Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer's Devil

by Amy Spector

Starting over at thirty-four is harder than Owen Key expected. Lonelier too. There’s Bella, and the odd assortment of kids he’d inherited when a father he barely knew left him Printer’s Devil. But his bookstore employees and his cat aren’t much good when it comes to getting laid.

Findley Black says a lot of things. At least according to everyone at the store. When Owen runs into him for the first time during one of his ghost tours, with his leather jacket and flirtatious looks, Owen finds himself more than interested in what he has to say.

Owen may have been hoping for a one-night-stand, but when Findley asks to stay the remainder of Halloween night in the Printer’s Devil in hopes of seeing the ghost of a serial killer, he finds it hard to say no.

Halloween is a time for ghost stories and trick or treat. But running out of candy is a bad omen, and it’s hard to get lucky when something otherworldly seems determined to ruin your night.

Genres: M M Romance

43 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2021

About the author

Amy Spector grew up in the United States surviving on a steady diet of old horror movies, television reruns and mystery novels.

After years of blogging about comic books, vintage Gothic romance book cover illustrations, and a shameful amount about herself, she decided to try her hand at writing stories. She found it more than a little like talking about herself in third person, and that suited her just fine.

She blames Universal for her love of horror, Edward Gorey for her love of British drama and writing for awakening the romantic that was probably there all along.

Amy lives in the Midwest with her husband and children, and her cats Poe, Goji, and Nekō.

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky and Sweet Perfection!

This was so much fun! Nothing quite like a sorta first date at 3am in a possibly haunted old bookstore!

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved the blend of romance, ghost hunting, and character study that is this story. Findley and Owen are interesting characters, and I loved how the story gave us just enough insight into Owen's past for a rough outline, but still a little mystery. The old building is perfect for a (purportedly) haunted space, and the ghostly legends surrounding it are harrowing. There's heart, humor, and great spooky season vibes here--well worth a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tony Farnden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an ARC reviewer so I had an advance copy and have had this book awhile and read it twice. I just might read it again some time soon.

‘Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer’s Devil’ is a light hearted fun short story about Owen Key who has inherited a book shop from his biological father, Alexander Kemp. Alex may not have been much of a father in Owen’s eyes but he left him everything he had. Owen may come to regret that when he hears about the ghosts lurking in the bookshop from Findley Black, the local historian and ghost tour guide. It is Halloween and the staff of ‘Printer’s Devil’ are all getting ready for a fun night out. Findley would like to spend the night in the bookshop to experience any ghostly manifestations. Owen just wants to get home, read a book, drink some wine and get some sleep. He’s not taking into account how persuasive Findley is as well as him being hot. Well, it’s been awhile since Owen has had anyone get close to his underwear so he is ready to be persuaded as it happens.

There are some witty and saucy moments that had me chuckling into my tea. An early example of this “Findley always says bookstores are the best place to meet men ‘cause you’ll know they can read.” What goes through Owen’s mind in the next paragraph is just as amusing.

It is immaterial whether you believe in ghosts or not as this is a great story set in a bookshop with lots of good people just being themselves. The interaction between Owen and Findley is wonderful and heart-warming. If they were to reappear in a further story I’d be in the queue to read it.

[WY_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer's Devil is a short and sweetly spooky read. Owen has recently taken over his estranged father's bookshop, Printer's Devil, and even more recently learned that it's haunted. When the ghost tour director with the wicked grin sweet-talks his way into spending Halloween night in the bookshop with Owen, tricks and treats abound. This little story is a perfect escape when you want to get into the Halloween spirit. The characters are delightful, and there is just the right mix of romance and adventure to keep you entertained.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen Key inherited a book shop from his father that came with more than just books. Apparently the book shop is haunted. Findley Black, local historian and ghost tour guide, comes to the shop on Halloween in hopes of spotting a ghost. He talks Owen, who thinks he is hot, into letting him hang out in the shop on Halloween. This is a cute and short story just in time for Halloween with romance, a ghost story and a lovely cast of characters that made me wish it was longer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story reads like the perfect mixture of cute romance with a pinch of supernatural... Both main characters are endearing, specially Owen, he is sweet but not simple, as the plot hints at some anguish in the past... I love the secondary characters as well, and the big, old, labyrinth of a bookshop where most of the action takes place. My only complaint is that it is a bit short.
I wanted more!

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short,fast paced Halloween story. It's an entertaining story with a hint of the scary and is a fun read. The author paints her scenes perfectly and delivers a cute Halloween story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a great job as a supernatural romance novel. The characters were great and I enjoyed going through the premise of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this ghost story! Great short story about a bookstore’s new owner and the local who gives ghosts tours. Lots of sweet feels from this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like short escapes, you'll love this. I enjoyed what there was but I wanted more. Mainly, I was fascinated by the building and still imagine myself wandering through.

[Shelba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Amy Spector. I’d say I wish there was more, but I know there’s another story coming.

[Holly Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you get lucky and get to read books before everyone else – it's a perk of having author friends 😊 Findley Black and the Ghosts of Printer's Devil is a short ghost-in-a-bookshop story, and the book shop is my favourite part of it. Don't get me wrong, Findley has his charms, not to mention he runs ghost tours, but the bookshop... It's named Printer's Devil, and there are stairs and rooms everywhere. What can possibly go wrong with that? Fun Halloween story!

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I relished the blend of romance, ghost story and sense of community in this wonderful story. Although very much a Halloween story, I really enjoyed that the focus was on relationships, be they estranged family, over-chatty employees, or a promising romantic connection.

There was so much background implied that I felt like I got to know the characters very quickly, especially Owen and Findley. And the possibly haunted building of the Printer's Devil bookshop was a character in itself! Such an absorbing read.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this short, sweet, sexy story, but I wanted more. I wanted to know more about Findley, more about Owen, his father, Printer's Devil, the town, etc, etc. I would love to see a full novel about these characters and Printer's Devil.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[elstaffe]

+10 to an author whose last name (even if a nom de plume) is Spector writing about ghosts

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like a pared down version of The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings by Lily Morton. Like, if you don't have time for a full re-read, but want the vibes.