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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?!?
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.
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.
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…
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!
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!!
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!!!
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!
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
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!