Nov 10, 2008

The House on Tradd Street by Karen White

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. Days later, he suddenly dies and leaves her his home.

Melanie is given a historic home and the money to renovate and repair it as part of 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. She's a strong character in spite of these weaknesses. 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 books. His charm and good looks 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.

Here's one of my favorite passages from the novel (page 130):

"I was so relieved to see him that I didn't waste any time asking him what in the hell he was talking about. I threw back the dead bolt and disarmed the alarm before pulling open the door and launching myself at him.

'Wow, Mellie--it's good to see you too. But could you wait until I got my clothes off first?'"

The mystery doesn't get heavy with humor like this sprinkled in. The interactions between Melanie and Jack are 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.

Want to win a copy of The House on Tradd Street by Karen White?

1. Please leave a comment on this post for one entry.
2. Leave a comment on tomorrow's guest post for a second entry.

Deadline: November 14 at Midnight EST. The contest is open to international entrants.

Thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book Promotion for sending me The House on Tradd Street.

Also Reviewed By:

Musings of a Bookish Kitty
S. Krishna's Books
The Book Czar
Library Queue
Diary of an Eccentric
In Bed With Books
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
The Book Connection
Cafe of Dreams

46 comments:

KyleeJ said...

This book sounds right up my alley. *fingers crossed*

Anonymous said...

I'm in for one count. Be back tomorrow for #2. Sounds like a wonderful read.

teabird said...

Sounds wonderful - and my name is Melanie!

teabird 17 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

This has been on my wish list ever since I saw the first review! Thanks for doing the giveaway!

jgbeads AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the lovely review! I'm thrilled that you liked the book.

Just a brief note: there will be a sequel--THE GIRL ON LEGARE STREET will be out in November 2009.

Serena said...

Good luck to all the entrants!

Karen: Thanks for stopping by and letting us know that there will be a sequel. I'll be adding that tidbit to your guest post for tomorrow.

Katherine said...

Sounds good! Please enter me.

katherineshuff (at) gmail (dot) com.

Bridget said...

I've posted on Win a Book. No need to enter the contest.

Cheryl said...

Thanks for hosting Karen today, Serena. I've also read this book and it tops my list of best ones I've ever read.

Good luck to participating in the giveaway!

Cheryl

darbyscloset said...

Yes enter me! I love it! Ghost, humor, romance and mystery....I'll take it all!
Thanks for your post about this book, first I have heard of it! I'll be back tomorrow to see what Karen has to share!
Thanks Serena!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

asdfjkl; said...

Please enter me! I think my sister would enjoy this book.

emailthebookworm(at)yahoo(dot)com

Toni said...

Wow.. before I even got to the give away the first two sentences of your review had me very interested. Thank you for the give away.

Darlene said...

Count me in Serena. Sounds great. I'll be back tomorrow.

avisannschild said...

Count me in too, please! It sounds like a great book. I'll be back to read Karen's guest post tomorrow.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I've been reading some good press about this book. I would love to win it.

Serena said...

Toni: I had to scroll up to see what could have grabbed you so easily! LOL

Thanks for the compliment.

I really enjoyed this book.

Jo-Jo said...

Wow this sounds like a good book! Nothing like a bit of a ghost story to give you the heebie jeebies! Please sign me up!
joannelong74@gmail.com

Icedream said...

Please enter me in for this one, I love this kind of book! Thanks

windycindy said...

I have been wanting to read this book. I have so many good things about it! Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Sheri S. said...

I've heard only great things about this book - I'd love the chance to win it!

Thanks!

bookopolis at live dot com

Unknown said...

you had me hooked at the first sentence when you said romance/ghost/mystery! And the cover is so pretty! Thanks for entering me.

Sue A. said...

After reading this review I decided to move up The Memory of Water in my TBR pile so I can move on to this one sooner.

rb said...

Great review! I have been meaning to get this book for some time now.

Ladytink_534 said...

I've wanted to read this ever since I heard about it. I've immediately placed it on my wishlist.

Sara said...

Please enter me. Book sounds great. Sararush at hotmail dot com

katayoun said...

i'd love to read this book!

Anna said...

This sounds like a great book. I loved the passage! Can't wait to read it myself. No need to enter me, obviously, as I'm also part of the tour. I'll post your giveaway in my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

a real librarian said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

avalonne83 said...

Sounds great!
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

The Bookworm said...

this does sound really good!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Beawhiz said...

I'd love to read this! I love ghost stories and mysteries, and I'll never turn down romance. Please enter me.

busweet(at)gmail.com

Literary Feline said...

What a great review, Serena! Can I use your review instead of mine tomorrow? Just kidding, of course. :-) I enjoyed this book too, especially the setting.

No need to enter me in the contest as I already have my own copy. Good luck to all those entering!

Me... said...

This looks great! Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

I have no idea - bu ti want to read a GHOST story yep :)

please enter me Savvy ! this is a cool book and thanks to all - for making this international :D YAY!

:-) thanks Savvy!

Margay Leah Justice said...

That is a great passage! Can't wait to read this book.

S. Krishna said...

No need to enter me, but great review! This book was really good!

Anonymous said...

Really like the cover and your review is great! A book worth checking out!

Consider me in!

gautami.tripaty[at]gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great read.

djecse at yahoo dot com

Melissa B. said...

Sounds like a good book.

Unknown said...

I've had this one on my TBR list, so please do add me to the contest!

thanks!
Kimberly

Anonymous said...

I thought I'd entered this, but I can't see where. I'd love to read this. Thanks for the chance. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Linda said...

I love books set in Charleston; this one sounds great.
lcbrower40 (at) gmail.com

Carol M said...

I've heard that this is good. Thank you for the chance to win it!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

avalonne83 said...

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Keyo said...

pls include me for this one! fab combination of love, ghosts and mystery!! lovely!! :)

spellbound18@hotmail.com

avisannschild said...

As you know, I posted about this giveaway here.