"Gramercy Ghost" by John Cecil Holm is a wonderful play set in the 1950's. It centers around Nancy Willard who has just arrived from the funeral of her dear friend who died at the age of 103. A surprise visit by the lawyer Miss Augusta Ames reveals that Nancy has been left Nathaniel Coomes. No one knows who he is until he finally shows up. It turns out he is a ghost and was killed during the Revolutionary War when trying to get a message to General Washington. His punishment for not delivering that message is having to stay where he was killed until he can get into heaven. Nancy's pompous fiancee Parker Burnett IV and a newspaperman, Charlie Stewart, that she meets on this very strange day all come together (some unwilling) to help Nathaniel get to heaven. Other wonderful characters include Officer Morrison who gets hit in the head by a whisky bottle due to Parker's stupidity, two ambulance drivers, and two of Nathaniels friends that are now in heaven. As well as the housekeeper Margaret Collins. John Cecil Holm has put together a wondering tale that is funny and heartwarming at the same time. There are many highs and lows for all the main characters truly showing the versatility of this work. I recently performed the role of Parker in a production of this show and it was a wonderful experience and a wonderful story to share with the audience. Just stay tuned for the surprise ending!

This book is worth reading, especially if you have or know someone who is getting older. Like many of Walker's books, her descriptions are so vivid you are right there with her characters on a moutain in Vermont.