Special review from 10/08: Don of the Dead

If you love paranormal cozies with a twist, you'll love this new one from Casey Daniels. In Don of the Dead, the first installment in the Pepper Martin Mystery series,  she introduced us to Pepper Martin who worked at the local cemetery in Cleveland as a tour guide.  Down on her luck with her father in prison and a fiancé who bolted from her, this was the only job she could find to help pay her bills. When she accidentally hit her head on the headstone of one graveyard, she began to see visions of ghosts. One named Gus wanted her to work on his case of who wanted this mafia don whacked back then. It was up to Pepper to clear his name before trouble came her way. This cozy also had a bit of romance with Quinn Harrison from the Cleveland PD with a bit of paranormal humor and drama like from the "Ghost Whisperer" and "Pushing Daisies."

This wasn't your typical ghost story. It's very light and airy, and not too scary for cozy standards. I loved the introduction of Pepper's first case of talking to the ghost and solving the murder. To have it set in a graveyard in Cleveland,  Ohio, it gave it a homey feeling. I loved the chemistry between Pepper and Quinn as well. Each central ghost will have some closure in the end of the book.  I didn't like her ex-fiancé Joel as well. You can read this book in one or two settings for a quick read, too.

Check out this light ghost story right now!