I adore this series, its one of those that just makes me happy when I read it so I’m always pleased to see another one arrive. If I had to categorise this series I’d say this series mostly falls in to ‘cosy crime’ only difference is this series has a paranormal twist.

Haunted Homecoming sees Verity and reluctant ghostly sidekick Frankie called into action once again as a dead body is dug up with a time capsule that was buried in the 1980’s. OK it isn’t really an original storyline I think we’ve all seen it in crime novel or dramas before but it was still a good story.

This Homecoming is an even bigger deal than usual for Sugarland as the Time Capsule buried in the 80’s is being raised early to allow for a new football stadium to be built so all the Sugarland Alumni are in town to see the contents raised (and get their hands on a secret Apple Pie recipe that was added to the capsule). This means Verity’s mum is back in town and we get to learn more about Verity’s family and see her relationship with her mum first hand, rather than her just being mentioned as off travelling.

It was nice to see another side of Verity in those interactions – how she coped with her mum interfering in her case and the relationship they has, which was at its heart warm and loving.

Frankie is also having relationship issues as he struggles to commit fully to Molly, doubting that he is good enough for her. Of course being Frankie this leads to some truly outlandish schemes that are always fun to watch take shape.

As always with this series a fun read and I look forward to getting my hands on the next one.

Princess Fuzzypants here: There are some series that are like old friends. Each time a new book comes out provides the opportunity to be reunited with the people and catch up with what is going on in their world. The characters in these books are a delight from Verity and her pet skunk Lucy to her ghostly partner, Frankie. The cast of characters fall on both sides of the spectral plane, living and dead. With Frankie’s borrowed power, Verity is able to help spirits find closure and solve past mysteries.

It is homecoming in Sugarland. Most people never leave the town but Verity’s mother has been roaming the world with her husband and it takes something like this to draw her back. The pinnacle of the event will be the opening of a time capsule that was buried the night she graduated in 1986. Her mother is also looking forward to reconnecting with her best friend who ran away with a mystery man the night of the Prom. Sadly, when the vault is opened, not only is the time capsule revealed but the body of her friend is as well. Who was the secret lover and did he murder her friend? Other than the killer himself, the only one who knows the truth is the deceased.

Verity is going to need Frankie to allow her to find the girl and ask her what happened. But she has a couple of problems with which she must contend first. Frankie’s love life is getting very complicated and he is even less dependable than usual. Verity’s mother has no edit button as she gossips around town all of Verity’s secrets so the killer is kept up to date with her investigation. And finally, the ghost only returns at Homecoming and she does not realize that she is dead. It is going to take a lot of courage and skill to find out the truth without ending up like the victim.

The entire series has been a lot of fun and this one does not disappoint. From beginning to end it is fast and frolicking and highly enjoyable. Five purrs and two paws up.

There’s nothing like high school football in a small town. Sugarland is no different. This year it is bigger than ever because they are going to open the time capsule that was buried in 1985. Even Verity’s mom is coming back. But everyone is shocked to find there is a body…of the homecoming queen everyone thought ran away that night. Now Verity with the help of Frankie (well not so much his help because he has girlfriend problems) and the unwanted help of her mother is determined to find the killer.

It is a solid mystery and a lot of fun. Fox’s take on ghosts is somewhat unusual in that they can change and grow, not stuck in a repeating pattern. As such, the ghosts can have a real life in the afterlife including dating which brings a lot of hilarity when Frankie has girlfriend problems and has to hide from El Gato and the Cuban mob (all ghosts, of course). The skunk is adorable and steals scenes.

Enjoy this ghostly cozy and forget your worries.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars. The time capsule opening is such a fun trope, and like Verity's mom Tilly I also graduated in 1986, so this book was pretty much made for me. The mystery itself seems predictable, with two equally tragic possibilities, but some late in the game details make things both clearer and sadder. What really makes this series great is the emotional connections and character development. Verity and Tilly got to know each other in ways they never have, we all got to know Frankie in a deeper way, and Molly is full of surprises. I specifically chose to read this book because I needed to sink in to something and relax and The Haunted Homecoming delivered.

This is a great book, a fun adventure! A time capsule is opened and becomes a cold case. There are many suspects, which keep you guessing. Verity’s mom comes to visit, and oh boy her loose lips sink ships! There is great suspense throughout, a dash of romance, fabulous humor, a very well done cozy mystery! I love all the characters, Sugarland is such a fun place to visit!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I so love this series. All the characters are like friends.

I love this series and this was another good one. Up front thought Verity's mother annoyed the crap out of me. She was such a blabbermouth and didn't know how much she was hurting Verity. I did like that the whole small town was so invested in homecoming weekend. I am ready for Verity and Ellis' relationship to progress a little faster.

Its homecoming time and Verity's mum is back in town. Sugarland takes home coming very seriously and the whole town goes all out . This year its even more exciting as a time capsule that was buried in 1985 will be dug up. When the vault the time capsule is in , gets opened up a dead body is found. Verity is on the case with some reluctant help from Frankie who is hiding from El Gato and having girlfriend problems. Along with the ghost of the dead girl being very elusive , poor Verity has a lot to deal with. I always enjoy a visit to Sugarland and found myself staying up to finish the book. Please Angie Fox dont end on a cliff hanger im desperate to find out what happpens next. Highly recommend this series.

Sugarland is bursting with hometown pride as it hosts a festive week leading up to Homecoming. This year is extra special because due to a need to move the flagpole so the football field can be expanded, they must dig up the time capsule buried back in 1985. And, oh the secrets that time vault is hiding.

As tenth entry in the Southern Ghost Hunter series, The Haunted Homecoming is not the best place to start. In fact, it feels like matters are getting closer to the end as it is Verity’s turn to come to terms with family like Frankie had to do in the previous book.

It was interesting meeting Verity’s mom, Tilly, and seeing Verity so consternated when her flitting, gossipy butterfly of a mom seems impervious to her hints to be circumspect and careful about Verity’s ghostly detecting. It is easy to feel for Verity as she tries to rein her in, but also funny because it is obvious that what frustrates Verity about her mom are traits they share. Her sheriff’s deputy boyfriend and her ghostly gangster partner are always telling her not to rush into situations without due caution or talk so much when investigating. Verity is in a tiff for much of the book because of mom issues and finally has to analyze why and settle it with her mom. Additionally, I had to laugh at her reaction to the unexpected romance her sweet and smart librarian sister Melody gets up to with one of Verity’s town archenemies.

Frankie is having his own existential crisis because Molly, his ghostly gal, wants commitment and Frankie doesn’t see himself as the type to keep or deserve a steady relationship. His method of coping with his relationship woes are straight out of a gangster wise guy handbook if there were one and he is not above roping Verity into his schemes in exchange for his help on her latest murder case and the chance to interview the victim’s ghost if she can only find her. Frankie cracks me up each time and he is a good dash of tart pragmatism to Verity’s sometimes overly sweet naivete.

The murder victim died at her 1985 Homecoming dance as the queen so there was plenty of 80’s nostalgia present as well as the bittersweet atmosphere of the reunion group that were potential witnesses and suspects. Verity ends up immersed in her mom’s own past as Tilly was the best friend to the dead Ashley. It was not a clear path of evidence to the reveal especially since there is all the festival activities, family dynamics, and Frankie’s antics that overshadow the mystery for much of the book (and I’m not complaining to have it that way).

To summarize, it was full of all sorts of family and Homecoming, ghostly fun and a mystery tucked in there to get things exciting in the end. There is a mild cliffhanger at the very end meant to lead directly into the next book and I can’t wait. I can see that the series is coming to a culmination soon. This is a favorite paranormal cozy mystery series that I heartily recommend.

The Haunted Homecoming is the tenth book in Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series. The story flows smoothly in this fast-paced book, the mystery intriguing, and the characters are well developed. This book can be read as a standalone because the author has done an excellent job describing and explaining the main characters, their relationships, and their backgrounds. While the mystery in this installment is solved, the book ends with a cliffhanger.

Verity Long can see and communicate with ghosts, but only with the help of Frankie, the ghost of a 1920s gangster, who she managed to ground to her property in Sugarland, Tennessee, when she dumped his ashes, which she thought was dirt in her yard in Sugarland, Tennessee. Frankie is unable to leave the property unless Verity has his urn with her. Verity is a caring person who wants to help everyone, living or dead. Verity is dating Ellis Wydell, the Deputy Sheriff and her ex-fiancé’s brother, and is using her gift as a ghost hunter. Ellis is one of the few people who believe in her abilities and has always been supportive of her helping the ghosts who need her but concerned for her safety.

Due to an expansion of Sugarland High’s football field, it’s necessary to dig up the time capsule, which was buried in 1985, earlier than planned, so they are including it in their homecoming week festivities. Even Verity’s mom and stepdad, Tilly and Carl, are in town for homecoming and the opening of the time capsule Tilly’s graduating class was responsible for burying during homecoming week in 1985. Tilly is really looking forward to reconnecting with her best friend, Ashley Starling, who she hasn’t seen since the homecoming dance in 1985. Unfortunately, when the time capsule is opened, Ashley’s body is inside. While trying to find Ashley’s killer, Verity is trying to manage her mother’s tendency to share everything about Verity’s gift and the investigation with the entire town, as well as counseling Frankie on the proper way to treat his girlfriend, Molly.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Verity gets tangled up in looking for a murderer who stashed the body in a time capsule vault at Sugarland High School that is opened early. The author does a good job of presenting several suspects with motives that might have been sufficient for a murder. There are a lot of loose ends that must be tied up and all of them are resolved at the end.

My second in this series although it is the tenth instalment, sometimes Verity Long would like to forget that she lives with the ghost of a 1920s gangster. But the reluctant housemates must work together when on homecoming weekend in Sugarland, Tennessee a dead body is spotted near the football field. A celebration with festivities lasting four days is underway kicking off with a jamboree in the town square. When a long-buried time capsule is opened during the festivities, dating back to 1985 at the time when Verity's mum's class were graduating, the body is revealed: a woman in a frock.

I love Angie Fox’s fun and humorous writing style and I thought the plot was wonderfully engaging and imaginative. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then you need to check out The Haunted Homecoming. It's comical, and it will definitely keep you guessing. This very happy reader highly recommends it!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Moose Island Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Despite having missed out books 3-9 in this delightfully warm-hearted, cosy murder mystery, I don’t think newcomers to this series would have any difficulty in crashing into this series, as Verity’s enjoyable first-person narration sweeps up the reader and draws them into Sugarland’s festivities. Right now, I particularly appreciate dollops of humour along with my urban fantasy shenanigans – and Fox provides just the right amount of snark and delightful moments of comedy. I particularly relished getting to know Verity’s mother, who returns to Sugarland for Homecoming Week, along with her husband. The tension between mother and daughter was both funny and, at times, poignant. Humour can often have a cruel edge – but Fox’s exuberant, upbeat writing style doesn’t go there.

For all the excitement and loving descriptions of lots of sugar-laden treats – I wouldn’t recommend this book if you’re trying to diet – Fox also has a sharp eye for small-town friction. We have a good spread of suspects with strong reasons for wanting Ashley to keep quiet. Although I was pleased to see that the perpetrator wasn’t someone I had initially suspected. All in all, this was a really enjoyable read and I look forward to going back and catching up with more of Verity’s adventures. While I obtained an arc of The Haunted Homecoming from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

This is a delightful fun paranormal cozy series I always enjoy returning to.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley My review opinion is my own.

The Haunted Homecoming is the 10th book in Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter series. We return to Sugarland, Tennessee where everyone is celebrating the homecoming season. Verity is happy her Mother and Father will visit her during the festivities. The town is in controversy about a flagpole that must be moved and a time capsule that was buried 100 years ago under the flagpole that will also have to be moved. While that is going on a murder occurs.

Verity finds that several spirits that have not left the school and when the murder occurs of a old high school friend Verity is on the case. This was a fun read with all the regular charcters and Verity's Mother was funny interfering in her life. I liked the sleuth and the historic aspect . A fun read I highly recommend.

The Southern Ghost Hunter series is by far one of my favorite series. I have loved all the books so far and this newest book does not disappoint at all. Of course all the major players are back and Verity has to once again use Frankies ghostly powers to solve a crime. This book cracked me up and made me cringe and I loved every moment of it. Also the good thing about this book as well as the others is that if you haven’t read any of the previous books, it gives you lots of backstory so you can just go ahead and jump right in.

The only negative I could say about this book is it does end in somewhat of a tiny cliffhanger and the next book doesn’t come out to next year. 😭

I love Verity. She has pulled herself up from scandal and basically poverty. She is strong in many ways. In this book we get company from Mom. She has come to town for the homecoming and to visit with friends from when she graduated. Her gossip is on a mega scale. She has came into town and is starting to get to Verity. Her reputation is on the line. There is so many people in town you never know how this story is going to play out. We know we have a dead person, Someone killed this person many years ago. Verity has to keep mom from talking to everyone in town while keeping a low profile to salve this mystery. We don't even want to talk about our ghost gangster. He is always up to no good. This time he really has tossed some crazy in Verity's day. I love that we get to see Verity's sister a little more. I think it is great that she is getting a love life so to speak. Great book. Great read. I can't wait for the next one.

Enjoyed this book , as it belongs to a quirky sub genre of paranormal cozy mysteries, which I have tried for the first time. It had all the elements of drama, thrills and chills. Humour also cannot be left out. Verity was amazing , though it was my first book to have read in the series, it can be read as standalone and be loved the same. Though in some parts it felt like reading the all the other books falling under the same trope with same old story at the beginning , but eventually it became really entertaining. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

If a lighthearted , fun read is what you like then this book is for you .

It is Homecoming time in Sugarland , Tennessee and ghost hunter Verity Long is looking forward seeing her mother, Tilly ........... a visit that just might drive her bonkers such is their relationship .
The highlight of the Homecoming will be the opening of a time capsule at Tilly's old school ...... one that should have been buried for 100 years but is being opened early to facilitate improvements to the High School stadium .
Tilly has been talking excitedly nonstop about her old school friend Ashley Starling - will she return home for the event .............. unfortunately she never left - her body is found in the capsule .
Verity decides to investigate using her link to the spirits asking for their help - but someone doesn't want her to find the truth and is determined to stop her whatever the cost ..
I really enjoyed this return to Sugarland and Verity's ghosts and look forward to reading more in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always have fun reading this series and it improves with each new installment.
This one is excellent, engrossing and highly entertaining.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, the mystery is solid and the paranormal side always funny.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Haunted Homecoming is the 10th book in Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter series. It is homecoming time in Sugarland, Tennessee. Verity Long, ghost hunter extraordinaire, is very excited that her mother, Tilly, and stepfather will be visiting to participate in the festivities. And they will be pulling their school bus RV onto her land and staying by her. But Verity and Tilly have a somewhat difficult relationship in that Tilly drives Verity bonkers.

The big to do of the weekend will be the unearthing and opening of a time capsule buried by the class of ‘85, Tilly’s class. It was supposed to be buried for 100 years but Roan building supply has donated funds to enlarge and improve the high school’s stadium. The time capsule, which ended up with submissions from all over Sugarland is buried under the flagpole that must be moved for the renovation.
From the time Tilly returned to Sugarland she has been talking about her best high school friend, Ashley Starling, and wondering if she will return like so many others have for the festivities. Unfortunately, Ashley never left!

As Verity investigates what happened to Ashley she encounters several spirits that have not left the school and several folks that have been there for years, but it becomes clear that whomever was responsible for the body beneath the flagpole doesn’t want Verity to continue investigating.

This is another wonderfully written tale in the Southern Ghost Hunter series. It is hard to put down and may just keep you awake late into the night. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!