Tuesday Mooney has the hedgehog dilemma. After her friend goes missing (the ghost she talks to) when she is a teenager, she keeps people at arms length. As an adult, she has two people she can consider them friends but she keeps her distance.

She's good at pretending she's fine with this life until an eccentric billionaire dies and leaves a scavenger hunt with the grand prize being part of his wealth. The beginning of this book is kooky. The people are kooky and the setting is kooky. I was thoroughly enjoying the kookiness. Then Tuesday's hedgehog tendencies start hurting her and the kookiness is gone. This wasn't a horrible mood switch but the middle of the book didn't have the same impact for me as the beginning or the end.

Loved all the characters but I'm a sucker for broken people who try to hide their edges.

Review copy given from Netgalley for honest review.

Tuesday Mooney is good at her job as a prospect researcher.

"A prospect researcher is one part private detective, one part property assessor, one part gossip columnist, and one part witch." *

She works for a hospital finding wealthy people willing to part with some of their money for charitable causes.  She's a loner who prefers to be on the outside where she can notice what others cannot and would rather stay home and watch X-Files reruns than socialize with her best friend of ten years, Dex, who has never even been to her apartment.

When the eccentric billionaire Vincent Pryce collapses and dies at a charity event, Pryce's death is overshadowed by his final request:  an epic treasure hunt through Boston with clues inspired by Edgar Allan Poe that will lead to a share of his wealth!

Tuesday's curiosity and skills lead her and her oddball crew (BFF Dex, teen next door neighbor Dorry, and handsome heir Archie) through a mysterious game that requires them all to face their pasts in hopes of finding Pryce's fortune.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts was a fun mystery that will certainly be compared to The Westing Game.  I enjoyed the twists, the secrets revealed, and the pop culture references that added some humor. 
The pace began to drag in the middle but overall this was an intriguing read that kept me guessing the entire time.
I recommend this book to readers who love games, mysteries, word play, and family drama!

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.  Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is scheduled for release on October 8, 2019.

Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts.

I was excited when my request was approved.

A main character who is a loner, loves all things horror and The X-Files, and talks to ghosts?

And there's a caper and treasure hunt, too! Count me in!

This was my second book by this author so I had low but certain expectations going into this and some of them were met while others were not.

First, the pros:

1. The writing is excellent. The author writes fluidly with lovely descriptions and metaphors without her prose becoming too flowery or wordy. I hate when writing is too wordy. Just say what you mean!

2. Decent character development about Tuesday, her BFF Dex, her next door neighbor Dorry and the coterie of reputable and disreputable cast of characters

3. The topic of how people are haunted by ghosts, not literal ghosts, but personal loss. Losing the people we love to tragedy or illness, but sometimes even worse, not knowing what happened to them leaves a deep scar from which we never recover but can learn to cope with over time

4. The premise itself; an eccentric billionaire leaves twisty clues for people to decipher, weeding out the worthy and the worthless to determine who will receive part of his fortune

5. Most of the characters are decent people; kind, selfless, smart, clever, and just good. It was nice to just read about ordinary people striving to do extraordinary things

6. A supernatural element in relation to Tuesday's ability to talk to 'ghosts' but it doesn't bog the story down and the ability to suspend disbelief is not hard to do

7. The prevailing themes of partnership, helping those who need it, the good that non-profit institutions do in our world

The cons:

1. Despite the character development, I didn't like anyone, not even Tuesday. I couldn't connect with her, or anyone else.

The archetypes were terribly trope-y; the quiet introvert, the gay, theater loving BFF, the sad next door neighbor who misses her dead mother, the eccentric billionaire, the psychotic, entitled rich guy, the rich guy's younger brother who resents his life of privilege.

2. For a story about a mysterious game, there was little game playing, and lots of exposition on the characters and why we should care about them, but it was hard to do just that

3. The title is "Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts" but she doesn't do much of that. I wanted more 'spookyness' though I did enjoy the ending.

Overall, this was a well written novel with a great premise, though lacking on the supernatural and capering elements.

If you're looking for a bit of a family drama, a sprinkle of a mystery with a little game thrown in for fun and plenty of exposition on the game players, I'd recommend Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia is a really fun mystery to add to your Halloween reading list. Recommended read.

This was a fun novel and, of course, reminded me of Westing Game. It follows Tuesday and her friends as they try to solve a dead millionaire’s game to win part of his wealth. There is a supernatural element in this book in that Tuesday “talks” to her dead childhood friend in her mind...or are these just delusions of Tuesday’s mind? The writing and dialogue felt smart and I found myself laughing in several parts and the characters were all so lovable, despite their flaws. This is a great read for the Halloween season and I’m glad I have the chance to review it early!

