The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

Bookseller Penelope Thornton-McClure began reading her father’s collection of hardboiled detective stories at a young age. Years later, when she was under a great deal of stress, the ghost of PI Jack Shepard began speaking to her. If the voice of a book or movie character began speaking to you, who would you choose and why?

What do you think of Jack? What character traits do you like about him? What do you dislike? Would you want a ghost like Jack watching your back?

One of the themes of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries is how we all live with ghosts. Do you agree? Does anything from your past (positive or negative) haunt you? Does this “haunting” help you in any way? Or would you rather be rid of it?

If you were to visit the town of Quindicott, Rhode Island, what four characters (other than Jack) would you most like to dine with at the Finch Inn? Can you share why you’d want to spend more time with these characters?

In The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller, Pen and Jack investigate twin mysteries, one set in Jack’s past, the other in Penelope’s present. Did you see the connections between the two mysteries? How are they linked?

Going back in time bluntly reminds Penelope of how very different things are today. Can you name three things in our modern world that you see as improvements over Jack’s world? On the flip side, can you name anything you think was better in Jack’s day?

When Spencer’s friend, Amy, loses her father, she disobeys her mother’s wishes and attends his funeral. Pen did her best to manage the difficult situation with Amy and her absent mom. What did you think of her decisions? The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller Discussion Questions Page 2 of 2

A character in this novel used the phrase “literary bullying”—what does that mean to you? If you were handed a copy of Shades of Leather, would you dismiss it as junk? Or would you want to read it before passing judgment? If you disliked it, would you think “less” of someone who enjoyed the book? Is there such a thing as “good” and “bad” literature? Or do you agree with Sadie that these terms are subjective and every reader is entitled to his or her opinion?

Penelope fondly remembers reading the Sally Snoops and her Curious Kitty mysteries when she was a little girl. Do you fondly recall a book or series that you read when you were young? Would you enjoy meeting the author? What would you tell her or him?

In Chapter 38 of this novel, the characters have a lively discussion about the history of literary hoaxes. Turn to that chapter now. Do you remember any of these books? Can you recall a few more recent publishing “hoaxes” that you might have added to this conversation? How would you feel if you read a book and found out it was a “hoax”—has that ever happened to you?

During this mystery, Jack Shepard helps Pen fend off an aggressive suitor, which begs the question: With a ghost haunting her bookshop and occupying her head, is it possible for Penelope to ever find romance? Or do you believe Pen has already found romance—with Jack?

Would you like to read another book in this series?