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Haunted Home Renovation Mystery #6
Give Up the Ghost
From the New York Times bestselling author of Keeper of the Castle, San Francisco contractor and ghost whisperer Mel Turner must solve a murder mystery at a haunted mansion in the Pacific Heights...
San Francisco millionaire Andrew Stirling wants to sell his Victorian mansion, but ghostly music, the squeaking of a long-disappeared weathervane, and an angry ghost keep running off potential buyers. After a famous psychic is called in, she informs the Stirlings that their multi-million-dollar renovations to “update” the home have left its resident ghost extremely agitated. So contractor Mel Turner is engaged to track down and replace some of the original features of the house.
But when the beautiful psychic is found stabbed, it appears someone had a very human motive for murder. Now Mel must use her ghost whispering gift to uncover the secrets of the haunted house on the hill, and her sleuthing skills to catch a killer.
San Francisco millionaire Andrew Stirling wants to sell his Victorian mansion, but ghostly music, the squeaking of a long-disappeared weathervane, and an angry ghost keep running off potential buyers. After a famous psychic is called in, she informs the Stirlings that their multi-million-dollar renovations to “update” the home have left its resident ghost extremely agitated. So contractor Mel Turner is engaged to track down and replace some of the original features of the house.
But when the beautiful psychic is found stabbed, it appears someone had a very human motive for murder. Now Mel must use her ghost whispering gift to uncover the secrets of the haunted house on the hill, and her sleuthing skills to catch a killer.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
86 people are currently reading
1284 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Blackwell
41 books2,918 followersJuliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orchards.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
April 18, 2023
This series has become one of my go-to comfort read cozy mystery favourites. I enjoy the main character Mel Turner very much, as well as the whole supporting cast. Mel is much less angsty about her love life in this one, which is a relief. The ghost characters are always intriguing and well done. I first read Juliet Blackwell when she wrote under the pseudonym Hailey Lind with her sister. I’m so glad she has continued to write mysteries.
April 20, 2016
Continuing on with the cozies. This one is solid. Definitely my preferred series by this author (though the other is fun too). I'd like this one better (and rate it higher) if the romance plotline was different. I think I've decided I don't like how Juliet Blackwell handles the romantic aspects in general. She's great at friendships and family (especially in this series), but the romantic stuff is shaky. I mean, I get that not everyone wants the traditional, and that would be fine, if the protagonist managed to maintain a consistent opinion about a romantic interest for longer than one book. There's a definite pattern (in all the series I've read) of things only building so far before the lead gets cold feet/has commitment issues/dude can't deal with the supernatural aspect, and things imploding. This series is more consistent than the vintage clothing store, but I guess my point is I want the relationships (not just romantic) to build in series' like this, and the friendships do. The romances seem to just build (minimally), and then as soon as there is any progress just abort. Not so much a fan.
August 9, 2018
Crosswinds, a Victorian mansion has been completely renovated and is ready to be sold. Whenever the realtor brought buyers to inspect the house, the music is heard and a man voice is heard saying lay on the floor. The buyers are no longer interested in the home. The owner, Andrew Flynt hired a famous psychic, Chantelle to communicate with the ghosts. She informed Andrew that the ghost is upset with losing some of the items removed especially the weathervane. Mel Turner is hired to locate the items. Mel has a meeting scheduled with Chantelle to discuss whatever ghosts want, arriving she Chantelle stab and a man kneeling by the body. Mel sees Chantelle's ghost leave the apartment. As Mel explored the situation she finds greed and jealousy present. She will need all of her knowledge to quite the ghosts. I highly recommend this book and series.
December 8, 2015
The Crosswinds, a historical house in Pacific Heights San Francisco is on the market for a "mere" 29 million dollars. Mel Turner a general contractor for restoring historic houses has been hired to restore some of the house back to its original state. It was recently gutted while updating the house. The problem is that possible future home owners are fleeing from the home during the showings. A psychic is called in for a reading and tells the owners that the gut job of the house has enraged a ghost in the house. They should try to bring some of the original features back to the house Enter Mel Turner who besides being the historical contractor but also can see and can talk to the ghosts.
I enjoyed this book and series very much. Mel Turner is spunky and has a great sense of humor which can make the reader chuckle. She is still learning this "ghost ability" that she has and tries different methods to resolve issues with ghosts. Another reason that I like this series so much is Mel's home life. She lives with her dad, Stan, Caleb, and Dog. They recently changed the name from Dog to Doug since it was close to the name Dog. They didn't want to confuse Dog. However, the humans were having more problem saying the name and often ended up saying Daw-ugh.
