The Death Dealer

PI Joe Connolly absolutely scoffs at anyone's belief in ghosts in spite of encounters with the paranormal world and is hired by Genevieve O'Brien to investigate the murder and attempted murder of two members of an EdgarAllan Poe literary society. The woman fears that her mother who belongs to the society may be a target, but of course it develops that Genevieve herself is in danger. The long rmantic episodes may put off male readers and many mystery fans may find the solution somewhat arbitrary, but those who enjoy the paranormal/suspense/romance genre should love this one because the author is skilled at weaving the three genres together. One murder closely parallels one Poe story, and the conclusion strongly suggests two others, so Poe fans should find much to enjoy.

This is a great continuation of the first book, The Dead Room. I would recommend reading them back to back. Both books were hard to put down. Keep writing these kind of books Ms. Graham!!!!!!!! Love them.

This book continues the story of some of the characters in THE DEAD ROOM. While this story can stand alone, it's probably better if you read the previous book first. P.I. Joe Connolly could use a change. The events of THE DEAD ROOM have left him with nothing but sadness. And now it may have opened the door to the dead. On the way to a charity event he witnesses an accident and stops to help--saving a young girl hidden in the back seat at the urging of a dead man. So naturally he skips the event and goes out to get drunk. Genevieve O'Brien, who was rescued from a harrowing kidnapping by a serial killer, hires Connolly to look into the murder of an Edgar Allen Poe society board member. Her mother is also a member and she's worried that others may be threatened. Genevieve, too, is haunted... not so much by the past, although everyone is extremely over-protective of her, but by similar ghosts that haunt Joe... And by new ones as the Poe Killings continue... The main and supporting characters are totally sympathetic. Old friends from Harrison Investigations also make some nice cameos. There's some great information about Edgar Allen Poe's time in New York (and in Baltimore). The mystery is a pretty good one. I didn't see the solution until it was revealed. The only slight quibble I had was that some of the characters seemed to keep putting themselves at risk--going out alone into dark parking garages, for instance. But otherwise they weren't being unbearably stupid about it. I thought this was a good, solid, interesting read.

Still not fully healed from her near death experience social worker Genevieve O'Brien struggles to move on with her life though she still suffers nightmares from the killer's assaults. However, her efforts stall when Ravens literary society president Thorne Bigelow is murdered. That is followed by a second member almost dying in a car accident. Being fans of Poe, the other Ravens connect the two ugly incidents as not being coincidence. They, especially Genevieve's mom, wonders if a killer dubbed the Poe Killings, is targeting their reading club. Worried about her mother, Genevieve asks her friend, private investigator Joe Connolly to make inquires. After some minor investigating with the advice of some ghosts, Joe tells Genevieve he agrees with the Ravens that a killer is stalking the book group. Joe is a fascinating protagonist who talks to ghosts while Genevieve is a courageous individual who had her own near death experience, but will not back down from the Poe Killer investigation. Together they are an awesome sleuthing team as each begins to understand the true meaning of the Tell-Tale Heart. The investigation is fun to follow as his late cousin and is cuz's beloved help from the beyond (his Brooklyn apartment seems a bit over crowded and if the landlord learns of his ghostly borders will demand more rent). Paranormal romantic suspense fans will appreciate the lead couple's investigation into the Poe Killings. Harriet Klausner