Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is the third book in Traci Wilton’s Salem B&B Mystery series. When a friend is killed outside the restaurant he owns - after winning the lottery - Charlene Morris sets out to discover the culprit much to the chagrin of her love interest, detective Sam Holden. To be honest, I had a lot of trouble staying interested in this story and in knowing who killed the guy. It was rather, well, boring. There was even a handsome ghost involved and I still found it boring. For a Christmas story, there wasn’t a lot of jingle belling nor chestnuts roasting so that was very disappointing. However, the cover art is fabulous and was probably the main reason I read the book. Sadly, I don’t see myself reading any other books from this series.

A cute festive cosy mystery. An intriguing storyline atmospheric location and likeable leading lady make this the perfect winter read x

“Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past" the 3rd instalment in the "Salem B&B Mystery” series by Traci Wilton. This is the first book I have read in the series and it can easily be read as a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.

I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series. I have the first two in paperback and the 4th pre-ordered. I loved the characters even Charlene’s outspoken mother I could relate with to some extent. I found Jacks antics funny and enjoyed Charlene along with Minnie and Avery a young teen from Felicity house. I think I would like to see Charlene adopt or foster one of the children.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.
I’m super excited to get caught up before book 4 Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress comes out March, 2021.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books, the author and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s time to return to the Salem B & B Mystery series for another Cozy Mystery, this time around Christmas. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past leave Charlene with an almost in front of her eyes murder to be solved… and dealing with Charlene’s parents (especially her mother) coming to town for a holiday visit.

I’m enjoying this series very much as it grows and Charlene, along with the secondary characters, particularly our ghostly resident, Jack, create a world that is always good for a few laughs, some exasperating moments, some ghostly interaction – and a mystery that keeps me engaged in solving the puzzle but doesn’t give it away all that easily.

With her parents in town Charlene is juggling running her B & B, keeping Jack’s teasing of her cat under control, listening to her well-meaning but annoying (bordering on rude) mother meddle in her life and her choices. This night they’ve gone out to one of Charlene’s favorite restaurants where the owner, David, has just won the lottery in a big way and is passing out checks to favorite customers, friends, and a children’s charity that is looking to receive a very nice donation.

Unfortunately, not everyone in David’s life is thrilled with his lottery win or his actions this night… and before long David has run out of the restaurant and into the path of a fleeing car who just ran him down. Accident or murder? I’m guessing murder.

With twists, a few red herrings tossed about we’ll follow along as Charlene with “help” from her mother and Jack try to track down a murderer before they are the next victims. I don’t necessarily read Cozy Mysteries to solve the crime but to see how it all plays out, and Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past definitely kept me in the dark this time around. I enjoyed my time back in this world, and if you love a good Cozy Mystery with a touch of the Paranormal then you should be picking up this story and following this series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books 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.*

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by author Traci Wilton was a delight to read! The week before Christmas, David Baldwin, proprietor of Bella's Italian Ristorante and newly minted lottery winner, is hosting a fundraiser to support the Felicity House for Children when he is struck and killed by a hit and run driver just outside the front door of the restaurant! As usual, the author provides lots of cozy mystery fun as Charlene works to determine who among the many suspects - cheating wife, disgruntled son, sketchy business partner, college football teammate, and many others - was behind the wheel! We're introduced to several new characters including Charlene's parents who are visiting for the holidays, and while her father, Michael, is likeable and pleasant, her mom, Brenda, is quite opinionated and outspoken...and I for one love her! A+ to this latest installment in the Salem B&B Mystery series!

Traci Wilton cooks up another Salem murder in Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past. Charlene Morris, B&B owner, has to keep her parents amused, raise money for a children's home and unravel who killed the donor who was going to fund Christmas for the home. Lots of suspects in a wintry Salem. Charlene has her work cut out.

For me to enjoy a book, I have to, at the very least, like some of the characters so that I care about the outcome. Unfortunately, there wasn't any in Mrs Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past that I wanted to root for. I just found the story kinda meh and the best I can say is, I finished it. Still, in fairness, other reviewers seem to have enjoyed it much more than I did so, if you enjoy cozies, especially those with ghosts, you might enjoy this more than I did. I would, however, suggest borrowing from the library before you buy.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i> me to enjoy a book, I have to, at the very least, like some of the characters so that I care about the outcome. Unfortunately, there wasn't any here that I wanted to root for. I just found the story kinda meh and the best I can say is, I finished it. Still, in fairness, other reviewers seem to have enjoyed it much more than I did so, if you enjoy cozies, especially those with ghosts, you might enjoy this more than I did. I would, however, suggest borrowing from the library before you buy.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past” by Traci Wilton, September 2020
Traci Wilton , the authors of “Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past” have written an entertaining, and enjoyable cozy mystery novel. The genres for this story are a cozy mystery, mystery and suspense, and fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events and characters. The authors have described the characters as questionable, suspect, complex, and complicated. Some are quirky and flawed but likable.

This is the third book in the series and can be read as a stand-alone. Charlene Morris owns a bed and breakfast and makes it as warm and cozy as she can, except she has one cool ghost resident Jack. When Charlene’s parents come to visit, I love how Jack shows his ghostly talents when she is annoying. Jack also seems to enjoy fooling around with the cat.

David Baldwin, one of the town’s residents, who has won a fortune in the lottery, seems to meet with foul play after he mysteriously leaves the restaurant that he partially owns. Many of the town residents have reason to have wanted their hands on David’s fortune, and it seems that Carlene can’t resist a suspenseful mystery, with danger and intrigue.

This is a perfect “Who Done It”, and a wonderful escape read, that I would highly recommend.

This is definitely the best book of the series so far. Christmas at a beautiful B&B in Salem, what more can you ask for?! I really like Charlene, she's smart, funny, and has a heart of gold. I also enjoy the rest of the characters in this series and Charlene's parents are a hoot. The story is well written with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Add the resident ghost to the mix and you have a highly entertaining cozy.

This series gets better and better. This installment just adds more charm to the characters if that is possible. Every page, every word draws the reader further and further until they are hooked on the story and the characters. I cannot wait to read more.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Things are coming together for widowed Charlene. She has guests in her B & B for Christmas which makes her very happy, although one is her mother who does not have an edit button. The week before the big day, she and her parents are attending a fundraiser for a children’s home when the new winner of a ten million dollar lottery, David, announces a generous donation to the cause. He is busy handing out cheques to numerous people yet no one seems particularly grateful, especially his trophy wife who resents every nickel.

Suddenly Dave blanches as he looks out the window and runs into the street where he is run down by car. He looked like he had seen a ghost and Charlene, with her own personal ghost room-mate, knows he might have seen one. His generosity is moot when his wife closes his accounts the next day and all the cheques are now void. There is at least one grinch out there. Maybe more.:it turns out Dave’s death was no accident.

Now Charlene is determined to save Christmas for the kids and find out who killed Dave and why. She has Jack to help her work out her ideas but he is showing signs of jealousy as Charlene begins to respond to detective Sam’s interest in her. So all she has to do is raise money, solve a murder, keep her mother at bay, run her business and juggle two men, one corporeal and one not.

I have loved the characters in this series from the beginning. From Charlene, Sam and Jack to Silva the cat and Minnie the housekeeper, they are all people with whom I enjoy spending time. The mystery is fun to unravel as David turns out to be a flawed character who has numerous people rightly or wrongly upset with him. Which one committed the crime? You will be kept guessing right to the end.

Five purrs and two paws up.

I love this time of year, the best time to curl up with a warm quilt, a good book with a Christmas theme to get you in the holiday spirit, and a roaring fire (well, I don’t have a fireplace, but there are videos on Amazon Prime, so that’ll have to do.)

This was the first book from the Salem B&B Mystery series that I’ve read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the first two. In this one, Charlene attends a charity auction at a restaurant owned by a recent lottery winner, David Baldwin. Tensions are high at the auction and when David suddenly bolts outside and is fatally struck by a car, there’s no shortage of suspects.

This was my introduction to all the characters and I liked them all, from the analytical and down-to-earth Charlene to hunky ghost Jack to Charlene’s dad (her mom, however, can go freeze out in the backyard. Tone it down, sweetie) and everyone at the B&B. It made for a very cozy read, and the plot, complete with juicy secrets, intrigue and even a bit of humor here and there made for an exciting and enjoyable read.

First off, I have to say that Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past was enjoyable and, for me personally, much better than the other books in the series. It’s no secret I wasn’t a fan at the beginning. But with this latest addition, the author has won me over. This quirky story has readers smiling and empathizing with Charlene. They can see their own parental relationships within the pages and understand what the main character is going through.

It’s the holidays in Salem, and everyone is trying to enjoy themselves and get in that last-minute shopping and charity donations. Charlene is at her favorite restaurant during a charity event that will help the local children’s home expand and give the kids a merry Christmas. The twist or quirky part is that the host is run down and killed in the middle of the road, and apparently, no one saw it happen, not even Charlene.

The characters in this series have grown into very likable individuals, although I am still not fond of Jack, the ghost, who is becoming more possessive of Charlene and pouts. However, he does add a bit of humor to the situations she finds herself in with B&B guests, the police, and in this case, her mother. It’s nice to get a better idea of what Charlene left behind when she moved to Salem and bought the B&B and why she would never want to go back.

The story is a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of suspects, twists, and red herrings to keep readers happy. The victim starts out very likable, but in the end, we find out that he wasn’t what he seemed, and many had good cause to want rid of him. The unveiling of the killer in Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past may come as a surprise to some, but many readers will know who the culprit is before they reach the final chapter. I am happy to recommend this quirky holiday cozy to readers who like ghosts with their holidays, and even those who don’t.

Charlene's parents are in from Chicago, and things with her mother are always sticky. She's trying to make the best of it, though. She has guests, Silva, and Jack at her B&B. Her business is growing little by little and she is content with it.

Of course, she gets thrown into another murder mystery when David, owner of the Italian restaurant, Bellas, gets run down right in front of his restaurant during a charity event for Felicity House.

Felicity House gives orphans a place to live and they are banking on David's contribution.

When he gets murdered, their plans get shot due to David's young, selfish wife, Tori.

My heart stung for Charlene a few times while reading this book, because it's the holiday season and she can't help but think about her late husband, Jared, and all the things they shared. You can actually feel her loss.

Regardless of the murder mystery, this book will put you in the holiday spirit, and the mood to give back as Charlene does what she can to help out the kids at Felicity House.

This is another fun cozy mystery that keeps you wondering who done it until the very end. I absolutely loved it and I love this whole series.

I can't wait to see what happens next for Charlene, Jack, Silva, and Sam.

3 stars = Good/fine/solid
This is the first book I have read in this series. I liked Charlene and her connection to Felicity House throughout the story. Charlene's mom made it hard to enjoy this at times. She had some lovely moments but not enough to completely offset the awful ones. There's a new character who seems like she will be a series regular at the B&B, and I really liked her.

Good mystery. I pegged the culprit before Charlene, but not by much. Lots of suspects to consider which kept me guessing.

Series fans will want to pick up this holiday mystery (mostly Christmas but with reference to Wicca and the solstice).

This is such a fun charming series I always enjoy returning to it with each new release. This is a Christmas time themed release that is such fun to read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. .

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is the third book in Traci Wilton’s Salem B&B Mystery series. Charlene Morris is a young widow who owns a bed and breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts. She is not the only resident as she has a ghost Dr. Jack Strathmore who lives in her B&B. Her parents are visiting for Xmas time when Charlene and her parents go out to dinner at a local Ristorante for a charity. While they are there they are witnesses to a hit and run death of the owner of the restaurant. Charlene begins her sleuth ,much to the chagrin of the local detective looking into the suspects ex wife, his recent windfall from the lottery and finds many who wanted to do him harm. As she finds answers she also finds secrets below the surface.

I enjoy this series with the perfect blend of the paranormal and the beautiful setting. The charcters are all fun and add to the stories. I look forward to the next in series.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review, "Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past" by Traci Wilton. This is the third book in this mystery series and I have enjoyed it so far. I can depend on being surprised by the twists and turns the stories take. Charlene is a likable main character even though she consistently is getting caught up in the police cases in her town of Salem. I feel like she may have missed her calling as a detective! This story follows the hit and run murder of a prominent restaurant owner named David who had just won the lottery. I loved seeing the different suspects in David's murder.. The theme of Christmas was nice touch so the murder wasn't the only thing going on in their town. Overall, it was a great read and I plan on continuing the series.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is the third book in Traci Wilton’s Salem B&B Mystery series. Charlene Morris is a young widow who has established her bed and breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts, and has discovered that she is joined in her home by its late resident, Dr. Jack Strathmore. She has been in residence for only a few months, and for the holidays, her parents from Chicago are coming to visit. On one of their first evenings in town, Charlene and her parents dine at Bella’s Italian Ristorante for a charity event and are there to witness the death of its owner in a strange hit and run event. From here, the mystery begins and the avenues are many.

With an ex-wife, a trophy wife, a shady business partner, and the new win of a 10 million dollar lottery, David Baldwin has a myriad of suspects to his hit and run death. Add to that, the fact that he reneged on many monetary promises, there are a variety of those who may have been the driver in the fatal accident.

This story takes the reader down many paths, exploring the victim, the suspects, and delving into the relationship between Charlene and her parents. Toss into the mix her resident ghost as well as the dashing Detective Sam Holden, and you have a story that will keep you reading late into the night. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I love this series and I loved this excellent addition. It's well written and highly entertaining.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, get to know Charlene's parents and read about another mystery set in Salem.
I loved the excellent character and plot development, the solid mystery that kept me hooked.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Christmas is coming to Salem and Charlene is looking forward to the festive time at her new B&B. Too bad she won't get the holiday cheer she wants. To start with her parents are staying at the B&B and, while her Dad is a mellow guy, her mother is driving her crazy with her abrasive demeanor. She needs a better functioning filter between her thoughts and her mouth. Charlene decides to take them to her favorite Italian restaurant which is hosting a fundraiser for a local children's home. Her mother makes some not so nice comments to various people, complains about the food but, at the start, it's a nice evening. Things go sideways when David, the owner (but really only part owner) hands out a portion of his new lottery winnings to select people - not family - and tensions heat up. Before Charlene can say ho, ho, ho, David sees something out of the front window that makes him bolt out the door. Next thing he is lying dead in the street but no car in sight. Hit and run and by whom? And so the mystery begins.
I really enjoy the puzzle and the relationship between Charlene and her ghostly housemate, Dr. Jack Strathmore, former owner of the house and tied to it for who knows how long. Let's just say he's a real hunk and he's a bit jealous of Charlene's police detective boyfriend. Sam is the opposite of Jack in looks but he's a keeper. Only Charlene and her cat can see Jack but others can feel his presence.
The series can be read in any order but I'm in the 'read them in order' camp. I already have a spot on my TBR list set aside for #4, Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress due out 3/30/2021.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.