Christmas Spirit (Prime Time Crime, #1) by Morgana Best

Christmas Spirit (Prime Time Crime, #1) Reviews

• 
  Mummy's Naughty Corner

  Well this was a nice start to the series. As far as the mystery goes I had no idea that the killer was who it was. As far as the romance is going it's a slow burn but I've read so many insta love books lately it's a nice change. I really don't like her family or friends. Then there is that twist right at the end. With that I really want to read the next one.
• 
  Celia Buell

  I don't read a lot of cozy mysteries with characters over 30 or so, and I haven't enjoyed the ones I have read, so I didn't have high expectations for this one. Most of the ghost cozies I've read have also been mediocre at best.
  
  Thankfully, however, this beat my expectations for both sub-subgenres. This story focuses on Prudence, a clairvoyant who tours Australia and New Zealand getting impressions from ghosts of people's loved ones. She's in her fifties and has never actually seen a ghost, until Levi appears to her. Levi was a police detective murdered while investigating another murder, and he tasks Prudence with using her skills to solve it.
  
  The premise was already interesting enough. Add in Prudence's strong, no-nonsense character and her ridiculous friends and family, and it makes for a funny, memorable story.
  
  The one thing I didn't like was the focus on romance with a ghost. It wasn't cocky, but it was a human/ghost romance, or the beginning of one, that bordered on uncomfortable. This is the first novel I've read with this kind of relationship, and it might just be something I have to get used to.
  
  Despite the relationship weirdness, I had a lot of fun with this one. I'm debating buying the sequel, because I'm really interested in the story behind the town's other happenings.
• 
  Mystereity Reviews

  This one was a pretty quick read, didn't take me more than an hour to read (mostly because I skipped through a lot of the scenes with Prudence's annoying and obnoxious family and friends (other than Uncle Tim, who I really liked) that Prudence felt obligated to have over for Christmas. Prudence, who is a pretty straighforward no-nonsense person, puts up with her shockingly rude friends and family without kicking their rotten butts out of her house, especially Constance; I don't know how Prudence can call Constance a friend, and I'd have happily punched her in the face every time she opened her mouth. Prudence, take a hint from your parents and go on a cruise next year.
  
  I really liked Prudence, a psychic medium who had never seen a ghost until dead detective Levi showed up, imploring her to help with the case that got him murdered, a case involving an up and coming actor who died and the question of if it was a murder or a suicide. And I really enjoyed the plot and if the friends/family crap hadn't been there and maybe a side plot added, it would've been a 5 star read; but with all the crap detracting from it, I can't manage more than 3 stars, mostly because I liked the main plot so much. I'll give book 2 a try, but if these mouthy people are in the next one, I'm going to give it a pass.
• 
  Cherie

  Christmas Spirit (The Middle-Aged Ghost Whisperer #1) by Morgana Best - 2.5 stars
  
  This was ok, I liked the main character, but her friends were just horrible!! They were just always telling her how old she was, and she needed a man, and pushing rapey guys onto her - yuck! If she had ditched her friends and given them a big F.U I would have 5 starred the book.
• 
  Deanie Nelder

  This book has so much potential. I love the premise, and Prudence has potential. But overall, this book is boring. Hardly anything happens until the very end. Her wacky family isn't introduced properly (it confused me as to who everyone was) and then weren't important to the plot at all. There's a nice twist at the end that seems like it would make a great second book, but seeing how boring this one was, I don't think I'm going to read it.
• 
  Nadine

  What a wonderful book!
  
  Oh my ghost, I loved it right from the start! Super fun! Was it perfect then? No, but it was very entertaining. Prudence’s friends though, they were irritating! Wonder why she’s even friends with them. And it has to be said, the three un-nice friends dragged the story down a bit. But I liked Prudence and I also liked Alum the ghost. And I loved the story and the twists and turns, so all in all I do think 5 stars is fair, because I felt really excited while reading. That’s my benchmark for the full score. That, and, do I want to read more? And the answer is a simple ‘YES’.
  
  Favourite quote: “My first serious conversation in ages with an attractive man. He’s so nice, too.
  And as dead as a doornail.”
• 
  Imjussayin

  Christmas Spirit: The Middle-Aged Ghost Whisperer 1
  
  The Protagonist: Prudence Wallflower is a divorced medium. All good amateur sleuths need a sidekick. Prudence has the ghost of detective Alum Mullein. It is an interesting relationship.
  
  The Plot:Detective Alum Mullein's ghost is the first spirit Prudence has ever seen and heard. He asks her to help to solve the murder of an actor, who secured the lead in a mafia movie. He was last seen mixing with the mafia to prepare for his part. When Mullein got close to solving case his partner shot him.
  
  It was refreshing to read about a middle-aged reluctant sleuth who has fallen for her ghost. It is a different take on a theme from Dakota Cassidy's Witchless In Seatle series. The cast of characters was, for the most part, believable. There is also a different take on estranged parent and children scenario. It is usually the father. In this book, Prudence's daughter, Sabrina, is estranged from her because of what the ex-husband has said.
  
  The book is congenial and an easy read. It has taken serious themes and managed to convey them sensitively and lightheartedly. It's an easy read. Yet; somehow it did not flow. That maybe because of Constance, the friend. She is overbearing or because the book is set in Australia or it was trying too hard.
  
  It is a pleasant enough way to while away an hour or two and the ending is a bit of cliff hanger, Give it a shot.
  
  Connect with me on
  Twitter
  Follow my blog on
  Bloglovin’
  
  Book Rating
  
  Sexual Content: U
  Language: U
  Violent: U
  Would I read the next one or reread ?: Probably
  
  My rating system (* = star)
  0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
  1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
  2* Finished the book it was okay.
  3* A good read worth your time.
  4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
  5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
• 
  Jae

  It is the first book in the author's "Middle-Aged Ghost Whisperer" series, starring Prudence Wallflower, divorced clairvoyant.
  
  Despite the fact that she makes her living "reading" the dead, Prudence has never seen a ghost. That all changes when she's on her way home from a recent tour, and the ghost of Detective Alum Mullein appears to her. He claims he was murdered by his partner, and that he'd been working to prove that the death of young actor Brady Wayland was murder, not suicide. Alum believes his partner was in cahoots with the drug cabal that Brady had become embedded in as he studied for a role. When Alum began asking too many questions, his partner shot him.
  
  Prudence isn't cut out to investigate murders, but she's all Alum has now. Soon she finds herself involved, even though it's the holidays, and she has a house full of unwanted guests. Prudence is determined to see it through, even though it may mean that Alum crosses over.
  
  The story was...interesting. I liked Prudence and her occupation. I would have thrown the house guests out within an hour of them arriving, and Prudence's three friends were the most annoying pack of harpies ever. My lord, the woman would have been better off living as a hermit than to put up with the family and friends she had. Plot could have flowed more smoothly, but at least it progressed in a sensible fashion.
  
  I really wish I could award 3 1/2 stars. Hm. I'm giving it three, since it was pretty much an average read.
• 
  Mai

  Quick light read. Interesting story, but her friends are toxic and humiliating to the point where it's hard to read and hard to understand why she's let them treat her so badly for so long. Most of the 'side stories' made me massively uncomfortable, which is a shame because I liked the flow and feel of the writing, but I'm not sure I can stomach more of the friends stuff.
• 
  Joy Gerbode

  This book is not particularly well written, nor is it completely captivating, as there is quite a bit of nonsense about friends who should not be friends, and family who should not be welcome to visit and destroy the protagonist's home. However, the main story is quite interesting, about a clairvoyant medium who suddenly is able to see a ghost … and thus is able to solve his murder. I was quite enjoying the story, when the absolutely blow-me-away surprise ending … well, left me hanging, to say the least.
• 
  Connie

  I loved this new series! I can totally associate myself with Prudence. At least age wise and have a houseful of friends and relatives pile in on you over the holidays. But thank goodness I never had to solve a murder. Add in the haunting of a ghost, Alum, her hands are full. There are many little one liners scattered through the book that lend a chuckle here and there. A very enjoyable book with a surprise ending, not just as to whodunit, but does the hunky spirit of Alum hang around?
• 
  Elizabeth

  2.5
  
  MC let everyone walk over her Way to much for my taste.
  
  Who the murderer was, was no surprise. Big surprise twist at the ending was zero surprise as well.
  
  Not a bad book but probably will not go further with the series. I get tired of middle aged female characters that can't stand up for themselves.
• 
  Lyn Jenkins

  Was an interesting read. No great plot twists but will be reading further in the series, as I think Prudence has the ability to grow a pair and let her friends and family know it. I will wait for this field mouse to turn into a tiger.
• 
  April

  I really enjoyed this quick read. I enjoyed the characters and most of the storyline. I am looking forward to reading more of the works by this author.
• 
  Glenda

  The actual paranormal story was fine, but the "gee-whiz", overwhelmed main character was overplayed. Since she is a professional medium, how could she have been so surprised by the ghost?
• 
  Laurel

  Very annoying characters
  
  It wasn't a bad read, I just was offended by the constant references to age, and the excessive drinking by most of the older women.
• 
  Kat Lebo

  𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕, Prime Time Crime Book #1, or Middle-Aged Ghost Whisperer Book #1 (depending on which cover you get, evidently), by Morgana Best
  
  This is a very enjoyable story about a divorcee who makes her living being a clairvoyant medium. At her last appearance of the season, she sees the spirit and hears him speak to her, rather than just getting impressions from the spirits who contact her. She can't figure out the difference, but he needs her help in solving his murder, and in closing the case he was working on at the time. She has a house full of relatives (only one of which I would have ever allowed into my home for more than 15 minutes), 4 female friends (and I'm not sure I'd ever allow any of them into my home), but she tries her best to sort out the details of the last case of the spirit, Alum. Lots of twists and turns, and both of the mysteries in the book (though not why she allowed such toxic people in her life) were good.
  
  I would have given the book 5 stars but for 2 minor and 1 major problem (INHO anyway). First, of course, are all the toxic people she allows to populate her life. Second, the book doesn't have a cliffhanger ending, which I am very glad about, but it just ends. Third, I figured out the mystery of what made Alum's spirit different from others Prudence had encountered by the time he makes his second appearance in the book. Too easy.
  
  Otherwise, all was good. The plotting and pacing were good, the editing and proofing were excellent, the characters were reasonable well fleshed out in this first-in-a-series novel, the writing style was enjoyable, there was plenty going on, lots of loose ends (and a couple of them remain at the end of the story), lots of clues, and, of course, all those things make for an enjoyable read.
  
  Will I read more in the series? I do not know. I guess we'll see.
• 
  Judy Hall

  Prudence Wallflower is a Clairvoyant Medium who travels Australia doing shows where she hopes to bring peace to people by letting them know about their loved ones. During the last show on her current tour, just as she is getting ready to take a break for Christmas, a ghost appears to her.
  
  Before now, she did not see ghosts. She receives impressions and even short messages, but she has never met a ghost who could carry on conversation. And this ghost tells her he is a police detective who was murdered.
  
  While juggling crazy relatives, stir-crazy cats and toxic friends, Prudence determines she must help this ghost and begins investigating, leading her into mystery and danger.
  
  This was a fun, quick read. The only concern I had was that the reader was American. she was good, but it wasn't until the book mentioned Australia that I knew that was where it was set.
• 
  Jan

  Totally original ideas and plot! The characters are every bit as quirky as those in other series by Australian author Morgana Best, and maybe a little bit more. The basics are given in the publisher's blurb, but without going into spoilers, there is no way to prepare you for much of the situational humor. I think that the main character is unique, and so is her story. This book is set in Australia, and it adds something wonderful to the minutiae of the tale.
  I got the audio edition, and Tiffany Dougherty did a very nice job, but I would have wished for a little bit of an Aussie accent instead of sounding like an American.
• 
  Barb Foerst

  Prudence Wallflower is a clairvoyant medium. She travels the country doing programs where she conveys messages from dead people to related persons in the audience. She arrives home for Christmas tired and emotionally drained. But her family is coming and she will need to entertain. However, Prudence has an additional visitor – a ghost who was murdered by his partner. He’s insistent that she solve the murder. Prudence doesn’t normally see ghosts or talk to them.
  
  This is an interesting story and it will be more interesting to see where this series goes in the future. I enjoyed Prudence and her ghost friend Alum.