Making Our Ghost Reappear: Why We Revived Our Haunted Bookshop Mysteries after Nearly 10 Years
By Cleo Coyle
October 2, 2018Read Cleo Coyle's guest post about returning to their Haunted Bookshelf Mystery series, then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win a copy of The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller!
Fictional characters haunt us. Like trusted friends, some speak to us so powerfully that we continue to hear them beyond their stories. That simple idea—the capacity of a character to come alive off the page—lies at the heart of our Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, an amateur sleuth series that my husband and I created in 2003.
Like our protagonist—a young, widowed bookseller named Penelope Thornton-McClure—Marc and I grew up loving books. Penelope’s father, a small-town cop, was a fan of detective fiction, which is how she developed her affection for the noir adventures of Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and the hardboiled antiheroes of the Black Mask school.
One day, under the stress of dealing with a difficult author, Pen hears a gruff and angry voice in her head. Being a polite “do right” Jane sort of person, she can’t imagine where this outspoken voice came from. She would never use such blunt and colorful language.
Or would she?
Was this assertive, masculine voice really haunting Pen? Or was her alter ego expressing itself through an iconic character like the ones she discovered in her father’s library?
The “ghost” in question is Jack Shepard, a private investigator who was famously gunned down in 1949 in the very building where Pen now runs her bookshop.
Whether Jack is an actual apparition or the vivid imaginings of a stressed and lonely widow, he becomes Pen’s invisible companion. When big-city crimes occur in her small Rhode Island town, Pen seeks the counsel of the surly, wisecracking gumshoe in bringing the cunning culprits to justice.
This unlikely duo of a prim, repressed bookseller and hardboiled ghost delighted readers as much as the inspiration for our series originally delighted me.
Years ago, I read the story of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick, the pen name for author Josephine Leslie. The book was a bestseller in 1945. Two years later, Hollywood turned it into a classic film, which inspired a 1968 television series.
What influenced me most, however, was a realization about the era in which the novel was produced. World War II had just ended, and many women were grieving the loss of their vital husbands. Ms. Leslie’s novel gave these women the story of Mrs. Muir, a young widow like themselves, who is befriended by the spirit of a vigorous sea captain, one who “dictates” a bestselling book to her.
I appreciated the comfort that novel must have brought to war widows of the time. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir made vivid the idea that spirits are looking after us. Whether the spirits are real or residing within ourselves—as imagination, passion, or creative potential—the notion is an uplifting one.
Of course, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is not a mystery, and though Ms. Leslie’s novel provided a baseline inspiration for our series, Marc and I worked hard to create a fully realized world of original characters, settings, and stories, as well as a functioning structure that could support multiple works of crime fiction.
As longtime fans of film noir and the Black Mask writers, my husband and I also took pleasure in developing flashback subplots for our ghost character, Jack Shepard—along with a fictional device that allowed our prim bookseller to join him in a kind of unconventional PI school.
Pairing Jack’s hardboiled darkness with the lighter character of Penelope proved an entertaining match for many readers, and our stories became national bestsellers.
After our first Haunted Bookshop Mystery, The Ghost and Mrs. McClure, was published by Berkley in 2004, Marc and I wrote four more in succession: The Ghost and the Dead Deb (2005), The Ghost and the Dead Man’s Library (2006), The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (2008), and The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion (2009).
Then, we stopped writing them.
There were many reasons why—one being the demands of our Coffeehouse Mysteries, a long-running series that is still going strong with 17 titles, with the 18th on the way.
Another reason was the climate. In 2009, the rise of ebooks and self-publishing rocked the book trade. Predictions about the “death of print,” the demise of booksellers, and the end of traditional publishing were all the rage. At the same time, speed of output made the market feel crowded and chaotic, so we made the difficult decision to let our ghost rest in peace—for a while, anyway.
Until the atmosphere surrounding the book business (a trade, don’t forget, that we were writing about via Pen’s profession) became a little saner, we decided to focus on a single series and put our Haunted Bookshop Mysteries on hiatus.
What we never expected was the outcry that ensued.
Emails, messages, and comments on posts from fans implored us to revive the series. We expected this to die down over time, but it never did.
Our readers’ steadfast devotion was the primary reason we made our ghost reappear. To their credit, our longtime publisher and new editor, Michelle Vega, had the faith to bring Jack back, and so we have with our first new Haunted Bookshop Mystery in nearly a decade: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller.
The truth is our characters never stopped haunting us. Like our readers, to whom we dedicated our new book, we consider Jack and Pen to be good friends. And nobody wants to lose a friend, not even a fictional one.
Comment below for a chance to win a copy of The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller by Cleo Coyle!
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The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/making-out-ghost-reappear-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) October 2, 2018. Sweepstakes ends at 1:59 p.m. ET October 9, 2018. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
Comments
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I like everything they have written.
look forward to reading the new book.
Looks wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
Count me in, please!
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
This cover is so creative and this book sounds great!
Love reading Coffeehouse Mysteries!
B – b -b me please!
Super excited this series is coming back!
please continue the series
This is a departure from what I usually read but it sounds like a lot of fun.
I used to watch The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I loved that show… Many thanks for the chance to win a copy of your mystery book!
Cindi
Would like to read this book as it looks good! Thanks for the chance to win.
A book about books and a mystery!! What more could you ask for..
Excited about the book.
I absolutely LOVE Jack & Pen!!!! So glad they are back <3
Cheers~
Kelly Braun
I love any and every book set in a bookstore!
Count me in, too! I loved that old movie. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to read something new (even if it’s 10 years old-ish it’s new to me) and what’s not to love about a haunted bookstore, especially in October? Cheers!
Love this series and the authors are so creative.
Great feature and giveaway. Fabulous Jack is back.
Would love to win!
I have several characters from book series running around in my head. Some of them even talk to each other. When I have time, I might sit down and determine what personality traits of mine these characters are feeding on.
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds great! Would love to win.
This sounds like a fun read!
I’ve been waiting so long for this book to come out. This series was my introduction into paranormal cozies, and changed my life!
Ghosts and bookstores? Count me in!! Will definitely have to read the others.
I saw you and Marc a while back at the Mechanicsburg Public Library sponsored by the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop. I am happy to hear The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller is finally coming out, as I’ve had that title listed in my reading “wanted” list for a while! Glad to see Pen and Jack are back in print!
Can’t wait to read this!
This series sounds like so much fun!
I haven’t read any of this series – yet!
Sounds like a fun book to read.
It’s so encouraging to see authors bring back old series. I wish Emilie Richards would revive her cozy series featuring the wife of the Unitarian minister. I loved those! From now on, I am going to consider that one “on hiatus” and keep my fingers crossed.
Count me in! Thanks.
I have never read the series but would love to.
I love ghost stories.
I am a big fan of mystery/horror/anything ghosts thrillers! The ghost and the haunted bookstore – Spooktacular! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I enjoyed your story, and hope to be lucky enough to win. Wish me luck!
I would love to read the book.
Sounds great!
Call me Scooby-Doo…Love ghosts books.
so glad they’re back. thanks
I can’t wait to read it.
This is not just a ghost story but a good thriller as well- Think The Ghost and Mrs Muir combined with Sherlock Holmes
Love Cleo Coyle!
I, too, loved the Ghost and Mrs Muir. That may be what drew me to your series from the beginning. Now I am a huge fan and have read all your books. Please keep writing more Ghost books. Just can’t get enough of them and was tickled to find a new one in the series.
different
I enjoy reading this author. Want to read latest book.
Ooh! A new-to-me series to delve in to!
I have enjoyed the coffeehouse books and would probably enjoy the haunted bookshop series . Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of “The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller”.
Love Paperbacks! This book sounds great!
Great series. Would love to win this one.
Here’s to a win!
I like the covers–but only one has a cat!
sounds like a fun one
Sounds like an interesting read.
Just in time for Halloween
I love this series so much. It is a delightful mix of current times and the 1940’s PI genre. It is the perfect escape. I hope there is more Jack and Pen in the future.
Ah, tell me a ghost story!
Sounds like a great series!
I have enjoyed this series and look forward to a new one.
It’s time for me to check this series out. Winning would help me to do that!!
Glad Jack is back! Looking forward to finding out what happens next.
I was so excited for the return of Pen and Jack I pre-ordered 4 books. Love this series and the Coffee House series(that turned me on to cozy mysteries).
I haven’t read the Haunted Bookshop series yet. I really enjoyed the Coffee House mysteries.
Linda.Ehle@yahoo.com
I love the title and would love to win a copy to call mine. Cleo Coyle is a fantastic author and provides her readers with great plots to follow in her series.
I love all your books . Enjoy both series 😍
So glad the series is continuing! Thank you for the chance to own the newest book!
Love the series and so happy to have Jack back 🙂 Keep writing – we look forward to reading!
