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Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire #2
Another One Bites the Dust
Jensen Murphy is back in the spooky sequel to Only the Good Die Young.
Some people think that ghosts are spirits that refuse to go to the other side because they have unfinished business. Take my word—that’s true. I should know. I’m a ghost.
I was an ordinary eighties California girl, dead before my time, until psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled me out of the time loop where I was reliving my death over and over. Now I’m Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire. I decided to put my spooky talents to use in helping Amanda Lee track down bad guys and killers (including my own).
It’s taken time to figure out exactly how that will work (our first case was definitely a learning experience for all involved), so when a young woman asks Amanda Lee for help convincing her best friend to leave a dangerously hot-tempered boyfriend, I’m ready and willing to use our collective powers on her behalf. But some people are dangerous not only to the living—especially when there are darker forces involved...
Some people think that ghosts are spirits that refuse to go to the other side because they have unfinished business. Take my word—that’s true. I should know. I’m a ghost.
I was an ordinary eighties California girl, dead before my time, until psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled me out of the time loop where I was reliving my death over and over. Now I’m Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire. I decided to put my spooky talents to use in helping Amanda Lee track down bad guys and killers (including my own).
It’s taken time to figure out exactly how that will work (our first case was definitely a learning experience for all involved), so when a young woman asks Amanda Lee for help convincing her best friend to leave a dangerously hot-tempered boyfriend, I’m ready and willing to use our collective powers on her behalf. But some people are dangerous not only to the living—especially when there are darker forces involved...
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
3 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Chris Marie Green
44 books250 followersChris Marie Green, former school teacher turned full-time writer, gets out of the office by taking long trips to places such as Japan, Italy, and New Orleans. When she’s not causing international incidents, she enjoys yoga, movie-going and dabbling in firsthand research such as fencing, Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She also writes under the name Crystal Green and Christine Cody
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 12, 2014
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/12/12/b...
Another One Bites the Dust continues the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire series which has the distinction of being one of the few urban fantasies out there featuring a dead girl as the protagonist. Jensen isn’t just technically dead, living dead, or undead – she’s DEAD dead, an ordinary California girl who was murdered in the woods by a serial killer in the eighties. She’s back now in modern times, pulled out of her time loop by a psychic named Amanda Lee.
Together with her ghostly friends and Amanda Lee, Jensen is putting her talents to good use by helping catch bad guy and solve mysteries, including that of her own murder. This second novel puts her skills to the test with a tough case involving a woman and her hotheaded and potentially dangerous boyfriend who might be just be a few short fuses away from snapping.
The neat thing is, ghosts in this series have quite an arsenal of abilities up their sleeves to go about investigating these kinds of situations, including creating hallucinations, entering dreams, or getting a feel for someone’s emotions and thoughts simply by making contact with them. This is just one example of the many unique ideas found in the first book, which impressed me enough to want to continue the series. I’m also quite invested in Jensen’s personal story, given how the mystery and details surrounding her horrific murder have been greatly built up. I’d like know who killed her, and hopefully see Jensen find closure and make peace with the fact that her life was so unfairly cut short.
What surprised me was that my wish might be granted sooner than I thought. I know there are at least three books planned so far for this series, and I did not expect it to even begin delving into Jensen’s death until at least the third installment. There are a lot of things going on in this book as a result – first, we have the main storyline involving Heidi and her concern for her friend Nichelle who is dating the loose cannon/possible psychopath Tim. Second, we have the major side plot in which Jensen does some independent investigating into her murder and makes some huge discoveries. Third, we get the chance to follow up with Gavin and Wendy, the siblings we got to meet in book one. Jensen still has some residual feelings for Gavin that she needs to resolve, not to mention her reluctant attraction towards “Fake Dean”, the mysterious supernatural entity that has taken on the guise of her old high school sweetheart.
Not surprisingly, Jensen is kept quite busy throughout this book, and we jump along with her from one event to another. I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, the book feels very scattered. But on the other, you’re never going to have an opportunity to be bored. In the end, the pros and cons probably balance each other out, though I do wish we could have slowed down just enough to have gotten to know the side characters a bit better, especially Jensen’s group of “ghost budders” who so delighted me in Only the Good Die Young. Personalities like Twyla, Randy, Scott and Louis were pivotal in making the first book grow on me, and I just can’t get enough of them.
Poor Jensen, though. I think the author is attempting to inject a bit of romance into the series by giving her these complicated feelings for both Gavin and Fake Dean, but I just can’t help but feel both these relationships (if you can even go as far as to call them that) are simply doomed. The girl is a ghost, while one of the guys is very much alive and the other is some weird, ethereal and celestial…thing. Fake Dean is very much a big question mark, and it is still unclear whether he is a force of good or evil in Jensen’s life. In any case, I’m not getting a sense of chemistry between either of these pairings so admittedly, any romance is falling flat.
Still, overall we’re definitely getting somewhere with the main story. I am loving the tone of these books, enjoying the way light and dark mingle. We have some humor and cheerful interludes provided by the banter and camaraderie of the ghosts mixed with the creepy and disturbing circumstances of Jensen’s murder as well as the grim nature of the cases she and Amanda Lee decide to take on. The antagonist in this novel is a very troubled and unstable individual, and the few glimpses we get into his mind and into his dreams aren’t very pleasant at all.
All told, this was an enjoyable follow up. The series might not be blowing me away quite yet, but I like how it’s bringing something unique to the genre and the new ideas are enough to make me want to stick around, and I am also very curious how things will end up for our protagonist.
Another One Bites the Dust continues the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire series which has the distinction of being one of the few urban fantasies out there featuring a dead girl as the protagonist. Jensen isn’t just technically dead, living dead, or undead – she’s DEAD dead, an ordinary California girl who was murdered in the woods by a serial killer in the eighties. She’s back now in modern times, pulled out of her time loop by a psychic named Amanda Lee.
Together with her ghostly friends and Amanda Lee, Jensen is putting her talents to good use by helping catch bad guy and solve mysteries, including that of her own murder. This second novel puts her skills to the test with a tough case involving a woman and her hotheaded and potentially dangerous boyfriend who might be just be a few short fuses away from snapping.
The neat thing is, ghosts in this series have quite an arsenal of abilities up their sleeves to go about investigating these kinds of situations, including creating hallucinations, entering dreams, or getting a feel for someone’s emotions and thoughts simply by making contact with them. This is just one example of the many unique ideas found in the first book, which impressed me enough to want to continue the series. I’m also quite invested in Jensen’s personal story, given how the mystery and details surrounding her horrific murder have been greatly built up. I’d like know who killed her, and hopefully see Jensen find closure and make peace with the fact that her life was so unfairly cut short.
What surprised me was that my wish might be granted sooner than I thought. I know there are at least three books planned so far for this series, and I did not expect it to even begin delving into Jensen’s death until at least the third installment. There are a lot of things going on in this book as a result – first, we have the main storyline involving Heidi and her concern for her friend Nichelle who is dating the loose cannon/possible psychopath Tim. Second, we have the major side plot in which Jensen does some independent investigating into her murder and makes some huge discoveries. Third, we get the chance to follow up with Gavin and Wendy, the siblings we got to meet in book one. Jensen still has some residual feelings for Gavin that she needs to resolve, not to mention her reluctant attraction towards “Fake Dean”, the mysterious supernatural entity that has taken on the guise of her old high school sweetheart.
Not surprisingly, Jensen is kept quite busy throughout this book, and we jump along with her from one event to another. I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, the book feels very scattered. But on the other, you’re never going to have an opportunity to be bored. In the end, the pros and cons probably balance each other out, though I do wish we could have slowed down just enough to have gotten to know the side characters a bit better, especially Jensen’s group of “ghost budders” who so delighted me in Only the Good Die Young. Personalities like Twyla, Randy, Scott and Louis were pivotal in making the first book grow on me, and I just can’t get enough of them.
Poor Jensen, though. I think the author is attempting to inject a bit of romance into the series by giving her these complicated feelings for both Gavin and Fake Dean, but I just can’t help but feel both these relationships (if you can even go as far as to call them that) are simply doomed. The girl is a ghost, while one of the guys is very much alive and the other is some weird, ethereal and celestial…thing. Fake Dean is very much a big question mark, and it is still unclear whether he is a force of good or evil in Jensen’s life. In any case, I’m not getting a sense of chemistry between either of these pairings so admittedly, any romance is falling flat.
Still, overall we’re definitely getting somewhere with the main story. I am loving the tone of these books, enjoying the way light and dark mingle. We have some humor and cheerful interludes provided by the banter and camaraderie of the ghosts mixed with the creepy and disturbing circumstances of Jensen’s murder as well as the grim nature of the cases she and Amanda Lee decide to take on. The antagonist in this novel is a very troubled and unstable individual, and the few glimpses we get into his mind and into his dreams aren’t very pleasant at all.
All told, this was an enjoyable follow up. The series might not be blowing me away quite yet, but I like how it’s bringing something unique to the genre and the new ideas are enough to make me want to stick around, and I am also very curious how things will end up for our protagonist.
January 20, 2019
Jensen Murphy is a ghost with a lot of time on her hands. She is working with Psychic Amanda Lee Minter to help track down her own murderer. But it's been over 30 years and some of the witnesses are no longer around. When a young woman approaches Amanda Lee asking for help convincing her best friend to kick her hot-tempered boyfriend to the curb, Amanda Lee and Jensen are both willing to help. Now if they can just control the dark spirit they accidentally released that keeps attacking them every chance it gets.
There was a lot going on in this book. Jensen is still trying to help Gavin and Wendy Edgett, the brother and sister she haunted in the last book. While doing that, she is trying to solve her own murder. Amanda Lee knows a private investigator who has opened the cold case into Jensen's murder. In the meantime, Jensen is helping Amanda Lee with another situation. She asks for help from her ghost friends to keep up with everything that is happening. My rating: 4 Stars.
There was a lot going on in this book. Jensen is still trying to help Gavin and Wendy Edgett, the brother and sister she haunted in the last book. While doing that, she is trying to solve her own murder. Amanda Lee knows a private investigator who has opened the cold case into Jensen's murder. In the meantime, Jensen is helping Amanda Lee with another situation. She asks for help from her ghost friends to keep up with everything that is happening. My rating: 4 Stars.
February 19, 2022
I really like this series. It's easy to read, interesting and has a believable story line with the ghost angle. The characters are multi-faceted and likeable and the story is fast paced. I highly recommend this book and this series.
November 17, 2014
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I had a great time with the first novel and I was really curious to read more. I must say that it is quite rare to have a story featuring a ghost as the main character and it was very interesting to learn more about her.
We thus find our heroine Jensen part in a new survey. A Wendy’s friend shows up at Amanda’s house asking for help to save her best friend. Oh yes because she thinks that the new boyfriend of the girl, Tim, is dangerous and could kill her in one of his impulses. And whatever happens, her friend is not listening and she still lives with this boy. Jensen needs therefore to understand whether Tim is actually dangerous or not to know what steps to take. But it is very difficult for our heroine and her friends to know what happens to this disturbed boy. Yet it is true that with the dreams, hallucinations and passages in his head, we realize that Tim could be more. Is he to the point of killing? I confess that I do not quite understand why the woman did not break up with Tim after all she suffered, but relationships are always quite complicated, like in real life. It is also true that this character makes us uneasy … It’s hard to know how far he will be able to go, but we feel that he is capable of anything. I found that the author had really succeeded in creating a tortured naughty, crazy and impulsive guy.
But that’s not all because many stories are mixed here. We have the chance to see Gavin and Wendy again, trying to manage the consequences of the events of the first volume. It hurt the heart to see that Wendy refused to talk to Jensen, while the latter was doing everything to protect her. Well my heart sank once more for our ghost and her feelings for Gavin. It is well known that nothing is possible between them … How would it be between a living man and a spirit? And yet the Jensen’s feelings touch us and break our heart, even if like her, we would like to have a solution to her problem.
Besides talking about Jensen, we also learn a lot about her, about her murder and her murderer and I admit that I was surprised more than once about it. We also meet her old friends, we see the feelings they have for her and it is true that the whole thing was really touching. We also have the opportunity to meet several times a demonic entity discovered in the first book and I was surprised multiple times about it. Plus, I’m very curious to learn more about him. Yet something else? Oh yes because Jensen has to manage a large number of events! So we have Fake Dean. Ah … this character is so complex, it’s so hard to understand who he is and what he wants from our ghost. We feel that he cares for our heroine and at the same time he is also trying to manipulate her. Whatever is happening between them, it is difficult to explain it and it is true that the end has made me quite sad for Jensen.
Our heroine has to manage a lot of things here as you can see. It is an intense and touching story, which broke my heart several times but I took a great pleasure in discovering it. I’m curious in any case to read more about this. It was a very good novel.
My English review
I had a great time with the first novel and I was really curious to read more. I must say that it is quite rare to have a story featuring a ghost as the main character and it was very interesting to learn more about her.
We thus find our heroine Jensen part in a new survey. A Wendy’s friend shows up at Amanda’s house asking for help to save her best friend. Oh yes because she thinks that the new boyfriend of the girl, Tim, is dangerous and could kill her in one of his impulses. And whatever happens, her friend is not listening and she still lives with this boy. Jensen needs therefore to understand whether Tim is actually dangerous or not to know what steps to take. But it is very difficult for our heroine and her friends to know what happens to this disturbed boy. Yet it is true that with the dreams, hallucinations and passages in his head, we realize that Tim could be more. Is he to the point of killing? I confess that I do not quite understand why the woman did not break up with Tim after all she suffered, but relationships are always quite complicated, like in real life. It is also true that this character makes us uneasy … It’s hard to know how far he will be able to go, but we feel that he is capable of anything. I found that the author had really succeeded in creating a tortured naughty, crazy and impulsive guy.
But that’s not all because many stories are mixed here. We have the chance to see Gavin and Wendy again, trying to manage the consequences of the events of the first volume. It hurt the heart to see that Wendy refused to talk to Jensen, while the latter was doing everything to protect her. Well my heart sank once more for our ghost and her feelings for Gavin. It is well known that nothing is possible between them … How would it be between a living man and a spirit? And yet the Jensen’s feelings touch us and break our heart, even if like her, we would like to have a solution to her problem.
Besides talking about Jensen, we also learn a lot about her, about her murder and her murderer and I admit that I was surprised more than once about it. We also meet her old friends, we see the feelings they have for her and it is true that the whole thing was really touching. We also have the opportunity to meet several times a demonic entity discovered in the first book and I was surprised multiple times about it. Plus, I’m very curious to learn more about him. Yet something else? Oh yes because Jensen has to manage a large number of events! So we have Fake Dean. Ah … this character is so complex, it’s so hard to understand who he is and what he wants from our ghost. We feel that he cares for our heroine and at the same time he is also trying to manipulate her. Whatever is happening between them, it is difficult to explain it and it is true that the end has made me quite sad for Jensen.
Our heroine has to manage a lot of things here as you can see. It is an intense and touching story, which broke my heart several times but I took a great pleasure in discovering it. I’m curious in any case to read more about this. It was a very good novel.
October 31, 2014
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
Another One Bites the Dust continues the story of Jensen Murphy, not-so-recently deceased, but yet a budding new ghost who has taken to crime-solving! Chris Marie Green brings us yet another delightful mystery that is packed with all the juicy goodness one expects from a mystery...crime, murder, and of course a ghost or two!
I couldn't quite remember everything from the first book, but for the most part, these mysteries seem to stand on their own. We have returning characters from the first book, which kind of played a part in my memory lapse, but we do get brief recaps from Jensen as she moves us along in her story.
In this one we have a brand new "mystery" yet there's no real who-dun-it kind of crime, yet. A young woman, Heidi comes to Amanda Lee asking for help. Her best friend, Nichelle, is in a bad relationship and she believes the man, Tim, will do her serious harm. Yet Nichelle won't leave him. Jensen is to use her abilities to read people as a ghost and see if Tim is a threat or not and if so, to find a way to get Nichelle to see that and get away from him.
And naturally, Tim is quite the character. It reminded me a lot of nearly anyway movie or TV episode where you deal with a psychopath. He's logical, yet freaking scary as crap and has a past riddled with evidence to his behavior and a childhood that led to said behavior. A real scary dude who's obsessed with his girlfriend and pretty much other women too. So yeah, a real winner. All the while, Jensen and Amanda Lee still try to figure out who killed Jensen. Essentially there are two "cases" being worked.
I really enjoyed this one! It packs a good punch in the mystery genre. The mystery itself is coupled with psychological themes and naturally, paranormal ones too! The continuance of Jensen adapting to her life as a "realized" ghost instead of being stuck in a time warp, and her interactions with other ghosts is pretty enjoyable. The other ghosts all have their own personalities coming from different time periods, they're a riot when all together!
There's still the matter of the dark spirit that's lurking about and we do get answers to who and what that is! There's still a bit of mystery about it though, and I think that will get more page time in the next book! Hopefully at least!
And then there's the mystery of the Fake Dean still. Not so much mystery, but as in his character. Who he is as well. What does he really look like. What's his deal with wanting to collect Jensen? There's some sparks flying between them that totally throws the notion that a ghost can't have a romantic life out the window!
Chris brings us yet another incredible mystery packed with all the goodness of a paranormal read! It has shocks and thrills, throw in some humor and action and you have the makings of yet another great read! I can't wait to read the next one and see what else will be in store for Jensen in this series!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Another One Bites the Dust continues the story of Jensen Murphy, not-so-recently deceased, but yet a budding new ghost who has taken to crime-solving! Chris Marie Green brings us yet another delightful mystery that is packed with all the juicy goodness one expects from a mystery...crime, murder, and of course a ghost or two!
I couldn't quite remember everything from the first book, but for the most part, these mysteries seem to stand on their own. We have returning characters from the first book, which kind of played a part in my memory lapse, but we do get brief recaps from Jensen as she moves us along in her story.
In this one we have a brand new "mystery" yet there's no real who-dun-it kind of crime, yet. A young woman, Heidi comes to Amanda Lee asking for help. Her best friend, Nichelle, is in a bad relationship and she believes the man, Tim, will do her serious harm. Yet Nichelle won't leave him. Jensen is to use her abilities to read people as a ghost and see if Tim is a threat or not and if so, to find a way to get Nichelle to see that and get away from him.
And naturally, Tim is quite the character. It reminded me a lot of nearly anyway movie or TV episode where you deal with a psychopath. He's logical, yet freaking scary as crap and has a past riddled with evidence to his behavior and a childhood that led to said behavior. A real scary dude who's obsessed with his girlfriend and pretty much other women too. So yeah, a real winner. All the while, Jensen and Amanda Lee still try to figure out who killed Jensen. Essentially there are two "cases" being worked.
I really enjoyed this one! It packs a good punch in the mystery genre. The mystery itself is coupled with psychological themes and naturally, paranormal ones too! The continuance of Jensen adapting to her life as a "realized" ghost instead of being stuck in a time warp, and her interactions with other ghosts is pretty enjoyable. The other ghosts all have their own personalities coming from different time periods, they're a riot when all together!
There's still the matter of the dark spirit that's lurking about and we do get answers to who and what that is! There's still a bit of mystery about it though, and I think that will get more page time in the next book! Hopefully at least!
And then there's the mystery of the Fake Dean still. Not so much mystery, but as in his character. Who he is as well. What does he really look like. What's his deal with wanting to collect Jensen? There's some sparks flying between them that totally throws the notion that a ghost can't have a romantic life out the window!
Chris brings us yet another incredible mystery packed with all the goodness of a paranormal read! It has shocks and thrills, throw in some humor and action and you have the makings of yet another great read! I can't wait to read the next one and see what else will be in store for Jensen in this series!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
February 10, 2025
2 1/2 stars. I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. I think there are too many things going on and it makes it hard for things to jell.
January 25, 2018
This beach read ghost tale was another paranormal adventure experienced by Jensen Murphy, a young woman who was murdered and now hangs around a psychic named Amanda Lee. Jensen can go where only ghosts can go in order to help Amanda solve problems for her clients. Jensen is also looking for answers regarding her own death which is a mystery that is slowly unfolding as the books continue. The first book in the series, "Only the Good Die Young" must be read to fully understand the characters and story line of this book.
September 18, 2019
I don't even know what to say about this. I honestly enjoyed the first book and this one seemed to hint that any books from this point on would be on a serious downslide.
I read this for a fun smart mystery/ghost story that seemed to be building up to a bigger plot and world (ya know like the first book)...
What I got was a spectral fingerbang.
I read this for a fun smart mystery/ghost story that seemed to be building up to a bigger plot and world (ya know like the first book)...
What I got was a spectral fingerbang.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2017
3.5 still had some issues. Overall it's good.
December 1, 2014
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Jensen Murphy is back at work on another case in Another One Bites the Dust. Instead of working a murder mystery like the first book, Jensen’s newest case involves a potential for domestic violence. Wendy Edgett’s online friend Heidi believes that her friend Nichelle’s boyfriend, Tim is one spark from exploding. Tim is so possessive and controlling to the point that Heidi thinks Nichelle’s life is in danger. Heidi has done everything she could yet Nichelle confuses possessiveness as love; so Heidi last efforts brings her to seek assistance from Amanda Lee and Jensen.
