It was the summer of 1957 in Toronto. Reggie Clark, reporter for the Toronto Mirror was doing his usual; drinking too much, listening to bad music, chasing after leads and women when it happened. He sat alone at Champ’s Bar on Queen Street West and had just put the beer to his mouth when he heard the sound, fingers scratching on a blackboard, a sound he detested but no one else heard it since here was no blackboard at the bar.

Back at his rooming house room he heard nails on a blackboard and a voice asking if he was paying attention. That was his introduction to Mrs. West, recently deceased and their connection. He had one task, to find out who murdered her. Anyone who knew Reggie could assure you he was a level-headed guy but now he was dealing with an otherworldly spirit, a presence form the great divide. Mrs. West was a ghost who wanted his help, and the phrase “rest in peace” did not apply to her. She pushed and pulled him on her path disregarding what he wanted.

Along the way you will meet Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. West’s former butler, the grey ghost, a private detective and bodyguard, Mrs. Martha Murphy, with eyes on Reggie, Sergeant Oliver and the little gerbil, Hunston Weir, private eye. Reggie becomes a butler to flush out the main suspect, Mrs. West’s son. He learns far more than he needs to with Marigold, Mrs. West’s daughter-in-law, and the ladies from the book club. Get ready for a fun and exciting read with more twists and turns than Zelda the snake lady in the circus.