Publication Feb. 20, 2024
Such a fun series. I came to it rather belatedly but it works well as a stand alone. True, there remain some unanswered questions in my mind that may or may not have been answered in previous books, like why is the ghostly Dr. Jack Strathmore stuck not only on earth but cannot leave that particular property. But, in the grand scheme of things, you just accept and move along because, well, you'll quickly be intrigued. Besides Charlene, the Mrs. Morris of the title, only Silva, her cat, seems able to see him. It's rather obvious that were he still among the living, Charlene and he would make a great pair. As it is, though, his mere existence creates complications for Charlene's budding relationship with Detective Sam Holden who doesn't believe in such nonsense as ghosts and such. Uh, oh....
This book focuses on the murder of Trinity Powers, a former movie legend known for her role as the mermaid Sirena. She's been living a reclusive life for decades for reasons unknown but returns to her home town of Salem to participate in the town's new, hoped-to-be annual mermaid parade and festival. Unfortunately, she never makes the parade. Alannah, her younger rival for "most popular" mermaid does, however. Could she be the killer? She does seem self-absorbed and wasn't even invited to the festival but invited herself. Pushy much? How about her father? Their relationship is odd, definitely strained. He also seems to have turned to drink. Then there are the obsessed, over-the-top fan club presidents, so to speak. Or maybe the artist filled with angst after Trinity derided his design for the festival's collectible tee-shirt? He did take off and go into hiding almost immediately at the approach of a police officer after the murder, after all.
Heck, even some of the fans gathered for the festival, several staying at Charlene's B & B, seem obsessed with the mermaid lifestyle. They travel from show to show, in costume, and spend big bucks for anything mermaid. Could one of them have decided to remove Trinity, the older, more classical mermaid actress as a means to curry favor with the ambitious Alannah? In other words, lots of suspects and twists and turns, not to mention side-stories.
Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am already looking forward to the next. I felt very comfortable dropping into Charlene's world, ghosts, witches, and all. I not only liked Charlene but the rest of the characters, even her spectral friend Jack. Both make giant steps forward in their lives (can I call Jack's ghostly existence a life?), and, oh, my, so glad to see Charlene's relationship with Sam make some huge strides. I guess I can say that I came for the mystery but it's the characters that keep me coming back. Between them and the lure of Salem's history, this series is a winner in my book. Now, if I could just find time to go back and see which of my lingering questions have been long answered in past books. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me catch up to their present, however.
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