The Mint Julep Murders

Surprises in the 8th installment of the SGH series. The eighth installment of the Southern Ghost Hunter series, The Mint Julep Murders, finds Verity Long, her formerly alive sidekick Frankie, and cop boyfriend Ellis trapped in the previously abandoned Pikesville Sanitorium dubbed Mint Julep Manor. Located in a neighboring county, the trio is on a mission to get some answers about Frankie’s untimely demise. They meet current owner, Barbara, who is intent on turning the facility into a destination spot for ghost hunters, and a couple visiting for the ghost experience who have some underlying motives. When one of the small group is found dead, Verity must connect with the spectral plane and the long dead residents of the asylum to unmask the killer among them. What she finds brings a new understanding of what is possible in the present world, as well as the spirit world. My favorite part of this series is the thoughtful and respectful way author Angie Fox has her protagonist interact with the dead. Obviously these are fictional characters, but many settings have some basis in actual historical events or practices. This particular book deals with the cruel and torturous treatments inflicted on mental health patients, once upon a time, and Verity’s commitment to helping the Manor’s long dead residents overcome the lasting effects of the horrible things they endured in life. Another fantastic fast paced read, this continues to be one of my favorite mystery series because of the interesting and complex characters, the unexpected plot twists, and the descriptive writing that Fox excels at. If you enjoy mysteries that aren’t terribly dark, mixed with paranormal fun, memorable characters, and a little Southern flavor, this is the series for you. So whether you pick up a hard copy or add this to your electronic reader, make sure you don’t miss The Mint Julep Murders.

The Mint Julep Murders may be the eighth story in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, but it can be read as a standalone. Verity’s background and Frankie’s is included for new readers. The Mint Julep Murders is not as light as the previous books. It is darker and more intense (they are in an insane asylum). Angie Fox’s conversational writing style makes for a pleasurable reading experience. The story grabbed me right away and I kept reading to find out what would happen next. Verity, Ellis and Frankie know to be cautious, but this is beyond what they expected. This trip really opens Ellis’s eyes to the dangers of Verity’s job. The decrepit asylum was the perfect setting for this creepy whodunit. Add in an odd assortment of humans, unique spirits, creepy treatment rooms, strange noises and chill breezes. Verity, with her positive outlook on life, manages to put an upbeat spin on their situation. She is so sweet with her Southern manners and tries to befriend every being she encounters. Verity has a new gingham bag that sounds adorable. Lucy is not with Verity on this adventure, but she is mentioned. The lucky skunk is staying with Melody, Verity’s sister, and gets to visit the library for Take Your Pet to Work Day. The murder has Verity and Ellis wondering which of their companions could have committed the crime. Verity questions the ghostly inhabitants of the asylum. Levi with his room of books was my favorite. Two college ghost hunters have invented a ghost translator app (very clever of them) which leads to some humorous moments. Frankie adds levity with his witty retorts. At one point Frankie exclaims “shoot me now” and Verity replies “I would, but somebody beat me to it”. I loved the ending and I cannot wait to find out what Verity and Frankie get into next time. Come along with Verity, Frankie and Ellis on their latest spooky and chilling escapade in The Mint Julep Murders.

The Mint Julep Murders Angie Fox has given us another wonderful Southern Ghost Hunter mystery. It’s a little bit murder mystery, a little ghost story, a tiny bit romance and special skunk, and a lot creepy. Our heroine Verity accidentally tied a deceased mobster to her rose garden when she dumped his urn on her roses. Until he accomplishes some unknown, he can’t leave her property unless she takes his urn with her. They discovered that he can share some of his ghostly powers with Verity, so she can see and sometimes interact with the ghosts and the past. Verity, Frankie, and Ellis, Verity’s boyfriend, get dragged into various ghostly and mortal mysteries that are both a little scary and a lot of entertainment. This book is one of Angie Fox’s best yet. It involves a haunted asylum with disturbed and haunted ghosts and Verity and Frankie, with Ellis’s help, still looking for a way to free Frankie. The ghosts don’t want anyone to know the truth of what happened there. What ensues is a very interesting and hair-raising quest to solve several ghostly mysteries and keep the humans alive. Angie fox is a terrific writer who ties together the 1920’s gangster past and Southern present with very fascinating and spooky happenings along the way. This book is among her best and the series keeps getting more enjoyable all the time.