This is the first book in the Haunted Bookshop series by Alice Kimberley, who is half the writing team of Cleo Coyle. Alice and her husband Marc are continuing this series under their Cleo Coyle name. The latest book will be out September 25. I know I won’t be caught up by then, but I do plan to read this series in order and savor every minute of fun with the ghost of Jack Shepard.
My Goodreads review:
The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
With the newest of this series coming out soon, I just had to start the series so I would know what the buzz about Jack Shepard was. I can definitely say I’m in love with that ghost, lol! What an amazing character! He and Pen worked well together as a sleuthing team…once he convinced her that she wasn’t crazy and that yes, she really could hear him in her brain. Jack talked her through a very cool sting operation to get the perp to confess. It worked and the person who killed the famous author in Pen’s store was in custody.
I really enjoyed the character of Pen’s son, Spencer. He wasn’t your typical kid. I imagined him as Young Sheldon only with a little more of a loving nature. I liked that he and Pen were strong enough to stand up to her late husband’s family and let them know that Spencer wasn’t going to cave and do what their McClure children did in high society. Spence loved the bookstore and helping his mom. I enjoyed the interaction of Aunt Sadie, although aside from Pen, Spencer and Jack, it’s pretty clear that as nice as she is, those three are the primary characters, at least in this book. The cookie bakery owners, Linda and Milner seemed like nice people. Milner was a good comic relief at times.
I can’t wait to read the next book. I really am going to make myself wait before I dig into the 6th book when it releases. I want to savor all the awesomeness that is Jack Shepard!
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 