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Tradd Street #1
The House on Tradd Street
Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts, but she's going to have to accept it. An elderly man has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog, and ghosts anxious to tell their secrets. Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries, has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in Melanie's house. So he turns on the charm, only to discover he's the smitten one. Unfortunately, Jack's search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, he and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak -- and murder.
551 pages, Library Binding
First published November 4, 2008
2068 people are currently reading
25120 people want to read
About the author
Karen White
42 books7,550 followersWith more than 2 million books in print in fifteen different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,970 reviews
April 14, 2010
The opening of the book caused me to fear that White had aspirations toward Literature:
Pewter reflections of scarlet hibiscus colored the dirt-smudged windows of the old house, like happy memories of youth trapped inside the shell of an old man. The broken pediments... And there are immediate intimations of Dark Family Secrets, parental abandonment, etc that have left our protagonists alone, rootless, approaching middle age.
But this fear was unfounded. Literary pretensions exhausted, White quickly took a turn for the chick-lit-ish. And I do mean that in a bad way. Despite being on the verge of 40, Melanie is cute! and thin! despite eating doughnuts and lattes every morning! And she cares about clothes! And has an annoying new-agey arty Best Friend! Most chick-lit-ish of all (and this is why I seldom read chick lit) she is a twit. As is far too common in this genre, we are told that Melanie is a successful Realtor (the author capitalizes this, so I will too), competent and independant. But this is not what we are shown. What we see is a woman who forgets to set her alarm, is always off-balance, doesn't speak up or assert herself when the situation warrants it, can't manage her secretary, and blushes and stutters like a teenager when she talks with attractive men. The male lead so far seems like the typical arrogant jerk. He makes inappropriately sexual comments to strange women with whom he should have a professional relationship. "But he's so hot!" Is this really how most adult women interact with the opposite sex? From the first he calls Melanie by a diminutive, and when she finally, weakly, tries to protest, he responds, "But you look like a Mellie." What the hell does that mean? You look like someone I can talk down to? I guess jerk-off is right about that.
Also, if you have to use a riddle in your book, don't for the love of Oedypus use take the Riddle of the Sphinx! Anyone who can read complete sentences knows this riddle, and having your characters pretend to have never heard it before just makes them look dumb.
I did want to know about the ghost and the Secret of the Old House but not badly enough to keep reading this.
Pewter reflections of scarlet hibiscus colored the dirt-smudged windows of the old house, like happy memories of youth trapped inside the shell of an old man. The broken pediments... And there are immediate intimations of Dark Family Secrets, parental abandonment, etc that have left our protagonists alone, rootless, approaching middle age.
But this fear was unfounded. Literary pretensions exhausted, White quickly took a turn for the chick-lit-ish. And I do mean that in a bad way. Despite being on the verge of 40, Melanie is cute! and thin! despite eating doughnuts and lattes every morning! And she cares about clothes! And has an annoying new-agey arty Best Friend! Most chick-lit-ish of all (and this is why I seldom read chick lit) she is a twit. As is far too common in this genre, we are told that Melanie is a successful Realtor (the author capitalizes this, so I will too), competent and independant. But this is not what we are shown. What we see is a woman who forgets to set her alarm, is always off-balance, doesn't speak up or assert herself when the situation warrants it, can't manage her secretary, and blushes and stutters like a teenager when she talks with attractive men. The male lead so far seems like the typical arrogant jerk. He makes inappropriately sexual comments to strange women with whom he should have a professional relationship. "But he's so hot!" Is this really how most adult women interact with the opposite sex? From the first he calls Melanie by a diminutive, and when she finally, weakly, tries to protest, he responds, "But you look like a Mellie." What the hell does that mean? You look like someone I can talk down to? I guess jerk-off is right about that.
Also, if you have to use a riddle in your book, don't for the love of Oedypus use take the Riddle of the Sphinx! Anyone who can read complete sentences knows this riddle, and having your characters pretend to have never heard it before just makes them look dumb.
I did want to know about the ghost and the Secret of the Old House but not badly enough to keep reading this.
October 24, 2017
Ugh. I was tricked. TRICKED!
And by my own self, which really embitters me.
I have a boring personal story that explains why I listened to this book and didn't give up when I realized I had picked the wrong piece of entertainment. It's here:
When I cataloged this book, I noticed words like "chilling" and "ghosts" and thought, "Oh, that will be a fun read for October!" and I put it on hold. Apparently, there were others with the same idea so this didn't get to me until late November but it still sounded interesting enough so I plugged the first 6 discs into my changer and away we went.
That was a poor decision on my part.
Here's why:
It’s another The Fixer Upper, not a ghost story, not a creepy Southern gothic. I mean, there are ghosts and there's an old house in the south and secrets and all that stuff but this story primarily centers on the vapid, insipid Melanie and her romance triangle with the hot asshat, John. Jack. Jake? Whatever his generic name is and the tricksy suthrn gentleman, Matt/Mark.
At least she’s got a female best friend, right?
She’s just dumb about pretty much everything, what with her ditzy coquettish cover-ups for mistakes (like pretending she’s someone else when she first calls Generic Man and he answers the phone and she realizes she's made a mistake) which is cute(ish. kinda) in a 20-some-year-old. This woman is my age. She should know how to adult better by now. It’s not cute, it's silly.
Also, she has a really hard time understanding the clues she, as the narrator, introduces to us, the readers. You think she understands the implications of what she's just told us, but, as it turns out, she doesn't, not for a few chapters, at least. For instance, even though she’s essentially been told the ghost at the swing is the former homeowner's mother, she doesn’t realize that the ghost at the swing is the former homeowner's mother until she sees pictures of the old guy as a kid and his mom. After years of seeing/hearing ghosts and with all the lessons her paranormal-loving mother taught her, she should understand how this all works by now but, no. She’s an idiot. I think we’re supposed to see her as a Suzanne Sugarbaker type but updated.
She has a signature move, too: threatening to walk away but never walking away. She does this four or five times throughout the book. It's only the very last time she realizes she's being childish and she sits her ass back down instead of having someone else grab her and make her stay. Heartwarming, yes?
So, yes, there are ghosts. There is a mystery. There's an old house that needs fixin' - and very few details about the actual reconstruction, which made me sad - a stupidly complex "riddle" requiring ciphers and midnight and humidors and travel, and buried treasure. But those are just the backdrop for the insipid, illogical, ridiculous drama that is Melanie's life.
And by my own self, which really embitters me.
I have a boring personal story that explains why I listened to this book and didn't give up when I realized I had picked the wrong piece of entertainment. It's here:
When I cataloged this book, I noticed words like "chilling" and "ghosts" and thought, "Oh, that will be a fun read for October!" and I put it on hold. Apparently, there were others with the same idea so this didn't get to me until late November but it still sounded interesting enough so I plugged the first 6 discs into my changer and away we went.
That was a poor decision on my part.
