Better Off Dead in Deadwood

Deadwood #4

by Ann Charles, C. S. Kunkle (Illustrator)

One dead body. One century-old, haunted opera house. One zombie musical. One pissed-off detective.

Will Violet "Spooky" Parker keep her tail out of trouble or will she end up as one of Deadwood's walking dead?

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Humor, Ghosts, Fiction

398 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2013

About the author

Ann Charles—Author
Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award Winner and a 2011 RWA Golden Heart Award Winner.
*USA Today Best Selling Author,
*Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Winner Suspense Magazine Best of 2012, 2015. 2016
*Winner of Paranormal Grand Prize from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media,
*Winner of Southern Writers Best Covers Contest
You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously loving this series and I just might be half in love with Doc myself. Full review to come.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a hard one to rate for me. I liked the story just fine butttt

Violet continues to irritate me to no end.
She constantly puts herself in dangerous situations with no regards to her or the safety of others or how it will affect others but gets upset that other people aka the men in her life are concerned for her wellbeing 🙄🙄🙄

The evidence of the paranormal is slapping her on the eyes, nose, hips and butt, however she hems and haws in disbelief. I get it, she’s not perfect, but please stop, for the love of all things ghostly, stop making her dumb and a doormat. It’s not an attractive look.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

So...
Book 4 and...
I still have no idea who...
...or what she is.
That should annoy me...
but it doesn't.

[Douglas Meeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone that reads my reviews I usually try to give enough info to get you interested but in this case this whole series is an example in how to write paranormal books that appeal to a wide cross section of the reading public. Every book has been 5 Star and this one is no exception BUT the trick here is that she has inserted a bit more paranormal into each book (it is barely paranormal most of book #1) until this book is pretty close to a "normal" level of paranormal. Great writing, great humor, serious life threatening plots/situations and some normal problems. Add in several characters you can hate in addition to the REALLY evil guys and it is a formula that can't miss. Start with book #1 and keep going, you will get hooked, there are only 4 of them so far and all top notch entertainment. I HATE her bratty kids but I guess that is a problem most single Moms face when they have to devote a huge amount of time to keeping food on the table and trying to have a love life. Get these books, you will thank me :)

Nearly Departed in Deadwood
Optical Delusions in Deadwood
Dead Case in Deadwood
Better Off Dead In Deadwood

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could I would give this 3.5 stars but I will round up to 4. This is a fun series. It’s a good light read with some supernatural stuff and some heat thrown in. The characters are quirky and mostly likable, purple boots or not. I am really curious to find out more about the albinos and the future mayor who seems to be something other than human. I’ll be back to find out what’s next. Keep the bed wet, Vi and Doc! 😉

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of an over-arcing plot line throughout the Deadwood Series. It starts out with everyone thinking it's a typical murder mystery, but we quickly get back to the albino's. There's obviously something in Violet's destiny that has her meant for a greater purpose, and it became obvious to me that her Aunt knows about it.

I like the characters in this book quite a bit - I'd like Ray to be a victim soon, and I'd like Cooper to ease back a bit, but mostly these are great characters you could totally see sharing a drink with. I like the way the author handled Violet and Natalie's conflict and the slow inching towards a deep relationship with Doc. Any faster and all that sizzling sexual tension would fizzle out. In my humble opinion, the author does a brilliant job of writing those sex scenes: steamy but without being vulgar or overly graphic. I appreciate that Ms. Charles writes enough to get the pulse rate up, but leaves a lot to the readers' imagination as to filling in the blanks.

I'll end with saying both her kids need a smack upside the head to remind them of the chain-of-command and that I can't wait to read the next one!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

First and foremost, I don't like Violet. She was annoying in the past books, but in this one she is unbearably annoying and she acts like a dimwitted bimbo with self esteem issues and a one track brain. Do all cozy mysteries have a MC who is a nosy idiot? 95% of the ones I have made it through has this. Why? It's not cute or endearing. It honestly pisses me off especially when the rest of the storyline is really good. How many times does this dim wit have to be told that the information the police have on a recent murder is not going to be shared with her? I thought that was common sense, but I guess I'm wrong since Violet struts around demanding Cooper share information with her and when he doesn't she holds back information that could help him with the case. I cheered for Cooper when he threw her in jail. If I was him I would have kept her stupid ass there. If it wasn't for her constant stupidity I would have rated this higher, but when I see very little character growth in a MC I just can't give it a very high rating regardless of what happens with the storyline.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel the pot stirring...all the ingredients are in motion and I don't know how things are really going to end up. Ann Charles brings back the characters we love. Violet is still plucky and hopeful. Doc is still smoldering. Harvey is still incorrigible. Zoe is still helpful. Natalie is still confused. But we get a little more this time around. Everybody is revealing a little more of their backstory and true character. Everybody is changing from the mayhem and from their contact with each other. Everybody is growing and evolving and the resulting book is sizzling with grit, tension, lust and chicken feathers. If Cooper could velcro Violet to a chair, he would. Everybody else might appreciate it too so she could take her licks (good and bad) and they wouldn't have to wonder what is going on. But Violet is a leaper, she is not a communicator and she is definitely not a strategist. There is plenty of mystery in this book and it is not wrapped up in a tidy package like an episode of Murder She Wrote. But we do get to see Doc and Violet get closer, Natalie does not disappear forever, Harvey is being domesticated in unexpected ways and Violet puts herself on the line. I am EXTREMELY satisfied by this installment. Bring on the next course please.

[Wendy Cantu · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading Nearly Departed In Deadwood, the first book of the Deadwood Mystery series, I was in love (I gave it a five-out-of-five star rating and I rarely do that). When I finished the second book, Optical Delusions In Deadwood, I thought it was great, although not as good as the first book. I drew the same conclusion from the third book, Dead Case In Deadwood.

Now we’re at book number four, Better Off Dead in Deadwood, and I’m sad to say I didn’t really like it. There were parts I definitely enjoyed, but the parts I didn’t I just downright hated.

First, the good:

Violet’s story is progressing in ways I didn’t see coming. When this series started, it was slightly paranormal (just ghosts) and Violet was a firm skeptic. Now, it’s pretty much gone off the deep end with paranormal crap. While I can’t say I completely love it (I miss the old Violet), I appreciate the author taking the books in a direction that wasn’t totally expected.

I foresee a promising plot line in the upcoming books. About 40 percent through I had an epiphany and started generating theories about the characters (primarily Cooper and Violet’s ex husband). It’s just a theory (although I am pretty sure I saw some solid clues indicating I’m on to something), but I think it would make an excellent plot twist.

Now, the AARRGH WHY ARE YOU RUINING THIS BOOK!

The relationship between Doc and Violet is damn near intolerable. Their passion for one another seems so superficial and based entirely on sex. I mean, almost every conversation between them included some nasty sexual innuendo. The very first exchange with Doc (which occurred right after Jane’s funeral) went something like this:

Doc: I like that black dress.

Violet: You’ve seen me wear it before.

Doc: I know, I remember removing it with my teeth.

Violet: That’s right. But I think I was wearing panties that time.

And then there’s talk about bending her over his desk and…well, you get the idea.

This continued through the entire book (and when Violet and Doc weren’t together, Violet was fantasizing about him ripping off her clothes).

More annoying was the fact that Doc was kind of acting like a D-bag about getting involved with her because of her children. And even more annoying than that was the fact that Violet just let it go and seemed to intentionally avoid the topic because she didn’t want their fun to end. Really? Mom of the effing year (which is sad because one of the things I liked about her in the first book was how devoted she was to her kids).

It’s frustrating because I really do like this series and think it has a promising future, but this whole Doc / Violet acting like horny teenagers thing just has to stop. It’s degrading to Violet and makes Doc seem like a sleazy perv.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Mother of Pearl! Who says that being chased by crazy things that go bump in the night can't be fun? Because this book IS TOTALLY FUN! Violet's right in the middle of more shenanigans in the town of Deadwood, Detective Coop has her on his "most likely to get caught breaking into a locked building" list (actually, I just made that up. But if he *did* have a list like that, I'm sure she'd be on it!), and Violet's clients expect her to help out in all manner of supernatural goings on!

Oh, and there's a dead body.

