Thanks to Bookouture, Kitty French, and NetGalley for providing an ARC; this is my unbiased review.

Mystery at Maplemead Castle (The Chapelwick Mysteries 2) by Kitty French
Bookouture, 17th March 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:
Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate pecan cookies come with a helping of sabotage.
Maplemead Castle is crawling with ghosts, and the new owners need them gone. When Melody Bittersweet and the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency arrive on scene, they quickly identify the troublemakers swinging from the chandeliers. A century ago, stunning trapeze artist Britannia Lovell plunged to her death, and has done every night since. But did she really just fall, or was there something more to her demise? Forced to work with Leo Dark, her scoundrel ex, and infuriating, irresistible reporter Fletcher Gunn, Melody’s investigative powers are under strain (i.e. lost in a pink mist of lust and confusion). She needs her team on top form, but best friend Marina’s cake pipeline goes AWOL, assistant Artie’s distracted by a giant sausage roll, and the pug is scared witless by a lion. Somewhere, hidden in the castle, is a heart-breaking secret, but what will it take to find it? And is there a chance it could set Britannia free, or is she doomed to repeat her last fateful act forever?

Review:
There are times when curling up with a cosy mystery that has a large dollop of humour, and a sprinkling of romance is the only thing to satisfy your reading hunger. Just like its predecessor, this second book in The Chapelwick Mysteries ticks all those boxes and more.

With Melody Bittersweet and the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency around, you're guaranteed a hilarious ride on the way to solving the conundrum. Each team member adds something goofy and each piece of the story slots together like a jigsaw puzzle. Grab a blanket and your beverage of choice and get cosy!

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This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

It was okay. I'm not really a fan of British mysteries myself but this was an okay read. I got humor and a little romance all in all it was umm.

I really enjoyed stepping back into the world of Melody Bittersweet and her ghost-busting agency! Melody is unapologetically British and I love her for it! She’s quirky and unique and in typical British style swears quite a bit 🤣 if she was real I’d like to think we would 100% be friends, though her job would scare the daylights out of me.

Mystery at Maplemead Castle was funny, flirty, and in the end quite unexpectedly sad. I loved the outcome and thought it was really emotional, so nice to see that side to some of the characters. And let’s not forget Fletcher Gunn. I love that man. I need many more books with him in because he turns me into a teenager with stars in my eyes! What a guy 😍

I have had Mystery at Maplemead Castle on my reader for a long long time and I've decided to read it on Halloween...what's better than to read a cozy mystery novel on that night?? I tell you, NOTHING!!

I had a good time reading about Melody Bittersweet and her Ghostbusting agency on the previous book in the series, but this one was even better.

The Bittersweet ladies has a gift, they can see and talk to ghosts.
Melody chose to help people to get rid of ghosts that haunt their places.
In this story she has to deal with a group of ghosts, three circus performers and a lion, that haunt Maplemead Castle, his ex boyfriend, Leo Dark, and the infuriatingly gorgeous reporter, Fletcher Gunn.

I've enjoyed and appreciated Kitty French writing and humour, she made me ignore everything else while reading her story. I really wish she will give us more ghostbusting adventure in the future.

Mystery at maplemead castle by Kitty French.
This is book 2 in the chapelwick mystery series.
Absolutely brilliant. Funny and mysterious. Great story and characters. I loved the cover too. Can't wait for more from this author. 5*.

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Admittedly, I didn't realise this was part of a series when I started to read this but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The book is hilarious. I'm not sure whether it's just me giggling away constantly when I read this or if Kitty French is doing the same when she writes her books. Either way, her humour is magical.

Melody Bittersweet is not a normal girl, for starters her family can see ghosts. Alongside her two work colleagues, she's been given a new ghostbusting assignment at Maplemead Castle. A film is due to be recorded at Maplemead Castle but they're unable to start filming as they keep being interrupted by dastardly ghosts! This book is filled with a circus of unpredictable ghosts, witty humour and an unpredictable love triangle to top it off. How can Melody and her Ghostbusting Agency clear away the ghosts? When one mystery leads to another, what secrets will be unearthed?

This was a fun, laugh out loud story but at times was equally emotional. Somehow it manages to strike a perfect balance. Completely unlike anything I've ever read, this was a refreshing and enjoyable light read.

Britannia, one of the ghosts left within the Castle, was by far my favourite character. Her opulent wardrobe and exquisite sense of style meant that she was used to being the object of many men's affection. Being married you'd think she had everything she ever dreamed of. But for some reason her spirit cannot settle.

A fantastically enjoyable read and I now want to go back and read the first book in the series!

This is the second book in the Chapelwick Mystery series, and I enjoyed this one even more than the last. This is a fun, laugh out loud, paranormal mystery. The dialogue in this book had me snorting with laughter. Who would have thought a paranormal mystery would be that funny.

Melody Bittersweet and the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency is back and they have their second case. Melody, Marina, and Artie have to try to figure out what happened all those years ago when trapeze artist Britannia Lovell plunged to her death. Along with Britannia, there are other circus performer's spirits living in the Castle, including a lion. She is having a tough time solving this case as she is working with her ex Leo Dark, whose television show will be taping in the Castle. Not only that, but it is hard to extinguish a ghost, when you fall in love with it. Melody has to do all the work on her own as Leo can't bring himself to complete his task. Then, there is journalist Fletcher Gunn, who is there to follow Melody for a story. He may not believe that she sees ghosts, but that doesn't stop them from getting a bit carried away when they are alone together. The sexual tension that was there in the first book, sizzles even more in this one.

Mystery of Maplemead Castle is a great story. The Fletcher and Melody story is much more present in this book and their dialogue is one of the things that makes me laugh. Leo has a tendency do stumble over them when they are engaged, and that often leads to hilarious moments. Artie meets someone he wants to date, Lestadt, the overweight pug is not as present in this book, there is a lion in the castle after all, and Marina's smart mouth is still there, all adding to the fun story. I am looking forward to continuing to read about Melody's adventures.

Fun premise to this cozy. A little more rough around the edges (language and sex wise) than the typical cozy. I liked the ghost story itself, but I’m not in love with main character.

So so good!!!
I'm so in love with this series, these ref, these characters !!!
Miss Kitty I'm so ready for book 3!!! Can't wait!

Perfectly described as a paranormal romantic comedy with great humor and lovable characters. Their chemistry and banter is the best part of the story. Love that I get reacquainted with Melody, Marina & Artie again.

I made it pretty far into this book and was not able to get into it despite trying.

I loved the first book in this series so I was so happy that NetGalley approved me for the second!

This series is great for good laughs and great friendship, and some romance though it's still not fully realized in this book!! However, I did like that even though this one still has that will they-won't they infatuation side of it, we really got to see the romantic couple connect on a deeper level. It's still uncertain whether they'll be able to make things work but I so appreciated how they have almost become friends, and care about the well-being of the other.

My least favourite character from the last book was Leo so I wasn't thrilled that he showed up again but at least he was more tolerable this time around :P We kind of got to see a more human side of him, but still I'd be beyond pleased if he's missing from the next book (hint hint!!).

There were some things in this I liked better than the first and others that I preferred with the first book so it was on about even ground for me. I really liked the ghosts in this one, even more than the group from the first book! They are such a unique group of characters but I also really liked how much depth they were given (especially poor Britannia). Definitely lots of great friendships in this one!

Great book, easy read… Held my attention and was sad to see it end. Thanks for the opportunity to read it!

A delightful twist on the cozy genre! It's funny and the writing sprightly. Sometimes the paranormal thing can be annoying but it's well done here. Melody and her friends are pretty darn intrepid given the ghost situation. I liked Britannia; the mystery surrounding her death is not too twisty and let's be honest, she deserves a plug here because this book is less about her than about the relationship between Melody and Fletcher. My quibble is that this didn't need the steamy stuff. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I read the first book (which I recommend) and am looking forward to the next one.

Melody Bittersweet and her cohorts are back! I'm so thrilled to see them all again. You can expect lots of out-loud laughter when reading this. The author does a fantastic job of keeping the flow of the pace moving at a good clip with an eclectic mix of characters you will love. The mystery is light but everything works here to create an unputdownable experience. This is one I hope many will love like I do. Bring on book three please!

Mystery at Maplemead Castle isn't the easiest to review.  The concept of a mismatched team of ghostbusters led by a petite sugar addict and her pug is a cute one.  The story behind the ghosts of Maplemead Castle (a pair of trapeze artists, a ringmaster and a lion) is an interesting one.  I found Melody’s stupendous ability to say exactly the wrong thing, as well as the interplay between her, her family, and her coworkers funny.  I loved Lestat the pug, and found Artie’s attempts to romance Hell’s Bells cute and comic.  The novel is far from perfect, but there are many funny moments.

The biggest problem is that the first third is one frenetic monologue on superheroes and sugar.(I was tempted to run away at this point.)  The phrasing is awkward, and only begins to smooth out in the second half of the novel.  A minor quibble was the novel’s distinctly American feel - for being set in Britain it didn't feel very British.  (Apart from the mention off few UK specific confections). It was as unconvincing as an American actor putting on a British accent.  I also don't tend to find crudity sexy or romantic the way Melody does. All Fletch has to say is she’s sexy as f$&& and Melody is ready to melt.

The series has potential and I’m willing to try another novel.  For now, however I can’t give Mystery at Maplemead Castle more than a 3.

3 / 5

I received a copy of Mystery at Maplemead Castle from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

A brilliant romp! It has everything - love, laughter, a bit of naughtiness and a cracking tale told well. Such an original idea, the first title by Kitty I've read but it won't be the last!

Having previously read The Skeletons of Scarborough House (book one in the series and previously called Melody Bittersweet & the Girls Ghost Busting Agency) I was super excited to read book two. I really enjoyed the first book and couldn’t wait to see what mysteries Melody and her team would have to solve next and I wasn’t disappointed at all.

In this book we join Melody, Marina and Artie who are called in to help an American couple, Lois and Barty who have bought a castle that’s over run with ghosts, but not only are there ghosts to contend with, Melody ends up having to work with her ex Leo Dark and handsome reporter Fletcher Gunn who does not believe in anything superstitious. To say things could get complicated is a bit of an understatement.

I absolutely adore Melody, she is a fantastic character and so much fun. She loves anything sweet and adores Marina’s Nonna’s baking, she has a secret obsession with super heroes and is also a bit smitten with Fletcher Gunn. Melody is so funny and I found myself laughing out loud so many times with this book. Her thoughts and some of the things she comes out with honestly cracked me up. Marina and Artie are fab too, Marina’s quite sassy, she likes high heals and is quite forward speaking. Artie on the other hand is quite shy and self conscious but in this book he’s starting to come out his shell a bit which is lovely to read.

Mystery at Maplemead Castle is such a fun book I devoured it. It really does make you laugh and I’d say this one is maybe a little bit sexier than the first with the attraction between Melody and Fletch which I really enjoyed. Obviously there’s a mystery to solve and I loved trying to figure out how or what the out come would be and although this is such a fun book there is element of sadness which brought a little lump to my throat. But really this and The Skeletons of Scarborough House are real feel good books, I found myself still giggling sometime after finishing and I really can’t wait to read book three.

I’m loving this series from Kitty French. It’s funny and quirky, with a bit of romance, a lot of mystery and more than a few ghosts. It’s a bit of an odd combination of genres but with French’s brilliant writing and witty dialogue it just works.

I've been a big fan of Kitty (and Kat) French for a while now and absolutely loved the previous book in this series so couldn't wait to catch up with Melody and the gang. The quirky and slighly oddball characters are definitely one of the highlights of this series for me. From Melody who can see ghosts, has a serious sugar addiction and is attracted to the wrong men, to her outrageous grandmother who has a largely liquid diet they are all brilliantly crafted and unique. Even relatively minor characters like the American couple who bought a haunted castle on the internet are well defined, rather eccentric and fun to read.

Despite the slightly wacky characters and hilarious dialogue, it’s not all light and fluffy. There's a proper mystery for Melody to solve and a surprising amount of emotion and depth (yep I cried). The characters grow and develop over the course of the series and I thought that this was particularly the case in this book. I found myself feeling some sympathy and actually seeing the attraction of a certain character who annoyed me in the previous story.

Kitty French writes some brilliant romances and she definitely demonstrates this skill here. There is some real chemistry between Melody and a certain journalist (and nemesis). I found myself waiting for their scenes together. They argue, they tease each other and they are completely different but there is a definite spark which makes for addictive (and very funny) reading.

While this is the second in the series it probably could be read as a standalone but it’s such a fun series you may as well start at the beginning and read them both.

Overall a really enjoyable read that’s perfect when you’re looking for something light, quirky and incredibly funny. If that’s not enough of a sales pitch, I will just add “ghost lion”.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC