Lowcountry Mysteries Series by Lyla Payne

A broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status... moreA broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status.When the ghost of 18th century lady pirate Anne Bonny starts insisting on a near daily audience, Graciela has to confront something else she never expected—being certifiably nuts at twenty-five years old.Her brand new "I don't give a crap" attitude makes it easy to dismiss the mysterious threats that seem to be tied to her search for more information on the long dead pirate, but when her family becomes a target, Gracie knows she needs to find out why the ghost insists on being a constant, reeking companion. If Graciela can put aside her prejudice against people without a pulse, she may discover that Anne Bonny’s problems are intricately linked with her own. The past harbors answers could help the cantankerous spirit find closure, but she is, after all, already dead. If Graciela doesn’t move fast, she might find herself doing the haunting, instead of the other way around. less

Graciela Harper thought that getting rid of Anne Bonny’s ghost would be the first step toward putting all of the problems of her past behind her. Maybe things would work out with Beauregard Drayton, Heron Creek’s charming mayor. Maybe she and her cousin Amelia, and their childhood friends Melanie and Will, could find a way back to the comfortable friendship that defined their lives... moreGraciela Harper thought that getting rid of Anne Bonny’s ghost would be the first step toward putting all of the problems of her past behind her. Maybe things would work out with Beauregard Drayton, Heron Creek’s charming mayor. Maybe she and her cousin Amelia, and their childhood friends Melanie and Will, could find a way back to the comfortable friendship that defined their lives. But when the ghost of Glinda Davis, the town’s longtime, quirky hairdresser, puts a stop to Gracie and Beau’s relationship consummation, Graciela knows her life has changed for good. The insistent ghost drags Graciela into a world she’s only seen on reality television shows—one filled with moonshiners and backwoods politics that are solved by burying bodies, not friendly conversations. Graciela needs to figure out exactly what Glinda’s spirit requires so she’ll get the heck out of dodge, but the further she digs into the woman’s past, the more dangers seep into the present. As Graciela gets closer to the answers she seeks, she starts to wonder if she’s going to solve a murder in the process—or die trying. less

With Mayor Beau accused of abuse of power and facing federal indictment, a relentless curse after her unborn nephew, and a moody, uncommunicative spirit in her room, reluctant ghost-helper Graciela Harper figures she’s got enough on her plate. The universe, as usual, figures otherwise. On a girls trip to Charleston that’s meant to give Beau some space and cheer up her cousin, Amelia, a second ghost follows Gracie back to Heron Creek... moreWith Mayor Beau accused of abuse of power and facing federal indictment, a relentless curse after her unborn nephew, and a moody, uncommunicative spirit in her room, reluctant ghost-helper Graciela Harper figures she’s got enough on her plate. The universe, as usual, figures otherwise. On a girls trip to Charleston that’s meant to give Beau some space and cheer up her cousin, Amelia, a second ghost follows Gracie back to Heron Creek. As she digs into the mystery behind the Whistling Doctor of Dueler’s Alley, things at home go from bad to worse. Leo’s not talking to her, Amelia’s depression is putting her health at risk, and Beau…well, maybe he’s not as innocent as Gracie always believed. All that takes a back seat when Gracie’s run off the road on her way back from a research trip, forcing her to face the possibility that her ghost’s secrets might not be about harmless lost love after all. In fact, he’s been the only person aware of certain documents for over two hundred years, and if Gracie helps unearth them she might find herself trapped underground…permanently. less

