with arch-enemy Marc Longo’s manipulations to trick her into allowing the filming of his book to take place in her house, and you have plenty of engrossing activity for a non-stop book.

I do enjoy Karen White's Tradd Street stories. This one continues the ongoing hostility between the Longo and the Trenholm families. This time it centers on a potential Revolutionary War treasure and the spirits surrounding it. It all comes to a tipping point just at the Christmas holiday approaches which makes for even a more intense season.

The Tradd Street series are one of my favorite series to read. The characters are all quirky, especially the main character, Melanie. She has a love of doughnuts, a hatred of exercise, and great strategies to avoid things she doesn't want to deal with. My kind of person!
The series is set in Charleston, South Carolina, and after reading about the landmarks, cemeteries, and old houses you may be tempted to make a trip there.
The strong family bonds, through good and bad, make you want to knock on the door (why bother ringing the bell?) and join the fun.
So, all is good. Right? Except, I didn't love this book. So much time was spent reintroducing you to the information in the last four books. The murder / ghosts / treasure plot lines seemed to be an afterthought wrapped up in a very messy bow. The end is, well, non-existent. It just sort of stops and leaves you hanging.
I won't give up yet though.. I'm sure a sequel is in the works.

I love this series, I am glad it didn't stop at 2 books.
I am very excited to hear 1 more book after this one. Series of 7!

I read everything Karen White has written, and will continue to read any book she writes.
I recommend her books to friends and patrons- anyone looking for a good author to follow.

This book's suspense starts right away and continues until the end. The mystery starts to be solved
then it deepens. I was intrigued, what were the ghosts or spirits trying to do?
What did they want?

Is there a treasure to be found?

The ending came too soon.
I want more and will be counting down to the next book.

Melanie is seeing ghosts and keeping it a secret. Jack is having troubles with his publisher. Marc is causing lots of trouble in their lives.

The characters are the best part of the series. Melanie and Jack are a great couple, but they don't feel like a team most of the time. Melanie constantly withholds information from Jack. It's annoying because there isn't a good reason for it and it the cause of most of the relationship issues between them. Being married and being a mother has changed Melanie. Her constant desire for junk food is mentioned too often.

The mystery was entertaining. A new character was introduced that helped with the case. There was a twist at the end, but there were a few hints that indicated it would happen. Everything with the mystery was solved, but there was a cliffhanger involving Melanie and Jack. His reaction at the end seemed extreme, but I'm looking forward to see how everything gets resolved in the next book.

See publishers review, love this series. Have recommended this series to numerous patrons at my library

The newest installment in the Tradd Street series is a another winner! Karen White brings the history of Charleston alive and throws in some history of the American Revolution as well. You can definitely tell that the author is including some things in the book that will lead into the 7th installment of the series. The ghostly/mystery plot line is entertaining as always, and the newest mystery that connects Melanie's house on Tradd Street with another Charleston property makes this a fun read. All in all, an enjoyable Christmas read.

For years I only read thriller/suspense novels until I came across the first book in this series and I have been hooked since! Love the characters of Melanie, Jack, their family & friends along with the ghostly Charleston background. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street is another great addition to this series by Karen White.