Loxley Belle

Ghosts of Summerleigh, Book 4

By: M. L. Bullock

Narrated by: Amy McFadden, Amanda Ronconi

Jerica and Jesse settle into Summerleigh and count themselves lucky to start their family in the beautiful old home. With the renovations nearly complete, Jerica uncovers Loxley Belle's name carved into a wooden desk in a forgotten shack near the old home. Along with the discovery comes the feeling that the last Belle girl needs her help. Jerica and Jesse do their best to piece together the past and find that the youngest Belle had secrets of her own.

Small-town drama and a rich Southern background add to the tension of this riveting, ghost-filled mystery.

©2019 Monica L. Bullock (P)2022 Tantor

Why are the stories so sad?

The olden day 1940s stories from this series of books is always so painfully sad to read about. An abusive mom who ends up dead in a mental hospital, a woman brutally killed on her birthday debut ball by her best friend for trying to protect her father, a woman raped and killed by her own grandfather while her mother just allows it, etc.

The modern day story built in is okay but while it is a bit happier, it’s not happy enough to make up for the severe sadness and pain of the 1940s backstory.

Between this and the confusing mixed narration I have not enjoyed the series as much as I typically enjoy books narrated by Amanda Ronconi. The world isn’t as dark as the series makes it out to be. Characters keep dying and there isn’t enough sunshine to make up for all the dark.