Series: A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery, #3
Publisher: Signet
Released: December 4, 2012
Source: Review copy from the publisher
Rating: ★★★★★

Since word has spread that contractor Mel Turner can communicate with the spirits of the dead, it’s been difficult to maintain a low profile. She embraces her new reputation, however, for the chance to restore an historic house in San Francisco’s Castro District. The new owners, who hope to run a haunted B&B, want Mel to encourage the ghosts that supposedly roam the halls to enhance the paranormal charm.

The catch: Mel has to spend one night in the house to win the project. But during the spine-chilling sleepover, the estate gains another spectral inhabitant—when someone doesn’t survive the night. And 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.

MURDER ON THE HOUSE was a spooky little cozy mystery, and I loved every minute of it! Though I haven’t read the first two books in this series, I was able to jump right into this one with no problems. The main character Mel and I felt like longtime friends.

Mel Turner is a contractor, specializing in the restoration of older homes in San Francisco. She can also see and sometimes communicate with ghosts that dwell in these places.

The new owners of a Victorian house want to hire Mel for both her restoration and “ghost whispering” abilities. They want Mel to convert the home into a Bed & Breakfast, but first she has to spend the night in the house to see if she’s up to the challenge. But, things don’t go so well. Someone ends up murdered in the house, and Mel’s hoping the ghostly residents will help her figure out the culprit.

Truly I enjoyed everything about this book. It was the perfect blend of ghost story and clever mystery, with a cast of interesting and likable characters. I also loved the author’s rich descriptions of the San Francisco Bay area – really drew me into the story.

I would highly recommend MURDER ON THE HOUSE to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.