The cozy part of the book is the dad can really cook and the dinners around the table are open to whoever Mel invites home to share the meals. So you see many people often unknown to the dad sharing his meals while sitting around the table. Of course Dog/Doug/Daw-ugh is under foot and scouting around the floor looking for morsels.
It was a fun book that included a kitchen cleaning ghost from a different house. a ghost trying to find her way home and a cranky pants (Mel's words) ghost at Crosswinds. The mystery was good and I did not know who the murderer was until the author divulged it as there were several good suspects. A new character Landon Demetrius was introduced in this book and he added to the story. He was funny without trying to be and was amazed at Mel. Often he was her sidekick. The historical tidbits added interest to the book too. I am looking forward to the next book as I enjoyed this book and the entire series very much.
I enjoyed this book and series very much. Mel Turner is spunky and has a great sense of humor which can make the reader chuckle. She is still learning this "ghost ability" that she has and tries different methods to resolve issues with ghosts. Another reason that I like this series so much is Mel's home life. She lives with her dad, Stan, Caleb, and Dog. They recently changed the name from Dog to Doug since it was close to the name Dog. They didn't want to confuse Dog. However, the humans were having more problem saying the name and often ended up saying Daw-ugh.
The cozy part of the book is the dad can really cook and the dinners around the table are open to whoever Mel invites home to share the meals. So you see many people often unknown to the dad sharing his meals while sitting around the table. Of course Dog/Doug/Daw-ugh is under foot and scouting around the floor looking for morsels.
It was a fun book that included a kitchen cleaning ghost from a different house. a ghost trying to find her way home and a cranky pants (Mel's words) ghost at Crosswinds. The mystery was good and I did not know who the murderer was until the author divulged it as there were several good suspects. A new character Landon Demetrius was introduced in this book and he added to the story. He was funny without trying to be and was amazed at Mel. Often he was her sidekick. The historical tidbits added interest to the book too. I am looking forward to the next book as I enjoyed this book and the entire series very much.
September 28, 2018
I was worried that this series was headed toward a death spiral after finishing the prior book, but other readers encouraged me to keep on, and I’m glad I did. This may be the best one yet. Mel is back to her usual acerbic self, she’s , and she’s back in San Francisco reveling in historic, but not ancient, architecture. The ghosts are a lot more fun, too. I’m glad, because this has so far been the only cozy mystery series that I’ve enjoyed enough to keep forging ahead with. It’s even been worth spending Audible credits on.
Audiobook, via Audible. The performance by Xe Sands is as enjoyable as ever. I read this for the 2018 Halloween Bingo square Cozy Mystery: a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.
Audiobook, via Audible. The performance by Xe Sands is as enjoyable as ever. I read this for the 2018 Halloween Bingo square Cozy Mystery: a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.
October 25, 2020
San Francisco contractor Mel Turner is now known for her skill with ghosts (as well as her skill with a hammer). Because of this, when a psychic says a mansion's ghosts won't go away because they hate the remodel, Mel is hired to re-remodel a classic mansion and add back in the period detail. Except when the psychic is found dead, Mel is also embroiled in a murder mystery.
Give Up the Ghost is a fun, entertaining cozy mystery, with the added bonus of great San Francisco historical details and an intriguing ghost story. Mel works with the police (and the victim's brother) to help solve the crime. There's plenty of character development, too, with a love triangle for Mel and some new friends, too.
Give Up the Ghost is a fun, entertaining cozy mystery, with the added bonus of great San Francisco historical details and an intriguing ghost story. Mel works with the police (and the victim's brother) to help solve the crime. There's plenty of character development, too, with a love triangle for Mel and some new friends, too.
December 26, 2015
I loved this book as I do the whole series. I can really get into the characters, I feel that I can just sit down with them when Mel's dad serves dinner. I love the interaction with her father, a gruff man with a soft heart. I like Mel's interaction with Annette, the lead investigator, tough woman but very likeable. A body is found, is it tied in with a haunted home that is trying to be sold? A new character has been introduced, is he trustworthy? Not to mentioned a side story haunt that actually had me laughing. I will definitely will continue on with this series, it has it all for me.
May 12, 2019
A family of overweening rich folk, a colorful house watcher, an incredibly beautiful psychic, a butchered historic house, a real home restorer, and the ghosts. And the murders. And much more!
Excellent read! Even better when narrated by Xe Sands!
Excellent read! Even better when narrated by Xe Sands!
February 5, 2020
Mel Turner is hired to not only help a victorian Mansion called Crosswinds but to get rid of the ghost inside so Andrew Sterling can sell the place. As she is trying to communicate with the ghost she goes to talk to the Psychic who informed the Sterling Family that they would need to bring back all the old structure the renovator got rid of. The Psychic Chantelle agrees to Mel but on the day they meet Mel finds her body along with Chantelle's brother standing over it. Of course the brother is not guilty and Mel finds an attraction to him. They end up working together to solve the crime. But what runs through my head is Griffin, the boyfriend. He isn't in this book other than to mention they are still together and she does care for him but is afraid to commit. Which is interesting considering last book she was ready to commit.
Through this mystery she is able to hear about another ghost a housewife who is terrorizing college students who live in her old place. Mel is able to get rid of that spirit pretty easy.
I will say the killer of Chantelle was interesting, but I can't remember if she was able to appease the ghosts of Crosswinds. I felt it kind of ended after she caught the killer but I could be wrong.
Through this mystery she is able to hear about another ghost a housewife who is terrorizing college students who live in her old place. Mel is able to get rid of that spirit pretty easy.
I will say the killer of Chantelle was interesting, but I can't remember if she was able to appease the ghosts of Crosswinds. I felt it kind of ended after she caught the killer but I could be wrong.
October 31, 2018
This may be my favorite of this series thus far. As Mel is coming into her own dealing with ghosts (mostly through trial and error like every good ghost hunter), her character is becoming even more likable for me. And the other recurring characters just continue to make me want to be part of their extended, chosen family. Gaining an understanding of Luz’s paranormal past and seeing her move beyond was a highlight of the book for me. There was less emphasis on historical restoration in this one and more on dealing with a couple of diverse hauntings, which I greatly enjoyed. The addition of the second haunted location and its resolution was great, although I wouldn’t have hung around as long as Mel did (and I do the ghost thing for real). The mystery and its solution were, once again, almost secondary to the story for me, and I found myself not caring so much who killed the psychic as why the ghosts of the house were acting as they were. But I was okay with that. Looking forward to the next one in the series and hoping there’s more coming in the future.
January 25, 2022
A new character has entered the series. I've been looking forward to this one. Also hitchhiking ghost!!
Classic ghost story. There are a million versions of it from all over. You pick up a hitchhiking. Usually female. And you give her a ride home. Some versions, you get get her there. Some versions she disappears before you get the there. And other versions, she jumps out of the car early. After you go to the house. If this is one of the versions that you actually got to drop her off she either leaves something in your car you go to return or you go back the next day. Either the house is abandoned or the people in the house said she died a long time ago. It's a classic urban legend. How did this book use this story? Read and find out
Also 6 books and dog finally has a name. Doug. I will still be calling him dog because it took 6 books for him to get a real name. Dog is very much his name
Classic ghost story. There are a million versions of it from all over. You pick up a hitchhiking. Usually female. And you give her a ride home. Some versions, you get get her there. Some versions she disappears before you get the there. And other versions, she jumps out of the car early. After you go to the house. If this is one of the versions that you actually got to drop her off she either leaves something in your car you go to return or you go back the next day. Either the house is abandoned or the people in the house said she died a long time ago. It's a classic urban legend. How did this book use this story? Read and find out
Also 6 books and dog finally has a name. Doug. I will still be calling him dog because it took 6 books for him to get a real name. Dog is very much his name
September 8, 2021
:shrug: I just enjoy the books in this series. I like the grown-up main character, despite the fact that romantic troubles might be brewing in this one. I like that she is close to her father and her stepson, and that she has a job as a historical house restorer that is both practical (construction skills) and creative (yay researching historical fixtures). I think that Juliet Blackwell does the spooky touch well to make this a fun ghost-featuring cozy series.
May 31, 2024
Another fun entry to this series. I loved the hitchhiking ghost thread.
What I'm not keen on is the distraction of the Landon/Graham/Mel triangle. I've never been a fan of the love triangle in cozies and am disappointed this one popped up.
What I'm not keen on is the distraction of the Landon/Graham/Mel triangle. I've never been a fan of the love triangle in cozies and am disappointed this one popped up.
July 8, 2018
I love all the characters in this series. Mel's dad and Stan are real people. My heart went out to Graham. The mystery murderer was not who. Thought it was. But that is what makes a good mystery.
November 16, 2023
I'm so happy to have found this series. What fun it is!
August 19, 2019
I can only say: why didn't I discover this series earlier???
April 18, 2021
There is a mansion in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California known as the Crosswinds for sale at $29 million. During renovation, pieces of the home were carelessly taken off in favor of newer items. At least one ghost in the house is very upset that familiar items are gone and is making the same noises the items did. For instance, the ghost makes the sounds of the squeaky weathervane which is now missing.
