This is book #7 in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series and it is the first book I have read from this series. Although this book can be read without reading the first six books, I think I would have preferred to read the previous books first. I was a little lost when Pen started talking to Jack, and yes, I now know that he is a ghost and Pen speaks to him in her mind but I would like to know how they found each other. The story kept you guessing until the end and I would read more books written by Cleo Coyle in the future.

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait is the seventh book in the Haunted Bookshop mystery series and my first read in the series.
The series is a good one this one centers around Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure who is amassing a collection of vintage book cover paintings for a special launch party.
When a painting of a beautiful woman is found that has a troublesome back story and bad things start happening to those around it some wonder if it's cursed.
Pen turns to an otherworldly source: Jack Shepard, PI. who puts ideas in her head ,though this ghost was a PI in the 1940's he's willing to help crack the case.
After reading this one I'll be reading more in this series.

First published May 4, 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This book follows Penelope Thornton-McClure and her friends who are traveling to someone selling alot of classic noir stuff. Before you know it though the seller winds up dead, the pressure is on in Pen's case to figure out who killed the seller and why? Seymour also finds himself in ownership of a classic painting of a past McClure. Who killed and why?

This book has so much going on between traveling back and time with Jack to figure out more about the painting and why it's so mysterious. Then there is the murder going on around town and whose to blame with it.

It's a good read and keeps the reader well informed of the ins and outs of the mystery while adding history with Jack to the mix such a fantastic story!

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait is the seventh book in Cleo Coyle’s Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. The series features bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure and the ghost of 1940s private detective Jack Shephard.

Penelope’s store is having an exhibit of original cover art. Together with two of her friends, mailman and Jeopardy! Champion Seymour Tarnish and literature professor J. Brainert Parker, she goes to pick up a shipment of the art from collector Walt Waverly. The exhibit is centered around an art book celebrating the history of American book covers, and the launch party will feature Walt’s extensive collection. Walt is happy to share his collection and to add price tags to it should any curious attendees want to take pieces home.

While picking up the art, Seymour becomes obsessed with another piece depicting Harriet McClure, a distant relative of Pen’s by marriage as well as a local recluse well-known for her many self-portraits. This particular portrait stands out for being a rare picture of Harriet in her youth. Seymour is determined to purchase it despite claims that it is haunted and possibly cursed. When Walt is found dead the next morning, and Seymour is later attacked in his home, they begin to wonder if the painting might really be cursed, and possibly even haunted. There was another buyer interested in the painting, and Pen wonders if that person might be behind the violence.

Jack recognizes the model in another one of the paintings and takes Pen with him in her dreams to show her what happened in the past to the model, who was also murdered. Together they solve Walt’s murder and discover the mystery behind the haunted portrait.

These books are a wonderful blend of cozy and noir, with great characters and well-plotted mysteries full of twists and turns. I adore Jack and it’s fun to travel back in time to his world, but also be able to enjoy a modern mystery in the same book. Even though I jumped into the middle of this series, I don’t feel lost, and I look forward to the time when I can go back and read the rest of the series. Cleo Coyle is one of my favorite mystery authors and she never disappoints!

Penelope Thornton is about to have a book launch for a book on the history of pulp covers in her book store. In an effort to collect more classic book covers for the exhibit she visits her friend Walt, a collector. One of his covers draws her in and she finds there is a mystery attached to it. Along with her sidekick, Jack, a dead PI from the 40s she investigates the crime. I loved Jack and all of his sayings and the well-constructed mystery around the paintings of book covers and crazy Harriet. There were many suspects and the author team takes us back into the forties to see the real artists and models and the underworld around them. There were plenty of suspects to choose from and I enjoyed the humor between Seymour and Brainert and the relationship between Jack and Penelope.

This mystery took many twists and turns. It is a continuation of the series, but can be read as a stand alone. The characters search clues hidden in a portrait to solve a century old mystery. Very well written!

It’s been quite a long time since we’ve seen Penelope and Jack working side by side together. However, in the seventh installment of the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT, Cleo Coyle has penned a new adventure for them to figure out.

I’d say one of the biggest charms of this series is Jack. His cavalier attitude and expertise make him an excellent PI. However, I did find that he was the focus of this book a lot compared to Penelope. I would have liked to see Penelope working on her own a bit more and thinking things through without his help, just so we can see her character grow some more. I’m a big fan of Penelope, so I wished that there was more screen time dedicated to her alone for a bit.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this story and the teamwork they had. The mystery unfolds flawlessly, creating an interesting ride for the reader. I was especially intrigued by the paranormal aspect of this series. So if are looking for a cozy mystery series with a bit of a supernatural twist to it, then I would highly recommend THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT.

What an interesting premise. I was hooked by the blurb of this book. At first I thought the reference to fire was more metaphorical but it was a very literal description of the main protagonist, Miles. Bella, however is not an ice queen. She’s a woman who plays her cards close to her chest and doesn’t let people in too easily. So how do fire and ice mix? Well… with lots of sizzle.

What did I enjoy about this book:

Miles’ condition, which is less magical and more an interesting genetic effect.
The glimpses into prep for a major musical production and tour
Bosco, the dog, may have been my favorite with his well timed antics – that scene with Corey is just too funny (you’ll have to read the book to see..)
The relationship between Bella and her mother
Bella’s flashbacks to life with her father and even when he died and how they shaped her present.
The love between Bella and Miles is definitely a highlight of this tale!
Some areas I think could be stronger:

Dialogue at times could be more natural. It was a bit repetitive as there was little variation between the speech patterns of different characters.
I loved the idea of the Alt Knights and the threat they posed to Bella and Miles. I wish that angle had been developed and played up more. It would have massively ramped up the suspense and intrigue element.
Overall, I found the world created by this story to be quite immersive. I wanted to know more and I’d certainly love a chance to attend an Ari concert!

This was my first book in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series although it’s number seven! The story reads very well as a stand-alone. I had no issues with backstories and was able to follow along with all events.

My Favourite Parts:

Jack the Ghost: oh my I loved that this series features a ghost from the 1940s. His dialogue is charming and I love how he helps Penny with her case and with her life in general
The time slips: although we have a present day mystery to solve, Jack takes Penny into his past to revisit another crime that may or may not be related. The olden days scenes are beautifully and richly drawn
The double mystery: we pretty much get a two in one here. We’re trying to solve the mystery of who murdered Walt, an antiques collector. However, we also get caught up in Jack’s old case and want to know who is behind Ruby’s murder.
Spencer and Aunt Sadie are absolutely delightful secondary characters. They ooze sweetness.
The main mystery itself is rather twisty. I loved all the different elements that came out and how each piece relates to the others. I found the pacing for clue dropping/ red herring placements to be very good.
The Big Reveal is just the right amount of dramatic!
Parts I didn’t like as much:

Seymour and Brainert: I’m afraid Penny’s best friends are rather annoying. Aunt Sadie complains about them but I thought she was being a spoilsport. Nope. They really are that childish and their sparring dialogues had me skipping lines to get to more interesting parts.
The details about bookmaking and book covers and the book industry’s history are very detailed. It did pique my interest in some sections. However, I found some instances read more like an info dump and skimmed them quickly.
Overall, however, I enjoyed this story a lot! I really liked the element of ghostly detective, Jack, and how he and Penny connected through dreams. I think the mystery is super well plotted and kept me intrigued and guessing!

This is book 7 in the Haunted Bookshop series and can be read as a stand alone. Not sure how I missed the previous books in this series but I'll have to look for them. Penelope is having a book signing for a book on art of Pulp Magazines. Her son and her resident ghost, Jack are both interested. It seems Jack solved a case in his past with ties to a beautiful portrait used as a cover. The story was fast moving and easy to follow. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cleo Coyle continues the Haunted Bookshop mysteries with The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait. Penelope Thornton McClure is celebrating book cover art is her bookshop when a picture of a local mystery women incites violence. Rhode Island is rocked by murder and nefarious activities which Penelope and her ghostly private investigator set out to solve. Great cozy.

This cozy mystery series is unique and well written. Penny is a widow with a young son, working in the bookstore she owns. When gathering paintings for an exhibit, she ends up embroiled in a series of murders. The other main character is a ghost named Jack, a gumshoe from the 1930’s who only Penny sees and hears. When asleep, Jack takes her on forays into cases he solves, providing hints for solving the present day murders. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Enjoyable and recommended.

A bookshop owner and her aunt are hosting a well-known author at an author signing. Then strange things start to happen. This is #7 in the series. Many readers have already met Jack, a ghost who resides in Penelope, and helps solve murders. Jack lived in the 1940s, so he brings a 40s vibe and swagger to his scenes.

We have someone who buys a portrait with a history. Several terrible things start to happen in the town, and Penelope, with Jack's help, figure out someone really wants this portrait and will kill to get it.

A pleasant, cozy mystery.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait, the seventh entry in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, is an intriguing puzzle with lots of emphasis on art and the characters series fans have come to love.

I am so glad that this series has new life after a long hiatus. I really enjoy the bookshop setting, Penelope, and ghost Jack. The unusual relationship between 1940’s era PI Jack and Pen is what makes this series so special. Their connection, especially through Jack’s dream-like memories, is skillfully handled by author Cleo Coyle. The historical flashbacks and Jack-era murder mystery is my favorite aspect of the story. I love how it plays a huge part in Pen’s current day predicament.

