Karen White

Inheriting an historic home from an elderly man she had recently met, Melanie Middleton, a Charleston real-estate agent who possesses the ability to see ghosts, finds herself dealing with an entire family of haunts and joins forces with Jack Trenholm, a handsome writer, to unravel the house's dark history and find some long-missing diamonds. Original.

The House on Tradd Street

Patricia Nelson

A few months ago I was fortunate to attend an event at an area library with this author for the release of her latest in her Tradd Street series. I realized that I'd probably enjoy them more if I read them in order, so I started with this book. It was a very fast read, even at almost 400 pages, with great characters and twists and turns in the plot. I saw some of them coming, but some I did not. I was a little frustrated at the beginning of the book when all these people (primarily men) were telling the main character what to do and kind of railroading her instead of her having control over her own life. By the end of the book, she has taken much more control of things, and is a stronger character. This book was written 12 years ago, which may have played into that part of the plot. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it though - I really enjoyed it, and having been to Charleston a few times, it was fun to read about places and restaurants that I'm familiar with. Charleston is indeed an old city with a rich history and a lot of spirits!

Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

** spoiler alert **
           Written by Karen White, The House on Tradd Street is the first novel in the Tradd Street series that follows Melanie, a woman who sees the dead, and despite rejecting the idea of owning a historic old home, ends up with one on her lap after only a sing meeting with an old man.

*SPOILERS BELOW, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED*

Then You have Jack, and Marc, but mostly Jack. He is an author who, along with other friends and acquaintances, helps Melanie to renovate her newly acquired home.

The writing in this was great – though I will admit that the editors missed a couple of words and ending a quote. But every character was fleshed out – even if Melanie was being unreasonable when it came to Marc – and I enjoyed them all.

I will say this – I don’t get why she went out with Marc AGAIN after her and Jack nearly kissed and, I’m pretty sure, admitted they have feelings for each other.

Also, I wonder how truthful Marc was when he stated that he had developed feelings for her. One thing the author made a point of is that, if you were paying attention, you could tell from the get-go that Marc wasn’t actually interested in her.

Overall, great book. If you enjoy a good ghosty mystery, I think this could be a great choice.

Cindy

Liz Carpenter

Renee K Hopper

Jennifer Rittall

Judy McClure

The brilliant, chilling debut of Karen White's New York Times bestselling Tradd Street series, featuring a Charleston real estate agent who loves old houses—and the secret histories inside them. Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she's going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets. Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he's the smitten one... It turns out Jack's search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak—and even murder.

The House on Tradd Street

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