When you live in a house like Riverhill, occupied by your family for going on two hundred years, you have to accept the fact that people have died in the house. Most of them died of natural causes, but there could be one or two who were helped along the way to that white light. There’s no way to know for sure, and those who went unwillingly might try to linger in some form.
My sister Dickce and I have observed odd things over the many decades of our lives at Riverhill. The occasional inexplicable cold spot in the house, a door that doesn’t like to stay closed, small objects discovered in places they don’t normally reside. Nothing frightening – just odd. If you ask me whether I think Riverhill is haunted, I’d laugh and say it isn’t.
I don’t know what your definition of haunted is, but mine would include malicious spirits – if I really believed in ghosts. I tend to believe that there is usually a human hand behind most allegedly ghostly occurrences. For example, I wouldn’t put it past my sister to be the one sneaking around the house, moving things, and then claiming that she isn’t responsible.
Now, however, Dickce and I are responding to a plea from Mary Turner Catlin, granddaughter of an old friend, to figure out the source of weird goings-on in her home in Natchez. Mary Turner and her husband, Henry Howard Catlin, operate Cliffwood as a bed-and-breakfast. Mary Turner thinks there’s a ghost loose at Cliffwood, and she’s afraid if word gets out, they’ll lose business. They can’t afford to lose business, because they might lose the house that has belonged to her family for generations.
I have no doubt that the troubles are caused by human hands, but the question of course is, who is behind this? Dickce and I, along with our ward, Benjy Stephens, and our two pets, Peanut the labradoodle and Endora the Abyssinian, will be heading to Natchez to sort out the problem. I enjoy a challenge, but figuring out the motive for these shenanigans, how they are done, and who is responsible shouldn’t really be all that tough.
You can read more about Miss An’gel in Fixing To Die, the fourth book in the “Southern Ladies” mystery series.
It’s autumn down south, and An’gel and Dickce Ducote are in Natchez, Mississippi, at the request of Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of an old friend. Mary and her husband, Henry Howard, live in Cliffwood, one of the beautiful antebellum homes for which Natchez is famous.
Odd things have been happening in the house for years, and the French Room in particular has become the focal point for spooky sensations. The Ducotes suspect the ghostly goings-on are caused by the living, but when a relative of the Catlins is found dead in the room, An’gel and Dickce must sift through a haunted family history to catch a killer.
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Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Fixing To Die. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 7, 2017. Good luck everyone!
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About the author
Miranda James grew up in Mississippi on a farm but sadly, the house wasn’t an antebellum mansion. Mysteries set in old houses have always intrigued Miranda, and the books in the Southern Ladies series are all linked to antebellum houses. In addition to this series, Miranda also writes the best-selling “Cat in the Stacks” series featuring librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel. Their latest adventure, Claws for Concern, will be out in February 2018.
All comments are welcomed.
I Just LOVE that cover and The book sounds great. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’m going to add it to my wish list too.
This series sounds entertaining. I love when books are set in the South. Thank you for the chance to win. Fingers crossed!
This would be perfect for my mother-in-law to read.
I love these 2 women they keep me in stitches. I can’t wait to read the new book. Thank you for the review and giveaway.
I have loved the previous books in this series. Can’t wait to read this new one.
Looks like another great read from a wonderful writer. Looking forward to another great read
I need to start this series & quick!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…,
Love these books!
I love these two feisty yet proper ladies! Miranda, your books are always so much fun, and the beautiful animals add so much to the stories…I especially love Peanut! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Fixing To Die! <3
Thanks Dru Ann for another great post! 🙂
I am in love with Charlie and Diesel and can’t wait for each book to be released. Thanks Dru Ann for giving us a look into the latest book.
Love this cover!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Anything with an Abyssinian goes to the top of my list!
This series sounds wonderful. Thank you for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read. Love the cover.
I love Southern expressions! I lived in Dallas for awhile. Had a friend who said she was fixing to fixing to get ready to go out. Hehehe
Miss An’gel and Miss Dickce deserved their own series. The books are always fun.
This sounds very good! Putting it on my tbr list!
Love this series & author.
I really enjoy the sisters An’gel and Dickee . Benjy and the pets are a great addition . Looking forward to reading this addition to the series. I must admit I’m a big Miranda James fan.
Such a fun series and now a new title to read!!!
Dickce & Miss An’gel will be busy. I’m curious to see what they find out.
The story sounds really good. Thanks for the chance.
Love reading about haunted houses.
Terrific series, so glad you featured it, Dru!
Love the cover and it sounds so good just love cozies , Thank you for the chance of a print copy! ptclayton2@aol.com
I just love, love, love Miranda James awesome books, and this one sounds like another winner to me!! Love the cover of the book too!! Thanks for the chance to win dear Dru Ann and Miranda!!
I like these southern mysteries. Thanks.
I would love to read more about Miss An’gel and Miss Dickce, Thanks Dru and Dean for A day in the life of Miss An’gel Ducote! And I love the cover of Fixing to Die ~
This is a wonderful series and I can’t wait to read this book!
I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance!! Linda Herold lindaherold999@gmail.com
Sounds like a wonderful read…I haven’t read Miranda James yet but this could be a start…thank you…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
This sounds like another great edition to the Southern Ladies” mystery series.
**** WINNER ****
Fixing to Die is Ruth Nixon
Congratulations!
I enjoy The Cat in the Stacks series with Diesel by Miranda James and would love to try her Southern Ladies series, “Fixing to Die” sounds very interesting.