A Haunted Murder

A Lin Coffin Mystery, Book 1

By: J A Whiting

Narrated by: Suzie Althens

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

After the death of her grandfather, Lin Coffin returns to the island of her birth, Nantucket, Massachusetts, to make a new start in life, but things don't begin smoothly. After not seeing one for 20 years, a ghost appears in her back yard and her cousin, Viv, becomes a suspect in a murder. Lin and Viv, with the help of several others, work to solve the crime before the killer strikes again. This story has ghosts and some mild paranormal elements.

©2015 J A Whiting (P)2016 J A Whiting

Sweetly Haunted

I loved the spooky feeling to the mystery of this story. I really enjoyed Lin and Viv looking for the murderer and the overall feel to the story. Suzie had a great voice to add to the story and made it all feel a bit more haunted.

Standard Fare

Didn’t keep my attention all the way through, but it was cute, and fun. Nice and light, an easy listen.

Loved this from beginning to end!

great story and reader .... kept me engrossed and wonderfully entertained. such a fun read.

Unwanted gifts

Where does A Haunted Murder rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

4/5 I enjoyed this genre of the ability to see spirits and solve mysteries.

What did you like best about this story?

When Lin discovered she wasn't the only one with this gift.

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

Good diction, cadence, brought the characters to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Enjoyed the history/genealogy aspect of the book.

Any additional comments?

"I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.”

Nice cozy mystery

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, I fell in love with the characters in this book and listening to the descriptions of Nantucket Island.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I thought Susie Althens did a fantastic job narrating this book.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Has series potential

As someone very familiar with Nantucket, I was interested in the setting authenticity, which I found a bit lacking: mention of cobblestone streets and whaling port history was something one could have gotten off a cursory internet glance. Honestly, I didn't get the impression that the cousins had much of an island background at all. I came away feeling that the story could've just as easily been set at say, Mystic or Kennebunkport. But, that's me; most folks have never been there, so shouldn't be as much of an issue for them.

I cut slack for the first book in a series as they're usually more about the set up than the mystery angle itself. I will say the characters were easily distinguished, rather than stock, and the plotting was decent in terms of propelling the action along. Lin's cousin was perhaps the weakest as she came across as a tad ... wimpy to me. I'm not a dog person, but was fond of Lin's sidekick Nicky (could be the artwork there though). I appreciated the resolution quite a lot, and after reading a review that said the second book is stronger, I'm open to trying another.

Narration fit the story overall, although at times I felt the "local" accent sounded almost as though it more Tidewater Virginia than New England (then again, they were settled at the same time).

(Disclaimer: review copy provided by the author)

a little slow paced but enjoyable

I usually like my murder mysteries to be fast passed and upbeat but I still enjoyed listening to this and enjoyed Suzie Athens narration. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Look out Hamish Macbeth, there is a new detective

I love M.C. Beaton, I love her Hamish Macbeth series and Her Agatha Rasin series. But I found them Both in mid sequence as a late comer I am always playing catch up. Fret no more, I have found J A Whiting's Lin Coffin Mystery at volume one and I can't wait to sink my teeth into Book 2 . I loved everything about this book, from the super natural abilities of the protagonist to her very helpful pets.
The narration was spot on with each character delineated with their own unique personalities. I will look for more of Suzie Athen's work.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher but I would gladly have used one of my credits for the pleasure of this audio book

Murder and ghosts in a whaling town!

cozy-mystery, ghosts, relationships, family-dynamics, Nantucket, amateur sleuth

A really nice cozy in a truly historic area with strong, intelligent characters. Nantucket sounds like a good place to find ghosts, and with a long family history there, and a susceptibility to interaction with them, Lin has the inside track to sleuthing the murder. Held my interest all the way through to the surprise ending.
Suzie Althens gave each character a meaningful performance.
I was fortunate to request and receive a gift copy from the publisher, author, or narrator courtesy of AudioBookBOOM.

Needs Different Narrator

I like the story, but won't listen to sny more with this narrator. This is the only one I've come across where her breathing irritated me & made listening unenjoyable.