She called him "Tiger," and he called her "Beloved." Theirs was not a romantic relationship, however; she was his "ghost writer."

Jenny Erdal has written an account of the years she spent writing letters, articles, non-fiction books, even novels, in the name of her employer.

Although she never names him, it was apparent to the publishing world that Tiger was Naim Attallah, a publisher, author, and businessman in London. In the acknowledgements in the beginning of the book she expresses gratitude to several people, "And Tiger who inspired this story and allowed it to be told."

It is difficult for the reader to believe that Tiger agreed to her publishing the stories she tells about him. Indeed, subsequent articles about him indicate that he feels betrayed and no longer considers Erdal to be his friend.

When they met, she was the mother of three children under five, not working outside her home in Scotland. He was a very successful and wealthy publisher. She describes him as "a rare tropical bird," wearing a bold striped suit and a vivid silk tie, one pink sock and one green, two gold watches on his right arm and a platinum one on his left, as well as rubies, emeralds and diamonds on his fingers.

She begins work for him, mostly at home with monthly trips to London, translating Russian. As she writers about her work as a ghost writer for Tiger, she also tells about her own life, so Ghosting is part autobiography.

Tiger is the main focus, though, and he is colorful enough to fill several volumes. He surrounds himself with beautiful young women because he loves beautiful things. As Erdal continues to work for him, she begins to write his letters, even personal ones, and to compose newspaper and magazine articles that are published under his name.

She creates the questions he will ask as he undertakes a major work consisting of interviews with famous women. He is charming and has no trouble getting these eminent figures to talk to him. He does the interviewing; Erdal does the writing and editing. They are very successful.

Erdal and Tiger travel together, especially to his villa in France. Erdal comments that "Autobiography is unreliable. A lot of what we remember is designed to shield us from painful truths." There is no hint of impropriety in her time with Tiger. She is the emiployee, and he is the boss (a very bossy boss.)

It begins to be too much for her when he decides that they must write a novel. She doesn't know how she can make it sound like his writing, but is intrigued, and again the result is successful. Of course, he wants for "us" to do another.

Erdal is earning welcome money and spending time in glamorous surroundings, but eventually she has to quit. The reader wants her to give it up long before she is able to, but it's quite an adventure while it lasts.

Ghosting is available at the Mary Willis Library.