Murder, ghosts, and the most dangerous seduction of all....
A 1994 novel by Kay Hooper
Kay Hooper wrote in a note to her readers in the front of this book that she always did love mystery, romance, and just a touch of the supernatural.
In The Haunting of Josie she gives us Josie Douglas, who rents an isolated house called Westbrook. Josie has taken a year off from teaching to solve a mystery that has cast a shadow over much of her life. As the story evolves, we learn about the mystery, but also find a bit of romance with the property's owner, Marc Westbrook, and that touch of the supernatural in the form of a special cat named Pendragon and a restless spirit who has an important message to pass on.
Synopsis
As Josie is unloading her car to move into her rental house, she meets first a large & friendly black cat with a name tag reading 'Pendragon'. A short time later she meets the owner of the house who is living in the cottage at the back of the property.
Josie is instantly startled by her immediate positive impression of Marc Westbrook. It must have something to do with the fact that he is “drop-dead gorgeous”.
Marc explains that the house is named 'Westbrook' because an ancestor built the house back in the thirties and it's been in the family ever since. As Marc & Josie get acquainted, she learns that the house had not been lived in for a long time, since the death of his uncle, Luke Westbrook, 50 years ago, a well-known mystery writer who supposedly committed suicide. The house has recently been renovated and updated.
On Josie's second night in the house, as she is walking from her bedroom to the bath, she is shocked by finding a man standing in the hallway. Her first thought was for how he could have possibly entered the locked house. Her next thought was that he wasn't really there; that he didn't look substantial at all. Pendragon also appeared to see this 'spirit' who reached out a hand to her, then vanished!
With Marc's help with background on his 'uncle', a mysterious brass key that keeps appearing in different places, and enigmatic hints from the cat, Pendragon, they eventually figure out through strange coincidences that the ghostly visitor has a message that will explain this 'Haunting of Josie'.
Summary
I have been a reading fan of author Kay Hooper for many years and own most of her books. Therefore, I know that 'Pendragon' appears several more times in a series of books by Hooper known as The Bishop Files. He is a very unique and special cat indeed.
It was charming and a great deal of fun to discover Pendragon in this early novel by Kay Hooper, author of more than 60 books in both the Romance genre and the Mystery and Paranormal genres. And The Haunting of Josie was a fascinating way to discover Hooper's writing talents in both the romantic and the mystery, with a touch of the paranormal. Most definitely well worth reading!
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This sounds like fun! I would quite like to meet Pendragon, and you have piqued my interest regarding the Westbrook “uncle.”
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting book all around, Margaret. Thanks for visiting my book review.
DeleteThis sounds very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is, Mary Beth.
DeleteThis sounds like a book and story that I would love! I like books that tend to take us out of reality, but have a believable story. I also believe there are places that just give us an eerie feelings even if we don't see a man standing in the hall. Therefore, Westbrook house would be believable to me. Personally, I think animals are much more perceptive of the spiritual realm, therefore Pendragon would also be believable to me. I look forward to reading this book and more by Kay Hooper.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the perception of animals, Mouse. Pendragon the cat is as delightful and interesting a character as the human characters in this story.
DeleteWOW. Totally up my alley. I was right into your review. This is also the kind of book, that if made into a movie, I would watch (as long as they didn't make it a horror) - Great book recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara. Glad it piqued your interest.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding this author to my list of many that I know I will enjoy! Thanks Pat for helping me to broaden my reading experiences.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Kay Hooper, but missed this one apparently. I'll look for it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a very intriguing book with a great storyline. Thank you for your excellent review and recommendation.
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