Helpful Score: 11
Pepper Martin is a cemetery tour guide who fell and hit herself on the front step of dead mob boss Gus Scarpetti's mausoleum. Soon afterwards she begins to see Scarpetti himself, and he wants her to investigate his murder. Pepper is a rich middle class girl who has found herself without a fortune when her father was conviced of fraud, and has no idea how to solve a 30 year old murder. A fast read with a style that reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. The writing flowed very well, and there were a lot of interesting side characters, but the mystery wasn't that griping (although it was hard to guess whodunit). I also found it hard to like Pepper for the first half of the book, mostly because she was rather ditzy. Still, she seemed to get smarter, and thusly more likeable towards the end. What really bothered me though was EVERY man Pepper meets (even men 30+ years her senior) leered at her breasts. What is that? I wasn't sure if I should be annoyed about the depiction of Pepper, because Pepper didn't seeme to mind, even puffing them out in certain scenes (even after arguing with Scarpetti about his chauvanism. Is she supposed to be feminist?), or annoyed at the depiction of men (in this century, I think most men know that's rude, or at least know not to be so obvious. At least don't make ALL the men in this book do that).
Helpful Score: 10
First of what is to be a series. I was so looking forward to reading this book, hoping this would be Stephanie Plum sees dead people. But I found Pepper to be so unpleasant and superficial. Maybe it's the age gap - she reminds me of some of the less appealing friends of my granddaughter. Could have used some editing - plot holes, inadequate characterization. Glad I didn't pay $6.99 for it.
Helpful Score: 6
Didn't really enjoy. I had already bought the second book before finishing this one and it was a waste of money, but the end of the book I wanted to strangle the main character.
Helpful Score: 6
Great debut novel. Lots of action. I think men and woman both will find lots to love here. This Author seems to have that ability to make the mystery perfect for both sexes with not to much on either side. The addition of a mystery stranger will intrique woman and the action will have men turning pages. A real winner.
Helpful Score: 6
This one has an interesting twist -- part ghost story, part homicide mystery, featuring a charming heroine. Amusing and quickly plotted!
