Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery, #2)

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Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery #2)

by Ann Charles (Goodreads Author)

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 1,002 ratings · 134 reviews

From the Award-winning Author of Nearly Departed in Deadwood!

"What a voice! Hilarious, original, and genuinely wonderful. This fresh and feisty mystery will instantly win your heart. Loved it!" ~HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity winning author

"A smart, sassy, sexy and wonderfully resourceful heroine. Move over Stephanie Plum-Vi Parker is here!" ~JOHN KLAWI...more

ebook, 432 pages

Published May 10th 2011 by Corvallis Press (first published May 2011)

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Mar 20, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: humorous, mystery, pnr-uf

I am having so much fun reading these books. I can't believe how entertaining they are. I don't even know how to explain the books. They are a mix of the best parts of Stephanie Plum, and Nancy Drew for grown-ups. I like the characters, and I like the setting. Deadwood, South Dakota is full of history (and ghosts). It's just a fun place to get lost in and revel in the story. I just love Violet, even though quite frankly, she's a hot mess. She's just a hoot to read about, and to drag the reader a...more

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Dec 15, 2012 John Podlaski rated it 4 of 5 stars

I downloaded the first book in the series for free - taking a chance on this author, loved it, and quickly purchased the next two books in the series. Ann Charles has a way with words and I find her wit, humor and sarcasm to be similar to the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. Both main characters are always broke and desperately trying to earn a paycheck from their jobs, supporting characters are wacky and the main characters always find themselves in trouble.

In "Optical Delusions in Dea...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Douglas Cook rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries-humorous

Series reminds me of Janet Evanovich's books

First paragraphs, "Deadwood, South Dakota Wednesday, August 1st Some jackass was spreading rumors around Deadwood about me chatting with dead folks. I didn’t believe in ghosts, or hadn’t since I started wearing a training bra. But a couple of weeks ago, a psychotic serial killer tricked me into being the guest of honor at a macabre tea party with his sister’s ghost and three of his decomposing victims. Since then, my reputation had suffered. Normally,...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Sarah Walker rated it 1 of 5 stars

I am thoroughly angry.

Swearing happens. I am not a prude. In times of stress, a character needs to spit some heat. But when an author uses language to define a major character, I find it a cheap cheat. When a character swears over the top to be offensive, I find it boring. When an author uses offensive language as a ploy for humor I get irritated. Cheating, offended and boring sprinkled through a few areas of the book's beginning, but I continued reading because I had invested in the plot and ch...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't like this one as much as the first. The plot was just OK but my problem is with Violet, her remarks are still funny but sometimes they were unnecessary and tedious. It's one thing no to believe in ghosts but the facts(not only from Wanda but Doc) are there you have to face it, beside it's not the first time she dealt with entities!

Her situation with Doc, why couldn't Vi tell him she needed more time to deal with the Valerie situation? He's done his part! it's been two years since she's...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Tobi rated it 4 of 5 stars

We come back to visit Violet and her rag tag group. She is more spunky but the ground is laid for most characters, so, Ms. Charles can explore more of their personalities.

Violet is being followed by a string of vandalism as she tries to sell another house. The Carharts house is plagued with a long history of murders. The Carhart's choose Violet because she is willing to sell haunted houses.

Harvey is still cracking me up but watch out for Russel. He may pop up in conversation.

We learn more about...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Mari Stroud rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ann Charles delivers another charming mystery/romance with just a touch of the paranormal. What I like best about Violet is how of an Everywoman she is, and yet she remains such a (albeit slightly frazzled) badass. Sure, she gets knocked out and drugged a time or two. (Who doesn't?) But she always comes up swinging and is well on her way to saving herself before Mr. Dark 'n Dashing shows up to get the testosterone flowing.

I did mention in my last review that some of the shine comes off Doc Nyce...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Keryl Raist rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: romance fans, sookie sackhouse fans

Shelves: indie-book-review

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Deadwood Violet is back in Optical Delusions, and she's brought along all the things I loved about Nearly Departed. Witty writing, killer dialog, red-hot sex scenes, a corker of a mystery, and a tinge of paranormal that leaves the reader wondering if the supernatural is really happening or not have all come back for Ann Charles' sophomore offering.

In the wake of the action in Nearly Departed, Violet's developed something of a reputation as the local spook finder. All the more ironic because Viol...more Deadwood Violet is back in Optical Delusions, and she's brought along all the things I loved about Nearly Departed. Witty writing, killer dialog, red-hot sex scenes, a corker of a mystery, and a tinge of paranormal that leaves the reader wondering if the supernatural is really happening or not have all come back for Ann Charles' sophomore offering.

In the wake of the action in Nearly Departed, Violet's developed something of a reputation as the local spook finder. All the more ironic because Violet still doesn't really believe in ghosties and ghoulies. But, setting fire to the "haunted" residence of the local psychopathic killer will get you that sort of reputation. Newly minted reputation in hand, Violet gets approached by a small, mousy woman in need of a realtor. In a matter of minutes, Violet knows why she was picked, the house, in addition to having a reputation for being haunted, was also the location of a murder-suicide a few months earlier.

On the good news front, the house is perfect. On the better news front, the Sturgis Harley Davidson convention is on, and Deadwood is packed with out-of-towners, some of whom are looking for real estate. On the downside, something just isn't right about the owners, and that triggers Violet's need to get down to the bottom of what is going on. She's thinking it's a simple matter of a not-all-there mother being taken advantage by her daughter and almost daughter-in-law. But of course, it's so much more than that. Next thing Violet knows she's got witches, demons, and spooks in her life again, and she'd really prefer they weren't.

If that was all the plot this story had, it'd be a great read. But it's not all the plot, the Deadwood mysteries are romances as well as who/what-done-its. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed in the romance for Optical Delusions. When we left Nearly Departed, Doc and Violet were heading toward happily ever after. There were some big obstacles in the way, and I wanted to see how they would deal with them. Two weeks later we begin Optical Delusions and apparently during the intervening time Doc's character got a personality transplant and went skittering into hiding because he's oh-so-scared of a real relationship. So, for all practical purposes Doc and Violet go back to square one and start over again in Optical Delusions.

Now, the actual romance plot line of: guy acts like jerk, guy decides he can't live without woman, guy does valiant things to get back into woman's good graces, forgiveness, and happy time is just fine. It holds together well and works. Charles handles it with grace and wit. But I was hoping to see the romance actually move forward, as opposed to end up in precisely the same place it was when we got done with Nearly Departed. None of the major issues facing Doc and Violet as a couple are any closer to resolved. He's still a psychic. She's still not sure she believes such things are real. Her best friend is still in love with Doc and she's not sure how to handle that.

And, while I wouldn't call that a minor issue with the book, it is one of personal taste. Optical Delusions is extremely well written. The characters are vibrant and spending time with them is a genuine joy. The mystery has twists, turns, red-herrings, and fully satisfying ending. Charles' ability to balance paranormal creepiness with the real world and leave the reader on the fence as to what is actually going on is reminiscent of the best episodes of the X-Files. Plot threads that were sprinkled into both Optical Delusions and Nearly Departed look like they'll get picked up in the third book. This is another carefully written, carefully plotted book. I want to know what happens next. I just hope it doesn't involve Doc and Violet heading back to square one again.(less)

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May 09, 2011 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: readers who like mysteries, romance, with a dash of paranormal.

Recommended to Heather by: Given to me as a ARC

Shelves: mystery, read-and-reviewed

An exciting trip back to Deadwood to visit with Violet-real-estateextraordinaire/part-time sleuth. This time with ghostly encounters in the mix. I liked how the story started just a short time after the first book ends. A rollicking romp through the streets of Deadwood sprinkled with sexual innuendofrom Harvey,Violet's cantankerous friend to the steamy romance scenes between Doc & Violet. It all mixes together like lemons and sugar to make an inventive lemonade. I absolutely love Violet's ec...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Valerie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Deadwood Mystery Series and I have to say I liked it even better than the first! It was another page turner through and through. Violet really knows how to get into trouble. She was very persistent in this book. Not willing to give up on trying to make things right and get the truth out. So again she finds herself in danger.

OMG!! Can we say Harvey is crazy!! I laughed so hard every time he opened his mouth. I would so love to have a Harvey in my life. He just pops...more This is the second book in the Deadwood Mystery Series and I have to say I liked it even better than the first! It was another page turner through and through. Violet really knows how to get into trouble. She was very persistent in this book. Not willing to give up on trying to make things right and get the truth out. So again she finds herself in danger.

OMG!! Can we say Harvey is crazy!! I laughed so hard every time he opened his mouth. I would so love to have a Harvey in my life. He just pops whatever he wants to say and doesn't give a damn what others think. He definitely brings some fun to the book.

I have really enjoyed these books so far because of they contain both humor and suspense. It is great to take a book serious sometimes but it is even better to have a few laughs with it to. Ann Charles gives you both and she really makes you feel like you are in the story.

Oh can we say serious tension with Doc and Violet. They finally are making it further with their feelings and I just hope it continues. Violet is so worried about her friend Natalie and what will happen if she finds out that her and Doc have been seeing each other since Natalie made claim to him in the first book. Sometimes you just have to fight for what you want and because Natalie and Doc never officially were together I don't see this as cheating or crossing a line other than the fact I really think that Violet needs to tell Natalie. Maybe that will happen in the next book.

I am really glad that Doc's secret was exposed a little more in this book and that you can understand a little more of what is going on with him. He has fully come clean to Violet about his abilities and I hope that Violet doesn't get stupid with all this information she has received by messing up there growing relationship. I want them to be together, they fit well!

I am just having to much fun reading this series. It is a fun-filled series filled with smart-ass personalities, suspense and sexiness all rolled into one hell of a series. You will love every moment, it will make you laugh, say "Oh My" and have you wondering what will happen next. I would highly recommend for you to grab this series and start reading, you definitely won't regret it that is for sure!!(less)

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Apr 23, 2012 Dotti Elrick rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is book two in Ann Charles' Deadwood series. It picks up a couple of weeks after the events of book one. Almost like two chapters of the same book. But, there is a conclusion to the story... and then the hint of what is coming in the next book. Once again Violet Parker a single mother of two, is in need of a sale. She needs to sell a house. Her kids need glasses and shoes. After the events of the last book, Violet has earned a reputation as someone who is not afraid of the hard sells, even...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Trixie Vardon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable.

Although I wouldn't say I had as much fun in this book as the first, it was still thoroughly enjoyable. All the good things in the first book appeared here in the second. Continuity wasn't an issue, and neither was the spelling.

What I didn't like: Well, just as in book one, once again there wasn't a great deal to displease in book two. There were a few strings that are still floating loose at the end of this book - and one of those has been left over from the first book - that would be...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Optical Delusions' is the second installment of Ann Charles' Deadwood Mysteries. The basic idea behind the series is that single mom, Violet, has moved back to Deadwood with her twin children, becomes a realtor and sells houses to make what living she can. All this while she navigates the waters of a troubled, but steamy romance and tries to sleuth out the details of a classic who-dunnit with a supernatural twist.

But that's not the whole story. Violet might be an average, single mom, struggling...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Kriss Morton rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

An exciting second in the Deadwood series! I am so hooked and am on baited breath for the third book. This installment into Violet's life as a single mom trying to ilk out a living with a pair of twins who create a whirlwind of interesting adventures on their own, is even better then the first. It fills out characters whose development has already been some of the best in this genre.

Violet is a believable and real person. She does not have long flowing hair and legs up to her arm pits, she stru...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Amogh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was pretty impressed with the second book in the Deadwood series. It's got the same flavor as the previous one; spooky (though not much), Violets stubbornness and hotheadedness when it comes to customers... It was all there. I was surprised that Doc and Vi actually became an item in this book. I was expecting Charles to drag it out a bit more. But yeah, Violets still not told Natalie, her best friend, who has a crush on Doc and has staked a claim, about her relationship with the same man.