This novel is promoted as a Westing Game for adults with the focus on the puzzle and adventure to reach a prize - which is an element of the story, but only an element. The book is far richer in character and character development, and all the characters are unusual and quirky and every bit as puzzling as the treasure hunt. Tuesday Mooney is a perfectly happy loner, a highly skilled researcher and puzzle lover. Her friend Dex, gay financier (with inner performer struggling to get out) brings to her attention the city-wide treasure hunt left by E.A.Poe-loving eccentric billionaire Vincent Pryce in his will, the two cannot resist. Tuesday is assisted by her ninth grade neighbor Dorry and keeps crossing paths with the mysterious Archie, who she believes is a local rich heir. Sounds like lots of lighthearted fun, right. It's not. There's actually a good bit of dark mixed with the light. The ghost Tuesday talks to is the voice of her best friend who disappeared when she was a teenager and has haunted her ever since. She's not entirely sure if she's real or not, but she's sure if she had been there for her, her friend wouldn't be a ghost. She thinks she sees something similar in Archie, because Archie's father disappeared years ago from their yacht. The little dory went out and came back empty. What she doesn't know is how vicious and violent Archie's older brother is. Dex can't help but be light, outgoing and generally over-the-top, but he too is fighting his demons. Dorry is growing up, trying to deal with her mother's death and moving past it. Amidst all this personal turmoil there is the mysterious game, Vincent Pryce and his widow, and the city of Boston. A nice hearty stew rather than a puff pastry.

I loved everything about this book! It's a mystery/ghost story/treasure hunt/comedy/coming-of-age/finding-yourself/collection-of-misfits story that will charm you and warm your heart. Plus heroine Tuesday Mooney's profession is fundraising prospect researcher, the most interesting job you've never heard of. Just read it! You won't regret it.

This is portion of the review on my blog

I knew I would like this book as soon as I read the author’s dedication. Now, since this is an Advance Review Copy, I am not quoting it but you will know what I mean when you read the book. It is short, simple and speaks volumes. Kate Racculia, colour me impressed.

And the following pages did not disappoint. There is a running theme of philosophy and greater good considerations throughout. Not so much that it overwhelms the thrill of the mystery, but it is there.

The conclusion of this story too, aligns with the underlying theme which to some readers might feel somewhat esoteric but I personally, loved it.

Kate Racculia, in ‘Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts‘ has given her readers some truly quirky and multidimensional characters. Be it Tuesday herself or Vincent Pryce who tried to create something significant through his own death.

The major reason I adored Tuesday Mooney’s character was that through her, the author constructed the most beautiful picture of what it is like to be an introvert. People have a lot of misconceptions about us introverts and a lot of books do not completely explore the meaning of being an introvert. Kate Racculia did a splendid job.

Though there are multiple riveting characters in ‘Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts‘, Tuesday’s friend Poindexter Howard or Dex has all the makings of an unforgettable character.

Oooohh, is he a Drama Queen!! A really adorable and relatable one. Dex will make you smile and cry. His humour is engaging and his loyalty to Tuesday is simply beautiful. By the time you are done reading the book, chances are you would be asking yourself WHY do you not have a friend like Dex.

The author has deftly interwoven humour and suspense. All the wordplays, puns, double entendres were excellent and have my stamp of approval. Especially, the ones involving Tuesday’s name because if Kate Racculia hadn’t used that, I would have been very sad indeed. Would have been a waste, really.

Now, since it is a part if the book title, let’s talk about Ghosts. ‘Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts‘ is not a spooky book in the traditional sense. Ghost/s do not feature as a major element (not saying they don’t feature at all). It is primarily a story of engaging mysteries and adventures in spooky settings.

There is an ample amount of moralistic understanding in this novel packaged in the form of a beguiling treasure hunt. And who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt?!

What a fun read! Kate Racculia has written a comical story with quirky characters that I very much enjoyed reading. Part mystery, part adventure, part ghost story, it has a little bit of everything!

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts
by Kate Racculia (Goodreads Author)

Becky Abbott's review
Sep 09, 2019




Look for this one when it comes out, it will be worth the wait. Quirky characters and fun plot make it one to read.

I interviewed Kate Racculia for my podcast when BELLWEATHER RHAPSODY came out, and I remember her saying that she didn't solve the mystery of the story so much as she wanted to solve the characters. This makes so much sense, for her books are about characters who are themselves mysteries - why do they do what they do, and how do they all fit together in this puzzle? And this is a book about puzzles, so this question is particularly apt. Racculia's wry wit brings the perfect tone to this story about Tuesday Mooney, an awkward, curious young woman who loves facts and finding things out. When an eccentric billionaire dies at a fundraiser for the foundation Tuesday works for, he leaves a treasure hunt for the citizens of Boston to follow. Tuesday wants desperately to stay on the hunt, sacrificing everything she has in the process, but she has her own ghosts to confront - and the other hunters to account for, some of whom are her closest friends. And another is Archie, a rich man who has inserted himself into her life, almost impossibly. Reading one of Kate's novels is like eating a multi-course meal, with different taste points along the way - the bitter, the sweet, the melancholy, the delightful. Absorbing and thoughtful, this novel makes me want to go back and re-read BELLWEATHER, as well as all the Ellen Raskin books that influence this work.

I loved Bellweather Rhapsody, so I was thrilled to see that Kate Racculia had another book coming out. My excitement was well deserved. This book is lots of fun without being dumb. It is full of over-the-top but (somewhat) believable characters. The banter was often hilarious.
I loved the concept of an eccentric billionaire turning the city of Boston into a giant puzzle and treasure hunt. It is absurd and full of twists and turns. This is a love letter to smart kids, and 90's cultural references, and research, and Madonna drag. Saying much more would disrupt how this book unfolds.
I was particularly happy to see a familiar face in this book.
I recommend this to anyone that wants a banter-y, yet super smart, truly entertaining scavenger hunt of a book. I'll be handing it out to a lot of patrons when it finally comes out.

Thank you Kate Racculia and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read and review this book. I did really love it

Many thanks to Netgalley for this very entertaining read! I was so thoroughly delighted with Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia that I actually tried to slow my reading just so I could make It last longer. Spoiler, it didn't really work, instead of finishing in one day it was more like a day and a half!

This is such a fun read! I loved the characters, the storyline (s), the writing, you get the picture. I don't think it was just a matter of the right book at the right time (I have been spending a lot of time in WWII lately) but also It is just that darn good! Part of the fun was in seeing the story and the people unfold. Most of the characters are someone I would be pleased to know. The premise of both the book and the game are engaging.

I'm sure other reviews and the book jacket can describe the story better than I. The basics are an eccentric (no other word can explain so well or so quickly) gazillionaire (very slight exaggeration) died and his will sets up a mystery game that is open to, well, anyone and everyone in the world. Our book focuses on some of them. The setting is Boston and the clues are left throughout the city and have so.stub g to do with Edgar Allan Poe.

This may be the first time I not only wish for a sequel but also for a prequel. I want to hear/read more about this people! Let us know more about Vincent Pryce, how he spent his retirement looking for his eerie and weird artifacts, how did he grow up? More about Tuesday and her time in Salem, you get the gist of it. I just want more, of everything and everybody.

I very highly recommend Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts and most definitely look forward to reading more of her work.

#TuesdayMooneyTalksToGhosts #NetGalley

Tuesday Mooney is a character that will stay with me for a long time. She was odd and funny and kind and smart and most importantly, lost. Her best friend went missing when she was a teen and ever since then she hasn't been herself. When a chance to find a dead man's treasure opens herself up to friendship and love, she slowly begins to find herself again. An interesting, smart, fun novel that I already want to read again!

To begin, the cover of this book is beautiful. I was in desperate need of a fun and quirky book, and this hit the spot. It's kind of like Ready Player One meets that movie The Game (with Micheal Douglas) - but nowhere near as dark as the latter. Tuesday Mooney is rad, and I love all the characters surrounding her. Now I'm off to read Kate Racculia's other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the e-arc.

An absolutely delightful read. Engaging characters set off to follow the mysterious, literary clues of the will of an elderly, wealthy eccentric through the greater Boston area for a chance at winning the grand prize. Young grief and loss, family guilt and secrets, and hilarity are featured throughout. Plus: ghosts!

Vincent Pryce, Boston’s most eccentric billionaire dies in front of a roomful of equally rich people. What he lefts behind is a game. A tresure hunt through Boston. Lots of people want to play. Among them is Thuesday Mooney. She is a loner really, has only a friend or two but what she has is logic, tenacity, a burning desire to solve puzzles and people. So she teams up with a friend, Dex, her teen neighbor Dorry and a real mysterious rich boy Archie to find the promised prize. Alomg the way they find themselves in serious peril once of twice and Tuesday even solves something sinister.

To say anything else without spoilers is impossible.

How I love a good mysterie! Tuesday Mooney talks to Ghosts is a wonderfully written book full of emotions and mysteries. I found myself laughing and crying with the characters, rooting for them. I wanted to find the clues and the prize myself.

The characters are adorable, every single one of them has his or her own past and reasons for why they are playing and we are introduced to these as the story goes. I love it when the characters are evolving throughout the story, when they decisions are shaping them, just like in the real world.

Read this book. I mean it. You will not regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Kate Racculia for my copy.

A treasure hunt set in Somerville/Boston is so right up my alley. And then there's Tuesday, who could be me in another life. We never really learn why she is the way she is, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that she's smart and her sense of humor is so wonderfully quirky (example? she calls her neighbor "Next Dorry"). It would have been nice had the treasure hunt itself been a little more complex and gone on longer rather than the two or three clues we get. There's another mystery here, with hidden motives and characters who may or (obviously) may not be who they say they are.

eARC provided by publisher.

I was wooed by the descriptions of this one as a Westing Game for grown-ups, and it lives up to that tagline. I loved the complicated characters, the clever plotting and the masterful writing.

The first third of this book was incredible and I thought it was going to huge for me - a grown up Westing Game? Sign me up. Unfortunately, the last two thirds did not keep me intrigued at all. Rushed through the end just to be done. Bummer.