The Ghost of Christmas Past

Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 8.5

By: Angie Fox

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author, Angie Fox, a hauntingly fun holiday addition to the USA Today best-selling Southern Ghost Hunter series

Southern girl Verity Long needs a Christmas miracle....

Verity is ready to deck the halls, jingle some bells, and maybe, just maybe have a merry Christmas with her boyfriend’s stuffy family. Truly, if she doesn’t extend the proverbial olive branch to the overbearing Wydells, she’s afraid she’ll hit them over the head with it.

But when her boyfriend’s mother pulls a shocking stunt, Verity finds herself with a big decision to make. And if that’s not enough, there’s an unexpected guest at her door. It’s the ghost of the woman who helped rescue Verity’s pet skunk three years ago that very night. And now she’s there to change Verity’s life as well.

A "between the books" holiday story you don't want to miss!

©2019 Angie Fox (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

I absolutely love this Christmas story, filled with forgiveness and warmth. Great writing Angie.
I would highly recommend this book and in audio as well.

Excellent narration Tavia Gilbert.

Love it!

I think this is one of my favorite Varity Long stories so far! Dealing with her ghost adventures with a heartfelt story along with it.

nice Christmas story.. short and sweet

I liked seeing verity get mad.. she needed to blow off done steam. As usual the twists turn out alright in the end.

A great reminder

Family is important. This story reminds us that no matter the hurts, angst, or dislike of family members that we may have, family is important. Thank you Angie!

A Nice Spin on an Old Classic

Verity gets Scrooged. Expecting to rescue some animals from certain death, Verity Long, ghost whisperer extraordinare, and her sidekick Frankie the German certainly did not expect to run into some of Ellis Wydell’s lost-lost relatives. How was she going to get out of this mess, could she escape this mess?

Loved it, wish it was a full book!

I was so excited to see that this series had a christmas story and that it strongly parodied A Christmas Carol. My only complaint is that I wish it were a full book! The writing and narration is wonderful as always.

(Spoilers) I was legit whooping with triumph in my car on the way to work when Verity finally freaking told off Virginia. Been waiting the whole series for that! I think I actually have a negative association with pears now lol. I see why Ellis felt the need to still go to the party but he’s been letting his noxious mother slide for far too long.

I never realized that Virginia was so horrible to ppl in her own family and circle, not just to Verity. This shouldn’t have been such a twist but it really was to me! Her brother’s ghost seemed to imply that she was responsible for tearing the Wydells apart once she joined the family. I was glad to see more insight into Beau and other characters.

I personally thought that Frankie was at his best in this one, he had me laughing out loud. It was so cute and funny how much he loved the bear cubs and how desperately he wanted to return to his romantic evening with Molly. It was interesting how Verity’s task led her back to Ellis and co. I agree that Virginia deserved her foreseen fate but def not at the cost of Ellis and Verity’s relationship and Beau’s life. I’m glad that Verity found a healthy medium between being vindictive and being a doormat.

I highly recommend this series and can’t wait to finish it myself! I can’t wait for more to come out, the possibilities are really endless! Would love to see one centered on Halloween.

Another great Verity Long story!

I love Verity and Frankie! They always keep you turned into their adventures!
Please, keep the stories coming!

Poignant Holiday Ghostly Adventure

How a group of ghosts save Verity's Christmas and a family of bears might have played a part. It's never dull in Sugarland for Verity and Frankie. I love the holiday ghostly mystery novellas that come out between the main series stories just as much and this one was particularly poignant as it mashed up Southern Ghost Hunter with Dicken's A Christmas Carol.

The Ghost of Christmas Past is #8.5 in the series that works best when read/listened to in order as the mysteries are standalone, but the character and relationship arcs continue through the series books.

Verity has a lot of Christmas cheer as she decorates the old house and has dressed to the nines for the anticipated Christmas party with Ellis' family at his Uncle Montgomery's place. But, Virginia Wydell wrecks it all when she insults Verity and attempts to make her feel an unwanted hick who is beneath her son. Verity is understandably upset and particularly when Ellis is understanding about his mother being out of line, but wants to deal with it later and just enjoy being at the family Christmas. Verity has had enough. She tells off Virginia and sends Ellis along to his family Christmas. She's not mad at him, but is seething the way Virginia keeps taking shots at her pride and making Ellis miserable.

But, her lonesome bitter night is interrupted when an old welcome friend ghost arrives and needs her help. Animals are trapped in an old cider mill and in immediate danger. This was the friend who supported Verity in her darkest days and helped her when Lucy was a baby skunk. Verity doesn't hesitate and, because the cider mill is haunted, insists that Frankie come along to help. Naturally, Frankie isn't eager and takes some persuading, but they eventually get there and Verity is not happy to discover the cider mill is on Wydell land and haunted by an older Wydell ghost.

Then, the ghost insists she help with his concern about his family before he will let her help the animals. Verity is still smarting from Virginia's last hurtful action and is reluctant to help a ghost for the first time. So, the ghost doesn't give her a choice to discover what she needs to know so she can make something right.

At first, I was startled by Verity's hard-nosed approach when, in the past, she hasn't let Virginia's antics get to her. I was fearful that she was going to destroy the good thing she had with Ellis by forcing him into choosing family or her. But, then the book progressed and I saw why this all had to be the way it was so the end could be more poignant and resolve well.

While shorter, this one was as fully developed and engaging as the longer stories in the series. I loved the special holiday spirit and theme to this one.

Tavia Gilbert was magnificent as usual for the narration work. She really shines when she enacts a dialogue bantery scene between Verity and Frankie. I love that she narrates the whole series.

All in all this was full of all the things I love about this series and a little bit more heart for the holidays. Paranormal Cozy Mystery fans should definitely give this series a look-see.

I loved this story

This is possibly my favorite, i love Frankie’s part as always and the entire story had me wondering where it was going. Ending was perfect!

Verity Long and Ellis

This is a great series. Lucy is the best. I have read or listened to every book in the series. It's what a Cozy Mystery should be. Crazy, fun and interesting. you never know where Frankie and Verity will get into.