Review for Angie Fox's GIVE UP THE GHOST

 Rating: 4.5

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

Verity Long faces the most challenging investigation of her ghost-hunting career. A notorious burn book from a town’s deceased member resurfaces. It holds ugly secrets that could shake the citizens of Sugarland, Tennessee. When the book is stolen, and a resident murdered, Verity agrees to investigate things on the spiritual realm. Verity’s investigation leads her to a possible way to free Frankie, her ghostly mobster sidekick. She just needs to locate the book and find the real killer. Can Verity find the killer before he or she kills again? Will the lead to freeing Frankie be another bust?

Sheriff Ellis Wydell has his hands tied. He anticipates trouble when a burn book shows up among the contents of a time capsule. Ellis’ suspicions prove true when a murder occurs, and his mother is the main suspect. He relies on Verity’s ghost-hunting expertise to clear his mother’s name. However, this scandal promises to tear apart his family. Can Ellis handle the eventual fallout? Or will he lose both his family and Verity?

Verity is no longer the pushover she had been at the start of the series. She has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks in part to her ghostly connections. I like how Verity is not afraid now to bend the rules a little. In her line of work, she knows that it is a necessary evil. What I like the most is how Verity and Virginia have finally come full circle. She gets the chance to air out all her grievances with her nemesis. It is a chapter in her life’s book Verity can close and move on in her future.

Once again, I am disappointed by Ellis’ lack of role in the story. It feels like he has been delegated to the background. He does pop up here or there, but it simply was not enough in my opinion. I love Ellis’ contribution to his and Verity’s dynamic. He always listens when she hits a snag in her ghostly investigations and offers his advice. What I adore the most about Ellis is how he never once abandoned his principles even for his family. He does not abuse the power his profession grants him.

GIVE UP THE GHOST is the eleventh book in Angie Fox’s paranormal romance
series, SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER MYSTERIES I recommend reading the prior ten novels and novellas before starting this book. The story picks up where THE HAUNTED HOMECOMING, book ten, leaves off. I love the scenes with Lucy the skunk and her ghostly friends. It was a good comedic relief from the seriousness of the mystery. Frankie and his shenanigans are still my favorite parts of the story.

GIVE UP THE GHOST is a fun and quirky paranormal tale with a mixture of mystery added in for effect. I hope the next book involves Duranja and the ghostly realm. He and Verity seriously need to overcome their differences, especially if he plans to continue dating her sister. I cannot wait for Verity’s next spooky adventure!