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You are here: Home / Mystery / Book Discussion: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White

Book Discussion: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White

Mystery, Women's Fiction

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White and a basset hound

I started listening to The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White back in November when the book came out, but I need to tell you something.

I just finished it because the book was too dang freaking scary and I had to keep taking breaks!

Karen White really upped her game in this book, and I want to give a second opinion to all the reviews I read lamenting the ending of this book. (Don’t worry. No spoilers here!)

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street

Melanie Middleton now Trenholm is a psychic real estate agent who can see dead people. This is the sixth book in the series, so there is some back story to catch up on that I don’t want to get into here. Check out my blog on the rest of the Tradd Street series here.

As usual, there was a historical mystery Melanie had to solve in order to put some ghosts to rest. Like all the Tradd Street books, I very much enjoyed the puzzles that were behind this case. Reminiscent of Nancy Drew, Melanie along with help of her husband, Jack, and sister, Jane, who also sees the dead, must decipher the puzzles to solve the mystery.

They are always interestingly constructed puzzles that rely on the help of an archivist, who is a great character unto herself. Again, all of that is truly masterful.

Let’s Talk Characters

You know I like a good character driven novel. I love Melanie, and I probably love her because she reminds me so much of myself. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. But Melanie is complex and imperfect, and best of all, all of her problems are not solved in a single book.

I will join the other critics in saying I’m tired of hearing about Marc Longo and his nefarious schemes. I’m ready for a new, vibrant villain to hate. Marc is a washed up never was, and his schemes are getting old.

But let’s get back to Melanie. A lot of the reviews I read about this book are upset with how Melanie continues to be pushed around by her family. And most upsetting of all is the thing that happens at the END. (I promised no spoilers, so this is how we’re doing it.)

Let’s Talk About Melanie

Melanie is a tortured character with a heavy past and an ongoing “talent” that plagues her. I mean, can you imagine what it would be like to have dead people constantly coming at you? Of course, she’s going to have issues.

I think what happens in this book needed to happen so Melanie’s character can finally find herself. She needed to really understand Jack would not keep putting up with her behaviors.

I know people are saying this is a manipulative tactic to get readers coming back. I disagree. Someone with self esteem issues that have eccentric habits as a result really don’t get it. You ca’t undo decades of abuse in a single day. Sometimes it takes an action like WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THIS BOOK.

So I’m sorry. I’m #teamJack on this on, and he did what he did because he loves Melanie.

Trigger Issues

I don’t read books about dogs for obvious reasons, so I like to share potential trigger issues with readers.

In The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White you will find:

  • Violence
  • Ghosts
  • Cemeteries
  • Vehicular accidents

You May Also Like…

You’ll like The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White if you also liked…

Plot twist!

I’m turning it over to you!

I want to know more books like the Tradd Street series by Karen White. Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • Contemporary women’s fiction
  • Great character driven novels with a unique cast of characters
  • Ghosts, of course
  • Strong female lead

What have you got for me?

Final Thoughts

I know this book caused a huge divide in readers, but as I said, I think this is just what Melanie needed. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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April 7, 2020 ·

Disclosure of Material Connection

Some of the links in the page above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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.”

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BOOK RECOMMENDATION I read Sue Black’s All That BOOK RECOMMENDATION

I read Sue Black’s All That Remains for a project that I’m working on that has a lot to do with dead bodies. (This is a normal thing for an author to say. Trust me. 😂) So while I picked up this book for the science, I’m recommending it for the humanity. 

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I resisted reading this book for the longest time. The incomparable @karenwhitewrite is an auto-buy author for me, and her Tradd Street series is one of my top 5 favorite of all time. (And I’ve read a lot of books so that’s saying something.) So when she announced this Tradd Street spin off series, you know the emotional roller coaster I went on.

Excitement. Fear. Elation. Dread. Joy. Terror.

Could there ever be a series to live up to Tradd Street? What would she do to my beloved characters in this spin off? How could she possibly recapture the magic of Tradd Street?

Y’all, I didn’t need to worry. This is freaking Karen White. She’s got this.

I’ve already pre-ordered the next book in this series. I think that tells you everything you need to know. This series is about Nola and Beau. (Nola is the daughter of the main characters in the Tradd Street series.) It takes place in New Orleans, and it involves house renovation, rich historical detail, romance, and mystery. Oh and the best part - GHOSTS. 👻

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Disclosure of Material Connection

Some of the links in the page above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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.”

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