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Dead Detective #1
The Dead Detective
Medical-school-dropout police detective Richelle Dadd is... well, dead.
But that won't stop her from trying to hold on to her house in a divorce battle with a bitter husband. Or keep her from digging into her own murder, to discover who put the bullet into her heart. And it certainly won't stand in the way of finding out the reason she's been reanimated as a zombie assassin, no longer in control of her life.
Richelle will face off against Gypsy shamans, double-crossing ghosts, a partner she can't trust, and her own undead nature in a journey into the depths of the occult world and out the other side without losing her sense of humor - or humanity - along the way.
It's a good thing her deductive skills - and her aim - are still up to par.
But that won't stop her from trying to hold on to her house in a divorce battle with a bitter husband. Or keep her from digging into her own murder, to discover who put the bullet into her heart. And it certainly won't stand in the way of finding out the reason she's been reanimated as a zombie assassin, no longer in control of her life.
Richelle will face off against Gypsy shamans, double-crossing ghosts, a partner she can't trust, and her own undead nature in a journey into the depths of the occult world and out the other side without losing her sense of humor - or humanity - along the way.
It's a good thing her deductive skills - and her aim - are still up to par.
417 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2014
481 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Rain
654 books1,727 followersJ.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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 11, 2019
3.5 stars
I liked this one enough to say I'm reading the second book. However, the Romany/Gypsy curse lore kind of lost me me on how Richelle became undead (half-Zombie). The story could be a little tighter without all the zig zags in secondary story lines. No one is to be trusted in this one - not even the ghosts who appear to be helping.
The bad guy disappeared and should make an appearance in the next book - part of the reason I want to read it and see what happens. I'll know then if I want to continue the series. It was fun.
I liked this one enough to say I'm reading the second book. However, the Romany/Gypsy curse lore kind of lost me me on how Richelle became undead (half-Zombie). The story could be a little tighter without all the zig zags in secondary story lines. No one is to be trusted in this one - not even the ghosts who appear to be helping.
The bad guy disappeared and should make an appearance in the next book - part of the reason I want to read it and see what happens. I'll know then if I want to continue the series. It was fun.
October 28, 2014
It started off so well who wouldn't like the line: "You know you are having a bad day when you wake up in a chalk outline" but sadly for me it just went down hill from there. It had such potential but some how the characters just grated on my nerves, I also found it a bit odd at how accepting everyone was that Richelle now a zombie, everything just seemed so casual. You might enjoy the book if you like gum shoe detective stories with a paranormal element but it wasn't for me.
October 25, 2022
I had never heard of this one, or read this author but I have to admit, this one was not bad at all. Not your typical zombie/horror story at all, but more of a humor/thriller type?
When a detective wakes up with a large bullet hole in her chest, she must figure out who killed her, why, and how the heck is she still walking around with no pulse, no breath, and her body temp very cold?
I actually enjoyed this one, a nice palate cleanser.
When a detective wakes up with a large bullet hole in her chest, she must figure out who killed her, why, and how the heck is she still walking around with no pulse, no breath, and her body temp very cold?
I actually enjoyed this one, a nice palate cleanser.
June 27, 2023
This was a good listen. An interesting concept for zombies, living between the living world and the Shade (dead) due to a curse. Our detective is trying to find out who cursed her, who is pulling her strings and what their end game is.
February 26, 2020
“You know you’re having a bad day when you wake up in a chalk outline.”
When Robbery Homicide Detective Richelle Dadd wakes up in an abandoned warehouse with a chalk outline around her body, she assumes she’s been the victim of a prank at the hands of her fellow officers. After realising she’s been shot through the heart, however, she pieces together that she must have been lured to the warehouse and murdered - but by who and why? Most importantly, how is she still able to walk around despite being perpetually cold, with no pulse or beating heart and the ability to see ghosts?
As Richie tries to solve her own murder, she grasps that the shooter could have been someone in her own department. No longer able to trust her boss or her partner, Richie finds an unlikely ally in Bull McGuinness, a tag along ghost/partner who used to be a detective once upon a time. Bull not only does most of the legwork in solving her case, but also helps her to adjust with the afterlife.
It soon transpires that the reason Richie in limbo is down to a gypsy clan who reanimated her in order to turn her into a zombie assassin - and she is not the only one of her kind. Now she must face off against gypsy shamans, double crossing ghosts, a partner she can’t trust while trying to hang on to her house in a bitter divorce battle with her ex as well as her humanity.
