Step into the quirky and ghostly world of Witch Woods Funeral Home, where Laurel Bay solves murders with a little help from her spectral friends! Penned by USA Today bestselling author Morgana Best, this cozy mystery series blends supernatural charm, laugh-out-loud humor, and small-town intrigue, making it a delightful escape for fans of paranormal whodunits.
In the fictional Australian town of Witch Woods, Laurel Bay inherits her father’s funeral home, only to discover it’s a hotbed of ghostly activity. Armed with her secret ability to see and talk to ghosts, she navigates mysteries, meddling spirits, and her overzealous mother, Thelma, in a series that’s as heartwarming as it is hilarious.
How Witch Woods Funeral Home Began
Morgana Best, an Australian author known for her love of cozy mysteries, launched the Witch Woods Funeral Home series in 2015 with A Ghost of a Chance. Inspired by her fascination with the supernatural and her knack for crafting quirky characters, Best set out to create a series that paired the lighthearted tone of cozy mysteries with ghostly twists. Her childhood in the Australian outback, surrounded by tales of danger and adventure, shaped her playful yet suspenseful storytelling style.
The series quickly gained traction among fans for its unique premise: a funeral home where the dead are anything but silent. Best’s ability to weave humor into murder mysteries, while keeping the stories clean and wholesome, made Witch Woods Funeral Home a standout in the paranormal cozy genre.
The Heart of Witch Woods Funeral Home
The series spans six books, each brimming with ghostly antics and clever sleuthing. In A Ghost of a Chance (2015), Laurel returns to Witch Woods to revive her father’s struggling funeral home. When a local woman’s murder threatens the business, Laurel teams up with ghosts and her charming accountant, Basil, to crack the case. Nothing to Ghost About (2015) ups the stakes with a strangling during a funeral, forcing Laurel to sift through suspects while dodging her mother’s religious fervor.
Ghost Stories (2016) delivers laugh-out-loud moments as Thelma, mistaking ghost story writers for theologians, hires an escort (thinking it’s a GPS) who ends up dead in her bedroom. Finally, Ghost Blusters (2017) sees Thelma possessed by a punk rocker’s ghost, adding chaotic hilarity to Laurel’s murder-solving mission. Themes of family dynamics, resilience, and embracing one’s quirks shine through, set against the eerie yet cozy backdrop of Witch Woods. Best’s witty dialogue and pun-filled prose—think “ewalogy” for sheep grazing near the funeral home—keep readers chuckling.
The series’ supernatural elements, like Laurel’s ghost-whispering gift, blend seamlessly with its small-town Australian setting, creating a world where the paranormal feels delightfully normal. Fans praise the well-developed characters, from the endearing Laurel and Basil to the exasperating yet comedic Thelma, whose religious zeal sparks endless mischief.
Why Witch Woods Funeral Home Resonates
Witch Woods Funeral Home has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, captivating readers with its blend of humor, heart, and supernatural flair. Its clean, wholesome mysteries appeal to those seeking light yet engaging reads, while its ghostly premise attracts fans of paranormal fiction. Reviews highlight the series’ ability to deliver “laugh-out-loud moments” and “well-crafted whodunits,” with readers on Goodreads and Amazon calling it a “fun escape” and a “must-read” for cozy fans.
Though not a cultural juggernaut, the series’ loyal following and Best’s prolific output—over 50 books—cement its place as a beloved gem in the genre. Its quirky take on death and the afterlife, paired with relatable themes of family and perseverance, ensures its lasting appeal for readers craving cozy mysteries with a spectral twist.
- Publication Years: 2015–2017
- Number of Books: 6
- Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
- Setting: Witch Woods, Australia
Dive into A Ghost of a Chance and let Witch Woods Funeral Home whisk you away to a world of ghostly giggles and clever mysteries!