Get Up and Ghost: A Midlife in Castleberry Psychic Medium Cozy Mystery Series (The Midlife in Castleberry Psychic Medium Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)

By Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Print length: 214 pages

Kindle length: 217 pages

Published: 2019

From Amazon:

I’ve got a new job as the head of the Castleberry Georgia Historical Society. It wouldn’t be easy, and that was just fine with me. I needed a distraction. Being home comforted my aching, angry heart, and having a job along with caring for my son gave me purpose.

But guess what? The Universe had another idea.

A tumble down a flight of stairs and a bump on the head might not have hindered my rehabbing the historical presence in town, but the ghosts I saw after? They’re another story entirely. And finding the dead body of the town’s BBQ king just days before the annual BBQ competition put me right in the local detective’s hot seat, a place I hadn’t been in a long, long time. And the reunion didn’t turn out how I’d pictured years ago.

I’m not sure which is worse, being accused of murder or claiming a spirit might have had something to do with it.

Now I’ve got to save myself from a life behind bars or a stay in the psychiatric ward, figure out this ghost thing, raise my child to be a normal, functional adult, and still get the competition going on time. Wish me luck. I’m going to need it.

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Major Ghosts vibes. I’m currently watching the American version and in that version the main character falls down the stairs and can then see ghosts. The British version came out in 2019 same as this book, but the main character is pushed out a window. I just spent way too long researching which came first month-wise (the tv show by a month) and now I’m back.

The main character in the book, Chantilly Adair, falls down the stairs, hits her head, and can now see ghosts. Shortly after she finds a dead body and gets put on the suspect list. Why? I don’t know. The part where they “have words” is witnessed by multiple people and wasn’t really that dramatic—but it’s a small town and what story would we have if there wasn’t some drama for the main character?

I really like the characters of Thelma and Del, two old ladies that Chantilly buddies up with in the book and help her with clearing her name. And their witty banter is enjoyable to read.

The plot is a bit forced, but it still had me hooked. I give this 4 toads.