To Sketch a Thief

A Portrait of Crime Mystery #2

by Sharon Pape

After a stray dog named Hobo leads former police sketch artist-turned- paranormal private eye Rory McCain back to his owner's corpse, she finds herself involved in another homicide case-not to mention the new owner of a lovable pooch, which makes Rory's ghostly partner, Zeke, more than a little spooked.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fiction, Paranormal Mystery, Ghosts, Cozy

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 7, 2011

About the author

I started writing stories as soon as I learned how to put letters together to form words. From that day forward, writing has been a part of my life whether it was my first attempt at a novel in seventh grade or the little plays I wrote for my friends to perform for neighbors and family. After college, when I was busy teaching French and Spanish to high school students, I was also writing poetry -- often in French.

After several years, I left teaching to be a full time mom, and when my two children started school, I went back to writing. To my delight I found that the muse was still there, still waiting patiently for me to come around. My first novel, Ghostfire, was published at that time. It went on to be condensed in Redbook magazine (the first paperback original the magazine had ever condensed.) Then came The God Children and The Portal. Redbook also published my first short story, which was subsequently sold to several foreign magazines. With two great kids, a golden retriever and a loving, supportive husband (whom I'd met at the beach when I was fourteen -- but that's a story for another day), I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be in my life. But fate had another plan for me, and it went by the name of "breast cancer."

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was that the cancer was discovered at such an early stage, but at the time it was all very overwhelming. Once I was back on my feet, I wanted to help other women who were newly diagnosed, worried and afraid. I became a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society and went on to run the program for Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. A number of years later, with the help of my surgical oncologist and two other volunteers, I started Lean On Me, a nonprofit organization that provides peer support and information to breast cancer patients. When Lean On Me celebrated its tenth anniversary it no longer required as much of my time, and I once again found myself free to pursue my first love -- writing.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character development is progressing well in this second book of the series and let's be honest even dog non aficionados would love the addition of Hobo to the cast of the Ezekiel and Aurora cozy saga.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rory McCain inherited more than a house from her Uncle Mac, she also inherited Marshal Ezekiel Drummond (Zeke). He came with the house as he was killed there back in 1878 and his ghostly self refuses to crossover until he determines who killed him and why.

While Rory appreciates his lawman's intellect to help her solve cases for her brand new PI firm, she would appreciate him more if he could just perfect his appearances and maybe keep his opinions to himself once and awhile, then Rory wouldn't mind so much "living" with the spirit.

In this story Rory finds a big lovable stray dog, Hobo, and luckily he has tags on his collar so he can be returned to his owner. Rory takes the dog home and sees the front door is ajar so she knows how the dog got out, but as she enters the house to find the owner she has that eerie feeling. She is not entirely surprised when she finds the owner murdered.

This puts Rory right in the middle of another police investigation. Actually two as one of the friend's of Hobo's owner contacts Rory and tells her that several dogs have been dog-napped recently, including not only the other dog of the murdered woman but two of her own dogs. She hires Rory to find the missing canines.

Rory is now sharing her house with a dog, a ghost who doesn't get along well with dogs, and three cases to solve. Hopefully Hobo can help her sniff out some clues and Zeke will use his energy to help her, rather than just use it to frighten the poor dog for his pleasure. Working together they are on the trail to track down the dog-nappers and may even a murderer.

I LOVED IT!!!!!

This book is a mystery, within a mystery, within another mystery and I love them all. Extremely well written and plotted the three just flow together naturally making for a fast paced read you won't want to put down. I don't consider this a much a paranormal story as a mystery with with a spirit who is truly friendly and funny. The way he doesn't understand today's slang just cracks me up.

The fact that none of Rory's family knows about Zeke adds a little more quirkiness to this story. Aunt Helene is priceless. She loves helping Rory with her cases, and her family is still wondering why after all this time they have never been invited in her home.

I am so thankful that I received that book last year, because it would have been a shame to have missed this wonderful series. This is the perfect story to "escape" into for a relaxing afternoon.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Sketch a Thief (Berkley Prime Crime 2011) finds Rory (Aurora) McCain, a former police sketch artist and now a private detective, adjusting to sharing a house in Huntington, Long Island, New York, with the ghost of Federal Marshal Zeke (Ezekiel) Drummond, who died in her Victorian house in 1878. Zeke is determined to find out who killed him, and why, and Rory is willing to help, though she wishes the lawman would stop giving her so much advice about her own cases. While returning a lovable stray mutt named Hobo to the address on his tags, Rory discovers the murdered body of his owner, Brenda Hartley. The only thing missing from the house is Tootsie, Brenda’s show quality Maltese. Sure that Tootsie is a victim of a dognapping ring that snatched two of her own dogs, Tina Kovack, the dog breeder who sold Tootsie to Brenda, hires Rory to find the missing dog. Unwilling to give Hobo over to the animal shelter, Rory takes him home, to the dismay of Zeke, who isn’t fond of dogs, and Hobo himself, who reacts to the ghost with horror. Occasional flashbacks to Zeke’s pursuit of a man killing young girls in 1878, are interspersed with the current investigation. Zeke is determined to learn to materialize outside the house in order to be of more help to Rory, which spooks Hobo even more. The good natured squabbling between Zeke and Rory, who are equally strong willed and convinced of the rightness of their own opinions, adds spice to this cosy mystery, the 2nd in the Portrait of Crime series.
Sharon Pape page at SYKM

[Dakota · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a 2.5 actually.
I managed to finish the book which is a star all in itself and another star and a half for the premise. But to think this is the second book and the two main characters are always fighting when they are together which got old very very quickly. not sure if i want to continue

[Diana Bringardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The personality conflict between Rory and Zeke was quite annoying after a while. Enjoyed the mystery well enough but some progress on the relationship would have been nice.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little cozy. I have not read the first book (this one was given to me) and the first couple of pages were a bit confusing as I tried to nail down the characters. However, once I knew who Rory and Mac and Drummond were, the story flowed well. Now I am more curious to go back and see how it started. Rory is a PI so she has a little more leeway than the average amateur detective in cozies. I did find it interesting that she was a former sketch artist but she introduced herself as a former detective; I've never heard of the artists as being actual detectives before so I'm not sure if she was really both or if that was a slip-up on Pape's part? Knowing that, most of Rory's actions made sense to me though there were a couple of instances where I felt she should have called or confided in her friend Leah (a police detective) a little sooner. But overall, I enjoyed the story and the ghost of Drummond (with his own story arc that seems to go through the series) and the addition of Hobo the dog were both fun, welcome twists to the story.

[Debra McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The components of this book are fun. The star characters are a private investigator (Rory), a ghost buddy from the old west (Marshall Zeke), and a lovable pup (Hobo). Rory tries to solve the mystery of a dog theft ring that coincides with a murder investigation. This is book two of a series, and you feel it if you haven’t read book one. A cute “pup-in-the-garden” cover art by Dan Craig.

[Amanda Ford · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character is almost completely unlikeable for all the anger and complaints. Too bad tempered to continue reading. I gave up.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ghost Zek was interesting but the overall story was lame.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Well written, great characters & unique plot.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Sharon's writing and stories. It's entertaining while not being overly complex and perfect for quarantine reading!

[Kimberlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/0...

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: 2nd in the Portrait of Crime Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery sub-genre: Private Detective, Paranormal

Main Characters: Rory (Aurora) McCain - a police sketch artist

Setting: Modern day, Suffolk County New York

Obtained Book Through: Publisher for honest review


Rory is now working full time as a private investigator. She is also adjusting to living with the ghost of 1878 Federal Marshal Ezekiel Drummond, aka Zeke. He is old fashioned, stubborn and cantankerous. Dogs and Ghosts don't get along well together so when a stray dog shows up at the house, Rory is quick to take it to the house listed on the tags. This good deed brings her to the murder of Brenda, the dog's just deceased owner. Brenda's other pet, a Maltese is missing. Hobo, the mixed breed, comes home with Rory which makes Zeke unhappy.

A friend of Brenda's hires Rory to investigate a rash of pure-bred dog thefts on the thought that Brenda died from a dog theft gone wrong. Rory will work the dog theft angle while the police work Brenda's death.

For the second book in the series the characters are developing nicely. I feel like I know Rory better after this book, and I am growing fond of her. Of course Ezekial Drummond is still a headstrong entity making her life difficult, but I really appreciate how we see them both trying to make their situation work. Hobo is a great addition to the cast and I already adore him.

Don't let the plot of finding dog-nappers fool you. Rory receives threats and one threat is carried out. There are some tense scenes and "whodunit" is not very cut and dry. This series is enjoyable for its engaging mystery and interesting characters with humor and a few twists. I was very tempted to list this as a cozy because it really is even though Rory is a PI.

One feature I liked in the first book continues in this one. Occasionally a chapter is devoted to Zeke's last investigation that got him killed. Rory is trying to help solve this for Zeke since his own unsolved murder appears to be keeping him here.

Often times a second book after a successful debut novel is hard to pull off. I am happy to report that I felt this book was a great follow up and definitely consider myself a fan now.

Please join me at my mystery book blog, Mysteries and My Musings
http://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com

[Marlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When PI Rory McCain returns a dog that wandered into her yard, she doesn't expect to find the mutt's owner, Brenda Hartley, dead in the middle of the kitchen floor. Not wanting Hobo to go to a shelter, she takes him home, much to the annoyance of her partner, the ghost of one-time US marshal Zeke Drummond. The antipathy goes both ways: Hobo is frightened of the spectral lawman.

