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
This one has an interesting twist -- part ghost story, part homicide mystery, featuring a charming heroine. Amusing and quickly plotted!
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: 5
I really enjoyed this book. The first in the series, Pepper Martin has gone from riches to rags and landed a job as a cemetary tour guide. When she accidentally hits her head on a mobsters tombstone, he suddenly appears and starts demanding she finds out who killed him. Now Pepper is set out to solve a murder case that happened before she was born.
This was a really good cozy with a nice paranormal twist, and light romance. It kept me guessing till the very end. I didnt know who the killer was until the final reveal.
Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
This was a really good cozy with a nice paranormal twist, and light romance. It kept me guessing till the very end. I didnt know who the killer was until the final reveal.
Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
Helpful Score: 3
FUNNY!!! I enjoyed this tremendously! (I've already pre-ordered the next book!)
Helpful Score: 3
Start of a new series that I enjoyed very much; and plan to read more when she publishes.
Helpful Score: 2
"Don of the Dead" is the first book in a series by Casey Daniels. It's in first person, and it's hilarious.
Pepper Martin is the only tour guide at the Garden View cemetary. It is her job to inform tourists all about the "residents" at Garden View. One of the most famous being Gus Scarpetti, a mobster who was gunned down 30 years ago. Pepper hit her head against his mausoleum a week or two ago and now she can see him! And he has a favor to ask.
His murder was never solved and now he wants Pepper to solve the mystery. The whole book is funny and light. There's a lot of mob speak and Gus, despite being a mobster, is a real gentelman and you'll become attached to him! This is a great book and I can't wait to get to the rest of the series!
Pepper Martin is the only tour guide at the Garden View cemetary. It is her job to inform tourists all about the "residents" at Garden View. One of the most famous being Gus Scarpetti, a mobster who was gunned down 30 years ago. Pepper hit her head against his mausoleum a week or two ago and now she can see him! And he has a favor to ask.
His murder was never solved and now he wants Pepper to solve the mystery. The whole book is funny and light. There's a lot of mob speak and Gus, despite being a mobster, is a real gentelman and you'll become attached to him! This is a great book and I can't wait to get to the rest of the series!
Stephanie C W. (stephanie13w) reviewed Don of the Dead (Pepper Martin, Bk 1) on + 300 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I liked this story alot ~ it was a quick read & had a touch of the paranormal in it (my fav!) I'll definitely read the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book and got through it very quickly. The main character is very likeable. This was a little bit of a mystery, paranormal, and fun chic lit. I also liked that this was not so much a romance as there was no "guy gets girl" scenario. I also liked that the ending let you know there would be more to come... I will be reading more to find out what!
Helpful Score: 1
I'd previously read A Hard Day's Fright by Ms Daniels and wasn't sure how I was going to feel about going back and reading her 1st book of the Pepper Martin series. I was so glad I did! I loved it.
Meeting her first ghost, Gus the Mafia don, after hitting her head on his mausoleum has this sexy, smart, cemetary tour guide hunting down his killers and in the process running into trouble for herself in the way of mafia hit men and sexy cops and doctors.
Imaginative, funny..a delightful read!
Meeting her first ghost, Gus the Mafia don, after hitting her head on his mausoleum has this sexy, smart, cemetary tour guide hunting down his killers and in the process running into trouble for herself in the way of mafia hit men and sexy cops and doctors.
Imaginative, funny..a delightful read!
Helpful Score: 1
First Line: I have to admit, the first time Gus Scarpetti spoke to me, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention.
Pepper Martin is a spoiled little rich girl. Growing up with wealthy Doctor Daddy, she's coasted along on her looks and her money; not applying herself in school because she knew an advantageous marriage awaited her. Well, it did until Doctor Daddy was convicted of Medicare fraud. Abandoned by her snooty fiance and stripped of every luxury she was accustomed to, Pepper is skating atop the thin ice of life as a tour guide in a Cleveland, Ohio cemetery and dreaming of working in the shoe department of Saks Fifth Avenue (at least until the real Mr. Right comes along).
While she's guiding some old folks around the cemetery, she falls and cracks her head on the steps of the mausoleum of gangster Gus Scarpetti. Now all of a sudden, she's being harassed by a ghost who insists that she finds out who really killed him outside his favorite restaurant. Pepper would rather ace her Saks job interview and concentrate on Mr. Handsome Cop and Mr. Handsome Brainy Geek, but Gus just won't take no for an answer.
As a first book and the first book in a series, Don of the Dead was uneven. The two new men in her life seemed to fade in and out, only showing up when required by the plot, which also had some gaps.
Unfortunately Pepper is one of the most annoying types of characters I can encounter in any type of book: the whiny little rich girl who thinks her best feature is her boobs. I originally started counting the number of times Pepper thrust her assets in some poor hapless male's face, but I had to stop because it was merely annoying me. And before anyone reading this review thinks I'm jealous... well, I laugh in your general direction. Compared to me, Pepper is flat-chested.
By book's end the plot, pacing and characterization had come together, and I can see where this first book holds real promise for the continuation of the series. I am curious about these future books, but I may have to pass on them unless someone in the know can tell me that Pepper starts believing that her true assets rely on IQ, not cup size.
Pepper Martin is a spoiled little rich girl. Growing up with wealthy Doctor Daddy, she's coasted along on her looks and her money; not applying herself in school because she knew an advantageous marriage awaited her. Well, it did until Doctor Daddy was convicted of Medicare fraud. Abandoned by her snooty fiance and stripped of every luxury she was accustomed to, Pepper is skating atop the thin ice of life as a tour guide in a Cleveland, Ohio cemetery and dreaming of working in the shoe department of Saks Fifth Avenue (at least until the real Mr. Right comes along).
While she's guiding some old folks around the cemetery, she falls and cracks her head on the steps of the mausoleum of gangster Gus Scarpetti. Now all of a sudden, she's being harassed by a ghost who insists that she finds out who really killed him outside his favorite restaurant. Pepper would rather ace her Saks job interview and concentrate on Mr. Handsome Cop and Mr. Handsome Brainy Geek, but Gus just won't take no for an answer.
As a first book and the first book in a series, Don of the Dead was uneven. The two new men in her life seemed to fade in and out, only showing up when required by the plot, which also had some gaps.
Unfortunately Pepper is one of the most annoying types of characters I can encounter in any type of book: the whiny little rich girl who thinks her best feature is her boobs. I originally started counting the number of times Pepper thrust her assets in some poor hapless male's face, but I had to stop because it was merely annoying me. And before anyone reading this review thinks I'm jealous... well, I laugh in your general direction. Compared to me, Pepper is flat-chested.
By book's end the plot, pacing and characterization had come together, and I can see where this first book holds real promise for the continuation of the series. I am curious about these future books, but I may have to pass on them unless someone in the know can tell me that Pepper starts believing that her true assets rely on IQ, not cup size.
Helpful Score: 1
What an interesting new series to stumble across! I happened across this at random one day while browsing PBS and figured that if I didn't get some kind of entertainment value from it maybe my sister or my girlfriend would. I wouldn't say this book is geared totally at women, or at men for that matter. Pepper Martin makes for an interesting main character while the story and it's different elements contain material that appeals to both genders. I found it to be humorous and at times a bit suspenseful. Of course then if you flip that coin I am sure some female readers will be more interested in the relationships Pepper attempts to become involved in than anything else. In the end it's just a light mystery novel with some romance and humor, things I am sure either a man or woman could find interesting. I enjoyed reading it, so pick up a copy yourself if you are intrigued by the description. Who knows you might enjoy it.
This is a cotton candy yarn that is a quick fun read that has the premise when the heroine gets into trouble there's always the dead guy around to help her out of it. Of course the dead guy is the reason amateur sleuth and full time cemetery guide Pepper Martin gets into trouble. Pepper is able to see the dead Don Gus Scarpetti who wants to know who pulled off his hit 30 years before. Unraveling that ball of questions makes for a fun story that is good for a couple hours of escape. So fill up that jacuzzi, put the jets on high and lean back into your neck pillow and enjoy this tale that has no cholesterol and no carbs. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 1
Very cute, light read
Helpful Score: 1
Good first book in a series. Nice weekend read.
Helpful Score: 1
A fast, fun read about a formerly wealthy socialite who now gives tours at a cemetery.
After hitting her head on a mafia don's mausoleum, she begins to see and speak with him and he
wants her to find out who killed him.
I loved this story and the main character of Pepper Martin is cute and funny.
I can't wait for the others in the series!
After hitting her head on a mafia don's mausoleum, she begins to see and speak with him and he
wants her to find out who killed him.
I loved this story and the main character of Pepper Martin is cute and funny.
I can't wait for the others in the series!
I really enjoyed this book and plan on reading the next one in the series. It kind of reminded my of the Sookie Stackhouse series. Pepper is really a funny character.
Kristen S. (SomethingSmarter) reviewed Don of the Dead (Pepper Martin, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Not bad for the first of a series. Looking forward to the next one.
Jessica D. (JessicaRabbit) reviewed Don of the Dead (Pepper Martin, Bk 1) on + 110 more book reviews
Loved, laughed, and enjoyed every bit of it.
Fun story to read. This looks like a pretty good series.
First in the series. Pepper Martin, cemetery tour guide, trips and hits her head on a mausoleum, thereby acquiring the ability to talk to the ghost of the departed, who cannot "go on" until Pepper discovers who murdered him.
This is a good series.
A Promising start to a good series. Pepper Martin is fun to read, and some of her internal monologue is a hoot. Most of the story felt right on track. There were a couple places where I felt the author took a little too much liberty. I know it's fiction, but I hate it when an author pushes the edge (of what can happen) to make a scene work. I'm sure Pepper is pretty enough, but gheese; I don't think Julia Roberts could talk her way through half of the doors Pepper slides through.
1st in the series. She sees dead people...