With the fate of Calamity Jane Realty up in the air, Violet's worried about her job, breaking the news of her secret boyfriend to her kids, finding time to spend with said secret boyfriend, and keeping out of Coop's way. Cooper has a real hard-on for her, you know. Not in a sexy way. In a "I'm sure you're hiding things that relate to this case I'm trying to solve" sort of way. And he's right. Which is probably the one thing that made me shake my head this time around. While part of me understands why she's keeping things from him (because the truth is so unbelievable that even Violet, who witnessed it with her own eyes, has a hard time believing it's true), part of me wants her to come clean and just lay all her cards on the table and let the Detective do his job and sort it out.

Meanwhile, things are a little rocky on the Doc front. No, not rocky. More... uncertain. Once Doc explains his hangups, I could see where he was coming from and it makes sense, but I don't want tension between those two. Well, I want the sexual tension because the amount of times and creative ways that those two get interrupted before getting down to the dirty is HILARIOUS! I figure that Doc has a permanent case of blue balls after all the times he's been cock-blocked by circumstances beyond their control in this book. Poor guy.

Anyway. Lots of happenings. Lots of almost-sexin'. Lots of Violet getting into a jam. This series continues to entertain me and I'm so so SO sad that the next book isn't out yet.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Dotti Elrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Deadwood series. It picks up right where book three left us hanging, with the death of Violets boss Jane. What starts off as a typical murder mystery ends up taking a turn into weirdsville. As in book three, once again the "albinos" are involved. We have a haunted opera house, who is hosting a zombie musical. Violet's odd Abe Lincoln look alike client who talks to ghosts.
Her new boss who finally gave in and hired Ray's nephew Ben. Leaving Violet with a whole new role in Calamity Jane's Realty business. A role Vis not sure shes comfortable with. Her relationship with the sexy Doc, who's not sure how he feels about the extra baggage that comes with Violet aka the twins. Then there's old man Harveys love life, he's been dumped by Aunt Zoe's neighbor. And Aunt Zoe herself. Shes been holding back vital information from Violet. Something tells me Aunt Zoe knows more about demons than she's letting on. Her best friend Natalie is still not speaking to her, and holding Violet's favorite purple boots hostage, much to Docs dismay. And detective Cooper finally makes good on his threats, by handcuffing Violet and taking her to jail.
A fairly typical week in Violets world.
This is a great addition to the series. A lot more of the paranormal peeking out in this one. Its funny, sexy, frustrating and lots of fun. We are left with another small cliffhanger.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending, I guess I wanted to see Violet finally sell another property. Something positive for her to celebrate. But once again everything is left hanging. I'd like to see her have some success if nothing else to shut Ray up.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars... Violet Parker has done it again... Nothing is easy for our multi-tasking heroine... All she wants to do is provide for her kids, sell real estate, and get some lovin from Doc... Is that asking too much??? Well, we know what they say about the best laid plans... Violet ends up front and center as a prime suspect in the murder of her boss while attempting to reign in her eccentric Abe Lincoln look alike client and avoid as many seances as possible, solve the mysterious occurrences at the old Opera House, and still get some lovin from Doc! All in a days or weeks work for this feisty independent woman who may be showing some signs of paranormal abilities, hmm one more item to add to the "To Do" list... A woman's work is never done... Another exhilarating, hootin and hollerin good time adventure in Deadwood:)

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better of Dead in Deadwood bk 4 [Deadwood series]
This is a Paranormal Romance series following the same couple and their group of friends.. You see how much the hero watches out for the heroine and how all their friends look out for each other..

This book was amazing and the books in the series keeps getting better every book you read.. There is so much mystery, sassy characters, great plot twists and amazing story line in this book..

The romance was amazing with violet and doc in this book.. They are both made for each other and i am glad to see Natalie is friends with violet again.. doc and violet are amazing together and i hope they stay that way because i would be sad if they did not end up together because they are made for each other..

My Fav characters:
⦁ Doc
⦁ Violet
⦁ Old man Harvey
⦁ Aunt Zoe
⦁ Natalie
⦁ detective cooper
⦁ Abe Lincoln look a-like

I have to say that Ann Charles writes about characters you care about in her books and you find your self caring for all the characters and the story.. I just hope that everyone that i like ends up with the characters i would like them to end up with and they get there happy ending..

Characters i disliked:
⦁ Ray
⦁ Jeff Wymonds
⦁ Bad guys [Are not human]
⦁ Jerry [violet's boss]

I think the world that the author has put together for this series is amazing and well done. I like that she uses true facts through out her deadwood series of the town these books are based on and i think it makes the books with all the sassy characters.. Ann Charles is an author that i will keep buying her books when she brings new books out because she writes the most amazing characters that you just can't stop loving..

This Series is packed full of:
⦁ Paranormal Romance
⦁ Single Mum
⦁ Mystery
⦁ Content: Ghosts, talks of Murders, Drama, Monsters, Ghost channeling, Demon's that look like Humans, Heroine gets more Nightmares, There are people dressed like Zombie's for a play and more
⦁ Friends to lovers
⦁ Hot & Steamy
⦁ Heroine gets attacked by monsters
⦁ Both the hero & heroine save each other
⦁ Heroine still has her sort off bodyguard called Old man Harvey when things are not safe for her
⦁ Forced Proximity
⦁ Protective Hero
⦁ Heroine misses talking to her best friend
⦁ Possessive Hero/Touch her and die trope
⦁ True facts throughout this series about the Town Deadwood these books are set in
⦁ Spooky Vibes
⦁ Small Town
⦁ Follows the same couple and their friends
⦁ Strong friendships
⦁ Strong family relationships between the heroine and her aunt
⦁ Heroine's friends would do anything to keep her safe
⦁ Hero will do anything for his woman
⦁ Each book gets darker and more creatures come out to play like monsters, demons, evil ghosts and more

I really liked the relationship between Doc and Violet because its so sweet and they are made for each other.. I really liked all the characters that are in Violets friend group..

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series read ever! For the last two years I have been transported to an incredibly believable world full of colorful characters and things that go bump in the night. Well, some of them are not just things, some of them are really bad people.. but some of them? They go more than just bump in the night. And where is Violet in all of this? Somehow right smack dab in the middle of all the mayhem ... again!

She is still needing to sell houses, and though Violet would prefer they not be haunted or possessed by demons or attracting the WORST kind of paranormal miscreants, she will take what she can get. Now if her client would not be so flighty maybe she can keep her job and not have to worry so much. On top of her grief with the murder of her boss and friend NOW she has to deal with the most insufferable chauvinist whose sorry rear-end she saved in the last book. You would think he would be thankful, but no he is just as much of a jerk as before. On top of that the local chief of police is causing nothing but grief and if she used Four Square, she would probably be mayor of the local police department. Her "boyfriend", Doc still is dealing with his ghost issues, but with Violet's help he may actually get some control over it and with that the relationship will gain more solid ground. Now if her best friend would give her boots back and come hobbling in so they could get back to what they do best... wait what is that.. crashing funerals or being ninja like stalkers to suspected miscreants in town!

Ann did it again! I love a good mystery but like things with a twist of the unknown. This one leaves us hanging again and wanting for more! Can it get any better? I bet it can! Each book gets more and more exciting and crazy! But what do you expect from a woman who has a chicken named Elvis, a love for peanut butter fudge ice cream and tequila? Keep them coming Ann!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annoyingly Good Paranormal Mystery

Violet Parker is drawn into investigating the death of her boss Jane from Calamity Jane’s Real Estate. But the more she digs, the more dirt she finds. As her suspicions multiply, so do those of Detective Cooper, who finds her digging annoying, dangerous, and counter-productive to his real investigation. Before you know it, Violet has a big old target painted on her back and a fistful of suspects.

This book has ghosts and zombies. The ghosts are for real, while the zombies are actors in a community theater play. Both add to the general misdirection and delightful chaos of this book.

I kept trying to put this book down and I couldn’t. Violet’s sassy comebacks and escapades kept me laughing late into the night. The strong cast of supporting characters are equally well-developed from the hunky detective, to Violet’s self-appointed sidekick Harvey to her coworkers and of course, delicious Doc, her love interest.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what Deadwood was like before Violet came to town but she's certainly stirred up some shit. Ghosts, zombies, demons, murder, shifty co-workers. I love all of Violet and Doc's encounters. From the sexy talk to coitus interruptus to full blown sex. Those two are burning up the nights (and days) in Deadwood. Things are heating up in Deadwood in more ways than one. In addition to the previous craziness, now there are the mayor and the pixie - an interesting pair with secrets of their own; the unkillable albinos; and Abraham Lincoln Jr - a whack-job in himself. Hmmm hopefully we'll see Violet take out her ex, Rex in An Ex to Grind in Deadwood. I can't wait to see how she handles the shitstorm he's bringing.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just can't quit reading these cozy mysteries with paranormal elements. I see all the stuff that usually bothers me in terms of plot and pacing, but I still must read them. Violet, mystery solving realtor, is still as narcissistic Mary Sue as in previous books. This one was repetitive. It almost seemed that passages were cut and pasted in places. Same snarky jokes. Same dialog between some characters. Same ridiculous kid antics. Lukewarm mystery that was a little more paranormal/far fetched than previous books. Yet, I'm still enjoying them and have already checked out the next from the library.

[Deena Schoenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Each book gets better and better. Every plotline is fresh and exciting. Filled with ghosts, demons, murders and other unexplainable phenomenon, every book so far in this series surpassed the previous one.

With a cast of zany characters, Ms Charles weaves a story that perfectly plays off the previous book's plot.

Violet spends the book trying to avoid riling Detective Cooper and stay out of jail, track down a client to complete a real estate sale, raise her twins, reconcile with her best friend and further a relationship with Doc. Violet is a busy, busy modern woman.

Loveable characters from previous books help propel the story lines forward - Everyone needs an "Old Man Harvey" in their life- and the reader gets more of the backstory regarding Violet's sister and family dynamic as well as her Aunt Zoe's love life.

A terrific installment of the Deadwood series.

Recommend?

I recommend this book to all those who love paranormal romance and/or thriller/suspense novels. Those genre readers will find something to love about this series and this book in particular.

This review appeared on my website.

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was asked to review this book from the author's publicist, but I received the digital book via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.

I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Aղցela W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was book 4 in the "Deadwood" series. This book was better than the last one. Violet "Sparky" Parker has a lot going on in her life. Violet ends up front and center as a prime suspect in the murder of her boss who was found at the bottom of a mine and Violet knows it wasn't just an accident that somebody had murdered her boss and she intends on finding the killer. I loved the interaction between her and Cooper and all of there back and fourth. I also like her relationship with Doc. On the job front she is still trying to sale the old hotel to a new client who looks and dresses like Abe Lincoln. There are multiple mysteries going on that weave together and make a very intriguing story. I love that Doc and Sparky relationship is making progress and I even liked the disagreements that these two have. They both have issues but are trying to make it work and communicate better. And I agree with Doc, she has to stop keeping him at arms length if she wants to make a real go at this. This was a good read with all the kooky weird characters in it. This was a really good read that I listened to. I am looking forward to listening to the next book in this series.

[Kimberly #Audiofile · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 star listen.
I enjoyed violet a little more in this one. More so than in the last couple of books.

She’s really dumb at some points. I don’t get this characters mind set tbh the relationship between doc and violet is like if they were young people 🤷🏼‍♀️

I also don’t 100% understand why she doesn’t understand that her being involved in every murder in deadwood would cause cooper to flip out.

Ahhh anyway I’ll continue, it holds my interest.
Currently on audible plus for your listening pleasure.

[Shannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book! Love this series! Man Cooper is very annoying at times with Vi. Also Vi doesn’t think at times & lets people talk her into doing things.

[Kara of BookishBytes · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are solidly fun books. Much better than the typical "paranormal cozy." Good characters and good sense of humor.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gets better with each book
I love the weirdness and adventure that Violet has, and relationship with Doc is fantastic. This author has created such a funny, quirky, and adventurous series and cannot put it down.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series really is getting better with each new instalment! The more I think about it the more I think it has everything to do with character development. This is not one of these series where the characters are always the same, never change no matter what happens or the things they go through. Here the characters come to life as they evolve throughout the books, depending on the people they meet, the situations they face, the choices they make... The plots for the Deadwood series are always entertaining but what makes the whole series very addictive to me is the cast of characters.