Having been the person to find the body, Rory would like to search for the killer, but as a private investigator, she can't unless someone hires her to do it.

When a friend of Brenda's, a dog breeder named Tina Kovack, hires Rory to find the dead woman's other dog, a purebred Maltese that wasn't found at Brenda's house. Tina is certain that Tootsie, was stolen by the person who killed Brenda. Rory isn't sure if she agrees, but she takes the case, because it means that while she's searching for the dognapper(s), she can also hunt for Brenda's killer.

Zeke Drummond's spirit remains earthbound because he wants to know who killed him, and he is physically unable to investigate on his own. He is a non-threatening character, who just happens to be unable to manifest outside the house, although he's pretty good at doing internet searches.

Zeke's sensibilities are very 19th Century though, while Rory is very much a self-sufficient 21st Century woman, and they do clash over societal proprieties. As a result, there's more humor here than spookiness, and especially with the addition of Hobo, and Rory's sleuth-wannabe Aunt Helene.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only gave this book 4 stars because I like the ghost and the mystery, but the main character is seriously annoying. To me she comes across as a spoiled brat, getting all worked up and pissed off anytime the ghost says or does anything. And if the ghost warns her to be careful she flips out and seriously over reacts ranting on about how she can take care of herself. All the pointless fighting grates on my nerves, especially when she always assumes his advice has to do with her being a woman and she "knows" the ghost wouldn't have treated her uncle that way. Seems to me that her uncle probably had the exact same conversations but since he didn't have a huge chip on his shoulder like the main character, he wouldn't have been flipping out over words of caution.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private Investigator, Rory McCain and her partner, Marshal Zeke Drummond are thrown into a crime when a dog, named Hobo leads them to his newly deceased owner, lying in a pool of blood, in his former home.

Well, that sounds fairly straight forward doesn't it? Until, you realize that Rory lives in Long Island, NY and did I type, Marshal? Yes, I did. You see Marshal Drummond died on the land that Rory's house sits back in 1878 and he needs her abilities to find who shot him in the back. What is a Texas Ranger Marshal doing in NY?

These are only two of the crimes that are explored in Sharon Pape's latest novel, "To Sketch A Thief." The biggest mystery? Who is dog-napping in the town?

Rory, or Aurora, as the Marshal is fond of saying, has somewhat adjusted to living with a ghost of a lawman but it can get lonely. Hobo is a lovable mutt of a large size and he has an open and giving heart to share with Rory, the marshal? Not so much.

This book is exciting, has moments you laugh out loud and Ms. Pape sets up scenes that you have to share with others as you read the book. I found myself feeling love for Hobo. Sorrow for the dogs and their owners, worry for all the characters, and compassion for the Marshal.

I did love this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Sketch a Thief is the second book in the Portrait of a Crime series. Here we welcome back the unusual partnership of Zeke and Rory, now joined by a canine sidekick, Hobo. Rory and Zeke’s PI business is up and running and they are hired to look into a series of widespread dognappings. While the dog nappings are what they were hired to solve, the murder is related. There are lots of suspects and dogs here, so multiple crimes to consider. Detailed investigation work is shown here, with Zeke and Rory looking for connections and following leads. There are also snippets of Zeke’s last case and his murder, which Rory is also trying to solve.

I enjoyed the first book in this series a great deal and I will read the the third and final? book as well. I had one small complaint with this one and that had to do with Rory’s seeming animosity towards Zeke. I felt she was harsh at times and she even seemed to acknowledge that. Friendly bickering is one thing but this seemed off the mark. Still a solid cozy mystery read and great premise!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series last year, and was delighted to win the second in a giveaway on a book review blog that I follow.

The primary characters are perfect foils for each other. Rory McCain is a police sketch artist turned P.I. and Zeke Drummond the ghost of a 19th Century U.S. Marshal murdered in her living room. The pair have formed a somewhat turbulent relationship with the Marshal imparting his years of experience to Rory as she works her cases and attempts to solve the 100+ year old mystery surrounding the Zeke's death.

Into the mix comes Hobo - a 90 pound mutt with a murdered owner who worms his way into Rory's affections and becomes cemented their. While reporting the murder, Rory becomes aware of, and then hired to stop, a dog-napping ring.

There were plenty of good plot twists in the story, and I never quite put all the clues together to figure it out. That's always a good ending in my book.

