Kristina A. reviewed on 10/11/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Deader Home and Gardens by Angie Fox is the fourth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series. Verity Long has given up her graphic design business and has become a ghost hunter. So far, though, she has not gotten any clients. Verity has kept herself busy by helping her boyfriend, Ellis Wyndell decorate his home. They are trying out new curtains when she receives a call from Lee Treadwell. Lee states he needs Verity to come over immediately. Verity is excited to have her first client. She heads home to collect Frankie, her gangster ghost and link to the spiritual world, and heads to Rock Fall manor (Lee's ancestral home). It turns out that Rock Fall manor is haunted. A tragedy occurred after Jack Treadwell (Lee's grandfather) brought home artifacts (that were said to be cursed) from an Egyptian tomb in 1910. The whole family died within a short period. Jack, Annabelle (his wife), Charlotte (his young daughter), and Robert (his brother-in-law). The governess survived but she suffered severe burns from a fire. The son survived but only because he was living in New York at the time. Lee has been living in the caretaker's cottage on the property. He has never entered the manor house. Rock Fall is crumbling and needs major repairs. In order to accomplish that task, he needs to enter the house. Lee needs to find something of value that he can sell. Verity needs to find out why the ghosts are hanging around. In order to accomplish her job, Verity needs Frankie's help (his power). Frankie, though, is not happy. He dislikes being stuck on her property, and has decided that having fun might free him. He wants to have his friends (his bootlegging, gangster friends who like to shoot off guns, gamble, and drink) around. In exchange for Frankie's help on the case, Verity agrees to let him have use of the back porch (you know Frankie is going to take advantage). When Verity discovers Egyptian artifacts in the dining room of Rock Fall manor along with Jack's journals, she calls in her old college professor, Dale Grassino. Dale is excited to read the journals, but he never gets the chance. He dies in the study. Did one of the ghosts kill him? Verity is even more determined to find out what is going on at Rock Fall manor (the ghosts have been very secretive) and get a happy ending for Lee and the ghosts.

Deader Home and Gardens was a delight to read. I love the antics of Verity and Frankie (Frankie is quite a character). Ms. Fox does a remarkable job at creating characters that the readers can relate to. The mystery was interesting as well as complicated and had a good twist (I do not believe everyone will see it coming). The ghosts or spirits were a nice mix. Some were scary and creepy while others were friendly and endearing. Deader Homes and Gardens can be read as a stand-alone (but why would you). Angie Fox gives the readers the background information on Verity and her situation (how she ended up with Frankie and dead broke). I do, though, recommend that you read the previous books in the series (they are highly entertaining). I give Deader Homes and Gardens 4.5 out of 5 stars (I did solve the mystery). The ending leaves the reader desiring more. I just wish we did not have to wait months for the next installment!

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