A ghost hunting adventure turns deadly when the two sisters are asked to investigate strange sounds at the home of an old friends granddaughter.

Miss An’gle and Miss Dickce are so refreshing, with engaging personalities and who are so properly Southern, that they easily drawing you into their lives. With these ladies, along with their favorite four legged friends, you’ll find yourself quickly turning the pages, seemingly involved first hand, this method the author has perfected is the biggest draw to keep me coming back each and every time.

With family involved in this story, the sisters are at their very best in dealing with hauntings and the subsequent fallout, segues into uncovering the unexpected. As with the first stories in the series, the characters interactions are paramount to the success of these books. The realism in the aspects of the sisters’ tenacity gives so much dimension to the story that it is easy to place yourself in the center of and participating in the story. This is one mystery that was so thoroughly enjoyable that I hated it to end.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I loved this book! The characters and the storyline were interesting and well developed. The mystery was fun and the dialogue included was snappy and sharp. Unfortunately the book deleted itself off my device before I finished the last two chapters so I'm sad I didn't get to find out what happened. However, I am going to review the rest of the book as I think that's important. This is not an amazing mystery that will have you biting your nails before you reach the end but it is one that will keep you guessing. I loved the "southerness" of the story and felt quite at home with the sisters and their nephew as sought to help out their friends. Their expressions and mannerisms reminded me most forcefully of my own relatives and friends - so much so that I began to picture their faces when I read the character's dialogue. I was a little lost when it came to the background stories of the main characters as this is an on-going series, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book itself. I will be checking this book out as soon as possible from my local library to finish this fun story and will be looking for more stories soon from this delightful author.

This was another enjoyable installment in James' Southern Ladies' mystery series. I really enjoyed that the sisters got to be more active in this novel, Plus it was neat to see Natchez in the book, and it came to live just as I remembered it.

Fixing to Die by Miranda James is a fun read for those who love cozy mysteries. You can pick up any of the books in the series, as they give enough background, but to experience all the fun start at the beginning!

This is a fun book to read, and that is especially true of the ambiance described of Natchez and antebellum homes. If you've been there and stayed in one of the homes, you can relate. Also, those elderly sisters are a hoot.

Miranda James writes some fantastic characters in A Southern Ladies Mystery, the two main characters are a pair of sisters who are North of 30, closer to 80 and they prove that life, mystery and the pursuit of a purposeful life are not only possible but a very classy way to spend your twilight years. It is very easy to picture the Ducote Sisters, who are very different from each other but a perfect balance. Not having had children these sisters are far from spinsters but have a wonderful heart having taking in a 19 year old "ward" something from the beginning of the series that has blossomed beautifully by this fourth book. Beautiful animal companions in this series and a fun story in a "historical haunted house", this however is far from a paranormal book. Rich in history and character this is a series I am enjoying watching it grow.

This is the first book I've picked up from the Southern Ladies mystery series and it's the coziest cozy I've ever read, in the best possible way. If you want something that reminds you of old school Nancy Drew, with an old house that might or might not have real ghosts, and a psychic who might or might not be a fraud, you'll want to pick this one up. It was entertaining and a lot of fun.

Fixing to Die by Miranda James is the fourth book in A Southern Ladies Mystery series. An’gel and Dickce Ducote have received a letter from Mary Turner Catlin about strange happening at her home, Cliffwood in Natchez, Mississippi. Mary Turner is at a loss and needs their help. The sisters along with their ward, Bengy (and the pets) pack up and head to Natchez (with Bengy driving so they make it without any speeding tickets and get to enjoy the scenery). Mary Turner was not kidding about the odd things occurring around the house—doors closing on their own, items moving around a room, cold spots, and strange shadows. Is there a ghost at Cliffwood or is someone trying to get the Catlin’s out of their home? The Ducote’s are just getting settled when a psychic shows up at the door saying she was drawn by a spirit who needs her help. But she is not the only unwanted guest. Two cousins and their lawyer descend on Cliffwood and insist upon staying for a few days (just what they need during their vacation time). The next day Nathan Gable (one of the cousins) is found dead in his bed with a frightened expression on his face. Did one of their unexpected guests kill Nathan or was it the spirit haunting Cliffwood? An’gel and Dickce want answers and set out to reveal the truth.

