"Being able to talk to ghosts isn't all it's cracked up to be, just ask Pepper Martin."
In Pepper Martin's fourth adventure, she's not exactly
happy when her boss ends up catching the flu from her kids
because that means she'll be going to the cemetery
conference in Chicago in her boss' place. Which is how
Pepper now finds herself freezing in the middle of a
cemetery in Chicago. The boots she bought may be chic, but
they're not very warm. She waits for the rest of the group
to move on because she's seen a ghost by a tombstone. From
experience, she's learned the ghost will continue to
manifest around her until she finds out what it wants. So
even though this one is dressed like a frump in a white lab
coat, Pepper approaches her. Not surprisingly, the ghost
wants Pepper's help. Turns out the ghost, Madeline, was the
assistant to a certain Dr. Hilton Gerard—a psychiatrist who
helps the homeless. Only the good doctor is not quite as
altruistic as he appears, considering the money he raises
doesn't always go where it's supposed to. Anyway, Dr.
Gerard also works with Dan Callahan—a man Pepper knows and
is somewhat attracted to. After Madeline's cryptic remarks,
Pepper is all ready to leave when the ghost lets the final
bomb drop. If Madeline doesn't do anything, Dan will take
the fall when the good doctor is exposed. Now that Dan's
name is mentioned, Pepper doesn't have any choice but to
become involved. With Madeline's rather nasty side comments and advice,
Madeline begins to dig into the mystery of the homeless
clinic Dr. Gerard is running. Eventually, Pepper finds out
the homeless who go into Dr. Gerard's "special" project are
not seen or heard from again. Exactly what is the good doctor doing with all these
homeless people in his study? Will Pepper be in any danger
when she goes to see the good doctor? Why is Madeline so
interested in what happens to Dan? Does she have some sort
of hidden agenda? NIGHT OF THE LOVING DEAD is a thrilling ride filled with
adventure, humor and good taste. Casey Daniels does an
excellent job of bringing Pepper Martin to vivid life as a
beautiful woman obsessed with brand name products as we
solve this mystery right along with her. The danger was
very realistic and I found myself turning pages way past my
bedtime just to find out what happens next, because there
were a few unexpected twists. Like the relationship between
Madeline and Dan and what Madeline's hidden agenda is. Of
course, Pepper's reaction is priceless. The
characterization is spot on, the plot is fast moving and
doesn't bog down. Coming in on the series with the fourth
book, I definitely plan on getting the first three. This is
one series which has earned a spot on my keeper shelf.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted December 21, 2008
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Introducing sleuth Pepper Martin... And now, in her fourth hip, quirky mystery, she’s all ours. Pepper Martin, heiress-turnedcemetery- tour-guide, often has her hands full with two hotties and the ghosts who won’t let her rest—or work, or shop—in peace. Now the specter of a young woman in a lab coat wants Pepper’s help. Before the woman died, she worked with a sexy, mysterious doctor who coincidentally once saved Pepper’s life—and who the woman claims is now in danger. But Pepper doesn’t know that there’s more to the story, including a devious doctor—and an obsessive, crazy love. Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
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