There are really two mysteries in this book. The first involves the death of Mel’s friend and Alicia’s ex-husband, who was absolutely an abusive, unlikeable, jerk that shows up on the island unexpectedly and takes a fatal tumble down the lighthouse stairs. I had to say good riddance! The second, and my favorite, was about the mournful ghost who haunts the lighthouse tower. Her story is sad, but I was especially interested in the research that Mel had to do to get all the pieces to finally fit together. As I've said before, I'm not crazy about cozies, but they don't use up many brain cells and gives the mind a rest:) This is an enjoyable story with extremely likable characters.... except for the dead guy. I love most anything that's paranormal and, in this case, that helps to make the story more intriguing. I’ve read one previous book in this series, so I already knew some of the backstory, but I think the books can easily be read in any order. ( )

Not sure what it was, but something was missing from this one. I still enjoyed it, still found it a fun read, but, I don't know, it just wasn't as good as so many others in the series.

I'd sort of forgotten about the romantic shakeup that happened in the last book, so I had some catching up to do, but overall, I think the change is for the better; it added a tiny bit of zest to the character development, and it needed it.

This book brings back a couple of characters from Keeper of the Castle (coincidentally the book in the series I found to be the weakest), but this time Mel's working on restoring a lighthouse off the coast of San Francisco, and before she can even get started she finds the client's ex-husband dead at the bottom of the lighthouse stairs, and a ghost whose hobbies include pushing men down stairs.

A big theme in this book is Mel's acquired acrophobia and how she's struggling to deal with it. This didn't interest me all that much, to be honest, and maybe it was a contributing factor to my slight ennui about the book overall. There were too many scattered themes that just didn't weave together very tightly. The book, taken as a whole, felt unfocused.

But the mystery was pretty good; I enjoyed the story about the light keepers and the tie-in to Treasure Island was the highlight of the whole thing. The murder mystery was...not bad, but given the lack of focus, I'm not sure I can recall any actual investigating that Mel did, so that the big reveal at the end depended on last second deductions and the cooperation of the killer. It worked, but it failed to have much of an impact.

I'm far from being soured on the series, but this isn't the strongest of the lot. ( )

restoration, family-dynamics, friendship, ghosts, abusive-spouse

There's no doubt that this is a good and convoluted murder mystery. But some parts of it are just a little too pat. I loved it anyway and will probably reread it and enjoy it even more. I don't think that this one can stand alone very well like the others do.
Xe Sands is who convincingly makes the story real with her narration. ( )

A Ghostly Light: Haunted Home Renovation
Author: Juliet Blackwell
Publisher: Berkley

Mel loves renovating old properties in the San Francisco area, so when her friend Alicia hires her company, Turner Construction to renovate a historic lighthouse in the Bay, she can’t wait to get started. Alicia wants to transform the island property into a paying Inn, saving the history of the lighthouse and its former residents. No one thought that murder would get in the way.

Alicia’s abusive ex-husband, Thorn shows up and is promptly killed, leaving Alicia as the only suspect. Of course, there are a few other problems with the renovation of the lighthouse beside the police investigation into Thorn’s death. First, the project is a colossal undertaking that will take time and lots of money. Second, Mel has recently become terrified of heights and is doing her best to hide the fact from her clients and crew which makes her job almost impossible and her life a nightmare. Last but most definitely not the least, some of the former residents are still living on the island and in the lighthouse, which wouldn’t be an issue if they were alive.

Mel has little choice if she wants to finish this project, she has to find out who killed Alicia’s ex, and help the ghost in the attic find peace. If she fails the project will be ruined, and her friend will end up in prison for a murder she didn’t commit.

--
Mel Turner is a memorable character filled with ambition and determination but has a softer side as well, one where she is fearful of failing in her relationship with boyfriend Landon and losing the love of her step-son Caleb. Her friends are colorful and loyal as well as entertaining all on their own, especially her ghost hunter mentor, Olivier.

The characters are highly relatable; the reader can easily see their family and friends within the pages of this book. Juliet Blackwell is a talented story teller who again shows that she can create interesting and well-rounded characters as well as exciting plot lines. The location of San Francisco Bay is wonderfully detailed in a way that makes it easy to see and feel the city and the lighthouse even if the reader has never been to the city. The small island where the lighthouse is located will come to life as the reader imagines the keepers and their families living and working on the lonely island in a time long past.

This book is a delightful fast read with several twists and turns that will keep the reader not only turning the page but surprised by the outcome. The reveal of the killer is very emotional and may even bring a tear to the eye of many readers. Happily, this book is recommended to anyone who enjoys a good mystery that is plot driven with characters that are charming and memorable.

I received an ARC of this book.

( )

This is another solid entry in one of my favorite cozy series, made even more special because I love lighthouses and the accompanying keeper's houses. Blackwell always handles the supernatural elements in this series well. She doesn't overdo it. The ghosts Mel sees aren't just there to provide chills and thrills; they honestly have something to do with the mystery, and that's something that I appreciate.

Mel is a character whom I enjoy coming back to again and again. Smart, funny, capable, she's just as good at solving mysteries as she is at renovating old buildings. (That "renovating old buildings" is another reason why I enjoy this series.) Mel not only heals old buildings, she heals people as well, this time a domestic abuse victim, Alicia.

If you enjoy light mysteries with characters who make you smile, if the occasional appearance of a ghost doesn't bother you, and if you consider learning some of the history of the San Francisco area, I highly recommend Juliet Blackwell's Haunted Home Renovation series. It's good. ( )