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.
Jensen Murphy is back in the spooky sequel to Only the Good
Die Young.
Some people think that ghosts are spirits that refuse to go
to the other side because they have unfinished business.
Take my word—that’s true. I should know. I’m a ghost.
I was an ordinary eighties California girl, dead before my
time, until psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled me out of the
time loop where I was reliving my death over and over. Now
I’m Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire. I decided to put my
spooky talents to use in helping Amanda Lee track down bad
guys and killers (including my own).
It’s taken time to figure out exactly how that will work
(our first case was definitely a learning experience for all
involved), so when a young woman asks Amanda Lee for help
convincing her best friend to leave a dangerously
hot-tempered boyfriend, I’m ready and willing to use our
collective powers on her behalf. But some people are
dangerous not only to the living—especially when there are
darker forces involved....
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