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Port Chatham Mystery #2
Ghost Ship
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author P. J. Alderman's delightful new mystery series blends haunting ghosts with hunting criminals as therapist Jordan Marsh dives deep into the past to solve a modern murder.
A recent transplant to Washington State's charming seaside town of Port Chatham, Jordan is still getting used to sharing her slightly run-down but historic lodging with ghosts. As if living with the long-deceased isn't enough of a challenge, she's just found a The town's notorious womanizer Holt Stillwell is lying on the beach with a bullet in his head.
Before Jordan can reel in a suspect, another victim surfaces. And this one isn't taking murder lying down. Holt's ancestor Michael Seavey, the Pacific Northwest's most infamous shanghaier, has materialized in Jordan's house, seeking to solve his own death in a suspicious shipwreck in 1893. With two murders to solve and a killer on the loose, Jordan faces yet another equally terrifying her growing attraction to the very alive and criminally attractive pub owner Jase Cunningham.
A recent transplant to Washington State's charming seaside town of Port Chatham, Jordan is still getting used to sharing her slightly run-down but historic lodging with ghosts. As if living with the long-deceased isn't enough of a challenge, she's just found a The town's notorious womanizer Holt Stillwell is lying on the beach with a bullet in his head.
Before Jordan can reel in a suspect, another victim surfaces. And this one isn't taking murder lying down. Holt's ancestor Michael Seavey, the Pacific Northwest's most infamous shanghaier, has materialized in Jordan's house, seeking to solve his own death in a suspicious shipwreck in 1893. With two murders to solve and a killer on the loose, Jordan faces yet another equally terrifying her growing attraction to the very alive and criminally attractive pub owner Jase Cunningham.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
66 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Alderman
4 books130 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author P. J. Alderman has spent more than two decades in the Pacific Northwest port towns that inspire her romantic thrillers and mysteries. Her contemporary Columbia River thriller, A Killing Tide, was a RITA finalist and recently climbed the charts to stay on the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists for eight weeks.
Alderman's Port Chatham cozy mysteries are based on the history of one of the Pacific Northwest's most notorious port towns. Also bestsellers, these books take readers on a journey back in time to a lawless nineteenth century waterfront, blending history, murder, and present-day supernatural sleuthery.
Alderman's Port Chatham cozy mysteries are based on the history of one of the Pacific Northwest's most notorious port towns. Also bestsellers, these books take readers on a journey back in time to a lawless nineteenth century waterfront, blending history, murder, and present-day supernatural sleuthery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 1, 2024
Book 3 in the series "Phantom Conspiracy" was supposed to have been released in February 2012 by Bantam Books but considering this is 2024 it looks like it is not going to be released. Such a shame since this was a very enjoyable cozy series/
August 14, 2012
This is the second in the Port Chatham mystery series. I find these books fun as light and fluffy escapist entertainment. They aren't great writing, and they certainly aren't challenging mysteries, but they do have fun, quirky characters and the ridiculous things that could ONLY happen in a small town.
Jordan has barely recovered from the last murder she got involved with unintentionally, when she and her friend, and local chief of police, Darcy, find the town's local ladies man dead on the beach.
While Darcy warns her off, Jordan's ghosts - whom she's still trying desperately to pretend she can't see - quickly make it clear they want her to look into a possible connection between this murder and a murder that happened in the 1890's when they were still alive. Since Jordan's also trying to ignore the fact that the white elephant of a historic house she bought in town is determined to suck every dollar she has out of her bank account, she decides to do a little sleuthing.
As I said, this is not a super-complicated murder, but the interconnections of the characters who live in Port Chatham, and Jordan's ghosts - who only she can see - make for a silly, entertaining bit of fluff. The character of Jordan herself does get a teeny bit irritating by the end, as she manages to get herself into THE MOST ridiculous, implausibly dangerous situations they defy belief, and you really want to slap her. But overall, I do find this series fun. If I didn't have anything else on hand, I would read future installments of this series.
Jordan has barely recovered from the last murder she got involved with unintentionally, when she and her friend, and local chief of police, Darcy, find the town's local ladies man dead on the beach.
While Darcy warns her off, Jordan's ghosts - whom she's still trying desperately to pretend she can't see - quickly make it clear they want her to look into a possible connection between this murder and a murder that happened in the 1890's when they were still alive. Since Jordan's also trying to ignore the fact that the white elephant of a historic house she bought in town is determined to suck every dollar she has out of her bank account, she decides to do a little sleuthing.
As I said, this is not a super-complicated murder, but the interconnections of the characters who live in Port Chatham, and Jordan's ghosts - who only she can see - make for a silly, entertaining bit of fluff. The character of Jordan herself does get a teeny bit irritating by the end, as she manages to get herself into THE MOST ridiculous, implausibly dangerous situations they defy belief, and you really want to slap her. But overall, I do find this series fun. If I didn't have anything else on hand, I would read future installments of this series.
June 22, 2017
Great! I want to find the rest but my library only has the one.
May 9, 2019
Read in one sitting. Interesting story
September 30, 2011
Jordan was an okay character for me. I am rather neutral about her, she wasn't great and yet she wasn't terrible either. I thought it was interesting that Jordan has a hard time walking or driving because she doesn't want to hit the spirits she sees. Of course townspeople are known to dress in period clothing which doesn't help her distinguish the living from the dead. For a psychologist she did not come across as having much polish that I would have expected from such a serious and educated professional. I will concede that she had moved recently so she was out of her element, she was recovering from the last story in which her ex-husband was murdered and she doubts her abilities as a psychologist. I get all that was happening for her, but she still came across a touch immature like a college kid caught breaking dorm rules and explaining herself.
The romantic interest in the story is Jase, a former high profile celebrity who lives next door and owns the local watering hole. The story makes it clear that they are not even dating yet, just mutual interest that Jase is willing to take to the next level. I was starting to warm up to Jase's character, until he starts demanding Jordan not get involved because it could be dangerous. If you have followed this blog much you know I can't stand the main character getting harassed over sleuthing when that is the entire point to the whole story.
With the first pet peeve down let me get the second one out of my system. I grew tired of "when are you just going to sleep with him and get it over with" attitude that occurred several times in the story. Speaking for myself, that isn't "romantic", that is just hormones on a page. This would be one of those instances where, as a psychologist I would have expected more maturity from Jordan and the others. I felt there were several missed opportunities for romantic moments that could have occurred between Jordan and Jase that just didn't. It is as if there is no spark because it is so expected they will hook up so why bother with any of the heart pounding stolen moments or romance.
I did like how some of the story was told from Michael Seavey's perspective in 1893. It brought the mystery of who among many people would have wanted the charming Opium smuggler dead. I found I liked those scenes because I was looking for clues to add to what Jordan was finding.
The plot itself mixed the past and present for two murders to solve that had a connection in the present. I enjoyed guessing who I thought did it and why in both instances, and I was mostly correct. This is an entertaining lite read with a clever concept of mixing past and present, and where the ghosts are mostly the comic relief. The combination is a pleasant beach read that cozy fans should enjoy.
Join me at my mystery book blog: http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/
The romantic interest in the story is Jase, a former high profile celebrity who lives next door and owns the local watering hole. The story makes it clear that they are not even dating yet, just mutual interest that Jase is willing to take to the next level. I was starting to warm up to Jase's character, until he starts demanding Jordan not get involved because it could be dangerous. If you have followed this blog much you know I can't stand the main character getting harassed over sleuthing when that is the entire point to the whole story.
With the first pet peeve down let me get the second one out of my system. I grew tired of "when are you just going to sleep with him and get it over with" attitude that occurred several times in the story. Speaking for myself, that isn't "romantic", that is just hormones on a page. This would be one of those instances where, as a psychologist I would have expected more maturity from Jordan and the others. I felt there were several missed opportunities for romantic moments that could have occurred between Jordan and Jase that just didn't. It is as if there is no spark because it is so expected they will hook up so why bother with any of the heart pounding stolen moments or romance.
I did like how some of the story was told from Michael Seavey's perspective in 1893. It brought the mystery of who among many people would have wanted the charming Opium smuggler dead. I found I liked those scenes because I was looking for clues to add to what Jordan was finding.
The plot itself mixed the past and present for two murders to solve that had a connection in the present. I enjoyed guessing who I thought did it and why in both instances, and I was mostly correct. This is an entertaining lite read with a clever concept of mixing past and present, and where the ghosts are mostly the comic relief. The combination is a pleasant beach read that cozy fans should enjoy.
Join me at my mystery book blog: http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/
February 22, 2011
Alderman delivers another delicious mystery! Ghost Ship combines a contemporary romantic suspense with Victorian-era murder filled with surprisingly engaging characters (and ghosts). Things are never what they quite appear in Port Chatham, or so heroine Jordan Marsh has discovered. She's still fixing up her Queen Anne home, and she's still hoping to one day rid herself of the resident ghosts--two sisters who were both murdered over a hundred years ago. But when a local carpenter, womanizing cad though he might be, turns up dead, on the beach, in a dive suit, with a bullet in his head, it's clear that there's another murderer loose in town. And Alderman connects the story to another historical mystery that Jordan must solve to help the current killer.
I love these characters, and I'd move to Port Chatham in a heartbeat--haunted house and all--if I could. Until then, I'll have to wait for book 3 in the series. This one is book 2, so be sure to look for Haunting Jordan, the first book that introduces all the characters. A few chills, a little romance, terrific fully-drawn characters and lots of dry wit.
I love these characters, and I'd move to Port Chatham in a heartbeat--haunted house and all--if I could. Until then, I'll have to wait for book 3 in the series. This one is book 2, so be sure to look for Haunting Jordan, the first book that introduces all the characters. A few chills, a little romance, terrific fully-drawn characters and lots of dry wit.
May 16, 2011
Enjoyed this second outing better than the first. I think that is partially due to the fact that I got used to the story jumping from the present to the past. I didn't find that as irritating as I did in the first book.
I also enjoyed the interaction of the ghost with the heroine in the book. However, while I realize this is a story and the author has literary license, I am not sure I like how the ghost lives are evolving. One new ghost in this story threatens to harm and even kill the heroine's friends and dog if she doesn't do something for him. I found this very disturbing. Also, the "heroine Ghost", so to speak, is currently being courted by two ghosts from her past and there is talk of marriage - I'm not sure what to make of this.
In any event, I did enjoy this book.
I also enjoyed the interaction of the ghost with the heroine in the book. However, while I realize this is a story and the author has literary license, I am not sure I like how the ghost lives are evolving. One new ghost in this story threatens to harm and even kill the heroine's friends and dog if she doesn't do something for him. I found this very disturbing. Also, the "heroine Ghost", so to speak, is currently being courted by two ghosts from her past and there is talk of marriage - I'm not sure what to make of this.
In any event, I did enjoy this book.
June 28, 2013
I really love this series! The ghosts are funny, bright and delightful. You really need to read this series in order since there are references in this book to things that happened in the first book.
Ghost Ship is a fun followup to Haunting Jordan. Jordan is once again called upon by Port Chatham's deceased residents to investigate one of their own murders, setting up another dual plotline that bounces back and forth between the past and the current timelines. This time the ghostly victim is Michael, the former rival for the affections of Jordan's ghostly roommate Hattie--and Michael's much more aggressive about having been killed. The modern murder is of Michael's own descendant. Naturally, Jordan has to solve both at once!
Can't wait for book three in the series.
Ghost Ship is a fun followup to Haunting Jordan. Jordan is once again called upon by Port Chatham's deceased residents to investigate one of their own murders, setting up another dual plotline that bounces back and forth between the past and the current timelines. This time the ghostly victim is Michael, the former rival for the affections of Jordan's ghostly roommate Hattie--and Michael's much more aggressive about having been killed. The modern murder is of Michael's own descendant. Naturally, Jordan has to solve both at once!
Can't wait for book three in the series.
August 27, 2016
Absolutely beautiful!
March 8, 2019
After all Jordan has been through with her ghosts, denying their existence now. Really!!! I thought she was supposed to be smart. Denial does not look good on her. Then she continues to act like she can see them, until a new apparition appears and suddenly it’s all nonsense again. She’s sounding like someone trying to get attention. Jordan does not always impress me. The ghosts, however, impress me a lot. I love the interactions and humor they bring to the story.
I did enjoy the writing and the mixing of two mysteries, one past, one present, and how they get solved at almost the same time.
I was having difficulty determining where Port Chatham was ostensibly located, and it kept throwing me off, so I did some comparing (there are so many references to landmarks that I needed to cement an approximate location). “Port Chatham sat on a bluff on the northernmost tip of the Olympic Peninsula. To the east, a few blocks off the brow of the hill, she could see the ferry making its way across Admiralty Inlet to Whidbey Island” ( ferry ride across Admiralty Inlet to Port Townsend and the Olympic Peninsula, sounds like Port Chatham is Port Townsend). Dungeness Spit, where Darcy and Jordan were walking and found Holt’s body, is between Port Angeles and Port Townsend (about an hour drive from Port Townsend, not sure how long by boat). Not sure why they would go that far for a walk, but I guess I have done the same on occasion to walk the dog somewhere different.
I did enjoy the writing and the mixing of two mysteries, one past, one present, and how they get solved at almost the same time.
I was having difficulty determining where Port Chatham was ostensibly located, and it kept throwing me off, so I did some comparing (there are so many references to landmarks that I needed to cement an approximate location). “Port Chatham sat on a bluff on the northernmost tip of the Olympic Peninsula. To the east, a few blocks off the brow of the hill, she could see the ferry making its way across Admiralty Inlet to Whidbey Island” ( ferry ride across Admiralty Inlet to Port Townsend and the Olympic Peninsula, sounds like Port Chatham is Port Townsend). Dungeness Spit, where Darcy and Jordan were walking and found Holt’s body, is between Port Angeles and Port Townsend (about an hour drive from Port Townsend, not sure how long by boat). Not sure why they would go that far for a walk, but I guess I have done the same on occasion to walk the dog somewhere different.
September 18, 2017
Jordan Marsh has recently moved to the small seaside town of Port Chatham, Washington. She is in the process of restoring her Victorian era home, which is also home to several ghosts from the past: Hattie & Charlotte (sisters who lived in the house in the 1890's), Frank Lewis (a union rep who was, and still is, interested in courting Hattie, but was killed in 1890), and Michael Seavey (a suave businessman that didn't mind operating on the wrong side of the law, who was killed in 1893, and also wants to make Hattie his wife). Jordan is one of the few people in town who has the ability to not only see ghosts, but to communicate with them, as well; therefore, her life and home are rarely quiet, as all of her resident ghosts have agendas for her to follow, such as solving their murders. This book focuses on the old murder of Michael Seavey in 1893, as well as the present day murder of Holt Stillwell, a local painter / home restorer, who was found dead on the beach by Jordan and Darcy, the local chief of police.
I enjoyed the alternating story lines of past and present, as well as the humor brought to many situations by the resident ghosts, who do not understand today's slang and use of the English language, nor the way we dress. This is a fun mystery in a great setting.
I enjoyed the alternating story lines of past and present, as well as the humor brought to many situations by the resident ghosts, who do not understand today's slang and use of the English language, nor the way we dress. This is a fun mystery in a great setting.
April 7, 2022
I didn’t realize this was book 2, I got this at a used book store. I’m not interested enough in it to purchase the first book, however I wonder if there is more information about ghosts and her ability outlined, but I don’t think so because its not super clear in book 2 either.
This book started off interesting, but It got boring and stalled midway through. Jordan was an okay character, she annoyed me at times. I was confused about the ghosts ability; many times there was mention of her being scared of the ghost, garret, hurting her and he threatened to kill her dog and friend. So ghost can kill people? It was stated that people can’t kill ghosts. Also, the ghosts wanted the money in the safe, what use would money be to a ghost?
I just couldn’t get into the mystery solving piece of it after midway through the story. Also, the twist was a little weird. This guy kills a man and tries to kill our MC because they were going to uncover his family lineage of a murderer/sociopath and that would have been bad for business?
This book started off interesting, but It got boring and stalled midway through. Jordan was an okay character, she annoyed me at times. I was confused about the ghosts ability; many times there was mention of her being scared of the ghost, garret, hurting her and he threatened to kill her dog and friend. So ghost can kill people? It was stated that people can’t kill ghosts. Also, the ghosts wanted the money in the safe, what use would money be to a ghost?
I just couldn’t get into the mystery solving piece of it after midway through the story. Also, the twist was a little weird. This guy kills a man and tries to kill our MC because they were going to uncover his family lineage of a murderer/sociopath and that would have been bad for business?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2019
Jordan moves to Port Chatham to escape her ex, and buys an old home to repair. Little did she know the home comes with ghosts. Apparently, the town is full of ghosts, and everyone knows it, but Jordan seems to be one of the few who can see them and communicate with them. The ghosts ask for help solving their murders, and Jordan is helping, but there seems to be a connection to a new murder. Who killed the town's notorious womanizer, and what was he doing scuba diving when he was known to hate the water? I felt a little lost since I didn't read the first book, but I did not guess the murderer, so maybe I will read the first one also.
July 12, 2025
I enjoyed the story overall, but there were a few loose ends that I wish had been explored further and character development could have been better. It felt like there was potential for a stronger conclusion, but the ending was wrapped up a bit too quickly for my taste. Without that rushed finish, this would’ve been a solid 3-star read. That being said, it’s too bad that the third book was never published, I would have happily read it.
April 3, 2024
Well done yarn
I have really enjoyed this, and the author's other books set in the Pacific Northwest. I always enjoy good quality writing, and this author really comes through in that department. Great characters and interesting plot lines. Definitely left me wanting more!
I have really enjoyed this, and the author's other books set in the Pacific Northwest. I always enjoy good quality writing, and this author really comes through in that department. Great characters and interesting plot lines. Definitely left me wanting more!
October 25, 2018
Her books are fun, light, not too crazy....well, except for the ghosts! LOL
May 9, 2019
Meh
I had a hard time staying interested. I had it figured out long before the end and mostly skimmed the last couple of chapters.
I had a hard time staying interested. I had it figured out long before the end and mostly skimmed the last couple of chapters.
April 18, 2020
Another great book by P. J. Alderman. Looking forward to the next in the series
November 11, 2022
Surprisingly fun read! I picked this up out of a neighborhood little free library. I wish there was more books in this series!
March 20, 2023
Loved the book, but hated how the writer wanted me to like the ghost of a human trafficker. . .No thank you.
November 10, 2021
I wish there was more of these in this series I loved them they are quirky but good I love all the history and they stories are great
July 9, 2023
Meh.
I mean, if you have absolutely nothing else to do and there are no other books available, then sure, why not, read this book. That was the reason I read it.
It’s supposed to be a mystery novel where Jordan Marsh (a psychologist/psychiatrist – can’t remember which) tries to solve two murders, one in the present day and one from a century ago, because, and this is important, she can see and talk to ghosts. And the ghosts ask her to be their private sleuth. The premise is not actually bad. But the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Here are my complaints:
1. First it’s not clear exactly how the ghosts operate – why some people come back as ghosts and some don’t. Maybe it was explained in the prequel to this book, I don’t know, but I am not encouraged to find and read the first book after this. Also, that weird scene where Hattie the ghost couldn’t simply stick her head into her safe and check that her money was still there bugged me. If ghosts can appear and disappear at will and walk through solid objects, did they really need a safe-cracker?
2. I found the dialogue rather unsophisticated, as if it was written by a teenager in English class – or maybe that’s just how Port Chatham residents speak (I don’t actually read many American books, so who knows). Yet, I am sure it is illegal somewhere in the world to repeatedly tell a friend to just “jump his bones” (referring here to the advice Jordan’s friend gives her regarding a man she’s attracted to), and to use “hormones” as an excuse for one’s behaviour over and over again.
3. I also question the questionable police chief who blathers about the intimate details of an ongoing murder investigation to a bunch of civilians in a crowded bar.
4. Then there was the actual murderer. I found his motives flimsy at best.
5. It was rather (too) convenient for Jordan that all the dead people from a century ago left detailed journals and newspaper clippings that told her exactly what she wanted to know. Even then, she had no real proof for who killed Michael Seavey; she just made an educated guess and we’re supposed to be satisfied with that.
6. I found the ghosts to be extremely silly. Hattie was actually considering marrying a man who blackmailed her to sleep with him before helping her find her kidnapped sister… I suppose they had different standards for worthy suitors in the 1890’s.
7. Maybe this was explained in the first book, but why is the whole town ready to believe that Jordan is able to see ghosts? The crazy murderer guy was right – she very likely could be making it up.
Maybe the style of this book just wasn’t for me; I like airtight plots with intelligent (or at least interesting) protagonists, not middle-aged people bumbling about while obsessively lusting over other people. So, like I said at the beginning, I rate this book a “meh”.
I mean, if you have absolutely nothing else to do and there are no other books available, then sure, why not, read this book. That was the reason I read it.
It’s supposed to be a mystery novel where Jordan Marsh (a psychologist/psychiatrist – can’t remember which) tries to solve two murders, one in the present day and one from a century ago, because, and this is important, she can see and talk to ghosts. And the ghosts ask her to be their private sleuth. The premise is not actually bad. But the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Here are my complaints:
1. First it’s not clear exactly how the ghosts operate – why some people come back as ghosts and some don’t. Maybe it was explained in the prequel to this book, I don’t know, but I am not encouraged to find and read the first book after this. Also, that weird scene where Hattie the ghost couldn’t simply stick her head into her safe and check that her money was still there bugged me. If ghosts can appear and disappear at will and walk through solid objects, did they really need a safe-cracker?
