Reviews for Ghost Motel

The average rating for Ghost Motel based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-05-20 00:00:00 Fredrik Jonasson P.E. teacher Harriet Hubbley—called Harry by her friends—is on vacation. She is invited to travel from her home in Montreal to Provincetown to spend time with her girlfriend, who left earlier to visit an old friend. En route, however, she stops at a decrepit-looking motel (it is the only one she can find without a NO VACANCY sign flashing) and makes the acquaintance of the owner, a 75-year-old lesbian named Gertie. They have a few drinks and get to know one another before Harry leaves the next morning. But when Harry gets to P’town the next day, she learns that Gertie died during the night under mysterious circumstances. And she also finds out that her lover Judy has been unfaithful. Perhaps the combination of these two shocking incidents cause Harry to begin having nightmares—dreams in which the dead old woman tells her secrets and gives her suggestions to use in her own life. Against Judy’s advice, Harry begins searching for the reason that Gertie died. Was it suicide, or was she murdered? The fact is, though, that Harry doesn't really solve anything; much of the information she does find out comes from her dreams. Despite this occult slant—which to me is unforgivable in a true mystery—Ghost Motel is a well-written and enjoyable book, despite the fact that the characters, including Harry, are unexceptional. What I like best is author Manthorne’s ability to anticipate my criticism with a kind of knowing smile. She tells Harriet (and the reader) “I’m asking you to suspend your disbelief in the [ir]rational, to see to the bottom of the wishing well, to follow Alice to Wonderland. Troubling, isn't it?” A bit. But from the descriptions, the next books in this series are true murder mysteries so maybe we can forgive the dream sequences. This time. This is one of those books that are stylistically pleasant, that suck you into the story without grandiose plots or scintillating characters. And as a simple ghost story, it probably deserves high marks. I will reserve my own judgment until I read others in the Harriet Hubbley series. The fact that I am anxious to do so is a credit to Ghost Motel, despite its flaws. Note: I read what seems to be the first he Gynergy Books printing. Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.

Review # 2 was written on 2016-05-16 00:00:00 Judith Morrison I loved this book! This is the first Jackie Manthorne book I've read and I am now hunting down the rest of her books. Not an easy task as they are not on Kindle and the only copies I can find are second hand ones. Harry is a phys ed teacher from Canada who follows her lover Judy down to that great lesbian mecca, Provincetown. Things don't go to plan and she stops off at a motel on the way and meets a fascinating old lady, Gertie, who is found dead the next day. This sets her off on a quest to find out what happened to Gertie and also to sort out her own life. A brilliant read with plenty of mystery, a well-written main character and a decent sprinkling of hot sex. I just know that once I get through the series of Harriet Hubbley books I will want more!