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Book 58, 2018
A Touch of Shabby: A Shabby Hearts Paranormal Cozy Mystery by M.L. BullockMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last night I completed the ebook A Touch of Shabby by ML Bullock. It's the first installment in the "Shabby Hearts" paranormal mystery series, featuring Arcadia Shabeaux, who owns and operates the Shabby Hearts Trailer Park and Campground. Arcadia has taken over the family business from her Aunt Mavis, whose behavior has become increasingly odd after an accident and a head injury.
The park is in serious need of repairs and upkeep, but Arcadia is struggling to make ends meet. However, when someone claims to have seen Bigfoot in the area, business is suddenly booming. It would be a dream come true, but Arcadia now finds herself fending off local reporters, trying to talk down a group of good ol' boys who want to go hunting Bigfoot in the woods behind the trailer park, keeping Aunt Mavis out of trouble, soothing the fears of the tenant who saw Bigfoot, dodging her jerk of an ex-boyfriend, Armand, and stay away from her bitch of a cousin, Kitty. Fortunately for Arcadia, she has a good support system around her.
When a local goes missing and someone else is killed, everyone is in an uproar. Arcadia learns she's a top suspect in the murder, because she had argued with the victim. Since the sheriff has little love for the Shabeaux family, it's up to Arcadia to prove her innocence on her own. To do that, she enlists Mavis' help, as well as recruiting the handsome newcomer who has taken over his uncle's bait shop after the man disappeared.
Wonderful story! It was peopled with a cast of quirky characters, including Arcadia's cousin, Tiffany, and her colony of cats. The plot was interesting and moved along at a good pace. For an ebook, it was pleasantly devoid of editing errors. Narrative was first person pov, in Arcadia's voice, and I enjoyed her fresh and funny outlook.
Favorite line: I swear that girl could hear a bat fart while standing fifty feet underground.
Will definitely be looking for more of this series--four stars:
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