Mice

Dead & Busy #3

by Kfir Luzzatto

The third story in the Dave Callaghan supernatural detective series (for the first two stories see "Phantom Lover").


“Where the hell are they coming from?”
When Frankie asked a question, it always sounded like he was placing the blame on someone—me, in this case. Instead of answering, I squashed the white mouse that had just climbed out of his coffee cup. The mouse had the consistency of putty and felt like it; no bloodshed was involved in the squashing.

ebook

First published October 24, 2013

About the author

Kfir Luzzatto is the author of seventeen novels, several short stories, and seven non-fiction books. Kfir was born and raised in Italy and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired his love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader, and a prolific writer. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney. In pursuit of his interest in the mind-body connection, Kfir was certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist by the Anglo-European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis.

Kfir is a member of the HWA (Horror Writers Association) and ITW (International Thriller Writers).

You can visit Kfir’s web site and read his blog at https://www.kfirluzzatto.com. Follow him on Twitter (@KfirLuzzatto) and friend him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KfirLuzzatto...).

Reviews

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Dave Callaghan is at it again in another fun paranormal detective novel. In this story we see that Dave is hired by Frankie, a well known Mafioso to rid him of Ectoplasmic mice. Oddly enough, when the mouse is killed it just reappears, not only that but it can talk too! There's also a ghost sailor with quite the character and let's not forget the extremely sexy Melissa.

This was another fun read from Kfir Luzzato. It has quite a few humorous moments that lighten the mood. I love how the characters are written and the story flowed wonderfully. If you like paranormal detective novels, this is a quick light read everyone is sure to enjoy!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can Dave talk to mice now? Just when I thought I had his story figured out, he surprises you with something else. This case was a bit puzzling. I didn’t quite enjoy this as much as the previous episodes, but it still has that zany wit.

[Jennifer Laube · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mice by Kfir Luzzatto is the third book in a series of short stories about Dave Callaghan, a paranormal private investigator. Hired by Frankie Leone (a mafioso-type of guy), Dave needs to find out why these mysterious mice keep popping up and annoying Frankie for no reason (one lovely little creature spent the night reciting "Mary Had A Little Lamb" over and over until dawn). These strange talking mice are not your average cheese-eating kind of mice, but smarth-mouthed ectoplasm's that for some reason won't leave Frankie alone. Dave has one week to solve where the talking mice are coming from or he will end up at the bottom of a river in cement boots.

After visiting the Cornflake Oracle (yes, Cornflake as in the cereal- she reads cereal instead of tea leaves), he discovers that he needs to protect the mouse that he has in his possession from someone who wishes to harm it. As he digs deeper and deeper into the craziness of the strange little mouse, he discovers that the mouse is a ectoplasmic projection from a girl named Anne who was kidnapped. Anne is psychic and had been working for the government before she was kidnapped. The mouse is projection of her mind and her kidnappers are using her to channel the mice to spy on others and gather useful information. Now Dave has to find Anne and with some extra paranormal help, keep himself from becoming fish food.

Even though it is to be a short story, it seems at times the chapters end abruptly; where as the beginning of the chapter has a lot of detail. But despite this, I did enjoy the story. I love the author's sense of humor and unique theme and the unpredictability of the plot. This story did seem more of a complete story verses the other "Dave Callaghan" stories ("Phantom Lover" and "Accidential Lazarus") but overall, I think I could enjoy more of Kfir Luzzatto's stories and might just have to check out his other books.

**I was given a copy if this book in exchange for my HONEST opinion. I do not profit from this in any way.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the other two short stories that come before Mice by Kfir Luzzatto, but this short story was enjoyable all on it's own. It centers around Dave Callaghan who is a paranormal investigator. He is hired on by a man named Frankie Leone to investigate mice that keep showing up and annoying poor Frankie. These are not your ordinary house mice. They can talk! I am not sure how I would feel with smart mouthed little mice roaming around annoying me. I would probably hire someone too. I can not stand your run of the mill mouse, so these would be pushing it to a whole new level for me. Dave is given one week in order to solve where the heck these mice may be coming from or a horrible fate of landing at the bottom of the river with cement boots on awaits him. How tragic that would be.

Dave ventures to seek advice from the Cornflake Oracle and discovers that he doesn't need to harm the mouse. He needs to protect it. What a twist of events this is. It gets even better when he discovers that this mouse is an ectoplasmic projection of a kidnapped girl named Anne. This girl is psychic and was kidnapped while she was doing work for the government. Now Dave has a new task of finding the girl Anne because that is where the mouse is stemming from. The people who kidnapped Anne are using the mouse in order to spy on others.

I really loved this short story and the author's creativity. I am going to have to go back and read about Dave's other adventures preceding this one now. Each short chapter had a lot of detail which shocked me. The plot of this story is unlike any other that I have ever read. The other stories are named "Phantom Lover", which is also covered on this tour, and "Accidental Lazarus". I will be looking back and reading this as soon as I can. I have liked Kfir Luzzatto in the past and will continue to read his works well into the future!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book through Promotional Book Tours for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a short novella about a paranormal detective, or maybe it was a detective series with paranormal parts to it.The storyline was okay. If the story was any more drawn out however, it would have been boring, so the length was about right for the action.
I found the characters that were living to be one dimensional, however, all of it was made up by the ghostly character whom I absolutely adored. From the main character, Dave Callaghan, to the oracle he goes to for help (called the Cornflake Oracle) to a possible romantic interest, I didn't find there was much character development or storyline. I didn't feel any of the sparks fly between Dave or his romantic interest until the very end when it was obvious there were some sort of feelings.
Ultimately, Mice was a short novella that was cute and quick to read, but don't expect anything life-altering out of it.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Callaghan is a PI specialist in Paranormal cases, One day a MOB boss asks him to help with a mice problem. not just mice mind you but ectoplasma mouse that can speak.
Dave is soon totally in the case which brings surprises and unexpected help from a ghost.
He finds out that the mice can't tell him much, but after a visit with the cornflakes oracle he knows a secret that will make the mouse talk. He finds out that there is more to it all.
Will he be on time to safe the girl that makes the mice?

Very cute story but adult not so much kids, unless they are YA

[Linda Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story of Detective Dave Callaghan solving crimes with his paranormal friends. He joins up with a mouse made of ectoplasm and a ghost named Jake to solve this mystery. Fast read and worth the time.