The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

The Haunted Bookshop Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Cleo Coyle

Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer, Traber Burns

The first Haunted Bookshop mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle, writing as Alice Kimberly

Young widow Penelope Thornton-McClure and her old Aunt Sadie are making ends meet by managing a mystery book shop - a quaint Rhode Island landmark rumored to be haunted. Pen may not believe in ghosts, but she does believe in good publicity - like nabbing Timothy Brennan for a book signing. But soon after the bestselling thriller writer reveals a secret about the store's link to a 1940s murder, he keels over dead - and right in the middle of the store's new community events space.

Who gives Mrs. McClure the first clue that it was murder? The bookstore's full-time ghost - a PI murdered on the very spot more than fifty years ago. Is he a figment of Pen's overactive imagination? Or is the oddly likable fedora-wearing specter the only hope Pen has to solve the crime? You can bet your everlasting life on it.

©2004 The Berkley Publishing Group. (P)2018 Blackstone Publishing

Ghostly Fun

Truly enjoyable read, you can envision the hard nose detective, and discriptions of the main character and town people were very vivid. Will certainly read more books from this author.

Pretty good

I had my doubts about this book, but, I'm glad I took a chance on it. The characters and plot are well developed.

Just Loved It

The story was fresh, well thought out, and contained elements of fun. There is growth seen in both main characters.

One note: I was actually shocked to hear the mention of a terrible case of poisoning that occurred up here in Northern Maine several years ago. For some reason it struck a jarring note. I suppose it is simply because it occurred so close to home and was very painful for the community.

I find I was drawn to the colorful characters. In some ways they were like those of Murder, She Wrote. I guess coastal New Englanders in small towns have a lot in common, even when you cross state lines. 😄

Now I am going to search to see if there are any follow-up books so I can continue visiting with "my neighbors."

Delightfully Different

I don't know where to start! Everything about it was superb. The character development was outstanding and the Rhode Island speech and style was perfect.

Listening to Jack was almost like being back in some of my favorite Pulp mysteries.

I am absolutely pleased that I decided to give the series a try - I may drown in them if I read them too fast!

Even better that they are in the Plus Catalogue!!!!! But I just might be forced to spend a credit or two and get the first of the Coffeehouse Series just to continue to feed my new habit!

Love this series!

This author does a great job! The characters, story line and emotions are presented in just the right way. Love the chemistry between characters. Not just Jack & Pen, but numerous others as well The diverse community that pulls, most of the time, together!