Secrets, Lies and Fireflies

Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 14

De: Angie Fox

Narrado por: Hollie Jackson

Verity’s family tree has deep roots… and deadly secrets. Some families pass down antiques or china. Verity’s family? They can’t seem to pass up a good mystery. So when Verity’s dearly departed grandmother drops by unexpectedly, Verity is overjoyed—until she learns Grandma Didi is back with a chilling request tied to a cherished family heirloom.

With the help of her ghostly sidekick Frankie—who is too busy declaring her grandmother his ultimate nemesis—Verity traces a trail of clues from her beloved family home to a forgotten suffragette hideout to a secret enclave hidden in the Sugarland Library itself.

But every discovery pulls Verity deeper into danger, and some in Sugarland will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. If Verity isn’t careful, she could lose more than her family legacy—she could end up following her grandmother to the other side.

©2025 Angie Fox (P)2025 Angie Fox

what a difference a narrator makes.

narration took away from the story, so not sure if I would of liked the story better with previous narrator, but I will read it to see if I enjoy the story.

Doesn't disappoint

Excellent story, new chara ters are believable and old characters are still as interesting as always.

New narrator!

The book was good. I just wish I had noticed that there was a new narrator before I bought it. Miss the old one bit everyone says that when there is a change I guess.

So, It's a Little Different, But Still Really Good

So, it's a little bit different - it's always unsettling when you're used to one person narrating, and suddenly that person changes. I loved Tavia Gilbert's interpretation, and honestly - it's hard to hear anyone else's voice as Frankie, the German (I've always said she IS Frankie). I didn't want that to change, and I don't know why it did, but I really wanted to give it a fair chance. I've always liked Hollie Jackson's snappy presentation in other series - she's just different than what we expected here. It felt really jarring at first, but once I settled into the story and got more used to Hollie reading instead of Tavia, she still did do a really good job. Frankie was only a little different, but it would be difficult to make him sound identical to the Frankie we're used to. I think my only observation would be to tone down the southern accents a little bit, which she does seem to do as the book progresses. The story is as engaging and entertaining, as usual. Verity did seem a little more oblivious than usual, but it is, overall, another great entry to this series. Even with a different narrator, I can still honestly say I can't wait until the next one!

Disappointed

I have listened to every book in this series and I love it,or did. Not a fan of the new narrator. I’m not sure I’ll listen to another one.

New narrator but it worked

Secret, Lies, and Fireflies is book 14 in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. I loved this addition to the series. I loved all of the history and Verity finding out more about her ancestors. My favorite part of these books is that I have been listening to the series for so long that each time a new one comes out, it is like returning home and visiting old friends.

I was surprised to hear that Tavia Gilbert didn’t narrate this book, as she has done the first 13 books, but I think the new narrator did a great job. She made it as seamless of a transition as possible. It is certainly a credit to the author that even though Verity didn’t sound like Tavia’s Verity, she still sounded like herself in personality and mannerisms. I think the continuity in character helped the new narrator to slide right in as Verity’s new voice. I do miss how Tavia did Frankie’s voice though. The new narrator didn’t quite nail how I expect him to sound. Overall, though, the narration was great. She was easy to listen to. She did voice acting like we are used to hearing during the parts where Verity is in trouble and had a pleasant voice. So, while I am disappointed to not hear Tavia since I adore her work, I think the narrator they chose was a good fit. Overall, I give this book 5 stars.

Caution - Preview the narration before purchasing the audiobook

I rarely say anything negative about books that I listen to or read because I am always grateful for the author’s creativity, effort, commitment, and willingness to share their talent with the world. Sadly, I could barely make it through this book 14 in the series. While I truly enjoyed audiobooks 1-13, I think the narration for #14 is significantly influencing my review.
To me, the narration was awful. The main character was portrayed as whiny with communication style that was over the top for the entire book. The vocal inflections made me think of a petulant teenager rather than a strong adult woman. The only reason I made it to the end was because I kept hoping the story could draw me in enough to forget about the voice. And while I do think the story was quite good with a very interesting premise, I spent the last 5 hours of the book praying for it to be over. (Yes I could have stopped and returned the book, but that impacts the author’s finances.) If I had time to read a physical book I would have stopped the audio and purchased the book.

new narrator

I don't care for the new narrator. I almost just didn't listen to it , but made it through and still just couldn't enjoy this audible book.

Great series

I love this series, I wish this book had followed the other books in this series with the same narrator. The change in character voices was very different fom the original. The narrator did a nice job, it was just different.

What?!

Why would you change narrators after 13 books? Ok, I get it, stuff happens, but at least make the new narrator listen to the previous 13 books and try and get it close. Verity went from Southern Lady to trailer park PTA. Don’t even get me started on Frankie.
Skip this one and read it instead. I feel like it diminished the impact of the story. I’m getting a hard copy if any more books come out.