Here's why:
It’s another The Fixer Upper, not a ghost story, not a creepy Southern gothic. I mean, there are ghosts and there's an old house in the south and secrets and all that stuff but this story primarily centers on the vapid, insipid Melanie and her romance triangle with the hot asshat, John. Jack. Jake? Whatever his generic name is and the tricksy suthrn gentleman, Matt/Mark.
At least she’s got a female best friend, right?
She’s just dumb about pretty much everything, what with her ditzy coquettish cover-ups for mistakes (like pretending she’s someone else when she first calls Generic Man and he answers the phone and she realizes she's made a mistake) which is cute(ish. kinda) in a 20-some-year-old. This woman is my age. She should know how to adult better by now. It’s not cute, it's silly.
Also, she has a really hard time understanding the clues she, as the narrator, introduces to us, the readers. You think she understands the implications of what she's just told us, but, as it turns out, she doesn't, not for a few chapters, at least. For instance, even though she’s essentially been told the ghost at the swing is the former homeowner's mother, she doesn’t realize that the ghost at the swing is the former homeowner's mother until she sees pictures of the old guy as a kid and his mom. After years of seeing/hearing ghosts and with all the lessons her paranormal-loving mother taught her, she should understand how this all works by now but, no. She’s an idiot. I think we’re supposed to see her as a Suzanne Sugarbaker type but updated.
She has a signature move, too: threatening to walk away but never walking away. She does this four or five times throughout the book. It's only the very last time she realizes she's being childish and she sits her ass back down instead of having someone else grab her and make her stay. Heartwarming, yes?
So, yes, there are ghosts. There is a mystery. There's an old house that needs fixin' - and very few details about the actual reconstruction, which made me sad - a stupidly complex "riddle" requiring ciphers and midnight and humidors and travel, and buried treasure. But those are just the backdrop for the insipid, illogical, ridiculous drama that is Melanie's life.
June 5, 2016
The House on Tradd Street by Karen White is a 2008 NAL publication.
This year I have made some changes to my reading habits by cutting back on review copies, which can introduce me to new authors and genres, but can also cause me to miss out on some really good books, too.
Karen White is one of those authors that I have been missing out on and so I decided to get with the program and check out a few of her novels.
This book is the first in a four book series, set in Charleston, South Carolina.
Melanie is an obsessive compulsive, but very successful real estate agent, hoping to land the listing for an old, storied home in the area. But, when Melanie meets with the current owner, she feels a connection to the old man whose mother abandoned him as a child, like her mother abandoned her. But, the man believes his mother loved him and the house, which makes throws doubt on the rumors that she left her husband and child for another man.
While visiting the home, Melanie also discovers her sensitivity to the dead is very strong, when she sees a ghost or two. But, the real shock comes when the owner passes away suddenly and leaves the house, all its contents, and a sizable sum of money for repairs, to Melanie.
To make things more interesting, Melanie is contacted by a writer, Jack Trenholm, who claims to be writing a book about the house and the family who owned it all these years.
Although Melanie doesn’t really want to keep the house, especially since the will states she much reside there for one year before she can sell, she decides to meet the challenge and even allows Jack to stay on the premises while he does research for his book.
On a more personal note, Melanie is coping with her father’s alcoholism, hoping against hope he can stay sober this time around, even if she should know better by now.
Who are the ghost who live in the house on Tradd Street? Can Melanie solve a decades old mystery?
Can Jack be trusted or does he have his own agenda? Is Melanie in danger?
I have always enjoyed a good ghost story, if it’s done right, and this one measured up to my standards quite nicely. I love the southern setting, the rich historical details, and the charm of the old house Melanie inherited. The mystery ties in with Melanie’s own family in some ways and of course the circumstances provide Melanie’s father an opportunity to set some things right after all these years.
On occasion, the plot got a tad outrageous, and it did become a little too busy sometimes, with Jack’s backstory, Melanie’s romances, her father’s issues, the restorations, and of course the big mystery Melanie felt compelled to solve.
But, by the end of the story, many of these threads were sown up nicely, and the stage was set for the next book in the series, which I already have queued up and am looking forward to finding out what’s next for Melanie and what mysteries she will solve next.
4 stars
This year I have made some changes to my reading habits by cutting back on review copies, which can introduce me to new authors and genres, but can also cause me to miss out on some really good books, too.
Karen White is one of those authors that I have been missing out on and so I decided to get with the program and check out a few of her novels.
This book is the first in a four book series, set in Charleston, South Carolina.
Melanie is an obsessive compulsive, but very successful real estate agent, hoping to land the listing for an old, storied home in the area. But, when Melanie meets with the current owner, she feels a connection to the old man whose mother abandoned him as a child, like her mother abandoned her. But, the man believes his mother loved him and the house, which makes throws doubt on the rumors that she left her husband and child for another man.
While visiting the home, Melanie also discovers her sensitivity to the dead is very strong, when she sees a ghost or two. But, the real shock comes when the owner passes away suddenly and leaves the house, all its contents, and a sizable sum of money for repairs, to Melanie.
To make things more interesting, Melanie is contacted by a writer, Jack Trenholm, who claims to be writing a book about the house and the family who owned it all these years.
Although Melanie doesn’t really want to keep the house, especially since the will states she much reside there for one year before she can sell, she decides to meet the challenge and even allows Jack to stay on the premises while he does research for his book.
On a more personal note, Melanie is coping with her father’s alcoholism, hoping against hope he can stay sober this time around, even if she should know better by now.
Who are the ghost who live in the house on Tradd Street? Can Melanie solve a decades old mystery?
Can Jack be trusted or does he have his own agenda? Is Melanie in danger?
I have always enjoyed a good ghost story, if it’s done right, and this one measured up to my standards quite nicely. I love the southern setting, the rich historical details, and the charm of the old house Melanie inherited. The mystery ties in with Melanie’s own family in some ways and of course the circumstances provide Melanie’s father an opportunity to set some things right after all these years.
On occasion, the plot got a tad outrageous, and it did become a little too busy sometimes, with Jack’s backstory, Melanie’s romances, her father’s issues, the restorations, and of course the big mystery Melanie felt compelled to solve.
But, by the end of the story, many of these threads were sown up nicely, and the stage was set for the next book in the series, which I already have queued up and am looking forward to finding out what’s next for Melanie and what mysteries she will solve next.
4 stars
September 26, 2020
“The House On Tradd Street” is outside Karen White’s norm. Fortunately, she made a series of it! Nattering reviews nearly talked me out of this book. To the contrary: this is my coveted kind of novel that I’ve been longing to read! Know this: ghost fiction for adults is rare. I don’t want vampires, demons, nor a “young adult” protagonist. I want a big old house to explore and really mystical encounters. Karen excels at three-dimensional people with long reaches to the past. Melanie is a real estate agent, wondering why a gentleman is waxing personal; instead of selling his multi-generation home. His Dad and her Grandpa were buddies, thus he bequeaths it to her. He includes a request that she find out why his Momma vanished in the 1930s.
The hallmark of superb plotting shows, when a lot of work, from numerous angles, goes into an investigation. Informative papers and people are encountered but we cannot call the resolution a giveaway. Readers don’t want a flawless Nancy Drew type either. Melanie has an attitude about antiquity that I don’t share, about newness being lucrative. That opinion would be annoying. if we weren’t shown that her Momma’s departure severed her appreciation of having roots. She’s undeniably grumpy but clearly has heart. Endeared friends lovingly ignore her grousing.
Her Daddy assists her restoration, with the son of her Momma’s best friend. Roots are all over Charleston. Her receptionist and best friend are hilarious. I can’t think of one far-flung character whom Karen didn’t construct complexly. This is a gifted author. Better than anything: she grants grownups the treasure-hunting, clue-deciphering quest that HAS NOT EXISTED in our demographic! She carried off the diverse parameters of her story exceptionally well. It was so rewarding to follow adult protagonists, having encounters with unforgettable ghosts.
The hallmark of superb plotting shows, when a lot of work, from numerous angles, goes into an investigation. Informative papers and people are encountered but we cannot call the resolution a giveaway. Readers don’t want a flawless Nancy Drew type either. Melanie has an attitude about antiquity that I don’t share, about newness being lucrative. That opinion would be annoying. if we weren’t shown that her Momma’s departure severed her appreciation of having roots. She’s undeniably grumpy but clearly has heart. Endeared friends lovingly ignore her grousing.
Her Daddy assists her restoration, with the son of her Momma’s best friend. Roots are all over Charleston. Her receptionist and best friend are hilarious. I can’t think of one far-flung character whom Karen didn’t construct complexly. This is a gifted author. Better than anything: she grants grownups the treasure-hunting, clue-deciphering quest that HAS NOT EXISTED in our demographic! She carried off the diverse parameters of her story exceptionally well. It was so rewarding to follow adult protagonists, having encounters with unforgettable ghosts.
November 26, 2009
Barely readable. But that might just be me. I know - to my horror and disgust - that there is a market for pseudo-ghost-story-romance-Southern-literature.
Mellie is a Modern Woman with daddy issues (alcoholic ne'er-do-well) AND mommy issues (abandonment).
Also, she happens to see/communicate with ghosts, in a consistent and improbable way (conversations).
Also, she sells old houses, even though old houses make her want to retch from the layers of ghost droppings, and she cannot even touch an old photo album without wearing heavy plastic gloves.
Also, a random old man makes her the beneficiary of his old house and traps her into living there.
Also, the wildly sexy, wildly successful young writer who just happens to be writing a book about the mystery! occurred in her house. Also, the wildly sexy writer just happened to be the son of her mother's BFF.
Also: Confederate gold! ginormous diamonds! A love triangle! Murder! Mystery! Mayhem! Cool 1920's outfits! A mysterious fountain in the back yard that doesn't work for some mysterious reason! Mystery!!
And a hefty dose of aww-shucks! Southern charm. Apparently it doesn't work on Yankees. I was totally unmoved.
I will stop reading crap books. I will.
Mellie is a Modern Woman with daddy issues (alcoholic ne'er-do-well) AND mommy issues (abandonment).
Also, she happens to see/communicate with ghosts, in a consistent and improbable way (conversations).
Also, she sells old houses, even though old houses make her want to retch from the layers of ghost droppings, and she cannot even touch an old photo album without wearing heavy plastic gloves.
Also, a random old man makes her the beneficiary of his old house and traps her into living there.
Also, the wildly sexy, wildly successful young writer who just happens to be writing a book about the mystery! occurred in her house. Also, the wildly sexy writer just happened to be the son of her mother's BFF.
Also: Confederate gold! ginormous diamonds! A love triangle! Murder! Mystery! Mayhem! Cool 1920's outfits! A mysterious fountain in the back yard that doesn't work for some mysterious reason! Mystery!!
And a hefty dose of aww-shucks! Southern charm. Apparently it doesn't work on Yankees. I was totally unmoved.
I will stop reading crap books. I will.
July 6, 2019
Great book with great characters... looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
June 28, 2011
My problem with this book was not that I particularly disliked the story, but that I could not stand the main character, Melanie. There were many reasons for this not the least of which was that she ate doughnuts and desserts all day but somehow remained skinny. That's reason enough to hate anyone. Additionally, she was naive, whiny, bitchy...you name it. And for some reason, the author wants to subject me to a sequel so that I can discover more of her annoying personality traits. I think I'll pass. 2 1/2 stars...only because the setting for the story is Charleston.
April 5, 2015
I enjoyed these Tradd Street house reads. Good mixture of romantic suspense, secrecy reveals and the past coming alive to influence the future.
January 20, 2025
Tradd Street, Book #1
..maybe people act in ways contrary to what they are because they don't think they have any other choice.
When successful real-estate agent, Melanie Middleton, receives a call to help sell the famous historical house on Tradd Street, she thinks that she has hit the jackpot. Her hopes are quickly squashed when the owner, a day after meeting with her, dies. To make matters stranger, Melanie is then contacted by the owner's lawyers saying that he has left the house and his money to her!
There are strict instructions for Melanie. She is not allowed to sell the home unless she lives in it for a year. Also, all of the money left to her must go toward restoring the home, which needs thousands of dollars of work done and will take more than a year to complete.
The last thing Melanie realizes after moving in is that the house is haunted. Three ghosts are inhabiting 55 Tradd Street and seem to have plans of their own for her.
Melanie must figure out why these ghosts are lingering in the house. In the process, she unravels a centuries old mystery.
**This was a cute story, but unfortunately, I don't think it's engaging enough to be a series that I would like to continue.**
..maybe people act in ways contrary to what they are because they don't think they have any other choice.
When successful real-estate agent, Melanie Middleton, receives a call to help sell the famous historical house on Tradd Street, she thinks that she has hit the jackpot. Her hopes are quickly squashed when the owner, a day after meeting with her, dies. To make matters stranger, Melanie is then contacted by the owner's lawyers saying that he has left the house and his money to her!
There are strict instructions for Melanie. She is not allowed to sell the home unless she lives in it for a year. Also, all of the money left to her must go toward restoring the home, which needs thousands of dollars of work done and will take more than a year to complete.
The last thing Melanie realizes after moving in is that the house is haunted. Three ghosts are inhabiting 55 Tradd Street and seem to have plans of their own for her.
Melanie must figure out why these ghosts are lingering in the house. In the process, she unravels a centuries old mystery.
**This was a cute story, but unfortunately, I don't think it's engaging enough to be a series that I would like to continue.**
November 5, 2008
Karen White's The House on Tradd Street is part romance, part ghost story, part mystery. The narration of this novel grips the reader with its beautiful descriptions of South Carolina and the historic neighborhoods of Charleston. Melanie Middleton specializes in historic home sales, though she hates historic homes and believes those who buy historic homes are saps willing to waste thousands of dollars on renovations. Fate brings her into the home of Mr. Vanderhorst, who asks Melanie if she saw a woman in the garden. He suddenly dies and leaves her his home.
Melanie is given a historic home and the money to renovate and repair it from the Vanderhorst estate. There are a great cast of characters in this book from Mr. Vanderhorst to his mother's ghost and Melanie, her father, and Jack Trenholm. Melanie is a barracuda in the real estate world, but her inability to relate to her family or male companions hampers her ability to widen her horizons. Meanwhile, Jack uses his good looks and fame to woo women to his side and charm them out of information so he can uncover historical mysteries and publish novels. His charm and good looks, on the other hand, are just a cover.
The restoration at Tradd Street begins, and Melanie is overwhelmed by her responsibilities and the two attractive men that have fallen into her life--Marc Longo and Jack Trenholm. In spite of the restoration, Melanie gets wrapped up in the mystery surrounding Mr. Vanderhorst's mother's disappearance and the ghosts that haunt her new home.
White easily draws the reader into the beauty of Charleston and her ghost mystery. The intricate relationships between these characters are complex, and in spite of the convenient connections between Melanie's family, the Vanderhorsts, and the Trenholms in a big city like Charleston, I was enveloped in the storyline.
The mystery doesn't get heavy with humor sprinkled in. The interactions between Melanie and Jack is contagious and will make readers smile.
I recommend this book to those who love a good mystery and a good ghost story. Stay tuned tomorrow for Karen White's guest post on the writing and publishing process.
Melanie is given a historic home and the money to renovate and repair it from the Vanderhorst estate. There are a great cast of characters in this book from Mr. Vanderhorst to his mother's ghost and Melanie, her father, and Jack Trenholm. Melanie is a barracuda in the real estate world, but her inability to relate to her family or male companions hampers her ability to widen her horizons. Meanwhile, Jack uses his good looks and fame to woo women to his side and charm them out of information so he can uncover historical mysteries and publish novels. His charm and good looks, on the other hand, are just a cover.
The restoration at Tradd Street begins, and Melanie is overwhelmed by her responsibilities and the two attractive men that have fallen into her life--Marc Longo and Jack Trenholm. In spite of the restoration, Melanie gets wrapped up in the mystery surrounding Mr. Vanderhorst's mother's disappearance and the ghosts that haunt her new home.
White easily draws the reader into the beauty of Charleston and her ghost mystery. The intricate relationships between these characters are complex, and in spite of the convenient connections between Melanie's family, the Vanderhorsts, and the Trenholms in a big city like Charleston, I was enveloped in the storyline.
The mystery doesn't get heavy with humor sprinkled in. The interactions between Melanie and Jack is contagious and will make readers smile.
I recommend this book to those who love a good mystery and a good ghost story. Stay tuned tomorrow for Karen White's guest post on the writing and publishing process.
November 12, 2023
It took me a little bit to get into this which is surprising because I love Karen White’s work. I knew to keep reading, though, because of this. Before I knew it I was completely engrossed in this story. Good characters, a little mysterious, ghosts, and humor. I couldn’t ask for anything more form Karen White. So glad that I finally picked this book up!
November 30, 2021
we know the confederates are the bad guys right….RIGHT??
November 26, 2019
..
The House on Tradd Street is Book 1 of 6 in the 'Tradd Street' series written by Karen White and narrated by Aimee Brunea. Thanksto my local library, I was able to borrow the audible version of this series on my Kindle. I really enjoyed this narrator's performance of this book.
The story focuses on the paranormal influences in old mansions in the Charleston historical area. When historical estate realtor, Melanie Middleton, a native Charlestonian, who can't stand old houses, meets with the owner of the house on Tradd Street, she never imagines what the outcome will be. One chance meeting with the elderly owner, who is obsessed with why his mother abandoned him when he was eight-years-old, sends Melanie's world into chaos. Melanie can emphasize since her own mother abandoned her when she was six years old.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she's going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.
Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he's the smitten one...
It turns out Jack's search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak—and even murder.
It may take a while to acclimate to this writer's style, but it doesn't take long to settle in and enjoy the ride.
EXCERPT:
“Because a garden is the heart of a house, where love is the seed and the dark earth like a mother who nurtures her saplings until they bloom, and then waits for them with furrowed arms to return. It is the story told again and again from my garden: from dust, we begin, and to dust, we will return again.”
Jack Trenholm, good looking and sexy to boot, introduces himself as a writer interested in authoring a book about the Vanderhorsts history and quickly offers to "assist" Melanie with the restoration of the house. Of course, with most cozy mystery novels, there is always a second male added to the mix to distract the heroine's attention b vying for her attention.
The references to people, places, and things that Melanie is not familiar with, while the rest of the world can relate to, seems odd to a typical individual. However, she seemed more obsessed with her abilities in the world of real estate. I appreciated the humorous mentioned, including but not limited to, of the Scooby-Doo references. Poor Melanie did not have a clue.
This is a cozy mystery, that is clean and wholesome, with the exception of descriptive bodily features, sizzling smiles, and a kiss or near kiss as it may be. It is able to be read on its own and there is definitely a H.E.A. to look forward to.
I would recommend this series to those interested in cozy mysteries, paranormal activity, and a splash of chemistry between the H/H.
..
The House on Tradd Street is Book 1 of 6 in the 'Tradd Street' series written by Karen White and narrated by Aimee Brunea. Thanksto my local library, I was able to borrow the audible version of this series on my Kindle. I really enjoyed this narrator's performance of this book.
The story focuses on the paranormal influences in old mansions in the Charleston historical area. When historical estate realtor, Melanie Middleton, a native Charlestonian, who can't stand old houses, meets with the owner of the house on Tradd Street, she never imagines what the outcome will be. One chance meeting with the elderly owner, who is obsessed with why his mother abandoned him when he was eight-years-old, sends Melanie's world into chaos. Melanie can emphasize since her own mother abandoned her when she was six years old.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she's going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.
Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he's the smitten one...
It turns out Jack's search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak—and even murder.
It may take a while to acclimate to this writer's style, but it doesn't take long to settle in and enjoy the ride.
EXCERPT:
“Because a garden is the heart of a house, where love is the seed and the dark earth like a mother who nurtures her saplings until they bloom, and then waits for them with furrowed arms to return. It is the story told again and again from my garden: from dust, we begin, and to dust, we will return again.”
Jack Trenholm, good looking and sexy to boot, introduces himself as a writer interested in authoring a book about the Vanderhorsts history and quickly offers to "assist" Melanie with the restoration of the house. Of course, with most cozy mystery novels, there is always a second male added to the mix to distract the heroine's attention b vying for her attention.
The references to people, places, and things that Melanie is not familiar with, while the rest of the world can relate to, seems odd to a typical individual. However, she seemed more obsessed with her abilities in the world of real estate. I appreciated the humorous mentioned, including but not limited to, of the Scooby-Doo references. Poor Melanie did not have a clue.
This is a cozy mystery, that is clean and wholesome, with the exception of descriptive bodily features, sizzling smiles, and a kiss or near kiss as it may be. It is able to be read on its own and there is definitely a H.E.A. to look forward to.
I would recommend this series to those interested in cozy mysteries, paranormal activity, and a splash of chemistry between the H/H.
..
Read
June 13, 2021I've read both Lauren Willig and Beatriz Williams, but I had yet to read anything by their writing partner, Karen White. I'd heard of this book, so I decided to give it a try. It was decidedly not my cup of tea.
The story is told in first person by Melanie Middleton, a successful Charleston realtor who specializes in selling historic homes. The book opens as Melanie goes to meet an elderly gentleman, who shortly thereafter dies and leaves her his home. There are hints of Melanie being able to see ghosts and we soon learn that the home she inherits has a ghostly mystery attached to it. Normally, this could intrigue me, but too many elements of this story just bothered me.
First of all, having spent time in the city, I have to say that this is one of the more whitewashed visions of Charleston I have ever seen. Melanie inhabits a very segregated little bubble, and even though she is described as being from an old Charleston family, she seems to spend her time going to touristy parts of the city rather than living in it like a local. Most folks I know don't spend practically all their time South of Broad, even if they live there.
And then there's that old Charleston family. If you know local history, Melanie's surname will really stick out. Middleton Place is a large plantation outside Charleston, and that name goes hand in hand with a historic site that enslaved over 2,000 people. Since the heroine at one point in the story mentions making a donation to the Daughters of the Confederacy, you can see why this book did not make a favorable impression. There are some other real-life Charleston slaveholder names sprinkled unironically throughout the text as well. In case you're wondering whether this is a case of "people were just that way back then," this book was published in 2008 so these plot points sure do look like a choice.
And if the major issue with the book wasn't enough, there was also the fact that Melanie is a successful, 39-year-old professional and yet she gets bullied, cajoled and spoken to like a child by almost everyone she meets. In addition, the author starts the book by having Melanie proclaim her personal dislike of old houses to the point that it almost sounds irrational and instead of giving Melanie a basis for this dislike, the entire book just seems devoted to showing us that Melanie is irrational and that she really needs to be living a nice, domestic life in an old, historic money pit.
I made it more than halfway through, but I still gave up.
CW: substance abuse, references to domestic violence and murder, microaggressions
The story is told in first person by Melanie Middleton, a successful Charleston realtor who specializes in selling historic homes. The book opens as Melanie goes to meet an elderly gentleman, who shortly thereafter dies and leaves her his home. There are hints of Melanie being able to see ghosts and we soon learn that the home she inherits has a ghostly mystery attached to it. Normally, this could intrigue me, but too many elements of this story just bothered me.
First of all, having spent time in the city, I have to say that this is one of the more whitewashed visions of Charleston I have ever seen. Melanie inhabits a very segregated little bubble, and even though she is described as being from an old Charleston family, she seems to spend her time going to touristy parts of the city rather than living in it like a local. Most folks I know don't spend practically all their time South of Broad, even if they live there.
And then there's that old Charleston family. If you know local history, Melanie's surname will really stick out. Middleton Place is a large plantation outside Charleston, and that name goes hand in hand with a historic site that enslaved over 2,000 people. Since the heroine at one point in the story mentions making a donation to the Daughters of the Confederacy, you can see why this book did not make a favorable impression. There are some other real-life Charleston slaveholder names sprinkled unironically throughout the text as well. In case you're wondering whether this is a case of "people were just that way back then," this book was published in 2008 so these plot points sure do look like a choice.
And if the major issue with the book wasn't enough, there was also the fact that Melanie is a successful, 39-year-old professional and yet she gets bullied, cajoled and spoken to like a child by almost everyone she meets. In addition, the author starts the book by having Melanie proclaim her personal dislike of old houses to the point that it almost sounds irrational and instead of giving Melanie a basis for this dislike, the entire book just seems devoted to showing us that Melanie is irrational and that she really needs to be living a nice, domestic life in an old, historic money pit.
I made it more than halfway through, but I still gave up.
CW: substance abuse, references to domestic violence and murder, microaggressions
June 7, 2012
The House on Tradd Street is a decent enough mystery, if not a great one. The characters, other than Nevin Vanderhorst, never rise above two dimensions. Real-estate agent Melanie Middleton will strike some as a bit dense when, torn between two men, she cannot discern which one is trustworthy and which is not. Long before our protagonists, readers will determine the identity of the menacing ghost on the second floor and guess the final whereabouts of Louisa Vanderhorst and Joseph Longo; however, readers will be curious as to the resolution of the other mystery in the novel, which is more cleverly plotted, and the details of the scandalous disappearance in 1930.
A great book on the level of the best British cozies? Hardly, but the time spent reading Karen White's novel were a pleasant enough diversion, and the final few pages contain the seeds of what's certain to be a sequel. I learned a lot about Charleston in the 1920s, Charleston's unique single houses, and the travails of authentic restoration. Granted, White will never give Dame Agatha Christie a run for her money -- or Barbara Michaels, Gladys Mitchell or Louise Penny, for that matter. Yet, I'm ready to take on the sequel when I'm in a dry spell between other, more favored mystery writers.
A great book on the level of the best British cozies? Hardly, but the time spent reading Karen White's novel were a pleasant enough diversion, and the final few pages contain the seeds of what's certain to be a sequel. I learned a lot about Charleston in the 1920s, Charleston's unique single houses, and the travails of authentic restoration. Granted, White will never give Dame Agatha Christie a run for her money -- or Barbara Michaels, Gladys Mitchell or Louise Penny, for that matter. Yet, I'm ready to take on the sequel when I'm in a dry spell between other, more favored mystery writers.
February 27, 2009
This book was given to me by a non-reader friend, who is a friend of the author. She was very excited to recommend a book to me, yet also apologetic that it probably wasn't "the kind of thing you usually read" (Ha! She's obviously never taken a look at my eclectic shelf!)
There were things I both liked and didn't like about the book. Liked that it was set in Charleston, in an area that is within a block of where javaczuk works. And that the two main houses mentioned were on streets I'm really familiar. (I had a high school sweet heart who lived just down the street from one of the houses. My heart skipped a beat when I thought at first the address was his.) The story was a little obvious and a little sappy. Melanie is a bit of an idiot where men are concerned, but many of us are at times, so I can't fault her too much. Annoyed the crud out of me that it's such an obvious set up for a sequel. But hey. At least this one can stand on its own, so I don't have to read it.
There were things I both liked and didn't like about the book. Liked that it was set in Charleston, in an area that is within a block of where javaczuk works. And that the two main houses mentioned were on streets I'm really familiar. (I had a high school sweet heart who lived just down the street from one of the houses. My heart skipped a beat when I thought at first the address was his.) The story was a little obvious and a little sappy. Melanie is a bit of an idiot where men are concerned, but many of us are at times, so I can't fault her too much. Annoyed the crud out of me that it's such an obvious set up for a sequel. But hey. At least this one can stand on its own, so I don't have to read it.
July 27, 2012
Reading this book was like being 12-years old again (with more adult themes of course) and disappearing into a Nancy Drew book. This was my second Karen White book (On Folly Beach was the first - 5*'s), both perfect summer reads. I was dreading the finish of Tradd Street as I would miss this pleasure - until I realized at the end that she included the first chapter A SEQUEL: The Girl on Legere Street. OH YES! My fingers immediately located it on amazon.com!
I signed up for White's mailing list, FaceBook page and website. On her website she lists her favorite book recommendations. Imagine my surprise and pleasure when I discovered that the next book up on my list to read, Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff is on her current list! My daughter-in-law gifted me an autographed copy for my birthday.
So....off I go!!!!!
I signed up for White's mailing list, FaceBook page and website. On her website she lists her favorite book recommendations. Imagine my surprise and pleasure when I discovered that the next book up on my list to read, Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff is on her current list! My daughter-in-law gifted me an autographed copy for my birthday.
So....off I go!!!!!
September 8, 2024
Така чудова книжка 🧡Щиро радію, що є продовження, якщо вірити гудрідз, то ще 4 частини ✨
Цікаво, чи планують їх перекладати 🤔
Цікаво, чи планують їх перекладати 🤔
February 12, 2020
Full Disclosure: I did not finish this book. If I'm proven at all wrong further into the text then I offer only partial apologies as the issues that made me DNF this one shouldn't have happened so early on. (or at all)
As a Lowcountry native who grew up in and around Charleston, I was initially quite excited to read this book. I love mysteries, good chic lit, and ghost stories. It should have been an easy beach read. I put myself on the (surprisingly long for a 12 y/o book!) waitlist at the library and dove in the day after it landed in my ebooks. That said, I was as disillusioned with this book by 7%.
I thought I might be in trouble from the first southern-lit lite pages of florid description, and I was right. Missing from the canon was Faulkner and Flannery's clear critique of the Old South. Instead, we get paragraph upon paragraph devoted to the description of the house on Tradd street, and even with the MC's disdain for "old things", we know that we're being set up by the author to see the jaded Melanie (who is, quite frankly, a whole other set of issues that other reviews have touched on) learn a lesson about the value of "history you can hold in your hands." From the very first chapter, the House on Tradd Street plays into every Lost Cause trope Charleston ever painted its streets with. At the first drop of "Confederate jasmine" which can (and should) just as easily be called Star Jasmine rather than adding to gross romanticism of all things antebellum I knew where we were going, but I held out a tentative hope until Chapter Two. When I met the book's first black character I knew I was done. Ruth may be a business owner (kudos there), but she talks like an only slightly updated Mammy from gone with the Wind. With her gold tooth, complexion described with food, "ain'ts" and "Miss Melanie's" I might have thought this book was written far earlier than 2008 and I don't know that I could have forgiven it even if it had been.
Now, I know that we've learned a lot, even since the early 2000s! I was certainly unaware until the 10s of how offensive it is to describe POC with analogies to the very foods they've been exploited over ( and I also know that not every POC finds it so), but one thing we *have known* and have very widely discussed is the damage caused by all that Moonlight, Magnolias, and Lost Cause propaganda to our collective cultural perception of US History. Charleston, in particular, has a problematic relationship with its own history (Highly recommend A Golden Haze of Memory: The Making of Historic Charleston by Stephanie Yulh if you're into that kind of thing) but I really did expect something more from a book written in the 21st century.
Again, if it gets better, or these errors are addressed in later chapters/books in the series, then great! But for me they all added up to a very quick DNF.
As a Lowcountry native who grew up in and around Charleston, I was initially quite excited to read this book. I love mysteries, good chic lit, and ghost stories. It should have been an easy beach read. I put myself on the (surprisingly long for a 12 y/o book!) waitlist at the library and dove in the day after it landed in my ebooks. That said, I was as disillusioned with this book by 7%.
I thought I might be in trouble from the first southern-lit lite pages of florid description, and I was right. Missing from the canon was Faulkner and Flannery's clear critique of the Old South. Instead, we get paragraph upon paragraph devoted to the description of the house on Tradd street, and even with the MC's disdain for "old things", we know that we're being set up by the author to see the jaded Melanie (who is, quite frankly, a whole other set of issues that other reviews have touched on) learn a lesson about the value of "history you can hold in your hands." From the very first chapter, the House on Tradd Street plays into every Lost Cause trope Charleston ever painted its streets with. At the first drop of "Confederate jasmine" which can (and should) just as easily be called Star Jasmine rather than adding to gross romanticism of all things antebellum I knew where we were going, but I held out a tentative hope until Chapter Two. When I met the book's first black character I knew I was done. Ruth may be a business owner (kudos there), but she talks like an only slightly updated Mammy from gone with the Wind. With her gold tooth, complexion described with food, "ain'ts" and "Miss Melanie's" I might have thought this book was written far earlier than 2008 and I don't know that I could have forgiven it even if it had been.
Now, I know that we've learned a lot, even since the early 2000s! I was certainly unaware until the 10s of how offensive it is to describe POC with analogies to the very foods they've been exploited over ( and I also know that not every POC finds it so), but one thing we *have known* and have very widely discussed is the damage caused by all that Moonlight, Magnolias, and Lost Cause propaganda to our collective cultural perception of US History. Charleston, in particular, has a problematic relationship with its own history (Highly recommend A Golden Haze of Memory: The Making of Historic Charleston by Stephanie Yulh if you're into that kind of thing) but I really did expect something more from a book written in the 21st century.
Again, if it gets better, or these errors are addressed in later chapters/books in the series, then great! But for me they all added up to a very quick DNF.
February 27, 2009
4.5 stars. This book was beautifully written and had a great plot that kept me interested. Melanie is a realtor in Charleston whose specialty is selling historical houses; she, however, does not like these old houses because she has always had the unwanted ability to see ghosts, who assemble in greater numbers around historical places. When a client dies and surprises Melanie by leaving her his entire estate, Melanie is forced to live in the old house and work on restoring it while doing her best to ignore the spirits she feels around the house. She has also been tasked by the previous owner to find out the truth behind his mother's disappearance years ago, hoping to clear her name after a smear campaign. A local mystery writer, Jack, who's as handsome as he is insistent that her house is the setting for his next book, joins Melanie's team working on the house and begins to help - and annoy - her as she searches for answers.
Like I said, the writing in this book is really strong. I felt like I was in Charleston - or at least could imagine it clearly - and everything was brought to life in a really vivid way. There were also some funny one-liners in the dialogue. The characters were likable, and the story was interesting and kept me guessing as to what had happened and what would happen.
My only two complaints:
1. The back cover of the book gives away a plot twist - not a major one, but still. I like to be surprised.
2. I hate it when everyone can see something but the main character. Her friends are telling her something is true, the reader can see they're right, and yet the main character refuses to believe it and does dumb things anyway... until (surprise, surprise) her friends are proven right. That is always quite frustrating, to not fully understand why the main character is acting so, well, stupid when it seems to obvious!
But despite my complaints, I really enjoyed this book and will be eagerly picking up the sequel when it comes out this fall.
Like I said, the writing in this book is really strong. I felt like I was in Charleston - or at least could imagine it clearly - and everything was brought to life in a really vivid way. There were also some funny one-liners in the dialogue. The characters were likable, and the story was interesting and kept me guessing as to what had happened and what would happen.
My only two complaints:
1. The back cover of the book gives away a plot twist - not a major one, but still. I like to be surprised.
2. I hate it when everyone can see something but the main character. Her friends are telling her something is true, the reader can see they're right, and yet the main character refuses to believe it and does dumb things anyway... until (surprise, surprise) her friends are proven right. That is always quite frustrating, to not fully understand why the main character is acting so, well, stupid when it seems to obvious!
But despite my complaints, I really enjoyed this book and will be eagerly picking up the sequel when it comes out this fall.
March 16, 2021
Мені сподобалася атмосфера, описи дому й саду, другорядні персонажі.
Інтрига, на якій все трималося хоч і була простенька (і передбачувана), але все ж спонукала не відкладати книжку.
Але мене бісила головна героїня, божечки, як вона мене бісила! Це інфантильна, хаотична, невдячна самодурка. І, що найгірше для мене як читачки — це стабільність цієї героїні. Протягом усієї історії ми бачимо зміни персонажів. Але не її. Вона, можливо, дещо поступається своїми принципами ближче до фіналу, але так і не здатна взяти відповідальність на себе за своє життя і своє ниття.
Тому в моєму випадку співчувати і співпереживати довелося іншим персонажам, а не їй.
Загалом, якщо ви зможете абстрагуватися від головної героїні, вважати її не стрижнем, а підпоркою історії, то книга вам, думаю, сподобається 🙂
Інтрига, на якій все трималося хоч і була простенька (і передбачувана), але все ж спонукала не відкладати книжку.
Але мене бісила головна героїня, божечки, як вона мене бісила! Це інфантильна, хаотична, невдячна самодурка. І, що найгірше для мене як читачки — це стабільність цієї героїні. Протягом усієї історії ми бачимо зміни персонажів. Але не її. Вона, можливо, дещо поступається своїми принципами ближче до фіналу, але так і не здатна взяти відповідальність на себе за своє життя і своє ниття.
Тому в моєму випадку співчувати і співпереживати довелося іншим персонажам, а не їй.
Загалом, якщо ви зможете абстрагуватися від головної героїні, вважати її не стрижнем, а підпоркою історії, то книга вам, думаю, сподобається 🙂
October 13, 2018
Looking for a book on my TBR that involved a ghost story, I had to look no further once finding The House on Tradd Street. Karen White has a way with her writing to take you back in time, one adventure at a time. While some people criticized this book as lackluster, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found myself a bit creeped out by the dark entity that is taking residence inside the Tradd Street historical home. I really loved this book and I’m happy to see where the next historical ghost story in this series takes me!
August 11, 2012
I don’t usually write reviews but this time my head is spinning.
Where to start?
First: editor. Is it that difficult or expensive to find one? The book is full of inconsistencies like drinks changing from one minute to the next or they being in the car and next line somewhere else.
And she complains about losing sight, (in a word she can’t see an elephant if it steps on her toe) but refuses to wear glasses. Still, that’s not a problem to read all kind of letters, diaries and articles.
I won’t comment on the order in which they start the restoration of the house. **cries** And where did the pigeons infestation go??
Second: Our heroine. Did the author pick a book on Psychology and dump on her half a dozen random mental problems? To make her… what? More real? Not by a long shot. Melanie is one of those people who can’t see or say anything positive. Everything is old or dirty, or cracked, or expensive to keep, or an annoyance. She is in permanent denial. She is obsessive compulsive. She can’t stay in a chair without some nervous tick. She is a compulsive liar… But hey, most of her problems go away in around 250 pages and she even descends from her cloud to buy her first pair of jeans. She is 39 by the way. You should read the part of her weeding the garden wearing heels and pearls.
And. She judges men by their taste in tailoring. (!!!)
OK I had to say all that because she kept reminding me of a series of people I’ve known and disliked in my life. I’ve met the always negative person. I’ve met and got wearied of the compulsive liar. I’ve met the person who thinks everything old is crap. I don’t want to read about any of them.
The paranormal part: Melanie sees ghosts but denies it all the time even although everybody around her knows it. I think she doesn’t deserve those friends who can ignore her lies. Of course when she is lied to she has a one week tantrum. :0 I liked how the ghosts walk around. And I loved her grandmother still phoning her after 34 years in the cemetery. Cool :)
The mystery part: Very good. It kept me wondering to the last page. It saves the book and now I’m curious about the next one. 3 stars.
Where to start?
First: editor. Is it that difficult or expensive to find one? The book is full of inconsistencies like drinks changing from one minute to the next or they being in the car and next line somewhere else.
And she complains about losing sight, (in a word she can’t see an elephant if it steps on her toe) but refuses to wear glasses. Still, that’s not a problem to read all kind of letters, diaries and articles.
I won’t comment on the order in which they start the restoration of the house. **cries** And where did the pigeons infestation go??
Second: Our heroine. Did the author pick a book on Psychology and dump on her half a dozen random mental problems? To make her… what? More real? Not by a long shot. Melanie is one of those people who can’t see or say anything positive. Everything is old or dirty, or cracked, or expensive to keep, or an annoyance. She is in permanent denial. She is obsessive compulsive. She can’t stay in a chair without some nervous tick. She is a compulsive liar… But hey, most of her problems go away in around 250 pages and she even descends from her cloud to buy her first pair of jeans. She is 39 by the way. You should read the part of her weeding the garden wearing heels and pearls.
And. She judges men by their taste in tailoring. (!!!)
OK I had to say all that because she kept reminding me of a series of people I’ve known and disliked in my life. I’ve met the always negative person. I’ve met and got wearied of the compulsive liar. I’ve met the person who thinks everything old is crap. I don’t want to read about any of them.
The paranormal part: Melanie sees ghosts but denies it all the time even although everybody around her knows it. I think she doesn’t deserve those friends who can ignore her lies. Of course when she is lied to she has a one week tantrum. :0 I liked how the ghosts walk around. And I loved her grandmother still phoning her after 34 years in the cemetery. Cool :)
The mystery part: Very good. It kept me wondering to the last page. It saves the book and now I’m curious about the next one. 3 stars.
August 13, 2019
Karen White's Tradd Street kept popping up on my recommendation list for a long time and now that I have read it, understand perfectly why it is a book for me. There's a grumpy heroine, an old house with not 1 but 2 ghosts , romantic triangle , antiques that make my heart soar, missing diamonds and of course the murder mystery.
Melanie is a real estate agent who is gifted the house on Tradd Street unexpectedly and since she's got the ability of seeing and hearing ghosts, the idea of an old house doesn't charm her at all. There's some quirky band of friends who are all endearing with distinctive characteristics. Along with her father and Jack who has his own agenda soon begins to unravel the mystery about the ghosts and a past that refuses to stay silent.
The writing is smooth even though it took some time for the story to sink into my mind but Charleston and the southern charm definitely works and Melanie and Jack are lovely with an unusual chemistry. Looking to read the series in whole.
Melanie is a real estate agent who is gifted the house on Tradd Street unexpectedly and since she's got the ability of seeing and hearing ghosts, the idea of an old house doesn't charm her at all. There's some quirky band of friends who are all endearing with distinctive characteristics. Along with her father and Jack who has his own agenda soon begins to unravel the mystery about the ghosts and a past that refuses to stay silent.
The writing is smooth even though it took some time for the story to sink into my mind but Charleston and the southern charm definitely works and Melanie and Jack are lovely with an unusual chemistry. Looking to read the series in whole.
October 11, 2024
Audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to the book the second time around. I wanted refresh before I started the second book. I think I have a fondness for this book,because I visit my Uncle who lives in Mt Pleasant and we go into Charleston quite a bit. I love it there.
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I liked this book overall,though Melanie was hypocrite for being mad at Jack for lying,when she lied quite a bit to Jack. I also thought she could be a little self centered at times. She did make some growth,so hopefully she will keep improving.
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I liked this book overall,though Melanie was hypocrite for being mad at Jack for lying,when she lied quite a bit to Jack. I also thought she could be a little self centered at times. She did make some growth,so hopefully she will keep improving.
February 20, 2020
I had been wanting to read this for a long time and finally made time to do it. I love all novels that are set in the Low Country and this one was no exception. I felt like I was transported to Charleston which is one of my favorite cities in the south. It was a pleasure to read and I can't wait to start the rest of the books in the series.
May 31, 2024
Це щось було дивне. Персонажі роблять і кажуть лише те, що вигідно вписується в достатньо банальний сюжет, вони картонні, попри старання зробити їм класну бексторі. Спочатку мене бісив лише Джек, бо він знав і говорив от рівно те, що треба сюжету, знав все про героїню, а діалоги з ним дуже нагадували ті, що я писала в 7 класі. Під кінець книжки мене бісили вже всі, крім Луїзи
October 2, 2010
The mystery of this book was wonderfully plotted. The inclusion of cyphers, ghosts, a hidden treasure, and other mysteries kept me reading long into the night. But the actual writing of the book was awful enough to make me knock a couple of stars off my final vote.
For one thing, the protagonist was one of those "fresh off the boat, I'm 39 but I act like I've never lived a day of life before today" ignorant types. That sort of protagonist just drives me crazy. And if I read the words "she laughed secretly to herself but wouldn't let him see" or "she was mesmerized by his deep blue eyes" one more time, I may scream. The two love interests were both the "rakish 'reform-me' bad boy" types I can't stand. But beyond my personal preferences, the actual writing was just stilted and more suited for a paperback romance than this sort of mystery plot (It didn't shock me to look her up on Amazon and see bodice-rippers among her earlier novels).
Additionally, the mystery of the book unfolded for the reader long before it was discovered by the protagonist, which always drives me crazy. I found myself mentally screaming at the book "Come ON, idiot! Don't you remember when you saw ___?"
I stayed up late to finish the story, so I can't say it was unenjoyable, but don't go into it expecting a magnificently rendered supernatural mystery.
For one thing, the protagonist was one of those "fresh off the boat, I'm 39 but I act like I've never lived a day of life before today" ignorant types. That sort of protagonist just drives me crazy. And if I read the words "she laughed secretly to herself but wouldn't let him see" or "she was mesmerized by his deep blue eyes" one more time, I may scream. The two love interests were both the "rakish 'reform-me' bad boy" types I can't stand. But beyond my personal preferences, the actual writing was just stilted and more suited for a paperback romance than this sort of mystery plot (It didn't shock me to look her up on Amazon and see bodice-rippers among her earlier novels).
Additionally, the mystery of the book unfolded for the reader long before it was discovered by the protagonist, which always drives me crazy. I found myself mentally screaming at the book "Come ON, idiot! Don't you remember when you saw ___?"
I stayed up late to finish the story, so I can't say it was unenjoyable, but don't go into it expecting a magnificently rendered supernatural mystery.
October 24, 2024
UPDATE: We read this one for book club this month. Everyone thought it was the perfect ghost story. I still liked this one. I won't be changing my original rating.
I enjoyed this book. I read my first Karen White book, The Sound of Glass, earlier this month and was eager to read another one. This book is no The Sound of Glass, but I still really liked it. It even had a paranormal aspect to it, that didn't have me rolling my eyes, so in that respect, 'Well Done.'
I liked the MC. She was normal (personality wise) and personable. She has a gift for seeing ghosts. (I'm not giving that away, it also states that on the jacket.) I liked the way she wasn't perfect and that she was completely okay with that. I also liked the supporting cast and how they interacted. They fed well off of each other. I spent the day painting and cutting trim, and this was a nice listen.
I enjoyed this book. I read my first Karen White book, The Sound of Glass, earlier this month and was eager to read another one. This book is no The Sound of Glass, but I still really liked it. It even had a paranormal aspect to it, that didn't have me rolling my eyes, so in that respect, 'Well Done.'
I liked the MC. She was normal (personality wise) and personable. She has a gift for seeing ghosts. (I'm not giving that away, it also states that on the jacket.) I liked the way she wasn't perfect and that she was completely okay with that. I also liked the supporting cast and how they interacted. They fed well off of each other. I spent the day painting and cutting trim, and this was a nice listen.
December 28, 2017
I have found a new favorite author, and her name is Karen White! I picked this e-book up through my local library without reading the full description, and after I read the summary I thought it would be silly. I love any books placed in the south, and Charleston esepcially was great, but Melanie can see ghosts..I thought oh no another attempt at a spooky chick lit I see dead people story. I gave it a chance and was immediately drawn in. Funny, well written, great characters, and so compelling I had a hard time putting it down. The ghosts were not silly, or dopey, or cartoonish. They were real, one loving and one really really mean. The story line was not predictable, I thought I had several things figured out but was wrong ( I did figure out the fountain, but hey, I'm allowed). I have already borrowed Tradd Street #2 and am looking forward to another enjoyable tale from Ms White.
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