As someone who is still getting her reading mojo back, I’m going to cheat a little on this one. Don’t worry – I’ll probably revisit this topic more than once.
I don’t have a list of my top ten cozy mysteries for summer. What I do have is a list of my top ten cozy paranormal mysteries for summer.
All by the same author.
How’s that for efficiency?
My sister and niece introduced me to the Southern Ghost Hunter series, and they absolutely nailed my reading vibe. I love mysteries. I love ghost stories. And if you stick around here long enough, you’ll probably hear me talk about both quite a bit.
Now, you may be thinking, “Ghost stories? Aren’t those better suited for fall?”
Honestly, you’re not wrong. I may very well revisit this list when Halloween rolls around.
For now, though, these are my favorite cozy summer ghost stories. Why summer? Because every one of them takes place in the South, where the weather is hot, the sweet tea is cold, the pecan pie is plentiful, and somebody is always firing up a barbecue.
These are listed in no particular order of favorites.
1. Southern Spirits
This is where it all begins. The story takes place in a fictional Georgia town known for peaches and pecans—which, when combined and topped with ice cream, make a dessert worthy of its own book review. But I digress. We’re here for books, not pie.
Southern Spirits introduces Verity Long, who inherits her grandmother’s house and accidentally traps a 1920s gangster ghost on the property. One accidental ghost imprisonment later, Verity can suddenly see and talk to spirits. Naturally, chaos follows.
2. The Skeleton in the Closet
The second book doesn’t disappoint. This time, Verity and Frankie investigate a murder that takes place in the town library. Because apparently even libraries can’t escape murder mysteries.
3. The Haunted Heist
Verity tries to focus on something other than ghosts for a change. Unfortunately, her boss ends up dead, and a gangster ghost may have information about the crime. Before long, Verity and Frankie plunge headfirst into another mystery and plenty of chaos.
4. Deader Homes and Gardens
Next, Verity takes a job at the creepiest mansion in town. She plans to identify the murderer and exorcise the resident ghosts.
The ghosts, however, have their own plans.
5. Sweet Tea and Spirits
When a prestigious local society invites Verity to join, she thinks she’s finally moving up in the world. Then someone discovers a dead body at the society’s headquarters.
As usual, Verity drags Frankie along while she untangles the mystery.
6. Murder on the Sugarland Express
Verity and her boyfriend plan a romantic train trip through the Tennessee mountains. Unfortunately, the train comes with a haunted history.
It doesn’t take long before the past crashes into the present and derails what should have been a romantic weekend.
7. The Mint Julep Murders
This time, Frankie needs Verity’s help. Together, they assist a gangster ghost with a colorful past that leads them straight to a haunted asylum.
As the body count rises, Verity’s simple plan – help the ghost and get out – becomes considerably more complicated.
8. Southern Bread and Dead
Verity volunteers at a church charity event, expecting a fairly normal day.
Instead, a longtime family friend turns up dead.
As old secrets begin surfacing, Verity discovers that some members of the congregation have worked very hard to keep the past buried.
9. Give Up the Ghost
High school reunions already have a reputation for dredging up old memories.
This reunion takes things a step further.
When ghosts from the past start pulling the living into decades-old conflicts, Verity and Frankie race to uncover the truth.
You may never look at a class reunion the same way again.
10. Death at the Drive-In
Finally, a seventy-year-old cold case returns to the spotlight when new evidence emerges in the death of a young girl.
While the police follow the physical evidence, Verity and Frankie consult the ghostly witnesses. Together, they help solve a murder that has remained unsolved for decades.
Final Thoughts
These books fall around a Level 2 on the intimacy scale and contain only mild swearing. Some of the hauntings get intense, but the stories never venture into anything occult or dark. They’re simply fun ghost stories wrapped around engaging murder mysteries.
One of the things I appreciate most about Angie Fox’s writing is her commitment to character development. She builds a cast you genuinely enjoy spending time with while delivering mysteries that keep the pages turning. Most importantly, she never forgets to make the stories fun.
Of course, this list only covers paranormal mysteries. The next time I put together a summer mystery recommendation list, I may actually include books that don’t involve ghosts.
Although, let’s be honest.
That seems highly unlikely.
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