Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review, "Mrs. Morris and the Ghost" by Traci Wilton. A perfect mystery read for Halloween! The story centers around Charlene, a young widow from Chicago who buys a historical mansion. Charlene intends on turning it into a bed and breakfast. Charlene doesn't believe in ghosts but soon finds out that one named Jack, haunts the house. Jack believes he was murdered and wants her assistance in solving the mystery. Charlene becomes an amateur sleuth and meets a wonderful cast of characters and a Persian cat a long the way She plays detective while getting her house ready to open as a b&b in time for Halloween. This was a really fantastic read. I am truly looking forward to the next installment!

Charlene Morris is excited about her move to Salem where she intends to open a bed and breakfast. Chicago is full of memories of her husband’s tragic death, as well as the overpowering, albeit well-meaning, presence of her parents. She has a practical business plan and an eye for elegance that should make her B&B a success in such a touristy town. What Charlene didn’t count on, however, is the ghostly presence of Dr. Jack Strathmore. Jack insists his untimely death was not accidental and he wants Charlene’s help to uncover the murderer.

I love the setting! Salem, Massachusetts is the ideal location for a paranormal cozy mystery, and a ghost fits in perfectly! I like how Traci Wilton handles the ghostly aspects of the story line, giving us a good sense of the parameters of Jack’s presence and abilities. However, Jack himself was a bit of a mixed bag for me. At times, he’s very caring and protective of Charlene but at other times his rapid switch to anger bothered me. There also appears to be a love triangle developing between Charlene, Jack, and Detective Sam Holden. Considering that Charlene’s husband died a mere eighteen months ago, a lot will depend on how Traci Wilton handles this scenario in future books.

MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST is the first book in <i>A Salem B&B Mystery</i> series. Traci Wilton pens an intriguing, although slightly uneven, paranormal cozy mystery. I like that Traci Wilton is taking some chances with the story line, and I’m curious to see where the next installment in <i>A Salem B&B Mystery</i> series takes us!

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

I love ghost stories. Always have. When I first read the blurb for this book, I knew I would enjoy the story. And I did! For me, this book was a mix of nostalgia for favorite haunting tales like The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and my love for cozy mysteries with a ghostly theme.

The basics: Charlene Morris relocates to Salem, MA after her husband's death. She just couldn't stand living in the house and city where she and her husband had been happy for so many years. So, she bought a large estate in Salem with the intent of opening a bed and breakfast. Charlene doesn't have much time to get the house set up because it's almost Halloween, and that would be a perfect time to debut a new B&B in Salem. As she busies herself with hiring contractors to paint, buying furniture for the bedrooms and readying herself to start taking reservations, she notices something strange about the house. It seems she isn't alone. She left the ghosts of her past behind in Chicago only to trade them for a real ghost in a large house in Salem. To rid herself of the ghost, Charlene finds herself investigating a death. Was it a natural death....or something much more sinister?

I loved this story! A second book in this series, Mrs. Morris and the Witch, is scheduled to come out in April, 2020. I will definitely be reading the next book! The ghost situation and mystery moved along at a nice pace, with plenty of suspense, quirky local characters and suspects. I like the characters....although I do get a sneaking suspicion there might be a love triangle of sorts ahead in this story line. I hope not....that particular plot device is over-used in cozies. Charlene is an intelligent, strong and interesting main character. She's trying to put her life back together while working through grief. I'm anxious to see how she is going to work through owning a haunted B&B. I think in Salem that would be a positive thing for a tourist based business! I can't wait to see how the ongoing plot and characters develop in this series!

Very enjoyable cozy! I'm definitely going to be reading more by this new author!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start--so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore--and explains that he used to live here--when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won't be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she'll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .

A great start to a new mystery series! I was hooked from the start and can't wait for the next installment!

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost grabs you right from the first page and will leave you in shock when you find out who done it just before the end.

Charlene moved into a home full of surprises. One surprise is the resident hot ghost of course, and the second surprise, she finds a new cat, which Charlene is not a total cat lover so this becomes interesting as she tries to solve a murder to get the ghost out and deal with a cat she doesn’t want.

The only downside to the story for me was it seemed like every man and ghost was hot after Charlene so by the middle of the story, it was on my last nerve. Other than that this is a good read that will leave you wanting more.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. How would you feel if you spent your entire savings on a home to turn into a B&B and found out you had a resident ghost? That's what happened to Charlene Morris and worst of all her ghost can't leave the house! This is a wonderful, entertaining book that everyone who enjoys a little mystery and laughs will get a kick out of. So read on and Enjoy!

"Mrs. Morris and the Ghost" is the first novel in a new cozy mystery series about a recent widow who moves halfway across the country to escape the memories of her late husband. She buys a large home in Salem, Mass. with the intention of opening a bed & breakfast. In the first novel, she's just moving into the home and getting it ready for customers.

Charlene, the B&B owner, is surprised to find a ghost living in the house. His name is Jack and he thinks he may have been murdered. His unfinished business before he can move on is figuring out what happened to him. Charlene is the only person who can see Jack, whose death was ruled to be of natural causes.

Every new person Charlene meets is a possible suspect in Jack's murder. Soon his widow is also murdered, leaving Charlene wondering if there is one murderer or two on the loose.

I had a chance to visit Salem briefly last summer and I fell in love with the town, so I was excited to read a new mystery set in the town. I liked most of the characters, and if you can suspend disbelief, it's a fun story. (It does get a little awkward when Charlene begins to have romantic feelings for Jack, but I'm hoping something that strange doesn't happen in future installments in the series.)

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton is the 1st book in A Salem B&B mystery series, and my first book by this author. Charlene Morris is a grieving widow, who bought an historic mansion sight unseen in New England, she is from Chicago. On Charlene first night in the house she meets Jack a handsome ghost, and he wants her help in solving how he died. This book was such fun. I found this book to have a well developed plot and characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. This book makes me feel that I was right there and part of all the chaos. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, with a little paranormal activity.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

I need to begin this review to iterate the fact that not all Cozy Mysteries are a hit with me, I have finicky tastes when it comes to reading books like this, and the review should be read with that in mind. Also, I am in the minority when it comes to the opinion on the book, and almost everyone else who has given it a shot has loved it!

I liked the narrative style and the author's writing, this is usually not the case when I do not enjoy a book but I have to give credit to the author for writing well. It reminded me in a vague way of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by Josephine Leslie because of the dynamics between the lead protagonist and the ghost in the tale. My problem was with the tale itself. Mrs. Morris of the title bought a house without actually visiting the location before finalizing the deal. This house has a resident ghost who manages to make contact and put forward his dilemma. Now, it was hard to get invested with the lives of all the characters because they are all lying or obfuscating the truth more than half the time, and the motivation for actually solving the old case seems trivial at best. There is no actual sense of urgency in the events and I guessed the ending a couple of chapters before the end which took away that last bit of excitement. Despite all this, I think the series has potential, and the people were interesting but I think fewer characters could have been introduced in this first installment and then once the ambiance felt right, more people could have joined the fray. It is a quick read and I would recommend this to readers of the genre because it has all the requirements of a cozy read, it just wasn't one for me.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is a great murder mystery ghost story. Great plot and writing. Mystery fans will love this book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review

Great book! It was mostly down to the author’s style of writing, but the plot drew me in as well. Advertising executive Charlene Morris has lost her husband. With no kids, no spouse and nothing to keep her tied to Chicago, she embarks on a new adventure as a bed-and-breakfast owner in Salem, Mass. She can’t believe her luck when she becomes the owner of a very affordable yet very beautiful 8,000 square feet house. Soon, it becomes clear why the asking price of this elegant property was so low. It is haunted by the ghost of Jack Strathmore, who died at the bottom of the stairs 3 years ago. Jack needs someone to help him find out how he was murdered so he can move on in the afterlife. But it’s not long before the two become friends and Charlene isn’t so sure she wants him to move on.

When I saw this mystery, I knew I had to read it. Salem plus a ghost got my attention and then the writing style won me over, as well. Charlene is a very young widow yearning for a new start. She wants to see her home town of Chicago in her rear view mirror. When she sees a beautiful 8,000 square foot estate, complete with a widow's walk and awesome grounds, she makes an offer on it, sight unseen. It just feels right, the perfect location for her dream of opening a bed and breakfast. So goodbye Chicago and hello Salem. It doesn't take long before she figures out why the real estate agent with the cheap tuopee was acting so squirrelly when he handed over the keys to the house. He couldn't wait to get away from the house. He knew something she didn't know and should have told her. The previous owner had died in the house. Was it an accident or was it murder? On the first night, in her new home, at the foot of her new bed - tada! Jack appears at the foot of her bed and Charlene finds out what else comes with the keys to her new home - an honest to goodness ghost! One who needs her help because he is certain he was murdered and can't move on without her help. Oh, boy, there go her plans to get her B&B open by Halloween which is just around the corner.
Not only did I really like the characters of Charlene, Jack and the local police detective, Sam Holden, the puzzle was satisfying and the twists and turns kept me engaged from start to finish. If you like mysteries coupled with the paranormal, give this one a try. I'm adding the series to my TBR list with the next entry of Mrs.Morris and the Witch coming out April 28, 2020.

"Mrs. Morris and the Ghost' by the writing duo that is Traci Wilton is intriguing. There is an homage to an old favorite movie 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' with a current twist. Following the tragic death of her husband in an accident Charlene Morris purchases a home in Salem, MA she plans to open as a Bed & Breakfast. As a young widow myself, I know that people in that situation make precipitous choices, but her choice was rather extreme. Complicating matters with the home is the ghost of the former owner who wants Charlene to find out why he can't move on and if he was murdered. Many stretches to the imagination ensue with several endearing characters thrown in. I actually am looking forward to the scheduled release of the next book in the series to see how Charlene progesses.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is a series opener for a new paranormal cozy series which I enjoyed very much. The writer did an excellent job of setting the scene for a person who doesn’t believe in the paranormal and is suddenly thrown in the deep end. After coming to terms with a ghost being in her future B & B, I love the way she attempts to solve the mystery. I didn’t see the resolution coming, and it threw me for a loop in a good way. The only fly in the ointment for me was towards the end. Instead of finishing on a murder mystery ending, it felt more like a romance which I didn’t exactly see coming…maybe a little, but still. Not that that is a bad thing just that the whole book felt one way, and then it ended another way. However, I am definitely looking forward to the next book to see how the opening of Mrs. Morris’ B & B will go, what comes up next for Mrs. Morris, seeing everyone again, and how everything shakes out with the end of this one. I highly recommend this book! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is an enjoyable new cozy mystery. Charlene Morris lost the love of her life eighteen months ago and every where she goes in Chicago there are reminders. She has purchased a massive mansion in Salem, based on pictures sent to her by the realtor, where she plans on opening a bed and breakfast. She wants it to be an elegant establishment. Having a resident ghost was not the plans even if he is handsome and charming. Dr. Jack Strathmore IV is convinced he was murdered three years ago and believes it is the reason for why he is unable to move on to the great beyond. Charlene is the first person who can see Jack and he needs her help. I like Traci Wilton’s conversational writing style. It is engaging and made this new cozy mystery easy to read. Charlene is a strong protagonist who is ready to move forward with her life away from her meddlesome mother. I found Charlene’s first reaction to Jack to be realistic and humorous. Jack is a great character. He has charm, wit, twinkling blue eyes and is a snappy dresser. Charlene sets out to discover who harmed Jack by talking with his wife, old friends, Detective Sam Holden, and the coroner. Charlene has all the subtly of a bulldozer. She is direct and pushy which leads to some ticked off individuals (but it is just her first time investigating). This whodunit can be solved before the reveal courtesy of the less than subtle clues. Charlene has a couple of men interested in her including Sam Holden. I would like less romance in future books (lots of flirting) and a more action packed mystery. I thought the story lagged during the middle and could have benefited from a peppier pace. The ending was a delight and left me smiling. A Persian named Silva joins Charlene in her new home. The cat’s antics had me giggling and I thought Traci Wilton captured a cat’s demeanor perfectly. I enjoyed the descriptions of Charlene’s beautiful new home, the furniture and the sights of Salem. The author took the time to establish the main characters and setting the stage for the series (wonderful world building). The first chapter of Mrs. Morris and the Witch is at the end of the book. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost has a magnificent mansion, a pretty Persian, flirtatious fellows, a gallant ghost, and a reluctant gumshoe.

I thought this was a fun collaboration between two talented authors. The relationship between Mrs. Morris and her ghost, Jack was kind of funny, especially when he got jealous of any man who showed interest in her. Getting to the bottom of the mystery of Jack's death so he could move on was well thought out and written. It will be interesting to see what the next book brings. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

I like book set in Salem and I loved this one.
It's fresh, the plot is really original, the cast of characters is likeable and well developed.
I loved Charlene, this book is also about her grief and how she tries to go on.
The plot is well developed and it kept me hooked till the last page, it flows without issues and it's engrossing and entertaining.
The mystery is good, no plot hole, and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Haunting Cozy Mystery in Salem Massachusetts
When I first chose this title, I was afraid that it would be a remake of 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'. I could not have been more wrong. This is an excellent cozy mystery that takes place in Salem, MA near Halloween and it includes ghosts. The plot is wonderful and very well done. As clues are uncovered, more suspects appear with their own motives. The final reveal is very shocking and quite a surprise! I can't wait to read more of this series. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Meh.

I was really excited about this book - my bestie loves Salem and so I was looking forward to a book that celebrates that city and all things witchy. Yeah, that is SO not what I got. What I got was a book that started off good - a grieving widow leaves all she knows to buy an old house in Salem to turn into a B&B sight unseen and finds a gorgeous, magnificent, house and...a ghost. Who is thrilled, that after 3 years, someone can see him, hear him and believe in him. He tells Charlene that he was murdered and THEN expects her to just jump in and solve his murder. Which she does. And that is where this all starts to go south. And even as she finds out disturbing things about Jack and his past, she continues to both help him and adore him. And it is just really unbelievable. And the ending...PUH-LEEZE. Just stop. Please.

I also need to know where all the women in Salem are, that every single man that Charlene meets has the hots for her. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Really? INSERT GINORMOUS EYE-ROLL. And a love triangle between a ghost and a cop that looks like a young Sam Elliot? I DESPISE love triangles [and if you read my reviews, you know how much I despise them], as they are the epitome of lazy writing [not to mention all the massive flirtations from every man she meets as stated above] which really describes this whole book and story-line. And I can tell you right now, if I was Charlene, I would not even be thinking of picking a ghost. Have you SEEN how Sam Elliot ages? MmmmMmmmMmmm. ;-)

Overall, this was a tepid and bland read for me [with the mystery being barely veiled and easily discovered] and I will not be looking for book 2 when it comes out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love a really good Paranormal Cozy Mystery? Getting in on the start of what looks like an intriguing series? Then you’ll want to check out MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST, the first title in Traci Wilton’s new series A Salem B&B Mystery. I had a blast with this story, and if you love this genre then you’ll want to read this one.

Charlene needed a change, desperately needed to not be where all the memories closed in on her. So a move to Salem was in the cards, buying a mansion sight unseen as well. With plans to turn this old historic home into a bed and breakfast venture, Charlene sets off on the adventure of her life. She probably didn’t expect to come face to face with a ghost in her bedroom that first night – but she is, after all, in Salem where anything is possible.

Because it’s a Cozy Mystery (of the Paranormal kind) there is really little I can say about the actual plot without the chance of spoilers. With any story, but especially a mystery you should discover all those twists and turns for yourself. But I can say that Charlene and Jack (our resident ghost) make quite an interesting team as they set out to discover who actually killed Jack in his own home. Charlene is no detective, and her delivery on questioning is a tad bit off, but she is determined to find out what really happened to Jack no matter what tries to get in her way.

It was touching to watch Charlene slowly come out of her grief and join the living (or at least some of them are living) once again. There is world building, I expect that with the first story of any series. I didn’t find any information to be overwhelming, and I was told what I needed to know about this world. I was flipping pages to find out if my theory was right or not (nope, not telling) and was completely entertained along the way. I will definitely keep an eye out for MRS. MORRIS AND THE WITCH, the second story in this series. Now I’m hooked, and I want to see what happens to Charlene next because you just know there’s something on the horizon. I had fun, and that’s the whole point of a good story. If you love Paranormal Cozy Mysteries then you’ll want to pick up MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST.

MRS. MORRIS AND THE GHOST releases on July 30, 2019

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*