• About Jess and the Dogs
  • The Books I Write
  • Contact Me
Books and dogs

Books and Dogs

A blog about books and dogs

  • Book Blog
  • In The Stacks
  • About Jess and the Dogs
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!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Share
Pin1
Tweet
1 Shares

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.”

Previous Post: « Book Preview: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Next Post: Book Preview: What You Wish For by Katherine Center »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the blog about books and dogs.

I'm Jess and these are the dogs. Come on in, and let's find your next favorite read. Read More…

Browse by Category

Subscribe to Books & Dogs via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search

Let’s connect.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Find Your New Favorite Author

a.g. riddle abby jimenez alex michaelides alex north beatriz williams camilla sten charlotte bronte christina lauren daisy prescott deanna raybourn diana gabaldon elle cosimano elly griffiths erica ridley j. ryan stradal jane austen jerry seinfeld joanna schaffhausen julia quinn karen odden karen white kate bateman katherine center kendra adachi laura dave laura zigman lauren willig liane moriarty lisa kleypas loretta chase lucy foley lynn kurland matt haig mike rowe nedra glover tawwab orson scott card rick riordan ruth ware sally thorne sarah maclean sarah pinborough shari lapena simone st. james teri wilson tessa dare
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Disclosures and Disclaimers
Have I mentioned this really hot sale of steamy hi Have I mentioned this really hot sale of steamy historical romance novels? Maybe once or twice? ⁣
⁣
Time is running out to save big and fill your ereaders with historical romances that are sure to keep you warm this winter. Check out the sale now by following the link in my bio!⁣
⁣
#historicalromance #romancebooks #books #reading #hothistoricalromance #ebook
I'm so glad I gave Not a Happy Family by Shari Lap I'm so glad I gave Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena a second chance. I had started it as an ebook and just couldn't get into it, but when I switched to audiobook, I was hooked. This is just another example of how changing a book's format may help the reader engage with the story. I definitely recommend this strategy if you're just not getting into a book you thought you might love.⁣
⁣
Not a Happy Family is a fantastic whodunit mystery with a delicious, unsavory cast that you can never trust. If you're looking for great, twisted mystery to curl up with, this might be for you. Check out the full discussion on the book blog. Link in my bio! ⁣
⁣
#whodunit #mystery #agathachristie #murdermystery #thrillers #psychologicalthriller #murdercase #cozymystery
Have you stopped by the Cold Nights, Hot Historica Have you stopped by the Cold Nights, Hot Historicals ebook sale yet? ⁣
⁣
You'll find When the Earl Falls in Love for only $0.99 for a very limited time in select markets. Get started on The Secret Matchmaker series before the next book in the series comes out next month!⁣
⁣
Link for the sale is in my bio!⁣
⁣
#secretmatchmaker #historicalromancenovels #romancenovels #amreadingromance #romancereaders #readers #readersofig #amreading #ebooksale #booksale #discountedbooks
FREE BOOK!⁣ ⁣ The Marquess She Loved is FREE f FREE BOOK!⁣
⁣
The Marquess She Loved is FREE for a very limited time! ⁣
⁣
She's loved him forever. But he only has eyes for someone else. But when fate throws them together, can they find their way to love?⁣
⁣
This is the second book in the Atwood Sisters series, and a friends to lovers historical romance. ⁣
⁣
Link is in my bio!⁣
⁣
#freebook #romancenovel #victorianromance #atwoodsisters #series #books #bookworm
Looking for some snowy reads to snuggle up with th Looking for some snowy reads to snuggle up with this winter?⁣
⁣
Definitely check out Ruth Ware's In a Dark Dark Wood. This is a locked room, Agatha Christie-type mystery of whodunit, and I love how Ware has constructed the story to unfold with the unreliable narrator in the present trying to remember the past. Brilliantly done to raise the stakes and ramp up the tension.⁣
⁣
Check out my full discussion at the link in my bio.⁣
⁣
#bookblog #mystery #thriller #bookstagrammer #booksta #booksanddogs #books #amreading #readers #mysterybooks #mysterynovels #thrillerbooks #suspense #agathachristie
Did you know my audiobooks are now on Spotify?⁣ Did you know my audiobooks are now on Spotify?⁣
⁣
Head on over and take a listen at the link in my bio!⁣
⁣
#audiobooks #dukes #romance #spotify #amlistening #audiobookstagram #wallflowers
It’s time to meet the Shadowing London series. It’s time to meet the Shadowing London series. 

This series remains a fan favorite, and it’s not hard to see why. Each story is full of the tropes you love, yes, but they’re also packed with mystery, adventure, and daring. If you’re looking for historical mystery with romantic elements, don’t miss the Shadowing London series.

#shadowinglondon #spies #spybooks #romancebooks #historicalromance #historicalmystery #mystery #thrillerbooks
Looking to warm up this winter? ⁣ ⁣ I've teame Looking to warm up this winter? ⁣
⁣
I've teamed up with some of your favorite historical romance authors to bring you Cold Nights, Hot Historicals. Check out this collection of discounted steamy historical romances and fill up your ereaders for those cold, winter nights!⁣
⁣
Link in bio!⁣
⁣
#historicalromance #booksale #ebooksale #ebooks #ereaders #kindle #nook #amreading #readers #readersofig #romancereaders
Here I am once again asking you to join my newslet Here I am once again asking you to join my newsletter. Here's why.⁣
⁣
1. You will be the first to know when something really cool happens like a pre-order, a sale, or behind the scenes things like pictures of my dogs napping. ⁣
2. Amazon only shows you my books that it thinks you'll like based on your purchasing history. It won't show you all of them. So to get the whole picture, you want to be a part of this club.⁣
3. I host incredible guest authors, and we have a lot of fun. Are you always looking for new authors to binge? You'll find them in my newsletter.⁣
4. Isn't 1-3 enough? I'm going to need far more coffee to come up with a fourth reason.⁣
⁣
Join today at the link in my bio.⁣
⁣
#authorlife #authors #authorsofig #writer #writerlife #amwriting #readers #readersrock #readersarecool #ilovereaders

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.”

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

Books & Dogs is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and its affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 · Anchored Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in