Elvi...more I was pretty impressed with the second book in the Deadwood series. It's got the same flavor as the previous one; spooky (though not much), Violets stubbornness and hotheadedness when it comes to customers... It was all there. I was surprised that Doc and Vi actually became an item in this book. I was expecting Charles to drag it out a bit more. But yeah, Violets still not told Natalie, her best friend, who has a crush on Doc and has staked a claim, about her relationship with the same man.

Elvis makes lots of appearances again. I sometimes wonder if Charles was a huge fan of the King of Rock-n-Roll when she was a teen, or if she's just using his name because she likes it. Another thing that has been looked into is Violet's daughter's match making scenario. The kids or Kelly, who is Addy's best friend, don't feature much at all in this book.

While I was going through the review of the previous book, I noticed one review that said that Natalie wasn't really her best friend as she never was there for Violet when she needed her. I took extra attention while reading this book and made a note of all the places that accusation held true. Charles has used her as a character who is disposable. She can be in the limelight for a chapter, but in the next, she's gone completely. Either Charles doesn't know the meaning of the term "best friend", or she's doing it purposely.

There are times in the book where I would have liked to just strangle Violet and Doc. They're both thick headed. Violet gets me very frustrated at times and I just feel like closing the damn book and picking up another one for a while.

Overall, the plot is okay, though pretty predictable at times. The only thing that is making me want to read the next book in the series is the environment surrounding Deadwood and Leads. Charles has done a great job in bringing out my wildest imaginations about the locations and I've even drawn a picture of Aunt Zoe's house! It's an okay read; gripping at times, interesting at others and totally frustrating at times. It's not exactly a casual read; you can find lots of romance novels for that. (less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, kindle-free, paranormal

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first one, if not a little bit more. These books are just such good, mindless, escapist fun. It's so easy to just let go and enjoy the ride the author takes you on.

I liked the fact that we get a bit more insight into what makes Doc tick, but it wasn't nearly enough to suit me.

I do have one minor quibble though, I do wish that Violet would (view spoiler)...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Wendy Cantu rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-judge-me-guilty-pleasures, favorites, fun-mystery, fearless-females, ghosts-and-spirits, mystery, old-west, series, supernatural, witty-women, cozy-mystery

Violet Parker may still have her job, but she’d like to dump her reputation as the haunted house realtor – a reputation she earned after nearly being burned alive by a client as a sacrifice to his deceased sister.

In a town where it seems every house has its own ghost stories, Violet is asked to sell one with quite a sordid past. Most recently, it was the site of a murder-suicide – a son allegedly beating his father to death with a rolling pin before turning the gun on himself – but the murders a...more Violet Parker may still have her job, but she’d like to dump her reputation as the haunted house realtor – a reputation she earned after nearly being burned alive by a client as a sacrifice to his deceased sister.

In a town where it seems every house has its own ghost stories, Violet is asked to sell one with quite a sordid past. Most recently, it was the site of a murder-suicide – a son allegedly beating his father to death with a rolling pin before turning the gun on himself – but the murders and the ghost stories started long before that.

With her bank account empty and her job still on the rocks, Violet can’t afford to be choosy and she takes on the client. Despite its murderous past, the house is beautiful and doesn’t seem too creepy. The owners, on the other hand, notsomuch. The sister and mother of the recently deceased are odd – but the son’s (extremely hot) former fiancée, Lila, is downright frightening.

Something doesn’t quite add up and Violet is determined to find out what it is – with the help of Doc and her newly self-appointed bodyguard, Harvey.

For me, Harvey was the highlight of this story. Turning the hilarious dirty-old-man into Violet’s “partner in crime” was brilliant. His off-the-wall comments made me laugh and it seems like he was always there just at the right moment. Please, please, don’t kill off Harvey. EVER.

The “relationship” between Violet and Doc, however, got old fast. Doc’s subtle double entendres to Violet I found cute in the first book seemed to take a dirty turn. They weren’t endearing and flirty anymore. They were just abrasive and kind of creepy.

