Review: THE FLAMES OF LILLY PILLY CREEK

• 
  This edition on Kindle (Amazon)
  
• #4 of the Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mysteries
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJYNJYRH
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abbie Allen Publishing (October 11, 2024)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages  

Synopsis  (Amazon)

As the scorching heat of January grips Lilly Pilly Creek, danger ignites in more ways than one.

In the fourth book of the Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mystery series, amateur sleuth Jones and her ghost sister Autumn are faced with their most perilous investigation yet. An arsonist is terrorising the town, and with the fires inching closer to the heart of Lilly Pilly Creek, tensions rise—and so do suspicions. When one of their friends becomes a prime suspect, Jones and Autumn must race against time to uncover the truth before the flames consume everything.

As the town faces the threat of destruction, Jones also faces a personal challenge—meeting Hugo's friends for the first time, one who appears a likely firebug. Will their relationship withstand the heat of the investigation or tear them apart?

Join Jones and Autumn as they navigate mystery, danger, and the complexities of friendship and love in this thrilling new chapter of the Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mysteries.

My Take

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the 4th in the series. I thought It must be something to do with the fact that Adelaide is currently in drought, and fire warnings keep popping up on my phone.  I thought the author conveyed very well the breathless anticipation of bushfires, as well as the worry we feel when the cause is arson. I have rated the book a little more highly, so impressed was I by the way the story was put together.

If you are looking for an easy to digest series of cozy crime fiction then you could try this but, as always read them in order.

My Rating: 4.5 

I've also read

4.4, THE GHOST OF LILLY PILLY CREEK =#1

4.3, THE BRIDE OF LILLY PILLY CREEK - #2

4.4, THE LIGHTS OF LILLY PILLY CREEK - #3

Review: THE LIGHTS OF LILLY PILLY CREEK, Abbie L. Martin

• 
   this edition an e-book on Amazon
  
•  ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CGMQGMBV
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abbie Allen Publishing (13 December 2023)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• #3 in the Lilly Pilly Ghost Mystery series
• author web site  
  

Synopsis ( Amazon)

Get ready for a festive dose of mystery and merriment in the charming Australian town of Lilly Pilly Creek.

In the third instalment of the Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mystery series, amateur sleuth Jones and her spectral sister Autumn are back at it again. With the Lilly Pilly Creek Christmas Lights Competition making a comeback after thirty years, the town is buzzing with excitement. But the festivities take a dark turn.

A shocking discovery awaits Jones and Autumn when the gardener, who has been landscaping at The Memory Bank, is found dead. Jones, Autumn, and her friends Wren, Atlas, and the dashing Hugo find themselves once again destined to unravel the mysteries surrounding the untimely death

Amidst the drama, Jones and Autumn grapple with their own emotions as they delve into the journals left behind by their Grandmother, discovering a personal mystery they must resolve.

Join Jones and Autumn in this heartwarming and suspenseful holiday story, where the tapestry of friendship, love, and a hint of the supernatural intertwines for a Christmas in Lilly Pilly Creek which is destined to be unforgettable. 

My Take:

Another very readable (if not very credible story). I am enjoying the Adelaide Hills setting, the cozy plots, and the character development. Even if ghosts are not your thing, you may enjoy the mysteries and the hints of romance.

My rating: 4.4

I've also read

4.4, THE GHOST OF LILLY PILLY CREEK =#1

4.3, THE BRIDE OF LILLY PILLY CREEK - #2

Review: THE BRIDE OF LILLY PILLY CREEK, Abbie L. Martin

• 
  This edition an e-book from Amazon
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C7CMDG59
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abbie Allen Publishing (August 26, 2023)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
• Book #2 in the Lilly Pilly Creek series  

Synopsis (Amazon)

The second instalment in The Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mystery series finds sisters Jones and Autumn embroiled in yet another local mystery. Jones has been assisting Iris, a bride-to-be, in creating a memory box for her wedding. But at the final dress fitting disaster strikes. Iris collapses, leaving everyone shocked.

Invisible to all but Jones, Autumn decides to use her ghostly skills to aid in unravelling the mystery surrounding Iris's sudden collapse. Together, they delve into the secrets of Lilly Pilly Creek, determined to uncover the truth.

Jones and Autumn follow the clues that lead to trouble brewing between two rival farming families. With her friends Wren and Atlas, and her spectral sister, by her side, Jones races against time to uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice.

As they investigate, Jones must also navigate her feelings for Hugo, the bartender next door, as well as the constant fear that her ghostly sister Autumn could at any moment be lost to her forever.

Join them on this captivating journey of courage, love, and unbreakable bonds that will leave you breathless until the very last page.

My Take

There was just enough in this story to keep me interested.  It includes references to a little known tourist attractions of the Adelaide Hills, "ghost" mushrooms. 

I still have my reservations about Jones' ghostly sister Autumn, but I will continue with the series.

My rating: 4.3 

I've also read

4.4, THE GHOST OF LILLY PILLY CREEK =#1

Review: THE GHOST OF LILLY PILLY CREEK, Abbie L. Martin

• 
  This edition available on Kindle (Amazon)
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BYJT8BNY
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abbie Allen Publishing (March 14, 2023)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0645713902  

Synopsis (Amazon)
After the tragic death of her sister Autumn, Jones returns to her small hometown in South Australia's Adelaide Hills. When Autumn's ghost appears to her, Jones is thrust into a quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's untimely demise.

Together, they resurrect The Memory Bank, a cherished family stationery and bookshop with a twist, whilst unravelling shocking revelations that challenge the notion that Autumn's death was an accident.

As danger lurks, Jones finds herself drawn to Hugo, the owner of a neighbouring wine bar, who willingly aids their mission. With Autumn's ghostly powers guiding them, the sisters race against time to identify the killer before they strike again. Yet, the closer they come to the truth, Jones realizes her own life is on the line.

In this thrilling cozy mystery, follow Jones, Autumn and their friends as they navigate small-town secrets, unearthing clues and trying to stay one step ahead of a murderer. Will they solve the case in time, or will Jones be the next victim?

My Take:

It took me a little while to warm to the ghost element of this novel, the first in a self-published series although by the end I had accepted it. The central mystery of whether Autumn's death was accidental or a murder was well presented and there were a number of believable red herrings.

Of course for me part of the attraction was that this is a local author and some of the settings are very familiar.

I'm willing to keep reading the series.

My rating: 4.4

About the author

Abbie L. Martin is a South Australian author who lives with her family in a small town very similar to Lilly Pilly Creek. She has been dreaming of writing and publishing since she was a child, and when she reached her forties, finally decided to take the leap. Whilst also running a business with her husband, and juggling life with three children, Abbie loves nothing better than peace and quiet with a good book and a glass of wine, preferably an Adelaide Hills sparkling.