The Ghost of Lilly Pilly Creek by Abbie L. Martin

Lovers of cosy mysteries and readers who enjoy spending time in rural landscapes are likely to enjoy The ghost of Lilly Pilly Creek. Set in a small town in the Adelaide Hills, it follows the path of Jones, a journalist in Adelaide, who returns to her hometown after the tragic death of her sister, Autumn. She is astounded when Autumn’s ghost appears to her and they join to not only reopen The Memory Bank, a book and stationery store, but to investigate her death.  Autumn’s memories are hazy and she is not sure what happened. Was her death an accident or murder? As secrets are uncovered, Jones finds herself in danger.

There is a lot to love in this book, a lovely setting, engaging characters, including a ghost, and a mystery to solve. The town and its people become very familiar to the reader. Jones is torn between her job as a journalist and her desire to keep The Memory Bank going with Autumn’s help. There is Hugo, who runs a wine bar, and Sybil who serves coffee and food from a van. The Memory Bank is almost a character, not only does it serve its function as a store, but the old vault boxes are used to lock up the residents’ memorabilia, keeping memories safe for future generations and withstanding possible bushfires. 

The ghost of Lilly Pilly Creek is a quick easy read, so engaging that I at once picked up the next in the series, The Bride of Lilly Pilly Creek,  and then read the two following, The Lights of Lilly Pilly Creek and The flames of Lilly Pilly Creek. South Australians will be drawn to the setting in the Adelaide Hills, with familiar towns and wines named, while lovers of the paranormal will enjoy the cosy mystery.

Themes: Murder, Ghosts, Adelaide Hills.

Pat Pledger