I'm also finding myself enjoying the setting of the series in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I don't know if the author is from that area or if she has been doing some very thorough research but Deadwood and its area really come to life.

Ann Charles definitely is an excellent storyteller!

• Book 1: Nearly Departed in Deadwood ★★
• Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 5: An Ex to Grind in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 6: Meanwhile Back In Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 7: A Wild Fright in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 8: Rattling the Heat in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 9: Gone Haunting in Deadwood ★★★
• Book 10: Don't Let it Snow in Deadwood ★★

[Roberta Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love ghost stories. I've been to Deadwood and loved the town. With so many 5 star reviews how could this book miss (with me, anyway)? I think I would have been better off reading book 1 in the series, but now I don't want to. I found the banter of the main character (Violet) witty, but after a while it grew repetitive and, therefore, tiresome. The interaction between Violet and the sheriff was repetitive and mostly not believable. The sex scenes were bountiful and slowed the story. Too many things were going on and I often felt like the story moved in circles. I wanted it to get somewhere faster (at least as fast as Violet could think of funny things to say). I did get engrossed in the story's climax, but afterwards felt cheated because there were so many questions left unanswered. That's so I'll buy the next book in the series, you see. Except I doubt if I will because even though I like Violet and would like to know what happens to her, I'm tired of the whole mess. But that's just me. Lots of people are giving this book rave reviews because of the humor. You might enjoy it. I did to a point.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Violets verbal sparring with Ray and Cooper is absolutely hysterical. I found it hard to breath because I was laughing so hard at times. This book has a soft ending but it prepares you for the next book. You need to read this series in order. Again, the narrator nails the dialogue. I can't wait for book 5. Great stuff!! One more thing, if they every created a TV series or movie from Deadwood, I see Kristen Wig as a perfect candidate for Violet.
11/8/19 - I think Cooper is probably the worst detective ever. But, he snaps out of it after this book. Love these books!!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on my Kindle, it is the 4th in the series about a single mom with twins. Violet is a real estate agent in SD. Her clients so far are a little strange, and all are involved in some kind of paranormal activities, which put Violet in danger. Several men are attracted to her, and she has an old grizzled guy that plays bodyguard and all round helper in her life. I don't always care for the constant sex theme going on in her head. I think it would be better without that.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A screaming good time.

Laughter tears, terror in the night.. Who could ask for more.. from BFF problems, to the darn chicken... I enjoy each one more than the last..

[Cecilia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I thought I was going to like this book, it was recommended by someone whose reading tastes are similar, it was about mystery, female quasi-private detective, paranormal beings so what was not to like?

The female lead, separated mother Violet Parker with twin 10 year olds, currently lives in Deadwood, a town legendary in history for its gold mines, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I am at a disadvantage because this is the fourth book in a series - indefinite number, according to the Author Ann Charles. Much of the history leading up to this book and the ghosts, ghoulies, and other assorted creatures must be introduced in the earlier books which I didn't read (gladly as it turns out).

Nothing is really resolved and the 26 chapters are filled with a character (Parker) who speaks, acts and feels like Dirty Harry. She is over and overtly sexed, she totally neglects her children, her job (if you can call it that) and constantly and joyously thwarts the town detective in his efforts to make sense of what is going on and who is involved.

I didn't like the story and will gladly forego any further reading in this series.

[Cathy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well here we are are again, ghosts, murder, real estate, all in Deadwood SD. Changes are happening at the real estate office where our heroine works, Calamity Jane Real Estate.. Violet Parker, better know by a couple of nicknames, Spooky Parker by the Police force, and Sparky by the fire Dept. Violet and Doc seem to be having some communication issues lately. She is having a really tough time trying to sell the local hotel to her client, he thinks he is a ghost whisperer and needs proof the hotel is haunted. He seems to think Violet can channel ghosts for him. Doc will do his best to check the hotel for ghosts to help her out, since he can truly sense a ghostly presence. Well surprise - surprise this leads to trouble. Will detective Cooper believe her when she calls for help, will Doc come after the harsh words spoken earlier that night.