The only reason the owners care is because the noises and screaming the ghosts are making are scaring away possible buyers of the house. They hire a psychic named Chantelle to do a reading on the mansion. She tells them that the renovation has upset the ghosts since so much was removed; she suggests they find some of those items and put them back from whence they came in an attempt to calm the ghosts.
The family contacts an expert home renovator - Mel Turner of Turner Construction - to get facsimiles or actual items returned to the house. The first thing Mel does is to contact Chantelle to find out what she learned about Crosswinds. Upon Mel’s arrival at Chantelle's apartment, she sees the woman exit the apartment appearing very calm and floating down the hallway. Upon entering the apartment, Mel finds a man standing over a female body with a bloody knife next to it. Mel and this man are the first on the scene, so the man calls 911 and Mel calls the inspector she has become friends with over the course of many murders. As they await the arrival of the authorities, Mel gets to know Chantelle's brother Landon. He hadn't been very close to his sister, and now he regrets this even more.
Meanwhile, Mel has a friend call her desperate for her ghost whispering skills. After Mel visits the Historical Society, she has a better idea of who the ghost is and how to treat her. Mel just won't take her antics. For example since the ghost kept her kitchen drawers in perfect order, when she gets nasty with Mel, Mel dumps the silverware on the floor! What follows is hilarious.
Despite the fact that they have met over a murder, Mel and Landon are getting to know each other. He is in town to do a lecture series but is locked out of his sublet at first, staying at a nearby hotel. They keep bumping into each other at Chantelle's place, at the police department, but mostly at Crosswinds. He was impressed to see that the ghosts were real!
Juliet Blackwell has brought a mystery full of paranormal elements as well as construction and renovation details, lots of humor, a family who grows closer through tough love, and growing fondness where never expected. She ties it together beautifully so nothing is out of place nor sticks out like a sore thumb. The story moves along at a great pace. While this is an entry in an ongoing series, Juliet Blackwell does an excellent job at reminding us who everyone from previous books is as well as clearly introducing the new characters.
The only reason the owners care is because the noises and screaming the ghosts are making are scaring away possible buyers of the house. They hire a psychic named Chantelle to do a reading on the mansion. She tells them that the renovation has upset the ghosts since so much was removed; she suggests they find some of those items and put them back from whence they came in an attempt to calm the ghosts.
The family contacts an expert home renovator - Mel Turner of Turner Construction - to get facsimiles or actual items returned to the house. The first thing Mel does is to contact Chantelle to find out what she learned about Crosswinds. Upon Mel’s arrival at Chantelle's apartment, she sees the woman exit the apartment appearing very calm and floating down the hallway. Upon entering the apartment, Mel finds a man standing over a female body with a bloody knife next to it. Mel and this man are the first on the scene, so the man calls 911 and Mel calls the inspector she has become friends with over the course of many murders. As they await the arrival of the authorities, Mel gets to know Chantelle's brother Landon. He hadn't been very close to his sister, and now he regrets this even more.
Meanwhile, Mel has a friend call her desperate for her ghost whispering skills. After Mel visits the Historical Society, she has a better idea of who the ghost is and how to treat her. Mel just won't take her antics. For example since the ghost kept her kitchen drawers in perfect order, when she gets nasty with Mel, Mel dumps the silverware on the floor! What follows is hilarious.
Despite the fact that they have met over a murder, Mel and Landon are getting to know each other. He is in town to do a lecture series but is locked out of his sublet at first, staying at a nearby hotel. They keep bumping into each other at Chantelle's place, at the police department, but mostly at Crosswinds. He was impressed to see that the ghosts were real!
Juliet Blackwell has brought a mystery full of paranormal elements as well as construction and renovation details, lots of humor, a family who grows closer through tough love, and growing fondness where never expected. She ties it together beautifully so nothing is out of place nor sticks out like a sore thumb. The story moves along at a great pace. While this is an entry in an ongoing series, Juliet Blackwell does an excellent job at reminding us who everyone from previous books is as well as clearly introducing the new characters.
August 16, 2020
More like 4.5 out of 5. I won't say amazing, but really, really good.
I think it's the combination of a smart, really likable main character, the paranormal element and a decent mystery plot. I was requesting the latest book (at this point The Last Curtain Call) and saw the cover to this book, the blurb didn't ring any bells, so i requested this book as well. Turns out I missed it. Glad I read it because it introduced new characters and was a really good read.
If you like, or can at least accept, a paranormal element in your mysteries and appreciate a smart, capable woman approaching middle age as the main character (yay! no trumped up relationship drama, no triangles) I think you'll enjoy this series.
