Entertaining and atmospheric, this book is a charming paranormal mystery. It’s the kind of cozy you’ll want to read under a blanket with a cup of tea.

Hello, yes, I'll take about a dozen more books in this new ghostly cozy mystery series, please and thank you! I have read so many books where the main character can see ghosts and solves mysteries, but Haunting and Homicide definitely stood out as one of the best!
Lou, unlike so many other protagonists that can see ghosts, uses her ability to become a successful ghost tour guide in New Orleans. I loved her character and how she uses her skill to her advantage! I love the extended cast, living and dead. Placing this type of story in a city known for its haunts was such a good idea! We may know the famous ghosts but only Lou knows the real ones.

Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke 5⭐

Thank you to Net Galley, Ava Burke, and Crooked Lane Books for this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Haunts and Jaunts Walking Ghost Tours is run by Lou who gives historical ghost tours in the Garden District of New Orleans. It helps that she can see ghosts and some of those ghosts help her on her tour to give the guests a good show. Her rival nemesis B&B Haunted Tours is run by Adam Brandt, who tries to prove Lou is a faking her tours to steal his customers. While giving one of her walking tours Lou trips over a dead body and it is none other than her rival Adam. Being the number one suspect Lou must do an investigation of her own to prove that she was not the one who killed Adam and help solve the case to bring Adam some peace because he will not leave her alone until he gets justice.

I thought this was a great cozy mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the New Orleans ghost tour aspect of the story. The killer threw me for a loop, as I was not able to guess who done it until right when it was revealed. Looking forward to more from this series.
#HauntingandHomicide #NetGalley

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a cozy mystery that follows a woman who is haunted by friendly ghosts and she is trying to solve a murder.

This was a good cozy mystery! I liked the ghosts and the characters throughout. The writing was good and kept me engaged.

I did find the mystery a bit boring and predictable. However; I would still recommend this book to people looking for a cozy mystery.

This is book 1 in the new series, A Ghost Tour Mystery series. It's set in New Orleans which is the perfect setting for ghost tours. Lou Thatcher is haunted by ghosts–friendly ghosts–but when she finds herself involved in a murder investigation, she’s in for the fright of a lifetime.
Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher has a gift: she can see dead people. But in New Orleans, Louisiana, this is not a drawback. On the contrary, her ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic Garden District. When rival tour guide Adam Brandt–who accused her of faking her encounters to undercut his business–is found murdered, Lou is the only one who can see him . . . his ghost, that is.
It’s no secret Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect, she’s the only one with a clear motive. After detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s longtime crush, reveals the murder weapon was a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop, she’s officially declared the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, Lou starts investigating right away.
Weaving her way through Adam’s business partnerships, friendships, and kinships, Lou must uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever.

Book Review: Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

I recently finished Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I’m eager to see continue in future installments. The story follows Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher, who has this fascinating ability to see ghosts. Living in New Orleans, a city steeped in history and supernatural lore, Lou turns her gift into a popular ghost tour business in the Garden District.

Things take a dark turn when Adam Brandt, a rival tour guide who’s accused Lou of faking her ghostly encounters, ends up murdered. Here’s the twist: Lou is the only one who can actually see Adam’s ghost after his death. Naturally, with their well-known rivalry and no other suspects in sight, Lou quickly becomes the prime suspect—especially after detective Dylan Finch (who happens to be Lou’s longtime crush) points out that the murder weapon is a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s own shop. This sets Lou off on a determined quest to clear her name by digging into Adam’s personal and professional life to find the real killer.

What really stood out to me was how well the mystery was crafted—plotted smartly and paced perfectly to keep me hooked without feeling rushed. The New Orleans setting was wonderfully atmospheric and added so much charm and depth to the story. Plus, the characters felt authentic and engaging, making it easy to root for Lou throughout her adventure.

And can we just talk about that cover? It’s absolutely delightful and visually sets the tone for the spooky yet cozy vibe of the book. Overall, Haunting and Homicide was a strong start to what I hope becomes a beloved series. If you’re into cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist (think Amanda Flower or Ellen Byron fans), this one’s definitely worth picking up.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Lou has seen and interacted with ghosts all her life. So her ghost walks New Orleans offer things that no one else can do. One of her competitors is determined to prove she is a fraud and has been stalking her. So no one is more surprised than Adam when he is murdered and he realizes Lou is the real thing. Not only that, but she is willing to try and help him solve his murder. She is pretty savvy about most things including ghosts but she does trip up occasionally which is good she has some very good friends from the other side.

I really enjoyed the book because I liked Lou and how she and the various ghosts connect. She is their friend and they open up to her, something rare in the spirit world. The plot was well paced and satisfying with just enough twists. In fact, the killer was almost obscured because another suspect was so strong. There were several times when the reader will be convinced the story is going one way, only to find it turn another corner. I am looking forward to future books because I think there is a winning combination here.

Five purrs and two paws up.

A quick and easy read. The ghost angle was interesting and the mystery was good. There were a couple of elements that weren’t my favorite but it was a decent read for me. I may try a book 2 in the future.

Love the location of this book! New Orleans is perfect since it is an eerie town with several cemeteries. The main characters power was well described and laid out. I’d be interested in reading more of this series!

For the most part, I really enjoyed “Haunting and Homicide” by Ava Burke. The storyline is a good one – when tour guide Adam Brandt is murdered, Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher is a main suspect since it is well known that she was feuding with Adam. What is not well known is that Lou can talk to ghosts, including the ghost of Adam who wants her to find his killer. She’s happy to help him, especially since she’s the number one suspect. The book is filled with memorable characters – Lou, her grandmother, her grandmother’s beau, her younger brother, her best friend, her coworker, her best friend’s brother, and the ghosts she interacts with. The family dynamics were well done, if sad at times (Lou’s grandmother is awesome!). Unfortunately, I found the mystery wasn’t quite as well done as the character aspects – there weren’t enough suspects and I felt like there weren’t enough clues leading up to who the killer really was. Having said that, I did enjoy the characters and setting and would read the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher is a young woman who lives in New Orleans and she has a very special gift. She can see and talk to ghosts! She has since she was a child. It helps her in her business which is providing ghost tours of the city. She has a particular route she follows so she does not encroach on any other tours area. However, one of her competitors, Adam Brandt, has been harassing her. He has accused her of fraud and stalks her. On one of her tours, she stumbles upon his body. The police are called and who should be a investigating detective but her childhood crush and best friends brother, Detective Dylan Finch. If that isn't bad enough, she can see and hear Adam's ghost. Lou soon becomes the number one suspect. She decides to find the killer herself and not wait for the police to arrest her. With Adam's help, she sets out to find the killer.

It took me a while to get into this story. It's easy-to-read is fun. Perhaps I was just too busy. The story is unique in that all the ghosts along her tour as well as others help her piece together what happened.

Haunting and Homicide is the first book in a new series, A Ghost Tour Mystery. Lou Thatcher is a tour guide to a ghost tour company in the Garden District of New Orleans. When another tour guide is murdered, Lou works to solve the mystery.

I wanted read this novel because I love cozy mysteries. The New Orleans setting was also appealing.

This is a great series debut! I found Haunting and Homicide to be a unique series because of the ghostly aspect to the story. The author did a great job introducing a memorable amateur detective, setting the scene in picturesque New Orleans, and plotting the mystery.

I recommend Haunting and Homicide for other cozy mystery fans!

A good start to the new series. I was drawn to it because of the ghost element that reminded me of the addictive sitcom Ghosts. Obviously this cosy mystery doesn't have the comic factor of the tv show, but it's still entertaining. Looking forward to the next installment!

Haunting and Homicide, Ava Burke’s new cozy mystery, introduces a tour guide who sees ghosts—and helps one solve his own murder.

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher runs a ghost tour company in New Orleans. Though she just started, her tours are gaining in popularity thanks to her knack for finding paranormal activity on late-night strolls through the Big Easy. Lou’s had the ability to see and speak to ghosts her whole life, but rival tour guide Adam Brandt is convinced that she’s faking her supernatural encounters and launches a campaign to shut down her tours for good. But when Lou stumbles upon Adam’s lifeless body, she promises his confused and angry ghost that she’ll help solve his murder. She needs to act quickly: Their feud was well known, and the murder weapon may have come from her shop, so the police zero in on Lou as a suspect. Can she work with Adam and the other neighborhood ghosts to solve his murder before she’s arrested? Or worse, targeted by his killer?

Haunting and Homicide takes readers on a delightful and atmospheric tour of New Orleans. Lou’s ghostly friends are unique and very funny, while her tours incorporate actual local history. The real-life details and paranormal elements combined make for a memorable and exciting premise for a cozy mystery series.

Lou herself is a high point of the novel: She’s smart, hardworking, loyal and extremely well-adjusted to her supernatural reality. Her relationships with the secondary characters really make the story come to life—expect heartfelt scenes with her grandmother and her younger half-brother, Bryce. And Lou has chemistry with two potential suitors, one of whom happens to be her childhood crush and best friend’s brother.

Haunting and Homicide is an entertaining introduction to Lou’s complicated and enjoyably spooky life as a sleuth in New Orleans.

While I didn't love this one. I did enjoy some aspects of the book especially the mystery and the New Orleans setting. I however think it's bit to much paranormal for me. But I am willing to give the next book in the series a chance as well as other books by the author.

This is my favorite book so far this year. I loved the setting, the characters, and the mystery. I was guessing until the end and even second guessed myself. I stayed awake much to late simply because I could not put it down. I am already looking forward to the second book.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher hosts ghost tours in the New Orleans Garden District and her tours are going viral because Lou has a gift. She can actually see and communicate with the area ghosts and one ghost loves to show off and watch the viral videos with Lou.

Adam Brandt also hosts ghost tours but he doesn’t have a gift and he believes Lou’s tours are complete shams until he is murdered and has his own encounter with Lou. He wants her to find his killer but she is the police’s prime suspect due to their prior discord and that the murder weapon came from her store. He doesn’t know who killed him but he knows it wasn’t Lou so she starts to dig into his past to see who wanted him dead and is framing her for his murder. She just hopes she can find the killer before they have her haunting the Garden District with all the other ghosts.

Tallulah “Lou” Thatcher is a wonderful protagonist with an interesting gift – a gift she has had her whole life. She doesn’t know why the ghosts are stuck where they are and would love to help them pass to the next realm. Until then she enjoys visiting with them and showing off their talents. We also meet her loving grandmother, her grandmother’s significant other Ronald, her best friend Cady, Cady’s brother Detective Dylan Finch, Lou’s part-time employee Tess, and Lou’s teenage brother Bryce. For the first book in the series, the characters were well fleshed out while leaving room for growth as the series continues.

There are also some cool ghosts in this story and I loved how cleverly they were created. They had distinct talents and were there when Lou needed them most.

We follow Lou through her busy daily life as she works in questioning the living and the dead in her quest to find Adam’s killer. She did get herself into some sticky situations but none more so than when the killer is revealed. I truly was on the edge of my seat for the chase that occurred in the final chapters and found the takedown was especially delightful. Adam makes a request of Lou after everyone is safe. It was truly heartwarming.

A subplot deals with Lou’s dysfunctional family and I appreciated the way Ms. Burke handled the situation. I am sure there will be issues that arise in future stories as there would in real life. What occurred gives us insight into Lou’s past which makes her even more genuine.

A unique plot set in New Orleans with complicated relationships, family drama, ghosts, and more has set this series off to a terrific start. It was very easy to get invested in these characters with the interesting and entertaining mystery the author has penned. I highly recommend Haunting and Homicide and can’t wait for the next Ghost Tour Mystery!

Haunting and Homicide is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. I was intrigued by the premise, which is different than other cozies featuring ghosts. The fact that not only does the main character, Lou, see ghosts, but when the guy who made her life miserable is murdered, she still has to deal with him and solve his murder. It's such a good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see how the characters continue to develop.

Enjoyable.

Lou Tatcher just started her own business giving ghost tours, which is a really good job for her because she can actually see ghosts. A competitor threatens to put her out of business and when she stumbles over his dead body, Lou is considered a suspect.

So Lou decides to investigate herself, with the help of Adam (who didn’t see who killed him and also doesn’t think he has enemies) she talkes to a few living and dead people. All the while nursing the crush she has on the lead detective.

Lots of interesting characters and I hope to see a few of the ghosts again in the next mystery.

What a wonderful start to a series! The location of New Orleans & Lou’s ability to see ghosts, adds the perfect amount of the macabre to this cozy book. I really enjoyed that she uses her gift/curse to her advantage by having ghost tours. Unfortunately when her business rival is murdered she has to work with his ghost to clear her name and solve his death. It’s very cool that some of the best supporting characters are ghosts. The author does such an amazing job of bringing in the supernatural into the story and making it seem plausible. I hope there will be more books to follow as I really enjoyed this as a starter. A amateur sleuth who can communicate with the murder victims is a very clever plot device, one that opens itself to many future opportunities.

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Read if you like:
* A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke
* Haunted Haven series by Carol J. Perry