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Messenger #2
Dead on Delivery
There are two men who have bitten the dust after a delivery from Messenger Melina Markowitz. As she tries to put together the pieces of this puzzle, she discovers that the two victims share common friends, common unexplained absences, and a common crime. Now, dark forces from the local community have been unleashed, drawing Melina into the web of a powerful woman, her voodoo, and her vengeance…
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 2, 2011
*3.5 Stars*
I just finished the first book in this series, Don’t Kill the Messenger, right before starting this book. I really, really enjoyed that one, although I had some minor issues with it. One of my big problems was with the heroine’s boyfriend, Ted.
Have you ever taken a dislike to a character and just cannot stand whenever they’re on scene? I have. I (tragically) did it here. I disliked Ted in the first book, but he had way less page time there, so he didn’t impact my overall enjoyment much. Here he was everywhere. I gritted my teeth over the fact that Melina felt the need to eat with him every night and have him sleep over all the time. Gah! Just go away! Yes, I realize that I sound irrational. Don’t I want my heroines and heroes to spend time together? Don’t I like that there’s no love triangle here? Just ignore those questions. There’s clearly no call to bring logic or past preferences into this.
Every scene with Ted in it was torture for me to read. He is so boring! The fact that Melina bills and coos with him 24/7 is starting to tar her with the same feather as well. When I wasn’t grinding my teeth over his irritating presence I was tensely waiting for him to show back up and irritate me again. Do you see how irrational that is? Do you??? I know it is! I just couldn’t stop it.
It’s not even like the guy is a jerk or anything. He’s just boring. And perfect. It’s like the author took every white knight trait in the world and rolled it into one guy. He is never less than supportive and never really gets mad at the heroine, even when he finds out that she lied to him. He is bland and has no depth. He’s like the Mary Sue of boyfriends and I can’t stand reading about him.
On a more positive note, the side characters are even more interesting than in the first book. They actually stole the show for me. I frequently found myself impatient to get back to them and actually cursed when I got to the last page and realized I wasn’t going to get more info on Paul and Meredith’s tempestuous attraction.
I still felt that they could have done with some fleshing out, but the bits we did get about them were very interesting. I liked that we got to see the slightly sinister way a vampire expresses his affection. I really appreciated the acknowledgement that it was not normal. I was sad to have it confirmed that Ted’s not going to conveniently die and be replaced, but I was able to magnanimously move past it and still enjoy the book. :P
The mundane aspect of the book that I enjoyed so much in the first book was still present. It felt a little bogged down and slow at times, but I honestly can’t tell if that was because I was bored by Ted or because it really was slow. I really don’t think that everyone will have a problem with Ted. And I think that if you don’t then you will enjoy huge chunks of this book more than I did. Ted just seemed to bring my book high down so it was hard to tell what was a valid complaint for an unbiased reader and what was just me being picky because I was already irritated.
Melina is still dealing with the loss she suffered in the last book and it has made her a much less patient person. She’s stressed and worried and kind of irritating sometimes. She seemed to take forever to connect the dots on some things and I don’t know whether it was an aspect of her overworked grief funk or if she was just being dumb. I’m willing to cut her some slack because of the events of the last book, but I hope it’s not a trait we’re going to see repeated again in the next book.
The humor in this book was still on point for me, although it was definitely less prevalent than I saw in the first book. Maybe it’s a sign of Melina’s mellowing?
I actually found myself quite surprised by the twist the mystery took. I thought I had it all figured out—and I did, but only to a point. Kudos to the author for that. I love when a book surprises me like that! The actual climax that followed later made me roll my eyes though. I am not a fan of group hug, hokey, kumbaya style resolutions like that. It really didn’t feel natural for the characters I’ve known to date. I know what the author was trying to do with it, but I felt it was pretty clumsy.
Before I end the review I have to mention the police chief that Melina kept encountering. Those meets cracked me up! Especially the one where Chief Murdock talked to Melina about the crows. Hilarious! That was really one of my favorite parts of the book.
Favorite Quote:
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
I just finished the first book in this series, Don’t Kill the Messenger, right before starting this book. I really, really enjoyed that one, although I had some minor issues with it. One of my big problems was with the heroine’s boyfriend, Ted.
Have you ever taken a dislike to a character and just cannot stand whenever they’re on scene? I have. I (tragically) did it here. I disliked Ted in the first book, but he had way less page time there, so he didn’t impact my overall enjoyment much. Here he was everywhere. I gritted my teeth over the fact that Melina felt the need to eat with him every night and have him sleep over all the time. Gah! Just go away! Yes, I realize that I sound irrational. Don’t I want my heroines and heroes to spend time together? Don’t I like that there’s no love triangle here? Just ignore those questions. There’s clearly no call to bring logic or past preferences into this.
Every scene with Ted in it was torture for me to read. He is so boring! The fact that Melina bills and coos with him 24/7 is starting to tar her with the same feather as well. When I wasn’t grinding my teeth over his irritating presence I was tensely waiting for him to show back up and irritate me again. Do you see how irrational that is? Do you??? I know it is! I just couldn’t stop it.
It’s not even like the guy is a jerk or anything. He’s just boring. And perfect. It’s like the author took every white knight trait in the world and rolled it into one guy. He is never less than supportive and never really gets mad at the heroine, even when he finds out that she lied to him. He is bland and has no depth. He’s like the Mary Sue of boyfriends and I can’t stand reading about him.
On a more positive note, the side characters are even more interesting than in the first book. They actually stole the show for me. I frequently found myself impatient to get back to them and actually cursed when I got to the last page and realized I wasn’t going to get more info on Paul and Meredith’s tempestuous attraction.
I still felt that they could have done with some fleshing out, but the bits we did get about them were very interesting. I liked that we got to see the slightly sinister way a vampire expresses his affection. I really appreciated the acknowledgement that it was not normal. I was sad to have it confirmed that Ted’s not going to conveniently die and be replaced, but I was able to magnanimously move past it and still enjoy the book. :P
The mundane aspect of the book that I enjoyed so much in the first book was still present. It felt a little bogged down and slow at times, but I honestly can’t tell if that was because I was bored by Ted or because it really was slow. I really don’t think that everyone will have a problem with Ted. And I think that if you don’t then you will enjoy huge chunks of this book more than I did. Ted just seemed to bring my book high down so it was hard to tell what was a valid complaint for an unbiased reader and what was just me being picky because I was already irritated.
Melina is still dealing with the loss she suffered in the last book and it has made her a much less patient person. She’s stressed and worried and kind of irritating sometimes. She seemed to take forever to connect the dots on some things and I don’t know whether it was an aspect of her overworked grief funk or if she was just being dumb. I’m willing to cut her some slack because of the events of the last book, but I hope it’s not a trait we’re going to see repeated again in the next book.
The humor in this book was still on point for me, although it was definitely less prevalent than I saw in the first book. Maybe it’s a sign of Melina’s mellowing?
"Are you really sure that all we need is antibiotics?"
He handed me a piece of paper from his prescription pad. "They're very wide spectrum."
"Ha ha. How about something to deal with the demonic poison that's clearly in him?" Ted's head dropped all the way to the counter.
Alex picked up Ted's hand and started taking his pulse. "You mean my special magic salve that sucks evil out of bodies?"
I squirmed. It sounded so stupid when he said it like that. "Yes. That's exactly what I mean."
"It doesn't exist." He didn't even look up from his wristwatch
I actually found myself quite surprised by the twist the mystery took. I thought I had it all figured out—and I did, but only to a point. Kudos to the author for that. I love when a book surprises me like that! The actual climax that followed later made me roll my eyes though. I am not a fan of group hug, hokey, kumbaya style resolutions like that. It really didn’t feel natural for the characters I’ve known to date. I know what the author was trying to do with it, but I felt it was pretty clumsy.
Before I end the review I have to mention the police chief that Melina kept encountering. Those meets cracked me up! Especially the one where Chief Murdock talked to Melina about the crows. Hilarious! That was really one of my favorite parts of the book.
Favorite Quote:
"There wasn't anything here. There was just you with the kendo stick in the corner."
"No big dog with goat hooves?" I turned now to look at Sophie, right in her big hazel eyes.
"No big dog. No goat hooves." She looked me right back in the eyes and answered with no hesitation.
"Just me in the corner with the kendo stick looking like a lunatic in my underwear?" I was beginning to understand the total looks of horror on both their faces.
"Pretty much." Ben bobbed his head.
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
December 19, 2017
I enjoyed the new angle this series is taking on the supernatural. I started with the second book and I look forward to reading the first then moving on with the rest of the series.
January 27, 2018
Such a good read. Different world with magic and creatures so it's very unique. love the main character, sass, flaws, and all. Easy story line to follow.
July 29, 2011
Let me just put it out there that voodoo freaks me out. I'm not sure what it is except that it seems more real for some reason. Which is why I completely love it in my books—it adds to the creepy factor. In this book, it's all about putting the voodoo on someone.
DEAD ON DELIVERY is the second in the Messenger series and the main character, Melina's finally hitting her stride. She's figured out what it is to be a Messenger and how to fit it into her life, she's taken on a young Messenger-in-training, and she's got herself a nice boyfriend. So why can't she just do her job and not stick her nose into things that aren't her concern?
Well, it could be that guys are dropping dead shortly after she gives them a package. And, because she's duty-bound to deliver the packages, she feels duty-bound to figure out what's killing them. It could also be that she's a suspect and she wants to clear her name. Personally, I think she's just nosey and isn't completely satisfied with just dumping a package with someone, especially when bad things happen to them.
Poor Ted, Melina's cop boyfriend. He tries to understand Melina but he really wants to play the manly protector and she frustrates him at every turn by denying him the chance. She keeps him in the dark, despite his best efforts. The connection and interactions between them are…strange. Melina's not good at relationships (this one with Ted is her first adult relationship ever) and seems to be pushing him away. He's hanging in there, putting up with her odd life and strange acquaintances but unless she changes, at least, opens up a bit more and shares both feelings and her life with him, I don't see him sticking around for too much longer. Although, they are pretty hot in the bedroom…Many guys will stay for that. For a little while, anyway.
Melina's a strong character with a ton of flaws, flaws that she's working on. I truly dislike "perfect" characters, the ones who never learn from their mistakes and the ones who can't see when they're totally messing up. Melina's the type who will learn from what goes wrong in her life but she's not so great about asking people for help, which lands her in even more trouble (Don't you love when the author tortures her characters like that? Yep, me, too.).
DEAD ON DELIVERY delivers the action (Sorry, I couldn't help it. Bad puns rock.) and mystery but falls a bit short when it comes to the romance aspect. Not that I was expecting Melina and Ted to go hot and heavy every other page but a bit more romance and relationship development would have been good. Melina's an interesting character with a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing what shows up on Melina's doorstep in the next Messenger installment.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Mary.
DEAD ON DELIVERY is the second in the Messenger series and the main character, Melina's finally hitting her stride. She's figured out what it is to be a Messenger and how to fit it into her life, she's taken on a young Messenger-in-training, and she's got herself a nice boyfriend. So why can't she just do her job and not stick her nose into things that aren't her concern?
Well, it could be that guys are dropping dead shortly after she gives them a package. And, because she's duty-bound to deliver the packages, she feels duty-bound to figure out what's killing them. It could also be that she's a suspect and she wants to clear her name. Personally, I think she's just nosey and isn't completely satisfied with just dumping a package with someone, especially when bad things happen to them.
