Had a lot of fun in reading this light paranormal: well plotted and entertaining. Carol J Perry never disappoints
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

"The Spirit Moves" by Carol J. Perry is a light-hearted, comedic murder mystery set in a haunted town where the owner of a local hotel converses with the dead. A perfect book to dive into for readers who enjoy laughter, twists and turns, romance, and a splash of the supernatural.

When the body of famous author Terry Holiday is found in a local flower garden, the residents of Haven are shocked. Even more shocking is that the person who found the body, Aster Paterson, claims it was the ghost of her late husband that led her to the discovery. Haven's cop, Frank Hubbard, does not believe in ghosts. If anything, the likely solution is that whoever killed Holiday created an illusion of Aster's husband to throw him off their trail.

Maureen, having moved from England to Haven, knows that ghosts are real (well, some of them) and so are murderers (having solved some herself). But there's a large list of suspects, ranging from the mystery writers group to the local ghostwriter currently staying at the Inn she owns and runs. To figure out who's behind the death of Terry Holiday, an author hated by many, Maureen may need the help of her ghostly residents.

This is a fun murder mystery that will keep readers on their toes as they try to uncover who killed Terry Holiday. There are plenty of twists and turns and prime suspects, especially when most people of Haven have a special loathing for Holiday and his books. Figuring out who the killer is is no easy task. But there is a lot of fun to be had along the way. Maureen's ghostly residents at her Inn are tons of fun! They add a fun little spin on the story and, despite being unalive, have a lot of interest in the goings-on with the humans.

The mystery writers group are also a hoot that many readers and writers will get a kick out of. They seem like the most obvious suspects since they love discussing murder and the many ways a person can die. Who better to commit a crime than a writer who's done extensive research on how to commit a murder and get away with it? Despite the grim topics, there's always a good laugh to be had when they make their way onto the page.

Some practical business things made their way into the book, too. While a murder is a free buffet for ideas for the mystery writers, it means a drop in tourists coming to Haven, which affects Maureen's business. Adding in the stress of trying to entice tourists to stay at the Inn and boost sales so the Inn doesn't go under felt reflective of a real situation. There were times when solving a murder seemed to fade to the background as Maureen focused on trying to keep her business afloat and the spark between her and her partner burning. This made it hard for me to fully invest myself in the story because I was more interested in finding the killer than the more technical aspects of running a business.

"The Spirit Moves" by Carol J. Perry is expected to be published on May 27, 2025. Readers who love a good, cozy mystery must be on the lookout for this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of the e-arc to share my honest opinion in this review.

Maureen and the crew at Haven House return in another haunted mystery. Aster, who owns the bookshop and makes cookies, has been waiting for her husband Peter to return as a ghost. One day, Peter arrives in spectacular fashion. A dead body in the garden follows.
A mystery writers group seems to be involved. Or is it Aster? Or a guest at Haven House? There is no shortage of good suspects. As soon a one is eliminated something pops up.
There is also plenty going on at Haven House to keep the reader engaged. Maureen and Tom’s relationship develops. We meet the elevator smoking ghost and learn something about him. Lorna arrives with great outfits and good ideas for investigating.
I enjoyed reading The Spirit Moves. If you enjoy cozies in Florida and like ghosts or the idea of ghosts pick this up.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

This is book four in this series. It’s a nice cozy little mystery. I was a little surprised by who the bad guy was. While I enjoy this series this book probably wasn’t my favorite.

While most cozy mystery books in series can be read as standalone, for me, in this particular one, I definitely needed to have read the others before starting this one. While I did like the characters and the ghostly people hanging around, I didn't feel much of a connection with anyone, or enough of a connection that I cared about what was happening or the mystery. I do think this is a me problem and would love to start at the beginning and try this series again.

4.25⭐
I love both of Carol J. Perry's series. They both feature heroines who are smart, curious and empathetic and both have paranormal elements. Most of all they have interesting mysteries and populated with engaging characters, many of whom in this series are ghosts. Here, Maureen inherited Florida seaside hotel from Penelope James, someone she didn't even know. Surprisingly, not only is it haunted, but so is the whole town. And the town wants to keep it that way. Maureen balances keeping the hotel in the black while she gets caught up in solving the murder of a member of the local authors' club. Charming story. Fun series. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Spirit Moves is book 4 in Carol J. Perry's Haunted Haven cozy mystery series, but is easily read as a standalone novel.

