Sunday, February 15, 2015

*Book Review* Another One Bites the Dust by Chris Marie Green

Series: Jensen Murphy # 2
Published by ROC
Released: November 4, 2014
Source: Interlibrary Loan
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Ghosts

*Book Blurb*

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.




Another One Bites the Dust is the second installment in Chris Marie Green's Jensen Murphy, Ghost For Hire series. 30 years ago, 23-year old Jensen Murphy was murdered in the North Country's Elfin Woods while partying with her friends. Her death has never been solved and the police closed her case. Because Jensen's death was so traumatic, she was stuck in a time loop that forced her to re-live her death over and over again. Psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled Jensen out of that loop, and promised that she would help Jensen find out who her killed her.

But, first she had to help Amanda uncover a killer who took someone close to her away, and save a family from destroying itself. Now that that case has been solved, Jensen and Amanda Lee have some issues to get through. The issues really are based on trust and refusal on Amanda's part to give out what information she collected on Jensen's murder. While trying to understand what wrong between them and make up for big time mistakes to Wendy and Gavin, Jensen, Amanda Lee and her fellow Boo World Ghosts (Scott, Twyla, Louis, and Seth) are approached by a young woman who needs help convincing her best friend to leave a possible abusive relationship which could potentially end in tragedy.

While attempting to help prevent tragedy from happening, Jensen finally gets a glimpse into the night that turned deadly for her. Jensen definitely deserves closure so that if she wanted to, she can move on to the next step in her afterlife. This book really gives readers hope that Jensen murderer will be identified. In fact, there are hints and starts and an actual encounter with her presumed murderer and those who were with her when she disappeared. But, Green is keeping the killers identity a secret for a bit longer. I like that we actually get a peek at Jensen's former best friend Suze. They definitely deserve closure and understanding at why Jensen just seemed to vanish without a trace.

Please do yourself a favor, do not skip over Only The Good Die Young in order to read this one. Green does a good job summarizing, but it is better that you read the first book so that you understand what is happening and why there are some seriously hurt feelings. Green's ghosts have the unique ability to enter dreams, sift through memories, induce hallucinations, access phones and computers, and yes, even turn your brain into mush if necessary. They also must charge frequently. That means that they have to draw from electrical appliances, outlets, phones, etc.

Every Breath You Take (Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire #3) will release April 7th 2015 by Roc. Not sure how many books are in this series, but I am eager to find out if Green will finally give up the identity of Jensen's killer, and who Fake Dean really is. Green is also the author of the Vampire Babylon series, and I definitely recommend that you consider reading that series as well.


  



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