The Haunting Danielle Series in Order

About the Haunting Danielle series

Series Premise

The series follows Danielle Boatman, a young widow who inherits a beautiful, historic Victorian bed-and-breakfast called Marlow House in the quaint coastal town of Frederickport, Oregon. Soon after moving in, Danielle discovers that the house is haunted by several spirits—most notably Walt Marlow, the original owner who died under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s and whose spirit remains tethered to the property. Walt is not a scary ghost; he is charming, gentlemanly, and quite alive in personality—able to interact with the living in limited ways (moving objects, appearing selectively, and eventually communicating more directly with Danielle). The core premise is that Danielle, who can see and speak to ghosts (a secret she keeps from most people), becomes an amateur sleuth whenever a murder or suspicious death occurs in Frederickport. Each book features a standalone mystery—typically a murder tied to a guest at the B&B, a local resident, or someone connected to Marlow House’s history. Clues often involve historical secrets, hidden treasures, old diaries, or ghostly witnesses who provide hints only Danielle can interpret. The ghosts (Walt and others who come and go) assist her investigations in subtle ways, while Danielle balances running the B&B, managing guests, and navigating her growing circle of friends and romantic possibilities. Recurring threads include: - Danielle’s gradual acceptance of her gift and her deepening bond with Walt. - The slow unraveling of Walt’s own death mystery (a central arc that spans many books). - The evolving relationships among the living residents of Frederickport. - Light romantic tension, especially between Danielle and various suitors (most notably police chief Brian Henderson in early books, and later others). The mysteries remain gentle and contained—no serial killers or graphic violence—and are resolved with clever deduction, ghostly help, and community support.

Main Characters

Danielle Boatman is the central protagonist: a 30-something widow who inherits Marlow House and moves to Frederickport to start over after her husband’s death. Intelligent, kind, and quietly strong, she has the rare ability to see and speak to ghosts—a gift she keeps secret. She runs the B&B with care and becomes the town’s unofficial sleuth, using her observation skills and ghostly allies to solve crimes.

Walt Marlow, the resident ghost: a handsome, charming man who died in 1925 (officially a suicide, though the truth is more complicated). Dapper, old-fashioned, and protective of Danielle, Walt is the series’ romantic and comedic heart. He can move objects, appear selectively, and eventually communicate more freely with her. His own murder mystery unfolds slowly across the books.

Lily Bartley, Danielle’s best friend and eventual business partner: bubbly, loyal, and slightly ditzy; she moves into Marlow House and helps run the B&B. Lily provides comic relief and emotional support.

Chief Brian Henderson (early books): the local police chief; handsome, kind, and initially skeptical of Danielle’s “hunches.” He develops a romantic interest in her.

MacDonald “Mac” Donald (later recurring love interest): a local handyman and contractor; kind, steady, and patient.

Other recurring figures:
- Chris Johnson (friend and occasional romantic interest).
- Ian Bartley (Lily’s brother).
- Heather Donovan (neighbor with her own paranormal experiences).
- A rotating cast of B&B guests, townspeople, and ghosts who appear and depart.

Setting

The series is set in the fictional coastal town of Frederickport, Oregon, a picturesque, small seaside community that evokes the charm of real Oregon coast towns like Astoria or Cannon Beach. The heart of the series is Marlow House, a grand Victorian mansion turned bed-and-breakfast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The house is filled with period details—ornate woodwork, stained glass, a widow’s walk, a hidden room, and an attic that once served as a hideaway—making it both elegant and slightly eerie.

The town itself is quaint and welcoming: a main street with shops, a diner, a bookstore, a police station, a library, and a pier. The ocean, beaches, and foggy weather play recurring roles—storms trap people inside, tides reveal clues, and the salty air adds atmosphere. Seasonal settings (Christmas, summer festivals, Halloween) enhance coziness. The setting feels timeless yet contemporary—cell phones and modern life coexist with the house’s 1920s ghosts and small-town gossip—creating a perfect stage for gentle mysteries.

Tone & Themes

The tone is cozy, warm, whimsical, and gently humorous—classic cozy mystery with a delightful paranormal twist. The stories are light-hearted and optimistic, emphasizing friendship, kindness, and the joy of solving puzzles rather than fear or darkness. Ghosts are friendly (or at worst grumpy but harmless), murders are off-page or minimally described, and danger is mild—Danielle faces threats but is never in truly life-threatening peril for long. Humor comes from: - Walt’s old-fashioned manners clashing with modern life. - Danielle’s dry wit and exasperation with her ghostly housemate. - Quirky town characters and B&B guest antics. - Supernatural mishaps (a ghost accidentally knocking over a vase, or Walt’s attempts to “help” causing chaos). Emotional moments—grief over lost loved ones, loneliness, or the bittersweet nature of ghostly existence—are handled with tenderness and hope. The series feels comforting and uplifting: mysteries are solved, friendships strengthen, and love (or at least affection) prevails. It’s perfect for readers who want suspense without stress, ghosts without horror, and romance without explicit content.

Bobbi Holmes’s Haunting Danielle series is a delightful, cozy paranormal mystery gem: 30+ books that combine gentle ghost stories, clever whodunits, and small-town warmth in the charming setting of Frederickport, Oregon. Through Danielle Boatman’s unique gift and her deepening bond with the gentlemanly ghost Walt Marlow, the series celebrates friendship, second chances, and the quiet magic of everyday life—while delivering satisfying, twisty mysteries that never lose their sense of fun or kindness. With its light suspense, witty humor, and heartfelt portrayal of a woman rebuilding her life with a little supernatural help, the books offer pure comfort reading—perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and a good mystery. For cozy mystery lovers who enjoy ghosts that are charming rather than scary, and sleuths who solve crimes with empathy and observation, Haunting Danielle remains an endlessly inviting, feel-good favorite.