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Title: The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library
ISBN: 0425212653
Author:
Alice Kimberly
Publicate Date: 2006-09-05
Publish: 2006-09-05
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.26
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $3.00
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.99
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Penelope Peruses Poe
What could be more enjoyable for mystery book lovers than a mystery series set in a mystery bookshop? I have thoroughly enjoyed each entry in this series and this third book was no exception. The atmosphere of these books is light but still serious enough to make the story believable and a great continuity of characters helps to keep this series glued together in a very admirable manner.
The main character in this series is Penelope Thornton McClure who is a widowed mother and co-owner with her aunt Sadie of a New England bookstore. A lot of their profit comes from their dealings in rare and collectable books and that particular sideline is what brings them into the mystery of the dead man's library. The whole mystery revolves around an eccentric wealthy family with a Newport mansion and a large collection of books. In particular it is a series of Poe works that is behind all of the murder and mayhem because as it turns out there has long been a rumor that like another famous fictional code there is supposedly a Poe code to be found in these particular books. This code is said to lead to a great treasure and needless to say that possibility has the power to bring out the worst in some people.
Along with Penelope is her ghost friend Jack Shepard who gives her advice and encouragement along the way but alas sometimes she doesn't listen too well. Jack is a page right out of noir fiction and was a PI in his former life before being murdered in the very building that houses Pen's bookstore. Not only does he help Pen solve the mystery, which she has to solve because she is a suspect and also because her life seems to be in danger but he also adds color by relating tales of his own cases that in some ways parallel the mystery Pen is working on.
As usual with these authors the writing is crisp and intelligent and the characters have depth and are believable. The plot flows well and the reader isn't left without any clues that might help them solve the case before Pen does. As one reads this series one gets attached to Pen and her family and the authors give Pen all of the trials and tribulations that one would expect a woman in her position to have. This series isn't just about mystery, it is also about life and even the normally mundane chore of cooking breakfast isn't ignored. Sure the plot tends to wander a bit at times but more often than not that is the way of the cozy and it doesn't bother me one bit. Once again the team that is Alice Kimberly has produced a real gem that kept me on the edge of my seat as I was totally drawn into Pen's world. Any cozy fan that doesn't read this book and this series will be missing out on a real treat.
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2: Books with a high cost
Like her previous novels, Kimberly draws the reader into the story from the first chapter. Easiest to follow if one has read her previous stories, the book could also stand alone. Penelope, Spencer, Aunt Sadie, and Jack, among the regular characters, have continued with their lives since the second book. I like how the author does not pick up each book where the previous one left off, but rather has her characters continue to develop and grow.
What is appealing in this book are the range of relationships that are explored. Penelope and Jack move forward with their odd present/past tense romance. We learn more about Aunt Sadie's past. Penelope and Spencer also adapt as only mother and son can. Penelope finds her voice after all these years of being a pleasant 'yes woman.'
The mystery moves along somewhat predictably, but I found it taking back stage to some of the other side stories. They proved more interesting and captivating. Overall, a good read in the series.
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3: A well-written, engaging series
I agree with all the praise for this series. The characters are fun and the writing is light and breezy. Most definitely waiting for the next installment!
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4: Ghostly Fun
A truly good read for the cozy mystery fan. I love the idea of the ghostly PI who helps her out. As a big fan of Edgar Allan Poe, this one also appealed to me from that view point as well. Definitely a keeper.
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5: Such a unique series!
This series with Penelope Thornton McClure and her ghost of a dead PI Jack Shepard is truly unique, and the stories are good also. In this book Penelope and her aunt Sadie are given a rare collection of Edgar Allan Poe books, and Penelope begins noticing that deaths and attacks seem to be happening to anyone that is connected with this rare book collection. She sets out with some help from Jack as well as her live friends to find out what's happening. The mix of cozy with the hard-boiled genre again occurs in this book, and it's an appealing combination. I also enjoyed the Edgar Allan Poe trivia that is found throughout the book. It would be safe for me to say that these books are addicting. I can't wait until the next one comes out.
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