The Ghost and the Femme Fatale by Alice Kimberly

The Ghost and the Femme Fatale
Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, No. 4
Alice Kimberly
Berkley Prime Crime
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-21838-9

Penelope Thornton-McClure is a widow, single mother and owns a bookshop with her Aunt Sadie. Having completed restorations, the new owners of the Movie Town Theater are holding a Film Noir Festival with special guest speakers and book signings to be held at Pen’s shop. One of the big stars from the period is Hedda Geist whose career ended abruptly back in the day when she was involved in a murder. Hedda’s boyfriend, Pierce Armstrong, went to jail for the stabbing and Hedda disappeared. Now that she’s willing to be seen again it seems that someone may not want that to happen. What others are calling accidents, Pen believes are premeditated murders and she’s quick to begin investigating.

Jack Shepard was a private investigator when he was killed back in 1949, but his ghost remained in the area that is now the bookshop. Pen is the only one who can hear him, and while he’s usually stuck in the store she can also take him with her as long as she has Jack’s lucky buffalo nickel along. Actors and authors are turning up dead and while it looks like accidents, Jack and Pen are convinced it’s far from simply bad luck. Along with several of her local friends they plan to get to the bottom of the case without Pen meeting with a deadly accident of her own.

With a mystery that began with stars from 1940’s film, this fourth book in the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries is sure to please fans of both the mystery and paranormal genres. Ms. Kimberly weaves a decades old murder around a current deadly mystery and puts her headstrong heroine and ghostly hero on the case. In the midst of it all Jack pulls Pen into his time through dreams, and the chemistry they share draws them closer together as more than investigative partners. With a fast-paced storyline, detailed scenery and fabulous characters, The Ghost and the Femme Fatale comes together with a twist, making for a fun mystery that readers can get lost in.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Succubus in the City by Nina Harper

Succubus in the City
Nina Harper
Del Rey
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49506-8

Lily is a Succubus in the employ of Satan, otherwise known as Martha. She’s good at what she does, but seducing men to send to Hell is getting old. She knows what’s missing from her life, but finding a man to love her despite her job description isn’t an easy task. Her friends warn her against falling for a man, sure that he’ll betray her if she dares tell him truth, but when Lily meets Nathan all rational thought is out the window.

Nathan Colemen is a P.I. working a missing person case that leads him to Lily’s door. The absent man in question had Lily’s personal information, and Nathan plans to find out why that is. It isn’t until later that Lily realizes that while she didn’t recognize the man’s name or picture there may be a connection to her life suddenly being threatened.

In the midst of danger, Lily’s thoughts are with Nathan. Intelligent, handsome and sweet, he’d be perfect for her if it turns out that he’s a generous lover. Lily’s life as a sex demon is a secret she plans to keep until the day she decides to risk everything for love.

Succubus in the City moves ahead at a leisurely pace introducing readers to Lily and the various aspects of her life. I had a difficult time warming up to Lily in the beginning, but Nathan’s introduction into the story adds interest and uncovers more of Lily’s unique origins. While Lily is a Succubus, the sex scenes are well-spaced and don’t overwhelm the other facets of the storyline. Ms. Harper reels readers in by the end of this installment and provides a solid start with good friends, the possibilities of love and a whirlwind tour of Hell.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Murder Can Crash Your Party by Selma Eichler

Murder Can Crash Your Party
A Desiree Shapiro Mystery, Book 15
Selma Eichler
Obsidian
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22384-5

Desiree Shapiro is a Manhattan PI who’s recently been asked to Connecticut as a guest speaker at a mystery writer’s convention. As much as the idea terrifies her, Desiree accepts the invitation. Some time away from work and the strain of her relationship with her boyfriend, Nick, is just the thing she needs.

Having gotten through her speaking engagement the previous day, Desiree is enjoying breakfast and trying to decide if she’ll stay an extra night. Her thoughts are interrupted when she’s joined by Belle Simone, an author, and her assistant, Gary Donleavy. Surprised, but intrigued, Desiree listens while Belle offers her a job. If Desiree can correctly identify the murderer in Belle’s new book she’ll be given a check in the sum of $24,940. An odd amount, but it’s an offer that she can’t refuse.

Desiree begins her new case with the stipulation that she will be given clues along the way. The story of a man who’s the victim of foul play at a surprise party given by his wife is the basis of the story, and Desiree reads along as the death is investigated. With a little help from friends and family, she moves through the book and the clues given to her by Gary and Belle. Just as Desiree nears the end of the story, tragedy strikes. It becomes more important than ever to discover the truth, and she won’t stop until she’s solved the crime.

Written as a murder mystery within a murder mystery, Murder Can Crash Your Party will keep readers on their toes right from the beginning. Ms. Eichler deftly draws readers into the mystery and keeps them engaged in solving the crime. While this isn’t a fast paced read, it’s amazing how quickly you’ll find yourself at the end. This well-written tale is filled with delightful characters, a realistic romance and a touch of humor that keeps things on the lighter side.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews