The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

Penelope Thornton-McClure and her son leave New York to help her aunt save her bookstore in Rhode Island. What she does not know is that a ghost resides there who was murdered there in the 1940's, a gumshoe on a case. His murder was unsolved. Now another murder has occurred in the bookstore and he is there to help her solve it. Will she believe him? Will she listen to him?

This is good set-up for this cozy mystery series. I love the 1940's gumshoe angle. I love the old black and white noir movies set in that time so this is right up my alley. I love that Jack uses the slang from that time. I like the connection between Penelope and Jack. There is chemistry there. Too bad the gumshoe is dead but who knows what awaits us on their journey. show more

The secondary characters are interesting as they come around. Some are a little too involved in Penelope's old life. But I like the new friends she has made and I like her son especially towards the end of the book. He finally comes to life especially when he finds a book connection for himself.

I cannot wait to read the next installment. show less

i gave this book three stars mostly for its potential. the overall plot wasn't bad, nor was the ghost character; i kind of liked him although he was almost too strong for a cozy. it was mrs. mcclure who needed work. or maybe she was supposed to be that dumb. for instance, she had to be told three times within two chapters that the ghost could not follow or spy on people because he was unable to leave the building. the authors try to write her as both a tough woman and a total door mat. nor is it ever explained how she ended up with her husband (now dead) who sounds like a total loser from the moment they met. what saved it from two stars were the hints of what is yet to come and the knowledge that it's the first in a series, and show more possibly for the authors, which gives me hope for improvement. show less

This book presents a good mash-up of cozy and hard-boiled mystery. The characters are engagingly described. Jack is a trip! The plot kept me guessing, although I usually figure out mystery novels by the end of the book. The bookstore setting is also one of my favorite mystery locales. I intend to read the rest of these novels.

Not terrible, but far from wonderful. I really should have read this first before buying it. I detest the 'hardboiled detective' style, and his being a ghost really doesn't help all that much. Though he is, at least, not the viewpoint character - the only bit I really hated was the dream, where he pushes her into his 'world'. The murder method was rather neat, too. I thought Josh's position was rather obvious, though they didn't see it until it was shoved in their faces. I wasn't nearly as sure about the Brennans, and it was elegantly clarified. Well-written, annoying characters, interesting concepts, neat mystery though rather sordid. I think that I will read the rest of the series, but won't buy them - I doubt I'll want to reread but show more I do want to see what happens. show less

The fast-paced story of young widow Penelope Thornton-McClure whose bookshop hosts a famous mystery author...who proceeds to drop dead. Although initially accepted as natural causes, it becomes increasingly clear it was murder and Penelope may be a suspect. On top of that she hears the voice of a ghost of a private eye killed in what is now her bookshop 50 years prior. With advice from the PI, she works at solving the crime before the guillotine drops. It sounds a little too much, but author Alice Kimberly pulled it off nicely and doesn't let the paranormal aspect take over, leaving Penelope the hero, as it should be. She creates a very readable story. In fact I found myself drawn on inexorably from about a quarter of the way through show more and reluctantly had to lay it down so I could sleep then finish it in the morning. show less

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure is written to resemble The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, which was a 1947 movie and television show. The similar story line lends itself well to this mystery. The characters are likable, the story has an old mystery feel, and the paranormal element is a lovely addition, rather than a distraction.

The setting is a bookstore in a small town, which is lovely and there is no time wasted before the mystery takes off running. Considering that this book is really more in the cozy mystery genre, which is well known for a sillier side, the plot is surprisingly good and quite involved. I was not able to figure out the ending and had a ball trying.

I think Jack Shepard must be the world‘s sexiest ghost. A rough and tough ghost murdered in the 1940’s, he comes through to save the day and the bookstore. The writing was witty and fresh and I actually laughed out loud a few times.
This is one that you almost have to read straight through because you just keep wanting to read another chapter and then another chapter. Can’t wait to really get into this series.