Poor Ted, Melina's cop boyfriend. He tries to understand Melina but he really wants to play the manly protector and she frustrates him at every turn by denying him the chance. She keeps him in the dark, despite his best efforts. The connection and interactions between them are…strange. Melina's not good at relationships (this one with Ted is her first adult relationship ever) and seems to be pushing him away. He's hanging in there, putting up with her odd life and strange acquaintances but unless she changes, at least, opens up a bit more and shares both feelings and her life with him, I don't see him sticking around for too much longer. Although, they are pretty hot in the bedroom…Many guys will stay for that. For a little while, anyway.
Melina's a strong character with a ton of flaws, flaws that she's working on. I truly dislike "perfect" characters, the ones who never learn from their mistakes and the ones who can't see when they're totally messing up. Melina's the type who will learn from what goes wrong in her life but she's not so great about asking people for help, which lands her in even more trouble (Don't you love when the author tortures her characters like that? Yep, me, too.).
DEAD ON DELIVERY delivers the action (Sorry, I couldn't help it. Bad puns rock.) and mystery but falls a bit short when it comes to the romance aspect. Not that I was expecting Melina and Ted to go hot and heavy every other page but a bit more romance and relationship development would have been good. Melina's an interesting character with a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing what shows up on Melina's doorstep in the next Messenger installment.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Mary.
February 23, 2011
Dead on Delivery by Eileen Rendahl
Paranormal Romances –March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars
Dead on Delivery has an indefinable charm that makes reading this series addictive! It is the second in the Messenger series and can easily be read as a stand alone.
Melina Markowitz has a special gift. After a near death experience changed her life when she was a child. Now she can sense the supernatural. She is also stronger and heals faster. But due to these skills she has the ‘honor’ of being a special delivery person or messenger for the supernaturals. And if she doesn’t do her job there are consequences. But trouble lurks as two young men she has delivered packages to suddenly die. And although she did not kill them she feels responsible. Soon Melina uncovers a plot that involves dangerous witches. She must ask help from her cop boyfriend, Ted Goodnight and the rest of her friends. And Melina will need all the help she can get because it appears that she is to be the newest target.
Melina is the perfect heroine. Sassy and fun but with tough side that takes care of business! This story was exciting as Melina investigates a case that has many twists and turns. Melina also has had a lot of changes in her life and she struggles to come in terms with them. This makes her very relatable and sympathetic character. But not only is the heroine fun to read but I really enjoyed the supporting cast in this series because they all have their own quirkily personalities and care for each other. While Melina might have problems in her life her friends and love life are not a part of them. I liked this because it made the book feel like a warm family. Sometimes books have so much angst and pain it is nice to read a story where characters get along and support each other in crisis. I especially enjoyed the strong and realistic relationship between Ted and Melina. This is perhaps the best part of the story. I loved how they interacted, teasing each other and their conversations were delightful to read. They were a real couple.
This story features great mystery and cool paranormal characters. But the best thing about it are the loving and supportive cast and the indomitable heroine.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romances –March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars
Dead on Delivery has an indefinable charm that makes reading this series addictive! It is the second in the Messenger series and can easily be read as a stand alone.
Melina Markowitz has a special gift. After a near death experience changed her life when she was a child. Now she can sense the supernatural. She is also stronger and heals faster. But due to these skills she has the ‘honor’ of being a special delivery person or messenger for the supernaturals. And if she doesn’t do her job there are consequences. But trouble lurks as two young men she has delivered packages to suddenly die. And although she did not kill them she feels responsible. Soon Melina uncovers a plot that involves dangerous witches. She must ask help from her cop boyfriend, Ted Goodnight and the rest of her friends. And Melina will need all the help she can get because it appears that she is to be the newest target.
Melina is the perfect heroine. Sassy and fun but with tough side that takes care of business! This story was exciting as Melina investigates a case that has many twists and turns. Melina also has had a lot of changes in her life and she struggles to come in terms with them. This makes her very relatable and sympathetic character. But not only is the heroine fun to read but I really enjoyed the supporting cast in this series because they all have their own quirkily personalities and care for each other. While Melina might have problems in her life her friends and love life are not a part of them. I liked this because it made the book feel like a warm family. Sometimes books have so much angst and pain it is nice to read a story where characters get along and support each other in crisis. I especially enjoyed the strong and realistic relationship between Ted and Melina. This is perhaps the best part of the story. I loved how they interacted, teasing each other and their conversations were delightful to read. They were a real couple.
This story features great mystery and cool paranormal characters. But the best thing about it are the loving and supportive cast and the indomitable heroine.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
July 27, 2011
I really enjoyed the first book in this series more than this one. Something about this book fell flat with me. Maybe it was the big bad - I didn't think the big bad was really all that terrible. Melina spent the entire book trying to figure out the big bad, and when the confrontation occurred, I was kind of let down. The whole love can balance out evil thing left me with a very Velveeta aftertaste. I get it - love conquers all - but I thought this was brought about in a fairly cheesy and vanilla way.
I do not like Melina's, the main character's, boyfriend. The author often describes him as a "boy scout." Sorry, I don't want boy scouts in my UF. If he has a dark, secret past, maybe. All the other male character DO have dark pasts, and I enjoy them immensely more than Ted Goodnight. Even his name is cheesy. Ted Goodnight needs to be a heck of a lot grittier to interest me. I thought that the author was going to set up a love triangle after the first book with Ted, Melina and Alex (the dark and sexy vampire), but oh, no. Now, Alex is indescribably drawn to Melina's roommate, Norah, who is scared of all things that go bump in the night. But after the vampire explained to her that he was once made a little less evil by the love of a good woman, Norah IMMEDIATELY took the scary, evil vampire to her room for a night of blood letting and sex. Huh???
