Book Review: The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss is the first book in a cozy mystery series. When Maddie Kosloski’s career flatlines, she retreats to her wine-country hometown for solace and cheap rent. Railroaded into managing the local paranormal museum, she’s certain the rumors of its haunting are greatly exaggerated. But a new ghost may be on the loose. A fresh corpse in the museum, and her best friend being the prime suspect, embroils Maddie in murders past and present. With her high school bully as one of the officers in charge, Maddie doubts justice will be served. When one of her best friends is arrested, she’s certain it won’t be. Maddie grapples with ghost hunters, obsessed taxidermists, and the sexy motorcyclist next door as outside forces threaten. And as she juggles spectral shenanigans with the hunt for a killer, she discovers there truly is no place like home.


The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum is a cozy mystery without much paranormal action despite the name. Maddie had a great career, and lost it all when she refused to do something that was against her moral code. Now she cannot seem to get a nibble on her job hunt, despite her impressive resume and skills. Now, back in her home town, with her best friends and mother close by, she is struggling to figure out what is next for her. The guilt and embarrassment of not meeting the expectations of those around her, while falling into a job managing the local paranormal museum (with a little convincing from her friend). Murder, mayhem, and some seriously odd characters keep Maddie from getting bored, or from working too hard on her job search. The fact that her arch nemesis from high school is now a police officer, and has a grudge that makes proving that Maddie and her friends have nothing to do with the deaths that have the whole town on edge. However, at least Maddie has some distraction, in the form of a motorcycle shop owner that is protective, interested, and attractive.



The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum is a fun start to a series, and I need to add it to my list of books to keep an eye on. I like the characters, and have a feeling that there is more character growth and twists and turns coming as the series continues.