Devi Nair
š§ Listened in audio ā± Duration: 7 hours š Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Itās very rare for me to DNF a cozy mystery. I am famously forgiving when it comes to quirky setups, slow starts, and even slightly clunky writingābecause cozies usually know the assignment. So when The Ghost and Mrs. McClure presented me with a haunted mystery bookstore and a hardboiled PI ghost, I was fully on board. That premise? Absolute catnip. Grit meets cozy. Fedora meets bookshop. A perfect union.
But here's where it went sideways for me. Around 20% in, the ghost's inner thoughts toward Pen turned uncomfortably indecent, leering, objectifying comments that felt way too sleazy for the tone I wanted in a cozy read. I was here for witty banter, clever mystery-solving, and maybe a touch of flirty tension, not creepy, unwanted vibes from a spectral guy who should know better. It killed the cozy immersion and made me nope out fast. Cozy mysteries are my safe space, small-town murders with heart, humor, and zero ick factor, and this one crossed a line that made continuing feel like a chore instead of a delight.
I made it about 20% in before I had to tap out. The mystery itself hadnāt even had time to fully unfold, but once my discomfort outweighed my curiosity, there was no coming back. This wasnāt a case of ānot my vibeā. It was a firm boundary. A cozy mystery, especially one built around a bookstore, should feel safe and inviting. This one just wouldnāt let me settle in.
Would I recommend it? Sadly, no. If you love your cozies purely whimsical and light, this one may miss the mark. The premise had potential, but the tone strayed too far from the cozy comfort zone for me to finish.
Ghostly or Ghastly... Whatās Your Take? Paranormal cozies often walk a fine line between spooky and sweet. How much grit is too much when the supernatural shows up in a small-town mystery? Iād love to know your thoughts. Have you found a ghostly cozy that actually balances both sides well?
Originally posted at www.goodreads.com.
š§ Listened in audio ā± Duration: 7 hours š Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Itās very rare for me to DNF a cozy mystery. I am famously forgiving when it comes to quirky setups, slow starts, and even slightly clunky writingābecause cozies usually know the assignment. So when The Ghost and Mrs. McClure presented me with a haunted mystery bookstore and a hardboiled PI ghost, I was fully on board. That premise? Absolute catnip. Grit meets cozy. Fedora meets bookshop. A perfect union.
But here's where it went sideways for me. Around 20% in, the ghost's inner thoughts toward Pen turned uncomfortably indecent, leering, objectifying comments that felt way too sleazy for the tone I wanted in a cozy read. I was here for witty banter, clever mystery-solving, and maybe a touch of flirty tension, not creepy, unwanted vibes from a spectral guy who should know better. It killed the cozy immersion and made me nope out fast. Cozy mysteries are my safe space, small-town murders with heart, humor, and zero ick factor, and this one crossed a line that made continuing feel like a chore instead of a delight.
I made it about 20% in before I had to tap out. The mystery itself hadnāt even had time to fully unfold, but once my discomfort outweighed my curiosity, there was no coming back. This wasnāt a case of ānot my vibeā. It was a firm boundary. A cozy mystery, especially one built around a bookstore, should feel safe and inviting. This one just wouldnāt let me settle in.
Would I recommend it? Sadly, no. If you love your cozies purely whimsical and light, this one may miss the mark. The premise had potential, but the tone strayed too far from the cozy comfort zone for me to finish.
Ghostly or Ghastly... Whatās Your Take? Paranormal cozies often walk a fine line between spooky and sweet. How much grit is too much when the supernatural shows up in a small-town mystery? Iād love to know your thoughts. Have you found a ghostly cozy that actually balances both sides well?
Originally posted at www.goodreads.com.