ARC Review - Publish Date April 18, 2023
Author: Angie Fox
Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries
Category: Paranormal Romance
Spice: 🌶️
"Just because they call it Phantom Island, doesn't mean it's haunted." - Ellis
Dread and Buried is the 12th book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, a cozy mystery series. I’ve read three or four of the earlier books, so it didn't take long for me to jump right into this latest adventure.
Verity, ghost hunter extraordinaire, was the same character I remembered her to be. She was full of spirit (pun intended), animated, and fully unable to resist sinking into a good mystery, even when things got dicey. Her boyfriend Ellis, as always, was right by her side and ready to guard her against anything she couldn't handle.
"When I was tuned in to that world, it became as real as my own. Ghostly knives could slice me; bullets could kill me." - Verity
I really loved the setting on the mysterious Phantom Island, you know something spooky was going on based just on its description. The pirate game was the icing on the cake, giving us twists and turns along with some shady characters who would do almost anything to find the treasure first.
"Duranja halted in his pacing, 'It's a pirate game, Verity. It's supposed to be cutthroat.'" - Alec
Frankie was up to his old tricks once again, going off on his own to stir up as much trouble as possible. He always came back to help Verity when it counted, but who can blame the gangster ghost for wanting a fun weekend to himself with some new friends?
"'Of course, you'd be pro-pirate.' I observed. Frankie had dedicated his afterlife to breaking the law. He honestly enjoyed it." - Verity
Verity's sister Melody dating Alec Duranja, Verity's nemesis, was an easy way to cause drama. Verity constantly butted heads with Alec, and got old as the story went on and I was more interested in the mystery. Considering how supportive and accepting Melody has always been of her sister's ability, it was hard to believe she would date someone who was closed-minded to the point of calling Verity crazy.
"Now that my sister was romantically involved with my nemesis, she wanted us to get along - as if it wouldn't be easier for her to break up with him and date some other guy." - Verity
Fabricated tension aside, this book was entertaining and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I encourage anyone new to the series to start with the first book, Southern Spirits, to start at the beginning of Verity’s journey into the world of ghosts.
"There was something to be said for winging it. Especially in my line of work." - Verity
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tropes and Themes: Mystery, Ghosts, Pirates, Magic.
Blurb
Dead men tell no tales. Until they meet ghost hunter Verity Long.
Verity Long is proud to say she gets along with just about anybody—dead or alive. But she’s put to the test when her well-meaning boyfriend and her sweet-as-pie sister con her into a remote island “double date” weekend with her sister’s new flame and Verity’s long-time nemesis, Alec Duranja.
Her plans to avoid the uptight police officer go up in smoke when the four of them team up for a weekend treasure hunt competition based on the island’s legendary pirate past. And it doesn’t take long for Verity and her team to discover more than game clues. Someone is using the game to dig up real pirate gold...and they’re willing to kill to keep it.
There’s no escaping the island or the game. And when the killer targets someone Verity loves, she realizes she’s the only one who can uncover the truth behind the legend. She must stay one step ahead of the dangers of the island and two steps ahead of Frankie’s new ghostly pirate buddies—all in a race against time to solve a centuries-old puzzle and take down a real live killer before he strikes again.
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