Customer Reviews

Haunting Jordan: A Novel of Suspense

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

P.J. Alderman's first release on a major label (you can check out "A Killing Tide" for her first ever suspense on Love Spell) is definitely a page-turner. The book has dual murder-mystery storylines - one running in the present, one in the past. The protagonist is working to solve both murders, one to clear herself, and one to quiet the ghosts living in her classic Victorian in Port Chatham, WA. The historical storyline is replete with detailed descriptions of the socioeconomic setting of the early days of the town. The characters are well developed and interesting to read about. The current-day characters are also fairly well developed, and keep the story (which bounces between the two timelines) running on track. Both mysteries are solved in the book, but each story could have easily filled a book by itself, so I did find myself wanting more in the end. That's a good thing, however, since rumor has it that Alderman is at work on another release on Bantam.

Overall, the book seems to be a bit more oriented toward the female reader, but I found the historical details compelling enough to keep me reading, and once the story got going, I was pretty much hooked. The narrative is lush enough to get lost in but not so flowery and obtuse as to bore the reader. While I generally stick to nonfiction and historical stuff, I find Alderman's books a nice fictional escape, and something I can either burn through in a few days or spend some extended time on.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone in the market for a good, fun murder mystery that's light yet pulls no punches.

I'm not going to post a blurb on this book, because those interested can read the excellent blurbs posted by other reviewers.

I loved this book. In fact, I loved it so much I stayed up until almost 4am in the morning last night finishing it. I haven't done that since college. I know two of the other reviewers mentioned finding the historical accounts boring...to be honest I can see how some people would have that reaction. Those sections do go into a lot of detail. I found myself interested in the history of that area and that time period, maybe because I am from Washington State and I've been to the San jaun islands numerous times. I also thought that the characterization of Hattie and Charlotte and all the other *suspects* of that time were interesting. I wanted to know what had happened to Hattie and Charlotte, so I never skipped any of the historical accounts.

However, what I loved so much about this book was the humor. I loved Jordan and the ghosts. So much of the dialog was just absolutely perfect. And I laughed outloud, ALOT!! Which I don't usually do.

So yes, while the historical aspects could drag abit, the contemporary bits more than made up for that.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone and I can't wait for the second in the series to hit the bookshelf. This author has just jumped to my auto-buy list and I'm a die hard fan.

Jordan Marsh's husband died in a car cash because someone cut the brake lines of his vehicle. LAPD Detective Drake believes she killed her spouse but has no evidence to prove his theory. Sick of Drake's harassment, Jordan moves to Port Chatham, Washington; where she purchases a fixer upper Victorian, Longren House. To her surprise her new abode comes with two ghostly residents Hattie her teenage sister Charlotte.

When Hattie's husband died, she took over his shipping business and inherited his enemies especially amidst his allies when she decides to clean up his dirty dealings. This includes resentful Mike Seavey who is a power on the docks, her late husband's manager, and Police Chief Greeley who wants to marry Charlotte. As Jordan tries to solve who murdered Hattie back in 1890, she also has to deal with Drake who has new evidence and has come to the Pacific Northwest to see her arrested. Jordan's lawyer refuses to allow her to be expedited back to California as the new proof would not hold up in court. Still someone wants Jordan in jail, but she has no idea who or why.

Readers will thoroughly enjoy this paranormal amateur sleuth because of the ghost who tells Jordan what happened to her back in 1890 as she tries to persuade the mortal to investigate the homicide in 2009. Looking into a cold case as a total amateur seems easy when compared to being a present day suspect in her husband's death as Drake is like Inspector Girard of the Fugitive. P.J. Alderman writes a scintillating supernatural whodunit as the spirits connect the past with the present.

Harriet Klausner

Two murder cases - one in the past, one in the present. Jordan Marsh, therapist, leaves LA for the northwest after her husband is murdered. She is the leading suspect, even though she was in the middle of a divorce at the time. The home she buys "belongs" two ghosts - one of whom was murdered.

Personally I think the ghost murder was a lot more interesting than Jordan's and it wrapped up better too. A thoroughly enjoying read and I wouldn't mind a sequel. I'm sure there's a lot of ghosts on Jordan's town that could use a bit of help.

Therapist, Jordan Marsh is seeking solace and a major change of scenery when she purchases a quaint Victorian in the small town of Port Chatham, Washington leaving her long-time home in LA. Not fully recognizing the challenges she has created for herself in her haste to change her life, she is shaken to find that she is not the only resident of this beautiful home. As her already crazy life takes an unusual turn, readers begin to meet the quirky cast of characters ¬¬¬- both living and dead - with a small few offering assistance in helping her transition while others simultaneously request her help.

Blending a small measure of romance and a healthy dose of comedy into the suspenseful plot kept me up all night while I secretly attempted to figure out the "who-dun-it". "Haunting Jordan" is a breath of fresh air!

I LOVED this book! I was hooked from the first few pages, and didn't put it down till I was done! I read an entire Saturday - this book is that good! :)

The writing is superb - the blending of 2 different murders in 2 different times was easy to follow. The characters are lovable and the ghosts are hilarious! I cannot wait to read more from this author!

I picked up this book on a whim, thinking I would enjoy the dual time frame mysteries being played out. But in this situation I find that the historical part of the story is tedious, too character laden and I am actually beginning to skip over it. The ghosts living in the current time period? They are fun and should have/could have been made more of....to me that would have been much more interesting than long dissertations about unionizing West Coast boat crews and the the ills of brothels.

For this reason I have picked up and put down this book about 1/2 dozen times. I am determined to finish...hopefully the two mysteries can be solved in modern times without my having to read the other portions!

I bought this book to read on a plane... With that being said, I will read nearly ANYTHING on a plane, but I abandoned this one to the seat pocket midway through the flight. The book is well-written and it is obvious that the author has done her research on the topics, but contrary to what the cover and many of the reviews imply, it is not a "fun" read. It is a rather grim, dark novel. It was not what I needed to take my mind off of sitting in "cattle" on the flight...

Fast paced fun story with great ambiguous and quirky characters. Where can I get my haunted house?

Well, I'm really glad I spotted this in the book store (especially as I really like paranormal mystery books). One thing I really like about this book is it has two great mysteries (one set in the past and one set in the present) that mix well together. I look forward to the next book in this new series.