I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A single mother looking to start over in a new town fights to keep her job at a prevelant real estate firm while trying to protect her kids when a series of abductions rock the town in author Ann Charles’s “Nearly Departed in Deadwood: Collector’s Edition.”
The Synopsis
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom Violet Parker is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions.
With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her job with Calamity Jane Realty, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his centuries-old Victorian masterpiece–until she sees the dilapidated dwelling. Now, if she could somehow convince her only buyer to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they were haunted.
Short on time and long on worry, Violet refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood. But with a malicious co-worker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending her creepy messages, and a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, will Violet end up as one of Deadwood’s dearly departed?
THE REVIEW
This was a fun and cozy mystery read. The author finds a way to naturally balance humor, wit, suspense, thriller, and mystery, while adding a hint of paranormal or supernatural elements. The powerful imagery in the author’s writing allowed the reader to feel fully immersed in Deadwood, with the town becoming just as important a character as the rest of the cast, engaging readers in a visceral adventure impossible to put down.
The character development and world-building in this novel were astonishing. From the beginning of this story, readers are treated to some eccentric and unusual characters that readers either laugh at or roll their eyes at, and the relatability of the protagonist being a single mother of two working to balance her hectic schedule between her children and work, while also incorporating a unique mystery and even a hint of possible romance, made this story shine. The creepy elements helped break up the fun and humor in the dialogue between these characters, creating a compelling narrative that is easy to get engaged in.
THE VERDICT
Memorable, fun, and highly entertaining, author Ann Charles’s “Nearly Departed In Deadwood: Collector’s Edition” is a must-read cozy mystery meets supernatural suspense story. The novel brings both heart and humor to life on the page and is fueled by twists and turns that are delightfully enthralling as the story develops, and with a fantastic new collector’s edition of the book available to buy, readers won’t want to miss out on starting this fun and exhilarating series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes hilarious, sometimes hair-raising, award-winning books filled with humor, mystery, adventure, romance, supernatural, and more! She has a B.A. in English (creative writing) from the Univ. of Washington. When she isn’t escaping into story worlds filled with rowdy characters, she’s arm wrestling her kids, road tripping with her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats.
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AUTHOR’S NOTE: For all who have tried my books, left reviews, and shared my stories with friends and family, strangers in the store, fellow drinkers at your favorite watering hole, social media pals, and long-lost enemies… THANK YOU for your kindness! ~Ann
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