Murder on the House

Haunted Home Renovation Series, Book 3

By: Juliet Blackwell

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Word has spread that contractor Mel Turner can communicate with the spirits of the dead, and she's having a hard time maintaining a low profile. She decides to embrace her reputation for the chance to restore a historic house that calls to her. The new owners, who hope to run a haunted bed-and-breakfast, want Mel to encourage the ghosts that supposedly roam the halls to enhance the house's paranormal charm. The catch: Mel has to spend one night in the house to win the project. During the spine-chilling sleepover, the estate gains another supernatural occupant when someone doesn't survive the night. As Mel tries to coax the resident spirits into revealing the identity of the killer, she risks becoming the next casualty of this dangerous renovation.

©2012 Julie Goodson-Lawes (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This book read like a charm. Juliet Blackwell has a knack for weaving supernatural and mysterious elements into a beautiful story that the reader just cannot put down." (Girl Lost in a Book)

Wonderful

What did you love best about Murder on the House?

The twists and turns the author takes you through!

What did you like best about this story?

The ending was the best.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where Dog is the hero.

My new favorite series

The first two books in the series were good. This one though goes a step ahead in developing characters and the story line. It also sets the premise for Mel to accept her unwanted ability to see ghosts.

The narrator is perfect for the series. She sets the right tone and hits all the right emotional pitches.

Toe-curlingly delightful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It depends on the friend - this sort of writing and story isn't for everyone. If you've listened to the rest of the series, absolutely. This one is the best so far! I'm falling even more in love with Mel Turner and her life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mel is definitely my favorite character, which is atypical for me. I tend to gravitate towards other characters, but I feel such a kinship with her - her skepticism, thoroughness, quirky style, and curiosity.

What does Xe Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The ability to do other things whilst being entertained! I've learned to love Xe Sands' narrative style - at first (starting with the witching series), I found her a little difficult to listen to, but I've grown to appreciate the nuance with which she voices each character. Her soothing voice allows my mind to relax into the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Historical home renovation just got spookier! Which sounds awful. Nobody would ask me to write a tag line for a movie.

This is a good story line.. HGTV meets a mystery.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes… although at times it is slow moving.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder on the House?

I liked the marbles

What does Xe Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like her voice.

Any additional comments?

Liked it better to listen than to read.

Love her books!

I love Juliet Blackwell's bonds! very entertaining. I catch myself laughing or chuckling frequently.
All her books are a great read!

Kept me guessing.

Really liked the book and the narrator enough to forgo music everytime I got in the car. Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

Great series

This is a thoroughly enjoyable series. The narrator is perfect for the books. The topic of mysteries in old houses is a lot of fun and the characters are great.

Not my Favorite

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Spend more time developing the additional characters, like Mel's father, his best friend, and the step son. I just love Mel's father, and would love to see more of him other than cooking dinner or breakfast. Xe Sands voice given to Mel's father makes him come alive and makes me want more of him!

What was most disappointing about Juliet Blackwell’s story?

Mel is frustrating with always doing what she wants when she wants and never giving a thought to anyone else. The romance part of the book with Graham is worthless, either have a bit of romance or leave it out all together. A kiss per book is ridiculous.

What aspect of Xe Sands’s performance would you have changed?

I like Xe Sands

Turned heroine into nosy busybody

I enjoyed the first two books in the series. One thing this one did improve on – was Mel’s ability to interact with the paranormal. This was more due to the paranormal entities than it did with Mel improving her abilities. What really disappointed me in this story was it turned Mel into a nosey busybody. If she had approached me and treated me how she treated some of the people in this story I would have been arrested for physically removing her from my presence.

As usual, I love how the author brings the past into the present with the stories/cases and she does a great job of bringing the Bay Area to life in my mind. I love a nut for cold cases and history and this book series totally feeds that need. It is a very visual way of storytelling all the way down to Mel’s clothes and the food folks eat.

I love how Mel loves her family which is why I find it weird how Graham (her love interest) is almost non-existent in personality and impacts on the story. Mel has more chemistry with the young guy Zach or the police detective she met in the previous story. It will be interesting to see how the author continues with the romantic side plot.

Graham is a Jerk

The story is good, entertaining and very listenable. But between her father forcing Graham down her throat and Graham’s constant attempts to control the main character that part of the story line is sooo annoying. Why would she be interested in this guy? Then he keeps interfering with her contracts, without any consideration or consultation. Why can’t female characters be strong and inspiring instead of swooning over some hunk like an airhead. At least give us some reason to like the guy.