Haunting and Homicide
Ava Burke
(Author)
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Description
Lou Thatcher is haunted by ghosts–friendly ghosts–but when she finds herself involved in a murder investigation, she’s in for the fright of a lifetime in this new cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Ellen Byron.
Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher has a gift: she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District. When rival tour guide Adam Brandt–who accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business–is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is.
It’s no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she’s the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop, she’s officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away.
Weaving her way through Adam’s business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.
Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher has a gift: she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District. When rival tour guide Adam Brandt–who accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business–is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is.
It’s no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she’s the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop, she’s officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away.
Weaving her way through Adam’s business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.
Product Details
| Publisher | Crooked Lane Books |
| Publish Date | January 21, 2025 |
| Pages | 272 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781639109289 |
| Dimensions | 8.6 X 5.7 X 0.9 inches | 0.8 pounds |
About the Author
Ava Burke lives in Northwest Arkansas with her family and a menagerie of animals. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, but she also enjoys hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Reviews
Praise for Haunting and Homicide:
“An engrossing combination of twisty mystery, ghost lore, and tales of the beautiful Garden District.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Ellen Byron’s cozies will appreciate this new series centered on an atmospheric, haunted New Orleans.”
—Library Journal
“Plot twists, well-drawn characters—both corporeal and ghostly—details of running a ghost-tour business, and the spooky New Orleans setting add up to a satisfying series starter that will appeal to fans of Cleo Coyle’s supernatural Haunted Bookshop cozies.”
—Booklist
“An entertaining introduction to Lou’s complicated and enjoyably spooky life as a sleuth in New Orleans.”
—Bookpage
“Ava Burke’s first in this wonderful series centers in New Orleans and has everything. Ghosts, weird family, romance, awkwardness, small business woes, enemies, mystery and of course, murder!”
—The Colorado Sun
“Deftly blending a ghost story within the context of a cozy mystery format author Ava Burke's "Haunting and Homicide" is a uniquely original suspense thriller of a read.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Vivid writing brings the story and setting to life and makes for a true literary escape.”
—Kings River Life
“A fun ghostly time will be had by all who read this book.”
—Red Carpet Crash
“Ava Burke combines all of my favorite mystery elements—from ghosts to tarot readings and New Orleans in her debut mystery, Haunting and Homicide. The book opens with an emotional bang—and the introduction to Kenneth the ghost. And it continues apace with engaging characters and a story with teeth. Highly recommended!”
—Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author of the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series
“Lou’s gift for seeing ghosts is not only a fun basis for this captivating story, Burke’s vivid writing, likeable (and a few detestable) characters, fabulous plotting, and super ending make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Well-done indeed!”
—Fran Stewart, national bestselling author of the ScotShop Mysteries, the Biscuit McKee mystery series, and the non-fiction After I Die: What My Executor Will Need to Know
“Ava Burke delivers a moody and atmospheric paranormal mystery in the pitch-perfect setting of New Orleans, which proudly bills itself as the most haunted city in America. Helmed by empathetic ghost tour guide Lu Thatcher and filled with a winning combination of heart and spooky doings, Haunting and Homicide is a ghost of a great read.”
—Ellen Byron, Agatha Award-winning author of the Cajun Country and Vintage Cookbook Mysteries
“Fast and funny! Fans of ghosts and New Orleans won’t want to miss this smartly written first in a new mystery series.”
—Molly MacRae, author of the Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series
“Don’t miss this high-spirited debut cozy featuring a New Orleans ghost tour guide who sees spirits and even helps one find his killer!”
—Allison Brook, author of the Haunted Library series
“An engrossing combination of twisty mystery, ghost lore, and tales of the beautiful Garden District.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Ellen Byron’s cozies will appreciate this new series centered on an atmospheric, haunted New Orleans.”
—Library Journal
“Plot twists, well-drawn characters—both corporeal and ghostly—details of running a ghost-tour business, and the spooky New Orleans setting add up to a satisfying series starter that will appeal to fans of Cleo Coyle’s supernatural Haunted Bookshop cozies.”
—Booklist
“An entertaining introduction to Lou’s complicated and enjoyably spooky life as a sleuth in New Orleans.”
—Bookpage
“Ava Burke’s first in this wonderful series centers in New Orleans and has everything. Ghosts, weird family, romance, awkwardness, small business woes, enemies, mystery and of course, murder!”
—The Colorado Sun
“Deftly blending a ghost story within the context of a cozy mystery format author Ava Burke's "Haunting and Homicide" is a uniquely original suspense thriller of a read.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Vivid writing brings the story and setting to life and makes for a true literary escape.”
—Kings River Life
“A fun ghostly time will be had by all who read this book.”
—Red Carpet Crash
“Ava Burke combines all of my favorite mystery elements—from ghosts to tarot readings and New Orleans in her debut mystery, Haunting and Homicide. The book opens with an emotional bang—and the introduction to Kenneth the ghost. And it continues apace with engaging characters and a story with teeth. Highly recommended!”
—Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author of the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series
“Lou’s gift for seeing ghosts is not only a fun basis for this captivating story, Burke’s vivid writing, likeable (and a few detestable) characters, fabulous plotting, and super ending make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Well-done indeed!”
—Fran Stewart, national bestselling author of the ScotShop Mysteries, the Biscuit McKee mystery series, and the non-fiction After I Die: What My Executor Will Need to Know
“Ava Burke delivers a moody and atmospheric paranormal mystery in the pitch-perfect setting of New Orleans, which proudly bills itself as the most haunted city in America. Helmed by empathetic ghost tour guide Lu Thatcher and filled with a winning combination of heart and spooky doings, Haunting and Homicide is a ghost of a great read.”
—Ellen Byron, Agatha Award-winning author of the Cajun Country and Vintage Cookbook Mysteries
“Fast and funny! Fans of ghosts and New Orleans won’t want to miss this smartly written first in a new mystery series.”
—Molly MacRae, author of the Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series
“Don’t miss this high-spirited debut cozy featuring a New Orleans ghost tour guide who sees spirits and even helps one find his killer!”
—Allison Brook, author of the Haunted Library series
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