I went to the Land of Braxton
Met up with Kellan and Ulan
A cousin from Africa he was
Wanted to move to New house
But a ghost haunted that place
A skeleton was found in old library space
A confession, an attack on the side
A new murder too on the hayride
Who was the victim no one knew
The suspects were old but still new
Father and son were present
Ex and new, old and psychic were sent
A priest and his family were shaken
Kellan and April, their time was taken
A breakthrough occurred in Kellan’s mind
He showed James J Cudney is one of a kind.
The magician has done it again. A brilliant whodunit!! James J Cudney brought out a pack of cards from his top hat and constructed a house so deeply layered that the clues were hidden in the sleight of his hand.
Brilliant in his writing, it all started with a nightmare, the words had a haunting smoothness to it. If you listened carefully, you would hear the grim reaper with the scythe.
I have never seen autumn and Halloween in real life, the author made them come alive for me with the power of his writing. Red herrings were placed strategically amongst the orange pumpkins and the Halloween props. They blended in so smoothly that guessing the killer was beyond me.
The old characters returned, romance between Sheriff April and Kellan had its sexy moments before a skeleton and murder rudely interrupted them. The plotline had many twists as this author’s books often do, and the finale was a perfect amalgamation of real and unreal.
I repeat – a fun whodunit with shades of autumn, Halloween, and ghostly sightings.
To Jay
Always and forever
From my heart to yours
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
James is my given name; most call me Jay. I grew up on Long Island and currently live in New York City, but I’ve traveled all across the US (and various parts of the world). After college, I spent 15 years working in technology and business operations in the sports, entertainment and media industries. Although I enjoyed my job, I left in 2016 to focus on my passion: telling stories and connecting people through words. I tend to write in the contemporary fiction and family drama genre with elements of mystery, suspense, humor and romance.
It’s Halloween, and excitement is brewing in Braxton to carve jack-o’-lanterns, go on haunted hayrides, and race through the spooky corn maze at the Fall Festival.
Despite the former occupant’s warnings, Kellan renovates and moves into a mysterious old house. When a ruthless ghost promises retribution, our fearless professor turns to the eccentric town historian and an eerie psychic to communicate with the apparition. Meanwhile, construction workers discover a fifty-year-old skeleton after breaking ground on the new Memorial Library wing.
While Kellan and April dance around the chemistry sparking between them, a suspicious accident occurs at the Fall Festival. Soon, Kellan discovers the true history and dastardly connections of the Grey family. But can he capture the elusive killer – and placate the revenge-seeking ghost.
60 Responses
Great review, Shalini – but exactly how many men have you pledged your heart to???????????????????? (Will I have to fight a duel with Jay??? – just askin’)
First point Woah…. You read my reviews? Woah that’s a big honor. I never knew that!! I got to tell that you have some sharp instincts. Well, you were mentioned in one of my Sunday reviews in the comments with Jessica. But they were those highly, highly, highly, naughty ones. I confidently told Jess, you never read my reviews. Are you one of those big cats prowling. 🤔😏😝
Second point Jay would gladly hand me over to you 😂😂 I am too much of a trouble 😂
Third point
Thank you so much for liking my review.
To Laurence – you asked for it 😂😂😂
To Jay – I am so sorry but I had to flirt. Laurence compels me all the time
There’s a lot going on here, Shalini, that has me worried. Now if Jay would hand you over to me and gladly, that has me REALLY worried. Jay is a smart guy, so I am wondering what he knows that I don’t….As for your fourth point, I have talked that over with my mother, and though she hasn’t explained it, she has ordered me to stop speaking to young ladies on the Internet. Sadly, I must therefore go and do some writing instead.
Aww… You have to follow the orders then. I would miss you. Adieu
Ah well, no duel..
Jay knows a lot about me, fortunately all good things. He sees only my inner goodness… ❤️ Ah well, I am honored
Oh my God, I’m sad I missed this conversation but laughing hysterically.
Oh my! You two are on fire this morning. I will be fair and share.
Hahaha He has withdrawn from the fire at 10 paces…. 😂 😂 😂 😂
Uh oh
🤷🏻♀️Que Sera Sera
Ha! We’re in for it. 🙂
Awesome poem, Shalini! Bought my copy today, congrats to James!
Thank you so much ❤️ Jay would be so happy
Thank, Jacquie
Shalini,
Thank you so much for this beautiful and wonderful review post. I am indebted to you for so much. xoxo
j
Aww you are a sweetheart ❤️
Love when you add poetry to your reviews, Shalini. This is brilliant!
Thank you so much Cathy…. At 2am I found that I can rhyme… Happens rarely. But I sure was happy when the words fell into place… 😂 😂
Thank you so much ❤️
Ah excellent review effort Shalini! You are more effusive in the wee hours. I started your book, Jay, but how is a person supposed to follow this?
You have to start from the very beginning from Book 1, otherwise you would not understand the dynamics
A quick question – why am I not your blogging mate?
It is a complex mystery. Trust that all the pieces of the web will come together. I promise. 🙂
I’ve seen some wonderful reviews for this – congrats to James!
Thank you so much… He is a terrific writer
Thank you, Teri
Beautiful, Shalini! Glad you loved it. Happy publication day to James! 🧡
Thank you ❤️…
Thank you.
LOL the comments and reviews for this blog are as much fun to read as the books
Woohoo… I had to edit certain portions since I was flirting a bit too much 😆😆😂😂
Great review. I will need to pick this one up.
Tour in December.. with me
Yea😁
Thank you 😘
Thanks!
this
has to be my favorite review EVER
how are you so brilliant
I NEED TO READ THIS NOW
Oooooo yayy thank you… You can read in December… This book is going on a blog Tour with me
I agree… she wrote an awesome one! Thank you.
Aww I should write more at 2 am.. Done.. Scribble something before sleeping and cross fingers that it is good. 😂😂🤣🤣
haha, then see what to edit the next morning!
Nooo I forget to do that. Today’s first post had half a heading, no name of author and wrong spellings 🙈🙈 I caught all that late in the afternoon. Embarrassing it was 🤣🤣😂😂😂
oh my, you need fake coffee
Fake coffee… Do you mean this ☕
ha, with a side cup of real tea
Excellent review Shalini! I’m glad you enjoyed reading this book. Whodunit is always fun to read. Were you able to guess who? Is this your first Halloween read for the month?
I don’t celebrate Halloween… But I am reading Christmassy books… 😂 😂 Somehow I am getting approved of that more than horror.
Nah… I couldn’t guess the murderer. I never can with this author… I always decide to suspect every character so that I am right 😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
Great poem as well 😊
Aww thank you so much… 2am is a great time for me
Fab review! This sounds like a fun cozy mystery. xx
It is cozy but a whodunit with great twists
Thank you both! Yes, blurs the lines in this genre. 🙂
Beautiful review. Love you both. ❤
Aww what about Laurence?
I love all three of you! ❤
But you better love me more…. We have buried erotica in common…. Fuck with the way our lives are going, it is all going to remain buried for some time 😂😂
Absolutely!! 😂😂😂😂😂
Fun review, Shalini!
Thank you so much Linda, fun author 😆❤️
I love this review Shalini, almost as much as I love this series. Another great job, Miss Wordsmith.
Awww for Jay, sometimes the words come automatically…. He is the actual wordsmith ❤️😘