Maureen Doherty is the owner of Haven House Inn, and the inn, like many of the homes and other buildings in the town of Haven, Florida are haunted. When a local author is killed, Maureen finds her business in trouble as the fear of a murderer on the loose keeps the tourists away. With the help of some of the ghosts, she finds herself involved in solving the mystery.

This was my first book in the series and I found it an enjoyable mystery. The residents of Haven had a good sense of community and the ghosts at the inn made the story somewhat unique.

Aside from the mystery part of the story, there were a few other things that I liked, and didn't like about the book.

One thing I really liked is how Maureen had to deal with the realistic issues affecting her business. I often find that either the main character in cozy mysteries rarely considers things that affect their business, or they seem to have an unending supply of money coming from somewhere, despite not being rich, so this was really refreshing.

I liked the side plot of a romance between Ted and Maureen, however I thought it was kind of weird that no one knew they were officially dating, and he is ready to propose? I found that a bit odd.

I also thought it was appalling that Maureen would take advantage of her gift shop to use it as her personal closet, and then return the clothes she had worn to sell them as new. I don't know why that bothered me so much, it just seemed dishonest.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Detective Frank Hubbard actually asks for Maureen's help in this latest in a lively series that will be fine as a standalone. Seems there's a murder, a ghost, and something isn't quite right. Maureen, unlike Frank, has the help of her very own ghosts Lorna and Reggie, to solve crimes. Oh and her little dog Finn. It's a fun one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for cozy fans.

Fantastic! This series is becoming a fast favorite. Gorgeous, balmy setting, interesting B&B business, and wonderful mysteries. I look forward to more books in this series.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Will definitely review in my upcoming reading wrap-up and future recommendation videos!

Maureen feels like things are looking up at the inn when a writer gets killed at the nearby bookstore. Now she has to see if she can solve the mystery and save the town. ARC from NetGalley.

This is a light, quick read, full of characters we've come to know and love. The mystery was not as mysterious as I would have liked and I wish there was a bit more oomph to Maureen and Ted's relationship. It was still, a lovely comforting read.

When the body of a local author turns up behind the bookstore, Innkeeper Maureen Doherty decides to get involved in solving the murder before the reduction in business forces her to close her doors. Maureen has a resource that only locals know about - most of the buildings in town are haunted - and the ghosts that inhabit the in are more than willing to do a little sleuthing.

This is a fun, light cozy. I like the characters, especially the ghosts. And I enjoyed the inclusion of Zoltan fortune telling machines as a way to slip messages into the story.

Hooray for another triumphant tale of ghosts and murder!

It was such a treat to read another bouncy tale from Carole J Perry. Her fifth book keeps us smiling and reading as we encounter a clowder and of murder writers and a dead body in the garden.

Perry has a knack for keeping the characters lively and the plot moving along. It was like catching up with old friends by reading this book.

I’ve quite enjoyed this series since pretty much the beginning, so I’m always excited when a new book comes out. One of the aspects of this author’s writing is a definite old-world feel, and this one has that as well. In this latest, Maureen has to deal with the latest murder along with coming up with new ideas to help the town, especially since this newest murder is driving away business. This one seemed a little bit all over the place with just so much going on, but the book had clean fun, great writing, engaging side stories, and an interesting mystery. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