Thank you for bringing back Jack and Pen. This series actually introduced me to your Coffeehouse mysteries. And thank you for the opportunity to win!
Was so glad to see Jack and Pen’s return. Thoroughly enjoyed their new adventure. Hoping for many more.
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have been trying to win it. Maybe this time I will get lucky.
I can’t wait to read this book! I’m currently on the 3rd Haunted Bookstore Mystery Book! They are great, I can’t wait to read the new one!
I love the series! I am happy to see Jack and Pen once more
Such a great series. I was so excited to learn a new novel was finally going to appear!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Cleo and Mark for bringing Jack and Pen back. I love this series and like yourselves loved the story, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, always wishing I could somehow live her life by the sea, writing and communing with a ghostly sea captain. Wishing you lots of Love & hoping you’ll keep on giving us more stories from the haunted bookshop.
I love all of Cleo and Mark’s books! I would so love to win!!
I need to make Jack’s and Pen’s acquaintance!
Yay! So glad y’all decided to come back when inspired to do so!
Please enter me into the contest for this book. Sounds like a wonderful read….and it is getting time to hunker down on the sofa and read.
I’ve missed this series so much! I’m saving the book for my mini vacation later this week in upper Michigan. Can’t wait! Please don’t make us wait for the next book.
Getting my cuppa ready to enjoy a delightful read in my favorite chair. Thank you!
Absolutely loved the coffee house Mysteries! I also read all of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries and I am looking forward to reading the newest one.
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Can’t wait to get reacquainted with the haunted bookshop!
I’m late to the Haunted bookshop series so for me there has been no lapse at all LOL. My daughter raved about the coffee house series which I also found fabulous Cravig more, I found the haunted bookshop.
So glad Jack and Pen are back!
Thank you so much for this chance on the giveaway.
I am so excited yall decided to start this series back up…..love bookstores and ghosts!!!
I am excited the series is back, I can’t wait to read it!
What an interesting story about why you stopped writing these mysteries. That was fun to read. Thank you.
Looking forward to the new book!
My husband and I are avid fans of your Coffee Shop mysteries; we have read every one of them — some on our Kindles — some from the library. I have read your first “Ghost” book and am re-reading it now. I would love to win the newest book in that series. I promise that I will catch up with the in-between ones! Thank you!
I’m rereading all five of the previous Haunted Bookshop mysteries in preparation for reading Bogus. I really enjoyed the series the first time around and am having fun getting reacquainted with Jack and Pen. I wouldn’t have minded so much that you stopped writing after five books if you hadn’t promised a sixth, right down to having it already listed on Amazon—and then left us hanging, month after month, year after year! I’m very glad you finally decided to finish Bogus, and if there are any others to come in this series, I will welcome them too.
I am absolutely thrilled To finally have a new book about Jack and Pen!
welcome back to the series
I can’t wait to,read this book!
I loved every book in the series and was so disappointed that it went away and now so happy Pen and Jack are back and can’t wait to read and review this latest, albeit very latest book! I also love the Coffee Shop mysteries as well!
I’m not looking to win the book as I already bought the Kindle version as soon as it was available, but I was moved to comment on how overjoyed I was to be able to read a new book in this series.
I’m not a lover of ‘ghost’ based fiction at all, but read the first issue purely because I have enjoyed the coffee house mysteries and wanted to read other books from this ‘stable’ of authors.
It was a fun read and since then I have read all the series. I was one of the disappointed when there were no fresh titles to be had, so I was absolutely thrilled to see the latest issue.
It’s every bit as good as all the others, I can assure you.
I guess this means I can shelve my plan to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night and leave begging bites asking for this series to get moving again? 😈
Notes, I hate auto correct.
Love the Series. Can’t wait for all to be released in audio!
The wait for Jack has been worth it. I just hope it doesn’t happen again. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
So happy Jack is back!
Read the book, really liked it. Hope there is another one soon.
Have loved all the coffeehouse books, can’t wait for the new book.
I cannot wait to read more by these authors. Love discovering different mystery series.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I hope to get to read this book, sounds great to me.
Looking forward to this book and the series returning!
I’m so excited for another encounter with Pen and Jack!!! It’s perfect news for the season.
I have just discovered the Coffeehouse ooks and am enjoying them especially the recipes SSSH I am a tea aficionado Maybe yo will tacle that sometimes?? I will begin these oher books soon BUT will there be recipes ( I love that )
I was thrilled to have a new ghost book. Went to B & N the day of the release and couldn’t find a copy. Had them look it up and the new books were still in back. I had them go find me a copy. It was an excellent read, as always! Thank you.
I have already finished “The Ghost and the Bogus Bookseller”! I loved it. I’m a huge fan of your coffeehouse series but Jack & Pen are running a close second. I also love the mention of Matteo!
I have been anticipating this book for years. I love your coffeehouse mysteries and recipes. Your characters are so believable! Thank ya’ll for bring Jack back! Blessings to you!!
Have loved your coffeehouse series and look forward to making new friends with Pen and her ghostly PI.
I am so forward in reading The Ghost and The Bogus Bookseller. I have read the previous Haunted Bookshop and enjoyed them. Can’t wait for this one.
I’m so excited! I’ve been looking forward to this story for a long while.
LOVE these Books! Read them ALL except the latest & can’t wait! Grateful for Cleo Colye (Alice & Mark) for the joy they share! Thanks : )
Looking forward to the new book. Happy to see the series returning but still love the other books!
So happy that Jack and Pen are back!! I love this series so much. I was very upset when I did not see any more new Jack and Pen books, so I gave my books away to the library. Then, I saw the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series is BACK!! I love the latest book of “The Ghost and the Bogus Bookseller”. I hope that Jack and Pen stick around a little while longer. Welcome Back, Jack and Pen!!
I absolutely adored those books and am so glad they are reappearing. Hope you can get a bunch more going as well.
Oh, I’d love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
Couldn’t register for sweepstakes. Webpage no longer available. This is 10/08/18 & sweepstakes is suppose to be available until 10/09/8!! Bummer!!
Love this series, glad a new one is out and cannot wait to start reading
I read The Ghost and Mrs McClure and loved it! I look forewarned to reading the rest and have read all the coffeehouse mysteries! Keep on wiring!
I am so glad this series is “reappearing” and can hardly wait. The actual sweepstakes page has disappeared 24 hours before it’s supposed to close. als(at)foxgull(dot)com
I’m so glad this series is back!
Amazing series! I’ve read everything you guys have published and the books are
just getting better!!
I know I would enjoy reading this book.
Can’t wait to read it.
I love Jack’s Facebook page and can’t wait to get a copy of this new book.
Can’t wait to read this story!
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was one of my all time favorite movies. I really love your coffee shop books and really look forward to reading your old and new book!
I love this series! Now if you could only get Jack and Clare’s mysteries on the Hallmark Channel!
I have read everything that you have had published! I love them all!! I recently started reading your Haunted Bookshop Mysteries and I love them! My favorite though I have to admit is your Coffee house series! They are the absolute best! I can’t wait to read them and I can’t wait for the new ones to be released!! Keep up with all your Wonderful Work!!!!
You had me at B-O-Okstore. Count me in.
Already have a copy so don’t need to win one. All I can say, it’s about time Jack and Pen are back. Please don’t wait another ten years for their next adventure.
About time you completed this book. Why are you not writing this one under Alice Kimberly?
So glad Jack is back! So much fun.
Once I get caught up on the coffeehouse series I’m gonna read these!
Have not read this series but sure love coffeehouse series!!!
Ive adored this series for years and I’m ecstatic to have our old friends back once more!!! ❤️
I absolutely love Jack and Pen so I’m thrilled to finally have them back in my life again 😀
This is one series for which I am late to the party! Loved the first two and can’t wait to get to the others!
I truly missed Jack and Pen. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and requesting the continuation of the series. The characters became so familiar and I just felt like there was more to be said and more adventures. Thank you for bringing them back
I’ve been looking forward to discovering The Haunted Bookstore series, I’m over half-way through Shot in the Dark and want to start The Haunted Bookstore next.
I’m so glad that Pen & Jack are back!
Thank you for the opportunity to win 🙂
I picked up “The Ghost and Mrs. McClure” at the library because I couldn’t find anything else to read. I really didn’t think I would like it but I was desperate. That was almost 11 years ago I not only liked it I couldn’t get enough. When you first announced the release of your next installment I couldn’t wait but I did wait and wait and wait. Finally 10 years later it’s really here and I can’t wait to read it. No, I think I will wait some more at least until this giveaway is over, after all this time even the slightest chance of being able to read it for free will be worth it. I’m 65 so please don’t make me wait another 10 years for the next one, I don’t know if I have that long to wait. Welcome back.
Have already read it and loved it. My husband and I waited and waited for the next book in the series and are thrilled with it. Looking forward to the next one!
It has been such a long time. The anticipation I feel for this book – it’s like Christmas!
