by Colleen Gleason
Series: Wicks Hollow #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Paranormal
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
A sexy professor.
A logical lawyer.
A determined ghost.
And a very real killer...Welcome to Wicks Hollow: a cozy town near Lake Michigan filled with quaint houses, eccentric residents, and more than its share of ghosts, murders, and romance.
Diana Iverson needs a break—from her stressful job, from her philandering boyfriend, and from the rest of her fast-paced life. When she inherits her eccentric Aunt Jean's home on Wicks Lake, Diana takes a much-needed vacation in the cozy little town.
But when the lake house becomes the scene of multiple break-ins and other unsettling events, Diana begins to suspect Aunt Jean’s death was not as innocent as it seems.
And then there’s Ethan Murphy, the sexy college professor who lives next door… He appears to know a lot more about Aunt Jean than he should, and Diana doesn’t trust him.
But most of all, there's Aunt Jean herself…who seems determined to communicate with Diana—from beyond the grave.
A ghost story romance set in a small town, featuring a cozy mystery about a ghost that just won’t rest until justice is served. The perfect blend of romance, suspense, and ghosts.
The cover for Sinister Summer by Colleen Gleason spoke to me last October when it was on sale and I am delighted I grabbed it. Come to Wicks Hollow as we uncover a mystery, find romance and have high tea.
Gleason introduces us to Diana Iverson, a successful lawyer who has just won a big case and expects to become partner by year’s end. We quickly learn there is a little something special about Diana and her success rate, but that will have to wait as something has happened to her dear Aunt in Wick Hollows.
Wicks Hollow is a lakeside community in Michigan and apparently Diana’s Aunt Jean has died and leaving her everything. Diana take time off to settle the estate and make decisions from the cats to her love life. When she arrives in Wicks Hollow strange things happen. She isn’t sure about the handsome neighbor who lets himself in and someone breaks into her Aunt’s home.
Sinister Summer was a fun, paranormal murder-mystery that kept me engaged. I enjoyed Jean’s circle of friends and the friction between Diana and Ethan the next door neighbor.
The supernatural or paranormal elements involved moved objects, and ghostly messages. Nothing scary, but there are hints that the folks in Wick Hallows are a little different. We meet a Witch and Ethan’s own sister likes to read hands.
The story offers a romance, complicated by Diana’s Chicago boyfriend. (a cheater) whom she is taking a break from. The romance developed nicely, allowing for a slow build, friendship, and chemistry.
The mystery was well done and complicated by an outsider. I wouldn’t call this a cozy mystery, but it falls between that and maybe a Kendra Elliot novel.
Each book in the series features new characters but are all set in Wicks Hollow. I am looking forward to reading Sinister Secrets (The Gems of Vice and Greed). Currently there are four full-length books in the series.
Strange signs soon alert Diana that her Aunt didn't die of natural causes. Will she be next? Sinister Summer by Colleen Gleason #mystery #eBook Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
The title alone has me wanting to read this! I will have to add this one to my list too.
Mary
Carla
Nice review Kimberly. I am not usually drawn to this type of story, but you have made it sound very interesting.
Angela @ Simply Angela
Ooh, this sounds like my cup of tea! I’ve been leaning more towards these types as of late. I can’t believe I haven’t tried this one before. Adding it to my to buy list!
blodeuedd
I have read something by her, not sure that one was for me, but there are always new ones
Nadene @totallyaddictedtoreading
I just realised I have this on my kindle. I am glad you enjoyed it so I definitely have high hopes for this one.
Naomi Hop
This sounds like a fun read that would keep you on the edge of your seat. Looks like there’s going to be a few fun reads coming out of Wicks Hollow!
Ethan
I like that this one is more fun spooky than terrifying. It really fits into the small town romance genre nicely!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I really need to read this series. I read the Gardella Vampire Hunter series by this author and loved it last year. This sounds different but just as good. Glad you enjoyed it!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
The tagline on the cover is very enticing. This sounds like an entertaining read too. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Anne - Books of My Heart
Hmm I would enjoy this. Someone else reads these. Maybe Jonetta? Wonderful review.
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
Sinister Summer sounds like such a good read! I love that this story had so many things I enjoy in a book; paranormal, supernatural, mystery, and romance. This sounds like the kind of movies I enjoy watching. The which who reads hands sounds like an interesting character. I think this is a town I’d love to read about!!! Great Review Kim 🙂
Angie Elle
This does sound like a fun read, and I agree. That is an amazing cover! It sounds like a fun, light-hearted story.
Great review.
Olivia Roach
It sounds like this was one sure successful sale grab! I love that you were able to enjoy the plot, the unfolding and even the slow moving romance which really built up the heat. Great review ^.^
Jessica @ a GREAT read
OOoh nice! This one is still in my TBR pile as well as possibly the other 3…if not then 2! I want to say that this is the book that was reprinted with another title. I remember Colleen mentioning it at one point because I know I have what I think is the first version of this book in paperback…I did end up downloading this one when it was either free or $1 though…might have to do a comparative glance when I eventually get around to reading it!
Glad to hear it was a good mystery with paranormal elements! By far my favorite type of mystery! Lol! Great review!
Heidi
Oh this sounds good. I am going to see if I can get it from my library.
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
You’re right, that’s a brilliantly atmospheric cover image 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh I need this! It has pretty much all of my favorite things! I can never resist someone inheriting an estate and then having to sort everything else.
Lorna
I liked this one a lot too. I’ve got the next one in the series but I don’t remember that title you mention at the end? I need to read the next one. Did you read the authors vampire hunter series? All five star reads for me and still one of my favorite paranormal series ever.
Kimberly
I will look at those. This is a new author for me. Thanks for the tip Lorna!
Kimberly
Ah Lorna, she republished these with new titles! The next one is Sinister Secrets formally the title I mentioned above. Ugh…even I am confused..lol
Lorna
Oh okay. No wonder I was a bit confused! Thanks for clearing that up.
Debbie Haupt
This looks good Kim, it reminds me of a paranormal romance series set in Salem that I read years ago. hmmm maybe there will be another sale 🙂 ah but it’s not available on audio either and my print time is short right now
Melliane
I only tried one book from her gardella series but I need to read more
JoLee @ Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
This looks good. I loved and read her PR series Gardella Vampire Hunter ages ago before started blogging. I do want to try her PR Dystopian series Heroes Of New Vegas by her alternate name Joss Ware.
Cynthia
I definitely am heading over to Amazon and buying this book. Great review!
kindlemom1
I want to say I’ve tried something by this author before but now I’m not sure what. I need to go look it up and probably add this one to the pile as well. 😉
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds like a good read! I don’t know the last time I read a paranormal murder-mystery.
-Lauren
Marina
Thanks for your recommendation!!!