[Katherine P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining series. I like the paranormal aspect without it being overdone. There's not a paranormal world just 1 kind of grumpy ghost. I like the introduction of Hobo and the dog community. There is a very small tight world that goes on with breeders and those that participate in dog shows and to imagine gossip running through that is very possible. I did have an idea of the ending before I got there but it was still a fun read. My main complaints are that while the Zeke mystery background was explained there wasn't much explanation as to what Rory was doing before her uncle died. There's no mention of her being a sketch artist and in one scene she pulls out a notebook and whips out a sketch. I think if you hadn't read the first book it'd be kind of confusing as would the title.

[Amelia in PDX · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and I'm looking to see where it goes from here. Rory McCain has quit her job as a police sketch artist to work her uncle's P.I. business; her silent partner, is the "late" federal marshall Ezekiel Drummond, who had been murdered in her late uncle's house, many years ago. Yes Zeke is a ghost, a ghost who can't leave the house, and needs to know who murdered him. In the meantime, they have another murder to work on, and a new house guest - the dog of the late victim. Will Zeke and their new housemate, Hobo, learn to get along? Will Hobo eventually lead them to who murdered his late owner? Read it and find out.

[Delphina]

This is the second book I have read by Sharon Pape and I loved it. Not only is it a fun mystery to curl up and read, but it has the paranormal elements that I love. Zeke, the ghost, adds so much to the story as he and Rory build their relationship as housemates (he haunts her house) and partners. There was more humor in this book than the first one and I welcomed the addition. I love that Pape writes the type of mystery you can read before bed and not wake up in nightmares. She leaves the graphic crime scene descriptions behind and allows us to simply enjoy the ride. I am looking forward to more from this series. I am so glad I was given this book!

[Benedict Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. It's what started my surge of interest in ghost-related cozies.

More hints are dropped about the origins (and endings) of her ghostly pal, and the main mystery with the dogs was really engaging.

Bearing in mind I fully recommend this series, there's one caveat. The two main characters fight. A lot. It seems every scene ends and begins with 'I fell to sleep wondering if we would ever make peace' 'I wondered if things could be right between us again' and if that sort of thing drives you nuts, avoid.

If you can handle that, it's good ghost time mystery in this book.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rory still strikes me as a little too stupid sometimes, Zeke is just annoying, and Pape's villains get telegraphed almost immediately, but it's an unchallenging, pleasant way to while away a couple of hours. I didn't get all the "dog community" references, though: I've had dogs my entire life (have four now), and I wasn't aware there was a "community" of owners in which gossip would run rampant unless they belong to specific breed clubs or show their dogs. It was just weird. Where is this all-encompassing "dog community" supposed to spread their news? Petsmart?

[Sarah A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. It's an ok cozy mystery starting a PI and her ghost partner. This is the second book in the series but only the first I have read. From the series title, I expected some more actual drawing and sketch artist work!! There's only two sketches in the whole book! I expected the dogs to be more minor characters - instead the series could be called the dog-lovers cozy series - oh with a drawing or two.
I liked the idea of this book more than its reality so I'm disappointed. The mystery itself was ok but I identified the bad guys pretty early on.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so great that Rory and Zeke are trying so hard to work together and take care of one another... even when that means pushing each other's boundaries once in a while. & Hobo seems like the perfect addition to their strange household.

I love that we get glimpses into Zeke's past as they try to unravel the mystery surrounding his death.

I look forward to reading more adventures with this ragtag bunch.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like the premise of the book and series, I have to say it's not a favorite of mine. I think this is mostly due to the relationship between the main character and the ghost. Too much animosity, and the ghost isn't the most likeable character. But I'll read the next in the series when it arrives and hope this improves. The mysteries were good, although one was fairly predictable.

[Lindig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got tired of the constant bickering and sniping of Rory and Zeke. The dog didn't seem to have enough personality to offset the tense atmosphere. None of the characters engaged me. Also, if Zeke knows more about his own murder, why on earth wouldn't he tell Rory so she can help solve it? Maybe he just likes hanging around being a jerk.

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rory and her live in ghost, Zeke try to solve the mystery of a murdered woman and the whereabouts of her missing Maltese. Rory stumbles into the murder scene while trying to return a missing dog. The dog, Hobo, becomes an uneasy houseguest thanks to his aversion of Zeke. Good characters, good storyline, good read.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery novel's main character is a retired police sketch artist, Aurora (Rory) McCain. The interesting twist in this series is that she works with a ghost, the murdered federal marshal Zeke Drummond, who "inhabits" her house. Zeke helps Rory solve the mysteries, as does the scruffy dog Hobo...

[Judy Tate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aurora and Zeek do more arguing than sleuthing in this installment. If she is going to solve his crime, I wish she would do it so we can stay in one time period. I think I might enjoy a book about Marshall Drummond more than I am this series. The promise of book 1 is not really pulled through on book 2.