The Girl on Legare Street

When I was asked by TLC Book Tours to do a review of The Girl on Legare Street, by Karen White, I jumped at the chance. I tend to love any and all books that are set in the South, especially South Carolina, because I know the places that are mentioned in the book and can really feel as if I am right there with the characters. The Girl on Legare Street was no different, and I loved it as a follow-up to The House on Tradd Street, which was also so kindly sent to me. Although you do not have to read The House on Tradd Street in order to understand The Girl on Legare Street, it does help so that you will really know the characters.
Karen White

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, I guarantee you will get sucked in to this book and not want to put it down. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. I could not put the book down, awaiting the next clue in the mystery of the Prioleau family. Karen White’s characters came alive for me, even those that were not, well, alive.

Without spoiling the book for those of you who have not read it, I’ll give you a brief synopsis of the characters and the storyline. The lead character, Melanie Middleton, is a successful real estate agent in Charleston. The only daughter of the famous Ginnette Prioleau, Melanie and her mother are thrown together in this book out of necessity for Melanie’s well-being. However, because Ginnette left Melanie with her father when she was a child, she is very resistant to getting to know her mother after years of heartbreak. One of the other main characters is Jack Trenholm, a writer by trade, who is researching Melanie’s house on Tradd Street for his next novel. Jack and Melanie are often at odds, but realize that they can’t solve the mystery without each other’s help. Through most of the book, Melanie is in denial that Jack is perfect for her, mainly because of his relationship with Rebecca Edgerton. Rebecca is a reporter for the Post and Courier and is very interested in the Prioleau family history, to the point of it being a bit fishy why she would care so much- but read the book, and it will all make sense. Other characters include Melanie’s friend Sophie, a professor at the College of Charleston and an avid preservationist; Chad, one of Melanie’s clients and also a professor, who sparks up a love interest with Sophie; Melanie’s father, a recovering alcoholic who is dedicated to reviving the gardens at both the houses on Tradd and Legare Streets; Amelia Trenholm, Jack’s mother and owner of an antique shop downtown; and Marc Longo, a man after Melanie’s affections much to the chagrin of Jack.

And then there are the ghostly characters. I came to love the ghost of Wilhelm, Melanie’s “protector” and a Hessian soldier. Whenever he is around Melanie and Ginnette are safe from the girl ghost who is out to harm them for past wrongs committed against her by their ancestors.
Through the book you will follow Melanie, Jack, Ginnette, and Rebecca on their quest to find out the secrets of the Prioleau family and rid themselves of the haunting of the dangerous girl ghost bent on revenge. Along the way you will witness relationships sputter and flourish as new clues are uncovered to solve the mystery.

If you like a good ghost story, mystery, or just a book about strong relationships (both positive and negative), then this book is for you. Karen White weaves a story that is both fascinating and fun to read, a real page-turner that will leave you begging for more when you reach the end. I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next!