Heather Graham’s novels seem so much like her: full of life, vibrant and a good friend. So it’s no surprise that Ghost Moon lives up to reader expectations of this prolific author. While I hadn’t read the previous two novels in this trilogy, I had no problem following its thread as Heather deftly weaves the tale bringing readers up to date as they fasten their seatbelts for a ride through the unusual.

Ghost Moon is the 3rd in the Graham’s Bone Island Trilogy. This novel skillfully combines paranormal and suspense with romantic elements when it places Kelsey Donovan back in Key West to help bury then settle her grandfather Cutter Merlin’s estate. Something of a Key West legend, Cutter was an avid if eccentric, collector of precious historical artifacts whose daughter and family lived with them until her tragic death sent Kelsey and her father to the west coast.

Years later, when Police detective Liam Beckett discovers Cutter’s body he notifies Kelsey, whose return sets in motion a chain of events. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Cutter’s death coupled with rumors of the Merlin house being haunted propels the action and sets up the suspense. Kelsey returns to Key West and rediscovers the home, island and friends she left behind long ago. While Liam investigates Merlin’s death, Kelsey uncovers clues left by her grandfather in odd artifacts as a disturbing tale emerges of black magic tied to Key West’s past, allowing ghoulish events to unfold.

Katie and Sean O’Hara along with their friends Jonas and Clarinda, and fellow couple Jaden and Ted, help Kelsey adjust to her time in southern Florida and she Liam explore their unchecked feelings. Known for being haunted, it’s no less startling when the dashing ghost Bartholomew materializes in Key West and is revealed to be a regular sidekick of Liam and his friends. The only off kilter part about this charming entity is that for a 200 year-old ghost, his speech and manners didn’t reflect his time period (like his clothing), but perhaps that is due to the time he has spent in the 21st century absorbing modern speech patterns and customs…He does provide assistance in sorting out facts and an interesting twist to this contemporary tale.

Burdened by her mother’s death in a home she loved, Kelsey’s independent streak is tested when she continues to sense a presence locking her bedroom every night before going to sleep, even when Liam is with her. Readers get an idea of why this happens when a third party narrator casts just enough doubt to throw readers completely off the trail of whom we begin to suspect of murder, and sinister acts.

Masterful tension combined with sharp turns and forward-moving action keep the novel at a good pace as the feelings between Liam and Kelsey deepen and suspicion shifts from one person to the next. Excellent character development allows readers to really know Liam and Kelsey as well as their circle of friends and ultimately, come to understand Cutter Merlin and his world too.

This tightly plotted and woven story brings together a decades-old murder and haunting while reuniting lifelong friends and would-be lovers in a page turning novel.

The book provides yet another unexpected twist: recipes for Key Lime Grouper, Red Snapper and more fill the last few pages and appear to be as enticing as this read! ~ Helena