Lucy Ness

Phantoms and Felonies by Lucy Ness is a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery. Avery Morgan has been hard at work to revitalize the Portage Path Women’s Club by booking events in the elegant Dennison mansion. They need a big influx of cash as well as new members, so Avery has come up with a twenties themed murder mystery event which is open to the public. Unfortunately, the local banker is found bumped off in the speakeasy in the basement of the mansion. Avery sets out to solve the murder with help from the mansion’s resident ghost, Clemmie Bow. Phantoms and Felonies is the second book in A Haunted Mansion Mystery series. I was able to read Phantoms and Felonies, but the task would have been easier if I had read Haunted Homicide. I just loved Clemmie Bow, the flapper ghost who has become Avery’s friend. I enjoyed the 1920s slang (it was the bee’s knees). The mystery has several suspects who all had motive to rub-out the banker. There are good clues to help readers solve the whodunit before the reveal. I enjoyed the witty banter between Clemmie and Avery. They work well together and have a good friendship. There is humor throughout the story that will have readers chuckling. Aunt Rosemary was a hoot. Aunt Rosemary is a psychic who lives in Lily Dale, New York where Avery grew up. She believes that Avery has psychic powers as well, but Avery has always claimed she does not believe in all that “woo woo” stuff. Now, Avery works to make sure her aunt does not find out about Clemmie. I hope that Avery will embrace her gift as the series progresses. Phantoms and Felonies is an entertaining tale with a flapper phantom, an assertive aunt, a dashing detective, a bumped off banker, and a cat’s meow chick.… (mais)

Avery Morgan's latest idea to revitalize the Portage Path Women's Club is to host a murder mystery dinner. She has to deal with a prima donna author, a banker turned actor with ideas of his own about the story, a club member who thinks the whole thing is a bad idea, and a number of other characters with their own agendas.

When the banker turned actor winds up dead before the play is well under way, Avery needs to help her boyfriend Oz find the killer. She really hopes that it isn't another club member which would really ruin her plans for good PR for the Club.

Avery is assisted by ghost Clemmie Bow who was killed in the speakeasy in the basement during the 1920s. Part of this case included keeping Clemmie secret from her Aunt Rosemary who is a noted medium from Lily Dale. Aunt Rosemary decided to surprise her niece by attending the mystery dinner but wasn't expecting to discover the body and be accused of murder. She has always thought that Avery had some psychic powers though Avery had constantly denied any such talent.

This was an entertaining cozy mystery with interesting characters and an engaging plot.… (mais)