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Murder at Blackwood Inn - by Penny Warner
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About this item
Highlights
- A haunted house and the occult are the least of Carissa Blackwood's problems when her eccentric aunts are accused of murder in this cozy series debut by multiple award-winning author Penny Warner.
- About the Author: Penny Warner is the author of several mystery series, including the award-winning Dead Body Language series, the How to Host a Killer Party series, Death of a Chocolate Cheater, and three-time Agatha Award-winning middle-grade mysteries, the Code Busters Club.
- 288 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Mystery & Detective
- Series Name: A Haunted Dead and Breakfast Mystery
Description
Book Synopsis
A haunted house and the occult are the least of Carissa Blackwood's problems when her eccentric aunts are accused of murder in this cozy series debut by multiple award-winning author Penny Warner. Ghostwriter Carissa Blackwood is having the worst year of her life. After leaving her cheating husband, she finally takes up the offer to help her two eccentric aunts manage the Blackwood Bed 'n' Breakfast Inn in Pelican Point, California-a house they only recently inherited from their deceased father, Bram Blackwood. The old man dabbled in the occult, and his daughters haven't fallen far from the family tree. Aunt Runa is into crystals and plans to hold séances at the reportedly "haunted" house. Aunt Hazel has an herbary and offers herbal cures for everything from headaches to paranormal visions. But it's Hazel's poison garden that really concerns Carissa. When one of the townspeople dies from a poison that could have only come from Aunt Hazel's garden, the town is quick to point fingers. It doesn't help that one of Aunt Runa's charms is found at the scene of the crime. With a little help from Noah, the mysterious and handsome handyman; Aiden, the charming newspaperman--and the ghost of Carissa's grandfather--it's up to Carissa to clear her aunts and find the real killer before someone else is checked out for good at the B&B.Review Quotes
Praise for Murder at Blackwood Inn
"Quirky characters abound in this lighthearted tale of ghosts and murder."
--Kirkus Reviews "Murder at Blackwood Inn showcases novelist and storyteller Penny Warner's complete mastery of the cozy mystery genre."
--Midwest Book Review "An intriguing whodunit . . . [A] welcome addition to the cozy genre."
--Dru's Book Musings "Why is Murder at Blackwood Inn the purrfect Halloween cozy? . . .A likeable heroine; a creepy, spooky haunted house setting; a complex, difficult-to-solve mystery; a wide assortment of colorful, zany characters; and a bewitching cat."
--Gumshoe Review "With an appealing protagonist in ghostwriter Carissa Blackwood, a super hunky handyman, and sly hints of the paranormal that include a mystery ginger cat, Murder at Blackwood Inn is a thoroughly delightful read. Readers will enjoy checking into this quirky "Dead" and Breakfast!"
--Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author
"Murder and malice abound as Carissa helps her zany aunts turn their ancestral home into the Blackwood B and B Inn amid flickering lights and the haunting of her grandfather's secrets. A cozy, fun read to start off a new series."
--Allison Brook, Agatha Award-nominated author of the Haunted Library mysteries "A charming and quirky cozy with all the perfect ingredients to keep you flipping the pages: tea, cats, kooky aunts, a haunted house, and murder most foul! The delightful descriptions will make you want to book a stay at the Blackwood Inn."
--Gretchen Rue, author of the Witches' Brew mysteries
About the Author
Penny Warner is the author of several mystery series, including the award-winning Dead Body Language series, the How to Host a Killer Party series, Death of a Chocolate Cheater, and three-time Agatha Award-winning middle-grade mysteries, the Code Busters Club.Dimensions (Overall): 8.26 Inches (H) x 5.59 Inches (W) x .82 Inches (D)
Weight: .62 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Series Title: A Haunted Dead and Breakfast Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Theme: Cozy, Culinary
Format: Paperback
Author: Penny Warner
Language: English
Street Date: September 23, 2025
TCIN: 94481902
UPC: 9798892422857
Item Number (DPCI): 247-36-0996
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.82 inches length x 5.59 inches width x 8.26 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.62 pounds
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3.0 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews
0% would recommend
1 recommendations
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
20 October, 2025
An okay cozy mystery!
Murder at Blackwood Inn by Penny Warner is the debut of A Haunted Dead and Breakfast Mysteries. The cover is what drew me to the story and the blurb had me opening the book. The story fell short of expectations set by its cover and blurb. The writing was overly descriptive with repetitive details and a leisurely pace. There were inconsistencies in the story as well. The characters are likeable and quirky. I wish there had been only one or two quirky characters which would have made them stand out. The aunts were too similar. I loved the way the two aunts decorated Carissa’s bedroom (it was the best part of the inn). The mystery was a letdown. Carissa sets out to prove Aunt Hazel’s innocence, but there is little investigation. The mystery relied on confession instead of deduction (which does not allow the armchair sleuth to solve the crime) . In contrast to the rest of the book, the ending was a tad rushed with a lackluster reveal. Murder at Blackwood Inn had potential with the paranormal bits that are hinted at or mentioned (such as the mysterious Noah), but they were left sitting on the shelf. Murder at Blackwood Inn is a run-of-the-mill cozy mystery that does not motivate me to continue the series.