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jen_baroness_mom's review
5.0
This lighthouse holds more than just light.
A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell this is one of my favorite series. I truly love the mix of history, home renovation, paranormal, mystery and the quirkiness of San Francisco and the bay area.
The world that Ms. Blackwell has created by mixing fact and fiction is so believable. Honestly, I would like to hire Turner Construction just to be a little part of this world.
I really think that Mel is shining in this addition. It’s nice to see her with her new man Landon. She is so happy. She still has things to work on (such as her recent fear of heights0 but don’t we all. She is finally working through all of her jobs: ghost, construction or murder. Landon is extremely supportive. It’s so sweet.
Mel has two mysteries to solve: the recent murder that her friend has been accused of and the mystery of the lighthouse ghost. Ms. Blackwell does such a great job keeping the whole thing moving through the past, present and glimpses of the future.
I adored the lighthouse history that was included with the story. The treasure maps were so thoughtful. What a wonderful way to teach and entertain your child, so much better than handing them a cellphone to play with.
I found this quote online and thought it was such a great fit for this story. “Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time.” ~E.P. Whipple
My rating is 5 stars, of course. If you haven’t read the other books you should try the first book in the series, Home Renovation or you can just start with this one. I guarantee you will want more. Mel and her entourage are worth your time.
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell this is one of my favorite series. I truly love the mix of history, home renovation, paranormal, mystery and the quirkiness of San Francisco and the bay area.
The world that Ms. Blackwell has created by mixing fact and fiction is so believable. Honestly, I would like to hire Turner Construction just to be a little part of this world.
I really think that Mel is shining in this addition. It’s nice to see her with her new man Landon. She is so happy. She still has things to work on (such as her recent fear of heights0 but don’t we all. She is finally working through all of her jobs: ghost, construction or murder. Landon is extremely supportive. It’s so sweet.
Mel has two mysteries to solve: the recent murder that her friend has been accused of and the mystery of the lighthouse ghost. Ms. Blackwell does such a great job keeping the whole thing moving through the past, present and glimpses of the future.
I adored the lighthouse history that was included with the story. The treasure maps were so thoughtful. What a wonderful way to teach and entertain your child, so much better than handing them a cellphone to play with.
I found this quote online and thought it was such a great fit for this story. “Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time.” ~E.P. Whipple
My rating is 5 stars, of course. If you haven’t read the other books you should try the first book in the series, Home Renovation or you can just start with this one. I guarantee you will want more. Mel and her entourage are worth your time.
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
deanie's review against another edition
4.0
Contractor Mel Turner loves restoring historic properties, so she's super excited when she gets the contract to remodel a historic lighthouse into a hotel. Until she sees the ghosts (and)... and finds a dead body (again). Now she has to prove her friend's innocence, and solve the mystery of the ghost (before the ghost kills someone).
This is another fun book in the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series. The ghost mystery was actually very compelling, digging deep into maritime and literary history to solve the puzzle. The modern-day murder mystery was okay, but nothing special. Still, this is a cozy mystery series that is definitely worth a read.
This is another fun book in the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series. The ghost mystery was actually very compelling, digging deep into maritime and literary history to solve the puzzle. The modern-day murder mystery was okay, but nothing special. Still, this is a cozy mystery series that is definitely worth a read.
fran98765's review against another edition
2.0
Ending, lame. Killer, lame. Ghost story, good. Ballet incident... ridiculous.
While I mostly enjoy the series and characters, the mystery part of these cozy mysteries (the entire genre) is really ticking me off. There is no actual mystery to these mysteries... it's just "go on with your life til someone tries to kill you then you know the killer" stories, and i really think they are horrible. How about someone actually solving the mystery. With their heads. Or is that really too much to ask these days?
While I mostly enjoy the series and characters, the mystery part of these cozy mysteries (the entire genre) is really ticking me off. There is no actual mystery to these mysteries... it's just "go on with your life til someone tries to kill you then you know the killer" stories, and i really think they are horrible. How about someone actually solving the mystery. With their heads. Or is that really too much to ask these days?
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
Mel Turner is going to be renovating a lighthouse. Well, she will if she can get past the ghosts there. Oh, and the guy that's been murdered. The guy that was the abusive ex-husband of a woman Mel really likes.
I thought I had missed a book in the series but apparently I read the sixth book in this series a couple years ago. I really don't remember it at all. And this one... I feel like the description should be longer but this is what I remember from the story. I mean. It's fine and a fast and fluffy read but I feel like I should have retained more of it.
I thought I had missed a book in the series but apparently I read the sixth book in this series a couple years ago. I really don't remember it at all. And this one... I feel like the description should be longer but this is what I remember from the story. I mean. It's fine and a fast and fluffy read but I feel like I should have retained more of it.
wheems01's review
4.0
Mel Turner and her friends are back in book 7 of the Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries. Mel and Turner Construction are going to restore a lighthouse, but when a man is killed, and Mel's friend Alicia is blamed she uses her ghost hunting detective skills to get to the bottom of the mystery.
I love this series and love how Mel is still growing as a character. In this novel she had to overcome her newfound fear of heights to help solve the crime and a decades old mystery of the former lighthouse keepers. For me this novel was win win. I love lighthouses and ghost stories--the fact that this book had both is perfect.
I love this series and love how Mel is still growing as a character. In this novel she had to overcome her newfound fear of heights to help solve the crime and a decades old mystery of the former lighthouse keepers. For me this novel was win win. I love lighthouses and ghost stories--the fact that this book had both is perfect.
skinnypenguin's review against another edition
4.0
Mel Turner has a new boyfriend and a new job redoing a lighthouse keeper's house and out buildings on a small island in San Francisco Bay. While on the job site the ex-husband of her employers assistant shows up and starts causing problems. When he is killed the assistant is accused of murder and Mel sets out to find the real killer and help her friend. In the meantime the house is haunted by the wife of the former lighthouse keeper who was also a keeper after her husband died. She scares off anyone who tries to enter the attic of the house. Mel talks to her and tries to help her. She is looking for her son who she believes died when he was 5. Mel is also telling with a fear of heights that she recently acquired and numerous other happenings with friends and family.
Really enjoy this series. It showcases a woman who works in a male dominated profession, shows how she deals with that and discusses the difficulties of doing the type of work she does. The stories also describe the Bay area both the good and bad sides of both San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas. I like the bit of otherworldly feelings with the main character seeing ghosts. At first she was not happy with her ability but has grown into it and tries to help them and understand them. It can be tough for her at times not having others think she is crazy but she manages to have friends and colleagues who are understanding.
Really enjoy this series. It showcases a woman who works in a male dominated profession, shows how she deals with that and discusses the difficulties of doing the type of work she does. The stories also describe the Bay area both the good and bad sides of both San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas. I like the bit of otherworldly feelings with the main character seeing ghosts. At first she was not happy with her ability but has grown into it and tries to help them and understand them. It can be tough for her at times not having others think she is crazy but she manages to have friends and colleagues who are understanding.
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