I think it's the combination of a smart, really likable main character, the paranormal element and a decent mystery plot. I was requesting the latest book (at this point The Last Curtain Call) and saw the cover to this book, the blurb didn't ring any bells, so i requested this book as well. Turns out I missed it. Glad I read it because it introduced new characters and was a really good read.
If you like, or can at least accept, a paranormal element in your mysteries and appreciate a smart, capable woman approaching middle age as the main character (yay! no trumped up relationship drama, no triangles) I think you'll enjoy this series.
August 8, 2017
I have come to depend on Juliet Blackwell's Haunted Home Renovations series for light, fun reads that deliver my fix of wonderful old houses. Blackwell always handles the paranormal aspects of these books with a light, sensitive touch that I appreciate.
In Give Up the Ghost, the story behind the ghosts and the ghosts' lives are fascinating, and the entire story moved along at a quick, steady pace. But what flabbergasted me was what Flynt did to that poor house. Why on earth someone who prefers glass, chrome, and black leather would buy an old Victorian mansion and then insist on forcing it to conform to his taste is beyond me, but I know that it happens. To say that Mel's work to undo the damage was every bit as interesting as the mystery... well... it actually plays an important part in the mystery!
If you're in the mood for a light, intriguing mystery about a house with hidden rooms, secret doors and passageways, and a few things that may go bump in the night, I think it's time to acquaint yourself with Juliet Blackwell's Haunted Home Renovations series. They can be just what the doctor ordered.
In Give Up the Ghost, the story behind the ghosts and the ghosts' lives are fascinating, and the entire story moved along at a quick, steady pace. But what flabbergasted me was what Flynt did to that poor house. Why on earth someone who prefers glass, chrome, and black leather would buy an old Victorian mansion and then insist on forcing it to conform to his taste is beyond me, but I know that it happens. To say that Mel's work to undo the damage was every bit as interesting as the mystery... well... it actually plays an important part in the mystery!
If you're in the mood for a light, intriguing mystery about a house with hidden rooms, secret doors and passageways, and a few things that may go bump in the night, I think it's time to acquaint yourself with Juliet Blackwell's Haunted Home Renovations series. They can be just what the doctor ordered.
August 16, 2018
I've really been enjoying this series but then the author went and made the relationship between Graham and Mel shaky. I really loathe when authors do that. They have a tenuous relationship to start because of the baggage Mel brings from her divorce. I understand that but at the end of the last book Mel realizes that she wants to be with Graham and that she wants to focus more on their relationship only to freak out and lust after some smooth talking Brit. I mean come on, why can't she stick with the man that has obviously wanted a relationship with her for a while and not just have him say I'm not giving up on us and then go to Paris. I mean really. if he wasn't giving up on them why was he running off to Paris (which is exactly what Mel wanted to do for the first couple of books).
As much as I've enjoyed this series I will be very disappointed if Mel goes for the Brit instead of Graham. I really like Graham and it's ridiculous that she would suddenly turn away from him.
Rant over.
As much as I've enjoyed this series I will be very disappointed if Mel goes for the Brit instead of Graham. I really like Graham and it's ridiculous that she would suddenly turn away from him.
Rant over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2020
It had been a while since I've read a book in this series and I'm so glad that I got caught up with Mel and the ghosts. A haunted mansion, a murder, a hidden room behind a wall, with hidden secrets, and a widow's walk ~~ who could ask for more!! Reading this book was like a visit with old friends. 💜
April 2, 2016
Another awesome story
I just love these mysteries! Ms Blackwell does an incredible job of mixing humor,murder and all without revealing the murderer until nearly the end. Keep up the great stories!!!
I just love these mysteries! Ms Blackwell does an incredible job of mixing humor,murder and all without revealing the murderer until nearly the end. Keep up the great stories!!!
May 21, 2016
This book is a continuation of a really fun series. Her stories stay fresh and I like the characters. The situations are not so unrealistic that it couldn't happen, well other than the other-worldly part. Fun stuff. If you like this series, read this one, too!
December 21, 2015
Suspenseful and fascinating, this was a fun read!
September 29, 2021
This is a series, and of course I am reading them all out of sequence, as I can find them.
Mel Turner is a building contractor, she took over her dads business after her mum died. She has a close relationship with her dad, and a dog named Doug or Dawg or whatever sounds close. Dawg will come! Also a close relationship with her step-son, Caleb by her ex-husband. Caleb often lives with them, as well as a great friend called Sam, and their house is often open to many others. This book explains where boyfriend Graham goes, and how the new boyfriend is introduced. Which now makes sense after reading other books out of context. The gang is all here, her best pal Luz, and the Librarian Trish who is always a great help when Mel is trying to track down information, that no one else has, and of course the Police Officer Inspector Crawford, who later becomes a close friend, (after Crawford finds out, as a ghost whisperer, that Mel really can be helpful to the police....other books).
Mel is good at her job, her crew respect her, and she gets the job done, there are two ghost stories in this book. Luz works at a college and some of her students have paid a lot of money down to move into an apartment, a crazy ghost is driving them out. Mels dad takes the student all in for a few nights while Mel sorts said ghost out. Mel fixes this.
Then there is the millions (yep millions) dollar home that can not get sold as all the buyers hear the ghost and then freak out. A psychic has told the owners to change the house back as much as possible from the ultra modern home that they have made it, back as much as possible to the original, or it will not be sold. Mel finds out that there are hidden rooms, secret passage ways and many more mysteries to this house. She takes on the job, having seen the ghost and a lot of other weird happenings.
Contacting the Psychic Chantelle, Mel makes an appointment to see her. On arriving at the psychics apartment Mel sees a ghost standing at the door, walking into the apartment she finds the psychic is dead (the ghost who had been standing at the door), and a man leaning over her. Turns out the guy is Chantelle's brother who has just arrived from London and he had arrived after she was killed. The brother, Landon, later becomes an interest in Mels life. Lots of stuff happens, a who dun it, and another person is killed, and some one tries to run over Mel and the brother Landon.
Ghosts pop up all over the place in this one, and Mel with a lot of work and help from her friends, makes all good, plus finishing her projects.
This book made me laugh in a few places, the brave ghost hunter and her friend Luz think Mary Poppins creepy. Good job they were not raised in England, with ghost stories read at bed time and all those wonderful nursery rhymes that included....and here comes a chopper to chop off your head, chip chop, chip chop the last ones dead! Good night sleep dreams the Brit child is told!
I like fluff books that are enjoyable, and liked this, so onto the next one.
Mel Turner is a building contractor, she took over her dads business after her mum died. She has a close relationship with her dad, and a dog named Doug or Dawg or whatever sounds close. Dawg will come! Also a close relationship with her step-son, Caleb by her ex-husband. Caleb often lives with them, as well as a great friend called Sam, and their house is often open to many others. This book explains where boyfriend Graham goes, and how the new boyfriend is introduced. Which now makes sense after reading other books out of context. The gang is all here, her best pal Luz, and the Librarian Trish who is always a great help when Mel is trying to track down information, that no one else has, and of course the Police Officer Inspector Crawford, who later becomes a close friend, (after Crawford finds out, as a ghost whisperer, that Mel really can be helpful to the police....other books).
Mel is good at her job, her crew respect her, and she gets the job done, there are two ghost stories in this book. Luz works at a college and some of her students have paid a lot of money down to move into an apartment, a crazy ghost is driving them out. Mels dad takes the student all in for a few nights while Mel sorts said ghost out. Mel fixes this.
Then there is the millions (yep millions) dollar home that can not get sold as all the buyers hear the ghost and then freak out. A psychic has told the owners to change the house back as much as possible from the ultra modern home that they have made it, back as much as possible to the original, or it will not be sold. Mel finds out that there are hidden rooms, secret passage ways and many more mysteries to this house. She takes on the job, having seen the ghost and a lot of other weird happenings.
Contacting the Psychic Chantelle, Mel makes an appointment to see her. On arriving at the psychics apartment Mel sees a ghost standing at the door, walking into the apartment she finds the psychic is dead (the ghost who had been standing at the door), and a man leaning over her. Turns out the guy is Chantelle's brother who has just arrived from London and he had arrived after she was killed. The brother, Landon, later becomes an interest in Mels life. Lots of stuff happens, a who dun it, and another person is killed, and some one tries to run over Mel and the brother Landon.
Ghosts pop up all over the place in this one, and Mel with a lot of work and help from her friends, makes all good, plus finishing her projects.
This book made me laugh in a few places, the brave ghost hunter and her friend Luz think Mary Poppins creepy. Good job they were not raised in England, with ghost stories read at bed time and all those wonderful nursery rhymes that included....and here comes a chopper to chop off your head, chip chop, chip chop the last ones dead! Good night sleep dreams the Brit child is told!
I like fluff books that are enjoyable, and liked this, so onto the next one.
October 30, 2025
Haunted by Repetition
Giving Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell continues the Haunted Home Renovation series with more of the same recycled framework. The pacing moves better than in earlier installments, but the story still suffers from contradictions and shallow character arcs that have followed the series from the start.