Torn between hurting her best friend Natalie, who is in love with Doc, and breaking off her own relationship with him, Violet does perhaps the most selfish thing ever: continue seeing Doc in secret while lying to Natalie (even asking for her help on several of her “adventures”). No matter how many times Violet pined over having to make a choice because it was the right thing to do, she never did it.

Aside from the whole Doc-Violet thing, I thought everything else in this book was awesome and couldn’t wait for the third book. (less)

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Jan 09, 2013 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, reviewed

The second book in the Deadwood series by Ann Charles, opens just about a week after the close of the first book. There are still plenty of unsolved mysteries going on from the first book, and we can't help but wonder what will happen. Luckily, Ms. Charles doesn't leave us hanging long, and we dive right into another mystery.

This one concerns a house in Lead (pronounced Leed), that Violet has been asked to list. She is specifically singled out because the house is rumored to be haunted and Vio...more

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Feb 13, 2013 ❂ Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery, paranormal-mystery

Oh the creepy fun! Love the humour, and the mystery was delightfully creepy and almost macabre. I was taken by surprise by the ending and the 'great reveal'. Lots of hints about future story lines in this book as well.

What I didn't like: Ray - he's just too big an asshole to feel totally authentic. The dynamic between Violet and her best friend - I really love the banter between these two and I'm not looking forward to the coming conflict.

What I love: the ghosts, Doc and Violet together, the pos...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Syd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, paranormal

If you enjoyed Nearly Departed in Deadwood, you'll love this! More suspense, more mystery, more romance. It's another hit by Ann Charles. Violet is one of my favorite heroines and she does not disappoint in this second instalment of the Deadwood Mystery Series.

In Optical Delusions in Deadwood, Violet Parker is neck deep in trouble with haunted homes, psychos trying to hurt her and a disapproving Doc Nyce. But we get a whole lot more heat between Doc and Violet this time around.

Besides the grea...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Abeille rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books-wtm-challenge

I caught this book (and #1 in the series while they were free on Amazon, and am very glad I did. Sometimes all I want is a quick read that entertains and the Deadwood books are a perfect fit for that kind of mood. I particularly enjoy the cast of characters and their interactions with each other. My only concern is that since the books occur in such a short period of time, that the fast pace of the heroine's life will soon become completely unbelievable. I'm willing to suspend disbelief for char...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the first book in the series and devoured it in one day. This was the second book in the series. I enjoyed reading this one too, but it wasn't quite as good as the first one.

I still liked all the characters, and the developing relationship between Violet and Doc. I still hate her slimy real estate coworker and don't understand how he can be so hateful.

This book takes up right after the end of the first one. This story takes place in a small town. Who knew there were so many murders in su...more

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May 02, 2012 Nikki Devitt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

I have never become such a die hard fan and proponent of an author, let alone in a period of just a few days. The second in the Deadwood Mystery Series will only leave you cheering for the third to arrive and finding yourself even more head over heels in love with Violet Parker and her gang.

Charles has a talent few authors can every dream of achieving. The ability to drag you so fully into a story that you wish it were all true and you were right there in the mix of all the excitement.

Simply put...more

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Jun 07, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indie-authors

This is the 2nd book in the Deadwood series I've read. As with the first book, I love the tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic voice Charles injects into the main character, Violet Parker. There was a lot more sexytime bits in this book than the first one, but again nothing too over the top for me. The plot pacing was spot on, and the dialogue (especially the inner dialogue)was engaging and realistic. My main criticism was that one of the major plot events the author was building toward did not happen in...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the mystery in this story. That's what I love about her writing...you really don't figure out what's going on till it happens and she always has a bit of paranormal thrown in. I hope we get a bit more of that as Doc figures out his special gift.

My only negative for the story is Doc and Violet's relationship. The author has drawn it out further than I would have liked. I sometimes think they do that to keep the reader going, but I find it frustrating at times. I would like to see...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Janyne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, mystery

I'm enjoying this series very much. My one criticism is that mixing of Star Trek and Star Wars references is not in good form. Like the first book in the series, the author continues her sense of humor in Optical Delusions in Deadwood.

