Victoria Laurie

When medium M. J. Holliday and her partner Gilley are hired by gorgeous Dr. Steven Sable to investigate his grandfather's apparent suicide at the family lodge, they discover a vast array of ghostly witnesses--all of whom have a story to tell. Original.

What is a Ghoul to Do

Sarah Sammis

What's a Ghoul to Do? by Victoria Laurie is is the first of the Ghost Hunter series and was spun off from the Psychic Eye series (which I have not read). M.J. is a psychic would specializes in helping ghosts cross over. When they don't want to and are causing trouble for the living, she busts them.

Her business partners are a parrot named Doc, and Gilley Gillespie — whose main character trait boils down "flamboyantly gay." Business isn't going so well (is it ever in these cozies?) and they desperately need a gig to keep the lights on. Enter Dr. Steven Sable of Argentina. His grandfather has fallen (or jumped) off the roof of his estate and now the place appears to be haunted. Sable wants M.J. to stop the hauntings and prove that his grandfather didn't jump.

Every starting series has a bunch of hurdles to get over — introducing the characters, the setting, the basic tone of the series. It also has to have a plot and be entertaining enough to make the reader want to continue with the second book. On the creation of characters and setting, What's a Ghoul to Do? gets a C. M.J. is interesting and well rounded but her supporting cast are trite. Gilley and Sable are both unconvincing and are built up of too many cliches to be interesting or believable.

That leaves the plot — the mystery of the death of grandpa Sable. Stripping away the annoying lack of proper character development and Sable's inconsistent handle of the English language (goofy idiom usage for humor — meh), there's actually a decent horror/mystery. The mystery was good enough to make me willing to try the second book.

Joy Bush

I wish I could of given it a 3.5 star

A good light fun read, I will be seeking out book 2.

danielle bush

I would give this a high 3star close to 4. I really liked the main character M. J. Holliday and how she does her ghost hunting, and her partner in the buisness and friend Gilly. The only character Im not sure how I feel about after reading it, is the client whose case takes up most of the book. Dr. Sable. I just kind of feel meh about him. but im hoping after reading more of these books ill end up liking him more. 
But all of the ghost hunting parts of the book were really good, and I look forward to continuing the sereis.

Danielle Crain

Oh my goodness, what a delightful read! This light-hearted cozy mystery has a bit of romance thrown in with just enough mystery and sizzle to keep you reading. 


   "M.J., her partner Gilley, and their client, the wealthy, de-lish Dr. Steven Sable, are at his family's lodge, where his grandfather allegedly jumped to his death from the roof-although Sable says it was foul play. But the patriarch's isn't the only ghost around. The place is lousy with souls, all with something to get off their ghoulish chests. Now M.J. will have to to quell the clamor-and listen for a voice with the answers..." 


MJ is a slightly imperfect medium/ghost-hunter who is contracted by Dr. Steven Sable (Jr.) to do a bit of ghost-hunting/murder sleuthing. This book kept me going with all its twist and turns. There were a few surprises, and although I had some suspicions throughout the story, I wasn't really positive about them until the 75% mark which I appreciate, because otherwise, what is the point? 

I loved MJ's partner Gilly and her parrot Doc. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of them in the series.
 
Rated 3 stars because I felt the ending was a little bit muddy and Dr. Steve's constant use of "how you say?" was a bit much. Up until the last chapter it was still a solid 4-star cozy read for me. 

Next book on hold at the library for me. 

My Ratings:

5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished.

What is a Ghoul to Do

Reviews