An Unexpected Guest

by Bruce E. Johnson

Great Fiction/Factual Novel addressing "The Pink Lady" (an apparation at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC). Great read that adds intrigue to the immagination about what happened on that night in 1927. Much of the events/surroundings are actually true, however liberties are taken with the actual event. Would be great to visit the Grove Park Inn and stay in room where she is said to reappear!

293 pages

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jules Bellone · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Sort of spoilers” ahead

If you were a visitor to the Grove Park Inn, like me, and were fascinated by the story of the lady in the pink dress…
If you were encouraged to buy the book…
You will be sorely disappointed. It is a fictional tale, mixed with a bit of history, and has little to nothing to do with the ghost of the lady in the pink dress.

If you enjoy history and are familiar with Asheville, North Carolina, then you may enjoy the book. But if you’re looking for anything about the ghost story or anything about the lady in the pink dress…
This is not it.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of the book was the very end with the unexpected cliffhanger of Evelyn's cigarette.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting read if you are interested in the Grove Park Inn. Johnson is a non-fiction writer that has tried to venture into fiction. He has peppered (or at times doused) his plot with historical names, events, and dates. The mystery plot is simplistic and really just a catalyst for the historical facts. However, I found it interesting having just completed a stay at the Grove Park Inn.

[Amanda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great quick read for a mystery triller!

[Tracey]

very good

[Carol Blackwelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells the story of the ghost of Grove Park Inn- with an unexpected ending!

[Kieran Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was purchased because as everybody should know I LOVE Asheville, North Carolina. I equally love the Grove Park Inn (though can’t ever afford to stay there). Local history is always fascinating because its like giving a voice to the hoi polloi and a book this provincial will, in all fairness, probably be lost in a few years so its important to laud it before ending up in the bargain bin of a used bookstore in Outer Mongolia. That said, when mixing fiction with something so local the results can often end up rather disastrous. Well, not winning the Disaster Award was probably only because I lost complete interest by the end of the story. In another life I might re-read that last chapter so as to try to understand the part that I clearly didn’t understand (and obviously the key to the mystery).
Story is an attempt to solve the history of the woman who apparently haunts the hotel, to this day. Well, we don’t know if she died or was killed (and I still am not too sure, to be honest). Some interesting accounts of historical figures that did, in fact, stay at the hotel……etc et al.
He gets two stars because 1) There might be something hidden in that last chapter that I couldn’t understand and I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt 2) It’s a signed copy (though the fact that its signed twice gives me the impression that an unsigned copy is probably more valuable, sadly) and 3) I’d hate to totally spoil it for potential buyers who scour the bargain bins in used book stores in Outer Mongolia.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Entertaining. Takes place at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Factual/fictional accounting of the "Pink Lady" apparation that appears in the Inn. Very immaginative! Lots of local points of interest. Great period book from the 1920s. Interesting character development

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have long admired Mr. Johnson as a historian and nonfiction author. Mr. Johnson, please stick to what you do best.