Favorite quotes:

"That was still top-secret information. I tried to shrivel her head with my superhero laser vision."

"We hadn’t reached the gift-of-foods level in our relationship before he’d terminated it."

"From where I sat, I couldn’t see any dimples of fat on the...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

I wanted to give this book 2.5 stars, but I couldn't make myself give it 3 stars. I liked the story line, I liked the mystery, I liked description of the homes and of Deadwood. I liked the descriptions of the characters. I would have liked the story to have had more of the detective and the main character's friends in it. I also didn't care for the love scenes between Violet and Doc. They seemed somewhat gratuitous and out of place. The same descriptions were used over and over again, they took...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Douglas Meeks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Short review: It was original as the first book, the writing is excellent, funny and the secondary characters are fully functional (that is 3 dimensional for professional reviewers:) and the bottom line is that you should get both books and read them when you have one of those "What should I read now" moments because you will feel like you found treasure :) It is probably about a 4.5 Star but I rounded down sine she did not seem to learn a lot after book 1, the character needs to grow a bit more...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-mysteries

The first book in the Deadwood Mysteries series is Nearly Departed in Deadwood.

OPTICAL DILULLISIONS could technically be viewed as a stand alone read, but characters and events from the first book are mentioned casually, so it is best to read the books in order.

***

Violet Parker has more or less settled into her realtor job at Calamity Jane's Realty, but is keen to prove that her recent sale wasn't just a one off, or is because of her personal friendship with Doc. So when a woman and her daughter...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, free-ebooks, read-in-2013

I had no idea when I started this series that I'd enjoy it so much that I'd want to jump straight into book 2 with barely a break. But I do! And I did! And now we're here, spending more time with Violet and her accidentally trouble making ways.

This book started off a little slower than book 1 (you can read that as "I didn't almost snort my coffee out my nose within the first few pages as I did with the first book") and it took a bit of time to build up to the real meat of the mystery. This wasn'...more I had no idea when I started this series that I'd enjoy it so much that I'd want to jump straight into book 2 with barely a break. But I do! And I did! And now we're here, spending more time with Violet and her accidentally trouble making ways.

This book started off a little slower than book 1 (you can read that as "I didn't almost snort my coffee out my nose within the first few pages as I did with the first book") and it took a bit of time to build up to the real meat of the mystery. This wasn't particularly bothersome since Violet's trademark snark was present in spades. No lie Violet's banter with all those who crossed her path was FUN. And the secondary characters... good gravy! I just love the people who are gravitating into her orbit. From her daughter's best friend's skeevy dad (who wants to sow some wild oats with Violet because she seems ripe for his plow -- O.O) to Harvey (who says exactly what he's thinking in the most innuendo laden way possible) to sexy Doc Nyce (*purr*) -- they all make this book shine. Between the gossip, the ghosts, and the sexual exploits of Harvey as he seduces all the over-60 ladies in town, there's something for everyone.

Probably the only thing that bothered me is the Violet/Natalie issue. While I understand why Violet is hesitant to break the news that she and Doc have definite sparks to Natalie (who dreamily swears up and down that Doc is "the one" and called dibs on him in book 1), the fact that Violet can't keep her hands to herself or her panties on when Doc is nearby needs to be admitted to. Soon. Just open up and tell the girl, Violet. The longer you wait, the worse it will be. *taps foot* DO IT!

Highly enjoyable, highly entertaining, with the added bonus of a very nice set-up for the mystery Violet will be dealing with in book 3. I really loved that several of the threads that were laid out in book 1 (the finding of random severed body parts in places they shouldn't be, Ray's extra-curricular activities/business/smuggling operation/etc with the boys at the funeral parlor) were touched upon here. Seeing that sort of continuity makes me giddy.

I will likely be reading book 3 shortly so I can continue to get my fix of snark, sassy realtors, sexy financial planners, and ghosts.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

Optical Illusions in Deadwood was a free Kindle book I downloaded on 03/15/12 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.
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Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery #2)

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