Dead Detective is the first offbeat instalment of the Dead Detective series by JR Rain and Rod Kierkegaard and was my first introduction to both authors. The book starts off with an interesting premise which is told from the point of view of an undead police detective after being shot to death. She wakes up and initially thinks she’s the target of an elaborate prank. Her thought processes as she struggles to adjust to her new situation and retain some semblance of normality while simultaneously trying to solve her own murder were relatable.
The world building was exceptional and I was impressed by the authors unique approach on the usual zombie lore I’m accustomed to. Although weakened by sunlight, Richie is in control of her faculties and is able to eat and drink as normal, minus any unusual cravings. Her only vulnerability seems to be at night when she’s susceptible to the gypsies mind control. On the up side though, her ability to see and talk to ghosts as well as auras and shades of buildings from yesteryear was an interesting twist and I enjoyed the intertwining world between the dead and the living. I did struggle to grasp the concept of Romani Gypsy curse lore. The idea that a ‘hakkno mulo’ curse was used to create a ‘muli’ (Richie) in order to conceive a ‘moroi’ a kind of undead vampire-like creature born of the union between a human and muli.
I also felt that the pace of the book suffered as a result of several subplots occurring at the same time. We have a protagonist who despite undergoing couples therapy, is on the brink of a divorce from her cheating ex who is intent on keeping their house and cat. She has to deal with her new status as a zombie as well as her fear of being exposed. Her mother, in between trying to set her up with a lesbian, finally sees fit to reveal her gypsie heritage just as Richie learns that her reanimation is the result of a gypsy curse. Then we have said gypsies using her as well as other undead cops to carry out a spate of murders while a couple of ghosts use her to carry out a heist. Oh, and then there’s the creep who wants to use her as a baby incubator. Who’s a girl to trust?
Richie was an appealing and relatable protagonist who the readers will instantly root for. She’s had a traumatic childhood but has emerged stronger and wiser for it. I did wish however, that she was more assertive with those around her who seemed to take advantage of her. The secondary characters were equally well drawn and interesting, my favourites being Malena, Tamara and of course, Bull.
The book doesn’t take itself too seriously which is evident in the black humour. I loved Richie’s wit and sense of irony. Her quips as well as her overall outlook on life had me smiling on many occasion.
All in all I felt that the story had an interesting premise with a strong beginning that draws the reader in from the offset. It did kind of lose its way in the middle but it’s saving grace were the intriguing characters. There’s still room for potential for a detective who is able to navigate the world of the dead as well as the living. The surprise revelation at the end has piqued my interest into picking up the second instalment.
Ideal for fans of paranormal mysteries, noir police detective dramas, zombies, ghosts, gypsie curses, the occult, organised crime.
I listened to this book in audible form which was narrated by Ilyana Kadushin. I was impressed by the way she was masterfully able to bring each character to life with their own unique voice, switching effortlessly between characters and accents.
When Robbery Homicide Detective Richelle Dadd wakes up in an abandoned warehouse with a chalk outline around her body, she assumes she’s been the victim of a prank at the hands of her fellow officers. After realising she’s been shot through the heart, however, she pieces together that she must have been lured to the warehouse and murdered - but by who and why? Most importantly, how is she still able to walk around despite being perpetually cold, with no pulse or beating heart and the ability to see ghosts?
As Richie tries to solve her own murder, she grasps that the shooter could have been someone in her own department. No longer able to trust her boss or her partner, Richie finds an unlikely ally in Bull McGuinness, a tag along ghost/partner who used to be a detective once upon a time. Bull not only does most of the legwork in solving her case, but also helps her to adjust with the afterlife.
It soon transpires that the reason Richie in limbo is down to a gypsy clan who reanimated her in order to turn her into a zombie assassin - and she is not the only one of her kind. Now she must face off against gypsy shamans, double crossing ghosts, a partner she can’t trust while trying to hang on to her house in a bitter divorce battle with her ex as well as her humanity.
Dead Detective is the first offbeat instalment of the Dead Detective series by JR Rain and Rod Kierkegaard and was my first introduction to both authors. The book starts off with an interesting premise which is told from the point of view of an undead police detective after being shot to death. She wakes up and initially thinks she’s the target of an elaborate prank. Her thought processes as she struggles to adjust to her new situation and retain some semblance of normality while simultaneously trying to solve her own murder were relatable.
