Beautiful, smart, and chic, Pepper Martin never had to work a day in her life -- until her surgeon daddy was convicted of fraud, her wealthy fiancé took a powder, and the family fortune ran bone dry.
Suddenly desperate, the inexperienced ex-rich girl was forced to take the only job she could get: as a tour guide in a cemetery. But a grave situation took a turn for the worse when a head-on collision with a headstone left her with an unwanted ability to communicate with the disgruntled deceased . . . and now Pepper has a whacked Mafia don demanding that she hunt down his killers -- and threatening to haunt her until she does.
“Clever, intelligent and well written.” (Washington Times )
“Daniels cleverly sets up a fun new series...a tightly plotted story with a likable amateur sleuth.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )
“Daniel’s first offering is a fast, fun read, perfect for the beach and ripe for a follow-up.” (Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) )
“A delightful read!” (Roberta Isleib, author of FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN )
“A spooky mystery, a spunky heroine, and sparkling wit! Give us more!” (Kerrelyn Sparks, author of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE VAMPIRE )
“There’s not a ghost of a chance you’ll be able to put this book down. Write faster, Casey Daniels.” (Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author )
“[A] charming, imaginative mystery that transcends the boundaries of time, death and predictability, peppered with some delightful romantic twists. (Linda O. Johnstone, author of NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FERRETS )
“Carrie of Sex in the City going Six Feet Under with The Sopranos. Hip, original, out-of-this world fun!” (Laura Bradley, author of SPRAYED STIFF )
“[F]abulous! One of the funniest books I’ve read this year. Or last year, come to think of it.” (MaryJanice Davidson, USA Today bestselling author )
“The fast paced dialogue and plenty of twists keep the reader turning the pages…I can’t wait to read more!” (Shirley Damsgaard, author of WITCH WAY TO MURDER )
Description:
Beautiful, smart, and chic, Pepper Martin never had to work a day in her life -- until her surgeon daddy was convicted of fraud, her wealthy fiancé took a powder, and the family fortune ran bone dry.
Suddenly desperate, the inexperienced ex-rich girl was forced to take the only job she could get: as a tour guide in a cemetery. But a grave situation took a turn for the worse when a head-on collision with a headstone left her with an unwanted ability to communicate with the disgruntled deceased . . . and now Pepper has a whacked Mafia don demanding that she hunt down his killers -- and threatening to haunt her until she does.
From Publishers Weekly
Combining elements of a cozy mystery and a paranormal romance, this debut aims for fresh and sassy; while it delivers fare both conventional and canned, it's redeemed in the end. The book's big flaw is its unappealing protagonist, Pepper Martin, a cemetery tour guide in Cleveland who thinks her best asset is her big chest. She wields the power of the twins often while investigating the death of former mob boss Gus Scarpetti—at the behest of the wise guy himself. Ever since Pepper hit her head on Gus's mausoleum, she's been able to see and talk to his ghost. Pepper would rather nab a job in Saks's shoe department and a handsome man with deep pockets than turn amateur sleuth. But in the absence of Prince Charming, she settles for investigating Gus's 30-year-old murder and lusting after a gorgeous cop and an enigmatic brain doctor. Without an engaging voice, the first third of the book drags; when it heats up, though, the carefully woven mystery helps compensate for what Pepper lacks, as does the well-defined and likable Gus. Indeed, despite some plot holes and flimsy characterizations, Daniels pulls the mystery together in the end, showing promise for a better book two. (May 30)
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Review
“Clever, intelligent and well written.” (Washington Times )
“Daniels cleverly sets up a fun new series...a tightly plotted story with a likable amateur sleuth.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )
“Daniel’s first offering is a fast, fun read, perfect for the beach and ripe for a follow-up.” (Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) )
“A delightful read!” (Roberta Isleib, author of FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN )
“A spooky mystery, a spunky heroine, and sparkling wit! Give us more!” (Kerrelyn Sparks, author of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE VAMPIRE )
“There’s not a ghost of a chance you’ll be able to put this book down. Write faster, Casey Daniels.” (Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author )
“[A] charming, imaginative mystery that transcends the boundaries of time, death and predictability, peppered with some delightful romantic twists. (Linda O. Johnstone, author of NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FERRETS )
“Carrie of Sex in the City going Six Feet Under with The Sopranos. Hip, original, out-of-this world fun!” (Laura Bradley, author of SPRAYED STIFF )
“[F]abulous! One of the funniest books I’ve read this year. Or last year, come to think of it.” (MaryJanice Davidson, USA Today bestselling author )
“The fast paced dialogue and plenty of twists keep the reader turning the pages…I can’t wait to read more!” (Shirley Damsgaard, author of WITCH WAY TO MURDER )