Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed One Garish Ghost & Blueberry Peach Jam (Dead by the Numbers Mysteries) (Volume 1) on + 649 more book reviews
Dollycass Thoughts
I absolutely, positively, loved this book!!
Gianna has a very unique gift as does her familys deli. Giannas gift is that she can see and talk to ghosts, to find out the delis special gift you have to read the book.
Gianna has come back home and moved into the small apartment above the deli. She is surprised to learn she already has a spirit as a roommate, but it is better than staying with her parents. Her sister and niece have moved home due to some trouble with her husband and that makes things at home just a little too crowded. She still hangs out with her sister though. In fact, they had a girls night out that included quite a bit of drama and ended up with them asleep on the beach. When they woke up and headed home they thought their only problem was a little sand in their clothes. Then a body is found on that very same beach not far from where they slept and the victim happens to been part of the drama the night before. The victims ghost also finds their way to Giannas apartment and has no idea who killed them. When the police start to suspect someone very close to Gianna she has no choice but to unofficially help point the police, including her own cop brother, in another direction. It may also help a ghost or two move on and let her finally have her apartment to herself.
This was a fantastic read. It was funny in many places but also had many places that touched my heart.
All the characters were so well developed, even those than only Gianna could see. We get to know them all so well it is very easy to be invested into each and every one of them. Gianna is complicated as is her relationship with her ex. Her family is close, sometimes too close, but isnt that how most families are. What Gianna does for these ghosts that just happen to find their way to her is amazing finding out what is holding them back from crossing over and trying to help them make that very necessary transition. A gift that causes her to have some very haunting dreams.
As to the mystery surrounding the killer that is very complex as well with several twists and turns and a surprise. Oh my when I figured out just a few pages before Gianna I almost shouted it out loud. I love stories that surprise me like this one.
This book is shorter than the normal cozy mystery but the story was not lacking anywhere, in fact it soared beyond my expectations. And if this story wasnt amazing on its own the author leaves us with a cliffhanger that has me waiting very impatiently for the next installment. I will drop whatever I am reading the minute it becomes available to read it!
I know it is early in the year but this is an outstanding debut to this series and for that reason it gets my first paradise rating of 2015.
I absolutely, positively, loved this book!!
Gianna has a very unique gift as does her familys deli. Giannas gift is that she can see and talk to ghosts, to find out the delis special gift you have to read the book.
Gianna has come back home and moved into the small apartment above the deli. She is surprised to learn she already has a spirit as a roommate, but it is better than staying with her parents. Her sister and niece have moved home due to some trouble with her husband and that makes things at home just a little too crowded. She still hangs out with her sister though. In fact, they had a girls night out that included quite a bit of drama and ended up with them asleep on the beach. When they woke up and headed home they thought their only problem was a little sand in their clothes. Then a body is found on that very same beach not far from where they slept and the victim happens to been part of the drama the night before. The victims ghost also finds their way to Giannas apartment and has no idea who killed them. When the police start to suspect someone very close to Gianna she has no choice but to unofficially help point the police, including her own cop brother, in another direction. It may also help a ghost or two move on and let her finally have her apartment to herself.
This was a fantastic read. It was funny in many places but also had many places that touched my heart.
All the characters were so well developed, even those than only Gianna could see. We get to know them all so well it is very easy to be invested into each and every one of them. Gianna is complicated as is her relationship with her ex. Her family is close, sometimes too close, but isnt that how most families are. What Gianna does for these ghosts that just happen to find their way to her is amazing finding out what is holding them back from crossing over and trying to help them make that very necessary transition. A gift that causes her to have some very haunting dreams.
As to the mystery surrounding the killer that is very complex as well with several twists and turns and a surprise. Oh my when I figured out just a few pages before Gianna I almost shouted it out loud. I love stories that surprise me like this one.
This book is shorter than the normal cozy mystery but the story was not lacking anywhere, in fact it soared beyond my expectations. And if this story wasnt amazing on its own the author leaves us with a cliffhanger that has me waiting very impatiently for the next installment. I will drop whatever I am reading the minute it becomes available to read it!
I know it is early in the year but this is an outstanding debut to this series and for that reason it gets my first paradise rating of 2015.
