What do you think?
The Marnie Baranuik Files #7
Dear Departed
When Marnie Baranuik gets the call from her former boss at the Preternatural Crimes Unit that her unique skills are needed once more, she is understandably hesitant. When an old enemy warns that only death awaits her, Marnie’s suspicions deepen. But her dear friend Declan is alone, trying to stake a dangerous revenant on a remote tropical island, and to make matters worse, the dead have been risen as graveside sentinels. Despite her fears, Marnie must set off to protect Declan and stake the revenant— but can she accept the help of ex-lover, Mark Batten, and will she succeed when her own internal struggles force her to transform into someone she barely recognizes? Can she wrestle her blossoming emotions when thrust together with a temporary bodyguard? Can she stay out of lock-up long enough to give Mark Batten the tongue-lashing he truly deserves?When a face from her past reveals his intentions, more sinister reinforcements are summoned, and Marnie is toe-to-toe with Death Itself, will she finally stumble? Will this be Marnie Baranuik’s final case, the last deadly File in her folder?
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 12, 2024
I really enjoy this series and I was so excited when I saw the new book was released. I'm so glad Marnie is back at her quick-witted, spiky best, and on another supernatural adventure. It was great to see her with Declan again, and I like her and Morgan together, even if part of me still wishes she could be with Batten. I love seeing how she's going to get herself out of all the tight spots she finds herself in - another great instalment!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2024
My favorite books
These are my absolute favorite books! Can’t get enough and I can never describe them adequately. This summer will be the perfect time to reread them all.
These are my absolute favorite books! Can’t get enough and I can never describe them adequately. This summer will be the perfect time to reread them all.
May 9, 2024
4.5
Three years is a big gap in a series, but you wouldn't know it, Marnie is still Marnie.
This series got a bit serious a few books back, and this one made me cry at about 97%.
This is not your typical romance. I'm not interested in love triangles or harems, and this series kinda teeters that way, but not so much the emotional aspect of it, which is why I can deal with it, I think.
Marnie is broken. This book tried to dig into some of her bigger feelings. Actually, if Harry and Wes, well and everyone else, would let Marnie confront her emotions, this would be a much better book for it. We were so close to something deep and real from Marnie, but Aalto backed off from it. Otherwise, it would've been an easy 5 stars.
However, Batten's emotional undoing was fantastic! I can't wait for the next book.
Three years is a big gap in a series, but you wouldn't know it, Marnie is still Marnie.
This series got a bit serious a few books back, and this one made me cry at about 97%.
This is not your typical romance. I'm not interested in love triangles or harems, and this series kinda teeters that way, but not so much the emotional aspect of it, which is why I can deal with it, I think.
Marnie is broken. This book tried to dig into some of her bigger feelings. Actually, if Harry and Wes, well and everyone else, would let Marnie confront her emotions, this would be a much better book for it. We were so close to something deep and real from Marnie, but Aalto backed off from it. Otherwise, it would've been an easy 5 stars.
However, Batten's emotional undoing was fantastic! I can't wait for the next book.
March 26, 2026
How Can You Become Dear Departed?
***NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart***
This series must be read in order. Always remember to read the in between mini books or you will miss something awesome! I can't wait to read more!
Marnie is always in the middle of something... Good or bad is always a judgement call. So much has changed and yet she is still always looking for a good time. Trouble follows her around like ducklings imprinted on their mother. Can she pull off the job she is asked to do? Or will her lack of planning spell her end? Getting the gang back together can end so many ways... Most of them chaotic. Let the fun begin :)
***NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart***
This series must be read in order. Always remember to read the in between mini books or you will miss something awesome! I can't wait to read more!
Marnie is always in the middle of something... Good or bad is always a judgement call. So much has changed and yet she is still always looking for a good time. Trouble follows her around like ducklings imprinted on their mother. Can she pull off the job she is asked to do? Or will her lack of planning spell her end? Getting the gang back together can end so many ways... Most of them chaotic. Let the fun begin :)
May 16, 2024
She's back!!
It feels like forever since I finished book 6 of the Marnie Baranuik files. I was ecstatic with book 7. It took me 4 hours to finish and I loved every minute of it. A.J's story telling in this series is amazing. You fall in love with the characters, you root for Marnie and I appreciate her quirks. Last book I cried and again with this one. It's like visiting with a friend after a long time and like no time had passed at all. Thank you A.J for continuing this series. I look forward to the next one.
It feels like forever since I finished book 6 of the Marnie Baranuik files. I was ecstatic with book 7. It took me 4 hours to finish and I loved every minute of it. A.J's story telling in this series is amazing. You fall in love with the characters, you root for Marnie and I appreciate her quirks. Last book I cried and again with this one. It's like visiting with a friend after a long time and like no time had passed at all. Thank you A.J for continuing this series. I look forward to the next one.
February 6, 2026
I love the Marnie books so much. I always have a few laugh out loud moments. This was no exception. Definitely need to read these in order or you'll be confused. I loved that Marnie had two love interests (not including Harry)! She deserves a break!
The world seems to get more complicated as the series progresses with is mostly fun (sometimes it's hard to remember the context since I started the series years ago). So funny. Great supernatural moments. Interesting "creatures" and political intrigue.
Very fun!
The world seems to get more complicated as the series progresses with is mostly fun (sometimes it's hard to remember the context since I started the series years ago). So funny. Great supernatural moments. Interesting "creatures" and political intrigue.
Very fun!
April 1, 2024
Marnie is back!!!
My favourite book series, hands down. The imagination that goes into the characters and storylines is convoluted and epic, and the intelligence and continuity is next level. I’m forever dragged willingly back into the (cold) comfort of the world that is Marnie. I’m glad my tears were kept to a minimum in this book, but the laughter wasn’t. Get a bit of Marnie in yer life!
My favourite book series, hands down. The imagination that goes into the characters and storylines is convoluted and epic, and the intelligence and continuity is next level. I’m forever dragged willingly back into the (cold) comfort of the world that is Marnie. I’m glad my tears were kept to a minimum in this book, but the laughter wasn’t. Get a bit of Marnie in yer life!
April 14, 2024
I always feel like I've come home when I return to this world. I rarely remember so much about the characters and world building of a series, even when I like them a lot, but she is just so darn good, they stay stuck in my brain... Such a wild and wonderful world!! 🤩
As always, excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and intelligent. Who could ask for anything more?!?
As always, excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and intelligent. Who could ask for anything more?!?
April 7, 2024
Glad to see that Dr. Marine's back!
It has been so long since I read Book Six of this series that it took me a while to get the characters settled back in my memory. The relationships are convoluted and complex, so I will probably go back and read through the series once again. At any rate, I ultimately liked this Book Seven and look forward to the next book.
It has been so long since I read Book Six of this series that it took me a while to get the characters settled back in my memory. The relationships are convoluted and complex, so I will probably go back and read through the series once again. At any rate, I ultimately liked this Book Seven and look forward to the next book.
June 15, 2024
More Marnie!
Marnie is my favorite character of all time. Her quirky personality and hilariously concocted vulgarities keep me in stitches. The plots of each book bring out every emotion as I voraciously read them. This book did not disappoint and fingers crossed that there will be another book in the not so distant future.
Marnie is my favorite character of all time. Her quirky personality and hilariously concocted vulgarities keep me in stitches. The plots of each book bring out every emotion as I voraciously read them. This book did not disappoint and fingers crossed that there will be another book in the not so distant future.
June 17, 2024
I don’t think anyone is surprised by my 5 star rating at this point. I love Marnie SO much. Like, she is EASILY my favourite fictional character of all time. I snort laughed my entire way through this book, but in usual Aalto fashion, the storyline was also well sprinkled with heart-pounding moments of “OH NO”. Uuuugh, and now the waiting begins again…
April 8, 2024
Fantastic!
Omg!! Such a great book! Definitely worth the wait. I absolutely love this author! I've been waiting and waiting for this book and it was worth it. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Omg!! Such a great book! Definitely worth the wait. I absolutely love this author! I've been waiting and waiting for this book and it was worth it. I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 30, 2025
I just love Marnie & the crew of wacky, weird & lovable characters that always seem to be orbiting around her regardless of where the story takes her!! Every book is well written, has wonderful characters, fun & has enough twists & turns that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat or in my case, in bed reading waaaaaay past my bedtime & trying not to laugh too loudly & awaken the dogs!!! I love these books & I'm overjoyed with each one!! Marnie is a hoot, her Lord Harry is prim & always messing with her, her little brother, Wes, the "slipper-humper" tends to get into her head too much for her liking, Unflappable Chapple, her boss is a dear man who tries to keep them all in line, unsuccessfully & Mark Batten, The Vampire Slayer still has her heart it seems...I can't wait for the next book, & the one after that & the one after that...well you get the picture!!! You need to read this ENTIRE SERIES!!! It'll make more sense that way & I truly believe you'll fall in love with Marnie & her friends in No Time!! I Promise!!
April 3, 2024
Loved it
One of my favorites is back. Yay. Loved the book and the story. I laughed and I cried. Can't wait for the next.
One of my favorites is back. Yay. Loved the book and the story. I laughed and I cried. Can't wait for the next.
June 22, 2024
Got my Marnie fix!!
Once again A J Aalto has taken me away to the Dr Marnie world. I am so hoping that another one is on the way!!!
Once again A J Aalto has taken me away to the Dr Marnie world. I am so hoping that another one is on the way!!!
August 12, 2024
Another great read!
I love this series!!! I've got a few of my friends hooked on reading it, it just has so much action and a few twist in it with humor and some romance, can't wait for the next t book!!!
I love this series!!! I've got a few of my friends hooked on reading it, it just has so much action and a few twist in it with humor and some romance, can't wait for the next t book!!!
Read
April 18, 2025Marnie so sooooo obsessed with sex that it got in the way of the plot and made the book unenjoyable.
April 22, 2025
Don’t read without previous books. Was a great extension. Where is the next book?
June 23, 2025
Marnie keeps taking names and kicking ass.
February 9, 2026
Tied with a bow
Great wrap up. This story keeps you guessing, and peaks interest at every turn. I hope there will be more books, but if not this is a good way to end.
Great wrap up. This story keeps you guessing, and peaks interest at every turn. I hope there will be more books, but if not this is a good way to end.
April 4, 2024
This was great! There were lines in this book that had me laughing my head off! I will be honest and say that last book or two in this series felt off to me and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue this series - well in this book she is ALL back! All the snark and humor that made me love it in the beginning if there again so dive in!
April 8, 2024
Another Great Marnie Adventure
On the one hand, I desperately want to see the resolution to so many of Marnie and friends relationships. But on the other, I never want the adventures to end. Can’t wait to hear when the next adventure will be out
On the one hand, I desperately want to see the resolution to so many of Marnie and friends relationships. But on the other, I never want the adventures to end. Can’t wait to hear when the next adventure will be out
April 1, 2024
A delightful addition to the Marnie sagas, full of humor and shenanigans, smattered with shanties and a sprinkle of new oddities. This is not a standalone novel, as the backstory of many characters lends to the depth and complexity of Dear Departed. However, I would recommend the whole series without hesitation!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews