Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten

I totally disagree with the copy on the flap of Esri Allbritten's debut mystery, Chihuahua of the Baskervilles. It calls this book "Uproariously funny," and says it's "Sure to leave you in stitches."  That does an injustice to readers expecting a hilarious book. I loved this debut book. I thought the premise was original, quite a departure from most mysteries. I appreciated the three-person team investigating the mystery, and thought they were terrific characters with a great deal of potential for future books. They fit well together, and their conversations were funny. And, I loved all of the historical detail that crept into this book, without appearing historical. But I think those comments about humor will sidetrack readers looking for something slapstick, when this book is so much better than slapstick.

When Charlotte Baskerville, the owner of Petey's Closet, a company that designs clothes for small dogs, thinks she sees the ghost of her beloved Chihuahua, Petey, the staff of Tripping Magazine is dispatched to Manitou Springs, Colorado, to investigate. Tripping, a magazine that reports on travel destinations for those who believe in the paranormal, is edited by Angus MacGregor. Suki Oota, a former photographer for National Geographic, is the perfect person to set up shots of ghostly images. Michael Abernathy would be the new writer/graphic designer. And, since Tripping was actually about to fold, this would be their one chance to put the magazine in the black and attract readers.

When the team arrives in Manitou Springs, they find Charlotte surrounded by people who might not wish the best for her; a scheming husband who lost the family's first fortune, a granddaughter who drinks, a dog trainer with dreams of his own show, a designer who resents Charlotte's claim on her designs, and a neighbor who wants her to sponsor his dog food business. Any one of these people might have an interest in upsetting the older woman who hears and sees her late beloved dog. Angus and the team are there to write a story for the magazine about a ghostly apparition. But, they also have an interest in protecting the woman who sees Petey. Who better to investigate a ghost that seems to give advice and leaves paw prints than the team sent to cover its appearance?

Along with the story of Charlotte Baskerville and Petey, the team also finds time to cover the quirky town of Manitou Springs with its annual Emma Crawford Festival and Memorial Coffin Races, the haunted Miramont Castle, and a restaurant supposedly haunted. Petey's ghostly story is just one more story in a town that would definitely attract readers of Tripping Magazine. It's fun to watch the cynical magazine team explore Manitou Springs. These additional stories add to the charm of the book.


Chihuahua of the Baskervilles is a lively, fun story. Angus, Michael and Suki work well as a team, and they come at their story from different angles, which adds to the humor. But, Allbritten's debut is also a solid, well-written mystery. And, the ghost stories of Manitou Springs actually are tales from the history of the town. So, there are many possibilities for an investigating team that searches for ghosts and haunted destinations.

Allbritten's debut mystery offers a good mystery, a terrific team of sleuths, ghost stories, and a number of possibilities for future locations. I can't vote, but half-way through 2011, Chihuahua of the Baskervilles would be one of my nominees for the Agatha for Best First Mystery.

Esri Allbritten's website is www.EsriAllbritten.com

And, for actual information about the ghosts of Manitou Springs, check out Dark Destinations at
http://tinyurl.com/3z6mut5. 


Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten. St. Martin's Minotaur. ©2011. ISBN 9780312569150 (hardcover), 288p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.

An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman

I probably read 75-100 mysteries a year, at least half of my yearly total of books. But, E.J. Copperman got me good in his latest Haunted Guesthouse mystery, An Uninvited Ghost. The killer made perfect sense, but I never saw it coming.

Since Alison Kerby's guesthouse on the Jersey Shore already had a reputation as being haunted, she decided to capitalize on it. She booked a tour group that promised guests a "unique" vacation, the chance to stay in a house inhabited by ghosts. Alison even had an agreement with Paul and Maxie, the resident ghosts, so they "appeared" at certain times of day. In return, though, Alison agreed to get her private detective's license, so she and Paul could investigate crimes. It was just a shame that the first case Paul brought her happened at her busiest time. The first tour group was there, and the director of a popular reality show booked the rest of the guest house. But, Paul's case brought nothing but trouble.

It seemed simple.  Another ghost, Scott, was afraid he had killed a woman he was only supposed to scare. It didn't take long for Alison to find her alive and well. First ghostly investigation successful, right? When the woman showed up at Alison's to participate in a séance, she ended up dead. And, it ticked Alison off. "It happened in my house, under my roof, to a guest I invited." Alison teams up with Paul and Maxie, as well as her daughter, Melissa, because Detective Anita McElone won't have anything to do with a case in which ghosts are involved.


The second book in this series, An Uninvited Ghost, is a triumph. Suspend your disbelief even more than usual. You have to accept that Alison Kerby can see and communicate with ghosts. All of the main characters in Copperman's latest mystery are well-developed, even the ghosts. Accept the fact that a protective mother, who didn't want to get involved in a dangerous case, would realize someone had involved her by killing a guest. The humor is delightful, particularly the reference to a guest reading Some Like It Hot-Buttered, a mystery written by Copperman under his actual name, Jeffrey Cohen. If you like ghost stories mixed with your mystery, try this Jersey Shore mystery, An Uninvited Ghost.


E.J. Copperman's website is www.ejcopperman.com


An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman. Berkley Prime Crime. ©2011. ISBN 9780425240588 (paperback), 304p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of the book, in hopes I would review it.

If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell

I've read all of Juliet Blackwell's mysteries.  She's written two books in the Witchcraft mystery series, and, under the name Hailey Lind, writes the Art Lover's Mystery series with her sister.  But, If Walls Could Talk, the book that launches her new Haunted Home Renovation series, is my favorite so far.

Melanie Turner would like nothing more than to move to Paris, live there by herself, where they appreciated "women of a certain age," where she couldn't understand anyone, and could lick her wounds after a divorce.  Instead, she found herself living with her dad, running Turner Construction, and renovating historic houses in the San Francisco Bay area.  She didn't intend to have Kenneth, a former client, almost die in her arms in his house, and then return as a ghost that she could see and hear.  She really should have moved to Paris.

But, if Mel wasn't there, who would have taken over the renovation project, taken in two teen boys, and helped out a friend who was suspected of murdering Kenneth, his business partner?  She wouldn't have run into Graham Donovan, the man who tried to talk her out of marrying her husband on a lust-filled night.  And, maybe she and her crew wouldn't have been attacked by someone who already killed one person, Kenneth, in order to uncover a secret.  She might not have liked Kenneth, but when someone dies, and then returns as a ghost asking for help, it's hard to say no.

Juliet Blackwell's books always show a passion for old houses, art and design, vintage clothing.  The two series written as Blackwell introduce characters involved in the paranormal world.  But, Mel, a down-to-earth woman with an unexpected gift, is my favorite character.   Those dreams of Paris might be fantasies, but a woman who adopts strays; teens, dogs and ghosts, belongs in a world of construction, home renovation, and mystery.  Fortunately for us, we get to know her in Juliet Blackwell's If Walls Could Talk.

Juliet Blackwell's website is http://www.julietblackwell.net/

If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell.  Penguin Group (USA), ©2010. ISBN 9780451231819 (paperback), 336p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure:  The publisher sent me the book, in hopes I would review it.

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

It's hard to believe it's been six years since Jennifer Crusie has had a book out that she didn't co-write with another author.  Her books with Bob Mayer have been fun, but the last one wasn't as good as earlier efforts.  It was time for another solo effort, and it was worth waiting for Maybe This Time.  Crusie's books are always humorous with terrific mature heroines.  Sparks fly in the relationship with a sexy man.   And, for me, the Ohio settings are appealing as well.

When Andie Miller storms into her ex-husband's law office, she's been divorced from North Archer for years.  She plans to turn over ten years of uncashed alimony checks, and announce her engagement to a writer, but North's request stops her in her tracks.   He's the guardian of two orphaned children in southern Ohio, and he offers her $10,000 a month, plus expenses and room and board, to "fix" the children.   Alice had a psychotic break, and Carter was expelled from school for setting fires.  For Andie, a teacher, it was a sucker-punch.  She couldn't walk away from "Two helpless kids who'd lost everyone they loved, going crazy in the middle of nowhere." 

Andie found more than she bargained for.  When she called North from the house, she reported, "The kids have been through a lot, and this place is Amityville, the House of Usher, and Hill House combined so their environment isn't working in their favor, but they're very bright and very tough and they've had each other."  And, now they have Andie.  She's a fighter.  And, if she has to fight a crazy housekeeper, a scheming TV reporter, and ghosts to save those children, she will.  One ghost may do her best to take over Andie's will, but Andie has a secret weapon.  North still loves her, and he has her back.

Jennifer Crusie's built a reputation for fun romantic novels, often with some suspense.   Andie Miller, the former Andromeda Archer, is another Crusie character with grit and warmth, one that you just have to love.  Alice and Carter are fascinatinag characters.  Then throw in North Archer, his humorous brother, Southie, along with a psychic, a possessive ghost,  and a ghost buster, and there's an intriguing mix.  If you haven't read one of Crusie's novels, start with Maybe This Time.   What more do you want than ghosts, romance, and suspense?

Jennifer Crusie's website is http://www.jennycrusie.com/

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie.  St. Martin's Press, ©2010. ISBN 9780312303785 (hardcover), 352p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - Jennifer Crusie's publicist sent me a copy of the book when I requested it.