Title: The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

Author: Alice Kimberly

Year Published: 2004

Why did you buy this book?

This book caught my interest for both the cozy mystery as well as the paranormal twist.

Do you like the cover?

It definitely gives you a taste of what’s to come.

Did you enjoy the book?

I enjoyed the twist in this book. In 1949 PI Jack Shepard from the big city finds himself in Quindicott, RI on a case. He gets shot in the small town bookstore. His life ends but his spirit is trapped in the bookstore. Over the years he’s done his best to run everyone off from his side of the store and eventually half the store is closed off. Along comes Penelope Thornton-McClure and her son to redesign the whole book store including opening up the unused half. Aunt Sadie and the bookstore were all that Penelope had left so she put all her money into the store and it must work.

The biggest opportunity to have the bookstore put on the book signing map and things don’t go as planned. The famous author drops dead after making a major announcement. If that’s not enough Jack makes his appearance known to Penelope and the police thinks Penelope had something to do with the murder.

Not only does Jack give the story a paranormal twist but with his hard bitten attitude and 1940’s gangster slang he gives it a bit of old mystery flair. Together Jack and Penelope must solve the case to keep her out of jail and the bookstore solvent. I really enjoyed the storyline.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?

Yes and yes…the author is new to me and I already have the next book in the series.

Are you keeping this book or passing it on?

I can’t help myself, yes I’m keeping the book because I love to go back and reread books that I enjoy, especially ones that are part of a series.