THE GHOSTWRITER'S STUDY

Edie has a busy home life, with her daughter and grandchildren living with her. Then there’s her relationship with Greg and her work as a private investigator. Her life is full of quirky friends and family.
Edie is approached to pretend to be a ghostwriter for the elderly mother (Suzie) of the client, Dylan. It’s all to be very secretive. Dylan says Suzie has dementia and she currently has a cook and a carer to watch over her. It all seems ‘off’, but things come to a head when a death occurs and the carer immediately takes off. Was it murder, suicide, or an accident?
The story is entertaining, though I was a little disappointed by the way the solution to the death is handled by the characters. All in all, this is a fun cozy mystery with interesting characters.
Thanks to The Book Folks and NetGalley for the ARC.

I cannot help but use the term adorable and relatable for Edie Fox, even though she is a sleuth that would give Angela Lansbury a run for her money (Seriously, no comparison. I could not abide watching Murder She Wrote, but love reading all types of Cozy Mysteries)

I digress. Edie Fox is asked by her friend, Dylan McCrimmon, to watch over his sister Suzie because he thinks the live-in carers are pulling a fast one. They devise a plan for Edie to come in as a ghost writer for Suzie, so as not to arouse suspicion

However, one of the carers meets an untimely end in a very public fashion, so who is pilfering Suzies cash?? Things are not as simple as they seem and Edie, along with her litany of wonderful side characters is on hand to solve the mystery (Maeve is a doll, Jesus, not so much, but loved Greg and Lily)

The writing style is not my usual pace, but that is a personal preference, and no shade at all to the author. The character developent and weaving of storylines is ecellent and certainly kept me guessing!

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the Book Folks for this lovely Cozy ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

What a fun read! It was so easy to get immersed in Edie's adventures. The characters were all fully fleshed and easy to like. I wanted to go to Suzie's with them and discover all the secrets. Some definite twists and turns in the story, so it keeps you on your toes. I would read the rest of Julie Highmore's books in a second.

This is my first Edie Fox book, but not my last! Dylan asks Edie to pose as a ghostwriter for his sister, Suzie. Dylan is suspicious of the caretakers' motives. This is such a fun book and was the perfect palette cleanser after dark, dreary thrillers.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Ghostwriter’s Study by Julie Highmore is a delightful foray into the world of cozy mysteries, where intrigue and humor intertwine to create a compelling narrative. Highmore’s protagonist, Edie Fox, is a private investigator with a knack for blending into her surroundings, which she does with aplomb in her latest assignment.

In this third installment of the series, Edie goes undercover as a ghostwriter to keep an eye on the affairs of Suzie DuBarry, an eccentric older woman with a colorful past. The assignment takes a dark turn when a garden party ends in tragedy, and Edie must unravel the truth behind the incident.

Highmore’s writing is sharp and witty, with a narrative that is both engaging and easy to follow. The Oxford setting comes alive under her pen, with its bohemian vibe and quirky characters that are both endearing and suspicious in equal measure. The plot is well-crafted, with enough twists to keep readers guessing until the very end.

What sets The Ghostwriter’s Study apart is its blend of humor and suspense. Highmore has a gift for balancing the darker elements of the mystery with light-hearted moments, ensuring that the story never feels too heavy or grim. Edie Fox is a relatable and likable heroine, whose personal life and challenges add depth to her character and the story.

Overall, The Ghostwriter’s Study is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries. It’s a book that offers escapism, entertainment, and the pleasure of a mystery well solved. Whether you’re new to the Edie Fox series or a returning reader, this book is a charming addition to your bookshelf.

An entertaining and well plotted story featuring likeable characters. It's a solid mystery. I found the end a bit rushed but the plot kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was my first introduction to this author and this series, and I will definitely read more. Edie is a private detective who takes on an assignment to help an older lady whose carers might be taking advantage of her.
The mystery isn't complicated and the characters are charming. I loved how seamlessly Edie's private life flowed with her work, even as she worked undercover with a different name. Friends and family are the most important here.
Thanks to NetGalley fore letting me read this.

The Ghostwriter's Study is the third cozy mystery featuring Edie Fox written by Julie Highmore. Released 28th Jan 2024, it's 202 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a wryly humorous cozy mystery with an appealing and relatable protagonist, a private investigator. She's hired to investigate if the elderly sister of her client is being robbed by caregivers in her home. The case is complicated by the sudden very unexpected death of one of the carers in question.

This is a very well written series, and the author is wonderfully adept at clever plotting and comedic timing. It works well enough as a standalone, but as the third book in a continuing series, some spoilers should be expected for earlier books if read out of order.

Four stars. It's would be a good choice for public library acquisition, or a binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes