Step into the charmingly spooky world of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series, where ghosts, humor, and Southern hospitality collide! Written by Angie Fox, this USA Today bestselling cozy mystery series follows Verity Long, a down-on-her-luck graphic designer in Sugarland, Tennessee, who accidentally gains the ability to see spirits. With a sassy pet skunk named Lucy and a ghostly gangster sidekick, Frankie, Verity solves supernatural mysteries that blend small-town charm with thrilling whodunits.
From haunted estates to spectral heists, each book delivers a delightful mix of paranormal adventure, budding romance, and laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and urban fantasy, this series hooks readers with its quirky characters and ghostly twists. Ready to explore Sugarland’s spirited secrets? Let’s dive in!
How Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Began
New York Times bestselling author Angie Fox launched the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series in 2015 with Southern Spirits, inspired by her love for sweet, action-packed mysteries. A Missouri native, Fox infuses her stories with Southern charm, drawing from her knack for crafting fearless heroines—though she humorously admits she’d flee from the ghosts in her own books! Her goal was to create a cozy mystery series with a paranormal twist, blending humor, heart, and a touch of romance to captivate readers.
The series’ inception came from Fox’s desire to explore a strong female lead navigating unexpected supernatural gifts. Verity Long, a resilient yet relatable protagonist, emerged as the heart of the series, with Sugarland’s historic charm providing the perfect backdrop. Fox’s engaging writing style and vivid world-building quickly earned the series a loyal fanbase.
The Heart of Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery
The series kicks off with Southern Spirits (2015), where Verity traps a ghost named Frankie on her property, sparking her ghost-seeing abilities. Hired by Ellis Wydell, the town’s deputy sheriff and her ex’s brother, she uncovers a decades-old murder tied to a haunted estate. In The Skeleton in the Closet (2015), Verity investigates a murder in a haunted library, dodging danger and ghostly warnings. The Haunted Heist (2016) sees her tackling a bank vault mystery, while Give Up the Ghost (2022) dives into a scandalous blackmail plot from a 1985 time capsule.
Themes of resilience, community, and uncovering hidden truths weave through the series, set against Sugarland’s vibrant Southern backdrop. Fox masterfully balances cozy mystery staples—clever plots, quirky characters—with urban fantasy elements like restless spirits and secret passageways. Verity’s evolving romance with Ellis adds heart, while her banter with Frankie keeps the tone light and fun. The series’ small-town setting, with its historic homes and ghostly residents, feels like a character itself, grounding the supernatural in relatable charm.
Each book delivers a self-contained mystery, making it easy for newcomers to jump in, though the character arcs reward loyal readers. Fox’s humor shines in Verity’s misadventures, from wrangling ghostly goats to befriending a gallant spectral colonel, ensuring every story feels fresh yet familiar.
Why Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Resonates
The Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, blending paranormal thrills with Southern warmth. Fans praise its engaging characters—Verity’s grit, Frankie’s snark, and Lucy’s adorable antics—along with Fox’s ability to keep mysteries unpredictable. With 16 books and counting, the series has built a dedicated following, appealing to readers who crave lighthearted yet suspenseful escapes.
Its lasting appeal lies in its universal themes of overcoming adversity and finding one’s place, wrapped in a ghostly package that’s both spooky and heartwarming. By celebrating Sugarland’s quirky community, both living and dead, Fox creates a world readers can’t help but return to, book after book.
- First Book: Southern Spirits, published in 2015.
- Latest Book: Death at the Drive-In, released in March 2024.
- Total Books: 16, including novellas.
- Setting: Sugarland, Tennessee.
- Genres: Cozy mystery, urban fantasy, paranormal romance.
Grab Southern Spirits, pour a tall glass of sweet tea, and dive into the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series’ delightful blend of ghosts, giggles, and gripping mysteries!