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Who Put Her In?
When Ben and Joss Beckett are brought in to rescue a failing business, they don't expect it to be a dangerous assignment. But fate has other ideas; they encounter sexual deviancy, vengeful spirits, and public servants whose probity is highly questionable. In a shattering climax Joss finds herself having to face down a stone-cold killer
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Published April 26, 2016
17 people want to read
About the author
Jane Jago
93 books169 followersI live in the beautiful west country with my big, silly dog and my big sensible husband.
I spent the first half of my working life cooking and the second half editing other people's manuscripts.
At last I have time to write down the stories that have been disturbing my sleep for as long as I can remember.
Writing my first title took two years, because the characters kept doing unexpected things. I've since learned that they are always going to break out of the mould. So I just sit back and enjoy the ride.
For more writings and musings see:
http://tinyurl.com/t9pkll3
I spent the first half of my working life cooking and the second half editing other people's manuscripts.
At last I have time to write down the stories that have been disturbing my sleep for as long as I can remember.
Writing my first title took two years, because the characters kept doing unexpected things. I've since learned that they are always going to break out of the mould. So I just sit back and enjoy the ride.
For more writings and musings see:
http://tinyurl.com/t9pkll3
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 6, 2017
This is a pretty homey little story. It mostly concerns the daily life details of a youngish couple in England (Joss, the narrator, and Ben, her husband) who take on a short-term gig to help run a village pub that's going under because the former proprietor committed suicide and his wife is a wreck who gets "sectioned". And, by the way, the place was a pathetic shambles anyway. But it turns out there's some sort of ghostly haunting activity going on, especially in the barn that borders the property but is rented from a neighbor. The couple soon enough start arranging to buy the place, fairly cheaply. Oh, by the way, it's not just one ghost it's multiple ghosts and the former proprietor had some kind of unsavory and kinky thing going on in that barn.
But curiously, the book is neither genre mystery nor ghost story, nor even a foodie book (like Babette's Feast). It's not at all scary, nor gruesome. It's more about the (rather detailed) minutiae of the narrator's life, including the usual wifely flirting, staff interactions, and food preparation. Did I mention the characters all eat a lot in this book? And she is a twice-Michelin-starred chef by the way, so she's really on top of her kitchen, very organized, and methodical. She and her husband get to know and love (and become beloved by) the staff of the place as they pull things together, taking people under their wings, etc. Oh, and by the way, just as kind of a side-show, there's still that ghostly mystery going on at the same time, and the Rom are involved. Quite a unique combination.
The ghostly mystery slowly ramps up, and on the periphery, there are some perhaps-unsavory folks also investigating those events in the barn. They're the kind of people you absolutely would not want to run across in a dark alley unless you already knew they were on your side. Being a first-person narrative, what we readers get of all that is filtered through Joss's perceptions and her brief interactions with a certain go-between. But if you think about it: egads, there's some seriously awful business afoot out there in the world.
The writing is interesting for being primarily conversation-focused, with almost no description of anyone or anything, but a lot of people talking. Occasionally the characters may slightly overdo their info dumps instead of letting the narrator tell us readers things that we'll want to know but which the characters, being married and basically joined at the hip all day, probably already both know and thus wouldn't be telling one another, again, in bedroom conversation.
Description? Around halfway through the book I figured out the narrator has a short haircut. She might also be blonde. I think I know more about her husband's broad, hairy chest than anything else about him. ;-) Their dogs play large roles, too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a good read that increasingly held my attention the further along I got, so I finished the last 30% of it in one rather long sitting until late at night. Also, I would definitely eat dinner and hoist a pint at Joss's pub if I ran across it.
And the rest of this review is editorial blah-de-blah, so I'll act as if it's a spoiler and you can skip it.
But curiously, the book is neither genre mystery nor ghost story, nor even a foodie book (like Babette's Feast). It's not at all scary, nor gruesome. It's more about the (rather detailed) minutiae of the narrator's life, including the usual wifely flirting, staff interactions, and food preparation. Did I mention the characters all eat a lot in this book? And she is a twice-Michelin-starred chef by the way, so she's really on top of her kitchen, very organized, and methodical. She and her husband get to know and love (and become beloved by) the staff of the place as they pull things together, taking people under their wings, etc. Oh, and by the way, just as kind of a side-show, there's still that ghostly mystery going on at the same time, and the Rom are involved. Quite a unique combination.
The ghostly mystery slowly ramps up, and on the periphery, there are some perhaps-unsavory folks also investigating those events in the barn. They're the kind of people you absolutely would not want to run across in a dark alley unless you already knew they were on your side. Being a first-person narrative, what we readers get of all that is filtered through Joss's perceptions and her brief interactions with a certain go-between. But if you think about it: egads, there's some seriously awful business afoot out there in the world.
The writing is interesting for being primarily conversation-focused, with almost no description of anyone or anything, but a lot of people talking. Occasionally the characters may slightly overdo their info dumps instead of letting the narrator tell us readers things that we'll want to know but which the characters, being married and basically joined at the hip all day, probably already both know and thus wouldn't be telling one another, again, in bedroom conversation.
Description? Around halfway through the book I figured out the narrator has a short haircut. She might also be blonde. I think I know more about her husband's broad, hairy chest than anything else about him. ;-) Their dogs play large roles, too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a good read that increasingly held my attention the further along I got, so I finished the last 30% of it in one rather long sitting until late at night. Also, I would definitely eat dinner and hoist a pint at Joss's pub if I ran across it.
And the rest of this review is editorial blah-de-blah, so I'll act as if it's a spoiler and you can skip it.
August 2, 2016
Ghosts, Gangsters and Gourmet Cooking.
We rocked up at the Fair Maid and Falcon at about four in the afternoon of a filthy early October day.
'Who put her in?' is a warm, adorable, feel-good, paranormal, chiller. It is very far from perfect, but it is absolutely wonderful. If you like the kind of books Phil Rickman writes and are not going to froth at the mouth if you find minor imperfections in the writing, you will love this book just as much as I did.
From page one you know there is something strange going on - and the story rocks and rolls along from there, carried by a lot of chatty dialogue. A lot. The majority of the story is told through conversations, giving it a very immediate and human feel. You get a lot of good relationship advice, learn how to serve breakfast to a gangster and find some cooking tips thrown in for free. By the way, if you don't like a good sprinkling of basic anglo-saxon then stay away and if you are embarrassed by people talking openly about sex, but guaranteed no sex scenes, then again it may not be your cup of Earl Grey.
'I didn't think you believed in ghosts.' 'Oh. I don't. But that doesn't mean I don't think they exist. I just think believing in them encourages them.'
Ben and Joss Beckett and their two dogs arrive at the gastro-pub to cover the two week holiday time of the owners and wish they had not taken the job almost at once - but with the threat of bad reviews if they pull out of the commitment they grit their teeth and stick it out.
That should have been it, but circumstances mean they have to go back a couple of months later for a much longer haul and find the pub almost on the point of bankruptcy. There is a lot of hard slog, tea and sympathy and then - just when things are getting properly turned around- the real problems begin with the ghosts.
Joss and Ben are both psychic and the presence of what they call the 'woo-woo stuff' in the pub and its environs is not something they find hard to accept - even if they do find it very hard to deal with. So they have to call in the expert, Danilo Lovell a TV psychic. It is after that things get really interesting.
'You shouldn't be embarrassed about a love that strong. Smug maybe. But never embarrassed.'
The story has decent pace, even when it is dealing with the normal-life level of things and the characters are drawn so well that you feel they are sitting round your own table sharing a cuppa and a chat.
Faults and flaws in grammar are there more than a few, but unless you are sensitive to such things, the story carries you over them easily. There may also be just a few odd coincidences which make the plot a little less than silken smooth. But this is not satin sheets, this is an unashamed patchwork quilt of human life, which cuddles you up in front of the hearth with a mug of chocolate - or mulled wine even.
If I were being true to the technical demands of reviewing, I'd have doffed a star for the cumulative minor flaws, but I'll leave that to those perfectionists who just have to make the stars match the tick boxes. Me - I loved it. More, Jane, please!
We rocked up at the Fair Maid and Falcon at about four in the afternoon of a filthy early October day.
'Who put her in?' is a warm, adorable, feel-good, paranormal, chiller. It is very far from perfect, but it is absolutely wonderful. If you like the kind of books Phil Rickman writes and are not going to froth at the mouth if you find minor imperfections in the writing, you will love this book just as much as I did.
From page one you know there is something strange going on - and the story rocks and rolls along from there, carried by a lot of chatty dialogue. A lot. The majority of the story is told through conversations, giving it a very immediate and human feel. You get a lot of good relationship advice, learn how to serve breakfast to a gangster and find some cooking tips thrown in for free. By the way, if you don't like a good sprinkling of basic anglo-saxon then stay away and if you are embarrassed by people talking openly about sex, but guaranteed no sex scenes, then again it may not be your cup of Earl Grey.
'I didn't think you believed in ghosts.' 'Oh. I don't. But that doesn't mean I don't think they exist. I just think believing in them encourages them.'
Ben and Joss Beckett and their two dogs arrive at the gastro-pub to cover the two week holiday time of the owners and wish they had not taken the job almost at once - but with the threat of bad reviews if they pull out of the commitment they grit their teeth and stick it out.
That should have been it, but circumstances mean they have to go back a couple of months later for a much longer haul and find the pub almost on the point of bankruptcy. There is a lot of hard slog, tea and sympathy and then - just when things are getting properly turned around- the real problems begin with the ghosts.
Joss and Ben are both psychic and the presence of what they call the 'woo-woo stuff' in the pub and its environs is not something they find hard to accept - even if they do find it very hard to deal with. So they have to call in the expert, Danilo Lovell a TV psychic. It is after that things get really interesting.
'You shouldn't be embarrassed about a love that strong. Smug maybe. But never embarrassed.'
The story has decent pace, even when it is dealing with the normal-life level of things and the characters are drawn so well that you feel they are sitting round your own table sharing a cuppa and a chat.
Faults and flaws in grammar are there more than a few, but unless you are sensitive to such things, the story carries you over them easily. There may also be just a few odd coincidences which make the plot a little less than silken smooth. But this is not satin sheets, this is an unashamed patchwork quilt of human life, which cuddles you up in front of the hearth with a mug of chocolate - or mulled wine even.
If I were being true to the technical demands of reviewing, I'd have doffed a star for the cumulative minor flaws, but I'll leave that to those perfectionists who just have to make the stars match the tick boxes. Me - I loved it. More, Jane, please!
December 21, 2017
Who Put Her In is a mix of mystery thriller and the supernatural. Joss Beckett and her husband, Ben, take on the task of looking after an upmarket pub restaurant while the owners take a break. From the outset it becomes clear that there is something seriously wrong with the owners and with the atmosphere at the pub, but Joss and Ben accept the job anyway while the relieved owners leave. The temporary arrangement becomes permanent as Joss and Ben prove they are capable of handling supernatural occurrences in a way that their predecessors couldn’t. It isn’t long before twists and turns in the plot throw more at them than they had expected, and it is nice to see character reactions that don’t conform to the stereotypes in ghost films and books. I found that refreshing.
I liked the natural and supportive relationship between the two main characters that runs throughout the book and Ms Jago has created a believable, credible set of players. The story is mostly told through dialogue but where it delves into prose the results are impressive. The author has an easy, down-to-earth style that is very appealing. I loved the humour that permeates the novel and lifts it out of any tendency to become morose. Much of the action away from the mystery/thriller element focuses on cooking and eating, which I actually liked and thought was interesting, and it is consistent with Joss being a Michelin-starred chef and someone who enjoys looking after the needs of other people.
For me, the only drawback in the book came from the author’s unconventional use of punctuation shown in a lack of commas separating dialogue from prose, clipped speech missing the first part of sentences and extensive use of one-word sentences in the dialogue. It gave it a staccato feel that slowed the pace and impeded the flow rather than enhanced it. I think it’s good to push the boundaries of grammar and see what works and what doesn’t, but in this instance it didn’t work for me.
Apart from that this is a good book by a good author, and well worth reading.
