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fuent020's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
corita's review
3.0
Southern Ghost Hunter Series:
“Give Up the Ghost” is the eleventh book in Angie Fox’s The Southern Ghost Hunter Series. I haven’t read the entire series, but I’ve read a few of the books.
One of the nice things about the series is that each book stands alone, and you can read them out of order.
The series set up:
Verity Long not only sees ghosts, but she also talks to them. Her resident ghost Frankie, a gangster from the 1920s, is stuck on her property, and sometimes, he unwilling helps her solved mysteries. She has a pet skunk and lives in a small Southern town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
That’s about all you need to know to pick up this book and start reading.
What I liked:
The books in this series I’ve read have been fun with action and enough zany characters to make the people of Stars Hollow jealous.
When I was growing up, I used to spend summers with my aunt and uncle, who lived in a small town where people knew each other. Gossip could definitely cause problems in a closely knit community. There's plenty of shocking gossip in this story.
When an old book that documents everyone’s secrets turns up in town, people get nervous or horrified depending on their secrets. Exposing people’s secrets is a nasty business.
When personal revelations come to light, characters have to face their past. Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so someone is going to die.
What I wasn’t Crazy About:
The mystery wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but something tells me that if you love this series, you’re probably more invested in the people and their stories than you are solving the mystery.
If you are someone who wants a good puzzle, this might be too simple for you.
Verity, the protagonist, rubbed me the wrong way. She preached at everyone as if she were a guidance councilor, trying to nudge people in the change she thought they should make.
This personality quirk annoyed one character after another. Using this tacked didn’t work out too well for her.
One more thing, Verity solved the murder about 85% of the way into the novel. And, yes, the story kept going. There were some details that needed to be wrapped up. I would have preferred the unfinished story business to take place earlier.
Recommendation:
If you like cozy mysteries, the story is fun, lighthearted, and enough quirky characters to satisfy cozy mystery readers.
Frankie, her ghost friend, is amusing with a gray morality and a snarky sense of humor. If you’ve already read some books in this series, you know what to expect.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series to read, you might start with the first book “Southern Spirits."
A big thanks to NetGalley and Moose Island Books for an ARC copy of "Give Up the Ghost."
“Give Up the Ghost” is the eleventh book in Angie Fox’s The Southern Ghost Hunter Series. I haven’t read the entire series, but I’ve read a few of the books.
One of the nice things about the series is that each book stands alone, and you can read them out of order.
The series set up:
Verity Long not only sees ghosts, but she also talks to them. Her resident ghost Frankie, a gangster from the 1920s, is stuck on her property, and sometimes, he unwilling helps her solved mysteries. She has a pet skunk and lives in a small Southern town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
That’s about all you need to know to pick up this book and start reading.
What I liked:
The books in this series I’ve read have been fun with action and enough zany characters to make the people of Stars Hollow jealous.
When I was growing up, I used to spend summers with my aunt and uncle, who lived in a small town where people knew each other. Gossip could definitely cause problems in a closely knit community. There's plenty of shocking gossip in this story.
When an old book that documents everyone’s secrets turns up in town, people get nervous or horrified depending on their secrets. Exposing people’s secrets is a nasty business.
When personal revelations come to light, characters have to face their past. Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so someone is going to die.
What I wasn’t Crazy About:
The mystery wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but something tells me that if you love this series, you’re probably more invested in the people and their stories than you are solving the mystery.
If you are someone who wants a good puzzle, this might be too simple for you.
Verity, the protagonist, rubbed me the wrong way. She preached at everyone as if she were a guidance councilor, trying to nudge people in the change she thought they should make.
This personality quirk annoyed one character after another. Using this tacked didn’t work out too well for her.
One more thing, Verity solved the murder about 85% of the way into the novel. And, yes, the story kept going. There were some details that needed to be wrapped up. I would have preferred the unfinished story business to take place earlier.
Recommendation:
If you like cozy mysteries, the story is fun, lighthearted, and enough quirky characters to satisfy cozy mystery readers.
Frankie, her ghost friend, is amusing with a gray morality and a snarky sense of humor. If you’ve already read some books in this series, you know what to expect.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series to read, you might start with the first book “Southern Spirits."
A big thanks to NetGalley and Moose Island Books for an ARC copy of "Give Up the Ghost."
booklovingmom_'s review
5.0
Give up the Ghost by Angie Fox is the eleventh mystery in the Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series. When the towns time capsule is opened and a long forgotten burn book from Erma Sue turns up, the town is thrown into chaos as everyone fears how their secrets within in its pages will be used. When a murder occurs and the burn book disappears, Verity Long and her ghost pal, Frankie set about uncovering a killer and finding the secret of how to free Frankie from Verity’s property.
I absolutely love this series and Give up the Ghost was no different! I quickly fell in love with Verity and Frankie in the first book of the series and have eagerly followed them along on their adventure ever since. When I saw this latest book was going to be released, I was so excited and this mystery didn’t disappoint. I loved getting to go on another ghost hunting mystery with this lovable duo! This series is one of my all time favorites and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t given it a try yet. The only thing I could critique is that it would have been nice to have a little more Frankie in the mystery portion of this book, but the book was still great the way it was! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review!
I absolutely love this series and Give up the Ghost was no different! I quickly fell in love with Verity and Frankie in the first book of the series and have eagerly followed them along on their adventure ever since. When I saw this latest book was going to be released, I was so excited and this mystery didn’t disappoint. I loved getting to go on another ghost hunting mystery with this lovable duo! This series is one of my all time favorites and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t given it a try yet. The only thing I could critique is that it would have been nice to have a little more Frankie in the mystery portion of this book, but the book was still great the way it was! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review!
barbtrek's review
4.0
This was as good as the rest of the series. It was nice to learn a little of Virginia’s background.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
Give Up The Ghost is another delightfully quirky installment in this series. Verity and Frankie take on the ghost of Sugarlands most vicious gossip. Lucy makes friends with a ghost horse. Virginia and Verity have a come to Jesus meeting unlike anything we’ve seen to date. This is a fast paced exciting romp that will leave you feeling good about life.
hookedbythatbook's review
4.0
It starts with a bang and the descriptions are so vivid, it feels like I was part of the crowd.
With a looming scandal threatening the peace in Sugarland, Verity and Frankie must get to the bottom of it all and prevent bloodshed. An infamous book of scandals is on the loose along with a murderer. The list of possible suspects is about as big as the population of the town. And have they perhaps found the key to Frankie's freedom?
Verity’s curiosity and her previous success in solving murders of course mean that she cannot stay away. The plot seemed a bit convoluted at times, with vengeful ghosts, a second book of secrets, Frankie’s usual side-hustle, and Virginia’s world falling apart. There was a lot going on, and when the murderer was revealed, it felt a bit anti-climactic. And it would be great so see more of Verity and Ellis. It feels as if their relationship is standing still at the moment. Still love Ellis, though.
But I just loved the witty dialogue and engaging writing style. After 11 books in the series, I am by no means tired yet of Verity and Frankie. It’s a book I just couldn’t put down. If you think you can stop at the end of a chapter, forget about it. Five more minutes quickly becomes the entire evening in the blink of an eye.
I can definitely recommend this series if you like paranormal stories with suspense. And ghosts, of course. Each one stands well on its own and you don’t have to read them in order. But the characters do grow and change and do new things.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
lyssidee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katiya's review
4.0
Hateful secrets are best kept hidden especially in a town like Sugarland where gossip is the local currency. A blackmailer's book of secrets, discovered in a time capsule, induces a chain reaction leading to mayhem and murder.
As an absolute fan of this series, from the first page of the inaugural book, this is the story I craved. It was so worth the wait. The build-up to this moment illustrates Angie Fox's strengths as an author who heightened anticipation with each subsequent book. And, finally, we are here!
Give Up The Ghost visits with each of the characters we've grown to love. Verity Long, our heroine, who is just as wonderful in her fortitude as she has always been. Lucy the skunk is sweet, playful and mischievous. Frankie the ghost - well - as any reader of the series knows, he's going to throw a wrench into any plan and cause much upheaval. Many of the favourite townspeople also appear treating the reader to both villains and heroes.
As for the plot, I hesitate to give even a single thing away. It's beautifully written with a mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the culprit is revealed.
Highly recommended for people who love a paranormal mystery with a playful amount of sass!
Thank you to Netgalley and Angie Fox for the privilege of reading this e-Arc. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
As an absolute fan of this series, from the first page of the inaugural book, this is the story I craved. It was so worth the wait. The build-up to this moment illustrates Angie Fox's strengths as an author who heightened anticipation with each subsequent book. And, finally, we are here!
Give Up The Ghost visits with each of the characters we've grown to love. Verity Long, our heroine, who is just as wonderful in her fortitude as she has always been. Lucy the skunk is sweet, playful and mischievous. Frankie the ghost - well - as any reader of the series knows, he's going to throw a wrench into any plan and cause much upheaval. Many of the favourite townspeople also appear treating the reader to both villains and heroes.
As for the plot, I hesitate to give even a single thing away. It's beautifully written with a mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the culprit is revealed.
Highly recommended for people who love a paranormal mystery with a playful amount of sass!
Thank you to Netgalley and Angie Fox for the privilege of reading this e-Arc. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
pam_sartain's review against another edition
In Give Up the Ghost, a time capsule is dug up, and in it is a blackmailer's book of secrets, and her daughter claims it. And you know that means it's the beginning of problems!
Verity and Frankie have their work cut out for them investigating a murder, a blackmailer and a member of Verity's boyfriend's family being implicated in the murder!
This is a cosy mystery fantasy series which I've been enjoying for a while. It's an entertaining and light read series, with some of the books being scarier than others!
Give Up the Ghost was published on 31st May 2022 and is available from Amazon and Waterstones.
Angie Fox has a Facebook page and a reader group.
I've previously read and reviewed the below books in the series:
Southern Spirits, A Ghostly Gift and The Skeleton in the Closet - book 1, 1.5 and 2
Pecan Pies and Dead Guys - book 7
The Mint Julep Murders - book 8
The Ghost of Christmas Past - book 8.5
Southern Bred and Dead - book 9
The Haunted Homecoming - book 10
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Moose Island Books and Author Collective 20 (the publishers) for this book.
Verity and Frankie have their work cut out for them investigating a murder, a blackmailer and a member of Verity's boyfriend's family being implicated in the murder!
This is a cosy mystery fantasy series which I've been enjoying for a while. It's an entertaining and light read series, with some of the books being scarier than others!
Give Up the Ghost was published on 31st May 2022 and is available from Amazon and Waterstones.
Angie Fox has a Facebook page and a reader group.
I've previously read and reviewed the below books in the series:
Southern Spirits, A Ghostly Gift and The Skeleton in the Closet - book 1, 1.5 and 2
Pecan Pies and Dead Guys - book 7
The Mint Julep Murders - book 8
The Ghost of Christmas Past - book 8.5
Southern Bred and Dead - book 9
The Haunted Homecoming - book 10
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Moose Island Books and Author Collective 20 (the publishers) for this book.
jaxgerman's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5