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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Who says you can't help the dead *and look fabulous doing it?

A Hard Day’s Fright (Book #7 Pepper Martin Mystery) by Casey Daniels

I am not a “cozy” mystery reader. I like dark UF, horror and PNR. A while back my mom told me about Pepper Martin, a paranormal mystery series with a heroine that could talk to ghosts. It didn't take long for me to get hooked on Pepper and her struggles to help the dead find justice while looking fabulous at the same time.

What happened to a teenager named Lucy one night in 1966 after a Beatles concert? She rushed onto the stage, kissed Paul, started home with her friends, and was never seen again. Until cemetery guide and unintentional PI to the dead, Pepper Martin, sees her as a ghost. Lucy's spirit can't rest in peace until her body is found and buried. But how will Pepper track down a missing corpse after forty-five years?

Review:

This book focuses on the ghost of an angsty and over-dramatic teenager from the 60’s. Not only does Pepper have to help Lucy, she has to deal with her boss Ella's angsty and over dramatic (live) teenage daughter too. There is more than meets the eye with both girls. If you have read the other books, then you will understand why at one point (page 263) I actually said out loud “Oh, No you didn’t!” (yeah, I talk to my books). The ending will also surprise you, and I am curious what it means for Pepper.

You don’t *need to read the books of this series in order. They are all bang-up mysteries with twists, quirky characters, and yes, a sinfully good looking cop (swoon). Pepper works at Garden View Cemetery as a tour guide. In the first book she falls and bangs her head; when she wakes up, Pepper can see the dead, and they can be a snarky lot despite their current condition. In each book Pepper gets pulled into playing private investigator for the dead, and word is getting around in the afterlife that she can help.

Unfortunately for Pepper, working for the dead, plays hell on a girl’s social life. Her investigations keep putting her in the sights of Detective Quinn. He is a by the book professional and maybe just a little full of him self. While he is attracted to Pepper, he can’t ignore the fact that she seems to have inside information on to many cases.

I love this series because it is funny with smart and clever plots The first book was good, but I feel Casey Daniels really found her voice (groove) in book 2 and they just kept getting better I believe anyone can enjoy this “cozy” mystery series.

4 woo-woo Sheep! SS

Pepper Martin Mysteries

Don of The Dead

The Chick and The Dead

Tombs of Endearment

Night of The Loving Dead

Dead Man Talking

Tomb With a View

You can also find Casey Daniels over at Something Wicked


3 comments:

  1. I so need to start this series, it sounds really fun.

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  2. I so talk to my books too! Glad I am not alone in that. :) Great review of a series I am REALLY looking forward to starting.

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  3. This sounds like an awesome series! I love spunky characters, especially well dressed ones. lol. Awesome review Sharon!

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