Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine by Traci Wilton is a delightful, page-turning mystery! The story kept me hooked with its unexpected twists and a large, fascinating cast of characters, each of whom was hiding a secret. The many potential suspects kept me guessing until the very end. And - wait for it - there’s a surprise twist at the very end! (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own)! If you enjoy a good whodunit with plenty of suspense and charm, this one’s a winner.

We are back in Salem Massachusetts with Charlene at her b&b. She's hosting a famous photographer and twelve models. The photographer Dane Stallone is a narcissist and not a nice person. He wants to recreate his famous work with a calendar. As they finish up and he's about to show the calendar he collapses. Jack the resident ghost tells Charlene he thinks he was poisoned. Charlene must help investigate to find the killer.

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked right away and enjoyed following the clues and learning the models secrets. I'm excited to read the next one in the series.

This is one of the best books in this series IMHO. I thought the plot was intriguing and the whodunit came out of nowhere (but made great sense) and I love it when this happens because it takes a lot to stump me these days.

Charlene is hosting a group of models and a famous photographer in February for a week. The photographer, Dane Stallone, is hoping to either relaunch his career with this fancy cupid calendar or go out with a bang and retire. He also owes a lot of money to a lot of unsavory people and he is a narcissistic jerk. He is, of course, murdered and Charlene is stuck with a house full of models because the police won't let anyone leave until the crime is solved. After a while, she finds this trying and starts doing her own investigation, much to the chagrin of the prickly Detective Jimenez.

There was a lot of good character development in this book so you get to know each one of the models. It made the suspect game much harder, plus the surprise of the calendar pictures showing up online with the promise of destruction. No one knows who is posting them since Dane is dead.

This is one of the better cozies I have read this year. Quite enjoyable. I am glad I did not give up on the series. I look forward to her next offering.

Thank you Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I admit to being a fan of this series which sees Charlene, who owns a B&B in Salem, solve mysteries with the help of Jack, the ghost who lives there. Oh and Sam, the detective who is also her love interest. But don't worry if you haven't read the earlier ones as this will be fine as a standalone. Dane, the photographer who rented out the whole B&B to shoot a calendar turns out to be a real diva- and really dead. Who among the models did it? Or was it someone else? This is a classic cozy with the delightful addition of the paranormal that never gets too too. Fans will be pleased to see progression (and potential conflict) in the relationship between Charlene and Sam. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine is book 9 in Tracy Wilton's Salem B&B series, but it easily reads as a standalone novel, so if you've missed the previous books like I have, you can still jump in with this one.

Charlene has a gaggle of famous models staying at her B&B over Valentine's Day, while their famous photographer, Dale, tries to pull together a come back calendar before announcing his retirement. Their celebration after the shoot wraps is brought to an abrupt halt when Dale falls sick and then dies, and it's revealed that he was poisoned.

With every member of the group having secrets and grievances with Dale, there is no lack of suspects. Additionally there is a hacker threatening the entire group. Is the hacker responsible for Dale's death, or is it someone closer to home?

Charlene, and her ghostly resident, Jack, put their sleuthing skills to the test solving the murder of Charlene's former guest. In the meantime she must entertain this group of spoiled people, and that is no easy task.

The author kept me guessing with this mystery, simply due to the multitude of viable suspects. The only part I found a bit hard to believe was the whole blood contract portion and how all these people took it so seriously. I would have found it easier to believe if they had all been brought up with the same background, believing in witchcraft, but the models all came from very different cultural backgrounds. I found it hard to believe that at least one of them didn't question the validity of such a contract binding them to Dale (and possibly some dark lord after his death).

Other than that I really enjoyed the story. I would like to read some of the previous books, just to know the history of some of the background characters, like Jack, and Charlene's current love interest, Sam.

Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine releases on December 24 2024, and curling up with it, and a good glass of wine (or your drink of choice) with a cozy blanket, would be a great way to spend Christmas Eve (if you celebrate)…or any winter evening for that matter.