What a great introduction to a new to me author and series. I really enjoyed meeting Maureen, all of her friends, of this plain and beyond, and the fascinating Haven House. I thought this book was the second or third in the series when I picked it up on Netgally, but it is book four. This did not stop me from enjoying the book totally, and it was pretty easy to follow, so I never felt lost! I was so intrigued by the start of Maureen's journey that I immediately ordered book one as soon as I finished this one. Maureen is caught up in a mystery when her friend Aster, the book shop owner, has her sitting in with a group of mystery writers, Murder Incorporated. As interesting as it all is, she is more interested in a book written by a local man that all the other writers shun. Terry Holiday's Make Your City Famous and Attrack Big Spenders is more up her alley as she is always looking for ways to attract more people to town and to stay at Haven House. When Terry Holiday is murdered behind the book store and Aster and her husband's ghost take up residence at Haven House, Maureen agrees to keep her ears open for the local police as the murder is keeping people away from town and its affecting business. I love Maureen, her fun bunch of employees that came with the House, and of course,the somewhat extra residents who add a little something for those who actually see them. It's a fun and satisfying tale with a smart MC! Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for the opportunity to discover this delightful series! #TheSpiritMoves #HauntedHavenMysteries #CarolJPerry #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE SPIRIT MOVES (Book 4 of the Haunted Haven mystery series) by Carol J. Perry in exchange for an honest review. Maureen Doherty knows her friend and bookshop owner Aster Paterson has been baking her deceased husband Peter’s favorite cookies for years in an effort to lure him back to haunt her bookshop. Well, wishes do come true, but they often don’t come true the way we imagine. As it turns out, Peter’s ghost returns home and reveals himself publicly after a local book writer is found murdered in Aster’s flower garden. Once again, Frank Hubbard enlists Maureen’s aid in finding the killer. Frank is a diehard skeptic and is more focused on proving Peter’s appearance to have been an illusion than in identifying the killer. Meanwhile, Maureen’s splitting her focus on how to draw more tourists to Haven and on the progress she’s making in her romantic relationship. With both Franks’ and Maureen’s attention split, they’ll need the assistance of the citizen of Haven, both living and deceased, to figure out the killer.

I liked the book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book to fans of the series and the series to fans of paranormal murder mysteries.

#TheSpiritMoves #NetGalley

3.5 stars
This series is so hot and cold for me. I love the vibes, and setting, but there are things like the writing at some points and some of the subplots that I don't love.
In this one, Maureen is trying to drum up some business. Things are slow. At the bookstore, she suggests a local author come do a speech. She buys his book which is about how to get people to spend money or something. But then he ends up dead. There is a group of mystery writers who meet at the bookstore who really don't like this guy because his books are not good. They don't care that he is dead. Did one of them kill him?
The inn that Maureen owns it so cozy and these books make it sound like so much fun to run a little inn in a small town in Florida (even though it's probably not). I love how Maureen is so happy to get to know her guests and willing to house some of the employees. I love the ghosts that no one mentions to outsiders. The general vibes of this series keeps me reading.
A lot of the side characters are fun too. I love the group of 4 older employees that worked there when Penelope Josephine owned it and continue to work there now. They are so nosy but incredibly kind and willing to do anything to help Maureen around the inn. I also like the head cop, Officer Hubbard. He hates that Maureen either on purpose or on accident finds herself involved in murders, but then ends up asking for her help.
A few things are not my favorite though. I think it's more of a general cozy mystery thing and find myself mentioning it in almost every cozy mystery review I do. The wording in the narration and dialogue just don't sound like how people would actually talk to each other. It really takes me out of the story a lot of the time.
The romance sub plot is also just weird and seems out of place. Maureen and chef Ted are "dating." They haven't really told anyone (though everyone knows anyways) because of the boss/employee relationship. Then all of the sudden Ted asks Maureen to marry her and she says yes. There is a line about how they have never been alone except to run on the beach and in the inn's restaurant. It is just so weird that someone would get engaged even though they have never really been alone. The chemistry is kind of childish. It seems like their relationship *could* go somewhere, but it needs a lot more work before any engagement. I do enjoy their characters together and think they will be so good together as the series goes on, it just seems a little unbelievable. And I know this a is a cozy mystery series so the emphasis is not on the romance.
Despite any things that may not be my favorite, I love the vibes so much, I will definitely keep reading. These are easy to read (through the occasional weird wording) and quick to get through.

I would highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of cozy paranormal mystery you will enjoy this book. Maureen becomes involved in another murder mystery..

Carol Perry is an amazing storyteller. She weaves a believable story that keeps you entertained until the very end making you guess over and over who the ultimate culprit it to only find out you were completely wrong.

LOVE her books.

Synopsis:

When the body of “how-to” book writer Terry Holiday is found by Aster Paterson in her flower garden, the townspeople of Haven are shocked. But they’re even more surprised when the beloved bookshop owner insists that the spirit of her late husband Peter Paterson led her to the grim discovery. Only Aster seems unsurprised—she’s been baking his favorite shortbread cookies every day, hoping to lure his ghost back home . . .

This series is quickly moving up my favorites list. I just love love love the characters and the Inn!

There's death, there's ghosts, yummy recipes, conniving quests, and progress in the romance department. Absolutely worth picking up!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.