Pecan Pies and Dead Guys

Pecan Pies And Dead Guys is another in the series of a sweet southern ghost whisperer with an equally sweet pet skunk named Lucy. And lets not forget her ghostly ganster friend,Frankie. I love these books, they give us silly fun one minute and mindbending terror the next.

In this most recent installment of Angie Fox’s delightful Southern Ghost Hunter series, protagonist Verity Long continues to walk the fine line between the here and now, and the ghostly realm she moves through with the reluctant assistance of Frankie the German. This time, however, it’s Frankie who needs Verity’s help to solve a decades old murder in order to appease an old nemesis. Frankie’s world almost brings Verity’s investigating of crimes in the ghost world and in the non-ghost world to an untimely end as she puts everything on the line to expose a long dead murderer. Life in present day Sugarland proves just as dangerous, as the characters navigate difficult relationships and impossible expectations. With her cop boyfriend by her side, Verity risks life and limb to keep all of those she loves and cares for safe from threats known and unknown. This series is the perfect blend of all of my favorites genres: mystery, supernatural, with a splash of romance, and a hint of thriller. The stories are well crafted with interesting characters, complex but enjoyable plots, beautifully designed settings, and enough detail to give the reader a strong sense of the author’s vision. The books have recognizable continuity throughout the series and each one adds nicely to development of characters and back story. Fox has really hit her stride with this book. It was the perfect length for curling up on a rainy Sunday and losing yourself in a great story. And as always, she’s set readers up for the next installment wrapping things up with the slightest hint of what’s to come. If you like good mysteries, fun, quirky characters, great atmospheric settings, a bit of light romance, a little suspense, and an element of the paranormal, do not miss the Southern Ghost Hunter series.

Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox is the seventh book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Verity Long is surprised when she receives a call from her boyfriend and deputy, Ellis Wydell. He wants her to come to a crime scene at the quarry with Frankie to see if can provide some insights. Unfortunately, Verity is unable to provide any helpful intel. Later that evening, Verity and Ellis are attending a barbeque hosted by Virginia Wydell, Ellis’s mother when Inspector Julien De Clercq catches up with them. They have agreed to help Inspector De Clercq with a case that has stumped him for a century in exchange for the charges against Frankie being dropped. Verity has three days to solve the murder that occurred on the Adair estate in 1928 before the ghostly crime scene and the suspects disappear for another year. In the world of the living, Virginia is on a tear because Beau has decided to quit his law practice and to become an eclectic folk artist. He says it is all thanks to Verity (oh dear) and Virginia wants Verity to fix it. Virginia dangles a precious Long family heirloom as bait. After a night of questioning ghostly suspects, Verity finds a pecan pie on her kitchen counter. Lucy knocks it over before Verity can take a bite. When another pecan pie is left in the kitchen, Verity becomes suspicious. How did the person get into her home when all the doors were locked? Come along to charming Sugarland, Tennessee where ghosts and murder abound along with eccentric citizens, adorable skunk and a determined sleuth. Pecan Pies and Dead Guys is a part of The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries and I suggest reading the series in order. Each book builds upon the previous one in this charming Southern series. Verity has her work cut out for her in this time. There are two murders to solve along with the mysterious pecan pie problem and Beau’s desire to become an artist. Beau believes he is the next Andy Warhol and his new girlfriend, Zoey Lee is encouraging him (his artwork would work well in a haunted house). I like the variety of quirky characters with my favorite being Verity’s resident ghost, Frankie “the German” Winkelmann. Of course, let us not forget Verity’s pet skunk, Lucy (only in Sugarland). Pecan Pies and Dead Guys is nicely written with a fast pace. I quickly devoured this novel. I laughed frequently at the wacky antics in the story. Wait until you discover what Frankie has created in Ellis’ attic. The two mysteries were interesting with the ghostly one being more difficult to solve. The present day murder is a cinch to figure out. I wish the author had put a little more effort into it. The ending is sweet and heartwarming. We also get a clue as to what will occur in the next volume in this whimsical series. I am giving Pecan Pies and Dead Guys 4 out of 5 stars. I have gotten my mother hooked on this series. When she heard I received Pecan Pies and Dead Guys, my kindle disappeared (I am thankful I have a spare one). I heard chuckles emanating from her room for the next several hours.