Kalfel has a confident robust voice and a sharp eye for humanity's humor and pathos. The plot deftly brings together unsolved murder, long-buried dangerous secrets, and hired
assassins. And the characters are engagingly human and truly unforgettable (you have to read it to see what I mean). The story is told in the clear funny edgy wise voice of narrator Fenn Cooper, who I hope we’ll see more of. Every page is entertaining. A great read!
Fantastic Read, Truly Remarkable
This is a rare book that takes the reader on a fantastic journey with the most interesting of characters. From New York, to Florida, and Los Angeles, the reader is chartered on an intriguing story full of suspense and mystery. The storyline holds you, with unforgettable characters and is written in a way that you can't put it down. This is a must read if you like well developed characters, and a truly plausible tale. From character to character, good and evil, you will find masterfully written details, that are rare in today's 'pump them out' world of mystery novels. Get a copy. You won't regret it.
"Fim Noir" Genre In A Book!
Written within a tinge of the genre of "Film Noir" but with at times a light touch, characters are very real and one can identify with the plight of each with their own particular style of lingo. The book has suspenseful twists and turns that keep you turning the page, a good read to settle in with a cocoa or three in front of the fire.
A Hard Boiled Amusing Thriller
Paper Ghosts is well researched and evocative for anyone who enjoys an amusing murder mystery. It offers a noir look at a time when men were men, women were women and crime is the focus of an unusual novel.
A Round-Trip Visit to Humanities Dark Side
I really enjoyed this book. Written in a hardboiled style, very punchy - sometimes below the belt. Characters from old and new Hollywood and present-day Ithaca NY, including a too-cool journalist, hippie-era survivors, and circus midway folks struggling to understand the past and the very threatening forces closing in. A real page-turner that sucks you into a dark web of very desperate people.
A Unique and Engaging Novel
Reading "Paper Ghosts" plunged me headlong into an unfamiliar world; one that included journalists, movie executives, hitmen, circus performers, forensic accountants and little people. The narrative drive, unique and compelling characters, laugh-out-loud humor and heart-thumping action kept me engaged and turning the pages, delightfully unable to predict what would happen next. Mr. Kalfel has obviously done his research on everything from legal contracts in perpetuity (the "paper ghosts"), to the history of Ithaca, NY, to the gritty life of traveling circus performers. My only gripe? This is part 1 of a multi-part series and part 2 is not out yet! Keep writing, Jesse!
Best ever mistery with a little person!
Great characters and fun adventure. Humor and thrills mixed together. Really liked the”little person” fortune teller. Highly recommend.
What a fun ride!
I loved this book! Filled with humor, suspense, irreverence, and very entertaining repartee, it's a romp from start to finish! I'll miss my daily visits with Zena, Holey John, and Fenn. The characters jump off the page and the snappy repartee makes you laugh, cringe, and want for more. We want more!!!
Fast paced thriller with great characters and humor
I loved the quirky characters and nail-biting scenes. Not many mysteries have a little person as a main character and I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes.
Fast paced, page-turner, perfect summer escapist story
If you love Sam Spade inspired detective novels, this one is for you. Sex, murder, fast paced dialogue, all in a circus big-top freak show inspired setting. The protagonist is a pot smoking journalist with keen deductive reasoning skills, and major characters include a midget (or is it dwarf?) fortune teller and her pin cushioned pain obsessed side show freak colleague, with a secret that even he doesn’t know!
The action is furious, the plot line has twists and turns, and it all wraps up neatly at the end, except for one unanswered question: will Fenn Cooper return in another novel??? Only time will tell, and we can’t wait!
LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!