For the newly reorganized shop's inaugural event, Penelope has arranged for a book signing for best-selling author Timothy Brennan. Brennan's detective novels are based on the legendary Jack Shepard who Brennan announces was killed in this very store, and whose murder he will solve in the new upcoming true crime book. Before he can tantalize the crowds further, the author passes out and dies.

Now Penelope's store is wildly popular and the books people purchased at the signing are selling for $300 on EBay. While the entire hubbub is going on, Penelope begins to hear voices and see evidence of little harmless pranks being played. Though she doesn't quite believe it, the ghost of Jack Shepard is apparently haunting her. Once she accepts this fact, the two hit it off quite well, which is good because Brennan's death has just been ruled a murder and Penelope needs someone looking out for her as the investigation and all the suspects keep centering around her shop.

At least it's good for business, she convinces herself.

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure is an entertaining first mystery. Part cozy and part hard-boiled detective novel with traces of the supernatural, it is just a lot of fun. A small town and an unsuspecting amateur detective give the book a traditional cozy feel while the ghost of Jack Shepard lends a touch of 1940's hard-boiled glamour and a lot of humor.

Penelope will be an interesting character to watch develop. While her marriage was a less than happy one, she never asserted herself with her in-laws and allowed them to dictate the kind of life she and her son had. Now that she is on her own, she is more willing to stand up to them and tell them what she wants for her son, though she knows their money might give him more opportunities.

Once Brennan's death is declared a murder several suspects rise to the top, though one is so unlikely her presence at the book signing may have long been forgotten. Clues are fairly obvious not only to who killed Brennan, but as to what has been going on in the cutthroat world of publishing.

An interesting premise and a very likable protagonist make The Ghost and Mrs. McClure a welcome addition to the genre and will have readers hoping Penelope doesn't solve Jack's murder and release his spirit before they've had some more adventures together.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry