The Ghost & Mrs. McClure

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure (Prime Crime Mysteries) by Alice Kimberly ~~

Penelope Thornton-McClure manages a Rhode Island bookshop rumored to be haunted. When a bestselling author drops dead signing books, the first clue of foul play comes from the store's full-time ghost-a PI murdered on the very spot more than fifty years ago. Is he a figment of Pen's overactive imagination? Or is the likable, fedora-wearing specter the only hope Pen has to solve the crime?

After her husband dies Penelope (Pen to her friends) and her son move to a small down in Rhode Island to help her Aunt Sadie save her book store. Pen has lots of big ideas for the store, including expanding and adding author signings. When one of the most famous authors around decides to kick off his book tour at Buy The Book, Pen and her aunt couldn't be happier. Until the author dies write in the middle of the signing. All of a sudden, Pen starts hearing a voice - the voice of a PI who died 50 years ago in the exact same spot. Pen believes she's going crazy, but quickly comes to believe that the ghost is real. With the help of Jack (the ghost) and several of her friends in the area, Pen is able to help solve the murder of the author. I am a huge fan of the Cleo Coyle coffeehouse series, so I couldn't wait to get started on this one. While it was pretty easy to figure out the culprit early on, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how it all played out - devouring the book in one sitting. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series - and to see what just "happens" with Pen and Jack.