Crimson at Cape May

A paranormal story with a well-plotted storyline keeps a steady pace...every chapter ends and this reader couldn't wait for the new one to begin.

This is the second book in a series, and I probably could have benefited by reading the first mystery, however, it didn't detract enough to take me out of the story.

Darrell Henshaw has a gift he can't escape, no matter how much tries to shake it. He can see and speak to ghosts. When he sees an eerie apparition of a woman, he tries to flee but to no avail. She begs him to help her and ‘us’. The ghost is known around town as the Haunted Bride. Darrell finally relents and agrees to help her. He joins forces with Cassie and together they research what happened to cause the bride's death. What they discover is not what they expect and suddenly find themselves in over their heads. Can they bring the trafficking ring's crimes to justice or will they both wind up like the bride… dead?

Crimson at Cape May is an exciting paranormal mystery I couldn't put down. I'm a huge paranormal reader and picked up this book, not knowing what to expect. While it started slow, the plot soon picked up. The hauntings were very descriptive, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading these scenes. The conflict within Darrell continued throughout the story. He doesn't want the gift. I get that but after a while, he should just accept it. It's probably just me but I found that character flaw annoying to continue through the whole story. There's immense research involved here which I appreciate. Randy Overbeck's writing style is stark yet descriptive. A great read, especially for this time of the year. If you love ghost stories, you'll love Crimson at Cape May. Highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5 stars

A solid solid 4.5 stars.

If I'm honest, the beginning was slow. Slow in the sense that it just threw you into the middle of a scene with zero background (this could just mean that this is not easily read as a standalone. It's the 2nd in a series) so I struggled getting into it. Once I got my book bearings, I was completely captivated. I didn't super care for Darrell. But I loved all the other surrounding characters so that helped bridge the gap for me.

A page turner until the end. You figure out pretty early on who is responsible, but Randy did an fabulous job of writing the story in such a way that you didn't want to stop turning the pages.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3717088518

Wasn't aware this was book 2. May have been better if I had read the first one.. Had a hard time getting into this one. Felt it started really slow and took too long setting up the story, kind of disjointed. Once the story got going it was a little better. Never really connected with the characters. Not a bad book really, just not for me. 3 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and author for an ARC of this book.The opinions expressed are my own.

Having lived in Cape May for many years this title caught my eye quickly. It is book 2 in the Haunted Shores Mystery series. Blood on the Chesapeake is book one so the series moves around to various locations. Cape May is "famous" for its ghost stories and this book is a good murder mystery that fits in quite well for its location. The setting is well researched. The ghost of the Haunted Bride is stalking Darrell asking him for help. I enjoyed revising many of the sites mentioned in this book and was very fond of the ghosts present in the story. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Darrell Henshaw, school teacher and football coach, is haunted by a ghost, a bride who died five years earlier, and is now desperate for help, and the wish to save others. Saved from what? Murdered by who? The haunted bride appears to Darrell and his friend, Cassie, a goth teen. Both sensitives, they search for answers with the assistance of Darrell’s girlfriend and a local policeman. Things are complicated by the disappearance of a teen girl and the interference of a local, influential family. Overbeck includes plenty of action, and the plot is complete and easy to follow. The novel would shine, had Overbeck distinguished his characters with differing ticks and actions. An enjoyable read, but with one more edit—it could have been more.