This new book picks up right where the last Tradd Street story left off. Ghosts are hanging around trying to tell a story and making themselves well known enough that you just have to listen.

One thing that did catch me off-guard and kind of bothered me a bit is the fact that the main character is constantly overwhelmed and constantly surrounded by other people.

Whether they’re digging in her yard, trying to steal her house from her, or volunteering her home for progressive dinners, I was exhausted reading about all of the activity. Not to mention relatives you can’t help but hate!

It also made me a bit sad because Melanie never seems have time for the children and her husband which caused a huge rift. That lead to an ending that was less than ideal for me.

A positive note is that the story is packed full of history and mysteries of the American Revolution and the town of Charleston. From crypts and mausoleums to creepy happenings going bump all times of the night and day, the exciting twists do keep you going page after page.

Entertaining and fast-paced, this is one Christmas story that will captivate you all the way through..

I’m always excited to read the next installment of the Tradd Street series, and this was no exception. I love Melanie, her quirks and foibles and her love of family. I really enjoyed the plot In this book, as Marc Longo is once again causing Jack and Melanie trouble as he tries to decipher clues to a treasure they’re all seeking, although Anthony, his brother decides to instead help Melly, Jack, and her sister Jayne in their quest. I’m becoming very tired of the Marc Longo character and his irredeemable ways and would be only too happy not to have him in any further books. But loving all the main characters more than makes up his presence in the book.
I didn’t care for the ending at all. Supposedly Jack and Melly’s love is so two sided and strong, that the ending doesn’t ring true. But I’m glad to know there must be another book coming.

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White is an excellent read. Karen White definitely knows how to weave a good story. All of the regular Tradd Street characters are back. The spirits are still making appearances and some causing trouble but not as much as Marc Longo. There seems to be a black aura around him. Meanwhile, another ghost wants Melanie to help solve her murder. I did not like the ending at all. Great read. Would definitely recommend.

As a huge fan of this series, I was very much looking forward to this book. And while the mystery itself was compelling and well written as always, I find myself losing patience with the main characters. Jack and Mellie are middle-aged with small children at this point. I hope the author will stop placing their relationship in peril as a device to keep bringing readers back for the next book. It is disappointingly manipulative to the reader and makes these two "adults" very unlikeable.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.