Salem B & B #7
Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman is Traci Wilton’s seventh book in her Salem, Massachusetts, B&B mystery series. In it, we follow Charlene Morris as she endeavors to unravel the mysterious death at the newly renovated town theater. While Charlene primarily runs a B&B and spends most of her time focusing on the happiness of her guests and the well-being of her family, she is always happy to try and help her community. Especially with the additional help of her B&B’s friendly resident ghost and former physician, Jack. Eternity is a long time for someone to haunt a place, and Jack has happily taken up crime solving to pass the time, but he’s also dedicated to trying to keep Mrs. Morris safe. With ghostly Jack at the B&B, Detective Sam Holden, and her metaphorically adopted teenage assistant and friend Avery, Charlene never finds herself wanting for support in her adventures.
The new owners of the theater are Darren and Elise Shultz, he a flavored salt tycoon, she his fashionable wife who grew up in Salem. As the town’s business liaisons, they had plenty of time to interact with Charlene. They even stayed at her B&B as they settled into town, as well as had a few business meetings there as partners and others came into town. But what was to be a relaxing night of old horror movies turns tragic as Elise chokes on her popcorn and shortly after passes away from poison. Given what she saw throughout the entire night, Charlene fears that the police might be on the wrong track and that a killer will go free. Sadly, Detective Sam Holden does not seem open to alternative theories, at least not without some kind of hard evidence, which they are sorely lacking. To add to the drama, Avery’s boyfriend Seth currently works at the theater and she is worried for his safety. So, together with Jack and Avery, Charlene gets sleuthing.
The biggest obstacle she faces is that Darren and Elise Shultz are fairly new to the community, so she does not have a great deal of prior knowledge about their history here in town. Finding more info on Elise is a bit more promising, as her sister Patty Wagner owns and runs the local bakery and was even providing soft pretzels to the theater. Darren, however, grew up abroad and was raised in an orphanage, so getting background information is a bit trickier. Additionally he is rather evasive and secretive about his past, which unfortunately just adds to Detective Holden’s suspicions. Nevertheless, Charlene is determined to prove his innocence and catch the real killer.
Readers who enjoy a bit of historical background, as well as myth, will enjoy Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman. While there is a paranormal aspect with Jack the ghost, Traci Wilton’s work can be enjoyed by sceptics and believers alike. Jack adds to the story without being an overwhelming presence, as it is ultimately the living that drive the story. The complex relationships and plots draw readers in, and before they even know it the end comes. But for new readers, there are six more Mrs. Morris books to enjoy as they wait for the next installment. For long time readers, Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman will not disappoint. Things come to a satisfying conclusion at the end, with no loose ends remaining as far as Mrs. Morris is concerned. Now, as to whether or not ghosts exist, and if they do enjoy assisting bringing evildoers to justice? Well, that’s up to the reader. But Jack certainly does and seems ready to help even more in the future. –Carla Schantz