How to Survive a Killer Seance (Party Planning Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Presley Parker is hoping to put her previous party disasters behind her, but things get off to a rocky start when she agrees to host a seance party for Jonathan Ellington. Jonathan is a micromanager, and his wife's tastes in decorations are cheap.

This party is a chance for Jonathan to introduce his revolutionary 4D projection system. They're hosting it at the famous Winchester Mystery House, and as the main event, Jonathan is going to use the software to bring Sarah Winchester back to life to interact with his guests.

Things seem to be going well at the party until Sarah takes on a life of her own. Her voice suddenly changes and she accuses Jonathan of having multiple affairs. He and his wife rush out of the room and disappear. Meanwhile, Presley finds a dead body. When people start turning to Presley to find the answers, can she make sense of it all?

This is now the third book in the series, and I must admit that I have come to really enjoy the characters. It was great to spend time with all of them again. And, really, what could be a better location for a book in this series.

The story started out a bit slowly as we are given lots of background on the Winchester Mystery House. Maybe it's because I've been there, but I felt bored by these passages. Once the story really got going, it was a wild ride that kept me guessing until the end. The climax seemed a bit abrupt, but it certainly did make sense out of what had been happening.

I'd feel badly about what I am going to write if Presley were a real person, but since she isn't, I won't. I hope Presley has a long career planning murderous parties. These trips are always fun.

NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.

Presley Parker is back and finds herself evicted from her Treasure Island barracks office as the building has been condemned. Luckily Brad, the crime clean-up specialist, uses his connections to find new office space for all the evicted businesses.

Presley has no time to waste dealing with building matters as she plans a Séance Party at San Jose's Winchester Mystery House for Jonathon Ellington. He plans to unveil some really cool holographic technology developed by his company. Some real A-level guests are attending including George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. The idea was to have the image of the late Sarah Winchester appear and actually converse with the people at the séance table. All was going fine until the image of dear Sarah veers off script and starts quite a commotion with her tales aimed at the host of the party. The party comes to an abrupt end but left behind is one dead body.

It is going to take more than a crystal ball, Ouija board or a spiritual guide to communicate and track down this killer. Presley will have her hands full even as someone tries to scare her to death.

I LOVED IT!!!!!

I have enjoyed this entire series. This story like the two before is packed with loads of fun. The characters we love are back with a few new ones, some that I predict will show up again in the next book.

The cool thing about this series is that they are set in real places. This story is no exception, the San Jose Winchester Mystery House is wonderfully described in this book and after you read it you should visit the website. It is a truly scary place and a perfect setting for this book.

For those of you like me who are not from California or don't know a lot about the state, Treasure Island and the buildings the author uses as her settings are also very real.

The author is also a party planner herself, planning over five hundred parties and events. She has also written several books on party planning.

This reality makes it so easy to step right into these stories. It makes you forget that they are actually fictional, or maybe they are not, or at least not completely fictional. Mark Twain has a quote that starts out "truth is stranger than fiction..." and that may be what Penny Warner is drawing from in these wonderful stories.

Take my advice, pick up this book as soon as it is released and cozy up by the fire and "escape" into the wonderful world of Presley Parker. You will not be disappointed and I hope you will come back and let me know how much you enjoyed this book. Be sure to let the author know too! She can be reached through her web page.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Obsidion, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A cozy, yes but also a legitimate mystery with wonderful backdrop, engaging characters, plenty of twists and turns and we're not just talking The Winchester Mystery House. My first seance mystery and I hate finish it but I do want to know whodunit! Almost there. I'd be surprised if you did not like this whodunit! Enjoy!