The world building was exceptional and I was impressed by the authors unique approach on the usual zombie lore I’m accustomed to. Although weakened by sunlight, Richie is in control of her faculties and is able to eat and drink as normal, minus any unusual cravings. Her only vulnerability seems to be at night when she’s susceptible to the gypsies mind control. On the up side though, her ability to see and talk to ghosts as well as auras and shades of buildings from yesteryear was an interesting twist and I enjoyed the intertwining world between the dead and the living. I did struggle to grasp the concept of Romani Gypsy curse lore. The idea that a ‘hakkno mulo’ curse was used to create a ‘muli’ (Richie) in order to conceive a ‘moroi’ a kind of undead vampire-like creature born of the union between a human and muli.
I also felt that the pace of the book suffered as a result of several subplots occurring at the same time. We have a protagonist who despite undergoing couples therapy, is on the brink of a divorce from her cheating ex who is intent on keeping their house and cat. She has to deal with her new status as a zombie as well as her fear of being exposed. Her mother, in between trying to set her up with a lesbian, finally sees fit to reveal her gypsie heritage just as Richie learns that her reanimation is the result of a gypsy curse. Then we have said gypsies using her as well as other undead cops to carry out a spate of murders while a couple of ghosts use her to carry out a heist. Oh, and then there’s the creep who wants to use her as a baby incubator. Who’s a girl to trust?
Richie was an appealing and relatable protagonist who the readers will instantly root for. She’s had a traumatic childhood but has emerged stronger and wiser for it. I did wish however, that she was more assertive with those around her who seemed to take advantage of her. The secondary characters were equally well drawn and interesting, my favourites being Malena, Tamara and of course, Bull.
The book doesn’t take itself too seriously which is evident in the black humour. I loved Richie’s wit and sense of irony. Her quips as well as her overall outlook on life had me smiling on many occasion.
All in all I felt that the story had an interesting premise with a strong beginning that draws the reader in from the offset. It did kind of lose its way in the middle but it’s saving grace were the intriguing characters. There’s still room for potential for a detective who is able to navigate the world of the dead as well as the living. The surprise revelation at the end has piqued my interest into picking up the second instalment.
Ideal for fans of paranormal mysteries, noir police detective dramas, zombies, ghosts, gypsie curses, the occult, organised crime.
I listened to this book in audible form which was narrated by Ilyana Kadushin. I was impressed by the way she was masterfully able to bring each character to life with their own unique voice, switching effortlessly between characters and accents.
February 23, 2024
Even though this is marked as a paperback, the cover above is the one I had for the Kindle edition.
February 28, 2016
Read another series
I love J.R. Rain's Samantha Moon series...this is not it. The editing wasn't up to the usual standards. Lots of typos. The pacing was bad. Characters were brought in out of nowhere. It felt like key elements were left out, or perhaps edited out. Not at all on par with his usual style of writing.
I usually gobble J.R. Rain's stories in a day or two, even the stand alone books. I almost didn't finish The Dead Detective. I liked the concept of the book, an undead cop trying to solve her own murder. I really wanted to like this book, but I there was a lot of stuff that didn't make sense, like why EVERY character seemed to be lusting after an undead zombie cop. And I couldn't figure out why ALL the cops seemed very unprofessional, including our main character. The detective work in all of J.R. Rain's other stories is methodical in nature. Look through the evidence, question suspects, solve the case. This story was scattered all over the place, with very little detective work happening. Stuff keeps happening to the main character, but she doesn't seem to make many choices to help herself. She wasn't a strong female character. She was female, yes, but she allowed the male characters in the story to make everything happen around her. She consistently handed her problems over to other people, but made very little progress solving her own case. Honestly, there wasn't anything redeemable or even likeable about the characters in this book. The main character was more of a "Smurfit" type of character. I don't think this book would pass the Bechdel test.
There was too much vague telling, and not enough showing going on. Sometimes it felt like these scenes were supposed to be place holders for the "real" story, meant to be fleshed out later, but it never happened. Again, this is NOT J.R. Rain's usual style. Maybe this is the result of bad collaboration? Bad editor? The idea was great, but the story needed more work.
The ending was bad! I like a mystery where I'm trying to solve the case along with the characters. The storyline in this book was so chopped up, I couldn't have solved the case if I wanted to.
*Spoilers*
The "who done it" is introduced to the readers in the last couple of chapters. Dumb! Might as well say the butler did it...when there wasn't a butler. And our antagonist only gets a couple of lines, so it almost felt like an afterthought.
**There are two rapes in this book. Not my favorite plot device.
I love J.R. Rain's Samantha Moon series...this is not it. The editing wasn't up to the usual standards. Lots of typos. The pacing was bad. Characters were brought in out of nowhere. It felt like key elements were left out, or perhaps edited out. Not at all on par with his usual style of writing.
I usually gobble J.R. Rain's stories in a day or two, even the stand alone books. I almost didn't finish The Dead Detective. I liked the concept of the book, an undead cop trying to solve her own murder. I really wanted to like this book, but I there was a lot of stuff that didn't make sense, like why EVERY character seemed to be lusting after an undead zombie cop. And I couldn't figure out why ALL the cops seemed very unprofessional, including our main character. The detective work in all of J.R. Rain's other stories is methodical in nature. Look through the evidence, question suspects, solve the case. This story was scattered all over the place, with very little detective work happening. Stuff keeps happening to the main character, but she doesn't seem to make many choices to help herself. She wasn't a strong female character. She was female, yes, but she allowed the male characters in the story to make everything happen around her. She consistently handed her problems over to other people, but made very little progress solving her own case. Honestly, there wasn't anything redeemable or even likeable about the characters in this book. The main character was more of a "Smurfit" type of character. I don't think this book would pass the Bechdel test.
There was too much vague telling, and not enough showing going on. Sometimes it felt like these scenes were supposed to be place holders for the "real" story, meant to be fleshed out later, but it never happened. Again, this is NOT J.R. Rain's usual style. Maybe this is the result of bad collaboration? Bad editor? The idea was great, but the story needed more work.
The ending was bad! I like a mystery where I'm trying to solve the case along with the characters. The storyline in this book was so chopped up, I couldn't have solved the case if I wanted to.
*Spoilers*
The "who done it" is introduced to the readers in the last couple of chapters. Dumb! Might as well say the butler did it...when there wasn't a butler. And our antagonist only gets a couple of lines, so it almost felt like an afterthought.
**There are two rapes in this book. Not my favorite plot device.
February 28, 2016
This book starts out with an intriguing premise - a novel told from the viewpoint of an undead police detective as she 'awakes' after being shot to death, but devolves to some silliness along the way that I thought undercut it's effectiveness. Perhaps the book is built entirely on gypsy myth that is not familiar to me, but the premise falls apart pretty rapidly as this becomes more of a standard crime book with several unfortunate tropes.
That all being said, I didn't actively dislike the book; I was mostly disappointed by the direction in which it went. I will likely try out more of the series if it becomes available to see if the authors can improve on their execution.
That all being said, I didn't actively dislike the book; I was mostly disappointed by the direction in which it went. I will likely try out more of the series if it becomes available to see if the authors can improve on their execution.
June 28, 2022
Richelle Dadd, a police detective, wakes up dead. Is that even possible? She soon learns that she has been turned into a "zombie" by a gypsy who is intent on creating an army of zombies to do her bidding.
This was a unique concept, full of gypsies, zombies, ghosts, and a voodoo priestess or two. And, don't forget a Jewish rabbi, a cheating husband and a couple of drool worthy guys.
The narrator did a good job and kept my interest throughout the book. One thing is for sure: if you are looking for a unique paranormal romance, you can't go wrong with J.R. Rain's books.
This was a unique concept, full of gypsies, zombies, ghosts, and a voodoo priestess or two. And, don't forget a Jewish rabbi, a cheating husband and a couple of drool worthy guys.
The narrator did a good job and kept my interest throughout the book. One thing is for sure: if you are looking for a unique paranormal romance, you can't go wrong with J.R. Rain's books.
February 1, 2016
"The Dead Detective"
BY: J.R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
I have been a fan of J.R. Rain for many years and am especially fond of his Vampire for Hire books. Unfamiliar with Kierkegaard's work I thought this might be an interesting book to read although I am not usually a fan of the Zombie stories. I usually want you to be "dead" or "alive"! Hard for me to straddle that line.
You can definitely pick out J.R. Rain's writing in this story. He does a great job of character development and likability. The book had a great introductory hook and I felt myself drawn in by the main character. Wake up on a cold concrete floor thinking you're the center of a horrible office prank only to find out that NOOOO, that chalk outline of your body was real! Freaky.
From there I bought into the story and enjoyed the main character's thought process on adjusting to her situation. Then it became a little murky for me. Deciding who to tell, who not to tell and still able to pull off being a normal cop was really reaching! I was exhausted just trying to think how she was going to keep this under the radar. Her ability to see and talk to ghosts while still functioning in her official capacity would be a big plus and there were some cool twists in the authors's vision of this "undead" detective!
I felt some places dragged on a little and I found myself giving cursory glances to many paragraphs without missing the important information. Don't know whose influence some of the superfluous writing was as normally J.R. Rain's books read and flow easily. But the story had a great beginning, some really cool characters, an interesting storyline and a set up for sequels for an ending. The makings of a fun series. It may not be top of my list to read ASAP (like I said, not a big zombie fan here) as there are other paranormal series I enjoy more but if you are die-hard Rain fans, you will pick this up and determine for yourself if it's your cup of tea. Can't argue with success.
Jeanie G.
I give this story 4 stars but really would have done 3.75 if offered.
BY: J.R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
I have been a fan of J.R. Rain for many years and am especially fond of his Vampire for Hire books. Unfamiliar with Kierkegaard's work I thought this might be an interesting book to read although I am not usually a fan of the Zombie stories. I usually want you to be "dead" or "alive"! Hard for me to straddle that line.
You can definitely pick out J.R. Rain's writing in this story. He does a great job of character development and likability. The book had a great introductory hook and I felt myself drawn in by the main character. Wake up on a cold concrete floor thinking you're the center of a horrible office prank only to find out that NOOOO, that chalk outline of your body was real! Freaky.
From there I bought into the story and enjoyed the main character's thought process on adjusting to her situation. Then it became a little murky for me. Deciding who to tell, who not to tell and still able to pull off being a normal cop was really reaching! I was exhausted just trying to think how she was going to keep this under the radar. Her ability to see and talk to ghosts while still functioning in her official capacity would be a big plus and there were some cool twists in the authors's vision of this "undead" detective!
I felt some places dragged on a little and I found myself giving cursory glances to many paragraphs without missing the important information. Don't know whose influence some of the superfluous writing was as normally J.R. Rain's books read and flow easily. But the story had a great beginning, some really cool characters, an interesting storyline and a set up for sequels for an ending. The makings of a fun series. It may not be top of my list to read ASAP (like I said, not a big zombie fan here) as there are other paranormal series I enjoy more but if you are die-hard Rain fans, you will pick this up and determine for yourself if it's your cup of tea. Can't argue with success.
Jeanie G.
I give this story 4 stars but really would have done 3.75 if offered.
September 19, 2015
The Dead Detective is a paranormal murder mystery and allows pure escapism from life as we know it. Believing herself to be the victim of a prank, Richelle Dadd wakes up inside a chalk outline at a murder scene. Ticked off at the level to which her fellow police officers will go to pull such a prank, Richelle begins to ask a few questions. The trouble is, no pulse, cold skin and a bullet through her heart are just NOT normal. Plus something has happened to her vision, she can see ghosts or shades of buildings from yesteryear. But people can still see her, so what is she?
Forced to accept she is undead, half ghost/ half alive or just a plain old zombie, Richelle plans to solve her own murder case. With a foot in both worlds, she teams up with Bull McGuiness an old cop who's been dead a while. He suggests they return to the scene of the crime and look for clues, but whilst there, Richelle is taken over by an evil possession and forced to murder two gypsies.
A bit of research reveals Richelle is the victim of a powerful gypsy curse which can take over her mind and force her to do bad things. But it's not just Richelle who has been possessed. News comes of more vicious murders and rumours of something big being planned between dangerous players. No one messes with gypsies! But Richelle and her friends on both sides of the fence are determined to stop them.
Letting go of all reality and plunging yourself into this book is the best way to read this, allowing the story take you on a journey. Written in a fun upbeat manner, The Dead Detective puts a different twist on a murder mystery.
Forced to accept she is undead, half ghost/ half alive or just a plain old zombie, Richelle plans to solve her own murder case. With a foot in both worlds, she teams up with Bull McGuiness an old cop who's been dead a while. He suggests they return to the scene of the crime and look for clues, but whilst there, Richelle is taken over by an evil possession and forced to murder two gypsies.
A bit of research reveals Richelle is the victim of a powerful gypsy curse which can take over her mind and force her to do bad things. But it's not just Richelle who has been possessed. News comes of more vicious murders and rumours of something big being planned between dangerous players. No one messes with gypsies! But Richelle and her friends on both sides of the fence are determined to stop them.
Letting go of all reality and plunging yourself into this book is the best way to read this, allowing the story take you on a journey. Written in a fun upbeat manner, The Dead Detective puts a different twist on a murder mystery.
July 30, 2015
I am torn about how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it was very different and unexpected. Richelle, a police detective, is assassinated by and brought back to life by gypsies to do their bidding. With the exception of no pulse and feeling cold, she does not look like nor act like a “zombie” but she is undead as she tries to (1) find out who did this too her, (2) accept that this is who she is now and, (3) deal with the aftermath of what they are forcing her to do. The book definitely does not take itself seriously as there is a lot of black humor which I enjoyed. However, on the other hand, it felt long for only 272 pages with a lot of characters and potential side stories which only get touched upon. By the end, it all came together quickly and while it concluded, there was a piece left hanging which leaves it open for a sequel or perhaps, the short story I see out. It was a crazy jumble of insanity some of which I highly enjoyed but I think it needed to concentrate on fewer characters and delve more deeper into those rather than bits of too many.
March 3, 2017
A female detective wakes up lying at the deserted crime scene and thinking she has been pranked, until she walks into the police station and almost gives her boss a heart attack. It becomes clear that she is indeed dead, which is to be kept secret while they work out what is going on.
I just couldn't get into this at all. It sounds as if it was meant to be lighthearted and amusing but I just didn't get it if that was the case. I felt as if the author couldn't decide between an urban fantasy detective drama or Queen Betsy style 'ha, I'm dead!' kind of story and got stuck somewhere in the middle. Whatever the author's actual thoughts it didn't appeal to me and I DNFed.
I just couldn't get into this at all. It sounds as if it was meant to be lighthearted and amusing but I just didn't get it if that was the case. I felt as if the author couldn't decide between an urban fantasy detective drama or Queen Betsy style 'ha, I'm dead!' kind of story and got stuck somewhere in the middle. Whatever the author's actual thoughts it didn't appeal to me and I DNFed.
October 27, 2014
Disappointing. This story was just not believable, and it was obvious that a man was trying to write a woman's perspective. After wading through long, drawn-out, descriptions and ramblings in the main character's head, the book suddenly ended in one chapter. But where were those extra details in the first chapters? I'm not a homicide detective, so the unexplained acronyms and jargon were just confusing and annoying. I feel that Rain must have just agreed to edit this book for a friend. This book was not up to par with what I have come to expect from one of my favorite authors.
December 8, 2015
DNF. The first few lines were great, but it just dropped off a cliff. Literally everyone she encounters is slightly shocked but totally cool with the fact that she's now walking dead. No fuss, no disbelief. I just can't muster that level of suspension of reality to continue with the story. And there's something... grating about the main character.
March 11, 2015
A huge disappointment! I did not finish this book. I have read all the Samantha Moon and Jim Knighthorse books and they were all great. This book was very slow. I didn't care for the main character. Actually I didn't like any of the characters. Very poor effort.
March 2, 2016
This was a pretty good story but it was only pretty good. It has never taken me this long to read a J.R. rain book. In all fairness, I have been really busy and haven't had a lot of time to read. Still, I don't know that I will read the next book in this series any time soon.
September 27, 2022
We’re introduced to Detective Sargeant Richelle Dadd. She wakes to find herself in a warehouse, inside a chalk line. She assumes the other officers are playing a trick on her after a few drinks at the cop’s favorite bar. Her service Glock is missing as well. She feels terrible. This is no normal hangover. No one watching, she makes her way out of the warehouse. The surroundings are not familiar. Maybe she’s hallucinating. She makes her way back to the station house finding her belongings on her partner’s desk, but no Glock. Going to the Captain’s office. He stares at Richelle in shock. “You’re dead!” he says. Thus begins Richelle’s extraordinary ghostly existence. How did she come to be in this crazy situation? What of her husband? Who killed her, at least most of the way? And why is she seeing ghosts? She finds herself in someplace like limbo or purgatory where everything that has ever died is waiting. We’ll follow Richelle as she struggles to rationalize and deal with this new existence. Bull McGinnis, an old dead robbery-homicide detective, was the first ghost to talk to her. What they discover is a Gypsy curse put on Richelle. The descriptions and histories of the Gypsy ghosts are quite interesting. As they investigate further, they discover a Gypsy gang warring for undead territory. Really?
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August 31, 2020Romani, ghosts, zombies of a sort, police work, awful parents, magic, gangsters, Russian spies, renaissance faire, pedophilia, exes and more, all in one book. Way too much so no one thread is developed enough. The pedophilia story line just ends, no complete explanation as to what was going on there, no investigation to sort it out and no explanation at all to explain why two of the characters ultimately did what they did at the motel.
The main characters were mildly engaging, but some of their actions were off the wall, one even said it about the other. One line about forgiving someone in authority enabling a pedophile was an adult thing to do really struck a wrong nerve with me. WTF?!? Maybe this was addressed more in the first book which I hadn't read, but even so, it could have been left out, it served no purpose except to be distasteful.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The main characters were mildly engaging, but some of their actions were off the wall, one even said it about the other. One line about forgiving someone in authority enabling a pedophile was an adult thing to do really struck a wrong nerve with me. WTF?!? Maybe this was addressed more in the first book which I hadn't read, but even so, it could have been left out, it served no purpose except to be distasteful.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2017
What a creative idea for a story. From the title I was intrigued to find out what that actually meant. The main character solving her own murder was a great start to gain the readers interest. I enjoyed the intertwining of the land of the living and of the dead. I will say based on the title for the second book in the series I had already guessed something that would happen in this book but still wouldn't say the story was predictable. A light story to read even though it revolves around death which is ironic to even reflect upon after completing the story. I would have enjoyed digging a little deeper in what the main characters life was like before death maybe a few small flashbacks during the story to give some backstory for instance on why she married Devon and on Harper what really happened.
July 25, 2018
The living dead
When she wakes up to find herself in the middle of a crime scene, she thinks it's a prank pulled by her fellow officers. However this is no prank, she is really dead but also still alive. Getting her Captain's okay to come back to work might be a bit tricky. She has to pass a medical. With no pulse, a shredded heart and no visible signs of life. Throw in a cheating husband, gypsies that want to use her for crimes (by overcoming her will), a big heist and someone who wants to use her as a baby incubator. Can she find anyone to help her? Who is actually pulling the strings. Well written but frankly I really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Possibly all the gore or because there didn't seem as if there was anything she could do to rebel/fight back. Good characters and very vivid.
When she wakes up to find herself in the middle of a crime scene, she thinks it's a prank pulled by her fellow officers. However this is no prank, she is really dead but also still alive. Getting her Captain's okay to come back to work might be a bit tricky. She has to pass a medical. With no pulse, a shredded heart and no visible signs of life. Throw in a cheating husband, gypsies that want to use her for crimes (by overcoming her will), a big heist and someone who wants to use her as a baby incubator. Can she find anyone to help her? Who is actually pulling the strings. Well written but frankly I really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Possibly all the gore or because there didn't seem as if there was anything she could do to rebel/fight back. Good characters and very vivid.
October 5, 2020
I enjoyed this second installment of this series and I hope the authors continue it. It has a unique world of undead and ghosts. I was surprised that it was categorized as horror, since much of what I consider as horror has an overwhelming sense of dread and stalking, and often gore, which was missing from this book. (Thank goodness- not my thing)
I loved Richelle's (typical 1st responder) black humor, and the quirky secondary characters. I was also surprised that both authors were male, as Richelle felt very female to me. Often male writers don't seem to get females quite right, it's difficult to explain how. Perhaps not enough feeling and compassion; lack of emphasis of people over action? These two did a good job. I loved the quirky characters who are very much a product of thier times and or occupation.
I loved Richelle's (typical 1st responder) black humor, and the quirky secondary characters. I was also surprised that both authors were male, as Richelle felt very female to me. Often male writers don't seem to get females quite right, it's difficult to explain how. Perhaps not enough feeling and compassion; lack of emphasis of people over action? These two did a good job. I loved the quirky characters who are very much a product of thier times and or occupation.
November 7, 2016
Now I thought the book was really rude about Canada. In it the Rabbi says about the Afterlife that it it's like being stuck in Canada, dank and gloomy, full of strangers and weird stores and very old fashioned.
Having been to Canada a few times, I would like to claim that it is not like that at all. It can be very cold true, but Seattle is dank and gloomy. Weird stores are to be found everywhere as are strangers! And old Fashioned? Well apart from New York everywhere that is not London is Old Fashioned...
In truth, I enjoyed this book but felt that it really showed that it had been written by men - some how the female detective just didn't quite ring true. Especially her relationships with men.
That said, it was an enjoyable book to read and kept up a good pace.
July 3, 2022
Forced to accept she is undead, half ghost/ half alive or just a plain old zombie, Richelle plans to solve her own murder case. With a foot in both worlds, she teams up with Bull McGuiness an old cop who's been dead a while. He suggests they return to the scene of the crime and look for clues, but whilst there, Richelle is taken over by an evil possession and forced to murder two gypsies.
A bit of research reveals Richelle is the victim of a powerful gypsy curse which can take over her mind and force her to do bad things. But it's not just Richelle who has been possessed. News comes of more vicious murders and rumours of something big being planned between dangerous players. No one messes with gypsies! But Richelle and her friends on both sides of the fence are determined to stop them.
A bit of research reveals Richelle is the victim of a powerful gypsy curse which can take over her mind and force her to do bad things. But it's not just Richelle who has been possessed. News comes of more vicious murders and rumours of something big being planned between dangerous players. No one messes with gypsies! But Richelle and her friends on both sides of the fence are determined to stop them.
March 12, 2019
I have read most of Rain's series and decided to start on this one. I really enjoyed it. It seems like this one was longer than the Moon/Silver/Allison series, which was nice. It might mean these take longer to release, but I felt like I could really sit down and take this one in without flying through it. Richelle is another awesome female lead. Zombies under gypsy control, ghosts and regular visits to other side, very cool. There are some great characters and a busy plot that doesn't feel rushed or like there's too many details. I always enjoy the humor and am looking forward to the next one. I like the cute few page Christmas story at the end as well.
April 21, 2021
Skip this
I quit reading at around the 30% point. She's dead but doesn't seem all that angry about it. She's more pissed at how cold her insides will feel to whoever is fucking her. Why is a recently murdered cop trying to go out on dates anyway instead of focusing all of her time on tracking down her killer? This is played serious, btw, and not for jokes.
She tells a few people about her being dead and they believe her almost instantly and aren't shocked or stunned. Absolutely ridiculous, and again, everything is played dead serous, no pun intended.
Pure garbage.
I quit reading at around the 30% point. She's dead but doesn't seem all that angry about it. She's more pissed at how cold her insides will feel to whoever is fucking her. Why is a recently murdered cop trying to go out on dates anyway instead of focusing all of her time on tracking down her killer? This is played serious, btw, and not for jokes.
She tells a few people about her being dead and they believe her almost instantly and aren't shocked or stunned. Absolutely ridiculous, and again, everything is played dead serous, no pun intended.
Pure garbage.
July 16, 2022
Richelle Dadd, a police detective, wakes up dead. Is that even possible? She soon learns that she has been turned into a "zombie" by a gypsy who is intent on creating an army of zombies to do her bidding.
This was a unique concept, full of gypsies, zombies, ghosts, and a voodoo priestess or two. And, don't forget a Jewish rabbi, a cheating husband and a couple of drool worthy guys.
The narrator did a good job and kept my interest throughout the book. One thing is for sure: if you are looking for a unique paranormal romance, you can't go wrong with J.R. Rain's books.
This was a unique concept, full of gypsies, zombies, ghosts, and a voodoo priestess or two. And, don't forget a Jewish rabbi, a cheating husband and a couple of drool worthy guys.
The narrator did a good job and kept my interest throughout the book. One thing is for sure: if you are looking for a unique paranormal romance, you can't go wrong with J.R. Rain's books.
May 6, 2017
Medical-school-dropout police detective Richelle Dadd is... well, dead. But that won't stop her from reporting to work, or trying to solve her murder, or finding out why she is a zombie.
Definitely out of the ordinary, J.R Rains brings us a police detective who is one of the undead. And, entertains us with the trials and tribullations of not being outed while trying to solve cases. She brings on the gypsies, the fortune tellers, the ghosts and the living.
148
Definitely out of the ordinary, J.R Rains brings us a police detective who is one of the undead. And, entertains us with the trials and tribullations of not being outed while trying to solve cases. She brings on the gypsies, the fortune tellers, the ghosts and the living.
148
May 10, 2017
Totally Offbeat
I've never encountered a book quite like this. Would never deliberately read a book about a zombie, but this character is not a member of the Walking Dead cast. I enjoyed seeing the afterlife from a completely different perspective than that of my own imagination. Really loved the dead cop, Bull, from the past. In fact, mingling the present and the past was my favorite aspect of the book. This is written in quite an intriguing way! It gets my top rating!
I've never encountered a book quite like this. Would never deliberately read a book about a zombie, but this character is not a member of the Walking Dead cast. I enjoyed seeing the afterlife from a completely different perspective than that of my own imagination. Really loved the dead cop, Bull, from the past. In fact, mingling the present and the past was my favorite aspect of the book. This is written in quite an intriguing way! It gets my top rating!
May 22, 2017
Zombie Police
Under control of a gypsy after being shot through the heart, is not the way a police woman wants to spend her non-life. While this is a hard to put don book, it is not a nice read. Life after death is very disheartening and ghosts are off putting in their physical descriptions. If you like viewing bodies at car accidents, this maybe for you. The author does have a great story line though.
Under control of a gypsy after being shot through the heart, is not the way a police woman wants to spend her non-life. While this is a hard to put don book, it is not a nice read. Life after death is very disheartening and ghosts are off putting in their physical descriptions. If you like viewing bodies at car accidents, this maybe for you. The author does have a great story line though.
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