Charleston realtor Melanie Middleton specializes in old historical homes. Thirty-nine and unmarried, Melanie has become very successful in the business. Nevis Vanderhorst, a very elderly man, requests a visit from Melanie. She has hopes of listing his historical home. Since childhood, Melanie has been able to see and hear dead people. Approaching the property, she sees a female ghost swinging a child in the garden. Mr. Vanderhorst tells Melanie that his mother, Louisa, disappeared when he was a child and he longs to learn the truth of her disappearance. It was believed she left with another man. Melanie feels a connection to Nevis, but leaves with little hope she will get the listing.

Two days later, Melanie is called to Mr. Vanderhorst's attorney's office to be told the old gentleman has died and she has inherited his entire estate -- but not without specific terms. Plenty of funds have been left to use toward restoring the tumbling down old mansion. But Melanie must live in the house for one year before she can sell it.

Melanie and her friend, Sophie Walker, along with an author, Jack Trenholm, come together to pursue the restoration and put the ghosts to rest. Things begin to move around and Melanie has visitations by the spirits; one who is very mean and threatening. In an attempt to uncover the truth of Louisa's disappearance and to set the ghosts free, Melanie also has to avoid being harmed by the mean spirit.

I loved this book! It was one of those that you struggle against putting down as the pages fly by. Karen White is an extremely talented and colorful writer with tons of imagination. If you are not a believer of paranormal, you will be after reading this novel.

Book Summary

Practical-minded realtor Melanie Middleton hates to admit that she can see ghosts—even to herself. But now she’s going to have to accept it. Because an old man she met only days ago has died, leaving Melanie his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her something...

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that some diamonds that went missing from the Confederate Treasury a century ago are hidden in Melanie’s new home. So he decides to turn the charm on with the new tenant, only to discover that he’s suddenly the smitten one...

But it turns out that Jack’s search has caught the attention of a possibly malevolent ghostly presence. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak, and even murder. And they must hurry, for an evil force—either dead or alive—lies in wait...