Review: Somewhere Between

Somewhere Between by Patty Wiseman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars (But that's not a bad thing)
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This is a nice little paranormal/mystery. I think I'd like to have seen the main character, Phebe, as a nanny/detective. She has the curiosity and logical thinking which I'd love to see her using in multiple settings. Phebe: Nanny Detective, the series.

This isn't a lost opportunity for Patty Wiseman. She could create a new character with the personality, courage, and forthright personality going from home to home where other nannies fear to tread. I could really see her as almost a freelance paranormal problem solver. Various families are distraught since they can't keep a nanny. Why? Things that go bump in the night send the drab nannies running. This is already set up in this book. Phebe applies for the task of educating the Powell children and discovers the reason why the Powells just can't seem to keep a nanny employed.

Anyway, I see the barely sprouting seeds of a fun cozy paranormal mystery series. However, to achieve this, the author needs a lot of set up and background on Phebe and the jobs she takes on. Like Nanny McPhee or even Mary Poppins, Phebe can be such a strong woman solving problems with her wit, curiosity, and intelligence.

So, the series I'd like to see isn't quite there in this book, but there is so much potential here, I'd hate to see it go to waste with Phebe giving into the somewhat trite romance at the end. Throw caution to the winds, Patty Wiseman. You have a character here with far more potential than you've given her.

The book is a quick and moderately enjoyable read with the paranormal aspects. Read it and see if you don't think I'm right about Phebe.