This installment finds Penelope and her Aunt Sadie busy with preparations for a special book event featuring Pulp Art covers. When Pen takes her friends with her to pick up paintings borrowed for the event, Seymour falls in love with a portrait of Harriett McClure, a distant relative of Pen’s husband and subject of local lore. However, when the collector dies and Seymour is attacked, Pen cannot help but wonder if the painting is cursed. As the body count rises, Pen and Jack try to figure out the secrets held within the painting and solve the murders.

Before reading this, I knew little of Pulp Art other than I recognized the style when I saw it. The exploration of this genre of art is really interesting here and provides a wonderful backdrop to both Jack’s 1940’s murder mystery and Pen’s. The art from Jack’s generation connects both storylines seamlessly. There are lots of clues for Pen to uncover leading to an ever-evolving list of suspects, and I did not figure out whodunit until they were revealed. A few other subplots added layers to the story, and everything came together nicely in the end.

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait is a lot of fun. The paranormal element is just right and unexpectedly believable. Recommended to any cozy mystery reader but especially to those who enjoy a quasi-historical setting and ghosts.

Penelope owns a bookstore in Rhode Island, and also happens to have a PI ghost from the 1940s named Jack who comes with the territory. Only Penelope can hear Jack, and when a supposedly cursed portrait suddenly starts seemingly causing mischef and murder, she definitely needs his help to solve the case.

In lesser hands, this cozy mystery premise could come off as ridiculous or silly, but it actually really works here. Jack is wry and street smart, and makes a great friend and foil for Penelope, who is a fun and smart character in her own right. I especially liked that Penelope could enter Jack's memories in her dreams, as this not only allowed readers to experience one of Jack's cases from the past, but enables Jack and Penelope to have physical interactions.

The mystery was clever, with a surprising reveal and a satisfying ending. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book, and made me want to read more of the series.

If you can believe it, this is the FIRST book I've read by Cleo Coyle. I've been getting their newsletter for years, but with all of the books on my list, I haven't gotten to read theirs! I know people love them, and now I know why! The Ghost and The Haunted Portrait is brilliant!

Since this is the first I've read by Cleo Coyle, it's obviously the first I've read in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. I didn't feel lost at all as I read the book. It's very easy to get to know the characters. They leap off of the page with their big personalities and realistic foibles. That includes the ghost too! Yes, there's a ghost, but only Penelope knows about him. Jack Shepard communicates with her as a voice in her head, so you can imagine why she doesn't tell anyone else about him! Hearing voices? Not something you wanna share with your friends.

In addition to the wonderful characters, The Ghost and The Haunted Portrait has a well-crafted mystery. It really kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen. Since I've read this, I am excited to read the first six in the series! This cozy mystery is the type I love. If you're looking for a new cozy to read, you have to read this one! The humor, wonderfully written characters, and, of course, the mystery make this a book to read!

3.5 Stars

THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT is book seven in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. I’m glad that Cleo Coyle is returning to this world a little more often because I do think that the premise is very interesting. You have a bookshop owner who solves murders with the help of a PI ghost. It’s really quite interesting and unique if you think about it.

In the beginning of the book, we get a nice little flashback of Jack Shephard during the 1940s when he was alive and kicking. He’s got a bit of a swagger to him, which I think is nice to see because it makes his character that much more interesting. I will say though that sometimes I feel like Penelope, who I consider the main protagonist of this series, gets a bit overshadowed by Jack a lot in this series. So that’s really my own complaint. I would like to see more Penelope and see her acting and thinking on her own a bit more. It might be a different change of pace for this duo.

Nevertheless, the writing is great and you can tell that there was some research done for this book too. So all in all, I do think it’s an enjoyable read. I just would like to see Penelope be in the spotlight for even longer or just more to create some more dimension to her character.

THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT by Cleo Coyle
The Seventh Haunted Bookshop Mystery

When Penelope Thornton-McClure and her friends drive out to pick up some paintings for her book shop's big event on cover art, she doesn't expect Seymour to fall in love with a haunting painting, which may be haunted. Captivated by what appears to be an early work of local legend, Seymour scoffs at the rumor that the painting is cursed. But a flat tire on a rainy night and the death of its seller are just the start of misfortunes for Pen and her friends. A case from PI Jack Shepard's past may help Pen as cover art, shady business dealings, and murder converge in this charming Rhode Island town.

Hardboiled and softboiled mysteries combine as 1940s PI Jack Shepard assists bookshop owner Penelope McClure in a new mystery. Readers not only get a thrilling cozy mystery, but a historical hardboiled PI mystery softened somewhat by the addition of the 21st century bookseller. The two mysteries run parallel with ties to each other and a means for Pen get a better understanding of her current problem. We can see how the past colors the present and future, in more ways than one.

Nothing is cut and dried in this seventh Haunted Bookshop Mystery. I like how Pen follows red herrings herself and make mistakes while searching for the truth. Although Jack was guiding her from the onset, reminding her that things aren't always what they seem, Pen and readers alike jump to some wrong conclusions leading to more than one surprise.

I'm so happy to once again welcome Jack back. This gruff, but charming PI has me enthralled once again. I love how he is able to travel with Pen, but more, he can become a living breathing man when he brings Pen into his memories via her dreams. It's a fantastic method that both develops the plot and their relationship.

In addition to the fictional tale, there's a real caveat in THE GHOST IN THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT. It's a sad fact that there are plenty of shady people in the publishing world and I'm pleased that this book takes an honest look at bad practices that haunt the publishing industry more than ghosts or curses. Reading this mystery may help one fledgling writer or artist avoid the real life monsters out there.

THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT is a diabolically clever mystery with a reminder to never judge a book by its cover. It's a smart witty mystery, that also gives sage advice. I love this book and this series and look forward to seeing what Pen gets up to next. And Jack...I'll see you in my dreams.

I absolutely wanted to love this book. I love the concept. I like Pen and her relationship with her son and aunt. I love the day to day book store running business and I found the cover art exhibit fascinating. I really enjoy the bits with Jack Shepard and getting a peek into crimes that happened in the 1940s. Jack is quite the character and and a good mix of savvy and sarcastic.

The mystery was interesting. Is it murder or an accident? Is the painting really cursed or are all the bad things happening coincidence? Or is there something else going on? I do love a mystery that has lots of questions and this definitely held up that end of the bargain. So I did enjoy it but I just didn't love it quite the way I expected to. The primary issue was that the pace of this one felt on the slow side. Even though the first body appeared pretty early on the story itself didn't really feel like it really started gaining traction until halfway through.

I did like this one and I really enjoyed the characters though I do wish this had been just a bit faster paced.

Jack, the 1940s deceased gumshoe, is back in The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait. This time the mystery involves a mysterious painting and a suspicious “accidental death.”

A mashup of hard-boiled noir and a cozy mystery sounds like it wouldn’t work at all. But somehow this series does it and does it extremely well. The quirky and likeable characters are the key component. Also, unlike in noir published in the early twentieth century, Jack doesn’t disrespect any dames. Since he’s a ghost, he also can’t be tempted by their wiles. He seems to genuinely like bookseller, Pen, who questions whether Jack’s voice in her head is real or her “fervent reader’s imagination”.

I highly recommend reading this innovative noir and cozy mystery genre mashup. The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait has authentic characters and a nice mystery. 4 stars!

Thanks to Berkley Books, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Penelope Thornton-McClure and her Aunt Sadie are getting their bookshop, Buy the Book, ready for a big event. A book signing with the authors of a new book featuring Pulp Fiction covers from the past. As a bonus for the event, a local collector of the vintage covers is lending the shop some of his collection. Pen and her friends Seymour and Professor J. Brainert Parker travel to pick up the artwork. When they arrive Seymour becomes enamored with a portrait of a young Harriet McClure who just happens to have been related to Pen’s late husband. The painting is said to be cursed but that doesn’t stop Seymour from buying it. Strange events start to happen shortly after the purchase but are shaken off as coincidence. Then the previous owner is found dead and the ghostly private eye Jack Shepard tells Pen he has a history with one of the pieces of art and he offers to help her solve the current case.

If you love old movies you are going to love this story. Even the current mystery had an old-timey feel due to the theme of vintage cover art. As soon as we meet Walt Waverly and enter his “sprawling Tudor home” and his library where he displays “a lot of” his art I felt we stepped back in time. The author describes everything in detail even the doorknobs “covered with a patina of green from age and neglect” and the “pristine condition” of his rare books and the Nathan Brock cover painting from 1948 that even got Jack’s attention. The words put the readers right there on the scene observing each and every moment. I was captivated by the entire experience.

Then with the P.I.’s mysterious way we actually travel back in time to tackle one of his old cases that was linked to that Nathan Brock cover. Again I was intrigued by the whole process and how those experiences helped Pen solve the current mystery. The way Pen and Jack communicate is very interesting but eerie too.

The story sheds a light on corruption in publishing and scams. Authors and artists are both affected. While this was not a new concept to me I felt educated by what happened to a couple of characters in this story. The old adage, “if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is” definitely applies.

I absolutely loved the ending. Yes, the killer was revealed but so much more happens to bring things full circle. I can’t say more, you need to read the book yourself.

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait is an exciting addition to this great series. I am looking forward to the next adventure with Pen and her ghost gumshoe detective.