Picture this: a sleepy Louisiana bayou town where ghostly mother-in-laws crash their own funerals, undercover DEA agents pose as hunky zoologists, and toxic waste bubbles beneath the surface like a Cajun gumbo recipe gone wrong. Welcome to Mudbug—a fictional haven of chaos that feels suspiciously like Shreveport, Louisiana, home of the real-life Mudbug Madness Festival (a three-day crawfish-and-zydeco extravaganza every May.
As a self-proclaimed detective novel addict who snagged the first book for free via Freebooksy.com, I’m here to gush about Jana DeLeon’s Ghost-in-Law series—a five-star blend of mystery, humor, and Southern charm. Sidenote about Freebooksy.com, I highly recommend their site and a subscription to their personalized newsletter if you have a Kindle. I have found so many fantastic authors and series through that site.
A Tale of Two Mysteries
Without giving too much detail, because I totally want you to check the books out for yourself, here’s a brief synopsis for both.
Trouble in Mudbug introduces us to Maryse Robicheaux, a botanist whose life gets turned upside down when her meddlesome mother-in-law Helena refuses to stay dead and returns as a ghost1. While dealing with her spectral nemesis, Maryse finds herself entangled in a dangerous investigation involving chemical dumping in the bayou. The mystery keeps you guessing, with subtle clues sprinkled throughout like cayenne in a crawfish boil1.
Mischief in Mudbug shifts focus to Sabine LaVeche, who’s racing against time to find blood relatives for medical reasons. Enter Beau Villeneuve, a private investigator whose name literally means “handsome new town” – talk about destiny! Lots of one-liners in this book that I highlighted on my Kindle.
Characters That Feel Like Family
The true heart of these books lies in their colorful cast. There’s Helena, the ghostly mother-in-law who manages to be both infuriating and endearing. Mildred serves as the maternal anchor, dishing out wisdom and probably some mean jambalaya, too. The chemistry between characters sparkles like fireflies on a bayou night, with dialogue that’ll have you laughing out loud.
A Mystery Lover’s Paradise
The mysteries are cleverly crafted, leaving breadcrumbs that lead to satisfying conclusions. The author clearly knows her Louisiana setting, having spent countless hours exploring the bayous herself. This authenticity shines through in the rich descriptions of bayou life, complete with nutria, alligators, and probably a few ghostly apparitions thrown in for good measure.
I stumbled upon this series through a Freebooksy newsletter, and like finding an extra crawfish in your bowl, it was an unexpected delight. Now I’m hooked faster than a catfish on a trotline!
P.S. If you spot Helena’s ghost at Shreveport’s Mudbug Madness Festival this May… run. 🦞👻