Since Tim’s case is pretty straight forward, it’s obviously not as interesting since there’s nothing much to solve there but Jensen’s case is explored deeper in this latest installment. Amanda and Jensen not only digs into Tim’s background but also into his mind using Jensen’s ghostly abilities. And what they find in his head and files all point to a seriously disturb and violent young man. And Amanda finally keeps her promise to Jensen and is actively looking into her death. Along with Jensen, readers learn of new evidences about the night Jensen was murder, and talk to those there that night in the Elfin Woods. Jensen also started remembering more of the bits and pieces of that night, which is as horrible as you can imagine. But every clue the duo discovers puts them one step closer to finding out who killer is.
Jensen has definitely grown in the short time since she was pulled from her time loop. She’s gotten the gist of being a ghost and everything that comes with it. Green expands on the ghost abilities with Jensen being able to create hallucinations that evokes a specific emotion she wants the person to feel…and in Tim’s case, who is always full of rage…a little tranquility does the trick however temporarily. And she’s kind of like a mind reader and lie detector. Jensen is able to see into people’s mind and read/see their thoughts as they’re thinking, which was how she was able to learn if people were telling the truth about her case. I really enjoyed discovering more of Boo World; what the ghosts are capable of and what happens after ghosts are called away by their wranglers (reaper). Green did a great job in building her ghost world and spinning a new take on any stereotypes or preconceived notions we might have about ghosts. Because I for one, will not look at ghosts the same way after reading this series.
I pretty much liked everything about this book, except for the romance part. For some reason, I just can’t get on board with it. You’d think with the plethora of supernaturals: vampires, faeries, and werewolves dominating fantasies and with a romance subplot…that this would be another of the same thing, except it inst. I just cannot picture a ghost in a relationship (I have an issue with Zombies too). Jensen has the hots for Gavin Edgett, whom readers met in the first book and was a murder suspect. And the thing is, I think Gavin is obsessed about Jensen too…he draws pictures of Jensen and stalks her by investigating her murder and contacting her old best friend from high school. While they’re not in a relationship, just seeing Jensen drool over Gavin and Gavin obsessing over Jensen’s case is just odd. Then there’s Fake Dean who wants Jensen, to own her because she amuses him (but obviously he has an ulterior motive). He is disguised as her high school boyfriend, and I swear he’s always trying to seduce her or something. Again, I just can’t see it and therefore it’s not believable. There were moments that I just wanted to skip over all these scenes…but then that would be a big chunk of the book.
All in all, Another One Bites the Dust was a good installment in the Jensen Murphy series. I hope we get more details about Jensen’s case in the next book, solving it would be even better! If you like ghosts, and a little mystery and suspense, then I recommend checking this series out. The books can be read as a standalone, but like all series to get full understanding on the background/characters, start with the first book, Only the Good Die Young.
Jensen Murphy is back at work on another case in Another One Bites the Dust. Instead of working a murder mystery like the first book, Jensen’s newest case involves a potential for domestic violence. Wendy Edgett’s online friend Heidi believes that her friend Nichelle’s boyfriend, Tim is one spark from exploding. Tim is so possessive and controlling to the point that Heidi thinks Nichelle’s life is in danger. Heidi has done everything she could yet Nichelle confuses possessiveness as love; so Heidi last efforts brings her to seek assistance from Amanda Lee and Jensen.
Since Tim’s case is pretty straight forward, it’s obviously not as interesting since there’s nothing much to solve there but Jensen’s case is explored deeper in this latest installment. Amanda and Jensen not only digs into Tim’s background but also into his mind using Jensen’s ghostly abilities. And what they find in his head and files all point to a seriously disturb and violent young man. And Amanda finally keeps her promise to Jensen and is actively looking into her death. Along with Jensen, readers learn of new evidences about the night Jensen was murder, and talk to those there that night in the Elfin Woods. Jensen also started remembering more of the bits and pieces of that night, which is as horrible as you can imagine. But every clue the duo discovers puts them one step closer to finding out who killer is.
Jensen has definitely grown in the short time since she was pulled from her time loop. She’s gotten the gist of being a ghost and everything that comes with it. Green expands on the ghost abilities with Jensen being able to create hallucinations that evokes a specific emotion she wants the person to feel…and in Tim’s case, who is always full of rage…a little tranquility does the trick however temporarily. And she’s kind of like a mind reader and lie detector. Jensen is able to see into people’s mind and read/see their thoughts as they’re thinking, which was how she was able to learn if people were telling the truth about her case. I really enjoyed discovering more of Boo World; what the ghosts are capable of and what happens after ghosts are called away by their wranglers (reaper). Green did a great job in building her ghost world and spinning a new take on any stereotypes or preconceived notions we might have about ghosts. Because I for one, will not look at ghosts the same way after reading this series.
I pretty much liked everything about this book, except for the romance part. For some reason, I just can’t get on board with it. You’d think with the plethora of supernaturals: vampires, faeries, and werewolves dominating fantasies and with a romance subplot…that this would be another of the same thing, except it inst. I just cannot picture a ghost in a relationship (I have an issue with Zombies too). Jensen has the hots for Gavin Edgett, whom readers met in the first book and was a murder suspect. And the thing is, I think Gavin is obsessed about Jensen too…he draws pictures of Jensen and stalks her by investigating her murder and contacting her old best friend from high school. While they’re not in a relationship, just seeing Jensen drool over Gavin and Gavin obsessing over Jensen’s case is just odd. Then there’s Fake Dean who wants Jensen, to own her because she amuses him (but obviously he has an ulterior motive). He is disguised as her high school boyfriend, and I swear he’s always trying to seduce her or something. Again, I just can’t see it and therefore it’s not believable. There were moments that I just wanted to skip over all these scenes…but then that would be a big chunk of the book.
All in all, Another One Bites the Dust was a good installment in the Jensen Murphy series. I hope we get more details about Jensen’s case in the next book, solving it would be even better! If you like ghosts, and a little mystery and suspense, then I recommend checking this series out. The books can be read as a standalone, but like all series to get full understanding on the background/characters, start with the first book, Only the Good Die Young.
April 6, 2015
Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Another One Bites the Dust is the second book in the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire series by author Chris Marie Green and picks up a few weeks after the events in the first book. Both Jensen and Amanda Lee agree to help Heidi Schmidt who's afraid her best friend Nichelle Shaw is in danger of being seriously hurt by her live-in boyfriend Tim Knudson. While the case appears simple enough in the beginning, it evolves into something nightmarish the more time they observe Tim and enter his thoughts and dreams.
Jensen is also still concerned by the dark spirit that's now lingering around, believing that it belongs to the late father of Gavin and Wendy Edgett. While Wendy begins to open herself up to Jensen, Gavin is still very apprehensive and is torn between seeing Jensen as a beautiful spirit and envisioning her as a vengeful she-bitch. Wendy's ability to see and communicate with ghosts makes her an asset, even if it will be limited to gathering more information on fake Dean, the entity that has a personal and special interest in Jensen.
It doesn't help that Gavin and Jensen appear to now have an inexplicable connection and that she's developed a supernatural crush on him, but now she learns he's been in contact with Jensen's best friend Suze and that there may be an attraction brewing between the two of them, much to the amusement of fake Dean, who makes Jensen wants to both push him away and pull him closer. He wants her to be his but Jensen is holding off, not ready to be one of his "stars", but still becoming increasingly attracted to him.
This was a great sequel to Only the Good Die Young and one that I enjoyed immensely. More light is shone on Jensen's murder and while Jensen is still very much reliant on Amanda Lee for a lot of things, she's also beginning to see herself as becoming an independent figure in the future. There's a strange love square of sorts forming: fake Dean + Jensen + Gavin + Suze. The revelation regarding the dark spirit definitely amps things up for the third book. Another One Bites the Dust took it up a notch and I'm giving it 4.5 stars. ♥
Another One Bites the Dust is the second book in the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire series by author Chris Marie Green and picks up a few weeks after the events in the first book. Both Jensen and Amanda Lee agree to help Heidi Schmidt who's afraid her best friend Nichelle Shaw is in danger of being seriously hurt by her live-in boyfriend Tim Knudson. While the case appears simple enough in the beginning, it evolves into something nightmarish the more time they observe Tim and enter his thoughts and dreams.
Jensen is also still concerned by the dark spirit that's now lingering around, believing that it belongs to the late father of Gavin and Wendy Edgett. While Wendy begins to open herself up to Jensen, Gavin is still very apprehensive and is torn between seeing Jensen as a beautiful spirit and envisioning her as a vengeful she-bitch. Wendy's ability to see and communicate with ghosts makes her an asset, even if it will be limited to gathering more information on fake Dean, the entity that has a personal and special interest in Jensen.
It doesn't help that Gavin and Jensen appear to now have an inexplicable connection and that she's developed a supernatural crush on him, but now she learns he's been in contact with Jensen's best friend Suze and that there may be an attraction brewing between the two of them, much to the amusement of fake Dean, who makes Jensen wants to both push him away and pull him closer. He wants her to be his but Jensen is holding off, not ready to be one of his "stars", but still becoming increasingly attracted to him.
This was a great sequel to Only the Good Die Young and one that I enjoyed immensely. More light is shone on Jensen's murder and while Jensen is still very much reliant on Amanda Lee for a lot of things, she's also beginning to see herself as becoming an independent figure in the future. There's a strange love square of sorts forming: fake Dean + Jensen + Gavin + Suze. The revelation regarding the dark spirit definitely amps things up for the third book. Another One Bites the Dust took it up a notch and I'm giving it 4.5 stars. ♥
October 15, 2014
Another One Bites the Dust is the second book in the Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire series. This is a series with a continuing theme but each one has one particular 'problem' or mystery they are dealing with. So you don't have to read them in order but to fully understand everything you definitely should.
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of books with ghosts, but I'm a chicken. Ghosts don't scare me, but other things definitely do. This book seemed like it was creepier than the first. Jensen is remembering more about her murder and gets more details and I'll tell you what, it's anyone's worst nightmare. It's absolutely horrific. There's also some other things that notch this up in the creep factor but I can't spill that to you. I will say that even though I'm a total chicken, I devoured this book and much of it was at night. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. So keep that in mind. It's definitely not all creepy, it's more like brief moments of it.
Jensen is awesome. She's learning more about being a ghost and standing on her own and not depending on Amanda Lee, the woman who helped her out of the time loop she was in for 30 years. Jensen is also a really good friend to the other ghosts she's gotten to know and I love that they've sort of created their own family and banded together to watch and protect the living humans they have gotten attached to.