I liked the natural and supportive relationship between the two main characters that runs throughout the book and Ms Jago has created a believable, credible set of players. The story is mostly told through dialogue but where it delves into prose the results are impressive. The author has an easy, down-to-earth style that is very appealing. I loved the humour that permeates the novel and lifts it out of any tendency to become morose. Much of the action away from the mystery/thriller element focuses on cooking and eating, which I actually liked and thought was interesting, and it is consistent with Joss being a Michelin-starred chef and someone who enjoys looking after the needs of other people.
For me, the only drawback in the book came from the author’s unconventional use of punctuation shown in a lack of commas separating dialogue from prose, clipped speech missing the first part of sentences and extensive use of one-word sentences in the dialogue. It gave it a staccato feel that slowed the pace and impeded the flow rather than enhanced it. I think it’s good to push the boundaries of grammar and see what works and what doesn’t, but in this instance it didn’t work for me.
Apart from that this is a good book by a good author, and well worth reading.
July 18, 2018
Recommend to readers of ghost stories and suspense.
A childless couple take over a failing pub/restaurant. They quickly realise the pub is haunted and soon discover the previous landlord has angered the ghosts. In the process of turning the pub around and setting the ghosts to rest they uncover more recent gruesome activities. On top of that, they have the police to deal with along with some very shady characters.
In my youth, I ran pubs and also did some pub relief management so I identified straight away with the central characters, Ben and Joss and their two dogs. How they ran the pub was quite realistic other than their ability to eat meals at a normal time!
The characters are likable and feisty as they handle everything life throws at them. A very fast paced story with at least 4 plot lines running alongside each other, the turning around the fortunes of the pub, the older ghosts, the more recent crimes and corruption in the local police. It all interweaves in a logical way, and the reader gets 4 stories for the price of one.
I do think the book's cover fails to do it justice and I found the dialogue punctuation a little odd. I did get used to it and it didn't distract from the read. The author uses a fair bit of British slang. As a British reader, I enjoyed it as it gave the read an authentic feel.
An enjoyable read.
A childless couple take over a failing pub/restaurant. They quickly realise the pub is haunted and soon discover the previous landlord has angered the ghosts. In the process of turning the pub around and setting the ghosts to rest they uncover more recent gruesome activities. On top of that, they have the police to deal with along with some very shady characters.
In my youth, I ran pubs and also did some pub relief management so I identified straight away with the central characters, Ben and Joss and their two dogs. How they ran the pub was quite realistic other than their ability to eat meals at a normal time!
The characters are likable and feisty as they handle everything life throws at them. A very fast paced story with at least 4 plot lines running alongside each other, the turning around the fortunes of the pub, the older ghosts, the more recent crimes and corruption in the local police. It all interweaves in a logical way, and the reader gets 4 stories for the price of one.
I do think the book's cover fails to do it justice and I found the dialogue punctuation a little odd. I did get used to it and it didn't distract from the read. The author uses a fair bit of British slang. As a British reader, I enjoyed it as it gave the read an authentic feel.
An enjoyable read.
October 11, 2018
A gripping thriller.
'Who Put Her In?' is a gripping mystery/thriller that is very hard to put down. Set in an old English pub, populated by relatable and engaging characters, this is a book that draws the reader in and has them stay right to the end.
The story revolves around Joss and Ben, who take on running a pub for two weeks while the owners take a vacation, and find themselves confronting the various problems that have been haunting the establishment for some time.
Jane Jago delivers the story from the matter-of-fact, no nonsense perspective of Joss, whose personality makes it possible for the reader to take in the depths of depravity and the shocks of the story withoutpersonally taking them on board. One does not get far into the story before feeling as though they know Joss and Ben quite well, and the story unfolds quite seamlessly around the reader who is included as an observer.
I enjoyed this book so much that I was happy to forgive the occasional typographical error as I was reading. In fact, I felt a little sad to be leaving the Fair Maid and Falcon at the end of it all.
'Who Put Her In?' is a gripping mystery/thriller that is very hard to put down. Set in an old English pub, populated by relatable and engaging characters, this is a book that draws the reader in and has them stay right to the end.
The story revolves around Joss and Ben, who take on running a pub for two weeks while the owners take a vacation, and find themselves confronting the various problems that have been haunting the establishment for some time.
Jane Jago delivers the story from the matter-of-fact, no nonsense perspective of Joss, whose personality makes it possible for the reader to take in the depths of depravity and the shocks of the story withoutpersonally taking them on board. One does not get far into the story before feeling as though they know Joss and Ben quite well, and the story unfolds quite seamlessly around the reader who is included as an observer.
I enjoyed this book so much that I was happy to forgive the occasional typographical error as I was reading. In fact, I felt a little sad to be leaving the Fair Maid and Falcon at the end of it all.
February 13, 2018
As a fan of Jago's work from the Dai and Julia series (which you should go and get right now!) I was not surprised to find this book very well written with characters so believable I could almost feel them in the room with me. The story resolves around Joss and Ben's experiences at a pub they are looking after in the owner's absence.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of this book was the way Joss, who was written from the first person perspective, interacts with the rest of the cast; most especially Ben. But just in general, she is such a wonderfully realized character. I found myself smiling just reading the way she would phrase things or respond to another character. Brilliant, as per what I have come to expect from this fantastic author. I would highly recommend this book to all fans of mystery/paranormal. Really, anyone who likes a good story should give this a read.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of this book was the way Joss, who was written from the first person perspective, interacts with the rest of the cast; most especially Ben. But just in general, she is such a wonderfully realized character. I found myself smiling just reading the way she would phrase things or respond to another character. Brilliant, as per what I have come to expect from this fantastic author. I would highly recommend this book to all fans of mystery/paranormal. Really, anyone who likes a good story should give this a read.
August 7, 2018
Ben and Joss sold their restaurant and travel around the country in a motorhome ‘Winnie’ with their two dogs, Stan and Ollie (yeah, you would think the title would be Who’s on First.) But the dogs are great characters along with all the other well-developed characters we get to meet along the way. They fill in managing a pub so the owners can take a much-needed vacation and so the mystery begins. There seems to be an angry ghost in residence and the story intensifies with many twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages. Joss is a born problem solver and for each issue that arises, she can quickly produce a solution while Ben is the charmer of the pair. He can easily talk the most contrary of acquaintances around to their way of thinking.
The story takes us up close and personal into the lives of this lovely couple and we can’t help but fall in love with both of them. The mystery becomes more and more involved to where it’s hard to tell friend from foe. Great storytelling and wonderful food! I swear I gained five pounds just reading about it. Highly Recommended!
The story takes us up close and personal into the lives of this lovely couple and we can’t help but fall in love with both of them. The mystery becomes more and more involved to where it’s hard to tell friend from foe. Great storytelling and wonderful food! I swear I gained five pounds just reading about it. Highly Recommended!
September 26, 2016
Fun paranormal romp that will keep the reader engaged. Benny and Joss travel in a trailer to take over a restaurant when two overworked but decidedly strange owners need a break. Both Ben and Joss are sensitive to paranormal activity and feel weirded out by the location as well as owners. After a smooth transition, they leave but are asked to come back when tragedy strikes the owners. Ben and Joss are an adorable couple, their repartee fun and entertaining. Enter mystery, missing girls, ghosts, and loads of enjoyable characters and you have the recipe for a delicious and satisfying read.
June 30, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love books that take place in other countries - the characters were fun and interesting. Looking forward to more by this author
April 6, 2020
Another wonderful diversion to a magical place
Ghosts, Rom characters, crooked and straight-arrow coppers, the meaning of family and friendship.
All these wonderful elements woven together in a rich, heady tapestry of a rich and fulfilling existence.
Ghosts, Rom characters, crooked and straight-arrow coppers, the meaning of family and friendship.
All these wonderful elements woven together in a rich, heady tapestry of a rich and fulfilling existence.
February 25, 2020
Excellent book
A very good book, bit melodramatic in places, but grounded with strong characters, some witty banter and a reality to the interactions.
A very good book, bit melodramatic in places, but grounded with strong characters, some witty banter and a reality to the interactions.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews