chez_jae | Entries tagged with series: salem b&b

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman (Salem B&B Mystery, #7)

Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman by Traci Wilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

View all my reviews

I finished reading Mrs Morris and the Wolfman by Traci Wilton last night. This is the 7th "Salem B&B" mystery, starring widow Charlene Morris.

Charlene is always happy to see new businesses thrive in Salem; therefore, she's excited to attend a double-feature at the newly reopened theater. The showing is the classic Wolfman movies. It's a chance for owners Darren and Elise Shultz to have a soft opening of the theater and showcase the specialty seasoning salts that Darren built his fortune on. However, when Elise chokes on her popcorn and dies at the hospital, it's determined she was poisoned. The police gravitate to her spouse as the primary suspect, but Charlene can't believe Darren would kill her; he loved his wife. With the help of her resident ghost, Jack, Charlene starts to dig into Darren and Elise's lives, in an effort to find who would have wanted to murder Elise and frame Darren for the crime.

Charlene was pleasantly UNodious in this one. She wasn't quite as over the top with her investigation, and she even dug her heels in when someone wanted her to go to the theater after it had been closed down. Jack continues to be a spectral sphincter. New characters were introduced, and we got to reconnect with familiar ones. The plot kept me engaged.

Favorite line: "I can't wait to get back to Pittsburgh. Go, Penguins!"

A marked improvement over recent books in the series--four stars.

Current Mood: busy
Current Music: "Never Again" ~ Kelly Clarkson

Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold (Salem B&B Mystery, #6)

Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold by Traci Wilton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Last night I completed Mrs Morris and the Pot of Gold by Traci Wilton. It's the 6th title in the "Salem B&B" mystery series, and yes, I'm still reading them. Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.

In this installment, our ~~insipid~~ intrepid heroine has a full house of guests over St Patrick's day, and she takes them on a field trip for corned beef and cabbage at the community club for the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Everyone has a good time, including the youngster in the group who is in awe of the "leprechaun" perched atop a pile of gold. As Charlene is about to take her group back to the B&B, she must return to the club to retrieve someone's coat. On the way, Charlene is almost knocked over by someone in a hoodie fleeing down the outer stairs. Inside, someone has been murdered. Charlene was the only witness, but she doesn't have much to offer the police in terms of descriptions or clues. However, that doesn't stop Charlene from poking her nose into the investigation in an effort to find a murderer.

If possible, Charlene was even more obnoxious in this book than in the previous ones. She has no reason to investigate the murder. None. Did that stop her? Of course not, because she's "curious". In addition to running all over town questioning people, Charlene ramped up her obnoxiousness by informing a grieving woman that her son had dropped out of med school. Um, since when is it your place to tell her that, Charlene? It was awful news, and it was horrid of Charlene to impart it. It was none of her damned business! Then, she has one guest at the B&B who prefers to keep to himself, which doesn't sit well with Charlene. She becomes obsessed with finding out what he's doing in Salem, where he goes, whom he's meeting, etc. He is your guest, Charlene, not your ward! OMG. Poor Detective Sam is still carrying a torch for Charlene, although I can't imagine why, but she continues to keep him at arm's length so as not to hurt the fee-fees of Jack, her resident ghost. For the love of St Patrick, get your house cleansed, move ~~Carol Ann~~ Jack into the light, and live your life in the land of the living, Charlene. Adding injury to insult, Charlene was almost killed at the end. AGAIN. Lather, rinse, repeat. Is it wrong that I was sort of rooting for the killer to succeed?

Favorite lines:
♣ "Irish to the last freckle."
♣ "I only like coffee if it's cold and sweet."

Least favorite line:
♣ Friend? Was that what she and Sam were? It was all they could be so long as she lived with her sweet, clever Jack who never made her feel alone. Go put your head in the oven, Charlene. If you can't be with Jack, then join him. Good grief.

The stories are interesting. I enjoy the setting and the paranormal aspects (except that Jack is an ass), but Charlene scruffs my fur up the wrong way. She's a nosy busy body who has no reason to act like Miss Marple, and it annoys me. This might have earned four stars, but I'm knocking two off for the sheer annoyance factor of the main character. Two stars.

Current Mood: annoyed
Current Music: "Say It Isn't So" ~ Hall & Oates

Mrs. Morris and the Vampire (A Salem B&B Mystery, #5)

Mrs. Morris and the Vampire by Traci Wilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stayed up late on Saturday night to finish reading Mrs Morris and the Vampire, which is the 5th part of Traci Wilton's "Salem B&B" series. Story is in third-person pov, from the perspective of the main character, widowed innkeeper Charlene Morris.

It's Halloween in Salem, and Charlene has been asked to be a judge in the costume contest at the Halloween Ball held in the Hawthorne Hotel. Although Charlene is enjoying herself, her friend Brandy is not. Brandy is aggravated that her grown daughter, Serenity, fancies herself in love with a self-styled vampire named Alaric. When Alaric disappears at midnight, everyone thinks it's an amazing trick...until his body is discovered in the harbor the following morning. Now Serenity is a potential suspect, and Brandy convinces Charlene to help clear Serenity's name. Charlene's natural curiosity lends itself well to investigating, but it also serves to aggravate Detective Sam Holden. When someone else in Alaric's circle dies and one of the B&B's guests seems to be getting drawn into the intrigue, Charlene doubles down with her efforts to solve the mystery before anyone else is killed.

The plot was interesting enough to keep me engrossed, and I was enjoying the first two-thirds of the book. By the end, however, I was back to rolling my eyes at Charlene, her odd co-dependency with Jack (her resident ghost), and even the point of the plot. ( Spoilers )

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. I do not like Charlene's attachment to Jack. It's unhealthy and it prevents her from fully embracing a relationship with Sam. Not that Sam is a great prize. He comes across as a condescending asshole, if you ask me. He even threatened to have Charlene arrested if she didn't get her happy ass to the police station to give a statement. Pardon me while I swoon at how romantic that is. Blech. Jack, of course, continues to act like a right donkey, jealous of Sam's attention to Charlene. Once again, you're dead. Charlene isn't, and neither is Sam. Go into the light, Carol Ann!

Favorite lines:
♦ "You never go anywhere without collecting a story to tell."
♦ "It's our lucky day. We didn't die, and we beat the rain."

Least favorite line:
♦ As long as she had a resident ghost living at the mansion, she couldn't date any man and risk hurting Jack.

Get yourself some help, Charlene. That's what's known as an attachment, and it's bordering on oppression.

This was heading for a rating of four, but it fizzled out and earns just an average rating of three.

Current Mood: blah
Current Music: "More Than a Woman" ~ The Bee Gees

Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress (A Salem B&B Mystery #4)

Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It took me over a week, but I finally finished reading Mrs Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton. This is the fourth part of the "Salem B&B" mystery series, told in first person pov by widowed B&B owner, Charlene Morris.

It's the Fourth of July and Charlene and some of her guests are in town to see a play about the historical role that Salem played in the Revolutionary War. They see more than they bargained for when the main actress, sultry Madison Boswell, is shot dead on stage. When the police determine there is no way Madison's death could be an accident, it's ruled a homicide. Charlene, who was video taping the performance, quickly turns the video over to Detective Sam Holden. However, she can't quit thinking about Madison's death, especially when she overhears the director of the theater arguing with his wife about his affair with Madison. Soon Charlene, with help from Jack, her resident ghost, is researching Madison's life and career in an effort to discover who may have wanted her dead. Both Sam and Jack implore her not to get too involved, but Charlene doesn't heed their warnings until it's too late and her own life is in danger.

Frankly, I wonder why I keep reading this series. Charlene isn't the most likable person. In fact, she comes across as an irascible snot in some instances. Sam obviously harbors a tendre for her, but she keeps him at arms length because oh-so-handsome Jack, who's dead by the way, has wormed his way into her heart. Um, in the paranormal field that's what's known as an attachment, Charlene, and you and your house should both be cleansed. I think what annoys me the most is that Charlene has zero reason to poke her nose into the investigation. In most cozies, our intrepid amateur sleuth has a reason to get involved, but not Charlene. She's just a nosy twit. Guh.

Favorite lines:
♦ "The Irish are tough."
♦ "There's a girl named Hermia--I only remembered because it's like Hermione from Harry Potter."
♦ "Take a lemon situation and make spiked lemonade fizzes."
♦ "If everyone got locked up for being a fool, think of all the politicians who'd be there."

The story wasn't bad so much as annoying. Giving it an average score.

Current Mood: annoyed

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past (A Salem B&B Mystery, #3)

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I completed the book Mrs Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past last night. It's the third book in the "Salem B&B" mystery series by Traci Hilton. The main character is Charlene Morris, a young widow who recently moved to Salem to open a Bed and Breakfast.

With the holiday fast approaching, Charlene has her hands full. Not only does she have guests in her B&B, but her parents are visiting as well. Charlene's mother is overly critical and driving Charlene crazy. At a local fundraiser held at a popular restaurant, the owner, David Baldwin, is stirring up his own drama. He's recently won the lottery, his second trophy wife is having an affair, and he's handing out checks to various patrons, which seem to anger some of the recipients. The worst moment of the night occurs when David turns ashen and runs out of the restaurant, only to become the victim of a hit and run. Since the driver fled the scene, the police are investigating as if David's death is a homicide. Charlene can't resist poking her nose into the investigation. What she learns is that plenty of people had motive, from David's ex-wife to his grown son to his current wife, to her boyfriend. It may take a Christmas miracle to sort this one out and still help the charity.

Hm. I didn't enjoy this story all that much. It was well-written, but Charlene had zero reason to "investigate" David's death. Her mother was a vile shrew for most of the book, and I am beyond sick of Charlene's resident ghost, Jack, getting jealous over her fledgling relationship with Sam. Charlene even thought to herself, more than once, that she didn't feel she could have a real relationship with Sam so long as Jack was around. The Jack-and-Charlene thing was sort of romantic in the first book, but now that he's still here and being an ass, it's getting tiresome. If the authors wanted Charlene and Jack to have a star-crossed romance, they should never have introduced a flesh-and-blood romantic interest for her. Exasperating.

Favorite lines:
♦ It was dark at seven thirty, the 17th of December...
Notable, because I began reading this book on December 17th!
♦ "Merry Christmas, everyone--I can't wait for the New Year--this one sucked eggs."
Ya got that right!

The setting and the timing (Christmas in Salem) made for a charming background, at least, but once again, Jack is a jerk, and Charlene's mother needed to be punted back to Chicago. Giving this one an average score.

Current Mood: blah
Current Music: "What Child Is This?"

Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B Mystery #2)

Mrs. Morris and the Witch by Traci Wilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I left work early today, in anticipation of Snowmageddon. Still waiting on it, but nothing I can do about that now. Anyway, getting home early enabled me to finish reading Mrs Morris and the Witch by Traci Wilton. It's the second part of the authors' "Salem B&B" series, featuring widowed bed and breakfast owner, Charlene Morris.

Since Halloween is the biggest holiday in Salem, MA, Charlene's opening weekend brings a full house of guests. On Halloween night, Charlene has arranged for her guests to take a ghost tour and revel in the sights and delights that Salem offers. Unfortunately, Charlene and one of her guests discover the body of a local Wiccan, whom they'd just met a few hours before. When one of Charlene's guests is tabbed as a person of interest, she takes it upon herself to look into the matter on her own. Charlene refuses to believe that Dylan could have had anything to do with Morganna's murder. The more she investigates, however, the more she antagonizes local detective Sam Holden, who is concerned for her safety. Charlene can't let it go. She continues to ask questions, specifically of the local Wiccans, trying to find a motive for Morganna's death. At least she can talk to Jack, her resident ghost at the B&B. He proves a good sounding board, although Jack also warns her to be cautious. Charlene doesn't realize how close she's getting to the truth until her own life is in danger.

I liked the paranormal aspects of the story. Characters were fully realized, and the plot flowed smoothly. I'm not on board with Charlene's brand of investigating, however. The woman has no tact, and subtle doesn't seem to be in her vocabulary. I also don't like that Jack is jealous of Sam. Er, you're dead, dude. There's no possible "future" between you and Charlene, so stop acting like a donkey each time a live man pays her any attention.

Favorite line: Leftovers were a single woman's best friend.
True, that

Would like to give this 3 1/2 stars, but since I can't...I'll bump it up to a four.

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: Senators at Canucks

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost (A Salem B&B Mystery #1)

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just got done reading Mrs Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton. It's the first in a new series, called the "Salem B&B" mystery series. Main character is young widow, Charlene Morris.

Needing a change, Charlene moves from Chicago to Salem MA, where she has purchased a grand old Victorian home that she plans to turn into a bed and breakfast. The first night in her new home, she is awakened by a handsome man standing over her bed. Jack Strathmore is the previous owner of the home, and he's been dead for three years. It turns out that Charlene is the first person who can see him. She is convinced that the only reason he's haunting the house is because he was murdered, even though his cause of death was listed as a stroke. Charlene isn't buying it.

In the meantime, a stray cat has appeared and made itself at home. Jack is charmed by the cat, because it can see him, too. Charlene searches for the owner, only to find that the cat traveled via the moving truck...and now she has a cat.

Eager to make connections in the community, Charlene begins visiting local businesses and making new acquaintances. She uses these excursions to ask questions about Jack's life...and his wife, Shauna, who has never been able to fit into the 'old families, old money' scene in Salem. Charlene is rebuffed each time she tries to contact Shauna, so she makes the decision to visit the woman at her home. There, she finds Shauna dead. When police rule this death as a homicide, Charlene is convinced that there's a connection between Jack's death and Shauna's. Her persistence pays off in a negative way, however, when she receives a threatening note, warning her against asking any more questions.

The story was lively, but not lite. Charlene is likable enough, but I thought her amateur investigative methods were awfully ham-handed. She ended up alienating people who may have become friends, had she not angered and insulted them. Detective Sam Holden takes a liking to her, and Charlene finds him attractive and compelling, but more and more, she's "falling" for Jack. Sigh. I didn't like that plot point. Why give Charlene a possible flesh-and-blood love interest if she's going to set her cap for the ghost, and set herself up for romantic failure? Wow.

Favorite line: "If she was drowning, I'd toss her an anchor."

I'm wavering between a three and a four here. Plot was good, characterizations were nicely done, writing was fine...I guess, since my objections were subjective, I'll give this one a four.

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: "Let Your Love Flow" ~ Bellamy Brothers