Hooray for another triumphant tale of ghosts and murder!

It was such a treat to read another bouncy tale from Carole J Perry. Her fifth book keeps us smiling and reading as we encounter a clowder and of murder writers and a dead body in the garden.

Perry has a knack for keeping the characters lively and the plot moving along. It was like catching up with old friends by reading this book.

I’ve quite enjoyed this series since pretty much the beginning, so I’m always excited when a new book comes out. One of the aspects of this author’s writing is a definite old-world feel, and this one has that as well. In this latest, Maureen has to deal with the latest murder along with coming up with new ideas to help the town, especially since this newest murder is driving away business. This one seemed a little bit all over the place with just so much going on, but the book had clean fun, great writing, engaging side stories, and an interesting mystery. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

this was a strong fourth entry in the Haunted Haven Mystery series, it had that paranormal romance element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters had that feel that worked with the world and was engaged with what happened to them. I was invested in the mystery element and how it was solved. Carol J. Perry has a strong writing style and I hope there is more in this series.

What a great introduction to a new to me author and series. I really enjoyed meeting Maureen, all of her friends, of this plain and beyond, and the fascinating Haven House. I thought this book was the second or third in the series when I picked it up on Netgally, but it is book four. This did not stop me from enjoying the book totally, and it was pretty easy to follow, so I never felt lost! I was so intrigued by the start of Maureen's journey that I immediately ordered book one as soon as I finished this one. Maureen is caught up in a mystery when her friend Aster, the book shop owner, has her sitting in with a group of mystery writers, Murder Incorporated. As interesting as it all is, she is more interested in a book written by a local man that all the other writers shun. Terry Holiday's Make Your City Famous and Attrack Big Spenders is more up her alley as she is always looking for ways to attract more people to town and to stay at Haven House. When Terry Holiday is murdered behind the book store and Aster and her husband's ghost take up residence at Haven House, Maureen agrees to keep her ears open for the local police as the murder is keeping people away from town and its affecting business. I love Maureen, her fun bunch of employees that came with the House, and of course,the somewhat extra residents who add a little something for those who actually see them. It's a fun and satisfying tale with a smart MC! Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for the opportunity to discover this delightful series! #TheSpiritMoves #HauntedHavenMysteries #CarolJPerry #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE SPIRIT MOVES (Book 4 of the Haunted Haven mystery series) by Carol J. Perry in exchange for an honest review. Maureen Doherty knows her friend and bookshop owner Aster Paterson has been baking her deceased husband Peter’s favorite cookies for years in an effort to lure him back to haunt her bookshop. Well, wishes do come true, but they often don’t come true the way we imagine. As it turns out, Peter’s ghost returns home and reveals himself publicly after a local book writer is found murdered in Aster’s flower garden. Once again, Frank Hubbard enlists Maureen’s aid in finding the killer. Frank is a diehard skeptic and is more focused on proving Peter’s appearance to have been an illusion than in identifying the killer. Meanwhile, Maureen’s splitting her focus on how to draw more tourists to Haven and on the progress she’s making in her romantic relationship. With both Franks’ and Maureen’s attention split, they’ll need the assistance of the citizen of Haven, both living and deceased, to figure out the killer.

I liked the book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book to fans of the series and the series to fans of paranormal murder mysteries.

#TheSpiritMoves #NetGalley

3.5 stars
This series is so hot and cold for me. I love the vibes, and setting, but there are things like the writing at some points and some of the subplots that I don't love.
In this one, Maureen is trying to drum up some business. Things are slow. At the bookstore, she suggests a local author come do a speech. She buys his book which is about how to get people to spend money or something. But then he ends up dead. There is a group of mystery writers who meet at the bookstore who really don't like this guy because his books are not good. They don't care that he is dead. Did one of them kill him?
The inn that Maureen owns it so cozy and these books make it sound like so much fun to run a little inn in a small town in Florida (even though it's probably not). I love how Maureen is so happy to get to know her guests and willing to house some of the employees. I love the ghosts that no one mentions to outsiders. The general vibes of this series keeps me reading.
A lot of the side characters are fun too. I love the group of 4 older employees that worked there when Penelope Josephine owned it and continue to work there now. They are so nosy but incredibly kind and willing to do anything to help Maureen around the inn. I also like the head cop, Officer Hubbard. He hates that Maureen either on purpose or on accident finds herself involved in murders, but then ends up asking for her help.
A few things are not my favorite though. I think it's more of a general cozy mystery thing and find myself mentioning it in almost every cozy mystery review I do. The wording in the narration and dialogue just don't sound like how people would actually talk to each other. It really takes me out of the story a lot of the time.
The romance sub plot is also just weird and seems out of place. Maureen and chef Ted are "dating." They haven't really told anyone (though everyone knows anyways) because of the boss/employee relationship. Then all of the sudden Ted asks Maureen to marry her and she says yes. There is a line about how they have never been alone except to run on the beach and in the inn's restaurant. It is just so weird that someone would get engaged even though they have never really been alone. The chemistry is kind of childish. It seems like their relationship *could* go somewhere, but it needs a lot more work before any engagement. I do enjoy their characters together and think they will be so good together as the series goes on, it just seems a little unbelievable. And I know this a is a cozy mystery series so the emphasis is not on the romance.
Despite any things that may not be my favorite, I love the vibes so much, I will definitely keep reading. These are easy to read (through the occasional weird wording) and quick to get through.

I would highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of cozy paranormal mystery you will enjoy this book. Maureen becomes involved in another murder mystery..

Carol Perry is an amazing storyteller. She weaves a believable story that keeps you entertained until the very end making you guess over and over who the ultimate culprit it to only find out you were completely wrong.

LOVE her books.

Synopsis:

When the body of “how-to” book writer Terry Holiday is found by Aster Paterson in her flower garden, the townspeople of Haven are shocked. But they’re even more surprised when the beloved bookshop owner insists that the spirit of her late husband Peter Paterson led her to the grim discovery. Only Aster seems unsurprised—she’s been baking his favorite shortbread cookies every day, hoping to lure his ghost back home . . .

This series is quickly moving up my favorites list. I just love love love the characters and the Inn!

There's death, there's ghosts, yummy recipes, conniving quests, and progress in the romance department. Absolutely worth picking up!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hotelier Maureen Doherty's hometown of Haven, Florida, has so much to offer. Sun, sand, sea, great shopping ... murder, and ghosts! Unfortunately, the final two don't draw the tourists, murder isn't a crowd pleaser, and the residents of Haven don't mention the ghosts to outsiders, ever! So, when a local author is found dead in the garden of Haven’s bookstore and a ghost takes up residence in that same shop's front window, Maureen knows she has to act! With everyone's businesses suffering, and the local detective on her back, things are getting stressful but Maureen is a local and so, with the help of her own special crew of Inn workers, permanent residents, and the Haven House's very own ghosts she sets about unmasking a killer before she joins the dearly departed herself!

Book four in this fun cosy series is my first visit to Haven, but there are no major spoilers. Back stories were clearly explained, and I enjoyed the reading experience enormously. There are also recipes included, which is always a great way to end a cozy.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. Carol J Perry writes great ghostly cozies, with a hint (or two!) of romance, and I will definitely be reading the first three in this series very soon.

I like this series. I like the characters & how the ghosts are woven in. I do feel like this book is a bit slow….and a bit insulting to cops. #TheSpiritMoves #NetGalley

Really enjoyed the book but was slightly confused by Maureen and Tod's relationship. It seems that it went from morning runs to getting engaged with nothing in between. Feels incredibly unrealistic and a bit shallow.
The murder mystery was very solid and I was very surprised to find out who the murderer was. The ghostwriter part was very interesting.
looking forward to the next installment.

This book focuses around Haven, Florida which has quite the haunted past. A strongly disliked book author ends up getting murdered and its up to Maureen to solve the mystery. As a Florida native, I loved all of the references to different parts of Florida. It was such a neat feeling being able to say "Hey I know that place!" While I am not the biggest history buff, I think it is neat that the author found their love of Florida history an inspiration to write this book.

I loved the addition of all of the spirits and their interactions with everyone throughout the book. I loved when "Don't Stop Believin" would play randomly in the hotel or when guests would complain of strong perfume smells from certain rooms. The spirits made sure that their presence was known to all whether they liked it or not.

While I do feel that the suspect was a bit obvious, I still enjoyed reading this book and had fun reading about all of the different characters. Overall I would rate this a 3.5/5. It was a fun read, but sometimes things felt a little repetitive or predictable. Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Carol J. Perry for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

An untimely death, ghosts and shock ending that had me sat in stunned silence!
My bad on not realising this book was book 4 in a series but I’ll definitely be on the look out for the previous ones as this one has sold me!
I loved the concept of this book it was so fun and well written, drawing me in before I even realised what was happening I had finished the book!
All in all I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be getting the others.

Another cute entry in this series. Some things bugged me but didn’t take away from the story too much. I really do not like that Maureen wears clothes from her gift shop and puts them back to sell. There was something else that I won’t give away but just didn’t feel right to me. Overall 4 stars.

The Spirit Moves by Carol Perry is the latest in the Haunted Haven mystery series. I really enjoy this series. It’s not the hardest mystery to solve, but the characters are sweet and funny, the town is a charming setting and the ghosts add just a little bit of paranormal fun to the series. I had the killer figured out fairly soon, but it was fun to read the story as the characters figured it out and Maureen’s ongoing plans to get her little hotel thriving are lots of fun to read about. I hope one of the forthcoming books will give a few more hints as to how Maureen ended up with the hotel, but I’m sure any future books will be enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

This series just keeps getting better and better. I love the setting and the characters. It's now officially an auto-buy for me.

recipes, preternatural, cozy-mystery, florida, friends, friendship, local-history, local-law-enforcement, small-business, small-town, innkeeper, ghosts, amateur-sleuth, verbal-humor, suspense, murder, investigation, pet-dog, multigenerational

The Haunted Haven Mysteries is a fun series centered in a small-town Inn on the Gulf side of Florida where there are resident ghosts not everyone can see. But this time there is more than just murder afoot and one of said ghosts seems to become visible to all. The murders are focused on a group of writers attending at the local bookstore and it takes everyone to find the killer.
As a history geek I really enjoy all the tidbits of Florida history in afterward. Of course I enjoy the recipes at the end as well!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#TheSpiritMoves by Carol J. Perry #HauntedHavenMysteries4 @kensingtonbooks Avail Mar 10, 2025
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The Spirit Moves is the latest installment of the Haunted Haven Mystery series by Carol J Perry.

In this book we follow local inn owner Maureen and her trusty sidekick (I mean… dog) Finn as they work to uncover the truth about the murder of a mystery writer..

All of my favorite characters from previous books were there, including the front porch gang and sociable ghost Lorna. And it was very sweet to see Maureen and Ted’s relationship continue to grow.

Something I really enjoy about this series is how even though Haven is haunted, the townspeople are very low key about it. So when a ghost is spotted in a local store window, people are both shocked and stumped. The people of Haven have to juggle that fact that they can either leave the ghost alone or try to prove that it’s an illusion.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a bit of paranormal activity, I think you’ll enjoy The Spirit Moves. It features many fun elements including an awesome canine sidekick as well as a bunch of other fun characters who I’ve grown to love.

The Spirit Moves is the fourth book in the cozy Haunted Haven Mystery series by Carol J. Perry. It is a cute, easy read about ghosts and murder set in a small town in Florida. Maureen’s Golden Retriever, Finn, is my favorite but all the characters are fun. I recommend reading the first book in the series to help set the backstory before reading this one; otherwise, it can be read as a standalone.