The introduction of a new male love interest feels unnecessary and distracts from any sense of real growth for the main character. Mel Turner swings between indecision and hyper confidence, unable to make personal choices yet instantly decisive when faced with a ghost. It’s disorienting and makes her characterization inconsistent.
The constant mentions of Europe and her supposed reluctance to lead her construction company only emphasize how little progress she’s made. These repeated themes aren’t reflections of growth; they’re narrative circles that never move forward.
What’s especially frustrating is how the story handles Mel’s best friend. The friend, a Latina character, is repeatedly sidelined and written as a prop in Mel’s self reflection rather than a person in her own right. When she finally gets a storyline about her grandmother, a perfect chance for emotional depth, Mel hijacks it, turning the focus back to herself. The tone implies that neither the author nor the protagonist understands how to write genuine cross cultural relationships or balanced female friendships.
The book again uses cultural proximity without cultural understanding. Hispanic characters serve as background decoration, not as individuals with agency or voice. For a story set in San Francisco, one of the most diverse cities in the country, it’s a disappointing oversight.
The book isn’t terrible, but it proves how repetitive and tone deaf the writing has become. Every time the story approaches something meaningful, a friendship, a mystery, a moment of self discovery, it circles back to the same hollow patterns.
By this point in the series, Blackwell has built a haunted house of her own: familiar walls, faint growth, and nothing new behind the door.
Giving Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell continues the Haunted Home Renovation series with more of the same recycled framework. The pacing moves better than in earlier installments, but the story still suffers from contradictions and shallow character arcs that have followed the series from the start.
The introduction of a new male love interest feels unnecessary and distracts from any sense of real growth for the main character. Mel Turner swings between indecision and hyper confidence, unable to make personal choices yet instantly decisive when faced with a ghost. It’s disorienting and makes her characterization inconsistent.
The constant mentions of Europe and her supposed reluctance to lead her construction company only emphasize how little progress she’s made. These repeated themes aren’t reflections of growth; they’re narrative circles that never move forward.
What’s especially frustrating is how the story handles Mel’s best friend. The friend, a Latina character, is repeatedly sidelined and written as a prop in Mel’s self reflection rather than a person in her own right. When she finally gets a storyline about her grandmother, a perfect chance for emotional depth, Mel hijacks it, turning the focus back to herself. The tone implies that neither the author nor the protagonist understands how to write genuine cross cultural relationships or balanced female friendships.
The book again uses cultural proximity without cultural understanding. Hispanic characters serve as background decoration, not as individuals with agency or voice. For a story set in San Francisco, one of the most diverse cities in the country, it’s a disappointing oversight.
The book isn’t terrible, but it proves how repetitive and tone deaf the writing has become. Every time the story approaches something meaningful, a friendship, a mystery, a moment of self discovery, it circles back to the same hollow patterns.
By this point in the series, Blackwell has built a haunted house of her own: familiar walls, faint growth, and nothing new behind the door.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. Continuing the series of Mel Turner who specializes in historic reconstructions in the Bay area and also deals with ghosts. She has accepted her role as a person who helps out with ghostly problems and is asked to check out a house called Crosswinds that appears to be haunted. The owner wants to sell it after completely redoing the house from a historic mansion to a modern mansion and the ghosts are scaring off potentials buyers. When Mel comes on the scene she is told a famous area psychic has suggested the house needs to be restored back to the original or at least have a lot of the previous historical items returned. When Mel goes to talk to the psychic she finds her dead. The psychic's brother, Landon, is there and he ends up helping Mel figure out who killed his sister and what is going on with Crosswinds. They discover several ghosts and learn about the history of the place.
Mel also helps her friend Luz when several college students come to her after being scared out of their apartment by a ghost. Mel lives with her dad, stepson and another friend and they always have lots of other characters stopping by for dinner. The story also has Mel driving all over the bay area visiting different salvage and junk yards looking for some of Crosswinds former possessions. She deals with the previous contractor and his realtor wife and various others.
She has an attraction to Landon and is also dealing with issues with her current boyfriend, Graham. A good story that is interesting, has a good mystery and is well written.
Mel also helps her friend Luz when several college students come to her after being scared out of their apartment by a ghost. Mel lives with her dad, stepson and another friend and they always have lots of other characters stopping by for dinner. The story also has Mel driving all over the bay area visiting different salvage and junk yards looking for some of Crosswinds former possessions. She deals with the previous contractor and his realtor wife and various others.
She has an attraction to Landon and is also dealing with issues with her current boyfriend, Graham. A good story that is interesting, has a good mystery and is well written.
August 25, 2021
"Give Up the Ghost," by THE Juliet Blackwell is the sixth installment in the "Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries" Series of Cozy Mysteries.
In this book, Ms. Mel Turner is hired to renovate an estate called Crosswinds to its former glory. She is horrified to see how much of its original glory has been destroyed, thrown away, or mishandled.
Of course, since Mel is a little more seasoned in the ghost-busting business, she soon learns of the presence of a ghost (not to worry; she encounters a second ghost a little later in the book). Of course, Andrew Flynt, who is the one selling Crosswinds for twenty-nine million dollars (yes, twenty-nine million dollars; that was no typo), wants Mel to get rid of the ghost.
In the meantime, Mel is recommended to meet with Chantelle, the world-famous Psychic who did a Reading for all the members of the Flynt family, and briefly encounters her ghost. Of course, it is worth mentioning that she not too briefly encounters Chantelle's brother, Landon Demetrius III. If I say anything more about that, that would most certainly be a spoiler!!
Truly, I AM very happy with this Cozy Mystery series, and look forward to beginning the seventh in this series, "A Ghostly Light."
In this book, Ms. Mel Turner is hired to renovate an estate called Crosswinds to its former glory. She is horrified to see how much of its original glory has been destroyed, thrown away, or mishandled.
Of course, since Mel is a little more seasoned in the ghost-busting business, she soon learns of the presence of a ghost (not to worry; she encounters a second ghost a little later in the book). Of course, Andrew Flynt, who is the one selling Crosswinds for twenty-nine million dollars (yes, twenty-nine million dollars; that was no typo), wants Mel to get rid of the ghost.
In the meantime, Mel is recommended to meet with Chantelle, the world-famous Psychic who did a Reading for all the members of the Flynt family, and briefly encounters her ghost. Of course, it is worth mentioning that she not too briefly encounters Chantelle's brother, Landon Demetrius III. If I say anything more about that, that would most certainly be a spoiler!!
Truly, I AM very happy with this Cozy Mystery series, and look forward to beginning the seventh in this series, "A Ghostly Light."
May 23, 2025
3.5 stars
This was my first Haunted Home Renovation mystery, and I don't really think reading it out of order caused any confusion. Blackwell did a good job of circling back and touching on plot points from previous installments so that everything was cohesive. I liked the idea of a contractor (Mel Turner) slash restorer who moonlights as a ghost whisperer occasionally getting caught up in modern-day murders. It was just that this particular mystery felt like there wasn't much to actually solve, so much as it was just "told" to you. And the side story, involving the students at Mermaid Cove Apartments and Mrs. White, wasn't resolved satisfactorily as far as I'm concerned. I guess it's possible that ghost whispering wouldn't leave everything all tied up neatly, but it seemed like a messy complication to insert in the story otherwise--Chekov would not have been happy. But I liked the main character enough to be interested in checking out more of the series.
This was my first Haunted Home Renovation mystery, and I don't really think reading it out of order caused any confusion. Blackwell did a good job of circling back and touching on plot points from previous installments so that everything was cohesive. I liked the idea of a contractor (Mel Turner) slash restorer who moonlights as a ghost whisperer occasionally getting caught up in modern-day murders. It was just that this particular mystery felt like there wasn't much to actually solve, so much as it was just "told" to you. And the side story, involving the students at Mermaid Cove Apartments and Mrs. White, wasn't resolved satisfactorily as far as I'm concerned. I guess it's possible that ghost whispering wouldn't leave everything all tied up neatly, but it seemed like a messy complication to insert in the story otherwise--Chekov would not have been happy. But I liked the main character enough to be interested in checking out more of the series.
October 19, 2019
The book was easy on the house renovation subject, but had plenty of ghostly action and a love interest. The woman main character knew lots about construction considerations. I love a good story with ghostly activity, and am always anxious to see how it is explained. Really liked the narrator.
Contractor Mel Turner is called upon to help with a historic house that has just been renovated, but can't seem to sell for the steep asking price because it is haunted. Mel is shocked at how the historic features have been destroyed, and she has had some experience with ghosts, so she is willing to take on both challenges. When a beautiful local ghost expert is found murdered, her brother from England tries to solve her murder with Mel's help, and love blooms. With the murderer still on the loose and possibly after them, can they find out who and why before it's too dangerous for them?
Contractor Mel Turner is called upon to help with a historic house that has just been renovated, but can't seem to sell for the steep asking price because it is haunted. Mel is shocked at how the historic features have been destroyed, and she has had some experience with ghosts, so she is willing to take on both challenges. When a beautiful local ghost expert is found murdered, her brother from England tries to solve her murder with Mel's help, and love blooms. With the murderer still on the loose and possibly after them, can they find out who and why before it's too dangerous for them?
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