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Pepper Martin #8
Wild Wild Death
Her job has been cut, she's low on cash, and her detective sometime-boyfriend refuses to even talk about her ability to see the dead and solve their murders. So Pepper is most certainly down for a vacation to get her spirits up. But when her cute scientist friend Dan is kidnapped, Pepper soon stumbles upon another deadly mystery that brings her to New Mexico. And she's after a clever murderer — one whose idea of Boot Hill has nothing to do with Jimmy Choo.
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 3, 2012
15 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Casey Daniels
14 books371 followersA pseudonym used by Connie Laux, A.K.A Miranda Bliss, Zoe Daniels, Connie Deka, Mimi Granger, Anastasia Hastings, Connie Laux, Constance Laux, Kylie Logan, Lucy Ness..
A couple years ago I applied for a part-time job as a tour guide at a historic cemetery not far from where I live. Why? Well, aside from the fact that the job would force me to step away from my computer and remind me that there was a life beyond writing (even in a place where just about everybody was dead), I love cemeteries.
No, really. I mean it. I really love cemeteries.
Think about it. A cemetery--I mean a really good old cemetery, not these new “memorial parks” where every headstone is flat to the ground and every one of them looks the same--is really a museum without walls. Take a peek into any cemetery that’s more than sixty or so years old and you’re bound to see interesting architecture, sculpture and art. There are stories, too, everywhere you look. One memorial can give you a glimpse into generations of a family’s history. Another might suggest tragedy. Still others speak of undying love and precious memories.
Is it any wonder that a writer’s imagination is bound to take flight in a cemetery?
That’s exactly what happened to me. I didn’t get the job, by the way, but as I drove home from the interview, I did get the idea for Pepper Martin, a cemetery tour guide whose enthusiasm for cemeteries does not rival my own. After all, what could be more perfect that an amateur sleuth surrounded by dead people? And if she just so happened to be able and see and talk to some of them, all the better!
I learned to love mysteries early thanks to my dad, a Cleveland Police detective who enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes stories and spent his days off searching for stolen cars. Often on those trips, I was in the back seat and to this day, I have Dad to thank for my knowledge of some less-than-savory parts of the city. Later, I read my way through every mystery story I could get my hands on. Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle are still among my favorites.
I have a degree in English, experience as a journalist and writing teacher, and lots of ideas for more Pepper Martin mysteries. When I’m not writing, I’m usually with my family and our two dogs, Ernie, an adorable Airedale pup, and Oscar, a rescued Jack Russell who spends far too much time watching TV. I enjoy knitting, gardening and of course, stomping through cemeteries in search of history, stories and inspiration.
A couple years ago I applied for a part-time job as a tour guide at a historic cemetery not far from where I live. Why? Well, aside from the fact that the job would force me to step away from my computer and remind me that there was a life beyond writing (even in a place where just about everybody was dead), I love cemeteries.
No, really. I mean it. I really love cemeteries.
Think about it. A cemetery--I mean a really good old cemetery, not these new “memorial parks” where every headstone is flat to the ground and every one of them looks the same--is really a museum without walls. Take a peek into any cemetery that’s more than sixty or so years old and you’re bound to see interesting architecture, sculpture and art. There are stories, too, everywhere you look. One memorial can give you a glimpse into generations of a family’s history. Another might suggest tragedy. Still others speak of undying love and precious memories.
Is it any wonder that a writer’s imagination is bound to take flight in a cemetery?
That’s exactly what happened to me. I didn’t get the job, by the way, but as I drove home from the interview, I did get the idea for Pepper Martin, a cemetery tour guide whose enthusiasm for cemeteries does not rival my own. After all, what could be more perfect that an amateur sleuth surrounded by dead people? And if she just so happened to be able and see and talk to some of them, all the better!
I learned to love mysteries early thanks to my dad, a Cleveland Police detective who enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes stories and spent his days off searching for stolen cars. Often on those trips, I was in the back seat and to this day, I have Dad to thank for my knowledge of some less-than-savory parts of the city. Later, I read my way through every mystery story I could get my hands on. Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle are still among my favorites.
I have a degree in English, experience as a journalist and writing teacher, and lots of ideas for more Pepper Martin mysteries. When I’m not writing, I’m usually with my family and our two dogs, Ernie, an adorable Airedale pup, and Oscar, a rescued Jack Russell who spends far too much time watching TV. I enjoy knitting, gardening and of course, stomping through cemeteries in search of history, stories and inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 15, 2017
For the second time Pepper leaves town, but this book turned out better than I figured. Last time she had to venture into a large urban city, but now the fashion-obsessed and egotistical Pepper has to stay in a small western town with old-fashioned attitude and plenty of dusty roads. As with the first time she had to leave town, Dan is the reason this time as well.
I don’t dig love triangles, and one is firmly buried here (finally), but we then get a third option – yes, really. I was dreading this but it turned out fascinating. The guy in question is Indian, a police officer, protective of his small town and tribe’s rituals, completely head-over-heels with Pepper and her abilities, and I loved his family and tribe. Pepper gets dressed up in heeled boots, earns a new sidekick that has her respect, and delves into a culture that’s completely new to her.
Quinn has always been my favorite when it comes to strange Dan being the other option, but he’s turned his head away from her ability after the cliffhanger of the last book. Jessie’s acceptance and admiration of it was not only a welcome change for Pepper, but a welcome change for me. Unfortunately I can’t admire Pepper’s style of so easily getting with other men when she’s already involved with one. I think the author doesn’t view it as cheating, so her character doesn’t, but I kind of do. She doesn’t admit the truth to Quinn either, which is questionable, and she keeps his in the dark about why she goes out there in the first place. Not cool.
The end was an inevitable separation from more than one person – one was a happy conclusion that ends a chapter of her life, and the other was a sad and bittersweet changer in a special relationship.
For a time Pepper loses her abilities, which was discouraging, but this helps her come to terms with having her ability (finally) and realizing how much she’d miss out on if she didn’t have it anymore. I like how she got the gifts back and the ghost involved, even though in this book ghosts only play a small role in the overall story.
The mystery itself was good because it keeps casting Dan in a bad light and there’s a lot of tricks and schemes on what the truth really is. The author even had me doubting him. I’m finding that the series has stayed strong throughout and I’m still enjoying it as much as I did the earlier books.
I don’t dig love triangles, and one is firmly buried here (finally), but we then get a third option – yes, really. I was dreading this but it turned out fascinating. The guy in question is Indian, a police officer, protective of his small town and tribe’s rituals, completely head-over-heels with Pepper and her abilities, and I loved his family and tribe. Pepper gets dressed up in heeled boots, earns a new sidekick that has her respect, and delves into a culture that’s completely new to her.
Quinn has always been my favorite when it comes to strange Dan being the other option, but he’s turned his head away from her ability after the cliffhanger of the last book. Jessie’s acceptance and admiration of it was not only a welcome change for Pepper, but a welcome change for me. Unfortunately I can’t admire Pepper’s style of so easily getting with other men when she’s already involved with one. I think the author doesn’t view it as cheating, so her character doesn’t, but I kind of do. She doesn’t admit the truth to Quinn either, which is questionable, and she keeps his in the dark about why she goes out there in the first place. Not cool.
The end was an inevitable separation from more than one person – one was a happy conclusion that ends a chapter of her life, and the other was a sad and bittersweet changer in a special relationship.
For a time Pepper loses her abilities, which was discouraging, but this helps her come to terms with having her ability (finally) and realizing how much she’d miss out on if she didn’t have it anymore. I like how she got the gifts back and the ghost involved, even though in this book ghosts only play a small role in the overall story.
The mystery itself was good because it keeps casting Dan in a bad light and there’s a lot of tricks and schemes on what the truth really is. The author even had me doubting him. I’m finding that the series has stayed strong throughout and I’m still enjoying it as much as I did the earlier books.
April 21, 2024
3.5 Stars- This one was a little more fast paced then the last one. I also liked that the location was in New Mexico this time. Pepper has to save her friend Dan by bringing bones of a man who cursed Ohio to New Mexico. I learned a little about the Taopi, and their culture which was really interesting. I also liked that there was another romantic interest in this one. Overall, a quick read.
January 4, 2012
I've been with Casey Daniel's Pepper Martin mystery series from book one. Pepper is a character that has grown on me quite a lot. She seemed a bit lightweight when I first discovered her, but she has over time demonstrated depths that make her a favorite sleuth of mine. For those who have never read any of Pepper's stories, she does publicity for a cemetery and due to an accident that left her with the ability to see and speak with the dead, she has become a detective for the spirits. It isn't a job she initially wanted, but well, she seems to have a talent for it.
In Wild, Wild Death, Pepper heads to New Mexico to save her kidnapped friend Dan. Joining her on this journey from the Heartland to the Southwest is a Native American ghost eager to see the land of his ancestors once again. For Pepper, who is more comfortable in a boutique than the dessert, she manages to hold her own in this "exotic" locale. Not knowing who she can trust, she follows clue after clue, determined to rescue Dan. Assistance comes in the form of the sexy town Sheriff. His Native American roots makes it easy for him to accept Pepper's gift.
There are many quirky characters in this story, some living and some dead. The suspense piles on as Pepper is attacked and the bodies pile up. Pepper perhaps finally comes to terms with her gift.
I really couldn't put this story down. It probably ranks up as one of my favorite Pepper stories along with the Reality TV one. I really liked the character of Jesse, the sheriff. I've been ambivalent towards Quinn (Pepper's off and on again boyfriend) because he hasn't really been developed much I feel. I thought there were possibilities given the end of the last book, but they didn't materialize. I would love to see Jesse show up again, but I can understand the obstacles to a relationship.
Basically, you can pick up this book and enjoy a stellar cozy mystery. But to really get a feel for this series, I'd recommend starting at the beginning with book 1. I look forward to Pepper's next adventure.
In Wild, Wild Death, Pepper heads to New Mexico to save her kidnapped friend Dan. Joining her on this journey from the Heartland to the Southwest is a Native American ghost eager to see the land of his ancestors once again. For Pepper, who is more comfortable in a boutique than the dessert, she manages to hold her own in this "exotic" locale. Not knowing who she can trust, she follows clue after clue, determined to rescue Dan. Assistance comes in the form of the sexy town Sheriff. His Native American roots makes it easy for him to accept Pepper's gift.
There are many quirky characters in this story, some living and some dead. The suspense piles on as Pepper is attacked and the bodies pile up. Pepper perhaps finally comes to terms with her gift.
I really couldn't put this story down. It probably ranks up as one of my favorite Pepper stories along with the Reality TV one. I really liked the character of Jesse, the sheriff. I've been ambivalent towards Quinn (Pepper's off and on again boyfriend) because he hasn't really been developed much I feel. I thought there were possibilities given the end of the last book, but they didn't materialize. I would love to see Jesse show up again, but I can understand the obstacles to a relationship.
Basically, you can pick up this book and enjoy a stellar cozy mystery. But to really get a feel for this series, I'd recommend starting at the beginning with book 1. I look forward to Pepper's next adventure.
August 22, 2016
Pepper and Quinn are at a Cleveland Indians baseball game. The team is doing poorly and topics turn to curse that Chester Goodshot Gomez put on the city if his bones were not returned to his Pueblo for burial. Pepper is given a problem as the bones are an interred at the Garden View Cemetery. At home Pepper finds a picture of her friend, Dan, who tied up saying he will die if Chester's bones are. not brought back to New Mexico. As Pepper is no longer working at the cemetery she steals the keys from Ella. Chester appears to Pepper and together they take his bones to New Mexico. There the bones disappear. The story takes a major turn here and the twists are plentiful. The ending will surprise you.
November 8, 2015
For me, the Pepper Dennis series has been one of the reliably best series out there. The stories never get stale, the characters are great and the writing’s kept me interested. So I was shocked by what a huge disappointment this book was.
Someone’s kidnapped Dan, Pepper’s former friend/boyfriend/scientific accomplice in figuring out her gift and to ransom him back they want the bones of Chester Goodshot Gomes the sharpshooter star who put a curse on the city of Cleveland’s sports teams. Of course this duty falls to Pepper, who has to steal the bones from her former place of work, Garden View Cemetery, and haul them back to where good old Chester wanted to be buried in New Mexico. Supernatural road trip! Sounds like fun, right?! Wrong.
The whole story was a bit ridiculous and while I like the idea of her speaking to the dead, the books have never looked too much into how she can do what she does. This book really reached deep into the spiritual bag of tricks to explain (sort of) her ability to see and talk to the deceased. Of course American Indians have a huge part in this, and they completely believe in her ability without question, particularly one hot police chief named Jesse. And this is where the story completely falls apart for me. Pepper completely disregarded not only her feelings for Quinn and everything they’ve been through, but worst of all, she showed a complete lack of regard and respect for him. Pepper’s always been a bit of horndog if there’s a hot guy around and I’ve always found it amusing. This time I most definitely did not. Pepper just acted in a way that was completely out of character, so much so that I didn’t even really care what happened regarding the plot or her gift.
Unfortunately the story wasn’t even good enough to counter my newfound hatred of Pepper. Unlike the others where there was an actual mystery to solve, this plot was pretty weak, and the storyline surrounding Dan was completely absurd and unbelievable. He used to be a good character, then he got booted out of the storyline early on and now he just seems like a pointless joke that gets dragged out to be tossed around whenever the author needs to get Pepper emotionally invested in something else. And her obsession with fashion, while usually good for a laugh, was downright ridiculous and over the top at times in this book. Who gives a shit about your shoes or jeans with everything else that’s going on?!
It was pretty obvious a while ago that the next book in the series, Supernatural Born Killers would be the last since I never saw word of a new one being printed, and while I would’ve been really upset before, now I really couldn’t care less. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I even want to read the last one, though I’m sure at some point I will since I’ve already bought the damn thing, just to have some closure with the series. Ugh.
Someone’s kidnapped Dan, Pepper’s former friend/boyfriend/scientific accomplice in figuring out her gift and to ransom him back they want the bones of Chester Goodshot Gomes the sharpshooter star who put a curse on the city of Cleveland’s sports teams. Of course this duty falls to Pepper, who has to steal the bones from her former place of work, Garden View Cemetery, and haul them back to where good old Chester wanted to be buried in New Mexico. Supernatural road trip! Sounds like fun, right?! Wrong.
The whole story was a bit ridiculous and while I like the idea of her speaking to the dead, the books have never looked too much into how she can do what she does. This book really reached deep into the spiritual bag of tricks to explain (sort of) her ability to see and talk to the deceased. Of course American Indians have a huge part in this, and they completely believe in her ability without question, particularly one hot police chief named Jesse. And this is where the story completely falls apart for me. Pepper completely disregarded not only her feelings for Quinn and everything they’ve been through, but worst of all, she showed a complete lack of regard and respect for him. Pepper’s always been a bit of horndog if there’s a hot guy around and I’ve always found it amusing. This time I most definitely did not. Pepper just acted in a way that was completely out of character, so much so that I didn’t even really care what happened regarding the plot or her gift.
Unfortunately the story wasn’t even good enough to counter my newfound hatred of Pepper. Unlike the others where there was an actual mystery to solve, this plot was pretty weak, and the storyline surrounding Dan was completely absurd and unbelievable. He used to be a good character, then he got booted out of the storyline early on and now he just seems like a pointless joke that gets dragged out to be tossed around whenever the author needs to get Pepper emotionally invested in something else. And her obsession with fashion, while usually good for a laugh, was downright ridiculous and over the top at times in this book. Who gives a shit about your shoes or jeans with everything else that’s going on?!
It was pretty obvious a while ago that the next book in the series, Supernatural Born Killers would be the last since I never saw word of a new one being printed, and while I would’ve been really upset before, now I really couldn’t care less. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I even want to read the last one, though I’m sure at some point I will since I’ve already bought the damn thing, just to have some closure with the series. Ugh.
March 21, 2012
All I can say is OMG! I absolutely loved “Wild Wild Death.” Casey Daniels definitely knocked this one out of the park.
Pepper is beyond frustrated getting Quinn to admit that he became a ghost when he died for a few minutes (Book 7 “A Hard Day’s Fright”), and was able to communicate with Pepper so that she could tell the police where his body could be found. He doesn’t even want to discuss it, let alone admit it. All he cares about is hopping into bed with Pepper, but she’s having none of it right now.
Pepper finds out her friend, Dan, has been kidnapped. In exchange for his life, the kidnappers want the dead bones of one Chester Goodshot Gomez (“Goodshot”), whose bones just happen to be buried at Garden View Cemetery (the “Cemetery”), brought to them in New Mexico. Since Pepper is unemployed and Dan is her friend and she cares for him, she steals the bones from the Cemetery and high-tails it to New Mexico in her Mustang with Goodshot’s ghost riding shotgun.
The mystery is well developed with Pepper getting into her usual predicaments. However, this time it’s not Quinn, but Jesse, the Chief of Police, who comes to her aide. Not only does he make Pepper think of naughty things she’d like to do with him, but he’s the complete opposite to Quinn. When Pepper tells Jesse about her “gift,” Jesse doesn’t run away from her. Instead, he believes her, and respects her and her “gift.”
I really enjoyed this book. The sexual chemistry between Pepper and Jesse really sizzles. I couldn’t help but root for Pepper to end up with Jesse permanently. Unfortunately, Pepper ends up going home to Cleveland without him. I really thought he would be the one for her. Oh well. I also like and appreciate Daniels’ style of writing. It’s so simple, yet is able to make a lot of feelings and emotions come alive. As well, she doesn’t go into such long, tedious descriptions or re-hashes every minute detail about Pepper and her past cases and everything in between.
I do hope that this is not the end of the series. And Ms. Daniels, if you’re reading this, please bring back Jesse and let him be the one who ends up with Pepper. Not to mention I hope Book 9 comes out very, very soon.
Pepper is beyond frustrated getting Quinn to admit that he became a ghost when he died for a few minutes (Book 7 “A Hard Day’s Fright”), and was able to communicate with Pepper so that she could tell the police where his body could be found. He doesn’t even want to discuss it, let alone admit it. All he cares about is hopping into bed with Pepper, but she’s having none of it right now.
Pepper finds out her friend, Dan, has been kidnapped. In exchange for his life, the kidnappers want the dead bones of one Chester Goodshot Gomez (“Goodshot”), whose bones just happen to be buried at Garden View Cemetery (the “Cemetery”), brought to them in New Mexico. Since Pepper is unemployed and Dan is her friend and she cares for him, she steals the bones from the Cemetery and high-tails it to New Mexico in her Mustang with Goodshot’s ghost riding shotgun.
The mystery is well developed with Pepper getting into her usual predicaments. However, this time it’s not Quinn, but Jesse, the Chief of Police, who comes to her aide. Not only does he make Pepper think of naughty things she’d like to do with him, but he’s the complete opposite to Quinn. When Pepper tells Jesse about her “gift,” Jesse doesn’t run away from her. Instead, he believes her, and respects her and her “gift.”
I really enjoyed this book. The sexual chemistry between Pepper and Jesse really sizzles. I couldn’t help but root for Pepper to end up with Jesse permanently. Unfortunately, Pepper ends up going home to Cleveland without him. I really thought he would be the one for her. Oh well. I also like and appreciate Daniels’ style of writing. It’s so simple, yet is able to make a lot of feelings and emotions come alive. As well, she doesn’t go into such long, tedious descriptions or re-hashes every minute detail about Pepper and her past cases and everything in between.
I do hope that this is not the end of the series. And Ms. Daniels, if you’re reading this, please bring back Jesse and let him be the one who ends up with Pepper. Not to mention I hope Book 9 comes out very, very soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2012
Pepper gets sent on a wlid west chase as she attempts to return the bones of the long dead wild west star Chester Goodshot Gomez to his native New Mexico and save the life of her friend, Dan Callahan. (Long Story). Anyway, she gets to New Mexico and the adventure begins. In typical Pepper fashion, nothing goes right except meeting the hunky police officer, Jesse. Other than that, the bodies are piling up and just when she needs them most, Pepper can no longer talk to her ghosts.
This series is so much fun. Pepper is a classic chick lit heroine who is slowly realizing that there is more to life (and death) than shoes. (Maybe). The change of location works and the mystery is good. I really like Jesse. I hope we get to hear from him again.
This series is so much fun. Pepper is a classic chick lit heroine who is slowly realizing that there is more to life (and death) than shoes. (Maybe). The change of location works and the mystery is good. I really like Jesse. I hope we get to hear from him again.
September 24, 2012
I absolutely love Pepper and her zany adventures. I loved this one because it took her out of boring Cleveland and to New Mexico where she meets Jesse, who I hope is brought back in the next book. Obviously Quinn and Pepper are not meant to be because he can't accept her for who she is, Jesse on the other hand does and loves everything about her. Dan is the main focal point in this one which was nice because he's been absent for a few books. Dan is kidnapped and Pepper must steal an Indian's bones out of Gardenview so they can be properly buried. Of course utter madness ensues and it is non-stop fun all the way through. I can't not wait to read the next one and I hope Daniels writes many more Pepper adventures.
March 31, 2012
Great addition to the series!
Why I Picked It Up: I love the Pepper Martin series! I picked up the first book when a fellow mystery lover recommended it.
What I Lurved: So many things! There was a new setting in Wild Wild Death, Dan Callahan makes a reappearance, a new stud vies for Pepper’s affections, and there were some pretty awesome twist in the story line. I had the baddie pegged before the reveal but not the motive.
What I Could Have Lived Without: Quinn! That just gets on my nerves. I wish Pepper would just wisen up and drop him. He might look pretty but he treats her like crap in my opinion.
Recommended For: Cozy mystery readers who enjoy a touch of the afterlife!
Avoid If: You hate fun. Seriously this book is not for you…
Why I Picked It Up: I love the Pepper Martin series! I picked up the first book when a fellow mystery lover recommended it.
What I Lurved: So many things! There was a new setting in Wild Wild Death, Dan Callahan makes a reappearance, a new stud vies for Pepper’s affections, and there were some pretty awesome twist in the story line. I had the baddie pegged before the reveal but not the motive.
What I Could Have Lived Without: Quinn! That just gets on my nerves. I wish Pepper would just wisen up and drop him. He might look pretty but he treats her like crap in my opinion.
Recommended For: Cozy mystery readers who enjoy a touch of the afterlife!
Avoid If: You hate fun. Seriously this book is not for you…
February 16, 2012
In Daniel's paranormal mystery, Pepper Martin is still unemployed, and her potential cop boyfriend refuses to believe in or talk about her Gift. And then her geeky friend, Dan, is kidnapped and the ransom calls for Pepper to steal the bones of Chester Goodshot Gomez from Garden View Cemetery. The rowdy ghost of Goodshot is only too happy to accompany Pepper on her journey to New Mexico where she expects to exchange the bones for Dan. But all hell breaks loose; the bones are stolen; bodies are turning up everywhere; and Pepper? Well she's hard at work investigating the situation as only someone Gifted can. An entertaining, supernatual joy ride that I couldn't put down until the very last page.
March 7, 2012
I really like this series and the last 2 made wonder if it was going to keep being as good as it started out. I think Daniels is trying to keep up with this series a little better in this new book and the ending gives her more to work with in the future. I hope that if she decides to end the series,she will end it with a nice wrap up.
December 21, 2014
Wild Wild Death was an interesting book with some funny moments. I think Pepper has changed somewhat for better in these last eight books but she still has some things that piss me off! I like this series though - it has offered me some good moments. I want to read the last book to discover what will be Pepper's destiny but I'll be sorry to say goodbye to all the funny adventures.
April 26, 2015
The Gift
Well Pepper is in a pickle this time. Way out of her element and involved in a rescue mission, she heads to the Southwest and finds out just what her Gift with the dead really means to her. Oh and the sexy new lawman in her life ain't bad either...great addition to the series.
Well Pepper is in a pickle this time. Way out of her element and involved in a rescue mission, she heads to the Southwest and finds out just what her Gift with the dead really means to her. Oh and the sexy new lawman in her life ain't bad either...great addition to the series.
December 15, 2019
Wild Wild Death by Casey Daniels brings Pepper to New Mexico. She has the time as she has been laid off from work. Her friend Dan was kidnapped and Pepper was instructed to get the bones of Chester Goodshot Gomez to New Mexico in order to save Dan. Chester was an Indian sharpshooter star who died in Cleveland while on tour in the early 1900’s and was buried at Garden View Cemetery. However, right before his death he begged to be buried in his homeland with his tribe. He had to perform a sacred ritual that only he or the shaman could complete. So Pepper takes his bones from the cemetery and brings them to New Mexico where they are stolen before she can deliver them. She meets members of the tribe who call her The Raven. She walks with the living and the dead. They say her ability to see the dead is an honor. Pepper isn’t sure about that but does whatever she can to help Dan and the hunky Pueblo sheriff, Jesse! Good read.
February 6, 2017
Another fun frolic by my favorite paranormal investigator. Local (laid-off) cemetery tour guide, Pepper Martin is tasked with lifting the curse over the Cleveland Browns team via retrieving the bones of a Taopi tribe member who died in Cleveland, cursing the city until his bones could be returned to his native lands to be reburied, and in doing so, release the secrets of a long hidden mystical silver bowl of immense spiritual power. But there's more at play behind this (relatively) simple task. There's kidnapping, murders, sexy native American cops, a Jimmy Choo bag, lots of sand and, of course, ghosts. I enjoyed the trip out west, but will be just as happy when Pepper starts working back at home in her new position at the cemetery.
May 17, 2018
What's not to like about a mystery involving western shoot-outs, mystical happenings, sacred ceremonies, tribal superstitions (In Cleveland of all places), kidnapping, stolen bones in Jimmy Choo bags, murders, and major misdirections including a bit of romance. Whew!
"It all started because of some silly curse, and a baseball team that couldn't win. ... I owed it to both the living and the dead to find out the truth."
"It all started because of some silly curse, and a baseball team that couldn't win. ... I owed it to both the living and the dead to find out the truth."
February 27, 2021
I think this was one of the best books in the series. Pepper is in New Mexico this time and the story line is fantastic. Pepper has a new love interest in this book. I was all for Quinn in earlier books but he is really just being a jerk. Jesse the new interest is sexy, charming and just a great guy. I love the scenery descriptions and the fast pace plot that kept me turning pages. Though I had guessed who the murderer was the book kept me engrossed.
May 13, 2017
So worth the 5 stars. I loved this took place in the south west where I am from. I love every book she has written. All amazingly beautifully written. You easily fall in love with the characters. You laugh, you cry you even want to yell at times. An amazing mix of a cozy mystery with spookey, fun, loveable Ghosts.
December 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book. I was excited to see where her new love interest was going to go and how she was going to solve this one. It was a nice change of pace and to finally know what happened to Dan was nice. Can’t wait to see where the next book takes me
March 1, 2022
Not my favorite in the series but still a really fun ride.
January 22, 2025
My favorite aspect of this series is though the main characters and premise remain the same, every book has a different ghost and investigation
March 6, 2012
The latest in the Pepper Martin series. Pepper sees spirits. Ever since tripping and hitting her head on a tombstone in the first book, she has become the detective to the long departed who need her to find out who killed them or to clear their name. The latest spirit is Chester Goodshot Gomez, a Native American and legendary Wild West star who was the keeper of the location of a sacred silver bowl used by the Native shaman to perform rituals. But Goodshot died before he could tell someone where the bowl was located. He also wanted his body buried in New Mexico. It is believed Goodshot had cursed Cleveland which is why the Cleveland Indians have been a losing team.
When Pepper receives a note from an old friend, Dan Callahan, that he has been kidnapped, the ransom is the bones of Chester Goodshot. Having been laid off from her cemetery job in the last book, Pepper has to break into the cemetery to steal the bones then follow the instructions the kidnappers gave her. Her drive to New Mexico isn’t boring since Goodshot goes along for the ride. Thus starts a rollicking case involving more dead bodies, a hunk of a Native American cop, designer clothes, all weaved into Native American history and culture. Casey Daniels never disappoints.
