Presley Parker, sole proprietress of Killer Party, an event planning (don't call her a "party planner") business, seems to have had her share of excitement, danger, and aggravation lately. Her day starts out with finding a notice to vacate her office premises because the building has been condemned. She hardly has time to process that when her "almost boyfriend," Brad of Crime Scene Cleaners, assures her that he can get her and all of the others that manned offices in the building decent office space nearby. He seems to know the administrator of all of Treasure Island's buildings and feels sure he can get them all a good deal with regard to rent.

Leaving Brad to deal with that, Presley races off to meet her mother for breakfast. The very lovely Veronica is also in the early stages of Alzheimer's but still highly functioning. She meets Presley accompanied by a very distinguished gentleman named Stephen Ellington who has recently moved into the assisted living home where Veronica lives.

While they're having breakfast, Stephen's son Jonathan joins them so that he can approach Presley about planning an event for him and his company. Jonathan is the owner of a wildly successful computer company and wants to use a séance party to introduce his latest development. He wants to hire Presley to plan and coordinate this party to be held in the famous Winchester Mystery House.

Presley doesn't really want to take on this project even though she could use the money, but everything comes to a screeching halt when Stephen suddenly keels over from a stroke. This doesn't get Presley out of the party, however, because Veronica feels that it's more important than ever for Presley to plan this party because it seems to mean a lot to Stephen.

The party is planned and seems like it may go off without a hitch until someone is found murdered at the party. Jonathan is arrested on suspicion of murder and Presley has been pushed into the position of proving his innocence. She's suddenly being stalked while receiving menacing phone calls warning her off the case.

She and Brad become closer than ever and she really wants to get this romance off the ground but she realizes she can't do that until she's either proved Jonathan is innocent or guilty of murder. Before she can do this, another dead body turns up.

Finally, Presley may be hosting the party of her life so that the truth can come out. But will she live long enough to see the results?

A very wonderfully crafted mystery, HOW TO SURVIVE A KILLER SÉANCE is book 3 in Penny Warner's Party Planning Mystery with Tips series. In addition to the intriguing mystery, Ms. Warren provides some great history about the Sarah Winchester and the house. She also includes a party tip with each chapter so that you can plan your own séance party. At the end of the book, you'll find a complete chapter on how you can host a séance party of your own.

This is a very different sort of mystery with unforgettable characters, information, and humor all in one divine package. Treat yourself to this one as soon as possible. You may also want to put these party planning tips to use.

Book Summary

As party planner Presley Parker investigates a murder during a séance party at San Francisco's famous Winchester Mystery House, she doesn't need a Ouija board to tell her someone's trying to scare her to death...