Morgue Drawer For Rent

Pascha #3

by Jutta Profijt, Erik J. Macki (Translator)

Wishing to return to his peaceful life and spend more time with his girlfriend, coroner Martin Gänsewein wants nothing more than to rid himself of his foulmouthed undead sidekick, Pascha. Unfortunately, such things are easier said than done. When bodies at the local cemetery begin to turn up sans organs, Martin and Pascha are once again forced into partnership to solve the case. With the stakes higher and body count greater, Martin realizes he has no hope of ever finding solace until he solves one last crime.

Picking up where Morgue Drawer Next Door left off, this third chapter in the gruesomely hilarious crime-solving saga delves deeper into the relationship between Martin and Pascha and is sure to please fans of the series.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, German Literature, Thriller, Crime, Fantasy

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

Jutta Profijt is a crime novelist and translator.

Author photo (c)Doris Seffern, used with permission.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgue Drawer for Rent by Jutta Profijt narrated by MacLeod Andrews continues the crazy adventures of Pasha the snarky ghost and Martin the boring doctor. Full of mystery, intrigue, and body snatching in this book. Lots of interesting new characters and wild plot. I giggled and enjoyed this book too! Fun series!

[Toralf Saffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der 3. Fall für Martin und Pascha

Pascha, die verirrte Seele eines kleinen Autoknackers, hat noch immer nicht den Weg ins Licht gefunden und nervt wie gehabt sein „Medium“, Dr. Martin Gänsewein, seines Zeichens hochnotpeinlicher Leichenfledderer am Rechtsmezinischen Institut zu Köln. In letzterem hat ein neuer Chef das Sagen und dieser kennt sich zwar nicht so gut mit der Rechtsmedizin aus, ist dafür aber umso bemühter die Effizienz zu steigern. Und da Köln gerade unter einer Hitzewelle leidet, welche die Sterblichkeit der Bevölkerung deutlich erhöht, findet er es wirtschaftlich eine gute Idee, freie Kühlfächer im Institut an Bestatter zu vermieten. Im daraus resultierenden Chaos verschwinden Leichen aus dem Institut, was bei Martin und Pascha den Ermittlermodus startet. Anbei ist Birgit mit Martin auf Wohnungssuche, zwecks gemeinsamer Zukunft und Pascha hat sich unsterblich in die Enkelin des neuen Nachtwächters verliebt.
Also wieder genügend Stoff für amüsante Katastrophen im Zusammenspiel von Geist und Spießer – wobei vor allem Paschas Kommentare immer wieder für Lacher sorgen. Es ist nicht verwunderlich, das schon nach kurzer Zeit Martin seinen Job verloren hat, von Birgit verlassen wurde, im Institut das Chaos ausgebrochen ist und die Polizei ziemlich überfordert ist. Neben dem üblichen Klamauk entwickelt sich auch der Fall zu einer spannenden Story voller überraschender Wendungen – selbstverständlich mit Happy End, naja kein komplettes Happy End – aber fast!
Jutta Profijt schafft es auch im dritten Teil die Leser zu unterhalten, zum Lachen zu bringen und nebenher einen spannenden Krimi zu fabrizieren, ohne dass sich die Grundidee totgelaufen hat. Ich werde die Beiden auf jeden Fall weiter begleiten – klare Leseempfehlung für entspannte Stunden.

[Susan Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 50% of this book is a 2* and the last 50% is a 4* so that is why I rated this book 3*s. Unlike the first 2 books, this book started out sloooooow. So glad it picked up later. I am hoping this series continues. Loved the ending.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might have been my least favorite of the three but still a highly enjoyable series. The plot is threadbare in mystery but I keep coming back for the characters. I just enjoy them all.

Excellent beach read. Can't wait for #4 for to be translated.

[Kelly Macfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series -- ghost of car thief haunts coroner and solves crimes in the process. It's an interesting take on both the buddy-book and the detective novel. The first two books in the series made me laugh out loud in parts and have inspired me to keep up with my German so that I can try to read them in their original. I love Pasha (the thief) and Dr Gänseweine, the coroner, as well as the bit characters. (Although maybe the women could be less beautiful / decorative and a bit more people. Still, a fun book and a great series.

[Beth Levitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from Jutta Profijt. Even though there is a bit much about Pasha's sexual urges - and for the record I'm no prude - the story is still as funny and entertaining as the first two. And I guess it is funny that poor Pasha can spy on all the naked women he wants but can't do a thing! I do hope there is another in this series.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable outing for my two favorite German crime solvers. While the plot was not the most coherent, the narration of the audio by MacLeod Andrews kept me highly entertained.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

whiner
+ tantrum
+ bully
______
= Pascha

.....two out of three (books) ain't bad.

[Debra Omiatek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Detective Falls For Russian Moll

Pascha seems to be more on his own in this crime solving caper. He interacts with Martin, but the Doctor seems at his breaking point with his ghost encounters. Pascha gets smitten with a Russian Doctor in training and fails to see her dark side. The detective ghost inadvertently gets pieces of the puzzle. He finds ways to alert others when the "crap hits the fan". Pascha seems resilient in his endeavors despite repeated rejections by Martin. In the end, Pascha realizes Irina is bad and Martin accepts his ghostly friend. Good storyline and characters. Again a book worth reading.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This be wasn’t as fun as the first two because I didn’t like Pasha’s blackmail of Martin. Pasha is in love but because he cannot speak to his beloved, he coerced Martin into things that affects his relationship with Bridgit. Meanwhile, there’s a new efficiency expert at the lab creating havoc on the staff, bodies are going missing and there’s something add about the ones coming into the rented drawers. Martin and Pascha investigate where they can, at risk Of death or firing.

[Cockneylen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 4.5 really. The whole series is made up of well written murder investigations, but with the ghost as the central character. There's gore, logic and humour blended together in a thoroughly enjoyable story, and the cast of characters is inspired. Only gets 4.5 because I half worked out the ending, but the epilogue was a great twist.

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continued good fun and development of the characters' lives (and afterlife.) An excellent series with a lot of humor, even if the main character derides my beloved 2CV at every opportunity. [Yes, it looks like a tuna can. It's a classic.] A good mystery, surprisingly little gore, considering the venue, and as I said before, fun.

[Gloria-Jean Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite The Page-Turner

Thoroughly enjoyed this installment. Quite cleverly written. We are steps from the right conclusion- - then, surprises start happening all over the place. Suspenseful as the plot unfolds. And then - - WHAM. Loved the ride.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining series. Characters grow on you.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fun series....

[Ellen Thielen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series continues with the car thief turned ghost helping the medical examiner with solving crimes, and sometimes his love life. In this installment he also looks for a living author to publish his writings.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the series takes up right where Morgue Drawer Next Door left off. Cologne is in the midst of a horrible heat wave, asbestos is being removed from the Institute building, and the icing on this cake of complete havoc is the new head of the department, a bean counter referred to as "Piggy Bank" by all those under his lunatic thumb of iron. I am amazed at how the author has kept me intrigued with the idea of teaming an intellectual man of science with the deceased spirit of a hormone-fueled young car thief. This is a very odd couple indeed, and it works because these two do not remain static.

Martin is the only human Pascha can talk to, but Martin has a girlfriend he'd like to move in with-- and not share her with "the voice in his head." As Martin frantically tries to come up with a solution to his problem, he's putting his relationship with his girlfriend in jeopardy. Pascha never sleeps, and there's only so many movies he can watch in Cologne's theaters. He's taken to writing his memoirs and trying to get them published-- with extremely interesting results. Although Pascha's grammar has improved gradually in the series, his descriptions are often crudely hilarious, and I've come to look froward to them.

This series is succeeding with me because Profijt has her characters grow and change as various relationships develop-- and because it's obvious that she's having fun writing these books. However, I did have one area of concern in Morgue Drawer for Rent. Profijt does admit in a section at the back of the book that she takes some artistic license with a couple of subjects, but she took a bit too much for me. Her bending of the facts of asbestos removal and one other subject kept throwing me out of the story, and I'm no expert on either subject. Be that as it may, I'm enjoying this series too much to stop just yet!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC/Mystery: This book is a German to English translation and book three of the morgue drawer series. After reading Dragon Tattoo, I've been interested in authors from other countries simply because I'm tired of the same ole plots. This is a ghost story, but it is different.
First, I had to look up the name Pascha because it sounds feminine, and in most cases it is. However this Pascha is a male ghost. The only person this ex-car thief can communicate with is the nerdish coroner, Martin. Unlike most talking ghost stories, Martin and Pascha can talk through thoughts. I liked that aspect because there was none of the supposed comedic "communication" that has been done so many times. The author does a good job of balancing what is said, and how, with who "knows" about Martin's spiritual friend.
In the middle of an asbestos move, Martin's boss is replaced by the bean counter that is nicknamed "Piggy Bank". The book is done in the first person of the snappy and rude Pascha. After body parts, and bodies, start to disappear, Martin starts to implode over the investigation.
The first half of the book is slowish at points. Over time, you understand what happened in the first two books. The second half is a lot better. It's a faster pace in which Pascha tries to solve the case.
One good point of reading book three without the other two books: I have a feeling Pascha was even more egotistical and obnoxious in before this book. Yes, his character grows in this one too. However, I can't imagine how Martin was before. He seems a little to static.
The translator did a good job and the writing is done well. I do think that Pascha's gender needed to be explained earlier.

[dee felker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

I really like this author. The book is from a German author and translated into English. I love the characters and the plots always have a twist. Thumbs up.
And I always look forward to the next book in the series

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series, this is book 3 and although not the best book in the series I still think it is well worth a read. Poor old Martin continues to struggle with being the only person Pascha can communicate with. While Martin is wishing he could get rid of Pascha his life is complicated by disappearing corpses and a new boss with radical money saving ideas. He is looking for a quiet life with his girlfriend Birgit but instead finds himself having to solve crime and deal with a lovesick ghost! This is a good read but I recommend reading the first two books in the series first to fully appreciate it.

[Mihir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series featuring the spirit Pasha who is a meta-physical resident of the Institute for Forensic Medicine in Cologne, Germany. He only deals with the coroner Martin Gänsewein, who is plainly horrified by Pasha's proclivities, profanities and his existence in general. The story in the previous two volumes showed how these two different souls came to know of each other and in this book we further see the exploration of their "friendship".

A fully hilarious take on bureaucracy as seen in the museum and the way different people deal with it. I'm very much impressed by this book to order the previous two volumes as well.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, light read.
Third book in the series about a murdered con who can only be heard by the coroner who did his autopsy.
Martin, the coroner really wants nothing to do with someone who is continually intruding into his personal life. He and Pascha, the ghost, are total opposites in personality and outlook.
In the meantime, a new morgue manager arrives and decides that the morgue needs to operate more efficiently and make money to boot. Bits and pieces start disappearing, the staff are being overworked and are extremely disgruntled and Martin's personal and professional life is going down the drain.

[❀Aimee❀ Just one more page... · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a lot of fun to read. Told from the POV of a young, rough around the edges, car thieving ghost that can only be heard by the medical examiner on his case. Together the soft spoken, uptight medical examiner, and Pascha (the ghost) solve murder mysteries!

The stories are interesting and on another note, I am just amazed at the ability of the translator to capture the voice of the main character, and use phrases and colloquialisms correctly while translating from German. He is a gifted translator.

Have fun!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another instalment in the comedy-crime series featuring pathologist Dr Gansewein and his nemesis, the ghost of deceased thief Pasha. In a literary version of Randall & Hopkirk (deceased), Pasha's ghost has yet to find his way to the 'other side' and, in the meantime, can only communicate with Doctor Gansewein. However, Pasha's abilities to infiltrate places unnoticed become useful in solving a series of mysteries, in this case bodies disappearing from the morgue before autopsies are performed. Perhaps not as good as previous books in the series but still a good read - 8/10.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nummer drei der Serie ist auch wieder witzig und unterhaltsam, mit liebenswerten Charakteren gepaart mit Geheimnissen. Obwohl mir die ersten beiden Buecher besser gefallen haben, war der Humor wieder klasse und ich musste auch hier desoefteren laut auflachen. Das Ende war wirklich originell!

Number three in this series is again funny and entertaining with lovable characters paired with mystery. Though I think the first couple of books in the series were better, this one still had me laughing out loud in a few places. I really loved the original ending.

[Glinda Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is number 3 in the Morgue Drawer series of paranormal mysteries and I enjoyed it as much as the first two. The focus on Pascha's writing career is a great touch: Imagine hearing a ghost complain about his editor!

Kudos to the publishers for keeping the same translator Erik J. Macki does a great job retaining the essence of the Cologne culture and setting while making the book very accessible to an American reader.

If you liked the first two books, this one will not disappoint.

[Peter J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first two books in the series,felt a little bit long in coming to the conclusion. Ending also was not very clear about whether Pasha will have another book. I have enjoyed the theme in these book's that a ghost of a murder victim haunts the coroner helping him solve cases. Christmas celebrations was the reason it took took so long to read this book

[Karen wadey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very odd, it took me a little while to realise that it had been written from the point of a ghost.Unfortunately the idea of Organ trafficking isn't a unique one and I've read a few before but it was a nice change from lots of blood and gore, although I'm not knocking the realism of such books. I may read another of these books on the future.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of the series, the third book delivered the expected light humor and fun. The first half of the story did drag a bit, and I would have to say this was my least favorite of the three, but it was still a good book. If you haven't read the first two books though, I don't think this is the place to start.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh. The stories become more entertaining, and Pascha himself becomes more and more annoying, until you want to throw the book through his non-existent head. This series has promise, but Pascha needs to learn/change/grow if I'm going to not hate-read any installment that shows up next. It's hard to love a book with a great story when you hate the storyteller.