Book Review: Ghostly Command by R.K. O’Brien

My review:

3⭐
Genre ~ paranormal cozy mystery
Series ~ A Joanna Davis Mystery #1
Setting ~ Connecticut
Publication date ~ July 1, 2022
Est page Count ~ 236 (23 chapters)
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ author, small town

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I REALLY hope I get to be a ghost. I wouldn’t mind communicating with one either. Are you a believer or not?

A good introduction of our main character, Joanna, who has a ghost in her kitchen that likes to wake her up at 4am, oof. We, also, have some chapters that follow Sal and Squirrel, who are doing renovations on Joanna’s haunted house.

We slowly find out that our ghost, Sophia, has been murdered. There is a man in prison for her murder, but is he the one that actually did it? I thought Joanna did a great job investigating. From researching at the library, obtaining house records and joining a paranormal group she really went above and beyond. Will everyone think she’s a nut though when they find out her abilities? Joanna really worries about this being the case.

Overall, a fine start to a series. I found this to be well researched in the paranormal world and how the abilities work. I liked trying to figure out who the murderer was right along side of her. She had a great relationship with her grown children, too. I did find it a bit repetitive and mundane in Joanna’s every day life. I wasn’t very interested in what she was eating for lunch everyday or how she liked her coffee or Felix the cat’s constant hissing at Sophia’s presence.

Side bar with a possible mini spoiler:
The murder happened literally in her backyard, but Joanna seemed to not have any knowledge of it. How can that be? She chalked it up to being pregnant. I know about pregnancy brain, but you can’t tell me that she never once heard about an actual murder, not only in this small town, but in the area behind her house for over 20 years. I just can’t believe it, like at all.

*Thanks to the author for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

Ghostly Command is the riveting story about a ghost and a reluctant paranormal investigator working together to solve the ghost’s murder, the first book in the Joanna Davis Mystery series.

Author Joanna Davis has a gift, an uncomfortable gift she has had since she was ten-years-old. She can see and hear those who have passed on. Suddenly she has a ghost in her kitchen who is trying to solve her own murder, except there is already someone in jail for the crime, an innocent someone or so says the ghost. Can Joanna help? Does she want to? Does she even have a choice? Follow this reluctant investigator as she works to solve this case and find the person who actually committed the crime.

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