annieb123's Review of The Ghost and the Stolen Tears (Haunted Bookshop Mystery, #8)

by Cleo Coyle

With the help of her gumshoe ghost, bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure sets out to clear an innocent woman of a shocking crime in this all-new entry in the “utterly charming” (Mystery Scene) Haunted Bookshop Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

Norma is a modern-day nomad. Living out of her van and teardrop trailer, she revels in self-reliance, solitude, and reading in the glorious peace of nature. Jovial, wise, and scrupulously honest, she’s become an uplifting presence in the little town of Quindicott, Rhode Island, where bookseller Pen is thankful to have her part-time help. But it’s Norma’s other job, working as a housekeeper at the Finch Inn, that gets her into terrible trouble. Norma is accused of stealing jewels from a guest’s room: the legendary Valentino Teardrops, an antique necklace and earring set, inherited by a young socialite. Pen doesn’t believe Norma is guilty of the crime—though the evidence is distressingly strong. And when the spirited Norma vanishes before her arrest, Pen turns to another spirit…

Jack Shepard, PI, may have been gunned down decades ago, but his memory hasn’t been ghosted. Back in the 1940s, those same Valentino Teardrops starred in a bizarre case of betrayal and murder. From the look of things, history is about to repeat. Now Jack is back on the job, and Pen is eternally grateful.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Ghost and the Stolen Tears is the 8th Haunted Bookshop cozy mystery by Cleo Coyle. Released 4th Oct 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well developed series with an interesting paranormal twist. Bookstore co-owner/amateur sleuth Penelope is in "contact" with the consciousness of a long departed police detective who was killed almost 70 years ago. The books are set up in a way that very very cold case mysteries from decades ago get intertwined with modern day mysteries and bookstore owner Penelope saves the day by resolving the past and the present.

This installment sees the past and present collide around a very valuable parure which has disappeared from a local celebrity's hotel room. Soon murder complicates the situation and Penelope can't just leave it alone since the incompetent local police have her friend and sometimes employee Norma in their sights as chief suspect.

The language is clean, the violence is low-key and off scene. It would make a good commute or work read. I really enjoyed the tie-ins with period pulp fiction and theatre. Lots of fun. The authors have done their research on the era. It's *very* light and readers must bring a prodigious suspension of disbelief to the story.

Four stars. Definitely worth a look for fans of cozy mysteries. Since there are 8 books extant in the series at this point, it would make a good choice for a binge/buddy read. They can be read in any order and work well as standalone adventures.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

24 December, 2022: Started reading

24 December, 2022: Finished reading

24 December, 2022: Reviewed