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Michaela Thompson
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A Temporary Ghost (The Georgia Lee Maxwell Series, Series 2) Kindle Edition

by Michaela Thompson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 2,228 ratings
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"a bright and funny lady with a breezy narrative voice." --Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
"Witty, thoroughly enjoyable crime novel." --Jewish Gazette
A GHOST-WRITING GIG IN PROVENCE--SHE'S LIVING THE DREAM! UNTIL THE KILLING STARTS...
In journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell's second adventure, she leaves her new home in Paris for Provence, where she's been offered a lucrative ghost-writing job. But her co-author, suspected murderess Vivien Howard, the widow of a wealthy New York financier, seems strangely uninterested in writing her memoir Vivian was widely believed to have murdered her husband but was never charged with the crime, and now she promises to tell all.

Amid the beauties of Provence, settled in, a charming renovated farmhouse, Georgia Lee finds a household full of ill-feeling, not to mention suspicious characters -- Vivien's handsome artist lover, Ross; her neurotic daughter, Blanche; and Pedro Ruiz, a mysterious housekeeper who has accompanied them from New York.

Frustrated by Vivien's lack of cooperation and unnerved by threatening letters, Georgia Lee soon realizes that she has become a player in a more dangerous game than she could have imagined. And then there's another murder.

When Georgia Lee transplanted herself from Florida to Paris in Magic Mirror, Publishers Weekly applauded: "The debut of Georgia Lee Maxwell is an all-around delight. . . a brisk and witty book full of sharply unexpected events and packed with wonderfully robust characters."

As in Magic Mirror, Michaela Thompson's ability to bring alive a locale shines here. The writing is crisp, the protagonist witty, and the mystery is twisty. A great choice for armchair travelers! Also for fans of Cara Black, Michael Bond, and of course, the great Georges Simenon. Admirers of Hank Phillippi Ryan and the HBO show THE NEWSROOM will love the journalistic background.

"Georgia, bright and kooky, is an engaging narrator and her adventures come thick and fast." -(London) Times Literary Supplement (about the British edition)
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  1. Book 2 of 2
    The Georgia Lee Maxwell Series
  2. Print length
    225 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 7, 2013
  6. File size
    5236 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FVDMDOC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ booksBnimble International Mysteries Thrillers and Suspense (November 7, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 7, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5236 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 2,228 ratings

About the author

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Michaela Thompson

Michaela Thompson

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I've written seven mystery-suspense novels, set in wide-ranging locales: Hurricane Season and Riptide explore the beaches and swamps of the Florida Panhandle, where I grew up; Paper Phoenix features a romance between a disillusioned divorcee and a much younger crusading journalist in 70's San Francisco; a failure analyst chases private demons to India in Fault Tree; a group of friends plays a deadly game at the Venice Carnival in Venetian Mask; and Magic Mirror and A Temporary Ghost recount the dangerous adventures of freelance journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell, who moves to France with her cat on a whim and ends up solving murders in Paris and Provence. All are now available as e-books.

I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.

I live in New York City, but spend significant time in the Florida Panhandle. My novels were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
2,228 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting little mystery set in Provence
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2014
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The title is a red herring; it's a clever play on the concept of ghostwriter, not on the paranormal. Paris-based freelance journalist, Georgia Lee Maxwelll, hired as a ghostwriter for an alleged Mommy Dearest murderess' tell-all tale, gets caught in the crossfire when things get stirred up. Threatening letters and death threats. A real death. Whodunit? Several red herrings. Everybody is a suspect.

I enjoyed reading the story. It's a quick, suspenseful tale. Michaela Thompson (the author) is a decent, solid writer, with seven mysteries under her belt. I can tell that she draws from her own life experiences. Good writing, great plot. That said, the characters, though true to form (their actions supported their personae), were a tad flat. Story could have been fleshed out a bit more. It feels a little skeletal. Author was spare with the details of Provence as well. For good writing the adage is to: show, don't tell.

Apparently this is the second novel in the Georgia Lee Maxwell series. I did not read the first novel, Magic Mirror: A Parisian Mystery (Georgia Lee Maxwell #1), so I've nothing to compare it to.The story stands alone. Another reviewer noted that the French used in the story was missing its punctuation. Hopefully Thompson will amend those grammatical errors in the ebook.

I found it hilarious that the author, writing about a ghostwriter, once wrote under a pseudonym, Mickey Friedman. Perhaps there's a tale to tell there as well.
2 people found this helpful
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RaksGato
5.0 out of 5 stars Ghostwriting can be deadly!
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2014
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A Temporary Ghost (Georgia Lee Maxwell #2)
by Michaela Thompson

I was excited to get to the second in the series so soon after reading the first. I was interested to see if I would like it as well as the first, and I wasn't disappointed and, in fact, liked it better. I did notice, on the cover page the author is shown as Michaela Thompson, but on the title page, the author is shown as Mickey Friedman, Thompson's pseudonym. Huh. I understand that when the book was first written (1989 is the copyright -- and it's under Friedman) that Thompson was using the pen name for this series, and only changed that recently.

In this episode, we do not see so much of Georgia Lee's Paris friends, Kitty and Jack, although they do make appearances, mostly over the phone. We also see little of her cat, Twinkie, although we hear of Twink's episodes during phone calls to Kitty. Why? Because in this novel, Georgia Lee has taken a ghostwriting job penning the memoirs of a socialite accused and acquitted of murdering her husband. While the murder happened in New York, what remains of the family group are now spending the summer in Provence, France. It's to their French get-away-chateau, the Mas Rose, that Georgia Lee travels in order to spend time with the socialite and gather information for the book.

Of course, nothing is as simple as it seems, and Georgia Lee is soon in the middle of what seems more like a next of suspects than a grieving familial group. Ex housekeeper, widow, teen daughter, widow's lover, and shady older son all form an intriguing mystery that Georgia Lee simply can't let rest. One of them falls victim to the killer -- is Georgia Lee next?

Thompson does an excellent job of weaving clues and red herrings throughout the storyline, keeping the reader guessing and reguessing as to what happened in New York and what is happening on the grounds of Mas Rose. Add a nice dollop of countryside vistas, and you have a very enjoyable mystery.

As in the first book, the style of writing is a little stiffer or more formal -- something about it is just different from other modern day reads. However, I really do find that to be part of the charm of these stories. Georgia Lee is continually pessimistic and not confidant about her skills or her personal decisions. I am hoping that this improves a bit if this series progresses. However, she is also very personable, kind, and almost fatally curious -- which help to move the plot along seamlessly.

As in the first novel, I saw no grammar or editing or proofing errors. No misspellings or incorrect word usage. In fact, there is a guarantee included at the end of the book offering money back to anyone who finds at least 5 errors (and the type of errors is spelled out) and if someone finds more, the offer is for a dollar for every one up to twenty. After twenty, there is a promise to reproof and republish the book. Interesting. I've never seen something like that before. I'm not sure if this is a publishing house (booksBnimble.com) guarantee or an author guarantee; I assume it's publishing house. But it's cool and I wish I saw more dedication to providing such professional work in this ever changing industry. Kudos. If I could have, I'd have given an extra star just for that guarantee.

Although there are other non-series books by this author, I see no other books in this series and, as this second novel was obviously penned near the end of the 1980s, I assume that means no more will be published. Michaela Thompson a bit older than I am, but just by a few years, so if another Georgia Lee is coming, it better be soon...
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars A quick, absorbing read
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2016
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This was a well written book, short read, with decent but somewhat truncated character development. Enchanting descriptions of the countryside captivate the reader, and are generally more interesting than the plot, itself. Said plot drags in several places but is hurried along where it would benefit from further explanation. The ending seems forced, as if the author simply tired of the story and wanted to be rid of it. I did appreciate the correct use of grammar and sentence structure, of which so many writers seem incapable these days!
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mare36
4.0 out of 5 stars Complicated murder
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
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This storyline takes place in France. GeorgiaLee is hired to be a ghost writer for wealthy New Yorker who is a suspected murderess. Although Vivian has not been convicted of murder, she is the prime suspect and is living under the cloud of suspicion.

Vivian and her entourage relocate temporarily in France and she hires Georgia Lee to ghost write her side of the story.

There are so many suspects in this storyline we keep jumping back and forth as to whom actually killed Vivians husband. Poor Georgia Lee gets herself involved in trying to figure it out. She’s actually supposed to be telling Vivian’s side of the story. But it’s not that easy. Too many people are telling conflicting stories. There is her new husband, boyfriend, son, daughter, and an artist friend. There is also the cook, but she only speaks French.

I found the plot interesting and the subjects well defined. I really had no idea who was the actual killer was. Maybe you’ll figure it out.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Temporary Ghost
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2017
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A true, legitimate "Who Done It." Well written & good descriptive narrative. As you read, you find yourself so intent on working with Georgia Lee to solve the murder(s) that soon you are suspecting even those who could not possibly have done it; & you do have a range of characters to choose from.

The location is superb, the house & village described in a way you can "see" them; & the characters open their personalities to cause you to form opinions of whether you like or dislike them.

And the guilty party? You have to get darn close to the end, just as most super sleuths must do. Great Read. Enjoy.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

LA
4.0 out of 5 stars nice balance.
Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2016
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A little bit of mystery and a little bit of romance..nice balance.
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Sam
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting murder mystery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2016
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The first thing I noticed when I began reading this, was it was set a little way back, and the world was not yet full of laptops and iphones, personally I don't usually like a retro feel to my entertainment, but this is very good read.

Georgia Lee Maxwell is an American journalist living in Paris, who is asked by a celebrity to ghost write her book, in Provence. Georgia accepts and travels to the remote holiday home of Vivien Howard, who lives with her lover, daughter and employee, along with the daily visits from her maid. Georgia's co-author is the subject of mystery surrounding her late husband's death and for which a lot of people think Vivien is responsible for. Georgia finds that she investigating the murder and the story presents it's red herrings very well.

My only criticism is that I did kind of guess who did it, but I really liked the main character and this was a well written and thoughtful novel, a little claustophobic as most of it is set in the villa, but definitely a page turner. This is just the right length and I read it all in one sitting. A very enjoyable light read for a quiet afternoon.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A good follow-up
Reviewed in Germany on May 17, 2014
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I admit to quite liking the first book in this series. Although I originally didn't even realize this was the next installment in the Georgia Lee series, when I began to put 2 and 2 together, I was relieved to know my train ride from Munich back to the Sauerland had been saved.

Although I'm not a writer myself and don't live in France anymore, I enjoyed navigating the ins and outs of the mystery against the lovely backdrop of the Provence. The characters are quirky (enough) and the suspense compelling (enough) to allow me to lose myself in the pages of the book and - at the end - feel it's been free time well spent.
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RIVER
4.0 out of 5 stars NOT WHAT IS EXPECTED
Reviewed in Australia on June 13, 2014
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I liked this book, but if I could I would have rated it 3.5 it's not a bad read, the title is a little misleading and the characters at times can fall a bit flat but for a light read it's worth taking a look at.
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J K
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in Australia on July 31, 2018
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Loved the book. A spritely, beautifully crafted story with some gorgeous and funny observations and turns of phrase. Thanks Michaela Thompson for your delightful tale.
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