Dead Ringer

Haven Hollow #30

by J.R. Rain, H.P. Mallory

Everything’s just going to pieces… I got me a real important job. Important because I need to make my boss, Mr. Howard, happy with me like yesterday. It’s no secret that Mr. Howard has never liked me, but if he fires me? Well, I’m sure that will mean the end of Cain Morgan’s ghost taking up residency inside my head. See, Cain shares my body all because he’s supposed to be helping Taliyah settle into her job as the new Chief of Police. And though Taliyah’s pretty well settled by now (by my way of thinking), no one’s said anything about moving Cain on to the other side. And I like him right where he is. So that’s why I’ve gotta make darn sure this next case I get put on is a slam dunk. I’ve been hired to bring Sophia Erepto’s dead granny back because the Erepto family is missing something real important to them—an idol. And I ain’t talkin’ American Idol on the tele. I’m talking about a little, gold statue—the owner of which will take over as the head of the family clan. Real important stuff. So when that idol goes missing and Granny ain’t talkin’, Darla’s got a real big problem on her hands…

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

213 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 😉🤔

This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 30 of 44

She has come to the hollow and now is part of the people who help others. It turns out to lead to dealing with ghosts and misdirection leading to a happy ending.

I would highly recommend this series and authors to readers of fantasy world 🌐 adventure family and friends relationships novels 🙃🌜 2025 👒😁

[Toni Glitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Real Dead Ringer for … Power?

I really enjoy reading about the world of Haven Hollow and its diverse cast of characters; they make me happy. The writing flows well and is easy to read. The world building is great, and all of the characters continue to develop well as the series progresses.

This is a Spook Society book, so we are seeing the world of Haven Hollow through Darla’s eyes. Darla originally died in 1920’s America before she was resurrected and given a second chance at life, so she speaks with the slang of that era and is still getting to grips with the modern world.

The present day sees Darla trying her hand at being a private investigator. A power struggle within a wealthy, influential family sees Darla pulled into the turmoil, both on the living and the spiritual side. Unsurprisingly, she gets herself into a lot more danger than she planned for.

The Haven Hollow series is written from a variety of points of view and features stories from Wanda’s Witchery, Poppy’s Potions, Spook Society, Haven Homes, Remarkable Remedies, Princess Procedural and Blood Rose Academy. They all run in parallel with each other. The reading order so far is:

Gypsy Magic : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 1)
Cashmere Curses : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 2)
Faery Enchantment : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 3)
Spandex Sorcery : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 4)
Love’s Goddess : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 5)
Demon in Denim : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 6)
Taffeta Trickery : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 7)
The Black Cat Cocktail Club : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 8)
French Country Frights : Haven Homes (Haven Hollow, Book 9)
All Hallows Eve : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 10)
Mystic Veil : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 11)
The Yule Log : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 12)
The Broken Mirror : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 13)
Art Deco Apparitions : Hallowed Homes (Haven Hollow, Book 14)
The Vampire’s Grave : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 15)
Herringbone Hexes : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 16)
Raising Cain : Spook Society (Haven Hollow, Book 17)
Druid’s Curse : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 18)
Colonial Corpses : Hallowed Homes (Haven Hollow, Book 19)
Angora Alchemy : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 20)
Day Dream : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 21)
Ritzy Business : Spook Society (Haven Hollow, Book 22)
Pan’s Delight : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 23)
Armed and Charmed : Princess Procedural (Haven Hollow, Book 24)
The Christmas Spirit : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 25)
Blood Rose : Blood Rose Academy (Haven Hollow, Book 26)
Blood Bond : Blood Rose Academy (Haven Hollow, Book 27)
Georgian Ghouls : Hallowed Homes (Haven Hollow, Book 28)
Velvet Voodoo : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 29)
Dead Ringer : Spook Society (Haven Hollow, Book 30)

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darla is back and trying to prove to the head of the Spooky Society, Mr. Howard that she isn't a flake. If she gets fired she might loose her ghost in residence in her head Cain. He is taking up residence in her body to help his sister get adjusted to her new job as the chief of police. When Darla gets a job to find an idol for a family. She gets more then she bargains for when the ghost of the grandmother appears and she isn't talking. This idol is important cause the person who has it becomes the leader of the family. How Darla make out with Mr. Howard watching her and granny not talking . What will Darla do ?
Darla is back and honestly funnier then ever. Between working at the hotel and being a gumshoe her life has been quite busy. She is your typical fun loving gal who was brought back and is alive and trying to find her way in the new world. Sometimes she really comes off as an air head but that is part of her charm. Henner is back and sweeter then ever , he is there to protect his love from the ghost and the family. Cain is well he is Cain sullen and wants to solve the case but he I think secretly loves being Darla's friend and confidante. They work so well together even when the squabble.
This is the 30 book in the series and it doesn't get boring. Each character has so many quirks that the authors love exploiting and when they do it makes us laugh uncontrollably. The authors are keeping the characters relatable and fun to read with each new book. This would be a great summer read for the beach and yes you probably could read it as a stand alone . So check it out you will be laughing your butt off in no time .

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Ringer is the third book in the Spook Society series (book 30 of the Haven Hollow series) by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory. This spin-off is told from Darla’s point-of-view. Darla used to be a ghost who lived with Polly, but Wanda’s wonky blood witch magic turned her back into a real dame.

Darla’s boss doesn’t like her so to prove she’s a good employee, Darla takes on the case of missing idol. Apparently, it’s a really big deal in a line of familial succession. Only, the granny Darla brings back disappears before Darla’s very eyes, and things only go downhill from there.

Dead Ringer is another fantastic and fun novel in the Haven Hollow series. Darla's character is great. She’s fun, funny, and I love her 1920’s vernacular. I was fully engaged in Dead Ringer. I loved the story, characters, setting, and writing.

The Haven Hollow series, and the spin-offs, by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory are excellent. This writing duo brings interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters do their thing.

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Ringer: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel: (Spook Society) (Haven Hollow Book 23)

Dead Ringer: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel: (Spook Society) (Haven Hollow Book 23) Darla is a hysterical in her 1920's character!!!😍😂 Darla talks different than the other characters which makes her unique and have an interesting way about her!! Darla brings her character to life to the Hollow !! Definitely recommend this book, you will laugh throughout this book!!!

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darla is a fun character that brings levity and whimsy whenever she is involved. She is hired to serve as a medium to find a family heirloom. Of course, things don't go as planned. She and Caine work together to solve the mystery. I enjoy her relationship with Henner and was glad to see him have a more prominent role.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I've read all the books in the Haven Hollow/Spook Society series. I throughly enjoy them!!! H.P. Mallory gives her characters such detail and depth. The stories/mysteries are always entertaining. Looking forward to the next book.

[Jana Oglesby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute book from this series. I love the detail the author gives to Darla’s character & how she stays true to her 1920’s birth. The sayings & phrases make this book so much fun. Well written & fast paced in this bit of an adventurous story!

[Kathleen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Data's story is great

Bring back a newly dead Spirit, find a missing idol\statue so a woman can keep control of her family or become a statue...no problem.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was fun, fast-paced and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books in this series as well as other books by these authors.

[Shavel Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

I love the stories from Darla POV. These books have kept me entertained for the summer. Great writer and character development

[Jessica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy Darla

It so much fun to read about Darla. Her language is funny and hard to understand sometimes. Henner is so sweet and unpredictable. A good adventure to read.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really just can’t deal with the Darla voice. I actually usually like her books but I just can’t get past the voice in this one.

[Jami Kehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darla takes center stage in the 30th installment of the Haven Hollow series. I like Darla.. I just don't love her like I do some of the other characters. She is a strong character and this story was a fun read, don't get me wrong. I did enjoy this quick story..just wish it featured more of the other characters too.