Curse of the Specter Queen (a Samantha Knox Novel) - (A Samantha Knox Novel) by Jenny Elder Moke (Hardcover)

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke is the first A Samantha Knox Novel. This is a fast-paced entertaining novel. I loved the main characters that included Sam Knox, Joana Steeling, and Bennett Steeling. Sam is an intelligent, strong woman who is loyal and determined. Joana Steeling is a crafty, resourceful, and full of life. Jo adds humor and lightness to the story. Bennett Steeling is a handsome man who is a smart and loves archaeology. I especially liked the relationship between Sam and Jo. Sam Knox is a woman who loves books and her whole life has centered around Rare Antiquities since the death of her father. She had looked forward to more schooling and adventures, but everything changed for Sam when her father passed away. Sam receives a battered package with a small book inside that is badly damaged. She soon learns that the book will change her life once again. Sam ends up on an adventure that takes her to Ireland where mystery, magic, and mayhem ensue. The author is a descriptive writer that brought the book alive with her word imagery. The author captured the time-period of the 1920s (historical references, clothes, conveyances, language). Ciphers, treasure hunts, ancient relics, old legends, and creepy diary make for a great story along with action and magic. I did feel that Curse of the Specter Queen is a slow starter. Once robbers invade the bookstore, the pace picks up. I liked that this was a clean story with just a hint of romance. This novel can be read from adults down to tweens (I would have loved this book when I was nine or ten). Curse of the Specter Queen is an entertaining tale that will take you on a rollicking romp from Clement, Illinois to Ireland with eerie bad guys, rusty relics, and mysterious magic.