Book Review: Closely Harboured Secrets by Bree Baker

It's almost Halloween, and the small island of Charm, North Carolina is decked out for the festivities. When Everly Swan agrees to close her iced tea shop early to help her aunts host their annual haunted historic walking tour, she expects some good-natured spooks. But the night turns grave when one of the ghostly actors is found dead. To complicate matters, the victim scratched Everly's name into the ground before she died, making her a key suspect. 

The murder mystery heats up when Everly's potential boo, Detective Grady, takes the case—and he definitely doesn't want her getting involved. Will their seaside romance be threatened by all the ghostly drama? But when a phantom sailor straight out of local legend starts leaving Everly threatening messages, she has to get involved... With a local election under way, ghosts on the loose, and a search for long-lost buried treasure, Everly can't help but stir the pot![summary via Amazon]

'Tis the season to be... spooked by long-lost sailors in search of their treasure! While it is the season for cookies, gifts and all things Christmas, I will never turn down a good Halloween-themed cozy mystery, no matter what season it is!

I was delighted to pick up the newest offering from Bree Baker. She is taking Everly and her family and friends in Charm, on a spooky ghost walk. However, not everyone is going to make it out alive! One of the actresses turns up dead, and the dead woman has drawn Everly's name right next to her, prior to her death! Naturally Everly can't help but join the investigation and find out who the killer is!

Oh how I love this series! This is the absolute perfect example of a super-fantastic cozy mystery series. There are toe-curling moments, not just between Everly and Detective Grady, but also from the warmth that surrounds Everly in the form of her family. Of course by family I mean her Great-Aunts, Fran and Clara, and also her extended friends-family in Charm. There is such a wonderful community feel, and I always feel like I'm not just checking in Everly, but with everyone else as well!

The mystery surrounds "buried treasure" and it was top notch! I love how the author has intertwined the history of Everly's house with the current mystery. Charm is like an onion - every book reveals more layers! With each layer being better than the previous one!

I simply cannot get enough of this series or say enough good things about it! Closely Harbored Secrets is the best in the series (so far!). It's a heart-warming, thrilling adventure, and it leaves readers guessing right until the end!