Scan barcode
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. What a fun read. From the opening line I had a feeling this was going to be the book for me and I was so right. A detective (Avery) and a tv show host who can communicate with the dead (Cam) work together when a murder takes place.
I wasn’t expecting this to be as funny and humorous as it is that was a pleasant surprise. The writing was great, this was my first book by Bruce and I will definitely be reading more. The relationship between Cam and Avery was great and I liked the way it developed. They definitely don’t see eye to eye and their relationship starts out as enemies to lovers which I adore. I loved their banter and chemistry. Also, Avery *swoons*. I love her so much.
Everything wrapped up well and I just enjoyed the hell out of this book. It’s super entertaining with a likable cast of characters and a great romance.
I wasn’t expecting this to be as funny and humorous as it is that was a pleasant surprise. The writing was great, this was my first book by Bruce and I will definitely be reading more. The relationship between Cam and Avery was great and I liked the way it developed. They definitely don’t see eye to eye and their relationship starts out as enemies to lovers which I adore. I loved their banter and chemistry. Also, Avery *swoons*. I love her so much.
Everything wrapped up well and I just enjoyed the hell out of this book. It’s super entertaining with a likable cast of characters and a great romance.
00leah00's review against another edition
4.0
‘Chasing Shadows’ is a paranormal mystery with a bit of a romance thrown it. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first paragraph on. There’s quite a bit of humor throughout that keep the spooky and murder mystery elements from getting too heavy.
Avery is a detective and Cam is a host for a ghost hunting show (though she doesn’t believe in ghosts or spirits.) Cam is in town after her great aunt passes and she’s dealing with the estate. They don’t get off to a great start as Avery’s grandma has been caught messing with Cam’s aunt’s corpse at the funeral home looking for a recipe. They are later put in a position of having to work together to solve some local mysteries and a romance soon blooms. Cam had a crush on Avery in high school and it doesn’t take much for that to return. Avery is pretty sweet and seems to have the patience of a saint. Cam is bit more jaded but she’s still very kind, even when she’s had it with the ladies on the hunt for that peach cobbler recipe.
I felt sorry for poor Avery, she just seemed exasperated for most of the book. Having to babysit her grandma, Mildred, and Millie’s best friend, Jane, seems like it would be a full-time job in itself. She’s also been handed a rookie officer to train.
I will say that there is one chapter that’s a bit gory so be prepared for that, I wasn’t and was grossed out a bit. But as this isn’t my usual genre, it might’ve just been a me thing.
I recommend this for anyone a fan of comedy, murder mysteries, or ghosts.
Avery is a detective and Cam is a host for a ghost hunting show (though she doesn’t believe in ghosts or spirits.) Cam is in town after her great aunt passes and she’s dealing with the estate. They don’t get off to a great start as Avery’s grandma has been caught messing with Cam’s aunt’s corpse at the funeral home looking for a recipe. They are later put in a position of having to work together to solve some local mysteries and a romance soon blooms. Cam had a crush on Avery in high school and it doesn’t take much for that to return. Avery is pretty sweet and seems to have the patience of a saint. Cam is bit more jaded but she’s still very kind, even when she’s had it with the ladies on the hunt for that peach cobbler recipe.
I felt sorry for poor Avery, she just seemed exasperated for most of the book. Having to babysit her grandma, Mildred, and Millie’s best friend, Jane, seems like it would be a full-time job in itself. She’s also been handed a rookie officer to train.
I will say that there is one chapter that’s a bit gory so be prepared for that, I wasn’t and was grossed out a bit. But as this isn’t my usual genre, it might’ve just been a me thing.
I recommend this for anyone a fan of comedy, murder mysteries, or ghosts.
giveandtaken's review against another edition
4.0
slow start so it took me a bit to get into but the action became satisfactory a way into the book
cam is easily the best character i love her so bad, the romance is cute, wish the epilogue took place a year or so later rather than a week but eh what can ya do
cam is easily the best character i love her so bad, the romance is cute, wish the epilogue took place a year or so later rather than a week but eh what can ya do
judeinthestars's review against another edition
5.0
4.5*
Lila Bruce is the queen of opening paragraphs. I mean, seriously, I haven’t read all her books yet, but the opening of Little Lies was excellent, the start of [b:Love Bites|27919579|Love Bites|Lila Bruce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448409664l/27919579._SX50_.jpg|47935077] was hilarious, and here’s how Chasing Shadows begins: “For a dead woman, Loralyn Baker looked pretty damned good”. If that first sentence doesn’t make you want to keep reading, I don’t know what will.
After her parents died, Avery Smith came back to Bethel Springs, Alabama, to live with her grandma Mildred and Jane, her grandma’s best friend, or, rather, her sidekick, since Mildred is always up to some mischief. At the start of the book, Mildred and Jane are set on getting their hands on Laralyn Baker’s peach cobbler recipe. They’ll stop at nothing, not even searching the dead woman’s body on the eve of the funeral service. As a police detective, all their shenanigans often put Avery in difficult positions.
Cameron – Cam – Reinhart was Loralyn’s great-niece and she’s in town to settle her aunt’s affairs. Avery may not have noticed her as a high school student with a crush on the older girl but she definitely notices her now. Despite their meeting in less than favourable circumstances, they end up getting along quite well. Cam is now some sort of TV celebrity, with her own show and fans. Years ago, she became a ghost hunter by accident and jumped on the occasion to leave a dead-end job. Ghosts don’t exist but who cares?
Until they start talking to her…
I know I’m saying this quite often now but I didn’t expect to laugh so much. Blame it on the old ladies… I always thought Robin Alexander wrote the best snarky old ladies but Mildred can definitely hold her own.
I loved Avery and Cam too. Avery is a sweetheart, no wonder Cam has been smitten with her forever. She’s smart, patient and kind. Cam seems more cynical but her vulnerability to Avery and her brand-new experience with ghosts bring her real personality to the surface.
The mystery part is rather exciting too, with just enough suspense and scary moments (not only because, you know, ghosts). What I liked best, however, is the humour, the banter between Avery and Cam, the eccentric Mildred and the not-so-innocent Jane.
Lila Bruce is the queen of opening paragraphs. I mean, seriously, I haven’t read all her books yet, but the opening of Little Lies was excellent, the start of [b:Love Bites|27919579|Love Bites|Lila Bruce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448409664l/27919579._SX50_.jpg|47935077] was hilarious, and here’s how Chasing Shadows begins: “For a dead woman, Loralyn Baker looked pretty damned good”. If that first sentence doesn’t make you want to keep reading, I don’t know what will.
After her parents died, Avery Smith came back to Bethel Springs, Alabama, to live with her grandma Mildred and Jane, her grandma’s best friend, or, rather, her sidekick, since Mildred is always up to some mischief. At the start of the book, Mildred and Jane are set on getting their hands on Laralyn Baker’s peach cobbler recipe. They’ll stop at nothing, not even searching the dead woman’s body on the eve of the funeral service. As a police detective, all their shenanigans often put Avery in difficult positions.
Cameron – Cam – Reinhart was Loralyn’s great-niece and she’s in town to settle her aunt’s affairs. Avery may not have noticed her as a high school student with a crush on the older girl but she definitely notices her now. Despite their meeting in less than favourable circumstances, they end up getting along quite well. Cam is now some sort of TV celebrity, with her own show and fans. Years ago, she became a ghost hunter by accident and jumped on the occasion to leave a dead-end job. Ghosts don’t exist but who cares?
Until they start talking to her…
I know I’m saying this quite often now but I didn’t expect to laugh so much. Blame it on the old ladies… I always thought Robin Alexander wrote the best snarky old ladies but Mildred can definitely hold her own.
I loved Avery and Cam too. Avery is a sweetheart, no wonder Cam has been smitten with her forever. She’s smart, patient and kind. Cam seems more cynical but her vulnerability to Avery and her brand-new experience with ghosts bring her real personality to the surface.
The mystery part is rather exciting too, with just enough suspense and scary moments (not only because, you know, ghosts). What I liked best, however, is the humour, the banter between Avery and Cam, the eccentric Mildred and the not-so-innocent Jane.
elvang's review against another edition
4.0
When a television ghost hunter returns to her hometown to settle her Aunt’s estate she must deal with a glut of little old ladies on the hunt for a much prized peach cobbler recipe. The opening scenes of Chasing Shadows are filled with slapstick entertainment bordering on corny but stick around for the mysteries to come.
Cam and Avery have a ghostly time trying to solve the unexplained events in Bethel Springs. Saying more will lead to spoilers which could ruin this cute and spooky lite tale. I'm not a horror fan so spooky lite works for me. I liked the big city detective Avery dealing with the local bumbling police force while trying to contain her erratic grandmother. She and Cam the cynical ghost hunter made this KU read a winner.
Well done, Lila Bruce.
Cam and Avery have a ghostly time trying to solve the unexplained events in Bethel Springs. Saying more will lead to spoilers which could ruin this cute and spooky lite tale. I'm not a horror fan so spooky lite works for me. I liked the big city detective Avery dealing with the local bumbling police force while trying to contain her erratic grandmother. She and Cam the cynical ghost hunter made this KU read a winner.
Well done, Lila Bruce.
lildark1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Murder
thesebonesdontlie's review against another edition
2.0
This book was...fine.
It clearly could have benefited from an editor (or another editor), as there were several grammatical errors throughout and a minor character changed names about 3/4s of the way through the book. On a smaller note, I found I missed page numbers, but that was mainly because I needed to know how much longer I had to slog through the book. The supernatural aspect came without explanation (fine I guess) and also had no conclusion (less fine, more confusing). There could have been more actual detective work done to flesh out the investigation, since the thrust of the action was a homicide and a main character was, in fact, a detective.
The writing was fine, although at points I felt like I was reading fanfiction. There was an entire chapter opening devoted to Cam's flashback on how she got started in the ghost hunting biz, and it was the most confusing piece of writing. I was very lost at first, and found the whole thing too long and a bit unnecessary.
It gets two stars because there were lesbians who got to lesbian (+1), and they were also stupid, dumb hos about being lesbians(+1).
It clearly could have benefited from an editor (or another editor), as there were several grammatical errors throughout and a minor character changed names about 3/4s of the way through the book. On a smaller note, I found I missed page numbers, but that was mainly because I needed to know how much longer I had to slog through the book. The supernatural aspect came without explanation (fine I guess) and also had no conclusion (less fine, more confusing). There could have been more actual detective work done to flesh out the investigation, since the thrust of the action was a homicide and a main character was, in fact, a detective.
The writing was fine, although at points I felt like I was reading fanfiction. There was an entire chapter opening devoted to Cam's flashback on how she got started in the ghost hunting biz, and it was the most confusing piece of writing. I was very lost at first, and found the whole thing too long and a bit unnecessary.
It gets two stars because there were lesbians who got to lesbian (+1), and they were also stupid, dumb hos about being lesbians(+1).
zefrien's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Spooky, funny, suspenseful and romantic, this book has it all. The story flows to a steady pace, the characters are interesting, and some of them definitively quirky ( Mildred and Jane, anybody?) and the mystery is engaging and very well developed.
I particularly enjoyed that Cameron's TV show was a sham, and yet, here, back into her native town, is where she discovers that ghosts are really a thing :P
And to watch how the less than amicable collaboration initial between Avery and Cameron blooms into a romance is very entertaining :P
A perfect mix of a lot of elements, I really enjoyed the story and I'm now wanting to know how will Avery and Cam manage their long-distance relationship.
This was my first Lilia Bruce's book, but I will be reading more.
Caroline McLaughlin did a fantastic job with the narration.
I particularly enjoyed that Cameron's TV show was a sham, and yet, here, back into her native town, is where she discovers that ghosts are really a thing :P
And to watch how the less than amicable collaboration initial between Avery and Cameron blooms into a romance is very entertaining :P
A perfect mix of a lot of elements, I really enjoyed the story and I'm now wanting to know how will Avery and Cam manage their long-distance relationship.
This was my first Lilia Bruce's book, but I will be reading more.
Caroline McLaughlin did a fantastic job with the narration.
corrie's review
4.0
Chasing Shadows by Lila Bruce was an entertaining slow burn romance with a paranormal twist. No high flyer but certainly a fun read.
Set in a small town in the American South, you can imagine two scheming old ladies will be there to liven things up, and they did. They feature in the funeral parlor opening scene of the story and set the tone for the rest of the book. And even though there was plenty of mischief between them, Mildred Smith and her trusty side-kick Jane Green were not as hilarious as, for example, a Robin Alexander can produce them. But they sure try.
Main characters, cop Avery and tv ghost hunter Cameron Reinhart have a bit of a rough start, but during the course of the story they grow on each other, despite the stunts grandma Mildred and Jane are trying to pull.
We do have some serious moments when someone we know gets murdered and there’s a killer on the loose. There was a nice little twist on the end.
f/f
Themes: Bethel Springs Alabama, Loralyn’s peach cobbler recipe, I see dead people, ghost hunters, an old diary with evidence of a murder, another body turns up, possession, who is buddy? A live show to flush out the killer, Jane’s pink taser saves the day.
3.6 Stars
Set in a small town in the American South, you can imagine two scheming old ladies will be there to liven things up, and they did. They feature in the funeral parlor opening scene of the story and set the tone for the rest of the book. And even though there was plenty of mischief between them, Mildred Smith and her trusty side-kick Jane Green were not as hilarious as, for example, a Robin Alexander can produce them. But they sure try.
Main characters, cop Avery and tv ghost hunter Cameron Reinhart have a bit of a rough start, but during the course of the story they grow on each other, despite the stunts grandma Mildred and Jane are trying to pull.
We do have some serious moments when someone we know gets murdered and there’s a killer on the loose. There was a nice little twist on the end.
f/f
Themes: Bethel Springs Alabama, Loralyn’s peach cobbler recipe, I see dead people, ghost hunters, an old diary with evidence of a murder, another body turns up, possession, who is buddy? A live show to flush out the killer, Jane’s pink taser saves the day.
3.6 Stars
More...