The central story in this book is about a guy who seems like he's about to go off the deep end. His girlfriends friend thinks that he might hurt her and she (his girlfriend) is oblivious. So Jensen and the other ghosts start watching him to see what's going on in his head. This portion of the plot was interesting, I wanted to know more quickly. But I really wanted more answers about Jensen's death. In the end we get quite a bit, but not everything. And I'll definitely be eager to get my hands on book 3 to find out more.
Unique, suspenseful and creepy. This is one series you don't want to miss out on!
This review will also be posted on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com closer to the release.
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of books with ghosts, but I'm a chicken. Ghosts don't scare me, but other things definitely do. This book seemed like it was creepier than the first. Jensen is remembering more about her murder and gets more details and I'll tell you what, it's anyone's worst nightmare. It's absolutely horrific. There's also some other things that notch this up in the creep factor but I can't spill that to you. I will say that even though I'm a total chicken, I devoured this book and much of it was at night. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. So keep that in mind. It's definitely not all creepy, it's more like brief moments of it.
Jensen is awesome. She's learning more about being a ghost and standing on her own and not depending on Amanda Lee, the woman who helped her out of the time loop she was in for 30 years. Jensen is also a really good friend to the other ghosts she's gotten to know and I love that they've sort of created their own family and banded together to watch and protect the living humans they have gotten attached to.
The central story in this book is about a guy who seems like he's about to go off the deep end. His girlfriends friend thinks that he might hurt her and she (his girlfriend) is oblivious. So Jensen and the other ghosts start watching him to see what's going on in his head. This portion of the plot was interesting, I wanted to know more quickly. But I really wanted more answers about Jensen's death. In the end we get quite a bit, but not everything. And I'll definitely be eager to get my hands on book 3 to find out more.
Unique, suspenseful and creepy. This is one series you don't want to miss out on!
This review will also be posted on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com closer to the release.
December 30, 2014
Normally when I read a book, I have very distinct feelings about it. It seems pretty black & white, reading a book - right? You either like it or you don't. This book, I still can't tell exactly how I feel about it. There were elements that were good, things that I enjoyed about it - like the whole eighties thing. Being a child of the eighties, I really liked the idea thatmain charachter, a ghost named Jensen, was from this era. I was looking forward to the vernacular but unfortunately, this is one of the things that fell flat for me. I truly loved the motivating force behind this series - a ghost that hasn't left this plane helping bring other people's killers to justice. And I still have high hopes for it as a series. This is the second book and I feel like I'm still waiting for something...I'm just not sure what. I like Jensen, I enjoy all of the secondary ghostie characters, I am suitably creeped out by the dark spirit and the other villains have been well plotted. I guess I'm just having issues with Amanda Lee, Gavin, and fake Dean. I don't know how to feel about them. At all. I'm not even sure what the heck fake Dean even is - and that is not only unsettling for me but it detracts from my delight in the storyline since I can't be sure who all I need to root for. Maybe more of this will be cleared up in the next book so I'm definitely looking forward to reading it - if for no other reason than to clarify a few things for me & just make me feel a little better. Maybe then, I'll be able to figure out if I really like this series or...not? *Scratching my head in confusion.*
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
April 23, 2015
Jensen Murphy is a ghost. She was murdered back in the 80s while attending a party in a local forest. Her body has not been found, but she is back (sort of) and ready to find her murderer. She has support in this from the psychic who rescued her from an endless loop reliving her final moments, and from other ghosts who have become her friends. I love the ghost cohort. They are terrific characters and I have really come to adore them. They are from different decades and backgrounds, and are all very unique.
The story is set in the San Diego area, although the setting was vaguely drawn and could have been set elsewhere. I would say this book is more plot driven and character driven than affected by setting. Not really an issue although I would not have minded learning a bit more about San Diego.
Another One Bites the Dust is basically a mystery with ghosts. This one focused on a case of domestic abuse and the efforts of everyone to save the victim from her sociopathic boyfriend. It all came to a satisfactory conclusion and I really enjoyed the story. Jensen is not done, however, with finding the dark spirit who killed her three decades ago, and there is at least one more book for her to figure it all out in. Whew. :)
The story is set in the San Diego area, although the setting was vaguely drawn and could have been set elsewhere. I would say this book is more plot driven and character driven than affected by setting. Not really an issue although I would not have minded learning a bit more about San Diego.
Another One Bites the Dust is basically a mystery with ghosts. This one focused on a case of domestic abuse and the efforts of everyone to save the victim from her sociopathic boyfriend. It all came to a satisfactory conclusion and I really enjoyed the story. Jensen is not done, however, with finding the dark spirit who killed her three decades ago, and there is at least one more book for her to figure it all out in. Whew. :)
November 6, 2014
Another One Bites the Dust (Book 2 in the Jensen Murphy, Ghost For Hire series) by Chris Marie Green
***Review Copy from author***
We follow Jensen on her second detective assignment. Here she helps a Heidi find out if her best friend Nichell's boyfriend Tom is abusive. Jensen has help from her ghost friends do this. Seems some of the ghosts in BOO WORLD are a little bored and want some of the excitement that Jensen had in her first case.
Wendy and her brother Gavin from the first book (Only the Good Die Young), are also in this story.
Will Jensen and her friends be able to help Heidi?
Will Wendy & Gavin forgive Jensen?
Does Jensen find out more about the person who murdered her?
You will want to read this story for answers to these questions and more.
I found this story a great read. It can be read alone but you will want to read the first book to meet and understand the story better. Great job Chris. Can not wait to see what is in store with Jensen and her friends.
***Review Copy from author***
We follow Jensen on her second detective assignment. Here she helps a Heidi find out if her best friend Nichell's boyfriend Tom is abusive. Jensen has help from her ghost friends do this. Seems some of the ghosts in BOO WORLD are a little bored and want some of the excitement that Jensen had in her first case.
Wendy and her brother Gavin from the first book (Only the Good Die Young), are also in this story.
Will Jensen and her friends be able to help Heidi?
Will Wendy & Gavin forgive Jensen?
Does Jensen find out more about the person who murdered her?
You will want to read this story for answers to these questions and more.
I found this story a great read. It can be read alone but you will want to read the first book to meet and understand the story better. Great job Chris. Can not wait to see what is in store with Jensen and her friends.
February 15, 2015
*Genre* Urban Fantasy, Ghosts
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Another One Bites the Dust is the second installment in Chris Marie Green's Jensen Murphy, Ghost For Hire series. 30 years ago, 23-year old Jensen Murphy was murdered in the North Country's Elfin Woods while partying with her friends. Her death has never been solved and the police closed her case. Because Jensen's death was so traumatic, she was stuck in a time loop that forced her to re-live her death over and over again. Psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled Jensen out of that loop, and promised that she would help Jensen find out who her killed her.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: November 4th 2014 by Roc
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Another One Bites the Dust is the second installment in Chris Marie Green's Jensen Murphy, Ghost For Hire series. 30 years ago, 23-year old Jensen Murphy was murdered in the North Country's Elfin Woods while partying with her friends. Her death has never been solved and the police closed her case. Because Jensen's death was so traumatic, she was stuck in a time loop that forced her to re-live her death over and over again. Psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled Jensen out of that loop, and promised that she would help Jensen find out who her killed her.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: November 4th 2014 by Roc
October 10, 2014
This was a great book. I haven't gotten around to reading the first one yet so it made the overall experience a bit different. The good part is, this book was it's own story, but also went back often to parts from the first book. The advantage to this is that you weren't lost throughout this story, but also got some of the history from the first book. I would recommend this series to any one who likes urban fantasy. It's not a thriller or a romance, so if that's what you like to read, this more than likely will not hold your attention. It is well written and judging by past books by this author, they will continue to improve in writing style as the series goes on.
Disclaimer: Advanced copy provided by author for review
Disclaimer: Advanced copy provided by author for review
December 7, 2014
Excellent sequel to Only the Good Die Young. Jensen searches deeper into her murder while helping a friend of Wendy's investigate a potential domestic violence case. In the meantime, the dark spirit has returned and is after Wendy. Jensen must make amends with Gavin in order to protect them from it. Fake Dean reappears and tries to seduce Jensen into going with him again, but then seems to change his mind and shows her an abandoned house near her death spot that she can haunt for her very own. As Jensen learns more about her new existence and about her abilities she finds herself getting more and more embroiled in the lives of the living. This is shaping up to be a super series. I can't wait to find out where Jensen will go next!
October 29, 2014
I was lucky enough to have won an advanced readers copy from the author. But before I got a chance to read it my daughter grabbed it and I just now got to read it.
This is the second in this series but can be read standalone. Jensen has grown as an entity and as a person. She is growing stronger as a ghost and has once again been brought into an investigation by Amanda Lee. For all that this is a ghost story there are some really deep issues addressed to get you thinking. The secondary characters are truly wonderful. This is not in your face scary but does have some truly freaky moments. So lock the doors, brew a cup and delve into this wonderful book.
This is the second in this series but can be read standalone. Jensen has grown as an entity and as a person. She is growing stronger as a ghost and has once again been brought into an investigation by Amanda Lee. For all that this is a ghost story there are some really deep issues addressed to get you thinking. The secondary characters are truly wonderful. This is not in your face scary but does have some truly freaky moments. So lock the doors, brew a cup and delve into this wonderful book.
September 2, 2015
Jensen is still our ghost about town. She has decided to help Amanda Lee help others by investigating people on the down low. When a young woman comes to Amanda Lee and asks that they investigate her friend's boyfriend they agree. Is he a danger or just a creep?
I love these books. This second book was just as good as the first. I like Jensen and her ghostly friends. In this one we also meet Ruben, a PI friend of Amanda Lee's. He is not hip to the ghost part but he respects Amanda Lee's intuition. There is action but you also get to know the characters. The Boo world is very well defined and interesting. On to the next book!
I love these books. This second book was just as good as the first. I like Jensen and her ghostly friends. In this one we also meet Ruben, a PI friend of Amanda Lee's. He is not hip to the ghost part but he respects Amanda Lee's intuition. There is action but you also get to know the characters. The Boo world is very well defined and interesting. On to the next book!
May 11, 2015
This book was just okay. There wasn't much of a mystery to it at all. We knew the guilty party right away. We did learn more about the night Jensen died. Fake Dean is kinda weird. I'm not sure what he is up to. I can't wait to learn the full truth about Jensen's killer and death.
April 9, 2015
I love this series.....
January 7, 2015
Better than the first, but the book still meanders.
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