What do you think?
Rate this book
Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries #7
A Murder After Death
What’s a private investigator to do when her client is already dead?
Penelope “Pen” Banks has just been hired by one Winston Waterstone…who has been dead for almost two months. This, according to his wife, who is still very much alive.
Helen Waterstone’s husband has been haunting their home for almost a full month now. As such, she has hired the services of the world-renowned Madame LaFleur to perform one of her infamous seances to help discover who may have murdered him.
Penelope has little use for crystal balls and ouija boards. But it doesn’t take magic or mysticism to realize that someone very much still alive has been tormenting the widow with wicked pranks.
When the “commune with the beyond” results in a murder, Pen is determined to discover who the killer was. Not an easy thing to do when everyone in attendance had something to hide.
And nearly impossible when the murder victim is as puzzling as the method of murder.
A Murder After Death is the seventh book in the Penelope Banks Mystery series set in 1920s New York. The enjoyment of a cozy historical mystery combined with the excitement and daring of New York during Prohibition and the Jazz Age.
Penelope “Pen” Banks has just been hired by one Winston Waterstone…who has been dead for almost two months. This, according to his wife, who is still very much alive.
Helen Waterstone’s husband has been haunting their home for almost a full month now. As such, she has hired the services of the world-renowned Madame LaFleur to perform one of her infamous seances to help discover who may have murdered him.
Penelope has little use for crystal balls and ouija boards. But it doesn’t take magic or mysticism to realize that someone very much still alive has been tormenting the widow with wicked pranks.
When the “commune with the beyond” results in a murder, Pen is determined to discover who the killer was. Not an easy thing to do when everyone in attendance had something to hide.
And nearly impossible when the murder victim is as puzzling as the method of murder.
A Murder After Death is the seventh book in the Penelope Banks Mystery series set in 1920s New York. The enjoyment of a cozy historical mystery combined with the excitement and daring of New York during Prohibition and the Jazz Age.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2022
About the author
Colette Clark
24 books110 followersColette Clark lives in New York and has always enjoyed learning more about the history of her amazing city. She decided to combine that curiosity and love of learning with her addiction to reading and watching mysteries. Her first series, Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries is the result of those passions. When she’s not writing she can be found doing Sudoku puzzles, drawing, eating tacos, visiting museums dedicated to unusual/weird/wacky things, and, of course, reading mysteries by other great authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 10, 2023
Let’s hear it for getting to book seven without the series getting stale! Hurray! This book definitely goes for more of a horror vibe. And while it wasn’t really scary, scary, I appreciated the spoo~ooky atmosphere it created. Halloween specials were always my favorite! To add to the tone, Penelope Banks’ usual fun cast of friends (and Detective Handsome) aren’t around as much as they usually are, casting a sense of isolation and doubt on every page, while also giving credence to the superstitious characters that Pen meets throughout the story. This time around, the mystery feels more personal because rational-minded Penelope is forced to go against her own belief system as ghostly spirits (is that redundant?) and paranormal activities haunt every corner of this installment. Also, there's a really fun will reading scene. It's a staple of the genre, but it's fun for me to read literally every time! What can I say, I live for the drama. Anyway, I think it’s pretty clear that, as usual, I had a great time reading this and it was incredibly satisfying to read along as Penelope disproves of all the scammers in this book who use “speaking with the dead” as a front to prey on grieving families. Great book, the danger was more dangerous, the villains more villainous, and the twists more… twisty. I can’t wait for the next one!
“Tell me about your experience with Madame LaFleur.”
“It’s in my article if you had bothered to read it.”
“The one you just admitted your editor interfered with? No, I’d rather get it straight from the horse’s mouth first. That way I can tell if you’re lying.”
“That was two insults in one. You sure know how to charm a girl, Pen.”
“Tell me about your experience with Madame LaFleur.”
“It’s in my article if you had bothered to read it.”
“The one you just admitted your editor interfered with? No, I’d rather get it straight from the horse’s mouth first. That way I can tell if you’re lying.”
“That was two insults in one. You sure know how to charm a girl, Pen.”
February 19, 2023
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Whelp, she's done it again!
Gotten involved in another murder and solved it, I mean.
Ah, sweet Pen Banks, how she does manage to do it! This time she's put in the awkward position by Cousin Cordelia to have to help a distraught woman who is convinced that her husband's ghost is haunting her and trying to tell her about his murder. Granted, Penelope doesn't believe in such things, but since she's kind of trapped by common courtesy and all that, how can she say no?
When another murder happens during the seance scheduled so that "the ghost" can tell who killed him, the "voices of the dead" may just be the least of Penelope's problems, as someone very much living is more of a problem at hand!
Overall, this has all the usual elements of a Penelope Banks mystery, though I confess that I did miss the involvement of her friends, as they weren't as much in this one. Overall, I think I'd classify it as just "fine" in terms of the reads of this series.
Still excellent, of course, but...well, after The Great Gaston Murder, I suppose anything might as well be a letdown of sorts! Looking forward to the next book in the series, though!
Whelp, she's done it again!
Gotten involved in another murder and solved it, I mean.
Ah, sweet Pen Banks, how she does manage to do it! This time she's put in the awkward position by Cousin Cordelia to have to help a distraught woman who is convinced that her husband's ghost is haunting her and trying to tell her about his murder. Granted, Penelope doesn't believe in such things, but since she's kind of trapped by common courtesy and all that, how can she say no?
When another murder happens during the seance scheduled so that "the ghost" can tell who killed him, the "voices of the dead" may just be the least of Penelope's problems, as someone very much living is more of a problem at hand!
Overall, this has all the usual elements of a Penelope Banks mystery, though I confess that I did miss the involvement of her friends, as they weren't as much in this one. Overall, I think I'd classify it as just "fine" in terms of the reads of this series.
Still excellent, of course, but...well, after The Great Gaston Murder, I suppose anything might as well be a letdown of sorts! Looking forward to the next book in the series, though!
December 7, 2022
Please don't let it end!
This book was really interesting. I was going back and forth wondering who did it! I must say I would not have solved this one on my own. Never did this ending cross my mind, I do hope that all those that committed murder, or helped cover it up paid a hefty price. I'm looking forward to the next book. Collette Clark is a fabulous writer....
This book was really interesting. I was going back and forth wondering who did it! I must say I would not have solved this one on my own. Never did this ending cross my mind, I do hope that all those that committed murder, or helped cover it up paid a hefty price. I'm looking forward to the next book. Collette Clark is a fabulous writer....
October 8, 2023
A Funny Cozy Mystery
Helen Waterstone’s husband has been haunting their home for almost a full month now. As such, she has hired the services of the world-renowned Madame LaFleur to perform one of her infamous seances to help discover who may have murdered him.
This is a good mystery full of fun and obstacles. Colette Clark is a new author to me. I borrowed this book from KindleUnlimted. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
Helen Waterstone’s husband has been haunting their home for almost a full month now. As such, she has hired the services of the world-renowned Madame LaFleur to perform one of her infamous seances to help discover who may have murdered him.
This is a good mystery full of fun and obstacles. Colette Clark is a new author to me. I borrowed this book from KindleUnlimted. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
September 27, 2023
The urge to immediately continue to the next book is high but I must wait for it socially appropriate for Christmas books
January 28, 2023
A spirited mystery
Penelope Banks is enjoying the one day a week she has a lie in. Unfortunately her cousin has other plans and insists she joins their company one Mrs. Helen Waterstone who is convinced her late husband was murdered and is now haunting her and the house to get justice. Pen is skeptical to say the least but agrees to help if only to put the older woman’s mind at ease. Her investigation leads her to be involved in a seance, another murder, being shadowed by an overly enthusiastic teenage girl and being drugged twice! So much craziness but what’s the truth is it really a ghost or will Pen be able to find a more corporeal suspect? Read on for another fun, wacky and boisterous adventure in the Penelope Banks series.
Penelope Banks is enjoying the one day a week she has a lie in. Unfortunately her cousin has other plans and insists she joins their company one Mrs. Helen Waterstone who is convinced her late husband was murdered and is now haunting her and the house to get justice. Pen is skeptical to say the least but agrees to help if only to put the older woman’s mind at ease. Her investigation leads her to be involved in a seance, another murder, being shadowed by an overly enthusiastic teenage girl and being drugged twice! So much craziness but what’s the truth is it really a ghost or will Pen be able to find a more corporeal suspect? Read on for another fun, wacky and boisterous adventure in the Penelope Banks series.
January 12, 2023
I love this series! It is set in the 1920's and each book in the series is a separate story
of a young woman who becomes a private investigator at a time when women are mostly expected to be wives, mothers and homemakers. She comes into an inheritance from a woman who had been one of her mother's lifelong friends.
Mixed in with murder is an older cousin, a police detective and a variety of friends some flamboyant, some prim and proper and some who entertain!
of a young woman who becomes a private investigator at a time when women are mostly expected to be wives, mothers and homemakers. She comes into an inheritance from a woman who had been one of her mother's lifelong friends.
Mixed in with murder is an older cousin, a police detective and a variety of friends some flamboyant, some prim and proper and some who entertain!
November 27, 2022
Steadily improving series
Although I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series, I felt they were a little too impractical. However, I think this last book had finally let Pen become a good detective in a good mystery book.
I don't know if there is or will be another book, but I will surely read read it if there is.
Although I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series, I felt they were a little too impractical. However, I think this last book had finally let Pen become a good detective in a good mystery book.
I don't know if there is or will be another book, but I will surely read read it if there is.
November 13, 2022
good mystery
Colette Clark is the author of this particular historical mystery series. I was not a fan of Lisette and hope that she doesn’t return. Good stories with endings that surprise me.
Colette Clark is the author of this particular historical mystery series. I was not a fan of Lisette and hope that she doesn’t return. Good stories with endings that surprise me.
May 9, 2023
A Murder After Death 📖 7
Great murder mystery romance with all kinds of twists and turns and accusations,,meddlesome teen drama,hunting for clues and the truth and lies to untangle along with a prankster ❣️💃🏻🕵️
Great murder mystery romance with all kinds of twists and turns and accusations,,meddlesome teen drama,hunting for clues and the truth and lies to untangle along with a prankster ❣️💃🏻🕵️
October 31, 2022
Just in time for Halloween
Murder, ghosts, hauntings, voodoo, drugs, greedy relatives, a precocious 14 year old girl. What has Penelope walked into this time?
Murder, ghosts, hauntings, voodoo, drugs, greedy relatives, a precocious 14 year old girl. What has Penelope walked into this time?
October 21, 2024
Penelope Banks is one of the better cozy detectives around. The books in this series may be a bit too realistic to be true cozies in fact. In this installment she dips her toes into the murky waters of spiritualism and voodoo. Even Pen is a little spooked by the goings on in the Waterstone household, but it isn't the ghostly activities that raise the hairs on the back of her neck. Roaring '20s fun.
May 16, 2025
A Study in Deceit
An old woman apparently bereft in grief over her husband's death. A shady spirit medium who made a habit of black mailing her clients after learning their darkest secrets...A family firm crippled by an old man's foolishness...add a little vodoo, A little hodoo, mix in a scheming daughter in law and you have a delicious mess for Pen to unscramble. It makes a great read...most excellent entertainment...not to mention 2 murders!
An old woman apparently bereft in grief over her husband's death. A shady spirit medium who made a habit of black mailing her clients after learning their darkest secrets...A family firm crippled by an old man's foolishness...add a little vodoo, A little hodoo, mix in a scheming daughter in law and you have a delicious mess for Pen to unscramble. It makes a great read...most excellent entertainment...not to mention 2 murders!
December 13, 2024
This is a good story and fun despite the murder. The story is set during the 20's and the characters are fascinating and intelligent. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding out if the rich woman's husband suffered a heart attack or was murdered. the answers were hard won and frankly tragic. I definitely recommend this book and the rest of the series.
November 5, 2023
Murder and the Afterlife
Interesting, but not my favorite. Not very many likeable characters. But I do love the ongoing story of Pen and rotating maids al la Murphy Brown and secretaries.
Interesting, but not my favorite. Not very many likeable characters. But I do love the ongoing story of Pen and rotating maids al la Murphy Brown and secretaries.
Read
November 1, 2022Love this series...
I have read all the books in this Penelope Banks series and have loved them all. They are funny and entertaining.
I have read all the books in this Penelope Banks series and have loved them all. They are funny and entertaining.
November 5, 2022
Best
This one completely enjoyable. Plenty of action, a surprising perp and out-of-character behaviors of familiar characters. Even cleaned than usual! Bravo!!!
This one completely enjoyable. Plenty of action, a surprising perp and out-of-character behaviors of familiar characters. Even cleaned than usual! Bravo!!!
November 25, 2022
A good series
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. The historical content increases my interest. Expect surprises at the ending, just when you think you figured it out.
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. The historical content increases my interest. Expect surprises at the ending, just when you think you figured it out.
January 22, 2023
More like 3.5 stars rounded up. Shaky start, but eventually a good story. Some words to stumble over. Needed a good editor.
May 28, 2024
Fun
Enjoying the characters. Relaxing suspense, cleverness with smart women with good values. And Inspector Richard is dreamy and consistent. Wonderful series, I keep reading on….
Enjoying the characters. Relaxing suspense, cleverness with smart women with good values. And Inspector Richard is dreamy and consistent. Wonderful series, I keep reading on….
April 2, 2025
2.5 stars
June 29, 2025
Ended abruptly; killer reveal didn’t make much sense
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews