Member Reviews

I enjoyed this fun, well-plotted cosy although it was the first in the series that I had read. It was reasonably easy to pick up the arc and it works well as a standalone. A bit of paranormal, some well-done relationships and a very cute pooch round out the story - and who doesn't love a cute pooch in their cosy? :)

As with any series, the book and arc are richer when you have begun at the beginning, but don't let this stop you from trying this out. Recommended.

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Princess Fuzzypants here: Psychic Cass is confused. She thought she had helped ghost Ophelia find peace but it seems she has returned and is far more aggressive and angry. Is she upset that the asylum where she spent much of her life might be demolished? She was committed after being falsely accused and convicted of killing her family, leaving behind a young child. Cass wants to protect herself and her employee Thea whom Ophelia used previously. She figures if she can figure out who was the killer 100 years ago, perhaps, Ophelia can rest.

But as soon as Cass begins her research, one of the descendants is murdered. Then a second one is killed. The local police, including her boyfriend Luke, recognize her unique skills and unlike most cozies, actively supports her being part of the investigation. But the modern day villain does not want Cass to uncover the truth and will go to extreme measures to prevent it.

It is an engaging story both past and present day with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. The characters are great too. I am especially fond of Bee, a character who is eccentric but not OTT, which could have been easy to do. It requires a deft hand to walk that line. Cass and her friends are all good too and there is a very sweet but huge dog, Beast. I enjoyed the book. Five purrs and two paws up.

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I just couldn’t get into this story. The premise was intriguing but it just didn’t catch my attention. I believe if I had read the previous book in the series I might have been invested in the characters and that’s the book would’ve been more interesting to me.

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Super fun cozy set on a tiny island. Cass Donovan and her BFF Bee are on it again. I love this series and will definitely continue to read more!

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This cozy had a good storyline, and it was going along so well until Cass made that idiotic move. What was she thinking? Anyway, she soon learned the error of her ways. Besides this ill-fated drop of intelligence, it was an entertaining, and intriguing paranormal cozy mystery story.

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Most of the characters are likable and interesting. The mystery is entertaining yet suspenseful. This was a very enjoyable read with a complex storyline to keep you guessing whodunit, I recommend this book to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries,

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.

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My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I ended up liking it in the end.

Number 7 in the series. Don't start the series here! While there is background in the book, I feel like you at least have to have read book 6 first, since it continues part of that story arc.

This one was just an okay read for me. While I enjoy the main characters most of the time, this one just didn't keep me interested for long. I found myself putting it down and finding something else to do for a while before I could come back to it. I did find myself pretty hooked in the last several chapters though, so I gave it three stars instead of just two.

Cass, Bee and Beast are all good reasons to keep reading, so I will be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

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Psychic Cass Donovan was called upon by the ghost of Ophelia Wilson to care her name of murder. Now Ophelia is back. This time she wants Cass to find the murderer. Interesting cozy mystery.

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I’ve never been disappointed by a cozy mystery written by Lena Gregory! With a Spirit of Vengeance is especially fun and enjoyable. Cass is a clairvoyant with a penchant for solving murders. Mysteries from the past collide with mysteries of the present in this book and Cass must work diligently to ensure the future does not repeat these tragedies. The storyline is well plotted and paced. It’s a great addition to the series and works as a stand-alone book as well.

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Having missed the first books in Lena Gregory's "A Bay Island Psychic Mystery" series, I decided to take the plunge and dived straight in at book six with A Spirit Seeks Asylum, and then read this one, With a Spirit of Vengeance. I would have missed a treat if I hadn't!

I got to meet up with clairvoyant, Cass Donovan again. Protagonist Cass is tested when there are two murders and Cass discovers that they are descendants of Ophelia Wilson, whom she proved innocent of killing her family members a century ago. She muses over whether or not they are connected, and if so, how. Now, it seems Ophelia has a new mission for her; who killed her family members as someone else might be murdered next.

Lena Gregory peppers this novel with some delightful narrative and I love the friendship that Cass has with Stephanie and Bee, her best friend. The characters were mostly relatable, including Luke and Beast and I really enjoyed this compelling, well-executed mystery, finding Cass passionate and determined. I found myself desperate to read just one more page. All in all a very worthwhile read and a series I intend to continue with.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

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Such a fun mystery book! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. I thought the plot was great and enjoyed the story!

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I just love this series and this new installment is no exception. Cass has finally been able to hire someone to help out in her shop. Thea is doing a fabulous job helping out but things get a little dicey when Ophelia Wilson pops back up no longer happy with the outcome from the previous books. She is determined to find the real killer instead of just proving she didn't do it and to do so she goes to some extreme measures. Poor Thea just happens to be stuck in the middle of it all. Cass is having a hard enough time with this but when two recent murders happen as well she is stretched to the very limit. This makes for fast paced read that will keep you guessing at it all plays out making for quite the exciting read. It will keep you hooked from beginning to end. A must read for cozy fans. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.

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Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. With a Spirit of Vengeance is an excellent follow-up to A Spirit Seeks Asylum. Cass investigates once again in a case where Ophelia's spirit is involved, with Bee's help. I strongly recommend reading A Spirit Seeks Asylum first as it will make many things so much clearer, and the reading experience will definitely be more enjoyable. The storyline is interesting and the pace is good. The paranormal elements are well incorporated without being overwhelming. As I read more from this series, I find that my appreciation for it is growing. With a Spirit of Vengeance is a satisfying mystery book, perfect for a relaxing reading moment.

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I like the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing and I like how the past and present were tied together.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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With a Spirit of Vengeance by Lena Gregory is another in her very interesting series featuring a psychic who sometimes communed with the dead. After having solved a previous murder which revolved around an empty and gutted former mental “hospital.” It had been before the days of humane mental health care as well as housing people that families or governments did not have a better solution for. Justice had been done and Cass felt she, Ophelia, was satisfied. She had been Cass’ ancestor and also the ancestor of Cass’ new assistant, Thea. Something was going on with Thea and Cass was both interested and concerned. But this “ghost” was behaving differently than Ophelia had, much more violently. So, Cass felt she needed to investigate and to do that she needed to locate other relatives, people descended from Ophelia, or her husband, Samuel’s second wife. Bee, her best friend and investigative partner got right on the Internet and narrowed the search down to several. Things went from bad to worse when they discovered their first potential descendant; front door ajar and the man himself, dead.

This is a really interesting series beginning with Cass and Bee’s friendship. Bee is big and scary looking when he chose to be, and gay. He is a dress designer of some note and had a shop right down the street, although he spends a lot of time with Cass in her shop. He is very computer savvy, very protective, and very skeptical. He makes an interesting partner for Cass. Cass has retired from the corporate world and had never been happier than she is in this much smaller town. This is very much a character-driven novel, the characters both living and not. Gregory has done a nice job writing a sympathetic character who deals with something many of us have no interest in and probably don’t believe anyway. Her mysteries are rooted in the past, which is fine, and usually use the ghost only as the reason to investigate. She also uses peoples’ belief or sckepticism to help move the investigation forward. It is an entertaining read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of With a Spirit of Vengeance by Beyond the Page, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #beyondthepage #lenagregory #withaspiritofvengeance

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When Cass uses her clairvoyant powers to help the ghost of Ophelia prove that she didn't kill her family a century ago she thinks that is the last she will see of Ophelia. It's good to have her name cleared but Ophelia wants more - she wants Cass to find out who did kill them. Ophelia may also have a hand in a current pair of deaths. They were both descendants of Ophelia's family. There is also lots of local tension over the future of the old insane asylum - should it be preserved or torn down. Cass is in the camp of those who want it gone. Now Cass, with the help of her BFF, Bee, must deal with a very old cold case that has reached into her time and presented her with a living breathing killer. She will need all of her wits and talent to find the answers. Cass and Bee make a great sleuthing pair.
Each of the seven books in this series is a well developed mystery with a great cast of recurring characters. They are people you would like to know and the location of Bay Island sounds like a place I'd like to spend time in.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I love this series and I think this is the best instalment so far. There's a lot of tension, some horror moments, and a solid plot.
I was glad to catch up with Cass, Bree, Beast and the cast of of characters as they're fleshed out and likeable as usual.
The plot is tightly knitted, fast paced, and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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I’ve been reading this series for quite a while, and even at the seventh book, it’s still going strong. While I absolutely adore Cass, I think that Bree might be my favorite character. He is just so lovable and reminds me of someone I know. He almost stole the show in this one with how protective he is with Cass even when he’s scared. Add in Luke, Cass’s boyfriend, who is so supportive of Cass, and you have a great cast of characters to root and cheer for. In addition to the wonderful characters, the mystery was enthralling, there is plenty of action, and the writing is superb. This is a great series, and I’m ready for this series to continue! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

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WITH A SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE by Lena Gregory
The Seventh Bay Island Psychic Mystery


Cass Donovan has finally hired someone to help work in her shop, Mystical Musings. Although Thea is doing an excellent job, Cass has concerns. It appears that the spirit of Ophelia Wilson is back, and she’s angry. No longer content that her innocence was proven, she wants the real killer of her family named. Is the spirit taking her vengeance out on Thea? Is she capable of using the young woman as a pawn? While searching for the identity of the person who actually killed Ophelia’s family Cass gets drawn into the current murders of Ophelia’s descendants. Will Cass be able to put the ghosts of the past to rest when their actions may be impacting the present? Will she be able to solve the murders while appeasing a vengeful spirit?

Nightmares, horrifying visions, and a vengeful spirit make the seventh Bay Island Psychic Mystery a spooky read. I enjoy investigating a century old mystery alongside of current crimes and love how they intertwine. I also love the relationship between Cass and Bee. We get to see their devotion and understanding of each other as they encounter some very unpleasant people. They complement each other so well and their friendship is a delight to see.

With thrills, chills, and a dynamite mystery WITH A SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE will keep you reading through the night.

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I really enjoy this series! Cass is a likable main character but what really sells it is her friends - especially Bee and Stephanie. I also cannot get enough of her big dog aptly named Beast who is just as gentle as he is big and clumsy. The pyschic element adds an interesting element and is not always convenient for Cass.

This book follows closely with what happened in the previous book A Spirit Seeks Asylum and while you could read this book without reading the rest of the series you do need to read the book before this one for this one to really make sense. The ghost of Ophelia is an interesting character and raises the question of just how do you solve a decades old murder with no evidence. As well when Bee and Cass discover a modern day murder they have to figure out just how everything else is connected.

The ending felt a little rushed but that is a common issue I have with cozy mysteries lately and since everything was esxplained I was happy with it. This is a fun series with likable characters and a fantastic canine side kick. If you enjoy a cozy with a good paranormal twist this is a fun series to try.

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