Tangible Spirits

Ghost stories have been a staple of my entertainment choices for as long as I can remember. Especially ones that take place in sleepy little towns where everyone believes. This book had all of the classics: a skeptical​ outsider, a love interest, a beautiful (probably haunted) hotel, and a sweet neighborly granny. Despite not really being too new in its concept, it still felt utterly charming in its execution.

I highly recommend for anyone who wants something well crafted from familiar ideas that is sure to please.

****SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT****



One of the most memorable ghost stories/mystery shows of my childhood was Scooby Doo. Now, why do I mention that cartoon? Well, because if you've ever watched it, this story will give off very strong vibes. A small town that struggled to maintain its population after the mine closed down harboring a secret in which one or more people in the community fake a ghost or monster in order to scare away anyone tempted to discover it or stumble upon it by accident.

With one twist being that there really are ghosts in this small town, despite what our skeptic protagonist might think.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. Gera is a skeptical writer sent to a supposedly ghost riddled town to right a story about its various ghosts and hauntings.
Upon her arrival she stumbles upon a murder scene, the murder supposedly committed by the towns most famous ghost. Determined to prove there's no such thing, Gera sets out to prove that the murder was committed by a flesh and blood person. Along the way she meets four very different men, any of whom could be involved; is almost killed several times; has her own beliefs come in to question; and has to make some big decisions.
I quite enjoyed the twists the author threw in, looking forward to reading more.

a grand piece of literature, I was very impressed and found that I quite liked this novel. In fact, I could say I loved

Tangible Spirits is a light paranormal cozy that is a pleasure to read. It isn’t one of the standard witches/shifters/psychic (which can be very good in their own right) mysteries. Instead the mystery is set in a small tourist town that is reportedly haunted. The paranormal component is important but not overwhelming.
Gera Stapleton is a no nonsense reporter just starting out. A fluff piece about a town ghost who has turned against residents is exactly what she doesn’t want to write. Gera doesn’t believe in ghosts and can’t understand how an entire town could believe in their existence. As she arrives, however, a body is discovered. Murder is far more exciting to cover. Strangely, the town believes the ghost is responsible but Gera knows there is a very human culprit.
Tangible Spirits is a well done paranormal cozy. The romantic chemistry between Jake and Gera is sweet and believable. I also liked the story behind Jerome and its ghosts. It is clearly a charming tourist town. Whether it is meant to stand alone or to serve as an introduction to a series, Tangible Spirits is a sweet cozy mystery that is a delight.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Tangible Spirits from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-Crittermom

Gera Stapleton has been sent to Jerome, Arizona to write a story about ghosts for her magazine. Gera is not a believer, and she's appalled when she stumbles onto a murder scene where it appears the perpetrator is one of the town's ghosts. She decides to investigate this new angle to her story and starts to question people in the town.
There are three attractive single men in town to help her in her quest: the Clark-Kentish hotel owner, the elegant president of the bank, and the rough-and-ready sheriff.
This is a fun cozy mystery. The author has introduced a number of interesting characters as well as suspects galore. Gera is cute, determined to get to the bottom of the many mysteries; with ghosts all over town, there's more than just the murder. The background history is also interwoven into the story in a natural way that made me want to know more about FDR and the gold act, for just one example.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of romance, then Tangible Spirits is for you. I am providing an honest review in return for a copy of the book from Netgalley and the author.

This book did not turn out to be what I thought it was but... it was still a great story. It was more a mystery and romance then a paranormal book, even though there were some ghosts. The book moved a little slow for me especially at the start but it was still a book didn't want to put down. I liked that the book did not need cursing or steamy sex scenes. Yes there was sex but it was just hinted at and you used your imagination to fill in the blanks. The book has a lot going for it, ghosts, mystery, intrigue, hot guys, romance, murder and more.



Gera is a reporter and has come to Jerome AZ in search of ghosts. Being a stoic non believer this will be a hard story for her to write. When she arrives she is drawn into the Twilight Zone at least to her. The whole town believes in ghosts so much so that when Abe Cunningham is murdered everyone lays the blame on Mac. Mac is the towns most popular ghost.



Gera not believing in ghosts decides to turn her ghost article into a murder mystery. Soon she feels like she is being followed. Someone knifes her car tire, she is drugged by the snake loving bartender. She falls for the hotel she is staying ats owner, the town banker falls for her and so much more. The book may be a little slow moving but it does have a lot going on it.

The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback. (via NetGalley)

This is a well written and captivating read. I started and finished it today. It was easy to get swept into the mystery and try to figure out what happened. I had an idea of how a couple of things were going to play out (which were confirmed) but I didn't mind. Only thing I wasn't really as big a fan of was the instalove between Gera and Jake but that could just be me. Definitely looking forward to reading more from Becki Willis in the future.

The dead stay dead. Gera Stapleton is convinced of that fact and not at all pleased to be sent to report on a murder in the ghost filled town of Jerome, Arizona. Everyone but her seems convinced that Mac, the most well known of the local spooks, is the killer. (They also blame him for problems with the local wifi.) There's a strong romantic element to the plot that reminds me of the Harlequins I used to read and I've never been so concerned about a heroine's driving ability. Tangible Spirits combines an intriguing murder mystery with some really fascinating local legends. I'm not sure I correctly separated the real ones from the author's creations, but I definitely enjoyed having a different view of Jerome than we get when walking through the gift shops on our annual trip down to Sedona.

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"I've seen things. Heard things, felt things. Sensed things. Things that cannot be readily explained. Call them what you may, but we have tangible spirits among us."
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This was a fun ghost story-cum-mystery. I will admit, I saw the surprise twist at the end AND the whodunit coming from a mile away, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story at all... I found myself drawn in by the colorful descriptions of the townspeople and the evocative setting. The plot was not exactly edge-of-my-seat tense, but that is not to say that it was predictable. Rather, I'd say it was comfortable - there were enough unique spins to keep me engaged and entertained. Gera is a compelling protagonist, spunky and full of a rather insatiable curiosity that was fun to fall into. The supporting characters were a broad mix of personalities and quirks. At times a few felt cliched, but then something would happen to throw a wrench into things that just big enough to keep me from rolling my eyes (or if I did, I rolled them with a smile rather than a grimace, as is too often the case). All in all this was a fun, engaging, easy and enjoyable read.