This is not listed as a seies but it does say a Grace Street mystery
This isn't one of those cozy mysteries more like a quirky read with some twists and turn
I'll be looking up more books by this Author


My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well.....I forget all about this book, as I wasn't into digital copies back when I received it! I found it in my Kindle a few weeks ago and gave it a chance. I give it 4 stars as I have a hard time with paranormal, BUT...the characters were very engaging and I really enjoyed the humor.. I did not realize this was Book 5 of a series, but did not feel too left out. I might even read the other 4! Thank you to the author / Poisoned Pen Press / Netgalley for the digital ARC copy of this book!

Baby, Take a Bow is the continuing story of the boarding house at 302 Grace Street, Parkland, North Carolina owned by Camden. Although a boardinghouse is unusual these days, this one is even more so because of the owner and his tenants. Camden (Cam) is a psychic whose abilities go way beyond talking with ghosts. Ironically, he is recently married to Ellin, producer of the (dubious) Psychic Service Network and she is constantly after him to be on the show. Cam prefers to do mundane jobs to offset his demanding and intense psychic visions. Living and conducting his business in the house is Cam's good friend David Randall, owner of the Randall Detective Agency. Other tenants include Kary Ingram (Randall's love interest), and recently married couple Angie and Rufus Jackson. Rufus and Angie are house hunting and planning to move out soon. Due to a recent death of another renter, there is an empty room and a definite need to find another boarder.

As often is with the Randall Detective Agency, David Randall was at a low after just finishing a dead-beat dad case. When he stops at his favorite hot dog restaurant, he picks up not one but two new jobs. The first is a spirit at the restaurant that is causing the owner problems, and the second is a missing ex-wife and recently discovered baby of Rufus Jackson. With Cam in mind to help with the spirit, he goes to the ex-Mrs. Jackson for answers. Finding yellow tape, police and an ambulance at the house doesn’t look good at all. Soon it becomes apparent he must “assist” the police and find a killer before they arrest Rufus for the crime. And in case this isn’t enough on the docket, an historic home has hired Cam and Kary for a concert to celebrate the restoration of the home. While at the home making final arrangements (and singing/playing for the caretaker and staff), Cam encounters the ghost of the owner in a mirror in the foyer. Later David and Cam come back (via a window) and Cam spends a long time talking and getting to know the owner, Delores Carlyle. After consultation, she hired David to get her daughter back to the house so she could finally leave the house. After a subtle comment about payment from the dead, Cam informs David there is thirty thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry hidden in the house, which will be revealed to him once her daughter comes to the house. Unable to resist that payment, the Randall Detective Agency is on the job.

Part of the casework revolves around finding a baby. A chore made more difficult because almost every main character has an issue about babies. Kary had an abortion that prevents her from having any more babies, and desperately wants one. She chases down false adoption agencies and alleged baby-for-sale avenues. David’s daughter died when she was 8 years old, and he still mourns her and imagines her presence. Together they act as a married couple and try to buy a baby, hoping it will be Rufus’ missing baby. Cam knows he will have 3 children, and is excited about that while his wife, Ellin, steadfastly remains opposed to children. Now Rufus has a baby he didn’t know about, and he and Angie are not sure they want to keep her once she is found. Throughout the book, practically each song played has “Baby” in the title

The author’s ability to intertwine several stories happening to multiple characters seems effortless and is flawless. Camden doesn’t drive, so he and Randall team up and investigate many things together. When each of the cases involves getting help from others, the characters interact together and independently for the result. It even takes Angie to stop her husband’s reckless actions before he destroys Randall’s methodical work. What is amazing in this book was the way everyone wanted something before committing to David. It took almost the entire household working together to get every promise fulfilled. A potentially over-emotional story was written with such skill that when it ends you realize these people have become your friends. Yes, they were sad at times, but they also laughed and enjoyed life, and welcomed more friends into their midst. A story that will warm your heart.

Although this is a stand alone mystery with no cliffhanger, you really should read the entire series in order to better understand the characters and the growth they have experienced by helping each other and becoming a "family." Don't miss this powerful series.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book!


(Illinois Reader/Amazon.com and Barbara Hackel/Goodreads.com)