The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller

“Theories are fine to start, but the case don’t end till you find hard evidence”

Penelope Thornton-McClure,widow with a young son moved back to Rhode Island after her husband's death. Using her savings, she and her Aunt Sadie renovate the bookshop she now co-owns with her aunt Sadie. But no one knew about the ghost of Jack Shepard, a 1940s Private Eye who communicates with Pen. In previous books in the series Penelope has, with the help of Jack, solved a few murders. And that continues here.

With twists that haven’t seen the light of day since “Fifty Shades” Pen and her friends find out just who wrote a book rocketing the bestseller list, and why the author seems like more than one person. Whoever is at the center of this is eliminating their co-writers, and again, Penelope and Jack are on it. Just wait till you figure it out and see who it might be

There has been some negative backlash by those who are and aren’t Cleo Coyle fans: that they took too long before #6 was written; that the premise is contrived; and other things. This particular series albeit set in my home state, isn’t my favorite of all their work, but who doesn’t love a good mystery and a glass of coffee milk? Recommended 4/5

[disclaimer: This was a library book]

The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller by Cleo Coyle is the long anticipated sixth book in The Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. Penelope Thornton-McClure co-owns Buy the Book with her aunt, Sadie Thornton in Quindicott, Rhode Island. A nicely dressed female customer is looking for a book recommendation and Penelope directs her towards Shades of Leather, the current bestseller. After the customer looks at the author’s photograph, she gets upset and takes off with the book—without paying for it. Penelope noticed that the woman left her gloves behind and they smell of cinnamon. One call to the bakery gets Penelope the customer’s name and address thanks to a raffle. Penelope with her resident 1940s ghost, Jack Shepard head to Emma Hudson’s apartment where they find her dead at the bottom of the steps. While Chief Ciders is quick to rule it a suicide, the sleuthing duo have their doubts. When a mysterious accident is brought to Penelope’s attention, she has a feeling that it is connected to Emma and Shades of Leather. Who is behind these strange killings and what do they have to do with the book? Penelope and Jack must work quickly before the killer claims another victim.

Fans of The Haunted Bookshop Mystery series have been waiting ten years for The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller. If you are new to the series or fail to remember all the details, do not worry. The author gives readers all the information needed on the main characters, the bookshop and the town. Penelope, Jack, Spencer, Aunt Sadie, Seymour, Eddie and Bookmark (the cat) are back for another adventure. Jack is a dashing character with a sexy voice and a chilling presence. He has a unique point-of-view being from a different era, provides humor and I love his 1940s lingo. Penelope is an intelligent widow who loves books. However, she has yet to recover from her husband’s suicide and this case brings back old feelings and memories. Penelope and Jack have a good working relationship. You can feel the chemistry between them, but they are separated by time. Cleo Coyle has a lively writing style which sets the stage for the book with her vivid imagery. Her writing allowed me to imagine the scenes in my head. The 1940 dream scenes came alive with her descriptions. We get a glimpse into Jack’s life and his old cases. They also provide clues to their current mission. The mystery is complex with various twists to it. I liked following Penelope and Jack’s investigation to figure out the who and why. There was some repetition of case details that I could have done without along with the cliché Chief Ciders. I liked that Seymour was included in the investigation. Spencer and his new friend, Amy Ridgeway added to the story. Amy is a precocious young lady and I liked how her story turned out (it will have you chuckling). Come along to Quindicott for an exciting venture with Penelope and her ghostly PI, Jack Shepard in The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller.