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Mickey McCoy #1
The Secret of Lucianne Dove
In 2008, veteran newspaper man, Mickey McCoy, is on assignment in Virginia City, Nevada. There he crosses paths with the spirit of a beautiful prostitute from the old mining town's colorful past who was hanged in 1881 for a murder she didn't commit. Mickey sets out to learn what she wants and discovers she has a secret that must be revealed if he's to change legacy of her life as well as his own.
This is the story of two souls who transcend time to find the forgiveness they both need.
This is the story of two souls who transcend time to find the forgiveness they both need.
- GenresParanormal
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2008
1 person is currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Roberta L. Smith
16 books58 followersRoberta Smith is an award-winning author. She loves a good ghost story. So that's what she writes. Her novel "The Haunting of Peter Ashton" placed as a finalist in the Horror: Paranormal/Supernatural genre of the 2023 American Fiction Awards. Her novel, "Simone's Ghosts" won the 2017 Hollywood Book Festival's grand prize.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2023
Book Synopsis
Crusty veteran newspaper reporter Mickey McCoy doesn't realize just how strong his sixth-sense powers are until he comes to Virginia City and crosses paths with the spirit of nineteenth century mining town whore, Lucianne Dove. Driven by a need to heal his own pain, he realizes he has a kinship with this woman from another era who is calling on him for help. If he can figure out what she wants and fulfill her need, he will not only change the legacy of her life, but will change the course of his own.
The Secret of Lucianne Dove is the first of three Mickey McCoy paranormal mysteries from author Roberta L. Smith. It is the story of two souls whose connection transcends time - a paranormal tale with heart, soul, and a message about forgiveness.My Thoughts
From start to finish this was an interesting and to me very easily read book. The flow of the story as it takes place and the details about each character as they come to light were very natural and gave the reader a feeling of ease as they turned the pages. Mickey is not only an old codger who learns that all is not black and white in the world but he readily endears himself to one as you get to see him in action.
Paranormal mystery, coupled with a bit of time travel and old west history is a combination that will make you keep reading to find out all the secrets about both Lucianne and Mickey as they are ferreted out. This is also a treat to the senses as the author creates the atmosphere of Virginia City for the reader to enjoy both in the modern era and as it would have been in the 1800's. It almost made me smell, taste and feel what the characters did as I read along.
In a time when women were put into very narrow categories of either being "good" or "bad" Lucianne Dove was labeled as a "bad" woman. In a time when age comes to bear on whether a person is labeled as being past their usefulness Mickey is labeled as being ready to "retire". This story proves to the reader that sometimes if we look past a label we see the true person, sometimes they defy the odds and have more to offer than even they realize themselves!
This was a truly unique and picturesque start to what I hope turns out to be something that others like myself will get to enjoy for themselves and am really looking forward to reading more about Mickey in the near future, he stole my heart when he turned out to be good with a hammer and other hand tools![Ecopy of book provided by author in exchange for an honest review ]
July 29, 2016
The Secret of Lucianne Dove starts with a flashback to Virginia City several centuries ago, and to the trial and hanging of a local woman named Lucianne Dove. As Lucianne faces her punishment, death, she leaves one last message for the crowd, which leaves most of the reporters puzzled. The message is for Janie to get in touch with her little sister. It’s a puzzling message that makes absolutely no sense, since the only Janie who Lucianne could be talking about had a little sister who died years ago. Although some of the local people including the sheriff have their doubts on whether or not Lucianne was guilty for the crime she was punished for, dead is dead and they leave it like that.
Back in the present day, sixty-something year old reporter Mickey McCoy is having strange dreams. It’s like these dreams want to bring a message across. But they make no sense whatsoever. One even involves Marjorie Main in Ma and Paw Kettle in Lake Tahoe, played for an entire night. And it’s not just dreams. His boss is acting weird, having weird dreams as well, and tiny things happen that lead Mickey to believe that he should really take this case he initially didn’t want, to visit the annual races in Virginia City and write a report about it. It’s like destiny, or some other supernatural force, is forcing him to go. Mickey is a grumpy old man with a nose for excellent news story, but the story he is going to come across in Virginia City is unlike anything he ever imagined.
In the next chapter we meet a woman named Marjorie whose daughter Luce is secretly visiting Virginia City dressed up like a woman from the 1800s and asking everyone who wants to hear where Janie is. Disturbing behavior to say the least, but what’s even stranger is that Luce is being ordered to do so by a visitor from beyond the grave, the same visitor who has tormented Luce’s dreams for over a year. By the time Mickey arrives in Virginia City, the legend of this ghostly apparition wandering around looking for a certain Janie has long since spread. Although he senses that his coming to Virgnia City, which was by no means an accident, has something to do with this ghostly appearance, he can’t figure out what exactly just yet.
Around that time Mickey meets with the owner of Comstock Children’s Home, who is struggling to make ends meet, especially since an angry social worker with two substantial degrees and an ill-will towards Comstock Children’s Home, has made it her life’s goal to put the orphanage down. Since he grew up in an orphanage himself, Mickey is eager to help the children of Comstock Children’s Home by writing a report about the orphanage and hopefully gathering some publicity and charity money by doing so. It’s there that he figures out that the mysterious ghostly woman has been bothering the orphans as well, continously asking about Janie. Records prove that Janie was once enlisted in Comstock Children’s Home, in the late 1800s. Now it’s up to Mickey to solve the mystery and figure out what the connection is between Janie and the mysterious ghost.
The Secret of Lucianne Dove is perhaps one of the most intriguing paranormal mystery novels I’ve ever read. I have to say that it isn’t exactly scary though, which was an entirely new experience for me. I’m used to ghosts being these malicious, threatening apparitions from the beyond seeking revenge or setting right past wrongs, but doing so in a very terrifying way. Not so with the ghosts Roberta L. Smith presents us with. Lucianne Dove is more of a tragic character than a menacing one, and she has absolutely no desire to hurt or kill the main characters. That’s why I don’t think this book should be classified as a horror novel, but more like a paranormal mystery. And what a fine mystery it is. Although I had a faint clue as to where the ending would lead, there were so many bits and pieces of information hidden throughout the novel and so many clever twists and turns that I couldn’t stop reading till the very end.
Mickey is an interesting protagonist. For one, he’s over sixty years old. I think this is probably the first time in a non-epic fantasy book that I’ve come across a main character of this age. Mickey’s age made me think of him a bit like the character of Anthony Hopkins in the in 2011 released movie The Rite, where he plays an old exorcist and eventually gets possessed by a demon himself. Every time when I imagine how Mickey looks like, I see Anthony Hopkins in that role. He gives off this sort of grandfatherly feel, although being grumpy and pensive most of the time. His age adds some troubles as well. For instance, I couldn’t imagine Mickey chasing down runaway ghosts down an appartment building while jumping off the stairs three at a time. He’s not of those overly active, sporty, muscled and trained detective characters. He’s more like detective Colombo as he tries to figure out this mystery. I was always a big fan of Colombo, and I’m a big fan of Mickey as well.
I have to hand it to Mickey though, he does take this paranormal gifts thing very lightly. Hell, even I would be more freaked out about having dreams that transport me back in time than Mickey is, and that at his age. Granted, he has a history in New Age spirituality stuff, but I still think he deals with this kind of stuff extraordinary well. I would like to know more about Mickey and his personal history. So far all we know is that he grew up in an orphanage himself, but I’m still eager to find out who his real parents were and whether or not they have something to do with him possessing some sort of sixth sense. Mickey is a mysterious character as well. Not only is a lot left in the dark as regards to his past, but he doesn’t hand out information about himself freely. He’s the typical old man who doesn’t talk a lot but seems to have a lot of secrets to spill regardless. I’m eagerly anticipating the day when Mickey is ready to spill those secrets.
With an original and intriguing protagonist, a chilling paranormal mystery ready to be solved, time travel and a little hint of romance, The Secret of Lucianne Dove makes a wonderful novel to read on a cold winter afternoon. If you’re a fan of ghosts, paranormal stuff or mysteries than this book is definately your kind of thing. Roberta L. Smith has a narrator’s voice that pulls you in from page one, and doesn’t let you catch a breathe until the very end. She writes fluent and doesn’t enter into long descriptions, although she does manage to transport the reader back in time in an almost effortless way. I could almost feel and taste the old wild west. Definately not for the faint of heart, but the focus of this book isn’t to portray ghosts as being terrifying either, more like tragic and misunderstood souls. For fans of the genre and people looking for something new, you shouldn’t miss out on this book.
Back in the present day, sixty-something year old reporter Mickey McCoy is having strange dreams. It’s like these dreams want to bring a message across. But they make no sense whatsoever. One even involves Marjorie Main in Ma and Paw Kettle in Lake Tahoe, played for an entire night. And it’s not just dreams. His boss is acting weird, having weird dreams as well, and tiny things happen that lead Mickey to believe that he should really take this case he initially didn’t want, to visit the annual races in Virginia City and write a report about it. It’s like destiny, or some other supernatural force, is forcing him to go. Mickey is a grumpy old man with a nose for excellent news story, but the story he is going to come across in Virginia City is unlike anything he ever imagined.
In the next chapter we meet a woman named Marjorie whose daughter Luce is secretly visiting Virginia City dressed up like a woman from the 1800s and asking everyone who wants to hear where Janie is. Disturbing behavior to say the least, but what’s even stranger is that Luce is being ordered to do so by a visitor from beyond the grave, the same visitor who has tormented Luce’s dreams for over a year. By the time Mickey arrives in Virginia City, the legend of this ghostly apparition wandering around looking for a certain Janie has long since spread. Although he senses that his coming to Virgnia City, which was by no means an accident, has something to do with this ghostly appearance, he can’t figure out what exactly just yet.
Around that time Mickey meets with the owner of Comstock Children’s Home, who is struggling to make ends meet, especially since an angry social worker with two substantial degrees and an ill-will towards Comstock Children’s Home, has made it her life’s goal to put the orphanage down. Since he grew up in an orphanage himself, Mickey is eager to help the children of Comstock Children’s Home by writing a report about the orphanage and hopefully gathering some publicity and charity money by doing so. It’s there that he figures out that the mysterious ghostly woman has been bothering the orphans as well, continously asking about Janie. Records prove that Janie was once enlisted in Comstock Children’s Home, in the late 1800s. Now it’s up to Mickey to solve the mystery and figure out what the connection is between Janie and the mysterious ghost.
The Secret of Lucianne Dove is perhaps one of the most intriguing paranormal mystery novels I’ve ever read. I have to say that it isn’t exactly scary though, which was an entirely new experience for me. I’m used to ghosts being these malicious, threatening apparitions from the beyond seeking revenge or setting right past wrongs, but doing so in a very terrifying way. Not so with the ghosts Roberta L. Smith presents us with. Lucianne Dove is more of a tragic character than a menacing one, and she has absolutely no desire to hurt or kill the main characters. That’s why I don’t think this book should be classified as a horror novel, but more like a paranormal mystery. And what a fine mystery it is. Although I had a faint clue as to where the ending would lead, there were so many bits and pieces of information hidden throughout the novel and so many clever twists and turns that I couldn’t stop reading till the very end.
Mickey is an interesting protagonist. For one, he’s over sixty years old. I think this is probably the first time in a non-epic fantasy book that I’ve come across a main character of this age. Mickey’s age made me think of him a bit like the character of Anthony Hopkins in the in 2011 released movie The Rite, where he plays an old exorcist and eventually gets possessed by a demon himself. Every time when I imagine how Mickey looks like, I see Anthony Hopkins in that role. He gives off this sort of grandfatherly feel, although being grumpy and pensive most of the time. His age adds some troubles as well. For instance, I couldn’t imagine Mickey chasing down runaway ghosts down an appartment building while jumping off the stairs three at a time. He’s not of those overly active, sporty, muscled and trained detective characters. He’s more like detective Colombo as he tries to figure out this mystery. I was always a big fan of Colombo, and I’m a big fan of Mickey as well.
I have to hand it to Mickey though, he does take this paranormal gifts thing very lightly. Hell, even I would be more freaked out about having dreams that transport me back in time than Mickey is, and that at his age. Granted, he has a history in New Age spirituality stuff, but I still think he deals with this kind of stuff extraordinary well. I would like to know more about Mickey and his personal history. So far all we know is that he grew up in an orphanage himself, but I’m still eager to find out who his real parents were and whether or not they have something to do with him possessing some sort of sixth sense. Mickey is a mysterious character as well. Not only is a lot left in the dark as regards to his past, but he doesn’t hand out information about himself freely. He’s the typical old man who doesn’t talk a lot but seems to have a lot of secrets to spill regardless. I’m eagerly anticipating the day when Mickey is ready to spill those secrets.
With an original and intriguing protagonist, a chilling paranormal mystery ready to be solved, time travel and a little hint of romance, The Secret of Lucianne Dove makes a wonderful novel to read on a cold winter afternoon. If you’re a fan of ghosts, paranormal stuff or mysteries than this book is definately your kind of thing. Roberta L. Smith has a narrator’s voice that pulls you in from page one, and doesn’t let you catch a breathe until the very end. She writes fluent and doesn’t enter into long descriptions, although she does manage to transport the reader back in time in an almost effortless way. I could almost feel and taste the old wild west. Definately not for the faint of heart, but the focus of this book isn’t to portray ghosts as being terrifying either, more like tragic and misunderstood souls. For fans of the genre and people looking for something new, you shouldn’t miss out on this book.
August 14, 2008
Sometimes an author presents exactly what you want to read—the book has a beautiful, enticing cover; a little mystery; a ghost or two; strong, endearing characters, a storyline that keeps you turning pages; excellent writing; and an ending that ties up all the little issues that sometimes are left hanging! Quite simply, I found all this and loved The Secret of Lucianne Dove by first-time novelist, Roberta L. Smith!
The book opens in 1881 when Lucianne Dove is being hanged—for a murder she did not commit. Admittedly she had been a prostitute, having no other way to make money. And she had also been a lover to the man who had been killed. But that was as far as her guilt went. Even as he led her to the gallows, the sheriff felt that hanging Lucianne was wrong.
Before she was hung, she asked to speak, “Please. Please tell Janie to get in touch with her little sister.”
It was a hundred years later, more or less, when Mickey McCoy started having dreams. Mickey was still working as a news reporter, though he had passed the normal retirement age years ago. His career had been his life. Mickey had received awards for his writing, but he’d never felt that his work was completed. When the dreams started, he wasn’t sure what was happening, especially the one where Marjorie Main in Ma and Paw Kettle in Lake Tahoe, played for an entire night.
At about the same time but a couple hundred miles away in Lake Tahoe, a woman named Marjorie was in the midst of a quarrel with her daughter Luce. Luce had also been having dreams and her mother had refused to believe and accept anything that her daughter shared. While Marjorie wasn’t aware of it, Luce had taken to walking around in Virginia City, sometimes asking the question, “Do you know Janie or where I can find her?” The dead woman who came to Luce in dreams had told her what to do and where to go.
One of the places she was to visit was the Comstock Children’s Home. Though run down and threatened by individuals at the State Children’s Services, who supported it, there was much love and concern provided the children who still lived in this orphanage.
And so it was the spirit of Lucianne who entered into the dreams of those who would listen and see her, who worked to reveal the secret that had never been shared. Lucianne not only cleared her own reputation for murder but also provided the way through which Mickey McCoy was able to write her story and redeem his own life.
This heartwarming tale often centers on the Children’s Home and readers will soon find themselves involved in the lives of the director, staff, and the children. I have no idea whether any part of the story is based upon fact; however, if it wasn’t, it is certainly written as if it answers one of the greatest mysteries of the past.
A touch of history, a touch of romance...this is a beautiful story to curl up with on a dark and cloudy weekend! I’m hoping this writer considers a sequel! In the meantime, get a copy and enjoy The Secret of Lucianne Dove! You’ll be glad you did!
G. A. Bixler, 2008
The book opens in 1881 when Lucianne Dove is being hanged—for a murder she did not commit. Admittedly she had been a prostitute, having no other way to make money. And she had also been a lover to the man who had been killed. But that was as far as her guilt went. Even as he led her to the gallows, the sheriff felt that hanging Lucianne was wrong.
Before she was hung, she asked to speak, “Please. Please tell Janie to get in touch with her little sister.”
It was a hundred years later, more or less, when Mickey McCoy started having dreams. Mickey was still working as a news reporter, though he had passed the normal retirement age years ago. His career had been his life. Mickey had received awards for his writing, but he’d never felt that his work was completed. When the dreams started, he wasn’t sure what was happening, especially the one where Marjorie Main in Ma and Paw Kettle in Lake Tahoe, played for an entire night.
At about the same time but a couple hundred miles away in Lake Tahoe, a woman named Marjorie was in the midst of a quarrel with her daughter Luce. Luce had also been having dreams and her mother had refused to believe and accept anything that her daughter shared. While Marjorie wasn’t aware of it, Luce had taken to walking around in Virginia City, sometimes asking the question, “Do you know Janie or where I can find her?” The dead woman who came to Luce in dreams had told her what to do and where to go.
One of the places she was to visit was the Comstock Children’s Home. Though run down and threatened by individuals at the State Children’s Services, who supported it, there was much love and concern provided the children who still lived in this orphanage.
And so it was the spirit of Lucianne who entered into the dreams of those who would listen and see her, who worked to reveal the secret that had never been shared. Lucianne not only cleared her own reputation for murder but also provided the way through which Mickey McCoy was able to write her story and redeem his own life.
This heartwarming tale often centers on the Children’s Home and readers will soon find themselves involved in the lives of the director, staff, and the children. I have no idea whether any part of the story is based upon fact; however, if it wasn’t, it is certainly written as if it answers one of the greatest mysteries of the past.
A touch of history, a touch of romance...this is a beautiful story to curl up with on a dark and cloudy weekend! I’m hoping this writer considers a sequel! In the meantime, get a copy and enjoy The Secret of Lucianne Dove! You’ll be glad you did!
G. A. Bixler, 2008
October 31, 2011
The Secret of Lucianne Dove has everything I enjoy in a book: Mystery, history, time-travel, and more. I loved it! It was amazing!
So when newspaper reporter Mickey McCoy and his flippant sidekick photographer Freddie Green are sent on an overnight trip to Virginia City to cover the International Camel and Ostrich races, they uncover far more than just the fluff piece they were assigned.
Was veteran reporter Mickey McCoy only looking for the story that would tell him why he became a reporter in the first place? That story that would make him famous? Or will Mickey McCoy discover the haunting secret of Lucianne Dove, before it’s too late?
The author, Roberta Smith, hits the Comstock Lode, the Ophir vein, with this haunting tale that is sure to have you paying attention to your own dreams and those so-called coincidences.
Dare to hope.
He'd been having dreams again. The sort that woke him up because they were so vivid. When they were that vivid they usually meant something.
So when newspaper reporter Mickey McCoy and his flippant sidekick photographer Freddie Green are sent on an overnight trip to Virginia City to cover the International Camel and Ostrich races, they uncover far more than just the fluff piece they were assigned.
Her face was delicate and sensuous. When she turned and looked at him, he didn’t look away. He stared into her eyes—those strange, enchanting eyes, the color of Comstock gold. Nobody had eyes like Lucianne.
Was veteran reporter Mickey McCoy only looking for the story that would tell him why he became a reporter in the first place? That story that would make him famous? Or will Mickey McCoy discover the haunting secret of Lucianne Dove, before it’s too late?
But that was the thing about life. It didn’t always give you the chance to do things differently. There weren’t a lot of dress rehearsals.
The author, Roberta Smith, hits the Comstock Lode, the Ophir vein, with this haunting tale that is sure to have you paying attention to your own dreams and those so-called coincidences.
Dare to hope.
July 7, 2012
After I read The Secret of Lucianne Dove, I decided to take a few days off and drive from So. California to the town of Virginia City, Nevada where the story takes place. I vaguely remembered the old mining town and the Bucket of Blood Saloon from a visit years before.
When I reached the town, I drove up and down Union, Taylor, and Mill Streets, and then crisscrossed them with all of the north and south alphabet streets. I looked at the small old homes setting on or near the streets, as the book said. I half-expected cantankerous Mickey McCoy to walk out of the story and around the corner at any minute.
I found several houses that looked similar to the one on the cover, but I couldn't be sure. I looked for the Comstock Children's Home, and I just know I found that building. Then I visited the cemetery; it was daytime. I wouldn't go there at night—it would be too scary; there were plenty of places for Lucianne to hide.
I know the book's fiction, but if you read it and then go to Virginia City, you'll find yourself questioning that. There's a feeling that runs from the pages of the book to the streets and the buildings of Virginia City--like threads. Try it—I'll bet you'll agree.
(I'm not particularly brave, but I did stay at the Silver Queen Hotel in one of their haunted rooms. I didn't get any filmy, flitting, or gossamer visitors, (: but maybe I will next time.)
When I reached the town, I drove up and down Union, Taylor, and Mill Streets, and then crisscrossed them with all of the north and south alphabet streets. I looked at the small old homes setting on or near the streets, as the book said. I half-expected cantankerous Mickey McCoy to walk out of the story and around the corner at any minute.
I found several houses that looked similar to the one on the cover, but I couldn't be sure. I looked for the Comstock Children's Home, and I just know I found that building. Then I visited the cemetery; it was daytime. I wouldn't go there at night—it would be too scary; there were plenty of places for Lucianne to hide.
I know the book's fiction, but if you read it and then go to Virginia City, you'll find yourself questioning that. There's a feeling that runs from the pages of the book to the streets and the buildings of Virginia City--like threads. Try it—I'll bet you'll agree.
(I'm not particularly brave, but I did stay at the Silver Queen Hotel in one of their haunted rooms. I didn't get any filmy, flitting, or gossamer visitors, (: but maybe I will next time.)
November 14, 2011
The Secret of Lucianne Dove is a paranormal novel with a very nice blend of romance, mystery and history. I think this novel is probably the first one I have read in a very long time where one of the main characters is "past retirement age." I was sort of surprised because I didn't realize it before I started reading. It actually was a refreshing change from the typical leading man.
Roberta L. Smith does an excellent job of capturing your attention right from the first chapter and keeping it throughout the book. She unveils bits and pieces of the mystery at perfect intervals to keep you intrigued and wondering what is going to happen next. Definitely keeps you turning the pages to find out. The characters and setting come to life. You can almost feel their sorrows and their happiness right along with them. Unfortunately, I feel like I can't say much more without giving spoilers. If you like paranormal novels, this one should be on your to-be-read list.
This a reprint from my blog Krazy Book Lady.
Roberta L. Smith does an excellent job of capturing your attention right from the first chapter and keeping it throughout the book. She unveils bits and pieces of the mystery at perfect intervals to keep you intrigued and wondering what is going to happen next. Definitely keeps you turning the pages to find out. The characters and setting come to life. You can almost feel their sorrows and their happiness right along with them. Unfortunately, I feel like I can't say much more without giving spoilers. If you like paranormal novels, this one should be on your to-be-read list.
This a reprint from my blog Krazy Book Lady.
December 17, 2011
I was a little hesitant to read this book because it's not my normal genre but once I started to read it I couldn't put it down. It's a paranormal with a twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would read this book again.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews