Though she doesn’t have the faintest idea where to begin a murder investigation, especially one the police have already labeled suicide, Emerald agrees. Now, with a little help from her friends, especially new friend Andrew, and some unwanted help from her developing mystic son, Emerald searches both this world and the world beyond for clues to a murder. If all this hasn’t been enough, there seems to be an unfriendly spirit that has also entered Emerald’s house, and is willing to put her children’s lives at risk to prove a point.

Ghost of a Chance is a charming first mystery. Emerald is a very strong-minded young woman, but is so without being too overbearing. She is fiercely protective of her children, even to the point of putting her own life on hold so as not to upset or confuse them. She takes her gifts very seriously, and though her son shows signs of similar gifts, she takes great pains to make him understand that there are very serious consequences to his actions and that she is not just fooling around trying to summon spirits.

The solving of the mystery is very unusual as Emerald uses the victim’s spirit to offer clues, and then interprets and searches out more information based upon what she has learned. There are a few scenes of more graphic sex than readers might expect in a typical cozy and, given the cover illustration, readers might also expect more of the action to occur in Emerald’s charming tea and china shop.

Emerald O’Brien is a worthy addition to the ranks of amateur sleuths and the northwest setting makes it the perfect book to curl up with a cup of tea.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry