Reviewing The Simply Crafty Mystery Series by Lissa Kasey

Rating for all books 5*

A Simply Crafty Paranormal Mystery Series Boxset (Simply Crafty #1-3 + extras) by Lissa Kasey 

BLURB: Boxset includes: Stalked by Shadows, Marked by Shadows, Possessed by Shadows, full novels, and two exclusive novellas, Touched by Shadows, and Sky's Shadow.

Stalked by Shadows

Alexis Caine survived an attack in the deserts of Afghanistan. An event the government denied and discharged him for, leaving him broken and in a mental institution. What Alex saw that day in the desert continues to haunt him. Now in New Orleans with his brother, and debating his sanity, Alex finds himself at the center of a supernatural mystery with a missing girl, and his lover is the number one suspect. Working as a bodyguard for a New Orleans ghost tour guide, Micah Richards, opens Alex’s eyes to a world of paranormal possibilities, including a ritual murder in which two fellow tour guides die and a tourist vanishes. Alex wonders if he

 brought a curse down upon them all. The shadow from the desert rears its nightmarish head, offering Alex something he wants more than anything, but at what cost?

Marked by Shadows

Can their love save them when they come face to face with Death? Micah’s past is riddled with mystery. Like the two month disappearance that left a giant hole in his memory. The time away changed him in a lot of ways, including awakening a part of him that can sense the supernatural. After surviving an encounter with a demon and a set of ritual murders. Micah decides he and his lover need some time away. But the cozy craft retreat with old friends turns to a case of missing cosplayers, a field full of bodies, and a terrifying encounter with Death. He’s not sure if their demons followed them, or something human has become a monster eager to mark them for execution. Can Micah find a way to confront his fears and face down the killer?

(I read Conventional Shadows at  this point - it's blurb is at the end.)

Possessed by Shadows

His brother vanished into the shadows. Taken or possessed?

Alex can see ghosts and demons. It’s not a gift he asked for, but recent events have made his abilities impossible to deny. When his brother Lukas goes missing, walking off camera in the middle of a ghost hunting video, Alex fears the worst.

As Alex searches for Lukas, a long list of secrets, lies, and omissions come to light. Including Lukas’s recent departure from the police force and the death of a fellow cop.

Alex has to face what he can see, the ghosts, and maybe even a demon or two, if he wants his brother back. But he’s afraid once he lets the shadows in, they may take over and never leave.

Touched by Shadows (Exclusive Novella)

Alex and Micah accidentally brought home a ghost cat with the hopes of giving it a peaceful afterlife, but Precious turns dark when emotions are high. Can they find a good place for her before their nightmares turn into real life problems?

Sky's Shadow (Exclusive Novella)

Sky wants Lukas, but does he want her? When faced with major life decisions, Sky turns to her Gran and her best friend, Micah, leaving Lukas behind. All good things, right? But when Lukas shows up on her doorstep, asking for another chance, will she welcome him or find a way forward without him?

Conventional Shadows (Simply Crafty #2.5) by Lissa Kasey

Micah and Alex have a bit of a haunted doll problem when attending an anime convention. (Novella takes place between Marked by Shadows and Possessed by Shadows)

A free ebook from the author available on bookfunnel (link address in boxset after each story)

My Review: I want to say that I have read a lot of this author's works, but this might well become one of my favourites. The world building and the suspense and mystery were top notch. The characters and situations were very real, even though the plot revolved around paranormal activity. I found the inclusion of crafting and cosplay conventions to be a lovely break from the tension of the storyline. I hope to read more set in this world as long as it continues to include Micah and Alex.