Fixing to Die has some lively characters and a beautiful old home for the setting (I would love to live in it). Miranda James did a wonderful job at portraying the accent of people who live in the South along with their characteristics. The story contains some nice writing, but it lacked an ease. I thought Fixing to Die was a slow starter. The murder did not occur until the 48% mark. The murder mystery was straightforward and the majority of readers will identify the perpetrator long before the reveal (it can be deciphered before Henry Howard finds Nathan’s cold body). The “hauntings” and who is behind them is equally unpuzzling. There was little investigation by the sisters. They never looked at the body or checked out the crime scene. Most sleuths would rush to check out both before the police arrive (the body would give them vital clues). An’gel and Dickce asked questions, examined walls (for secret passageways), and endlessly speculated what could have happened. The story is lacking in action and ending was anticlimactic. The author also left some threads dangling at the end of Fixing to Die. My rating for Fixing to Die is 3.5 out of 5 stars. I would not recommend starting with Fixing to Die. I have read the other books in A Southern Ladies Mystery series, and I felt a little lost in the beginning. I liked what was called the Nancy Drew effect (made me laugh). Who doesn’t want to find a secret passageway?

A Haunted Southern Mansion and Murder

The Ducote sisters, An’gel and Dickce, live in a lovely southern mansion that might have some ghosts. They’re experienced with old houses and strange occurrences. So when Mary Turner Catlin and her husband, Howard, ask for help because of the strange occurrences in the Natchez mansion they are fixing up as a bed and breakfast, the sisters can’t resist the adventure.

The bed and breakfast is supposedly closed during the time the sisters will be there. However, soon unexpected guests arrive. First a psychic comes saying she was called by the spirits inhabiting the house. Then distant cousins, Nathan and Serenity, arrive with Serenity’s lawyer in tow. Serenity wants to convince Nathan to give her some of her trust fund, while Nathan wants to look for papers that will give him title to some of the mansion’s valuable furniture housed in the French room.

Strange things happen almost immediately, but the action warms up considerably when Nathan is found dead in the French room with the furniture he’s trying to claim.

The Ducote sisters are delightful, proper ladies who can’t resist solving a mystery. The scenery was lovely and the descriptions of the mansion made me want to visit. The only criticism I have is that it took a long time for the murder to occur, nearly halfway through the book. However, the plot is full of twists. It’s hard to guess the murderer until the very end.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

In this next book of the series a family friend named Mary asks the Ducote sisters to Natchez, Mississippi to help her find out just who or what is haunting the B&B that she owns and operates. The sisters immediately agree and pack up their pets and ward to see just what they can discover. As soon as they arrive strange things start happening. When Mary's cousin comes to stay and ends up dead things take a turn for the worse. Did a ghost kill him or was it something more solid. The sisters believe that all that is happening is due to a live person and the haunting is just someones way of trying to cover up what is really going on. Will the sisters be able to find the culprit? Is there a ghost hanging around the B&B? Who would want to kill the cousin? Jump right in and tag along with the Ducote sisters as they try to answer these questions and more. I love that the sisters don't let their age limit them to what they can do, and look forward to whatever exploits come their way.

There are antebellum homes located in Natchez among them Cliffwood, the home of Mary Turner Carlin and her husband. In recent months, there are strange happenings, especially in the French room. Mary Turner seems the help of old friends the Ducote Sisters and friends. Arriving at Cliffwood both Miss Ang'el and Miss Dickie is experienced cold sensations on the stairway. Peanuts and Endora, both exhibited no reactions to the house. Benjy is present. Several uninvited guests arrive at the mansion. There is a physic who claimed the spirits called here there and a distant relative who believed that the contents of the French room were stolen from his family. He is later found dead in the French room. Is there an evil spirit at Cliffwood or will Miss Ang'el uncover the human behind the unexplained events? A light and easy read. I highly recommend this book and series.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Berkeley Publishing for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was a fun read and would recommend it to all cozy lovers. Miranda James writes the best characters and mysteries.

This is a wonderful cozy series set in the south with your typical modern older southern bells and antiquated mansions. # 4 in the Southern Ladies series, An'gel and Dickce Ducote are visiting Mary and Henry in Natchez to investigate if their new home is haunted. It's nice to catch up with the ladies and young Benji as they investigate yet another murder. Ghostly happenings make this read a perfect treat for the Halloween season.

Fall has come to Mississippi, and An'gel and Dickce Ducote are in Natchez at the B & B of Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of an old friend. Mary Turner and Henry Howard, live in Cliffwood, one of the beautiful antebellum homes for which Natchez is famous.

Strange things have been going on in the house for many years. The French Room, in particular, has become the focal point for spooky sensations. An’gel and Dickce suspect the ghostly goings-on are caused by the living and not the dead. When Mary’s cousin, several times removed is found dead in the French Room, An'gel and Dickce must scrutinize the haunted family history to catch a killer.
--
Series: A Southern Ladies Mystery - Book 4
Author: Miranda James
Genre: Paranormal/Ghost Cozy
Publisher: Berkley

Fixing to Die is a great addition to the “A Southern Ladies Mystery” series. It is intriguing and filled with great locations, characters and the odd ghost or two, sort of. Ms. James has crafted a thrilling who-done-it with plenty of clues to direct the reader to the killer's identity.

This series is a delightful way to introduce characters that are not the average age for most cozies. An’gel and Dickce are not young by any means but are filled with a sense of adventure, a zest for life, and experiences that younger characters cannot convey. Sisters who argue as most siblings do, they still manage to work together, live together and care about each other. They will always have each other’s back, even when they do not agree on the issues.

Mary and her husband live in a charming old house filled with history and family antiques. But they come from different worlds and at times do not understand the other’s needs, or obsessions. It isn’t surprising that they differ on the cause of the odd things happening in their very old B&B, and enlist the Ducote sisters to help straighten things out.

Most of the suspects are easily distrustful without being too overt. It is easy to take a dislike to them and therefore jump to the conclusion that they are killers, one and all. The twists and turns are scattered throughout the story and have the reader jumping from one suspect to another seamlessly. There is no single clue that will lead the reader to the killer; they will need to adjust their perceptions as they read through to find the right suspect.

Natchez Mississippi is set on the Mississippi River. It is a wonderful old city known for antebellum mansions. These mansions predate the civil war such as Stanton Hall or Longwood. This makes for an ideal location and setting for this series. The history and possibly haunted mansion is a definite draw and will encourage readers to explore the city and history of this magical place.

This series including Fixing to Die are wonderful journeys through the old south with plenty of southern charm. There are colorful characters and beautiful old homes. This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes a story that will leave them smiling and looking forward to the next addition.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley

An'gel and Dicke Ducote are sisters whom live in an old house in the south. They get a phone call from their friends Granddaughter, Mary Turner to help her with a ghost problem at her old house. Right off the bat crazy things seem to happen in the house, including a Psychic showing up. Then to add to that problem distant relatives show up trying to claim things in the house belong to them and this is when things go downhill. One of the cousins that bullied their way into staying at the house dies in the middle of the night and the police become involved. In the end the mystery is solved and we get to know the main characters well. There were several plot twists that I did not see coming.
The two main characters seem great like a people that I would like to know. I like hoe the sisters seem to know what the other is thinking. They don't ever claim to read each other’s minds but Great minds think alike kind of stuff.
I liked this book. It did take me a few minutes to figure out how to pronounce a couple of the names. It was a good quick read. I will read more from this author.
I received this book for free to read from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.

The Ducote sisters are visiting an old house where a ghost or ghosts might be hanging around. Mary and her husband are running a bed and breakfast and strange things are happening. They get ready and take along their young man and their two pets. Once they arrive, they do notice some things.

Berkley and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 3rd.

An'gel discovers the French Room she occupies has someone who moves things she puts in place. Her nightgown goes under her pillow but it was on the foot on the bed when she went back to her room later. Dickce finds a cold spot on the stair and sees a shadow that looks like a person but disappears immediately, like nothing was ever there.

If that's not odd enough, some of Mary's relatives show up and say they are staying. Even a medium shows up uninvited. Soon we have a nice large household full of guests. And one of them is a killer.

Everyone has secrets. Not everyone is telling the truth. And when the male relative visitor asks to be in the French Room, An'gel moves out. The next day he is dead. And it's not from natural causes.

It's a twisted trail with stories from the past and present that must be tied together to find the killer. I liked the ending. It was different and worked like a charm.

Charming cozy with sister I would love too meet. The mini history lessons mixed with story is always welcomed. The mystery isn't complicated and I enjoyed how the author paid respect too Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. I hope we see a ghost adventure in Athena next.

Another terrific book in this series, as the sisters need to discover what is happening at a friend's home. While they are there someone is murdered. Was it the ghost? Or someone living?