| Penelope McClure is a young widow who leaves the high-powered world of New York publishing for her small hometown, where her aunt needs help reviving the family business, a bookstore. Little does anyone know that the ghost of a 1949 murder victim resides in the building, but it is well known that the private eye Jack Shephard was killed there. Penelope discovers the ghost because of her surprising, and initially disturbing, ability to converse with him in her mind. When another murder occurs in the bookstore--a murder that involves the memory of Jack Shephard--Jack helps her to solve it and also avoid being arrested for it.
The present-day murder victim is the author of crime thrillers who knew Jack Shephard in the 1940's and has taken some of his PI stories as a basis for his novels. He is a has-been writer who has recently achieved new popularity because of the freshness of his latest books. He has chosen Penelope's store for a significant announcement during his book tour--that he will end the series based on Jack Shephard--and turn to non-fiction. His arrival at the store is with an entourage, and it exposes his own unlikable character to Penelope and others, all of which causes confusion to ensue. When he gags to death after a drink of water and a characteristic shot of throat spray, all those who played a part in setting up the event are made suspects. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - very upbeat Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - nearly 100% Special suspect? - investigator him/herself Murder of certain profession? Misc. Murder Plotlets - solving long-past murder Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 0 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Has special powers? Yes Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - jealousy How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting City? Yes City: - New York Small town? Yes Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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