I love the Coffeehouse Series and the Haunted Bookshop Series. I’m so glad you brought it back. I can’t wait to read the new book!
Sounds interesting. Would love to win
Aswanie@gmail.com
Please don’t make us wait so long for another one. I enjoy reading all of your books.
Can’t wait for more!
I am so so glad you brought Pen and Jack back!! I have waited so long to get this newest book of the series. As soon as it went up I pre-ordered it! I hope you can write more. Thanks!
Love both series! So happy Jack is finally back.. I have been hooked on both mystery series from the start…
I am so glad that you decided to write another book. I thoroughly enjoy them. There is a connection between the ghost and the bookseller that we want to continue or come to a conclusion. A happy one of course. It gives us a hope that we can still connect with people who have moved on but still affect our lives. I am so glad Jack is back.
New series for me! Love a good ghost story!
Dropping in to thank Criminal Element for hosting our guest post – and to thank you all for your kind comments. Our loyal readers waited nearly ten years for a new Haunted Bookshop Mystery, and we’re thrilled (at long last) to get The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller into their hands. For those of you who are new to our series, you can jump in easily with our latest book. It reads as a standalone. For those who’ve already fallen in love with Jack and Pen, thank you for your long-suffering patience. We have a new Haunted Bookshop novel already underway, and we hope you’ll keep in touch with us for the latest news on its publication date. (We promise: you will not have to wait another ten years.) To subscribe to our E-Newsletter, simply send a “Sign me up” email to CoffeehouseMystery(at)gmail(dot)com. Cheers, everyone, and thanks again to Criminal Element for their digital hospitality. ~ Cleo
I recently read Shot in the Dark and loved it! This was the first I’ve read in your coffeehouse series, but it definitely won’t be the last. The Haunted Bookshelf series sounds fun too — glad you brought it back.
Thanks for the chance🙂
I am so glad that Jack and Pen are back. I have loved the series and was disappointed that it appeared to have ended. I love the various back stories. Please keep them coming.
I haven’t read the “ghost” books but I can’t wait to start because I love the “coffeehouse” books so much! Can’t wait to start.
I only recently discovered the Haunted Bookshop series, and have since devoured them. I also read the Coffeehouse mysteries, and love the characters and situations in both series. Can’t wait for more of both.
can’t wait to get my hands on the new book. I’m already cleaning my reading glasses in preparation.
So glad this series is back!
I am thankful you wanted to revive the series. A great compliment to the coffeehouse. Thank you.
Sounds like a winner. Can’t wait to read it.
I look forward to revisting this series and reading the newest edition. I have to say, as one of the fans that waited for this, one of the most frustrating parts of the delay was the ever-changing and delayed release date(s). I’m so glad The Ghost and the Bogus Bookseller is here!
I’m delighted that Jack and Pen have returned. Both of your series make me want to shut out the world and settle down to enjoy every word. I have the book and am waiting for a little trip to a cabin with my husband and pups to read it. Thanks for the great books and fun blog.
Thanks for bringing Jack and Pen back, can’t wait to read this new one! Thanks for the chance to win.
I love this series! So glad to see another book coming out.
So happy that Jack and Pen are back. Love the series! Also enjoy your Coffeehouse mysteries. The Ghost and Mrs Muir is a favorite of mine also.
I have read all the Coffee Shop mysteries. Looking forward to reading about Jack and Pen!
Looking forward to another book. Just the thing to get me back to reading as I can’t seem to get interested. Looking forward to more recipes also.
I am way behind on my email so just saw this contest. I know I am too late but I wanted to comment anyway. I prepaid for this book years ago when it was first promised and have preordered again this time. Loved the series and really looking forward to getting to rejoin Pen and Jack’s world. Hope there will be more books to follow.
Thank you for reviving the Haunted Bookshop series. I really missed them and kept looking at Amazon and Alibris for the latest – Amazon stated that it was not yet available and keep checking back – which I did.
PLEASE continue writing Pen/Jack novels. I absolutely love the premise of the duo…it checks all the boxes: cozy mystery, romantic tension, classic detective/40s elements, all this coupled with great secondary characters and fun plots makes this series something I’m begging you to continue. So much goodness! BTW thank you for making Pen an older, curvy gal…my only critique about her character: please let Jack’s grit continue to influence her and make her less caged/naive and a little more worldly. I am seeing it progress as such somewhat slowly in the series, hope it continues.
I was so thrilled when I saw the “Ghost” was back- totally loved this series- thanks very much!