The only couple I was really interested in were Meredith the gorgeous witch and Paul the sexy and conflicted werewolf. Pretty standard stuff, but still the most enjoyable.
I don't know if I'm going to continue with this series. There are too many other books out there that have better character development and plots that I am interested in.
I do not like Melina's, the main character's, boyfriend. The author often describes him as a "boy scout." Sorry, I don't want boy scouts in my UF. If he has a dark, secret past, maybe. All the other male character DO have dark pasts, and I enjoy them immensely more than Ted Goodnight. Even his name is cheesy. Ted Goodnight needs to be a heck of a lot grittier to interest me. I thought that the author was going to set up a love triangle after the first book with Ted, Melina and Alex (the dark and sexy vampire), but oh, no. Now, Alex is indescribably drawn to Melina's roommate, Norah, who is scared of all things that go bump in the night. But after the vampire explained to her that he was once made a little less evil by the love of a good woman, Norah IMMEDIATELY took the scary, evil vampire to her room for a night of blood letting and sex. Huh???
The only couple I was really interested in were Meredith the gorgeous witch and Paul the sexy and conflicted werewolf. Pretty standard stuff, but still the most enjoyable.
I don't know if I'm going to continue with this series. There are too many other books out there that have better character development and plots that I am interested in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2015
Second book in a series and this is better than the first, this maybe because as we have already met the characters we can get on with the story.
Melina has delivered two packages in a small town, and now the second recipient is dead which makes Melina feel guilty. Lots of creatures from myth and legend which means potentially some good plots to come.
Melina has delivered two packages in a small town, and now the second recipient is dead which makes Melina feel guilty. Lots of creatures from myth and legend which means potentially some good plots to come.
April 25, 2011
I read this in one day and I must say that I am really into this new series. I liked the first one, but since it was the first one and introducing the set up, I did not want to make a judgement on the series as of yet. Now, I can. READ IT! You won't be sorry.
August 1, 2024
I received this as a "blind date with a book." After I finished it, my primary response was "what did I just read." This may be exaggerated by starting with the second book in the series, but I felt like the author just threw a whole lot of supernatural (called arcane in the book) without any explanation. However, if you just let that and the odd messenger concept go, the mystery was compelling.
June 21, 2021
Just not as interested as I was in the first book
did-not-finish-or-start
July 15, 2021DNS 7/15/2021
February 7, 2012
Dead on Delivery (Messenger # 2) Eileen Rendahl
*Rating* 3.5
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Synopsis*
After delivering two packages to the small town of Elmville, California, Melina learns that both recipients have taken since their own lives in strange circumstances. Afraid that a third person will also end up dead, Melina steps up her investigation into the events surrounding the bizarre deaths, and who is responsible and why.
*Review*
Melina Markowitz has been a messenger for most of her life since she fell into a swimming pool and drowned. After dying for 3-minutes, she now has the ability to seed unnatural things, and sense the supernatural.
She delivers the goods for otherworldly beings like vampires, witches, trolls, warlocks, and werewolves with no questions asked. She has made it a rule to never open the package, or ask what is in side. She has only managed to not deliver a package once, since it has a tendency to have unusual side affects on her.
Her "other" jobs include being owner/operator of River City Karate & Judo and a night clerk for a local hospital where the mysterious and sexy Alexander Bledsoe is a doctor.
Alex just happens to be a 378 year old vampire who has a crush on Melina's roommate Norah and has been stalking her with roses for the past 6 months.
Melina is also mentor to 14 year old Sophie who died in a car accident and now has the same abilities, although newer, that Melina has. Melina even goes as far as giving Sophie her first delivery so that she can learn what her job truly entails.
Melina is in a relationship with the police officer Ted Goodnight after he became involved in the events during Don't Kill The Messenger (Messenger #1). They have raised the level of their relationship to the point where Melina actually feels love for someone for the first time in her life.
Although the story is interesting enough, it's not as good as the first one, in my humble opinion. It's interesting to see Melina's shields drop when she realizes that Norah, Sophie, Alexander, Paul and Meredith are not only her friends who she counts heavily, but they are also her family and they love her for who and she is. She evens ends up with a new "shocking" ability to thwart the villain of this story.
It's highly unusual to see an actual family dynamic in a UF setting but for Melina, it's part of who she is. Melina's parents are still in her life and supportive of her even though they don't have a clue that she's not normal. They are also clueless of what she does for a living, other than run a Dojo, and work at the hospital third shift.
This also appears to be the last novel in the series, which is a shame to see it end like this.
*Rating* 3.5
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Synopsis*
After delivering two packages to the small town of Elmville, California, Melina learns that both recipients have taken since their own lives in strange circumstances. Afraid that a third person will also end up dead, Melina steps up her investigation into the events surrounding the bizarre deaths, and who is responsible and why.
*Review*
Melina Markowitz has been a messenger for most of her life since she fell into a swimming pool and drowned. After dying for 3-minutes, she now has the ability to seed unnatural things, and sense the supernatural.
She delivers the goods for otherworldly beings like vampires, witches, trolls, warlocks, and werewolves with no questions asked. She has made it a rule to never open the package, or ask what is in side. She has only managed to not deliver a package once, since it has a tendency to have unusual side affects on her.
Her "other" jobs include being owner/operator of River City Karate & Judo and a night clerk for a local hospital where the mysterious and sexy Alexander Bledsoe is a doctor.
Alex just happens to be a 378 year old vampire who has a crush on Melina's roommate Norah and has been stalking her with roses for the past 6 months.
Melina is also mentor to 14 year old Sophie who died in a car accident and now has the same abilities, although newer, that Melina has. Melina even goes as far as giving Sophie her first delivery so that she can learn what her job truly entails.
Melina is in a relationship with the police officer Ted Goodnight after he became involved in the events during Don't Kill The Messenger (Messenger #1). They have raised the level of their relationship to the point where Melina actually feels love for someone for the first time in her life.
Although the story is interesting enough, it's not as good as the first one, in my humble opinion. It's interesting to see Melina's shields drop when she realizes that Norah, Sophie, Alexander, Paul and Meredith are not only her friends who she counts heavily, but they are also her family and they love her for who and she is. She evens ends up with a new "shocking" ability to thwart the villain of this story.
It's highly unusual to see an actual family dynamic in a UF setting but for Melina, it's part of who she is. Melina's parents are still in her life and supportive of her even though they don't have a clue that she's not normal. They are also clueless of what she does for a living, other than run a Dojo, and work at the hospital third shift.
This also appears to be the last novel in the series, which is a shame to see it end like this.
September 16, 2013
As seen on Rabidreads.ca:
Dead on Delivery hews close to its protagonist's humanity. Melissa is just barely gifted in the supernatural department. Her talent consists in delivering packages that other supernatural beings want delivered and aside from some unexplained boosted strength and sensory powers that is it.
This experiment, in creating a whole other subclass of supernatural - deemed a Messenger but it could just as well be named after Jason Statham's premiere role, the Transporter - underneath and circulating between witches, werewolves, and vampires, works in that sure it makes sense but then you ask yourself why bother? Can't witches have their supernatural packages delivered by ordinary mail methods or just an owl?
Beyond her soon-to-be liquidated role as Messenger (just as soon as the rest of the supernaturals wisen up to how easy it is to dispatch packages with the USPS), Melissa utilizes sarcasm for every social interaction. This can get old fast. Her roommate, Norah, a New-Age yoga student who is so good it hurts, should be the grating one in this series but through some complex characterization and trauma she steals the show. Her subplot feels more original than the suburban small town investigation Melissa manages to bungle further with each arrival in town.
For certain, Melissa is one of those protagonists who actually makes everything worse before she makes it better (and the making better part can be sufficiently argued against to make it fun). I am a bit of a sucker, as always, for completely non-supernatural events and a nice dinner party about three quarters of the way through effectively sated my fix. The love interest, Ted Goodnight...let's just pause there. Someone I'm not saying the author, Eileen Rendahl, gave up six names into the brainstorming session. As a detective's name perhaps it can be excused. Noir names are often embarrassingly implausible.
Ted, beyond his odd last name, provides much of the reasonable support (just to reinforce gender stereotypes) in this relationship. I guess you can be edgy enough to develop another subclass of supernaturals but you can't throw a wrench in just who is the reasonable one in the relationship. Of course, this may just add further to the humor, the type where we just keep laughing at Melissa for her sad handling of every situation. It's like she never learned how to live on Earth before but then again one could say that about most of us and that just confirms how human she really is and we are.
Dead on Delivery hews close to its protagonist's humanity. Melissa is just barely gifted in the supernatural department. Her talent consists in delivering packages that other supernatural beings want delivered and aside from some unexplained boosted strength and sensory powers that is it.
This experiment, in creating a whole other subclass of supernatural - deemed a Messenger but it could just as well be named after Jason Statham's premiere role, the Transporter - underneath and circulating between witches, werewolves, and vampires, works in that sure it makes sense but then you ask yourself why bother? Can't witches have their supernatural packages delivered by ordinary mail methods or just an owl?
Beyond her soon-to-be liquidated role as Messenger (just as soon as the rest of the supernaturals wisen up to how easy it is to dispatch packages with the USPS), Melissa utilizes sarcasm for every social interaction. This can get old fast. Her roommate, Norah, a New-Age yoga student who is so good it hurts, should be the grating one in this series but through some complex characterization and trauma she steals the show. Her subplot feels more original than the suburban small town investigation Melissa manages to bungle further with each arrival in town.
For certain, Melissa is one of those protagonists who actually makes everything worse before she makes it better (and the making better part can be sufficiently argued against to make it fun). I am a bit of a sucker, as always, for completely non-supernatural events and a nice dinner party about three quarters of the way through effectively sated my fix. The love interest, Ted Goodnight...let's just pause there. Someone I'm not saying the author, Eileen Rendahl, gave up six names into the brainstorming session. As a detective's name perhaps it can be excused. Noir names are often embarrassingly implausible.
Ted, beyond his odd last name, provides much of the reasonable support (just to reinforce gender stereotypes) in this relationship. I guess you can be edgy enough to develop another subclass of supernaturals but you can't throw a wrench in just who is the reasonable one in the relationship. Of course, this may just add further to the humor, the type where we just keep laughing at Melissa for her sad handling of every situation. It's like she never learned how to live on Earth before but then again one could say that about most of us and that just confirms how human she really is and we are.
October 10, 2011
This is the second book in the Messenger series, and I'm hoping it's not the last. The series is fun, set in a world where every sort of supernatural being in literature and myth has the potential to pop up... although Rendahl is wise enough to limit the number that appear at any one time. Too many different types would make it more difficult for readers to suspend their disbelief long enough to immerse themselves in the plot and characters' lives. After all, this is urban fiction set in Sacramento, not in Fairlyland, so it would be hard to believe that ordinary humans could be unaware of the magical creatures around them if there were one on every corner and under every bed.
In this novel, Melina Markowitz is trying to figure out if she unwittingly played a part in the apparent suicide deaths of two young men. After all, days before they died, Melina delivered a package to each. She doesn't believe in coincidence and hates the idea of her special abilities and responsibilities being used to kill. What girl likes to be used, after all? In her search for answers, she encounters dark magic based on fear and hatred. Can she find a way to stop it before more people die?
As if that weren't enough, Melina is also grappling with her new role. The death of her mentor and dear friend Mae (in book one) has left Melina the sole owner and manager of a dojo. Bereft at the loss of her advisor and overwhelmed to have the responsibility of running a business, with all the paperwork and decisions on her shoulders, she also finds herself in the unexpected role of mentor to Sophie, who is a budding Messenger... and a teenager to boot. Can she handle her new life and her changing relationships with the people in her life?
Rendahl intertwines the personal and the professional plotlines seamlessly and makes us care about the outcome for Melina and her friends. I hope book 3 comes out soon. (The publication date should be early 2012, if Rendahl keeps the same time gap this time as between books 1 and 2.) It'll be a blast to find out what mystery Melina's world and life will deliver next.
In this novel, Melina Markowitz is trying to figure out if she unwittingly played a part in the apparent suicide deaths of two young men. After all, days before they died, Melina delivered a package to each. She doesn't believe in coincidence and hates the idea of her special abilities and responsibilities being used to kill. What girl likes to be used, after all? In her search for answers, she encounters dark magic based on fear and hatred. Can she find a way to stop it before more people die?
As if that weren't enough, Melina is also grappling with her new role. The death of her mentor and dear friend Mae (in book one) has left Melina the sole owner and manager of a dojo. Bereft at the loss of her advisor and overwhelmed to have the responsibility of running a business, with all the paperwork and decisions on her shoulders, she also finds herself in the unexpected role of mentor to Sophie, who is a budding Messenger... and a teenager to boot. Can she handle her new life and her changing relationships with the people in her life?
Rendahl intertwines the personal and the professional plotlines seamlessly and makes us care about the outcome for Melina and her friends. I hope book 3 comes out soon. (The publication date should be early 2012, if Rendahl keeps the same time gap this time as between books 1 and 2.) It'll be a blast to find out what mystery Melina's world and life will deliver next.
June 28, 2013
This is the second in the Messenger series.
As I said in my reviews for books #1 and #3, I read this out of order. This screw-uped my appreciation for the books somewhat. A big part of the series is that Melina does not know much about her powers or even what it truly means to be a messenger. She is learning as she goes. In a lot of books in this genre, the main character starts off weak (but knowing their powers) and can only progress by getting stronger and stronger (so their enemies also have to get stronger). Finally the character becomes so powerful, they no longer even resemble themselves from the earlier books. Melina on the other hand is going through an arc of learning her powers and more about herself as well. Hopefully this will mean she can continue to grow while staying true to the character she started as in the first books.
Melina is still dealing with the death of her mentor and its reprecussions. So when people start dying after she makes a delivery to them, she isn't sure to whom she should turn to for help. Never having been someone to rely to much on others, Melina reluctantly turns to her friends for help. The deeper Melina becomes enmeshed into the mystery, the more she has to get help. Can a loner really turn over that much control though?
While I am coming to appreciate the arc that melina seems to be following throughout the series, it still seems to be random at times. The development of the secondary characters is coming along quite nicely. This is going to be one of those series where the meta-story that carries over from book to book is almost more interesting than the individual story. Just like a favorite TV show, this series will keep drawing you back each volume.
As I said in my reviews for books #1 and #3, I read this out of order. This screw-uped my appreciation for the books somewhat. A big part of the series is that Melina does not know much about her powers or even what it truly means to be a messenger. She is learning as she goes. In a lot of books in this genre, the main character starts off weak (but knowing their powers) and can only progress by getting stronger and stronger (so their enemies also have to get stronger). Finally the character becomes so powerful, they no longer even resemble themselves from the earlier books. Melina on the other hand is going through an arc of learning her powers and more about herself as well. Hopefully this will mean she can continue to grow while staying true to the character she started as in the first books.
Melina is still dealing with the death of her mentor and its reprecussions. So when people start dying after she makes a delivery to them, she isn't sure to whom she should turn to for help. Never having been someone to rely to much on others, Melina reluctantly turns to her friends for help. The deeper Melina becomes enmeshed into the mystery, the more she has to get help. Can a loner really turn over that much control though?
While I am coming to appreciate the arc that melina seems to be following throughout the series, it still seems to be random at times. The development of the secondary characters is coming along quite nicely. This is going to be one of those series where the meta-story that carries over from book to book is almost more interesting than the individual story. Just like a favorite TV show, this series will keep drawing you back each volume.
October 19, 2014
I really thought the last book started out slow, this one however didn't. Of course that could be because things were established in the world the book is set in.
Melina pretends to be such a hard ass, but she isn't really. When she realizes that people she delivered packages to died she feels the need to find out why. She also knows something is up with her roommate Norah and gets to the bottom of that, along with helping out her apprentice and lots of other things. She just has a tough exterior, once you breech it, there isn't nothing she won't do for you.
While investigating why people with her packages are dying she falls head first into a bigger issue and she finds a new area she hasn't dealt in much, witches. Of course she has a friend who is a witch she calls on to help, which in turn pulls more of her friends into things.
For some reason Melina has always kept people at arms length, I don't know if she even knows why, but in order to come out ahead this time around she has to let down those barriers. By doing this the final battle was an interesting one, one that was fought without weapons but with feelings. The results change Melina in ways that are going to be interesting to see, as prefaced by the last scene in the book. I wish we would have been able to see the talk in detail.
Melina pretends to be such a hard ass, but she isn't really. When she realizes that people she delivered packages to died she feels the need to find out why. She also knows something is up with her roommate Norah and gets to the bottom of that, along with helping out her apprentice and lots of other things. She just has a tough exterior, once you breech it, there isn't nothing she won't do for you.
While investigating why people with her packages are dying she falls head first into a bigger issue and she finds a new area she hasn't dealt in much, witches. Of course she has a friend who is a witch she calls on to help, which in turn pulls more of her friends into things.
For some reason Melina has always kept people at arms length, I don't know if she even knows why, but in order to come out ahead this time around she has to let down those barriers. By doing this the final battle was an interesting one, one that was fought without weapons but with feelings. The results change Melina in ways that are going to be interesting to see, as prefaced by the last scene in the book. I wish we would have been able to see the talk in detail.
October 5, 2015
There were soo many problems with this book. It was such a disappointment. I had the plot figured out on page 56. Melina couldn't ever put the big red clues together. She couldn't figure out who the villains were even when they outright attacked her face to face. She snuck into a witches house to collect a hair sample for a spell but left her own behind without a second thought. Duh! There were problems with pacing. Monologues interrupted tense moments. There were soo many inconsistencies. Melina and the gang kept driving to a small town hours away. No matter how many cars they took they all came back in one but everyone still had their own vehicles. Melina kept having to park blocks or even miles away so the cops wouldn't see her car and detain her again after she was told to stay out of town. One time she walked 10 extra miles to avoid her car being spotted. Why didn't she borrow a car from either of the two women with her? Or any other friend? The few little plot "twists" were just unpleasant. The side plots were unsatisfying. There was also a random attack from a half cadejo which was never tied in. Finally the climax was about LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I had to skim the cheesey thing. Then the disposal of the villain was just soo convenient. The book just left me completely underwhelmed.
March 4, 2011
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This is a series a came across by accident and dont see very many people who know about it. Hopefully people will see this and get on the Eileen Rendahl Messenger series band wagon. Book two DEAD ON DELIVERY picks up where DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER left off. Melina is still delivering packages and is now running the Dojo left to her by her late friend and mentor Mae, enjoying her relationship with her cop boyfriend Ted, her roommate Norah is freaking out after book 1 events and will hardly leave the apartment and her ER vampire Dr friend Alex is acting super weird and creepy.
The story is full of mystery, action, twists and turns. Eileen's characters are well developed and easy to like. They all grow a ton throughout the book. Melina has to really open herself up in DEAD ON DELIVERY and start revealing herself to the people she loves as well as accept that she is loved as well. There is a revelation at the end that I can not wait to find out the reaction of. This series is unique with great plots and Inventive situations that will suck you right in.
This is a series a came across by accident and dont see very many people who know about it. Hopefully people will see this and get on the Eileen Rendahl Messenger series band wagon. Book two DEAD ON DELIVERY picks up where DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER left off. Melina is still delivering packages and is now running the Dojo left to her by her late friend and mentor Mae, enjoying her relationship with her cop boyfriend Ted, her roommate Norah is freaking out after book 1 events and will hardly leave the apartment and her ER vampire Dr friend Alex is acting super weird and creepy.
The story is full of mystery, action, twists and turns. Eileen's characters are well developed and easy to like. They all grow a ton throughout the book. Melina has to really open herself up in DEAD ON DELIVERY and start revealing herself to the people she loves as well as accept that she is loved as well. There is a revelation at the end that I can not wait to find out the reaction of. This series is unique with great plots and Inventive situations that will suck you right in.
June 13, 2011
Errr. Good story but the character building went awry. It still is a good read but it got quite frustrating. It feels like our girl is stretched too thin. I don't know... I need to read the next book...
In this book our girl deals with her new situation. No more mentor, new mentee, new business, new boyfriend, weird roomie, nutso vamp, and mysterious town. It's a good story but it just felt like too many things are happening leaving things shallow...
I like Eileen Rendahl's writing. Pretty snarky :) however it sort of toned down in this book. :( There were a couple of lines in the book that made me laugh out loud and they didn't have anything to do with the story. :) Good on ER. :)
In this book our girl deals with her new situation. No more mentor, new mentee, new business, new boyfriend, weird roomie, nutso vamp, and mysterious town. It's a good story but it just felt like too many things are happening leaving things shallow...
I like Eileen Rendahl's writing. Pretty snarky :) however it sort of toned down in this book. :( There were a couple of lines in the book that made me laugh out loud and they didn't have anything to do with the story. :) Good on ER. :)
August 12, 2013
Another series to add to my favorites even though it didn't have the 5 star rating.
I love Melina's spunk. She is quick to defend her friends, but doesn't take betrayal well. I also like how her friends stick with her, even the more otherworldly ones. :-)
Ted is awesome and takes everything in stride. Definitely a strong one to handle Melina, which she needs.
I found that Melina did a lot of growing in this book and by then end comes to realize just how lucky she is to have made the friends she has. I think they will serve her well in future books.
I did struggle with Melina's inability to talk to her friends only relying on herself even when things get bad for her. I'm hoping that with the ending, Melina now understands that her friends are her support and deserve her trust and honesty.
It will be fun to see where the story goes from here. I'm looking forward to beginning the next book in the series.
I love Melina's spunk. She is quick to defend her friends, but doesn't take betrayal well. I also like how her friends stick with her, even the more otherworldly ones. :-)
Ted is awesome and takes everything in stride. Definitely a strong one to handle Melina, which she needs.
I found that Melina did a lot of growing in this book and by then end comes to realize just how lucky she is to have made the friends she has. I think they will serve her well in future books.
I did struggle with Melina's inability to talk to her friends only relying on herself even when things get bad for her. I'm hoping that with the ending, Melina now understands that her friends are her support and deserve her trust and honesty.
It will be fun to see where the story goes from here. I'm looking forward to beginning the next book in the series.
November 23, 2011
Melina is disturbed when she discovers that the recipients of two of her deliveries have committed suicide. Even more upsetting is that both these men are from the same town and about the same age. She is sure that the little packages she delivered have somehow contributed to their deaths. So, she can't help it, Melina just has to investigate. With the help of her friends she will get to the bottom of this mystery.
This is the second book in the Messenger series. It is just a delightful as the first. Melina is a tough lady with plenty of snark to go around. Her boyfriend, Ted the cop, is just adorable. The fact that he can put up with Melina's stubborness and issues makes him irresistable. In this book, Melina needs to face some hard facts about herself in order to defeat the bad guys. But don't get too soft, Melina. I like that crazy edge you have.
This is the second book in the Messenger series. It is just a delightful as the first. Melina is a tough lady with plenty of snark to go around. Her boyfriend, Ted the cop, is just adorable. The fact that he can put up with Melina's stubborness and issues makes him irresistable. In this book, Melina needs to face some hard facts about herself in order to defeat the bad guys. But don't get too soft, Melina. I like that crazy edge you have.
May 3, 2011
This Book 2 in the series Don't Kill The Messenger, I liked the first book, but this instalment even more, it kept my attention throughout & addresses the much needed fleshing out of supporting characters, with intriguing sub-plots, involving her trainee, witchy friend & mundane flatmate.
More romantic than book one, it still has a dark storyline where two people die after she's delivered parcels to & with her cop boyfriend in the mix she can't help investigating, as she has a horrible feeling she's being used.
Hope in future books the writer expands to include the werewolf packs and more arcane politics and maybe exploits one or two developments mainly the attack, I can't say who.
Lots of character developments and an enjoyable read, bring on BK 3, enjoyed the escapism... 3.5 stars...
More romantic than book one, it still has a dark storyline where two people die after she's delivered parcels to & with her cop boyfriend in the mix she can't help investigating, as she has a horrible feeling she's being used.
Hope in future books the writer expands to include the werewolf packs and more arcane politics and maybe exploits one or two developments mainly the attack, I can't say who.
Lots of character developments and an enjoyable read, bring on BK 3, enjoyed the escapism... 3.5 stars...
April 23, 2011
Dead on Delivery is an unusual tale full of twists, turns, and interesting characters. I love how Ms. Rendahl describes the way others see Melina as this simple “girl” and then goes about giving us a bird’s eye view of what she can really do. The many different characters that are intertwined within this novel helps it become richer and more vibrant as everyone fights for justice for the men who were murdered. Add in the magic, danger, and tainted evil and this is one story you will be happy to pick up and read.
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
October 15, 2012
This series has definitely grown on me. I liked the first book enough to immediately search out the second, but it wasn't really my favorite kind of story. This book drew my interest from the beginning and kept me captivated all the way through. I'm really enjoying the characters and how they interact with each other, though Melina's boyfriend's name does annoy me every time I see it. The one thing that disappointed me was the very last chapter. I wanted to actually see what happened at that point rather than having it left up to the imagination. I truly hope that the next book expands on that final interaction.
Enjoyed this book very much and can't wait for the next.
Enjoyed this book very much and can't wait for the next.
September 21, 2013
Been reading lots of urban fantasy recently and I am so happy to find one with a real boyfriend. Normally there is a trio, with the heroine debating whom to chose. The guys themselves have to be emasculated so the woman is the strong one. Or they are useless support, or they are there to save the day. At the end of the day you just ignore the romance and love the kick-ass woman.
In this case, Ted, though mundane, is not emasculated, a fool, or a brute. I really enjoyed the romantic relationship as well as the driving story of what happens to a Messenger when she doesn't like the note she is delivering.
In this case, Ted, though mundane, is not emasculated, a fool, or a brute. I really enjoyed the romantic relationship as well as the driving story of what happens to a Messenger when she doesn't like the note she is delivering.
March 21, 2014
I didn't end up enjoying this book as much as the first one. It seemed to start lagging a little just after mid-way, would come up for a while, and then lag again. I felt there were several scenes that just didn't need to be there, or went on and on too long, bringing the pace down into lulls. Certainly introducing more family stuff was just completely unnecessary. Referring to moments with her mum, or attitudes would have been enough. Maybe putting some phone conversations in briefly instead of pulling it down with slow boring scenarios.
Anyway, I shall still read the next one.
Anyway, I shall still read the next one.
August 4, 2013
This was good enough paranormal mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. In this book, the author went deeper with all the relationships, whether lover, friend, or family. It was a good decision. I'm still not die-hard about this series, but I liked it more than book one, and I'm interested enough to read book three.
In This one Melina, the paranormal messenger twenty-something, realizes that someone has used her to deliver two death curses, and that drives up the wall! She's determined to figure out what's up, even though it puts her in a murderous witch's crosshairs.
In This one Melina, the paranormal messenger twenty-something, realizes that someone has used her to deliver two death curses, and that drives up the wall! She's determined to figure out what's up, even though it puts her in a murderous witch's crosshairs.
June 28, 2014
3.2 stars. This book ends in a mini cliffhanger but nothing major. It had an interesting storyline and characters but was basically SSDD from the first book. I was hoping that some character development was going to take place but Melina was too busy lying and sneaking around. If you were completely happy with the first one and didn't want more then you should enjoy this book.
While I liked the story and characters I won't be reading more in the series. I needed more development instead I got a rerun.
While I liked the story and characters I won't be reading more in the series. I needed more development instead I got a rerun.
September 9, 2011
You know... I liked this book. It was funny, sassy, a little naughty, a lotta action and just a smidgen of emotion. And all that rolled up into one neat package was pretty nice.
Melina was, as always, kick-ass. Ted... Oh, Ted. You sound hot. Overbearing at times, but hot.
I was kind of drawn to the storyline about Norah and Alex and think they are pretty perfect together (part of me is hoping she writes more about them).
I like. :)
Melina was, as always, kick-ass. Ted... Oh, Ted. You sound hot. Overbearing at times, but hot.
I was kind of drawn to the storyline about Norah and Alex and think they are pretty perfect together (part of me is hoping she writes more about them).
I like. :)
March 8, 2011
I liked this book even better than the first one in the series. Melina is a complex character who really grew and changed throughout the book. The universe is also excellent and there's just enough snark to keep me laughing. I'm awaiting the next book with an anticipation usually reserved for new Dresden Files books.
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