Mercy Carr and her retired military K-9, Elvis, know they need to find a bigger place. Now that Mercy and Troy Warner are married, her small cabin is too small for Elvis, Troy's dog, Susie Bear, and all the other members of her family. Mercy wants to buy Grackle Tree Farm, but first she needs to find out why the ghosts are restless. Grackle Tree Farm was the home of Northside VT's most famous citizen, the poet Euphemia Whitney-Jones. The farm is featured in many of her poems, but her tenure there was marked by tragedy. The bodies start piling up and Mercy, Elvis, Troy and Susie Bear must uncover a villian who threatens their future happiness. The dogs are always the star in this entertaining series.

Another good story in the series. This one has Mercy and her family looking for a new house. Finding the old haunted mansion, with plenty of acres and out buildings is a perfect fit. Too bad dead bodies and mayhem occur. With her trusty dog by her side, she and her husband and his dog, solve the mysteries. Hard to put this one down, and although not super scary it was a good one to read in October. Would highly recommend.

What a delightful read! With good characterization and great atmosphere, multiple mysteries, two wonderful canines, and a cat, Paula Munier has sold me on this series. Home at Night is the fifth book in the Mercy & Elvis Mysteries series.

It’s nearly Halloween in Northshire, Vermont and five humans, two dogs, and a cat are crowded into Mercy Carr’s small cabin. She and husband Troy Warner had a deal on a new house when it fell through after Troy sold his place. When Grackle Tree Farm comes on the market, they know they want to make an offer. It’s thirty acres of woods and wetlands and a Victorian manor that needs some work. However, there’s something going on at the manor house. With murder and attacks, someone is up to no good.

Mercy is ex-military, proud, stubborn, a nature lover, likes to read, researches diligently, and loves to snoop. She takes the occasional investigative job with Daniel Feinberg. Troy is a game warden, honest, not afraid of hard work, and is a great proponent of protecting plants and animals. He’s not as good at social skills. The remaining characters were a mix that had depth appropriate for their roles. Elvis is a retired bomb-sniffing dog, Muse is Mercy’s cat, and Susie Bear is Troy’s search and rescue partner. Living with them are teenage mother Amy, and her baby, Helena. Amy’s boyfriend Brodie is a frequent visitor.

The narrative is descriptive without slowing the pace and very atmospheric. A haunted manor house, a coded letter, murder, attacks, intruders, and more kept me turning the pages for more. Along the way, readers, as well as Mercy and Troy, learn the history of the farm and its prior owners. Add to this, the Halloween celebrations in the town including a costumed canine parade and this a cast of likeable characters. I didn’t want the story to end.

Overall, this was an engaging storyline with wonderful characters and multiple mysteries to solve. I was easily transported to Vermont in the fall. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I also enjoyed the literary quotes and references throughout the novel. The book struck the right chord for me.

St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Paula Munier provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be October 17, 2023.

Home at Night is part of a series but I haven't read the earlier books and it works well as a stand alone book. This is a story to put you in the mood for Halloween and all the associated creepiness. It has everything I want in a fall book, an abandoned Victorian mansion harboring family secrets, a dead body, a menacing woodland/wetland setting, a clue-detecting dog, poachers, threats and deadly attacks.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's press for my review copy of this book.

OMG! This is book 5 in the Mercy Carr Mystery series. I didn't realize that until I came here to add my review. First of all, I have to say this works extremely well as a standalone; however, and that's a huge however, I enjoyed this book so much, I thought some earlier books would have been nice. So I'd like to give anyone who wants this one a heads up. Start at the first in the series. I plan to buy the earlier copies myself.

I love the depth of this book! The book is so well done. All the details that make a book a joy to read are there. The characters could stroll from the pages and just pick up out here in the world--that's how well the characterization is done. AND the main characters are likeable. The descriptions of settings allowed me to imagine what they are like. Every detail is well done.

I give this book 5 stars.

The gangs all back, Mercy and Troy, who are now married. There’s Mercy’s roommate, Amy, and her baby, Helena, along with Amy’s boyfriend, Brodie, and, of course, all the fur babies: Elvis, Susie Bear and Muse (Mercy’s cat). Mercy’s grandmother, Patience (LOVE Patience), is also back along with Mercy’s Mom and Dad, with the former giving Mercy grief over her and Troy’s desire to purchase a completely rundown and dilapidated house (Grackle Tree Farm) that also has a dead body.

The book summary pretty much lays out the first half of the story as well as the primary storyline so I won’t repeat it here. What the book summary is pretty vague about is that there are people/residents who also do NOT want Mercy and Troy buying the farm and are willing to do anything (even murder) to keep them from buying the place. The farm was previously owned by two sisters, Maude and Effie, who was a famous and legendary poet/writer. The sisters have both now passed and the trust is selling the neglected farm. There is also a secondary story of a ring of poachers that Troy and Thrasher are after to save the turtle population in Vermont.

After discovering that the dead body (that died from poisoning), the first half of the story also brings a shooting, of Mercy and Thrasher, and another poisoning that Troy and Mercy discovered in time to save the victim. There is also the discovery of some valuable letters/poems that generates a lot of squabbling between different groups of residents (poets/writers/collectors/Druids etc…). Also, there is a new development with Mercy that makes moving an even bigger priority.

Into the second half, the dead bodies are piling up and the attacks on Mercy are becoming more dangerous. There is also a new discovery of hidden treasures at the farm and the discovery of another heir. LOVED the doggie HOWLaween parade!!! OMG! Sooo precious! The ending comes fast after that in a daring rescue of Mercy again, thanks to Elvis – the King of Bark & Roll😊 Much of the story revolved around the investigation into the attacks and murders and discovering whether they were related to the newly discovered works of art at the farm or the poaching ring.

This was a great Halloween cozy murder mystery that was very enjoyable and satisfying, especially for the upcoming Halloween madness and mayhem, which has already started in my neighborhood😊 I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #HomeAtNight

This is the first I've read of this series by Paula Munier! I requested it because of the dogs and mystery in the storyline and I was not disappointed. It was a perfect read as we begin fall! Mercy and her husband Troy along with their two dogs stumble into looking at a nearby estate for sale. Ghosts abound with poetry and turtles. This has a definite gothic slant to it in addition to the traditional mystery. The mystery kept me engaged and I loved getting to know the characters. The author did such a great job of describing that I felt like I was there in Vermont. I look forward to reading more of this series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy for review!

This is a well-written drama that quickly became a page-turner as I had to know who was doing what to whom and why. The author did a great job in providing a riveting and enticingly complex multi-plot mystery with a suspect pool that included poets, Druids, and others. It’s Halloween with ghosts, goblins and ghouls and the visually descriptive narrative puts you in the mood for spooky revelations and murder most fowl. Following the trail left by the author kept me in the game as the more we learn, the more intriguing this all became, and I could not stop reading until all was said and done. There were several strategically placed twists, a nice surprise, and even some comical relief that enhanced how well this story was being told. The home quotes at the beginning of each chapter fit in perfectly. This is one of my favorite series and Home At Night is the best book in this enduring series.

If you want a story to put you in the mood for Halloween and associated creepiness, this is it. It has everything: an abandoned Victorian mansion that harbors family secrets and a dead body in the library, a menacing woodland/wetland setting, a clue-detecting dog, poachers, threats and deadly attacks. This is fifth in the Mercy Carr series, but it reads well as a stand-alone as well as an entertaining entry for those who are already fans.

Newly married Mercy Carr is house hunting. She and Troy along with her friends and their dogs no longer fit into her small cabin. She gets a heads-up that Grackle Tree Farm will be going on the market. Grackle Tree Farm was the home of famous poet Euphemia Whitney-Jones but a family feud had caused the house to be abandoned after her death and held in trust until Euphemia's sister died.

Mercy has always been fascinated by the house even though it has long had the reputation of being haunted by a long-dead mother looking for her child. Mercy remembers one Halloween adventure when she was young and explored it. She and Troy are eager to tour the property but aren't expecting a dead body in the library.

And that is only the first dead body.

Seems like Mercy is in the middle of another murder investigation. There are lots of suspects including the local poetry society, a group of druids, and poachers who want to send endangered species to foreign countries for big profits.

Mercy has also just discovered that she is pregnant which is causing a shift in her thinking especially regarding how eagerly she thrusts herself into danger. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Halloween in New England. I also really liked watching Mercy uncover the past and solve a number of the secrets housed in Grackle Tree Farm. I also like Mercy's relationship with her dog Elvis and her relationship with Troy's dog Susie Bear.

This story was a great addition to the series.

A Halloween cozy mystery, sign me up! Even though I jumped on it so fast, I didn’t realize it was the fifth book in the Mercy and Elvis Mysteries series. I didn’t have any issue reading this book out of order, but I would like to go back and read the other four.
Mercy and Troy are newly married and have two phenomenal dogs,Elvis and Susie Bear. They are also sharing their small house with Amy and her young daughter. The larger house they hoped to buy falls through, but they soon set their eyes on Grackle Tree Farm. This house has quite an interesting history. When someone is found murdered there, it makes their dream home look well not quite as good. Mercy is determined to figure out whodunnit and why, and not lose this house and the phenomenal property that surrounds it. Things continue to get complicated, and there were quite a few twists and turns along the way.
I really liked the characters. There were also quite a few potential suspects which kept me guessing. A fun cozy, and as a bonus, a Halloween theme. I definitely want to read the earlier books and hopefully there will also be another book in the future.

This is book 5 of the Mercy & Elvis Mysteries, but it is the first one I've read. This read easily as a stand alone, but I think I would enjoy reading the other books in the series.

Description:
It’s Halloween in Vermont, winter is coming, and five humans, two dogs, and a cat are a crowd in Mercy Carr’s small cabin. She needs more room―and she knows just the Grackle Tree Farm, with thirty acres of woods and wetlands and a Victorian manor to die for. They say it’s haunted by the ghosts of missing children and lost poets and a murderer or two, but Mercy loves it anyway. Even when Elvis finds a dead body in the library.

There’s something about Grackle Tree Farm that people are willing to kill for―and Mercy needs to figure out what before they move in. A coded letter found on the victim points to a hidden treasure that may be worth a fortune―if it’s real. She and Captain Thrasher conduct a search of the old place―and end up at the wrong end of a Glock. A masked man shoots Thrasher, and she and Elvis must take him down before he murders them all. Under fire, she and Elvis manage to run the guy off, but not before they are wounded, leaving Thrasher fighting for his life in the hospital, Mercy on crutches, and Elvis on the mend.

Now it’s up to Mercy and Troy and the dogs to track down the masked murderer in a county overflowing with leaf peepers, Halloween revelers, and treasure hunters and bring him to justice before he strikes again and the treasure is lost forever, along with the good name of Grackle Tree Farm….

My Thoughts:
First of all I loved the characters Mercy, and her husband, Troy. The couple worked together so well and helped each other throughout. Each of them had very special dogs, Mercy with Elvis and Troy with Susie Bear. Gotta say I loved the dogs and how they instinctively protect their owners. They also are trained so well they follow commands no matter what. It's inspiring. There are several mysteries here to solve: the current day murder at the house, the likely posoning of the Druid, the past death of Euphemia Thitney-Jones (the poet), and the poaching operation. There were even a few more crimes happening. This kept my attention and kept me wondering how and if everything was tied together. Lots of twists here.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on October 17, 2023.

This is the latest installment by Paula Munier and it does not disappoint. Her characters are like old friends and it is enjoyable to view their latest mysteries and problems. Mercy and her new husband are in the market for a home that will fit their large extended family and what better for Halloween in Vermont but a haunted house. When Mercy finds a body it is business as usual as they search for clues and killers. Highly recommended for those who love mysteries, Halloween and animals.

HOME AT NIGHT is the fifth book in the Mercy Carr Mystery Series but the first book that I've read. I requested it from NetGalley not realizing it was part of a series. At first I was a little worried that I wouldn't know what was going on but ended up really enjoying it and want to start with book one to catch up with Mercy and Troy.

They live in Vermont and are both ex-military. Troy is the Game Warden and they have two dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear. They're looking for a new house because the people backed out of their first choice then they find out that the local "haunted" house, Grackle Tree Farm, is for sale. It was the home of author Euphemia Whitney-Jones who had many secrets that are coming to light now that her sister, Maude, has died.''

So there's a lot going on there including death, break-ins, ghosts, poaching and a fire...but Mercy and Troy are determined to make it work by helping to find out who's responsible. It's also Halloween so that ads a twist.

The characters in HOME AT NIGHT are terrific including Mercy's mom Grace (a lawyer), her grandmother Patience (the local veterinarian), Levi and his sister Adah who are the caretakers at Grackle Tree Farm and the many folks around town.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy. I highly recommend it and look forward to more Mercy and Troy!

Right before Halloween, Mercy and her husband are looking for a home to purchase. When Grackle Tree Farm comes available, it seems perfect. It was previously owned by a poet that Mercy admired, and the history and rumors of haunting are appealing bonuses.

I can't think of anything I disliked about this book, and there was a lot I liked. The dogs, especially Elvis, are great - I always enjoy reading about working dogs doing their job. I also like Mercy's family and her grandmother's cinnamon rolls sound divine. I loved the quotes about home at the start of each chapter - they fit perfectly with the book. And the mystery was good too.

This is the first book I've read in the Mercy & Elvis series, but the earlier four books are now on my "read soon" list.

I had never read a Mercy Carr and Troy mystery. I knew this book was part of a series, but I like to see if a series novel can stand alone, and this one definitely can.

All the characters are lovely people, adorably wholesome and kind. This is definitely what I would consider a 'cozy mystery'. If you didn't pay attention, you would think this was set in the picturesque English countryside. No extreme violence, all the murders are seen 'off camera' as it were. Not a lot of blood and gore. Our heroine gets herself into situations (which no rational person would get into) that seem scary for about 2 seconds, after which she miraculously gets herself out. Or is saved by her dog Elvis. Or someone else who happens to be in the neighborhood. It is all very tame entertainment.

The scenery descriptions of Vermont are lovely. A couple of things I didn't like, though, were, one, the heavy emphasis on poetry, which I don't like so that is on me but if you don't like poetry either, be forewarned. The other thing that sets my teeth on edge is when an author doesn't stay consistent with a character's name. We have Uncle Hugo, but who is also referred to frequently as the captain (no capitol C). Often in the same paragraph. And there is another character called the Captain (yes, with a capitol C). It got very confusing. Same with a character called Horace Boswell. Sometimes the author called him Horace, then, chapters later, she calls him Boswell and Id have to stop and wonder who the heck is Boswell?!. Then later back to Horace. Please pick a name and stick with it.

Finally, the dogs (which I adored). They could have had a much bigger role in the shenanigans going on and it would have added a much welcomed 'awww' factor. Because there were several passages in the book where things dragged on a bit too much to the point of boring.

All in all a well written, mildly entertaining, but not quick, read.

Mercy’s cabin is becoming too small since Troy and Susie Bear have moved in. A local haunted house is going up for sale and Mercy believes it’s the right house for everyone. When she goes to check it out, she finds a dead body. Who was he, why was he there and who killed him?
Goodreads

The fifth in Paula Munier’s Mercy Carr series finds the former military police officer and her dog, Elvis, embroiled in a decades-old ghost story. The old estate, Grackle Tree Farm, a nearly abandoned retreat of the late poet Euphemia Whitney-Jones, is finally going to be sold. Mercy, who may or may not have encountered the fabled Ghost Witch of Grackle Tree Farm on a long past Halloween night, is intrigued enough to take a look with her new husband Troy, a game warden. The couple, both with working dogs of their own, Mercy’s Elvis, a retired bomb-sniffing shepher, and Troy’s search-and-rescue dog Susie Bear, a Newfoundland-terrier mix, are bursting out of Mercy’s log cabin, even without Amy, the teenage mother Mercy had taken in. and her daughter, Helena. And a rescued kitten.

Mercy and Troy fell unexpectedly in love with the enormous fixer-upper. That’s when the trouble started. A dead body in the library, a letter someone is willing to kill for, rumors of treasure, the ghost witch, and more than one harrowing escape from a killer keep the story moving at breakneck speed as Mercy tries to solve the mystery before she and Troy are set to move in.

Munier does a wonderful job of steeping the story in the spooky atmosphere of a Vermont Halloween, full of the earthy smells and golden hues of fall, and the wild characters who visit for the Halloween celebrations, as well as the even wilder locals who have long-standing, competing interests in Grackle Tree Farm.

While part of a series, the book can be read on its own. HOME AT NIGHT is a perfect spooky read for an autumn night. But then, Ms. Munier had me at working dogs.

Book: Home at Night
Author: Paula Munier
Series: Mercy & Elvis Mystery series #5
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: October 17, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 352

Preface starts us off with the poem “The Ghost Witch at Grackle Tree”

It is October 27, yes a few days before Halloween in Vermont.
Mercy Carr and her husband, game warden Troy Warner are house hunting ~ actually have viewed practically every house on the market. Now they, dogs Elvis and Susie Bear as well as Amy and Helen, the teenage mother and her young child are excited they finally found the perfect house they will soon call home. However, the owners of their perfect house are squabbling siblings and decide to pull out right before closing.

When they find out that Grackle Tree Farm is going on the market, they believe they can at least look at it. Mercy’s mother warns that she heard it is a mess and the ‘Grackles’ (blackbirds) are everywhere.
Additionally rumored it that the house is haunted which to Mercy isn’t a bad thing.
Elvis finds a dead body in the library, which intrigues instead of frightens Mercy.

Awww I just love these characters and am looking forward to Book #6.
Although this isn’t a nice sweet comfy cozy mystery it is close.
The story touches on some tough subjects ~ envy which leads to greed which leads to theft, nasty folks trying to take what isn’t theirs.

It is balanced with a ride through the back roads of Vermont.
I can visualize driving through a beautiful autumn scene with the awesome fall colors lining the route.
Living in Southern California- app 12 miles from the beach ~ fall colors are approximately a week as
the leaves fall off and new blooms start.
However, we can drive to the local mountains for a wonderful fall experience.
I grew up in the east so I do know fall! It still my favorite time of the year!

Once again the ‘Acknowledgments’ from the author is something I love and believe everyone should read.’
In this case author, Paula Munier tells us that she always wanted to set a story during Halloween. As there is ~ Nothing like autumn in New England.
She also states that she needed grounded from her editor to drag her back to the story.
However, readers like me are happy she was able to weave in the mysterious adventures of Mercy and Elvis in this magnificent time of the year.

About the Author~
Paula Munier is the Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary.
Her first mystery [book: A Borrowing of Bones] was inspired by the hero working dogs she met through Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever-mix rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction.
She loves writing crime fiction and women’s fiction but also writes other genres.
She lives in New England with her family, Bear, Freddie, and a torbie tabby named Ursula.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 17, 2023.

Home At Night
This one is set around Halloween, so it has a ghostly witch legend and all the Halloween festivities for that time of year.
There are all the former characters in this story. Some are more dominant in this book while others take a lesser roll. Mercy and Troy are looking to find a new home that will accommodate everyone. Grackle Tree Farm seems to be the perfect fit for them. That is until Elvis finds a dead body inside. Lots of action, and Mercy has to figure out new and old clues to solve murder, mystery and even save some endangered species along the way. Another winner from Paula Munier.
I received a complimentary copy from St Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are my own.