The Ghost and the Stolen Tears - (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) by Cleo Coyle (Paperback)

About the Book

"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."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Ghost and the Stolen Tears

"If you're in for something drastically different from what's already out there, I suggest giving this series a shot. Jack and Penelope were a blast together, and THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS doesn't disappoint in giving readers a thrilling ride." --Fresh Fiction (Fresh Pick!)

"Immersive settings and nicely delineated characters enhance this paranormal cozy." --Booklist (starred review)

"Engaging characters, historical backgrounds, and plenty of red herrings add up to a gem of a story."--Kirkus Reviews

"Stolen jewels link two investigations, one in present-day Rhode Island, and one on Broadway in 1947...fans of the series will be eager to pick up with Pen and Jack. Cozy readers...may want to try Coyle's entire series." --Library Journal

Praise for Cleo Coyle's Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

A Best Book of Year Selection--Suspense magazine

An Aunt Agatha's Best of Year Pick

"UTTERLY CHARMING"--Mystery Scene

"Cleo Coyle has written another knockout cozy-noir hybrid that's sure to satisfy fans of this TERRIFIC SERIES."--Criminal Element

"Full of riveting twists!"--First for Women magazine

"The collision of two cases from different times elevates this haunting tale..."--Kirkus Reviews

"Jack and Pen are a terrific duo who prove that love can transcend anything."--The Mystery Reader

"A charming, funny, and quirky mystery starring a suppressed widow and a stimulating ghost."--Midwest Book Review

"CAPTIVATING...Jack is a perfect match for Pen, and I adore the relationship between them."--Dru Ann Love, award-winning reviewer, Dru's Book Musings

"Another EXTRAORDINARY cozy mystery by Cleo Coyle! This husband and wife writing team brings so much more than a great story to their writing, they also bring you new friends."--Fresh Fiction

"These books are a WONDERFUL blend of cozy and noir, with great characters and well-plotted mysteries full of twists and turns."--Kings River Life Magazine

"The plot is marvelous, the writing is top-notch."--Cozy Library

"I loved the combination of the 40's private eye with the contemporary bookselling universe, as well as a little master class on pulp cover art. The story was light, funny, and well told."--Robin Agnew, award-winning mystery bookseller

"A deliciously charming mystery with a haunted twist!"--New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs

About the Author

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of The Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating over ten years in print. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, including the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.