When Pepper receives a note from an old friend, Dan Callahan, that he has been kidnapped, the ransom is the bones of Chester Goodshot. Having been laid off from her cemetery job in the last book, Pepper has to break into the cemetery to steal the bones then follow the instructions the kidnappers gave her. Her drive to New Mexico isn’t boring since Goodshot goes along for the ride. Thus starts a rollicking case involving more dead bodies, a hunk of a Native American cop, designer clothes, all weaved into Native American history and culture. Casey Daniels never disappoints.
April 13, 2012
I really enjoy the Pepper Martin stories. They’re funny and the mystery is usually pretty good. Pepper isn’t completely inept which is nice. I really liked this book in the series because it got Pepper out of her comfort zone. She no longer works for the cemetery, her relationship with Quinn is rocky and practically non-existent and she really has nothing better to do than try to save her friend Dan. New Mexico is a really great setting. It’s totally opposite from Cleveland and there is a ton of history there which means a ton of ghosts. The best addition to the book was that of Jesse, Pepper’s love interest. He is gorgeous and sweet and like Quinn is a cop. Although it wouldn’t have made sense for Pepper’s world, I would have loved for her to stay in New Mexico just so we could get more Jesse. I kinda hope that Daniels brings Jesse back at some point…perhaps a showdown between him and Quinn because although they have the same profession, they are completely different, especially when it comes to Pepper.
I look forward to the next one in the series. These books are always fun breaks in the darkness that is what I usually read.
I look forward to the next one in the series. These books are always fun breaks in the darkness that is what I usually read.
November 27, 2014
Like all of the other entries in this series that I have read (and I have read all of the preceding 7 books) it was an action fest from start to finish. These are just short of what I would call a page turner because I am able to put them down to do other
required
things, like eating, sleeping and mentoring my grandson through his online high school courses. There are some books which I do call true page turners that I have to actually force myself to put down even for those activities.
Pepper finds herself in a quandary when she receives a mysterious package in the mail demanding that she bring the remains of one Goodshot Gomez back to his New Mexico pueblo or else her erstwhile friend Dan Callahan will be killed. Being laid off from work at the cemetery due to budget cuts and annoyed with on-again off-again boyfriend Quinn she quickly decides to do it and the usual Pepper Martin mayhem rapidly ensues. A great read with many twists and turns in the plotline and some great descriptions of the current Pueblo Indian lifestyle. I highly recommend this and all of the other Pepper Martin, Sleuth to the Dead series.
Pepper finds herself in a quandary when she receives a mysterious package in the mail demanding that she bring the remains of one Goodshot Gomez back to his New Mexico pueblo or else her erstwhile friend Dan Callahan will be killed. Being laid off from work at the cemetery due to budget cuts and annoyed with on-again off-again boyfriend Quinn she quickly decides to do it and the usual Pepper Martin mayhem rapidly ensues. A great read with many twists and turns in the plotline and some great descriptions of the current Pueblo Indian lifestyle. I highly recommend this and all of the other Pepper Martin, Sleuth to the Dead series.
January 26, 2012
Unemployed Cemetery Tour guide, Pepper Martin is wondering about her future, when she receives word that her friend, Dan is coming to visit. Pepper's life is rather dull and her romance with Quinn is on hold until he can come to grips with the fact that Pepper can see and speak with ghosts.
Quinn takes Pepper to a Cleveland Indians game where they meet up with very dedicated fans of the team. The team loses but the fans suddenly recognize Pepper and want her to do something with the myth that a Taopi Indian, Chester Goodshot Gomez had cursed the town when he wasn't buried in New Mexico. Pepper thinks they are crazy.
Next thing, Pepper learns that Dan has been kidnapped and unless she brings Goodshot's bones back to be buried on the Pueblo, they will kill him. Pepper being big-hearted digs up Chester and they (yes, Chester is present,) go off to the rescue.
Nothing ever goes smoothly for our Pepper and she takes us on a fun but adventurous journey to rescue Dan and inter Chester's bones. Learning along the way about the Taopi traditions.
A good book and I loved the ending.
Quinn takes Pepper to a Cleveland Indians game where they meet up with very dedicated fans of the team. The team loses but the fans suddenly recognize Pepper and want her to do something with the myth that a Taopi Indian, Chester Goodshot Gomez had cursed the town when he wasn't buried in New Mexico. Pepper thinks they are crazy.
Next thing, Pepper learns that Dan has been kidnapped and unless she brings Goodshot's bones back to be buried on the Pueblo, they will kill him. Pepper being big-hearted digs up Chester and they (yes, Chester is present,) go off to the rescue.
Nothing ever goes smoothly for our Pepper and she takes us on a fun but adventurous journey to rescue Dan and inter Chester's bones. Learning along the way about the Taopi traditions.
A good book and I loved the ending.
June 18, 2019
I have read all but the last book in this series and I believe this is the best one of them all.
