Enjoy this humorous, small-town, psychic, cozy mystery by best-selling and award-winning Lucinda Race. When a reluctant ghost whisperer inherits a dress shop, murder and mayhem follow. Designer—and reluctant psychic—Claudia Grant just wanted a fresh start. When she inherits her late Uncle Herman’s charming dress shop in Drakes Bay, she expects sewing machines… not a resident ghost. But Uncle Herman’s spirit is very much alive (well, dead) and desperate for Claudia to uncover the truth behind his untimely demise. On Claudia’s very first morning on the job, she befriends Beth, next-door knitting shop owner—and discovers a hidden life insurance policy. Then a mysterious man phones, claiming Herman promised him the shop. Before Claudia can stitch up the loose ends, she finds herself standing over the man’s body—with a gun in her hand, and the local police breathing down her neck. Now the only person who can prove Claudia’s innocence is… a ghost. With help from her spectral uncle, an adorably aloof dress shop cat, and a handsome—and highly skeptical—town cop, Claudia must unravel a tangle of secrets, and small-town scandals before the real killer claims another victim… or before Claudia ends up in cuffs for good. Why You’ll Love Ghosts & Gowns Charming Small Town : Drakes Bay’s quirky shops and neighborly gossip set the perfect cozy stage. - Lovable (and Lovelorn) Ghost : A grumpy, old-fashioned spirit who knows all the secrets… and the best tailoring tips! - A Dash of Romance : Sparks fly between Claudia and a local police officer, even when the evidence stacks against her. - Whimsical Mystery : Fingerprint dust, hidden ledgers, and a trail of ghostly clues keep you guessing. - Stand-Alone & Series-Ready : Dive in here—each mystery wraps up neatly, but you’ll want to come back for more spectral sleuthing. Ghosts & Gowns is the first in the “Paranormal Ghost Cozy Mystery” series from award-winning author Lucinda Race. Cozy up, settle in, and prepare to be haunted… in the best possible way! “ This is an entertaining spin-off of Lucinda Race's Bookstore Cozy Mystery series." — fblizz Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl. While her childhood friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, Lucinda was already dreaming of crafting captivating novels filled with heart, hope, and happily ever afters.Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling-creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series-writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she's weaving a heartwarming romance or a paranormal cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her two little dogs-a miniature long-haired dachshund and a shih tzu mix rescue-who are always by her side. When she's not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she's curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.