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Ghost Light
Jane Tesh, author
Theodosia "Teddy" Ballard knows nothing about community theater, but when the stage manager for "Little Shop of Horrors" takes a tragic header down the costume lost stairs, she agrees to fill in for the sake of her actor friend, Will. Then one night when Teddy is alone in the theater, she meets George Clancy Everhart, the theater ghost, who tells her the former stage manager was murdered, and he wants her to find the killer. Teddy's investigation, the rehearsals, and all the theater superstitions are complicated when she makes a surprising discovery about her sexual identity which impacts her relationship with Will. And it turns out George has his own dramatic agenda.
Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10
Originality: 6 out of 10
Prose: 7 out of 10
Character/Execution: 7 out of 10
Overall: 6.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This is a well-plotted and charming cozy mystery that dips its toes into the supernatural with steady pacing, though the inclusion of George the ghost feels forced at times.
Prose: Breezy and approachable, Tesh's novel moves the plot along with bits of humor and a nice amount of character background.
Originality: A fairly standard cozy mystery, the supernatural elements feel both intriguing and can have a jarring effect in lighter moments.
Character Development/Execution: Tesh has crafted a likable and relatable amateur sleuth in Teddy, and the supporting characters are spot-on for the genre.
Date Submitted: June 16, 2022