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Ghost Motel
Book by Manthorne, Jackie
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
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June 18, 2020P.E. teacher Harriet Hubbley—called Harry by her friends—is on vacation. She is invited to travel from her home in Montreal to Provincetown to spend time with her girlfriend, who left earlier to visit an old friend. En route, however, she stops at a decrepit-looking motel (it is the only one she can find without a NO VACANCY sign flashing) and makes the acquaintance of the owner, a 75-year-old lesbian named Gertie. They have a few drinks and get to know one another before Harry leaves the next morning.
But when Harry gets to P’town the next day, she learns that Gertie died during the night under mysterious circumstances. And she also finds out that her lover Judy has been unfaithful. Perhaps the combination of these two shocking incidents cause Harry to begin having nightmares—dreams in which the dead old woman tells her secrets and gives her suggestions to use in her own life. Against Judy’s advice, Harry begins searching for the reason that Gertie died. Was it suicide, or was she murdered?
The fact is, though, that Harry doesn't really solve anything; much of the information she does find out comes from her dreams. Despite this occult slant—which to me is unforgivable in a true mystery—Ghost Motel is a well-written and enjoyable book, despite the fact that the characters, including Harry, are unexceptional. What I like best is author Manthorne’s ability to anticipate my criticism with a kind of knowing smile. She tells Harriet (and the reader) “I’m asking you to suspend your disbelief in the [ir]rational, to see to the bottom of the wishing well, to follow Alice to Wonderland. Troubling, isn't it?” A bit. But from the descriptions, the next books in this series are true murder mysteries so maybe we can forgive the dream sequences. This time.
This is one of those books that are stylistically pleasant, that suck you into the story without grandiose plots or scintillating characters. And as a simple ghost story, it probably deserves high marks. I will reserve my own judgment until I read others in the Harriet Hubbley series. The fact that I am anxious to do so is a credit to Ghost Motel, despite its flaws.
Note: I read what seems to be the first he Gynergy Books printing.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
But when Harry gets to P’town the next day, she learns that Gertie died during the night under mysterious circumstances. And she also finds out that her lover Judy has been unfaithful. Perhaps the combination of these two shocking incidents cause Harry to begin having nightmares—dreams in which the dead old woman tells her secrets and gives her suggestions to use in her own life. Against Judy’s advice, Harry begins searching for the reason that Gertie died. Was it suicide, or was she murdered?
The fact is, though, that Harry doesn't really solve anything; much of the information she does find out comes from her dreams. Despite this occult slant—which to me is unforgivable in a true mystery—Ghost Motel is a well-written and enjoyable book, despite the fact that the characters, including Harry, are unexceptional. What I like best is author Manthorne’s ability to anticipate my criticism with a kind of knowing smile. She tells Harriet (and the reader) “I’m asking you to suspend your disbelief in the [ir]rational, to see to the bottom of the wishing well, to follow Alice to Wonderland. Troubling, isn't it?” A bit. But from the descriptions, the next books in this series are true murder mysteries so maybe we can forgive the dream sequences. This time.
This is one of those books that are stylistically pleasant, that suck you into the story without grandiose plots or scintillating characters. And as a simple ghost story, it probably deserves high marks. I will reserve my own judgment until I read others in the Harriet Hubbley series. The fact that I am anxious to do so is a credit to Ghost Motel, despite its flaws.
Note: I read what seems to be the first he Gynergy Books printing.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
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