Title: The Ghost and the Femme Fatale
Author: Alice Kimberly
First published May 6, 2008
235 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780425218389 (ISBN10: 0425218384)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
In The Ghost and the Femme Fatale, Penelope Thornton-McClure is once again thrust into a thrilling mystery with the help of her ghostly companion, Jack Shepard. The Movie Town Theater is hosting its first-ever Supernatural Film Festival, and Pen is responsible for book sales, rubbing elbows with the likes of screen actress Clara Cartwright.
But when Clara is nearly killed and other guests start to turn up dead, Penelope and Jack are determined to find out who’s behind it all. With the local police hitting dead ends, Penelope enlists the help of the long-dead detective, who has a knack for solving even the most perplexing of cases.
With a mix of old Hollywood glamour and spine-tingling suspense, The Ghost and the Femme Fatale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Editoral Review
In Alice Kimberly’s novel, “The Ghost and the Femme Fatale,” readers are taken on a thrilling journey into the world of supernatural mysteries. First published in May 2008, this book is part of the “Haunted Bookshop Mystery” series, which follows the lives of bookstore owner Penelope Thornton-McClure and her ghostly counterpart, Jack Shepard.
Kimberly’s writing style is both creative and captivating, blending elements of cozy mysteries with ghost stories to create a unique genre that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Her characters are well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities that make them easy to identify with and care about.
The setting is also an important part of the story, as the haunted bookshop adds an eerie, mysterious vibe to the plot. In “The Ghost and the Femme Fatale,” Penelope and Jack find themselves embroiled in a new mystery after the arrival of a famous film noir actress, Angel Stark.
Many strange occurrences begin to happen around the bookshop, and it’s up to Penelope and Jack to get to the bottom of things before it’s too late. Along the way, they meet a cast of colorful characters, each with their own secrets and motives.
One of the strengths of this book is its attention to detail. Kimberly does an excellent job of creating a rich, vibrant world that readers can lose themselves in.
Her descriptions of the bookshop and the surrounding town are lush and vivid, making it easy to imagine everything happening in real-time. Furthermore, her use of supernatural elements adds an extra layer of intrigue that elevates the story beyond a typical mystery.
Another strength of the book is its pacing. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them with too much information at once.
The suspense builds gradually, making it hard to put the book down once readers are pulled into the story. However, there are a few areas where the book could be improved.
For example, some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped or generic, which made it hard to care about what happened to them. Additionally, some parts of the plot felt predictable or formulaic, which detracted from the overall mystery.
Despite these flaws, “The Ghost and the Femme Fatale” is an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of supernatural mysteries. For those looking for a book that blends cozy mysteries with ghost stories, this is an excellent choice.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.