Give Up the Ghost

By: Juliet Blackwell

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

San Francisco millionaire Andrew Stirling wants to sell his Victorian mansion, but ghostly music, the squeaking of a long-disappeared weathervane, and an angry ghost keep running off potential buyers. After a famous psychic is called in, she informs the Stirlings that their multimillion-dollar renovations to "update" the home have left its resident ghost extremely agitated. So contractor Mel Turner is engaged to track down and replace some of the original features of the house. But when the beautiful psychic is found stabbed, it appears that someone had a very human motive for murder. Now Mel must use her ghost whispering gift to uncover the secrets of the haunted house on the hill and her sleuthing skills to catch a killer.

©2015 Julie Goodson-Lawes (P)2015 Tantor

Best book in the entire series!

This story kept my complete attention from beginning to end. The setting is an old 4-story mansion in San Francisco that has been remodeled into a "modern monstrosity". A grumpy ghost, classical music, secret passageways and disembodied voices send potential buyers of the $29 million property running from the house vowing never to return. The very wealthy owner, and his heirs, are all desperate to sell and Mel is asked to hunt down as much of the original architectural pieces as possible in hopes of appeasing the grumpy ghost.

During her investigation into the home, Mel finds the murdered body of a very beautiful woman. Standing over the deceased is her oh so handsome brother. Could the brother, or a member of the wealthy family have had a reason to kill this beautiful woman?

On top of that, two more ghosts are present in this story. One is haunting friends of Mel and one is...well, I won't spoil that part of the story for you.

I will say that the ending of the book surprised me, yet delighted me at the same time. Xe Sands did a marvelous job narrating the book and I look forward the Haunted Home Renovation story!

4 people found this helpful

Better and Better!

This series just gets better and better. It seems odd to assign 5 stars to such light lit, but the stars are my measure of the pleasure this delightful author delivers time and time again!

3 people found this helpful

The best of the series so far.

Juliet Blackwell has a way with words that develops a character in the reader's mind. Paired with Xe Sand's wonderful voice and full range of portrayed emotions, the stories about remodeling contractor Mel Turner draw the listener into a world filled with ghosts, murderers and many interesting regular characters. The plot line can be a bit predictable at times, but the great characters in these stories make up for the minor flaws. Well worth a listeners time and a fun way to burn a few hours.

2 people found this helpful

How many Ghosts?

Delightful Story! Try to to solve the mystery's of not one but 3 ghosts. The narrator was excellent. There was no difficulty recognizing each character, and no pause between character change. The reading flowed smoothly. i enjoyed guessing the outcome of each ghostly happening. I believe you will too. Oh, and there may be some attraction developing between our crime solver and an interesting character, but she is no good at reading what is going on with her!

2 people found this helpful

Best one yet!

Any additional comments?

I've listened to all the Haunted Home Renovation series. I think this is the best one yet. I love the chemistry with Mel and Landon. And the mysteries were great. Inspector Crawford and Luce are wonderful characters and add so much.

2 people found this helpful

I Love This Series

I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. Give Up the Ghost was no different. There is lots of character development and action. I love the relationship Mel has with her family and friends. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

2 people found this helpful

Funny!

Several laugh out loud moments, excellent murder mystery, with a twist, ghosts! Xe Sands brings it to life. Fully enjoyed this book. I just wish I would have started from the first of the haunted house renovations series. I am now working my way back, but its OK I'm enjoying them too.

4 people found this helpful

Each one gets better!!!

I loved it. So believable, great plot. Did not figure it out, and usually I do.

Xe Sands always does a great job. I've now listened to all the witchy series and house ghost series. Ready for more.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting fluffy mystery

I read the reviews before purchasing this audiobook, so I pretty much knew what to expect. I called this more of a beach read and a chilling go story or psychological thriller. That said, this book was enchanting, fun, and a little bit spooky. The narration was solid and appropriate. I really like what Xe Sands did bringing the story to life in a lighthearted but interesting way. You'll enjoy this story if you don't expect it to be great literature.

1 person found this helpful

Very entertaining.

A quick and engrossing book. Grabs you from the get-go and holds you until the end. Leaving you satisfied yet wanting more.

1 person found this helpful