Return to Tradd Street: Tradd Street, Book 4

I can’t put my kindle down! Spent the 24 hours in bed reading and enjoying every minute! Just bought the last 3 books of the series. Can’t wait to start the new one!!

Melanie Middleton, the psychic realtor, is back in her Tradd Street home, and no sooner is she settled in, than more problems surface.This time, a crack appears in the foundation that requires major work. But what is unearthed in the process--the body of a baby that has been dead for many years--will launch another psychic investigation for Melanie. And it will happen at a most inopportune time, as she has discovered she is pregnant. With twins. And the father, Jack Trenholm, has asked her to marry him.But she has refused, believing that he is only offering out of a sense of obligation.The push-pull of their relationship kept me rapidly turning pages, wishing that the two of them would set aside their stubbornness and communicate.And then, out of nowhere, along comes a couple from New York. The Gilberts claim that they are the rightful heirs to the Tradd Street home, and that they have proof. Their supposed link to the family line will require the exhumation of Nevin Vanderhorst's body to check for a DNA match.Reporters, historians, psychics....all join together to lead the reader on a rollicking journey. The spirits that inhabit the house are angry. One of them appears to Melanie, hissing the word "Mine." What can explain the christening gowns that show up, matching the one discovered in the foundation? Does the mystery somehow involve ancestor John Vanderhorst's two wives, Camille and Charlotte?Set in Charleston, South Carolina, and narrated in Melanie's first person perspective, I was as enthralled with the characters as I have been in the previous books. Melanie's voice is self-deprecatory and funny, making me root for her and for her love interest, even when she has given up. And her obsessive-compulsive tendencies made me smile in recognition of my own need to organize and control things.Rebecca, Melanie's distant cousin, is an annoying character and a major foil to Melanie's peace of mind. And her fiance, Marc Longo, was once Melanie's lover, which definitely complicates things. Nola, Jack's 14-year-old daughter, who came to join them all in the last book, has amazing qualities that belie her years, including a recording career.In  Return to Tradd Street , themes of home, love, and family spotlight how the very things we want most in life might slip away if we don't fight for them.I felt as though I was right there with them all, trying to solve the mysteries and bring Jack and Melanie together at last. Reading the previous books in the series is not necessary for enjoyment of this one, but reading them would help fill in some of the history of the house. Five stars.

Even though this is fourth in a series, it didn't seem like it. It felt like a fresh start sprinkled with "reminders" of previous happenings. Honestly, the addition of the supernatural to the story elements added even more color and depth. I've always been a "believer". Great story, now I'll need to read the others.

In the fourth and final book of the Tradd Street series, ambitious Charleston realtor Melanie Middleton prepares for single motherhood and helps solve the mystery behind the remains of an infant that are found in the foundation of her historic Tradd Street home.For those new to the series, definitely start at the beginning – these books all build off of each other.I loved the first three books in this series and was looking forward to finding out how it all ends. I read the first two books years ago and then read the third (The Strangers on Montagu Street) and fourth back to back recently. I’ll talk about this more in a minute, but I think reading the final two books back to back absolutely affected my opinion of the story, and Melanie in particular.Every book in the series includes a romantic and a mystery element, with the mystery involving the ghosts that inhabit historic Charleston homes. I loved Return to Tradd Street‘s mystery, but wasn’t as keen on this installment’s romantic element. This mystery was fairly complicated – I had to read over the “here it is on a silver platter” explanation TWICE before I fully understood it. But, this is a good thing, because Montagu Street‘s mystery was a bit simplistic and I easily figured it out on my own. Even after it was solved, this mystery left me with a real dilemma about the honorable course of action, which added depth to the book.On to Melanie…WOW, did she ever drive me crazy in this book!! Her stubbornness and insistence on avoiding things (even really important things, like going to the doctor when you’re pregnant!) really made me dislike her in this book. She started to rub me the wrong way towards the end of Montagu Street and then it just snowballed in Return to Tradd Street…I think because I read the last two books back to back. Apparently, Melanie tries my patience so much that I need a break from her between books! My frustration with Melanie’s avoidance issues was also the reason I wasn’t as keen on this installment’s romantic element, but I don’t want to ruin the story by saying anymore than that.Despite my annoyance with Melanie in this book, I liked the ending to the series and particularly loved this installment’s mystery. The whole series is a great choice if you’re looking for a light, quirky read!Had I need less annoyed with Melanie, this would have been a 5 star review!For more reviews, check out my blog, Sarah's Book Shelves.

I am a recent convert to these books. Well worth getting them all ... ! Arrived in UK from USA safely packaged ... buy with confidence ...

Another brilliant book from Karen White. I cant leave her books down they are just a super read. Cant wait to read her new book in january.

Lovely storytelling didn't want it to be the end😢

First let me say I enjoy this authors books and always look forward to the next, and even after my next comment, I will continue to look for Karen White's next book.In Return to Tradd Street, White brings closure for Melanie and Jack. I confess, I was upset with her ending in The Strangers on Montagu Street; however, I totally expected Melanie would next be seen valiantly bringing up baby and continuing as a successful liberated woman. The only point that still disturbs me is: when Melanie tells Jack she loves him (at last) in the Montagu book, he responds "I'm sorry," WHY? When he appears as the devoted expectant father in Return Tradd Street, something just did not fit.

I have never been disappointed by a book from Karen White, but have to admit that the Tradd Street series are among her best books. This is a must read for anyone who reads the series, it closes the storyline very very well. I have absolutely no idea if the series is at an end, but feel that if it is, all the characters I have come to love have been taken care of really well.This series, this book is definitely recommended!