Pepper is a cemetery guide who can talk to and see the dead. That is the basis of all the books and a pretty good plot twist. While the author's formula stays the same in all the books of the series, in this book the characters come to life more so than in any of the other books...especially the ghost. (I know, I know, ghosts can't come alive but he seemed more real than some of the other characters). So much so that I didn't want him to be "put to rest" so to speak. Chester "Good Shot" Gomez is a character who delighted me. He plays off Pepper perfectly. He is sure to become a favorite of most readers.
Pepper out of a job and her friend, Dan, has been kidnapped. Her so called boyfriend, Detective Quinn, is still refusing to admit that Pepper can talk to the dead. (Heavy sigh). Dan's kidnappers want her to dig up the bones of Chester Good Shot Gomez and that's when the fun begins. And I'll leave it right there so I don't give away any thing and spoil it for future readers. :)
Pepper is a cemetery guide who can talk to and see the dead. That is the basis of all the books and a pretty good plot twist. While the author's formula stays the same in all the books of the series, in this book the characters come to life more so than in any of the other books...especially the ghost. (I know, I know, ghosts can't come alive but he seemed more real than some of the other characters). So much so that I didn't want him to be "put to rest" so to speak. Chester "Good Shot" Gomez is a character who delighted me. He plays off Pepper perfectly. He is sure to become a favorite of most readers.
Pepper out of a job and her friend, Dan, has been kidnapped. Her so called boyfriend, Detective Quinn, is still refusing to admit that Pepper can talk to the dead. (Heavy sigh). Dan's kidnappers want her to dig up the bones of Chester Good Shot Gomez and that's when the fun begins. And I'll leave it right there so I don't give away any thing and spoil it for future readers. :)
July 11, 2015
I liked this book right up to end, and then the author blew it for me.
Not really looking forward to the last book in the series.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Not really looking forward to the last book in the series.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
February 13, 2012
There were pluses and minuses about this book. My rating is really a 3.5.
Pluses first: I liked the Southwest setting. The ghost, Goodshot, was fun and a sympathetic character. The mystery was interesting, though I'm not sure I totally bought the killer - it was too convenient and not really plausible. And I enjoyed Jesse, our Native American cop.
Daniels set up this book to really tackle some of the more emotional issues in Pepper's life. Unfortunately, she went nowhere with it. I was really disappointed with the Quinn storyline. And I don't really want to go back to Quinn in the next book. I'm over the Quinn storyline. Daniels also grew Pepper emotionally in the last book, especially with her relationship with Ella and Ella's daughters. Sadly, Pepper lost that growth in this book and moved back to her sarcastic, self-centered, fashion-obsessed self.
Pluses first: I liked the Southwest setting. The ghost, Goodshot, was fun and a sympathetic character. The mystery was interesting, though I'm not sure I totally bought the killer - it was too convenient and not really plausible. And I enjoyed Jesse, our Native American cop.
Daniels set up this book to really tackle some of the more emotional issues in Pepper's life. Unfortunately, she went nowhere with it. I was really disappointed with the Quinn storyline. And I don't really want to go back to Quinn in the next book. I'm over the Quinn storyline. Daniels also grew Pepper emotionally in the last book, especially with her relationship with Ella and Ella's daughters. Sadly, Pepper lost that growth in this book and moved back to her sarcastic, self-centered, fashion-obsessed self.
January 29, 2012
Faced with no job and no prospects, she goes on a road trip and sleeps with another guy and gets to make a choice about her "gift".
It was a pleasant read, and the southwest angle was interesting, but the character wasn't. Pepper isn't growing much, and you'd think she'd learn something by now about what she wants and who she is. The best thing about this story is getting out of Cleveland and off to New Mexico/Colorado.
The thing is, I really enjoy the character, but she's becoming a cartoon instead of a rounded character. And that's too bad, because the premise of the story is good and it's been well researched. I was hoping for a shift in the series and don't think I really got it here.
It was a pleasant read, and the southwest angle was interesting, but the character wasn't. Pepper isn't growing much, and you'd think she'd learn something by now about what she wants and who she is. The best thing about this story is getting out of Cleveland and off to New Mexico/Colorado.
The thing is, I really enjoy the character, but she's becoming a cartoon instead of a rounded character. And that's too bad, because the premise of the story is good and it's been well researched. I was hoping for a shift in the series and don't think I really got it here.
July 22, 2013
So this is the first book in the series that I can actually say that I loved. Maybe because Pepper is in a new environment. Or because I actually like her new love interest (unlike Quinn who I can not stand). Or because Pepper is not quite so shallow in this book (or I was just able to overlook her shallowness). I was heartbroken when Pepper lost her ability to see the ghosts and I teared up when she, without hesitation, accepted her Gift back. My only unhappy moment in the book was when she left everything behind and returned to Cleveland. Not sure that I am happy about that. I was kind of looking for the fairy tale ending. Guess we will see what happens in the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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