74) Drop Dead Beauty by Wendy Roberts

The Blurb :

Crime scene cleaner and amateur medium Sadie Novak’s ability to talk to the dead is a sure-fire way to solve crimes, but sometimes Sadie thinks she’d prefer a channel into the minds of the living instead…

While attempting to renew her relationship with on-again-off-again boyfriend Zack, Sadie discovers something that throws her romantic plans for a loop. With her love life in shambles, Sadie needs a distraction from all the drama. But sometimes, getting what you wish for isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

For the first time, the noble detective who’s repeatedly saved Sadie’s backside finds himself on the wrong end of a homicide investigation. Sadie is determined to prove that Dean Petrovich was framed for his ex-wife’s murder. But when her investigative trip to the crime scene—a luxurious day spa—puts the killer hot on her trail, Sadie will have to put all of her problems aside to keep from dropping dead…

My Thoughts :

I have been following this series from the beginning and even though it disappeared after the third book it is now back (if only in e-book version) and I can't help but do a little happy dance about it.  Ghosts are always good subject matter in a cozy mystery and the weird but yet wonderful crime scene cleaning angle is just a great mix.  This fifth part has some wonderful surprises with some extremely cool twists and turns.  I am even willing to say that this may of been the best in the series so far because it made the future of this series look even better than it did before.

So the blurb doesn't give away the most shocking parts of the book and I won't either.  However I will say that the element that surprises from the first chapter on does throw the ghost talking abilities and crime scene cleaning activites of Sadie into a bit of a mess.  Solving Dean's case is a nice plot but there are few other sub plots thrown in to keep Sadie busy.  Not that she wasn't already.  It is actually nice to see her doing so well work wise even if she has a lot of problems to deal with in this newest installment.

The real shock in this book is the end.  I should have seen it coming and thinking back there were enough questions/signs to point me in that direction but with everything else going on it just didn't click.  It this final piece of the puzzle that shows that really proves that the author can weave a wonderful and thrilling story.  The twist in the tale being the surprise of all surprises and putting the (even if sad) cherry on top of the cake.

I can't wait for the next part.  Hopefully there will be a next part.  While reflecting on the end of this book, the plot and the story in general it does tie up things nicely and it could actually be a nice way to leave things. Even if there isn't more to come from this series the author stays on my must read list and I will be keeping an eye on what comes next.  There are also a few other mysteries she has written that I haven't read yet and will hopefully fit them into my reading pile soon.

If you like cozies with a paranormal twist then you can't go wrong with this series.  Well worth checking out and definitely a favourite of mine.

     

   

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30) Dead Suite by Wendy Roberts

The Blurb :

Crime scene cleaner Sadie Novak has been blessed with the gift of second sight. But with ghosts of murder victims always popping up when she’s trying to work, her blessing sometimes seems more like a curse…

With business slow, her mortgage payment looming, and her relationship with on-again off-again boyfriend Zack somewhere in limbo, Sadie could use a drink and a little rejuvenating R&R. But when women start getting killed in fancy hotels, Sadie suddenly finds herself back to work and her business back in the black.

Posh hotels are much nicer accommodations than her usual crime scenes, but soon perks turn to peril and Sadie gets caught in the killer’s web. Now, Sadie has to figure out the identity of the Seattle Slasher, before he comes for her next…

My Review :

Four years have passed since a book was released in the Ghost Dusters series. For four years I have checked for a new installment. So when the series popped into my head again (got a movie about cleaning crime scenes) a few weeks ago I went over to Amazon and saw there was a new book coming out! I couldn't believe it! And even better the book was due out so soon! I pre-ordered it straight away and when it arrived on my Kindle the other day I couldn't wait to start it.

You would think that after all this time I would have forgotten a lot about the characters and concept but it all came back to me straight away. I can only say that the series is just too good to forget! After all a crime scene cleaner who can see ghosts isn't a normal concept and the unusual aspects to this series really make it memorable.

This fourth book was a pleasure to read and I really enjoyed the mystery. I even thought I knew who the bad guy was a few times and at the end it came to light that I was right although I hadn't figured out how and why. The interesting and exciting trip to the conclusion was full of intrigue and clues. I enjoyed every chapter and the ghosts make it just that little bit more enjoyable. The crime scene clean-up angle was, as always, informative and bloody.

I have no idea why it took so long for this fourth book to be released but I am overjoyed about the return of the series. The fifth book is due out in May and I have already pre-ordered my copy. A cozy mystery with a good paranormal twist this is one enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend.