Reviews

The Ghost and the Dead Deb by Cleo Coyle, Alice Kimberly

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wanderingwonderbread's review

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

demi_sewell's review

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

machadofam8's review

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3.0

Fun read - I like the way we're getting to know Jack better.

Penelope Thornton-McClure, co-owner of Buy the Book, is back in action in her second adventure with her ghost sidekick, PI Jack Shepard. Penelope has arranged a book signing for a controversial new tell-all that Angel Stark has written surrounding the murder of her friend and rich debutante, Bethany Banks. However writing a tellall has it's risks and it seems someone is angry that Angel has told her version of the story. Riots ensue at the reading and Angel is almost run over. It turns out someone is really angry at Angel as she is found strangled the next day. With help from Jack, Penelope tries to solve not just Angel's murder, but Bethany's as well.

This is only the second book I've read in this paranormal cozy mystery series but it is fast becoming a favorite. I love the cozy mystery meets 1940's PI detective feel of the story. Penelope and Jack are such standout characters, that have a great chemistry together, both as friends and maybe more. A love story with a ghost? Well not yet, but who knows for the future!

One of my favorite parts of this book (and the first one in the series) is the way the author switches it between modern day and one of Jack's old cases, when he was alive. Somehow the case is linked (either by persons or same circumstances) to the murder that Penelope is trying to solve and I really like the way the author does this seemlessly. It doesn't hurt that I love my vintage mysteries so I love the 1940's feel of a time when Jack was still alive.

This murder was very much a case of low-middle class being set up by the rich and famous and was a tough one to solve. At the end of the mystery, I felt that satisfied sigh of a good story told, and I can't wait to read more. I'm particularly looking forward to finding out of Jack's back story in future books.

If you like your mysteries with a paranormal ghostly feel I recommend picking this series up and starting with The Ghost and Mrs McClure.

zermeena's review against another edition

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4.0

This was fun book that dealt with the privileged class. The theme was that some young people have everything and take the rest of the world for granted. I enjoyed the repartee between Penelope and Jack. Things are more fun now that Jack can leave the bookstore. As for the mystery itself, the road to the solution was much too convoluted. The author tied herself in knots getting to the finish line.

maferg01's review

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3.0

This was yet another fun read. Penelope and Jack solve the murders of several of Newport's bluebloods. You see Jack and Penelope grow as friends. Overall an enjoyable read.

booksandladders's review

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3.0

The mystery was really interesting - I liked how it all came together.

Still not a fan of copaganda or the sexism.

git_r_read's review

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4.0

This is such a good series! I love Jack the ghost.

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Above was my review from back in the day. I read several of the books from this series back to back and it's getting to be the same way with listening to them as a re-read.
I like seeing Pen get her backbone with her in-laws and Jack her resident ghostly PI. She's learning to listen to Jack as he guides her with his noir slang: Gams, gats, doll, baby, make like an egg and beat it outta here...
She's gaining confidence in her abilities to investigate. Pen is really good here. Of course she has Jack in her cranium helping her along but she has good instincts.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author