Haunting and Homicide is the first book in the Ghost Tour Mystery series by Ava Burke.

Lou Thatcher sees and talks to ghosts, which comes in handy when she needs a boost to the activity to attract tourists to her ghost tours. What she doesn't expect is to get caught up in the investigation into her rival's death when she finds his body close to where her tours take place, and he starts haunting the area demanding she help.

I really enjoyed Haunting and Homicide, I loved the premise of a ghost tour in New Orleans as the setting for a new cozy mystery series. And a heroine who talks to ghosts is perfect for this scenario.

The author did a great job introducing the characters (human and ghost) who I assume will make appearances in future books. I especially liked her long time crush, detective Dylan Finch. I hope to see more of him and, even though it seems a bit of a cliché in cozy mysteries to pair up the heroine with a police detective, I'm rooting for the two of them to get together.

There were a number of viable suspects in Adam's murder so I was kept guessing almost to the very end.

I look forward to reading other books in the series as they come out.

Haunting and Homicide by Amber Camp is her debut book, and the first in the paranormal cosy mystery series “A Ghost Tour Mystery” and I cannot WAIT until book 2 comes out. I was hooked from page one and LOVED the story, the characters and of course, Toby the puppy beagle. Haunting and Homicide was a real page turner and hard to put down. I made sure I carved out extra reading time just so I could finish it. The book got carted everywhere, read over meals, read instead of watching TV, and kept me up until 2 in the morning as I needed to know who the murderer was. I need to add that I did not guess who it was until Lou found out.

Lou can see and speak to ghosts, she was born with the gift, which she has hidden, but has finally found a way to use it - she has her own business running ghost tours out of a souvenir shop in the Garden District, one of the most haunted places in New Orleans. There are a few ghost tour guide businesses and they all have their specific area to run their tours. The various tour guides mostly get on, however, Adam Brandt accuses Lou of faking her ghost encounters to undercut his business and there is open hostility between them. So when she trips over his body in the cemetery, with a ceremonial dagger from her shop as the weapon she immediately becomes a suspect. Lou believes the police are not investigating, or looking for, other suspects. To prove her innocence Lou starts her own investigation with the help of her ghostly pals, including Adam who now understands that Lou was not faking her ghostly encounters on her tours. Yes, that a right, Adam has joined the ghostly inhabitants. What follows is a really great story with a mystery that has plenty of twists, turns, danger and surprises; and a heartwarming back story of family life as Lou steps in to rescue her teenage half brother.

Lou is an amazing woman she is cheeky, bold, strong willed, compassionate, protective and hard working. She’s not so good at private investigating but has plenty of friends (both alive and dead) ready to help her out of danger.

I need more ghost tour mysteries (and puppy Beagles) soon!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing an advanced copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the first cozy that I have read with a ghost tour heroine in it. I really enjoyed that aspect about it. It was refreshingly original. I love cozies, I mostly read cozies, however, it is nice that the main character is something other than a baker, chef, store owner, etc. And I really enjoyed that Lou has a gift, the gift of seeing and being able to talk to ghosts. I thought that was really neat.

And another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was Lou herself. She's spirited, strong willed, protective of her friends and family, loyal, and hard working. She protects Bryce as if she was his mother, the way a mother should. Nan and Ron were a very nice addition as well.

Bryce is a good kid. What he did may have been reckless, but I also thought it was brave. Sometimes it takes more guts to stand up to the people who are supposed to love us than it does total strangers. At the end of the day, you have to do what's right for yourself, nobody else.

I thought the story was really original and I just loved Lou's snark. She really has a lot of tenacity and grit in her character. I admire that a lot.

She may not have been super great at amateur sleuthing, but it was enough to get the job done and that is what counts at the end of the day. I loved meeting all of the ghosts, that was really cool. It made me feel so bad for Adam. I felt his loneliness and his despair. Overall, a very good start to the series. I look forward to reading the next book. I recommend!

I loved this. The mystery was really interesting and I was totally wrong about the who. The main character didn’t feel older and out dated when she spoke about tattoos and that was soo nice and also didn’t seem like a caricature of a young person overly obsessed with social media. I also loved that the paranormal aspect wasn’t just a hint or a toe tipping it was in your face and part of the crime solving! I thought the growth of her relation with Adam’s ghost and seeing how important they were in her life as essentially her friends was really sweet. I liked her family and her human friends as well. I am team Eddie. Boo to Dylan, he was annoying. I can’t read to the next and hope we don’t have to wait a year. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is an enjoyable new cozy mystery! The mystery was well developed and entertaining. The characters are engaging and the paranormal aspects offer additional interest. Cozy mystery fans are sure to find this book a nice addition to the cozy mystery genre.

First time reading this author. I enjoyed the book and the mystery kept me guessing. I look forward to more in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The author's now listed as Ava Burke AKA Amber Camp.

Paranormal Cozy Mystery following a Louisiana memorabilia shop and haunted tour owner, who can see ghosts, as she turns sleuth after her rival's killed and she's named the prime suspect.

5/5 stars: This is the first entry in Camp's Ghost Tour Mystery series, which is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery that takes place in Louisiana and features a memorabilia shop and haunted tour owner, who's seen ghosts since she was a child, as she finds herself turning sleuth after she stumbles over her business rival's dead body. When it's revealed a ceremonial dagger from her shop is the murder weapon, she’s declared the prime suspect. With help from the ghosts of New Orleans and the murder victim himself, she weaves her way through his business partnerships, friendships and kinships to uncover who wished to see him dead before the killer tries to silence her forever. With plenty of twists and turns, Camp has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Camp's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Lou's great and I very much enjoyed getting to know her friends, family (especially her Nan and her teenage brother, Bryce) and all other her ghostly pals. Oh and one mustn't forget the oh-so-adorable beagle pup, Toby, and the very cantankerous Fitz, the cat. Camp tackles some very sensitive topics, so take care and check the CWs. This is an excellent start to a new series and I can't wait to read the next! Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Lou Thatcher can see dead people, an ability that comes in handy since she runs a ghost tour in New Orleans. When she discovers the body of a rival tour operator Lou becomes a suspect. Determined to clear herself she decides to investigate.

The author’s writing style is very readable and I liked the characters. And I enjoyed Lou’s interaction with the various ghost’s on her route. However Lou was a very inept investigator and not very good at staying out of danger which was a problem for me.

A nice start to a new cozy series featuring Lou a New Orleans tour guide who can see ghosts. She didn't killed Adam, her business rival who accused her of faking but who did? The paranormal works here (and isn't too woo woo) because the ghosts (including Adam) help to solve the nicely twisty mystery. This is enhanced by a different take on the family drama- her half brother Bryce has come to live with her. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. It's a good read.

Lou Thatcher's life is a bit unusual. You see, she can see and talk to ghosts. That's perfect for her New Orleans based Ghost Tours. But it can make for a challenge.

She has a competitor. He's jealous of the success that Lou is experiencing. They have a bit of a spat. And then he is found murdered. Well, you can probably guess who is the main suspects. It doesn't help that Lou's lifelong crush is the police detective investigating the death. Lou is able to talk to the victim in his ghostly form. But he doesn't know who killed him. It's up to Lou and her ghostly friends to solve the murder.

This is a really good cozy mystery with the perfect blend of humor and quirkiness. It is well-written. The characters are warm and engaging. I think you will like this book.

I was pleased to be approved for this wonderful debut cozy mystery series. Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley and to the author for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. This is the first in the Ghost Tour Mystery series by Ava Burke.

This is such a fun refreshing new cozy series.. The protagonist can see ghost and her job is a ghost tour leader in New Orleans. The author captured the culture and atmosphere perfectly for her readers. You feel as if you are in New Orleans throughout reading this book. Lou has a successful job as a ghost tour leader in New Orleans. She knows her subjects as she can see and talk to ghost. She is hard working , loyal to her friends and savvy. I like that she is independent and not the usually cozy main character living off a inheritance. This is a unique protagonist who is finding her way with a unique gift. She is very likable as a protagonist. When she decides to solve the murder of a visiting ghost she will explore every avenue of clues and red herrings. A sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion.

The atmospheric moody setting of New Orleans is a delight. The characters all added to the fun of the story. The culture of New Orleans is interesting and fun to read about. I look forward to the second in series. Well done to the author.

It's always a privilege to read the first in a new series when it first comes out. It's even better when you know you've found a new favourite series. Such is the case with Haunting and Homicide, the first in the Ghost Tour Mystery series by Ava Burke.
This book is in turns heartwarming and heart wrenching, with real to life, relatable characters going through problems that hit home. The mystery itself is intriguing, with plenty of suspects. The book is well-written, with plenty of action, and settings that come alive without overdone descriptive sections.
I look forward to more adventures courtesy of Lou and her friends.
I am happy to have received an ARC of #HauntingandHomicide courtesy of #NetGalley.

This is a fun story set in New Orleans. Tallulah and Adam soon to be hated enemies, but when Adam dies his goes soon realizes Tallulah can see him and he wants her to help solve his murder. Things are not what they seem and as she struggles to keep her business afloat, she also has to keep out of being police suspect number one. A tight little cozy mystery, this is a quick read, and a bunch of characters I'd love to read about in another book!

A spooky cozy set in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. Lou keeps a secret! She can talk to ghosts! Filled with lots of great characters. Enjoyable setting and great story plot. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

5 stars

Tallulah "Lou" Thatcher is a haunted tour operator living in New Orleans with her lovely grandmother, trying to make ends meet and still keep her biggest secret - that she can actually see and talk to ghosts, which definitely helps boost ghostly encounters on her tours. There are other tour operators in the area that are upset about her meteoric rise in popularity, and unfortunately her biggest competitor ends up dead in a graveyard one night with Lou finding the body and becoming the prime suspect in his murder. Can Lou use all her contacts, both alive and dead, to discover who actually committed the crime and clear her name?

This is a really enjoyable, thrilling cosy mystery set in the thoroughly haunted setting of New Orleans, Louisiana. There's some really wonderful character-building in this book, and I always love a cosy mystery style of writing; this was no exception. I would happily read another 10 books in this series, especially if Toby the adorable puppy gets to feature prominently! Lou is a fun character to follow and I hope we see more of her ghost adventure stories in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to a free eARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided here voluntarily.

I was happy to dive into this book because it ticks quite a few boxes for me, including paranormal cozy. I was immediately drawn into the book because of the great writing, so much so, I had to check that I wasn’t starting in the middle of a series. There were a few things going on besides the mystery that I appreciated; it gave the book more depth and introduced more characters that I’m hoping to see more of. One thing I wasn’t sure I liked happened at the end. I was kind of hoping that…well, read it and find out. Well-written, engaging, and a fun mystery. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

New Orleans is the perfect setting for this book. Even in broad daylight, the sense of the past and wondering what lurks around the next corner is strong. One of my biggest memories of my long ago visit was seeing the cemetery mentioned within, so that was a real plus. While I honestly think it was the cute pup on the cover that drew me to the book initially, I'm a sucker for a cute doggie face, I'm glad I did.

I found myself engrossed from the somewhat mysterious opening pages. Tallulah/Lou Thatcher can see and chat with ghosts? Okay. You don't even quite realize that Kenneth is a ghost initially, though it's quickly obvious. She was mourning being taken away from her beloved grandmother's home in New Orleans, so it's almost a given that she's back with her as the modern day story opens. Ironically, it's when she sees the victim's ghost and doesn't realize it's a ghost, not a human, that she literally stumbles over his body. As if that shock isn't enough, she has been at odds with the victim, Adam Brandt, and is a suspect. Just to complicate things, the investigator is her long time crush, Dylan, her best friend's brother.

As an avid reader of cozy mysteries, I was delighted to discover that Lou was anything but a natural born sleuth. Not that she lets that stop her. In other words, she's a normal person caught in a frightening situation and not always cool, calm, and immediately talented at sleuthing out information. You know. A normal person. Heck, she's even unnerved by puppets. She's also quite likable, as are her friends. Tess, the shop assistant, and grandmother Nan and her boyfriend Ron are quite likable. Lou's unease over her grandmother's budding romance is very realistic, wanting to both see her grandmother happy yet preserve memories of her grandfather. They all step up to help when step-brother Bryce appears unexpectedly. That side story didn't quite jibe with the rest of the plot but is probably a means of bringing him into the story for future books. There's definitely a sense of family throughout, with Lou clinging to it while embracing, sometimes reluctantly, her future. Toby the stray that Nan rescued is a hit, full of energy and constant amusement. It was hinted that he also could see ghosts, or at least Adam's, so that may play into future books, too. There's even some romance though we may be headed toward a love triangle, one of my least favorite elements of any story.

Bottom line, this one unexpectedly hit the spot for me. I found the fact that even the ghosts mentioned seem to have backstories, not to mention different sets of skills and abilities, albeit much of the reasoning behind those elements seem to elude them. Having strolled the streets of New Orleans, it was interesting to ponder how/why a ghost might be limited to certain areas, too, often about the site of death. I even found myself feeling sympathetic to the initially obnoxious Adam at the end as different layers are exposed. In any case, enough rambling. My thanks to #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me to Lou and allowing me to revisit one of the most fascinating places I've even been, New Orleans. I'm looking forward to seeing which of the already revealed ghosts make return visits as we go along. In other words, I'm ready for the next book, which is impressive since paranormal elements are not really a big draw for me.

What a wonderful mystery! The author did a great job in keeping me glued to my seat. Can't wait to read more book by this author.

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. Lou’s ability to see ghosts helps her host viral ghost tours through the historic GardenDistrict. When a rival tour guide whom accused her of faking her encounters is found murdered Lou is the only one who can see him his ghost that is. Adam and Lou were feuding and with the absence of a suspect she’s the only one with a clear motive. When the murder weapon is found to be a ceremonial dagger from Lou’s shop she is determined to prove her innocence she starts investigating right away. This was a very enjoyable who ghost story that everyone would have fun reading,

Haunting and Homicide is the first in a new cozy paranormal mystery series set in New Orleans. It follows LouThatcher a young woman who has moved to the city to live with her Grandmother and run a ghost tour business. She's just building her name on the scene, but has plenty of good buzz around her do to her regular orb sightings and spooky encounters. Her rival business owners think she's faking her "hauntings" but Lou 's edge comes from the fact that she can see and communicate with ghosts!
Life is complicated for Lou between the ghosts, her business being targeted by rival ghost tours, her grandmother's new beau, her half brother's home crisis and being secretly in love with her best friends police detective brother. She adds to that drama when she literally stumbles across a dead body and a brand new ghost, becoming a suspect in their murder!
She pledges to help the new ghost find their killer and clear her own name in the process with the help of her ghostly friends around the city.

Ava Burke is fantastic at creating characters you quickly fall in love with and there are many we are introduced to in this book that I can't wait to read about in future installments. The eerie New Orleans setting adds to the atmosphere of the mystery and sets a great scene. The ghosts play an integral part to her sleuthing without being too kitschy or taking away from the realism of the story.
Overall a fantastic new series to fall in love with 5/5 recommend!