THE DEATH DEALER

MIRA (2008), 297 pages, $24.95 (hardcover)
This sequel to “The Dead Room” has an interesting way of reviving some of its former characters.
These would be the characters that died in the first book.
Matt and Leslie are back in “The Death Dealer,” two ghosts enjoying a rather unique happily-ever-after. This time, they’re speaking from “beyond” with the book’s two living heroes, Joe and Genevieve, trying to keep them alive and helping them find a serial killer.
It makes for an interesting alliance.
For those who didn’t read “The Dead Room” – and you can still read “The Death Dealer” with no problem if that’s the case – Joe and Genevieve met when he helped rescue her from a deranged killer. (That would also be when Leslie died and was reunited with her soul mate, Matt.)
About a year later, Genevieve recruits Joe to help her find a killer. A man in her mother’s Edgar Allan Poe “fan club” was killed, and Genevieve fears for Eileen’s safety.
They discover someone has murdered several people with Poe connections, in Poe-type fashion.
The intrigue overshadows the romance in this book, but the smidgen of passion that is there is enough to cultivate an interest in Joe and Genevieve’s happily-ever-after.
Early in the book, Joe discovers he suddenly has the ability to see and speak to dead people. He’s not happy and doesn’t want this “gift” but can’t find a way to refuse it. Genevieve, who is experiencing some of the same thing herself, realizes what is going on with Joe and senses that he’s struggling to accept it and deal with it. So she calls in a mutual acquaintance to help.
Because not only does she care, she loves.
The problem is, Joe doesn’t see it as an act of love. He sees it as a betrayal and spends most of the rest of the book pouting and sulking.
That would be the biggest strike against Joe, and the story.
He does get over it by the end, but never sufficiently explains or rectifies his behavior.



Overall rating: 3 of 5 hearts. A good enough read but not bursting with passion and romance. It’s well-written with a cast of interesting characters – alive and dead. If you’re in the mood for a good suspense story with a bit of romance, this will work.


Hunk appeal: 10. Joe starts off strong, treating Genevieve with tenderness and affection and being attentive and protective. He hits a slump, however, and never really adequately grovels his way out of it.


Steamy scene grade: XXX. Very attentive.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. An epilogue ties up all very well, but there’s no grand romantic finale.


Also this week …

IRON COWBOY, by Diana Palmer (2008, paperback) – 3-plus of 5. Another of Palmer’s beloved “Long, Tall Texans” stories, this one a short Silhouette book. When Sara first meets Jared, she calls him an ogre. But as she gets to know him, she changes her mind – drastically. As with most Palmer books, Jared treats Sara abysmally, feels guilty about it and then makes tender amends once he realizes how much he really loves her. And of course Sara is the young, innocent and wholesome heroine with a tragic past. What’s not to like?