Book 107, 2020

A Ghost for Christmas by J.D. Winters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Last night I completed the ebook A Ghost for Christmas by JD Winters. It's the first installment in the "Destiny Bay" cozy series, featuring Mele Keahi, a displaced island gal with the ability to see ghosts.

After a nasty breakup, Mele goes to visit her Aunt Bebe in Destiny Bay. She was hoping for some R&R, but instead, she literally stumbles over a dead man on the sidewalk in front of Bebe's house. Because Bebe had a contentious relationship with Kyle, she's now a suspect in his murder. Mele knows her aunt wouldn't have killed a man, no matter how much of a jerk he was, and she begins asking around in an effort to find other suspects for Detective McKnight to look into. In the meantime, Mele reconnects with her friend, Jill, and is shaken when the ghost of a handsome man from her childhood in Hawaii appears in Bebe's house. Then there's the ghost of Aunty Jane, whom Bebe can also see in the garden. Mele's suspicions and investigations land her in the sights of a killer, and it may take a ghost to keep her safe.

Eh. On its surface, the story was cute and light. Mele was likable. I did not like Detective McKnight; he was an utter ass, but of course, he's the apparent love interest. Maybe it's just me? If a guy was that much of a jerk to me the first time we met, there would be no romance. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Plus, McKnight confronted Mele a few times to ask what her thoughts were on the case. Um, no. Especially not if he still considered her a suspect. The plot didn't really flow so much as chug along, but it was novella length, so I can overlook that aspect.

Favorite line: Just because something wants to haunt a place doesn't mean I have to stay and be haunted.

I'd like to award 3 1/2 stars, but as it stands, I'm going with 3.