Jensen Murphy may seem like your average eighties-Cali- girl ghost detective, but she's got a ton more to offer than any other paranormal private eye. For starters, she's the ghost.

When Heidi Schmidt comes to Jensen and psychic Amanda Lee Minter, she is raring to go. Heidi sends the pair of them to investigate her friend's boyfriend Tim Knudson, who is showing signs of being an abusive boyfriend. As Jensen and her other ghost associates try to learn all they can about Tim and protect his oblivious girlfriend, they run into the dark ghostly energy which plagued them in their earlier adventures. Jensen must deal with this darkness, the ghost collector Fake Dean's only-halfway-unwanted attentions, and the continued anger of those she betrayed before.

When her personal problems and attempts to understand her own death interfere with her abilities to keep up with the case, what consequences will ensue?

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST is a very entertaining read, a refreshing twist on the paranormal detective novel. As we watch the ghosts trying to get along with each other and also be productive, we laugh. As we watch the painful moments dealing with their deaths and the potentials of moving on to the afterlife, we feel so deeply for them. Each and every character is dynamic and charming, even the boyfriend up to a certain point. There is never a moment in this book where I didn't like the characterization. I was especially fond of Jensen and her relationship with Fake Dean, which was as confusing and turbulent as any romantic relationship I've ever read before.

The story can be confused at times since Chris Marie Green is trying to cover many bases at once; it usually straightens itself out after a page or two. For example, there is one very entertaining digression earlier in the novel where the ghosts stand around discussing dream symbols. While it's very fun and silly, there seems to be little point behind it. The payoff it receives is so miniscule, I didn't connect the two scenes in my mind until I thought back for a moment.

The relationship between Jensen and Fake Dean is also confusing. Does she like him? Is she afraid of him? Does he have mystical power over her soul? Jensen's own inner monologue does not help the reader decide; if anything, she's as confused as the rest of us. Given her strong character and attitude toward other people it's difficult for me to believe that she's this indecisive about a person of such dubious morality.

It isn't necessary to have read the first book in order to enjoy and understand ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST, but it can't hurt. Some of the ghostly content can be somewhat confusing and inconsistent without the background information. Otherwise, I highly recommend ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST to anyone who cares to try it. This book is rollicking good fun and just dorky enough to keep from being too serious. If you take to paranormal detective stories without too much romance, Jensen Murphy and Chris Marie Green can give you a real run for your money.