THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET by Karen White
Karen White’s THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is now available for purchase. This is white’s
“lucky 7” novel in the Tradd Street series. And oh what a ride it has been. To borrow from Dickens, it is the best of times and the worst of times. The best because it is always a good time for a new Tradd Street book. The worst because this is the last book in the series
When White first introduced us to Melanie, the heroine of the books, it was purer pleasure just getting to know her. Then when she met Jack we knew it was going to be an amazing romance captured in the pages of one book after another. Their story and adventures have made this series wildly successful with readers anticipating with great apprehension and appreciation each book.
Melanie is a real estate agent in Charleston, South Carolina and Jack is a writer who lives there. That seems ordinary enough except for the fact Melanie can communicate with dead people. She is a ghost whisperer and finds this ability more than a little annoying. She would like to keep her gift out of the public eye but circumstances keep forcing her to reveal her talent.
In this new book a movie is being made about her and Jack and it is being filmed at their home. The house has been around for quite a while and many spirits still linger in and about the property. To make matters worse it is Jack’s arch-enemy Marc Longo who is making the film.
While all this is going on Melanie is trying to make contact with some spirits in a house on Queen Street. They might know information about the murder of the sister of one of Melanie’s good friends. But every time Melanie thinks these spirits are going to give her some key information they back away.
Layered on top of all this is Jack and Melanie’s relationship. They are going through a rough patch and both are hurting. They know they love each other but they don’t know if they are good for each other. Describing the ins and outs of this relationship and showing the reader the pain and suffering it causes both Jack and Melanie is where White’s writing skills are most acute.
You don’t just read a Karen White book, you fall unto it. To fully enjoy it you must be totally immersed in the setting, plot and characters and all three of these elements are fully created in her writing. With each new novel she has become more assured, more competent, more complete. THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is the jewel in the crown of this series.
Could THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET be enjoyed as a standalone novel? I think so, but you would not get the richness that a read of all seven books gives to you. For the full delight of this feast of stories read them all. THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is the rich dessert but you should go for the whole meal of material.
Karen White is one of America’s premiere novelists. She is clearly identifiable in the way she shapes her stories and builds her characters. She is consistent in her talent but is never repetitive. That is the secret sauce that leads to her success book after book after book.
She has kept the recipe intact in THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET. You are so going to enjoy it!
THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is published by Berkley. It contains 400 pages and sells for $27.00.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
