Home at Night by Paula Munier

 

With Mercy Carr's cabin stuffed to the gills with 5 people and 2 dogs, it's time to find a new place. When Mercy finds out that Grackle Tree Farm is for sale, a place she's loved since she was a child, it seems like the perfect opportunity!

Grackle Tree Farm is rumored to be haunted, but that's never bothered Mercy. The dead body in the library that her dog Elvis discovers might be a bigger obstacle. It seems that ghosts aren't the only thing Grackle Tree Farm is hiding. It's also full of secrets and maybe some treasure!

The Farm has a long history that includes both fame and tragedy. It was home to a famous author who may have left behind something valuable. After discovering the body, Mercy's uncle and her sometimes (very wealthy) employer show up at her doorstep. They ask her to try to find what they suspect the dead man was looking for: literary treasure. 

Mercy goes back to the farm along with Elvis and Captain Thrasher. A masked man is there who shoots at them, hitting Mercy and seriously wounding Thrasher. Now it's up to Mercy, her husband Troy, and their two dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear to find the killer and discover the secret of Grackle Tree Farm. 

Home At Night intertwines a very interesting mystery, some thrills, and plenty of suspense. Mercy Carr is competent and compelling. Munier surrounds her with other enjoyable characters who greatly add to the fun of the story. Elvis and Susie Bear are more than just window-dressing. They are each service animals so they have important roles to play in the story. The love they share with their human companions ingratiates them to us even more and helps tell us who Mercy and Troy are as well. 

The Grackle Tree Farm setting is ideal for a mystery story. A very old house, rumors of ghosts, and a long rich history. The Halloween setting further adds to the atmosphere. The mystery is intricate and Mercy follows the clues methodically. The solutions feel earned. There are plenty of suspects and unraveling it all is very satisfying. 

This is the fifth book in the series but my first time reading it. I had no trouble jumping into the story. These feel like characters and a location that have a lot more stories in them. I'm looking forward to future installments in this series and especially to spending more time with Elvis and Susie Bear. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.