This is the ninth release for this charming cozy series. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity. My review opinons are my own. This is a delightful series set in Salem with a ghost resident and a smart savvy protagnist.
Our protagnist Charlene has her B&B booked with a calender shoot for a famous photographer and his models. He is demanding and rude and soon offensive to everyone. When he is murdered Charlene , her resident ghost friend and her boyfriend detective are on the case. Suspects abound as clues are discovered about the neferious victim.

The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion. I did not guess the ending. I love the culture of Salem the author incorporates and the ghostly resident. This is a fun series to read and I look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author creating such a enjoyable series with great characters.

Charlene’s B&B guests are a photographer and his models for a Cupid calendar shoot. Charlene had no idea what that would involve! The models eat very little with calories and the photographer is narcissistic, controlling, and cruel to the models. The calendar shots (all set in Charlene’s inn) are fantastic, but just when the end is in sight, a death occurs and none of her guests are allowed to leave.
Being set in Salem, the story involves blood contracts, witches, and Jack, Charlene’s resident ghost. I had no idea who the killer was and the characters were all unique and interesting.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

One of the most unique love triangles around. Charlene Morris has two beaus. One is Sam, detective with the Salem Police. The other is Jack, a doctor. I like them both. Only one problem. Jack is dead. Jack is a ghost. He's charming, thoughtful, and cares for Charlene, however, even foregoing the chance to "go to the light" in a past book in order to stay with her in his former home. Charlene cares for him and goes out of her way not to hurt him as her feeling for the very alive, handsome Sam grow stronger. Well, when she isn't busy solving murders.

This time, it's a demanding guest at her B&B who is killed. Dane Stallone is a photographer trying to make a come-back. He's arranged a stay at the B&B for himself and his twelve models. Twelve. Get it? A calendar but a wildly creative, artistic one. Quite frankly, the models chatter, part idle chit chat but mostly them carping or complaining about something, usually Dane, would have given me a headache in real life. Amazingly, they don't hold throttle down their feelings even afterward when the police are present. Unfortunately for Charlene, Sam isn't on this case and the investigating detective is not at all fond of her. Nevertheless, she keeps asking probing questions while trying to help the models with their problem. I won't detail that huge fear and problem but will remind you that this is set in Salem, Witch City, which was Dane's hometown. What was in those contracts? Would one of them have killed him to get out of them? Or would that have even helped?

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoy my visits with Charlene, even when the guests are less than ideal. At least they were nice to look at, I guess, and as their back stories emerge, I came to like most of them. Adam was my favorite. It was nice to have Avery pop in, even if she did wind up in the hospital for her efforts. Sam wasn't as involved, not being his case, but was definitely there as support and, oh, boy, that final chapter. I can't wait to see where that goes and how it'll all work out between Charlene and the "I don't believe in ghosts" Sam. And, let's not forget Silva, the cat. and housekeeper/cook Minnie Johnson who seems to be a marvel at improvising, especially for a large group that shuns calories. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to drop into Charlene's B&B without a reservation. We do get to see how difficult, not to mention, expensive, juggling reservations can be, too.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.

They are such amazing writers every book in this series is amazing. Oh well thought out plot set in Salem Massachusetts.

"Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine (Salem B&B #9)" by Traci Wilton is set around Valentine's day and Charlene's guests are shooting a cupid themed calendar. They are a photographer and his models. For someone supposedly good at marketing, Charlene sure drops the ball when it comes to marketing for herself. The moment she found out that the photographer intended to use the whole property for his photo shoot she should have also made him pay some sort of event or facility use fee. It took other people suggesting it for her to think about it, not do it and offer her marketing skills for free to the guy.

The mystery in this one is pretty typical of the series. Several possible suspects and all with some big secrets. In the end, one of the possibilities I had in mind panned out. However, I really didn't come to that particular conclusion until a little before Charlene did.

The sort of love triangle between Charlene, Jack and Sam may be coming to a head. Hopefully in the next book. It really is a little frustrating since Jack is a ghost, or maybe an angel (my theory). Charlene has been more seriously seeing Sam, outside of the B&B, and it seems more serious than Charlene will admit.

This series isn’t exactly a cozy mystery, but it’s close enough for my preferences. I’ve been reading the series from the beginning, and it seems to get better each book. In this latest, Charlene’s B&B is hosting models and their photographer, and the photographer is killed once his calendar with his models is finished. While this mystery is a little more convoluted with so many suspects, it was still fun and a great way to spend a few hours. At the end, I was like…OMG!! What an intriguing ending. Can’t wait for the next. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Well the title is accurate, they really are venomous. I didn’t like this book as much as previous books. I think as some of the characters are pretty unlikable. Some of it also felt unlikely & contrived. #Mrs.MorrisandtheVenomousValentine #NetGalley

"Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine" the 10th instalment in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Traci Wilton. This is my favourite one so far, I just loved it! lol I think I say this every time.

I love visiting Salem and Charlene’s B&B with its resident ghost Jack and her B&B family. I love all the characters Charlene, Jack, Minnie, Sam and Avery. This time around it’s Valentine’s Day and she has a house full of models and a narcissist photographer with ties to Salem. Cupid’s taking aim at Charlene Morris’s historic Salem B&B, which is brimming with models for a contentious photo shoot, but his arrow goes astray when someone is murdered on Valentine’s Day…

The mystery was interesting, well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the very end. I definitely was surprised by the ending and can’t wait for book 11 to see what happens next with Charlene and Sam!!!

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 and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Traci Wilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine coming out December 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve only read the book right before this one, but I was excited to receive this one. I absolutely love Salem, so this is a perfect series for me. I loved the K-pop references! There was definitely a lot going on with this one. I loved the mystery. I haven’t read a lot of valentine mysteries. The characters are so fun. Jack being a ghost is a little complicated to the plot, but I love it!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy Salem mysteries!

This series has been a hit or a miss for me. This latest was a bit convoluted with characters and premise but the ending has me hoping for the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I love holiday themed cozy mysteries. I’m new to this series, but I like the characters and the setting in Salem. Will definitely be reading more.

Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine is the 9th installment in this fun paranormal cozy series by Traci Wilton. From the darling cover to the intriguing story line this book is the best one yet! Charlene Morris rented her B&B to a noted photographer and a dozen of his model. There is a rush on the photo shoot and the need for a powerful witch. The photographer is hateful and vain, though the models are nicer--each has secrets. After a murder occurs the police require all models to remain at the B&B for the time being. The twisted trail to the murderer begins!

The larger cast made this book more interesting and suspenseful. I have loved this series from the beginning. Starting with book one will allow the reader maximum enjoyment in character growth, though each book can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KensingtonPublishing #TraciWilton for allowing me an ebook advanced reader copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#MrsMorrisandtheVenomousValentine #NetGalley #ASalemB&BMystery

Thank you to Netgalley for this review copy forlan honest review.
I liked this book it was intersting and i enjoyed reading it. I found it was well written. The art and illustration on the cover are good and looked nice.

Rating 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so fun! I so love the characters and the mystery was well done! I can’t wait to read more in this series, I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine is such a great mystery. I really love this series and how Charlene continues to evolve. Though she's taking things slowly with Sam, I'm so glad that things are progressing nicely between them. Not that I don't like Jack, but he's a ghost and Charlene deserves some live companionship in her life. The supporting characters in this particular story were kind of hard to keep up with at first because there were so many models, but I eventually was able to keep them straight. I finished this book within 24 hours, it was that good. To be honest, I was very surprised at who the killer was and the reason behind it. I fell for a huge red herring, so well done on the author for making it so believable. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.