This will be a short, in between novella with multiple POV's and NOT a full length novel.------Graciela is hoping that, despite the reappearance of her father—who’s supposed to be dead—her life in Heron Creek might be about the calm down.Her boyfriend’s mother has other ideas, ones that include getting to know her son’s new squeeze. The proposition makes Beau nervous for more than one reason, a couple of which would be news to Gracie... moreThis will be a short, in between novella with multiple POV's and NOT a full length novel.------Graciela is hoping that, despite the reappearance of her father—who’s supposed to be dead—her life in Heron Creek might be about the calm down.Her boyfriend’s mother has other ideas, ones that include getting to know her son’s new squeeze. The proposition makes Beau nervous for more than one reason, a couple of which would be news to Gracie.Amelia’s therapy appears to be going well, so that’s working in Gracie’s favor, but with trouble brewing in Will and Mel’s marriage, the moonshiners getting more involved in Heron Creek affairs instead of less, and Leo’s sister Lindsay returning from her stint in the state pen, settled isn’t the best word to describe life in the small town.Gracie is starting to think that maybe seeing ghosts is the least complicated thing about her…and she’s probably right.Includes POVs from Beau, Will, Leo, Amelia, and Clete. less

Life in Heron Creek is looking up for Graciela Harper, despite the fact that every ghost within a fifty mile radius seems intent on sticking to her like glue - and not the weak Elmer's kind, either But with a sexy boyfriend, her old friends back in her life, and a great job prospect at one of the oldest plantations in the country, it's hard to complain...even if her new boss is said boyfriend's mother. It doesn't stay uncomplicated for long as not one ghost, but two show up at Drayton Hall... moreLife in Heron Creek is looking up for Graciela Harper, despite the fact that every ghost within a fifty mile radius seems intent on sticking to her like glue - and not the weak Elmer's kind, either But with a sexy boyfriend, her old friends back in her life, and a great job prospect at one of the oldest plantations in the country, it's hard to complain...even if her new boss is said boyfriend's mother. It doesn't stay uncomplicated for long as not one ghost, but two show up at Drayton Hall. One wants closure, which Gracie thinks she can handle, but the other seems to know more than she should about the centuries old voodoo curse on Gracie's own family. As she digs deeper into the past of not only the plantation grounds, but Beau's family tree, surprising secrets claw their way to the surface. With Mrs. Drayton breathing down her neck, a shift in her abilities, Amelia's custody case taking a turn for the worse, and the sudden appearance of her decidedly not dead father, Gracie has her hands full. She might be able to tackle all of those things with the help of a friend or two—some breathing, some not—but there’s one crossroads Gracie doesn’t see coming. It’s the choice between family and romance, and she’s not the only one being forced to make it. less

This is the 5th book in USAToday Bestselling Author Lyla Payne's LOWCOUNTRY MYSTERY series. It continues to follow Graciela Harper and her friends as she navigates ghosts, romance, in-laws, and the legal system in rural Heron Creek, SC.

THIS IS A SHORT, COMPANION NOVELLA, NOT A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.With point-of-views from Beau Drayton, Brick Drayton, Lindsay and Leo Boone, Amelia Cooper, Melanie and William Gayle - plus a surprise - this novella tells the story of what takes place (away from Graciela) the night NOT QUITE CLEAR ends.

For the living, the dead, and the people stuck somewhere in between, Heron Creek has become a battleground. Graciela Harper might be new seeing ghosts, fighting curses, and just living with her old friends again, but there’s no doubt she’s on the front lines—and overwhelmed.Leo and Mel have been arrested. Amelia teeters on the edge of a deep depression that could cost her her child. Beau, her boyfriend who might not quite be her boyfriend anymore, is breaking her heart... moreFor the living, the dead, and the people stuck somewhere in between, Heron Creek has become a battleground. Graciela Harper might be new seeing ghosts, fighting curses, and just living with her old friends again, but there’s no doubt she’s on the front lines—and overwhelmed.Leo and Mel have been arrested. Amelia teeters on the edge of a deep depression that could cost her her child. Beau, her boyfriend who might not quite be her boyfriend anymore, is breaking her heart.None of that will matter if Gracie can’t figure out how to break the hundreds year old curse on the male line of her family. She knows she needs to focus on that, but with the future of one of South Carolina’s oldest and most prestigious families hanging in the balance, she’s tempted to try to save them, too.What Gracie’s about to learn is that she can’t do this alone, and every single person who has entered her life since her return to Heron Creek will need to pitch in for her to succeed.Well, that and the fact that she might not be able to save everyone…not even herself. less

Life has settled back into some semblance of normal for Graciela Harper and her friends in Heron Creek. Of course for Gracie, that means a new ghost knocking on her door asking for favors. When she sees the spirit of a teenage girl who has been missing for over a year, Gracie knows she has to help, even if she would rather spend all day in bed with the mayor instead... moreLife has settled back into some semblance of normal for Graciela Harper and her friends in Heron Creek. Of course for Gracie, that means a new ghost knocking on her door asking for favors. When she sees the spirit of a teenage girl who has been missing for over a year, Gracie knows she has to help, even if she would rather spend all day in bed with the mayor instead. As she navigates the emotional waters surrounding the girl's family, friends, and first love--who also happens to be one of Leo Boone's estranged brothers--Gracie starts to suspect that Ellen Hargrove didn't disappear of her own free will. Secrets run deep in all families, a fact that Gracie knows based on her own struggle to come to terms with Detective Travis's connection to her mother. As she uncovers more of the ghosts's hidden past, though, two things become clear: there is someone out there who doesn’t want Gracie to find out the truth, and the ghost of Ellen Hargrove isn't going away until she does just that. Join Graciela Harper and the cast of characters in Heron Creek as they move on from the curses surrounding Drayton Hall and face new challenges--and offer up plenty of their own. less

After being back in Heron Creek for eight months, Graciela Harper isn’t surprised when she sees ghosts. Not anymore. When it comes to the Boone family, and Leo in particular, though, there are some metaphorical ghosts Gracie - and everyone else - would rather stayed put in their graves. But when one of their own returns from the dead to ask for help, Gracie and the Boones have no choice but to face the past - and the present - no matter what sort of havoc it wrecks on their lives... moreAfter being back in Heron Creek for eight months, Graciela Harper isn’t surprised when she sees ghosts. Not anymore. When it comes to the Boone family, and Leo in particular, though, there are some metaphorical ghosts Gracie - and everyone else - would rather stayed put in their graves. But when one of their own returns from the dead to ask for help, Gracie and the Boones have no choice but to face the past - and the present - no matter what sort of havoc it wrecks on their lives. Add a new ghost to mysterious car trouble, random, anonymous “gifts” and a moonshiner still missing, and Gracie’s up to her neck in trouble. Good thing she’s getting used to it. less

If ghostly counselor and librarian extraordinaire Graciela Harper thought life in Heron Creek would slow down long enough for her to figure out how she feels about one Leo Boone’s declaration of love, well, she’s dead wrong. With the threat from her father’s family far from resolved and a frightening ghost from Charleston’s long gone - but not dead - past determined to terrorize her, Gracie’s personal life gets set on the back burner... moreIf ghostly counselor and librarian extraordinaire Graciela Harper thought life in Heron Creek would slow down long enough for her to figure out how she feels about one Leo Boone’s declaration of love, well, she’s dead wrong. With the threat from her father’s family far from resolved and a frightening ghost from Charleston’s long gone - but not dead - past determined to terrorize her, Gracie’s personal life gets set on the back burner. Gracie knows that something - or someone - is luring her out into the mountains, to a cabin where she and her mother almost lost their lives decades ago.There, she’ll find answers that will force her to rethink everything she thought she knew.. Secrets that could cost her and the ones she loves everything…including their lives. With the threat from her father’s family far from resolved and a frightening ghost from Charleston’s long gone - but not dead - past determined to terrorize her, Gracie’s personal life gets set on the back burner. Gracie knows that something - or someone - is luring her out into the mountains, to a cabin where she and her mother almost lost their lives decades ago.There, she’ll find answers that will force her to rethink everything she thought she knew.. Secrets that could cost her and the ones she loves everything…including their lives. less