2. I found the dialogue rather unsophisticated, as if it was written by a teenager in English class – or maybe that’s just how Port Chatham residents speak (I don’t actually read many American books, so who knows). Yet, I am sure it is illegal somewhere in the world to repeatedly tell a friend to just “jump his bones” (referring here to the advice Jordan’s friend gives her regarding a man she’s attracted to), and to use “hormones” as an excuse for one’s behaviour over and over again.
3. I also question the questionable police chief who blathers about the intimate details of an ongoing murder investigation to a bunch of civilians in a crowded bar.
4. Then there was the actual murderer. I found his motives flimsy at best.
5. It was rather (too) convenient for Jordan that all the dead people from a century ago left detailed journals and newspaper clippings that told her exactly what she wanted to know. Even then, she had no real proof for who killed Michael Seavey; she just made an educated guess and we’re supposed to be satisfied with that.
6. I found the ghosts to be extremely silly. Hattie was actually considering marrying a man who blackmailed her to sleep with him before helping her find her kidnapped sister… I suppose they had different standards for worthy suitors in the 1890’s.
7. Maybe this was explained in the first book, but why is the whole town ready to believe that Jordan is able to see ghosts? The crazy murderer guy was right – she very likely could be making it up.
Maybe the style of this book just wasn’t for me; I like airtight plots with intelligent (or at least interesting) protagonists, not middle-aged people bumbling about while obsessively lusting over other people. So, like I said at the beginning, I rate this book a “meh”.
September 28, 2011
First Line: He was a damned fool.
Jordan Marsh, a recent transplant to Port Chatham on the coast of Washington State, is still renovating her marvelous old Victorian house... and still getting used to the ghosts with whom she must share it.
Talked into a hike out to the New Dungeness Lighthouse, Jordan finds the body of Holt Stillwell lying on the beach. Jordan hasn't even had a chance to calm down from this discovery before she stumbles over yet another dead body. This time, the body belongs to Michael Seavey, Holt's ancestor. The spectral Seavey wants to solve his own death in a suspicious shipwreck in 1893. With two murders to solve, it's all Jordan can do to keep herself from running straight into the arms of pub owner, Jase Cunningham-- the man who just may be Mr. Right.
For no other reason, I would snap up the books in this series for their setting alone. Port Chatham is Port Townsend, Washington, in disguise. Port Townsend is a wonderful old town filled to bursting with beautiful examples of Victorian architecture. Its history is better than most fiction on the market today, which makes it the perfect setting for a mystery series.
The icing on the cake is the fact that there is much more to this series than its setting. Alderman combines an old mystery with one in the present day, much like British author, Kate Ellis (another favorite of mine). Like Ellis, Alderman combines her history and mystery to very good effect.
Jordan Marsh and the other characters populating Port Chatham are well drawn. Jordan may have her eye on a certain pub owner, but she isn't rushing into anything, which is something I like to see. She's also currently unemployed and living off savings. The house is taking more money than she planned. A financial solution is dangled in front of her, much like a carrot on a stick, and I was happy to see how that particular carrot was dealt with. As you can see, I've come to care for her and feel invested in how her life turns out.
Perhaps it's my knowledge of geneaology, but I found the killer a bit too obvious, and if there was anything else that didn't quite set well with me, it was Jordan's resident ghosts. Hattie, Charlotte and Frank live for drama, and if they'd wrecked my library twice, I'd be reading up on how to evict them all. Permanently. If those three can calm down and stop fussing, fighting and feuding, I'll be a very happy camper!
If you're in the mood for mysteries with a good blend of setting, history, crime, the paranormal, and a bit of romance, I recommend P.J. Alderman's Ghost Ship and the first book in the series, Haunting Jordan. I'd also recommend that you read them in order to get all the nuance in story and characterization.
Jordan Marsh, a recent transplant to Port Chatham on the coast of Washington State, is still renovating her marvelous old Victorian house... and still getting used to the ghosts with whom she must share it.
Talked into a hike out to the New Dungeness Lighthouse, Jordan finds the body of Holt Stillwell lying on the beach. Jordan hasn't even had a chance to calm down from this discovery before she stumbles over yet another dead body. This time, the body belongs to Michael Seavey, Holt's ancestor. The spectral Seavey wants to solve his own death in a suspicious shipwreck in 1893. With two murders to solve, it's all Jordan can do to keep herself from running straight into the arms of pub owner, Jase Cunningham-- the man who just may be Mr. Right.
For no other reason, I would snap up the books in this series for their setting alone. Port Chatham is Port Townsend, Washington, in disguise. Port Townsend is a wonderful old town filled to bursting with beautiful examples of Victorian architecture. Its history is better than most fiction on the market today, which makes it the perfect setting for a mystery series.
The icing on the cake is the fact that there is much more to this series than its setting. Alderman combines an old mystery with one in the present day, much like British author, Kate Ellis (another favorite of mine). Like Ellis, Alderman combines her history and mystery to very good effect.
Jordan Marsh and the other characters populating Port Chatham are well drawn. Jordan may have her eye on a certain pub owner, but she isn't rushing into anything, which is something I like to see. She's also currently unemployed and living off savings. The house is taking more money than she planned. A financial solution is dangled in front of her, much like a carrot on a stick, and I was happy to see how that particular carrot was dealt with. As you can see, I've come to care for her and feel invested in how her life turns out.
Perhaps it's my knowledge of geneaology, but I found the killer a bit too obvious, and if there was anything else that didn't quite set well with me, it was Jordan's resident ghosts. Hattie, Charlotte and Frank live for drama, and if they'd wrecked my library twice, I'd be reading up on how to evict them all. Permanently. If those three can calm down and stop fussing, fighting and feuding, I'll be a very happy camper!
If you're in the mood for mysteries with a good blend of setting, history, crime, the paranormal, and a bit of romance, I recommend P.J. Alderman's Ghost Ship and the first book in the series, Haunting Jordan. I'd also recommend that you read them in order to get all the nuance in story and characterization.
May 16, 2013
Jordan just wants to blend in and fit in, in the new home town of hers. That isn't as easy as it sounds though, especially since she has a special "gift" of seeing ghosts and finding dead bodies. Her historic house is enhabited not only by her, but also by some ghostly roomates. She maybe wouldn't mind, but they just seem to cause her grief lately. A new ghost is trying to serenade her ghost roomate, but that roommate already has a ghostly boyfriend. Now she is in the middle of a ghost love triangle. Wouldn't be so bad, but the new ghost man, Michael, is also the ancestor of the man Jordan found while hiking with her police friend Darcy. Coincidence? Was Holt trying to find the ship wreck site that Michael supposedly died in? Why would he be looking there after all these years, is there something being hid under water at the ship site or something valuable? Or was Holt finally done in by someone not very fond of his womanizing ways? Then Jordan finds that Michael may have not died in the shipwreck, but after. Did he die of wounds from the wreck or because of his opium handeling that was on his boat? Can Jordan find the killers of two dead men, one dead for many many years and one dead just a few days?
I found this to be a good read. It was very well written and had a pretty good pace to it. There were a few times of lull or slow moving, but it quickly picked back up. I came to quickly like the characters of this small town. They were very well developed and seemed to just take on very distinct personalities. There were a few things going on in this book and the writing was a bit back and forth, but it did make sense still. It was back and forth between when Michael was alive, 1893 and when Holt was alive, present day. It was done in such a way though, that made sense and didn't make me feel like it was all over the place and that I really had to focus on what I was trying to read. It was a longer book too, but wasn't so long or drawn out that I thought it could have been shorter per say. I enjoyed the ghost twist and the ghost characters in this book, I just thought it made this book very unique for a mystery book. All in all, I would recommend this book to others, it was a pretty good read and a good mystery.
4/5 Stars!
I found this to be a good read. It was very well written and had a pretty good pace to it. There were a few times of lull or slow moving, but it quickly picked back up. I came to quickly like the characters of this small town. They were very well developed and seemed to just take on very distinct personalities. There were a few things going on in this book and the writing was a bit back and forth, but it did make sense still. It was back and forth between when Michael was alive, 1893 and when Holt was alive, present day. It was done in such a way though, that made sense and didn't make me feel like it was all over the place and that I really had to focus on what I was trying to read. It was a longer book too, but wasn't so long or drawn out that I thought it could have been shorter per say. I enjoyed the ghost twist and the ghost characters in this book, I just thought it made this book very unique for a mystery book. All in all, I would recommend this book to others, it was a pretty good read and a good mystery.
4/5 Stars!
February 10, 2014
I loved “Haunting Jordan”. The ghosts’ appearance was more clever than I’ve seen in some time. ‘Port Chatham’ is unique, when many wonderful books construct distinct settings. I conjured my image of its layout. I applaud a city policewoman, high scale lawyer, and distraught Los Angeles therapist choosing a scaled-down pace. I love a town of heritage homes. Not least, grownup readers are in drought of ghost novels. It’s disappointing that the scant handful of haunted house fiction for adults, spoil our search for etherealness by taking the angle of levity.
My complaint worsens in “Ghost Ship”. P.J. Alderman emphasises so much visual comedy, like the chief finding Jordan upside down on stairs, or Charlotte crying “Call the fuzz!”; that readers don’t find the suspenseful, magical aura for which we choose such a series. The first novel was scary in ‘Hattie’s time period and other excellent elements levelled a balance. This time, the crime isn’t personal to anyone, the portrayal of ghosts is more commonplace than ever, and likeable characters Tom and Jay are scarcer. Albeit delayed, I appreciated Jordan’s acceptance of spiritual interaction but she remains displeased about everything and I’m unable to like her. The too-cynical protagonist spoils her author’s opportunities for poignant emotion! When Charlotte and Michael raise memories that are difficult to share, Jordan in her profession more than anyone, ought to have demonstrated sensitivity. I was outraged that she merely remarked “This isn’t giving me an answer to the mystery”. The behaviour of these characters rings untrue for me.
Weaving history with ghosts present to discuss it, is exciting. Creating action scenes of diary readings is a beautiful way to interpret them. The conclusion is promising relationship-wise and I’m willing to try a third volume, to see if my points of observation have mellowed.
My complaint worsens in “Ghost Ship”. P.J. Alderman emphasises so much visual comedy, like the chief finding Jordan upside down on stairs, or Charlotte crying “Call the fuzz!”; that readers don’t find the suspenseful, magical aura for which we choose such a series. The first novel was scary in ‘Hattie’s time period and other excellent elements levelled a balance. This time, the crime isn’t personal to anyone, the portrayal of ghosts is more commonplace than ever, and likeable characters Tom and Jay are scarcer. Albeit delayed, I appreciated Jordan’s acceptance of spiritual interaction but she remains displeased about everything and I’m unable to like her. The too-cynical protagonist spoils her author’s opportunities for poignant emotion! When Charlotte and Michael raise memories that are difficult to share, Jordan in her profession more than anyone, ought to have demonstrated sensitivity. I was outraged that she merely remarked “This isn’t giving me an answer to the mystery”. The behaviour of these characters rings untrue for me.
Weaving history with ghosts present to discuss it, is exciting. Creating action scenes of diary readings is a beautiful way to interpret them. The conclusion is promising relationship-wise and I’m willing to try a third volume, to see if my points of observation have mellowed.
August 30, 2014
Ghost Ship by P.J. Alderman is the second book of the Port Chatham mystery series set on the Pacific Northwest coast. Jordan Marsh is a psychologist relocated from Los Angeles. She fell in love with her Queen Anne Victorian at first sight, and now is struggling to restore it. Her biggest surprise on moving to Port Chatham was meeting ghosts inherited with Longren House: Hattie Longren and her sister Charlotte. The dog Malachi appeared at the house and adopted Jordan readily; now they go almost everywhere together. Jordan made close friends with the police chief Darcy, and was instantly attracted to her neighbor Jase Cunningham. Jordan eats dinner in Jase’s pub most evenings, but she has a “Four Point Plan” for recovering emotionally from her traumatic life before Port Chatham.
In the first book of the series, Haunting Jordan, she solved the century-old mystery of Hattie’s murder, and helped Darcy to solve a present-day murder. In the sequel, more ghosts appear:
• Michael Seavey, who wants to marry Hattie
• Frank Lewis, who also wants to marry Hattie
• Sam Garrett, Michael’s former business associate
• the Henrietta Dale, Michael’s clipper ship that shipwrecked on its maiden voyage
Hattie implores Jordan to solve the 1893 mystery of Michael’s murder. Out for a walk with Darcy, Jordan discovers the murdered body of a local man, Holt Stilwell. Jordan is convinced the present-day murder is linked to the past unsolved murder, so she investigates both.
The story alternates chapters between past and present, switching point of view from Jordan in the present to Michael in 1893. Port Chatham’s historical society conveniently has all the records Jordan needs to dig up long-ago facts. Someone in the present clearly does not want her to discover the truth.
Learn about the author and her books on www.pjalderman.com. For example, the fictitious Port Chatham’s vintage homes and “wild” history are based on the actual community of Port Townsend.
In the first book of the series, Haunting Jordan, she solved the century-old mystery of Hattie’s murder, and helped Darcy to solve a present-day murder. In the sequel, more ghosts appear:
• Michael Seavey, who wants to marry Hattie
• Frank Lewis, who also wants to marry Hattie
• Sam Garrett, Michael’s former business associate
• the Henrietta Dale, Michael’s clipper ship that shipwrecked on its maiden voyage
Hattie implores Jordan to solve the 1893 mystery of Michael’s murder. Out for a walk with Darcy, Jordan discovers the murdered body of a local man, Holt Stilwell. Jordan is convinced the present-day murder is linked to the past unsolved murder, so she investigates both.
The story alternates chapters between past and present, switching point of view from Jordan in the present to Michael in 1893. Port Chatham’s historical society conveniently has all the records Jordan needs to dig up long-ago facts. Someone in the present clearly does not want her to discover the truth.
Learn about the author and her books on www.pjalderman.com. For example, the fictitious Port Chatham’s vintage homes and “wild” history are based on the actual community of Port Townsend.
April 15, 2013
After Hatti died in Haunting Jordan, what happened to Charlotte and Michael Seavey? This is the main plot in this book and the answer deep inside the pages of this book will shock you. Other questions like who would lure the Henrietta Dale to run aground and who was the ship named after?
Jordan Marsh, LA psychologist. Recently cleared of the charge of murdering her cheating husband, she moved into the Longren House on a whim to renovate it. Oh, she shares the house with ghosts whom she can talk to and who are very happy that she's renovating their home. When she and her police friend, Darcy, go out jogging on Dungeness Spit, they find a dead body, shot execution style, drifting in the water. Soon after, Jordan sees a beautiful ship that almost runs aground, but turns at the last possible second. Soon after she finds out it was the ghost of the Henrietta Dale, a ship owned by Michael Seavey that ran aground in the last 1800s. Soon she is reading through journals and news articles about the ship and who killed Seavey (per request of Hatti). Of course, Seavey was positive he was killed in the shipwreck, but one of the news paper articles from the day after the tragedy lists him as one of the few survivors.
My only complaint with this book is there is no book after it. I will definitely reread this series. Like Haunting Jordan, Ghost Ship goes back and forth from the late 1890s to the present time. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I love how the story is more complex than a cozy mystery and it seemed more filling than a cozy.
Jordan Marsh, LA psychologist. Recently cleared of the charge of murdering her cheating husband, she moved into the Longren House on a whim to renovate it. Oh, she shares the house with ghosts whom she can talk to and who are very happy that she's renovating their home. When she and her police friend, Darcy, go out jogging on Dungeness Spit, they find a dead body, shot execution style, drifting in the water. Soon after, Jordan sees a beautiful ship that almost runs aground, but turns at the last possible second. Soon after she finds out it was the ghost of the Henrietta Dale, a ship owned by Michael Seavey that ran aground in the last 1800s. Soon she is reading through journals and news articles about the ship and who killed Seavey (per request of Hatti). Of course, Seavey was positive he was killed in the shipwreck, but one of the news paper articles from the day after the tragedy lists him as one of the few survivors.
My only complaint with this book is there is no book after it. I will definitely reread this series. Like Haunting Jordan, Ghost Ship goes back and forth from the late 1890s to the present time. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I love how the story is more complex than a cozy mystery and it seemed more filling than a cozy.
November 1, 2011
I read Ghost Ship, Book 2 of P.J. Alderman's Port Chatham series, right on the heels of Book 1. And was delighted that I did, because while both are standalone stories, the continuation of the relationship between lead characters Jordan and Jase flows beautifully right out of Book 1. It is, hands down, my favorite thing about the second book.
But that said, everything else about Ghost Ship is also a fun followup to Haunting Jordan. Jordan is once again called upon by Port Chatham's deceased residents to investigate one of their own murders, setting up another dual plotline that bounces back and forth between the past and the current timelines. This time the ghostly victim is Michael, the former rival for the affections of Jordan's ghostly roommate Hattie--and Michael's much more aggressive about having been killed. The modern murder is of Michael's own descendant. Naturally, Jordan has to solve both at once!
We get some fun development of what all Jordan's capable of seeing in this book, as well as some further explanation of what the ghosts of Port Chatham are themselves able to do. There's advancement of Jordan's friendship with Darcy, the (refreshingly) female sheriff of the town, as well as the aforementioned romantic advancement. On the strength of the image in my reader's eye given me by the very last page alone, I almost liked this one even more than the first, and am greatly looking forward to what Alderman will be writing next. Five stars.
But that said, everything else about Ghost Ship is also a fun followup to Haunting Jordan. Jordan is once again called upon by Port Chatham's deceased residents to investigate one of their own murders, setting up another dual plotline that bounces back and forth between the past and the current timelines. This time the ghostly victim is Michael, the former rival for the affections of Jordan's ghostly roommate Hattie--and Michael's much more aggressive about having been killed. The modern murder is of Michael's own descendant. Naturally, Jordan has to solve both at once!
We get some fun development of what all Jordan's capable of seeing in this book, as well as some further explanation of what the ghosts of Port Chatham are themselves able to do. There's advancement of Jordan's friendship with Darcy, the (refreshingly) female sheriff of the town, as well as the aforementioned romantic advancement. On the strength of the image in my reader's eye given me by the very last page alone, I almost liked this one even more than the first, and am greatly looking forward to what Alderman will be writing next. Five stars.
November 3, 2011
Port Chatham is one of those towns so well-drawn in a book that I want to move there immediately. I want to live in Jordan's neighborhood. Heck, I want to live her ghosted-up house.
GHOST SHIP is the second in the Port Chatham Mystery series and set more in the present day than the first, HAUNTING JORDAN http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/20.... There are two mysteries going on, one in the past and one in the present, but the one set in the present seemed more predominant. Which meant more time with ghost whispererJordan, hottie pub owner/lawyer Jase, police chief Darcy and the ghosts of sisters Hattie and Charlotte.
I like how the townspeople of Port Chatham accept Jordan's newfound ability to see and talk to ghosts. They all wish they could do the same. Jordan only has to accept it herself and not live in denial or try to hide her ability. She does feel compelled to solve the past and present murders or she'll have problems with the extra ghosts who keep appearing in her life.
The books in the series are thicker than your average paranormal amateur sleuth/cozy mystery. That's not a bad thing, by any means. It's that much more to enjoy of this superb series.
Five superb bigger than normal beans....
GHOST SHIP is the second in the Port Chatham Mystery series and set more in the present day than the first, HAUNTING JORDAN http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/20.... There are two mysteries going on, one in the past and one in the present, but the one set in the present seemed more predominant. Which meant more time with ghost whispererJordan, hottie pub owner/lawyer Jase, police chief Darcy and the ghosts of sisters Hattie and Charlotte.
I like how the townspeople of Port Chatham accept Jordan's newfound ability to see and talk to ghosts. They all wish they could do the same. Jordan only has to accept it herself and not live in denial or try to hide her ability. She does feel compelled to solve the past and present murders or she'll have problems with the extra ghosts who keep appearing in her life.
The books in the series are thicker than your average paranormal amateur sleuth/cozy mystery. That's not a bad thing, by any means. It's that much more to enjoy of this superb series.
Five superb bigger than normal beans....
March 8, 2013
Let me start this by saying it probably would've been better if I had read this book after Haunting Jordan (that is, in the series order) as there are references to the previous book and plot. That being said it was okay for me. I wanted to like it more than I did. I suppose I just didn't warm up to the heroine, Jordan. I mean she was okay, not terribly outstanding but also not outstandingly terrible. I was more interested in the Ghost character's to be honest and will probably read the first story just to get a better idea about them, perhaps I'll even like this better if I read the first story. Michael Seavey was an interesting multilayered character that I enjoyed getting to know from the flashbacks of certain events/points in his time period. I also enjoyed the unique aspect of Jordan's abilities, that ghosts appeared as 'real' to her as any other person, I can see how that would be interesting and would effect her life. Malachai was also adorable, but I'm a sucker for animals. It was overall okay, it didn't blow my mind, but it didn't bore me to tears. 2.5 Stars.
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