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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
The Ghost of Christmas Past by Angie Fox is a “between the books” holiday story. It can be read as a standalone, but The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries are an entertaining series of books that are not to be missed. I was instantly drawn into The Ghost of Christmas Past with Verity, Frankie, Lucy and Ellis. I like Angie Fox’s engaging writing style which makes for a pleasant to read story. The book has delightful characters (except for Virginia) with my favorite being Frankie the German. He is a ghost that was a gangster in the 1920s. I just love his snarky dialogue and he finds some new friends in this story that allows us to see Frankie’s softer side. Virginia is my least favorite character who decides to humiliate Verity once again. This is a humorous retelling of Charles Dickens classic tale. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a magical tale with surprising spirits, a grating gift, alarming animals, lopsided lights, a gangster ghost and one painful party.
kim_brockway_gatehouse's review against another edition
5.0
A Wonderful Cozy Tale of Christmas Spirit.
I'm a big fan of The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series and have read all the books to date. Angie's writing style is fantastic. I love the pace at which her tales flow, how she lets the mysteries evolve and how she weaves all the elements of her stories together. The characters are full-bodied - even the dead ones - and easily come to life in my imagination. Angie weaves present day mysteries and murders with those of the past and always includes a twist that surprises me!
Although this is a quick short read, all of my expectations were met beautifully. I was completely engaged from the first page to the last. The Ghost of Christmas Past will be one of those books I reach for again and again.
I downloaded the narration and was once again impressed by Tavia Gilbert's performance. The pace at which she read, the emotions she infused the different scenes with and the tonal variations she used for the dialogue. Tavia's narration added rather than diminished Angie's book.
I really loved this story. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a great introduction to the series if you haven't started it yet. We also get a sneaky excerpt from the next book at the end too.
I'm a big fan of The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series and have read all the books to date. Angie's writing style is fantastic. I love the pace at which her tales flow, how she lets the mysteries evolve and how she weaves all the elements of her stories together. The characters are full-bodied - even the dead ones - and easily come to life in my imagination. Angie weaves present day mysteries and murders with those of the past and always includes a twist that surprises me!
Although this is a quick short read, all of my expectations were met beautifully. I was completely engaged from the first page to the last. The Ghost of Christmas Past will be one of those books I reach for again and again.
I downloaded the narration and was once again impressed by Tavia Gilbert's performance. The pace at which she read, the emotions she infused the different scenes with and the tonal variations she used for the dialogue. Tavia's narration added rather than diminished Angie's book.
I really loved this story. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a great introduction to the series if you haven't started it yet. We also get a sneaky excerpt from the next book at the end too.
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
You knew it had to happen…Verity gets her own Christmas Carol. Verity takes on three ghosts to heal her heart and start healing the rift between the Wydells. I absolutely loved this take on an old tale and am reminded that the greatest gift may be love but hope isn’t far behind.
katiya's review
4.0
This Christmas, Verity's going to make a stand. No more will she allow her boyfriend's mother to push her around. But how will Ellis, her warm-hearted beau feel?
Confession: As always with an Angie Fox book, I binged. This series hits all my talking points: a whip-smart main character, a mystery, a sprinkle of romance and ghosts - lots of ghosts. I tucked up on the divan and dove in and it was everything I'd hoped for.
Well recommended.
Confession: As always with an Angie Fox book, I binged. This series hits all my talking points: a whip-smart main character, a mystery, a sprinkle of romance and ghosts - lots of ghosts. I tucked up on the divan and dove in and it was everything I'd hoped for.
Well recommended.
pam_sartain's review against another edition
4.0
Verity and her boyfriend Ellis are in love, the only down side being his family, or more particularly, his mother. It doesn't help that Verity was engaged to Ellis' brother, Beau, and broke it off due to Beau's can't keep it in his pants behaviour, and then Virginia, Beau and Ellis' mother saddled Verity with the bill.
Virginia doesn't think Verity is good enough for Ellis, but then, Virginia doesn't think any one does anything well enough to her mind, and this has been a growing problem for Verity, and this Christmas Eve is the night that Verity snaps.
This novella is a take on A Christmas Carol, and it was one that I enjoyed! The characters are explained to you so that you don't have to have read previous books to understand the situation, and it helps to remind you if you can't remember what happened in a previous book!
The Ghost of Christmas Past was published on 29th November 2019, and is available to buy on Amazon and on Waterstones. I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
This is book 8.5 in the Southern Ghost Hunter series, and I've reviewed number 7, Pecan Pies and Dead Guys and number 8, The Mint Julep Murders
Angie Fox also has another series of books called Accidental Demon Slayer, which has 11 books in the series! She also has a Facebook page and a reader group.
If you're interested in cosy crime books, then other than the previous book in this series, I'd suggest The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett
Virginia doesn't think Verity is good enough for Ellis, but then, Virginia doesn't think any one does anything well enough to her mind, and this has been a growing problem for Verity, and this Christmas Eve is the night that Verity snaps.
This novella is a take on A Christmas Carol, and it was one that I enjoyed! The characters are explained to you so that you don't have to have read previous books to understand the situation, and it helps to remind you if you can't remember what happened in a previous book!
The Ghost of Christmas Past was published on 29th November 2019, and is available to buy on Amazon and on Waterstones. I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
This is book 8.5 in the Southern Ghost Hunter series, and I've reviewed number 7, Pecan Pies and Dead Guys and number 8, The Mint Julep Murders
Angie Fox also has another series of books called Accidental Demon Slayer, which has 11 books in the series! She also has a Facebook page and a reader group.
If you're interested in cosy crime books, then other than the previous book in this series, I'd suggest The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Fast-paced, fun-to-read holiday novella with a new twist on the classic A Christmas Carol. I have read a few books in this series, but this would be a great way for new reads to meet Verity Long, her pet skunk, and her ghostly sidekick, Frankie.
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was adorable. I loved the spin on the classic A Christmas Carol. Instead of the “Scrooge” being shown the past, present and future, it was kind of an outsider who realizes she is the one who can do something.
I loved the way the ghosts were incorporated into it, they were already part of the bigger series so this was the perfect retelling.
The ending was just so heartwarming and wonderful, really the perfect book to read around Christmas time.
I loved the way the ghosts were incorporated into it, they were already part of the bigger series so this was the perfect retelling.
The ending was just so heartwarming and wonderful, really the perfect book to read around Christmas time.
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
4.0
A retelling of A Christmas Carol, Verity style. Lovely!
wulfwyn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0