What do you think?
Rate this book
Deadwood #1
Nearly Departed in Deadwood
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004JF4MME
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling. Now, if she could just convince her only buyer to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted. Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood. But with a malicious coworker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending her creepy messages, and a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, will Violet end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed?
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling. Now, if she could just convince her only buyer to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted. Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood. But with a malicious coworker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending her creepy messages, and a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, will Violet end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed?
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2011
About the author
Ann Charles
53 books1,245 followersAnn Charles—Author
Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award Winner and a 2011 RWA Golden Heart Award Winner.
*USA Today Best Selling Author,
*Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Winner Suspense Magazine Best of 2012, 2015. 2016
*Winner of Paranormal Grand Prize from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media,
*Winner of Southern Writers Best Covers Contest
You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.
Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award Winner and a 2011 RWA Golden Heart Award Winner.
*USA Today Best Selling Author,
*Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Winner Suspense Magazine Best of 2012, 2015. 2016
*Winner of Paranormal Grand Prize from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media,
*Winner of Southern Writers Best Covers Contest
You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 846 reviews
July 6, 2014
I didn't get more than about a third of the way through this novel; the problem is that the plot was so frustratingly mediocre, even poor in many ways, that I could not understand how it gets such positive reviews by so many people.
The book is narrated by the main character, Violet, and it starts out with the, "oh, life is so haaaaaarrrrrd!" refrain and never stops.[1] She has "cutely" disobedient children that know that they can push her around by whining until they get what they want. She has a male coworker that is a hostile working environment lawsuit waiting to happen, and her boss—also female—more than tolerates it, she enables it by setting rules against "bad mouthing" coworkers.[2]
The mystery? It took me a while to realize exactly what it was supposed to be, not because it wasn't obvious, but because it was just so...tritely handled by the author that I thought there had to be something more substantial coming. Violet wants to solve the mystery of disappearing children because her daughter matches the profile of the other girls who have vanished, but when she gets what could be considered evidence that the police should know about, she wrings her metaphorical hands and whines, "But what if I'm wrong?" So she just hangs onto it. Added to the fact that a lot of questions could have been answered if she had just asked them means that the reader is left feeling like Violet is a total, utterly ineffectual pseudo-adult who should be locked in a padded room for her own safety.
I could not make myself empathize, let alone like any of the characters in this book. I kept thinking that I needed to give the novel more of a chance and kept forcing myself to read more, but I couldn't take more than 15 minutes at a time and when I did get about a third of the way through it I decided that it had more chances than it deserved.
1. Yes, life is hard, but I felt that as the reader I was a captive audience to Violet's pity party.
2. Jane, Violet's boss, supposedly keeps Violet's offensive male coworker on because he's a good realtor and makes money for the firm. This doesn't fly, however, because just one hostile working environment lawsuit would more than offset whatever profits Ray brings in.
The book is narrated by the main character, Violet, and it starts out with the, "oh, life is so haaaaaarrrrrd!" refrain and never stops.[1] She has "cutely" disobedient children that know that they can push her around by whining until they get what they want. She has a male coworker that is a hostile working environment lawsuit waiting to happen, and her boss—also female—more than tolerates it, she enables it by setting rules against "bad mouthing" coworkers.[2]
The mystery? It took me a while to realize exactly what it was supposed to be, not because it wasn't obvious, but because it was just so...tritely handled by the author that I thought there had to be something more substantial coming. Violet wants to solve the mystery of disappearing children because her daughter matches the profile of the other girls who have vanished, but when she gets what could be considered evidence that the police should know about, she wrings her metaphorical hands and whines, "But what if I'm wrong?" So she just hangs onto it. Added to the fact that a lot of questions could have been answered if she had just asked them means that the reader is left feeling like Violet is a total, utterly ineffectual pseudo-adult who should be locked in a padded room for her own safety.
I could not make myself empathize, let alone like any of the characters in this book. I kept thinking that I needed to give the novel more of a chance and kept forcing myself to read more, but I couldn't take more than 15 minutes at a time and when I did get about a third of the way through it I decided that it had more chances than it deserved.
1. Yes, life is hard, but I felt that as the reader I was a captive audience to Violet's pity party.
2. Jane, Violet's boss, supposedly keeps Violet's offensive male coworker on because he's a good realtor and makes money for the firm. This doesn't fly, however, because just one hostile working environment lawsuit would more than offset whatever profits Ray brings in.
January 9, 2017
I have to start by saying my whole reason for reading this book was because it was set in South Dakota and that is where I live. That being said this book was fantastic. It is about a single mother with 9 year old twins who recently moved to Deadwood for a fresh start. Her kids are hilarious and a handful, her job isn't going anywhere, and she is making some pretty odd friends.
The mystery was very, very easy to solve. Way too easy. I still enjoyed the book though. So much so that I ordered the second one before I even finished the first. Read this book; you will get hooked!
The mystery was very, very easy to solve. Way too easy. I still enjoyed the book though. So much so that I ordered the second one before I even finished the first. Read this book; you will get hooked!
July 4, 2011
The first time I came to Deadwood, I got shot in the ass.--Violet Parker
Best opening line ever. Nearly Departed in Deadwood is the first installment in the Deadwood series by Ann Charles. I knew this would be a fun book, but I didn't realize how intrancing it would be. This novel covers everything you've come to love in mysteries and paranormal romances. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat. I'd think, "I know who it is!" one mintue and then Mrs Charles would throw in a curve ball and I'd be left stumped.
As characters go, I loved them all except Ray, Violets co-worker. Although, his character is made to hate, I still wanted to crawl into the book and slap him a time or two. *laughs*
Mrs Charles brings each character to life so vividly, I feel I could drive to deadwood and get greeted by a shotgun just as she did. *smirks*
What a great cast of characters. Violets kids were adorable and very busy. If I had that much going on in my life before I even went to work, I'd be grey at seventeen. But Violet makes it work and still has time to kick bad guys butts!
Most of the men in Voilets life are charming and witty, but the man who topped the cake would be Old Man Harvey! He's cynical in his ways and usually has something oddly inappropriate to say, but he always makes me smile.
I love how you can't tell who did it until the very last second. It was also interesting to have both her love life and the main plotline of the missing children interwine. We weren't left with a major cliff hanger, but we we left wanting more.
I blew through this incredibly gripping novel and now I can't wait to read the next installment, "Optical Delusions in Deadwood". I'm dying to know whats in store for Violet and her love life. Will she get the man she cares about? How will her friend take it when she finds out about her interest? How long will she have to rest before something else turns her life around. With Violet, who knows?
Best opening line ever. Nearly Departed in Deadwood is the first installment in the Deadwood series by Ann Charles. I knew this would be a fun book, but I didn't realize how intrancing it would be. This novel covers everything you've come to love in mysteries and paranormal romances. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat. I'd think, "I know who it is!" one mintue and then Mrs Charles would throw in a curve ball and I'd be left stumped.
As characters go, I loved them all except Ray, Violets co-worker. Although, his character is made to hate, I still wanted to crawl into the book and slap him a time or two. *laughs*
Mrs Charles brings each character to life so vividly, I feel I could drive to deadwood and get greeted by a shotgun just as she did. *smirks*
What a great cast of characters. Violets kids were adorable and very busy. If I had that much going on in my life before I even went to work, I'd be grey at seventeen. But Violet makes it work and still has time to kick bad guys butts!
Most of the men in Voilets life are charming and witty, but the man who topped the cake would be Old Man Harvey! He's cynical in his ways and usually has something oddly inappropriate to say, but he always makes me smile.
I love how you can't tell who did it until the very last second. It was also interesting to have both her love life and the main plotline of the missing children interwine. We weren't left with a major cliff hanger, but we we left wanting more.
I blew through this incredibly gripping novel and now I can't wait to read the next installment, "Optical Delusions in Deadwood". I'm dying to know whats in store for Violet and her love life. Will she get the man she cares about? How will her friend take it when she finds out about her interest? How long will she have to rest before something else turns her life around. With Violet, who knows?
December 24, 2023
Single mother Violet Parker wanted a new start in life. She and her kids move in with her aunt in Deadwood, South Dakota, where she takes a job with Calamity Jane Realty. Selling homes isn't as easy as she thought it would be. With no luck so far, she has three weeks to earn a commission, or she will be replaced. As Violet gets some new client who want to sell their homes, she learns that a couple of young blonde girls from the area have disappeared in the last year. This hits home since these girls fit the description of her daughter Addie. Violet decides to do a little sleuthing on the side to see if she can identify the kidnapper.
I've had this book for a while now and decided to give it a try. It was a mixed bag for me. The things I liked...there is a lot of humor in Violet's inner monologue which I found fun. I loved the setting of Deadwood, SD. The author nails the town with her descriptions of the small-town atmosphere and historical facts. And I loved Harvey, the crotchety gun-toting man who befriends Violet and her family. He steals many of the scenes.
What I didn't like...mainly Violet herself. She has no parenting skills. I cringed each time she dealt with her kids who could easily manipulate her. She puts up with an obnoxious co-worker who openly harasses her for all to hear. (Her boss does nothing about it either.) Worst of all, when she sees some suspicious behavior, she doesn't go to the police in case she is wrong, and that person would find out.
I'll probably give the next book a try to see if the series gets any better. My rating: 3 Stars.
I've had this book for a while now and decided to give it a try. It was a mixed bag for me. The things I liked...there is a lot of humor in Violet's inner monologue which I found fun. I loved the setting of Deadwood, SD. The author nails the town with her descriptions of the small-town atmosphere and historical facts. And I loved Harvey, the crotchety gun-toting man who befriends Violet and her family. He steals many of the scenes.
What I didn't like...mainly Violet herself. She has no parenting skills. I cringed each time she dealt with her kids who could easily manipulate her. She puts up with an obnoxious co-worker who openly harasses her for all to hear. (Her boss does nothing about it either.) Worst of all, when she sees some suspicious behavior, she doesn't go to the police in case she is wrong, and that person would find out.
I'll probably give the next book a try to see if the series gets any better. My rating: 3 Stars.
August 17, 2016
For Readers
Violet's probation as a realtor is nearly up and she's yet to sell a single house. Increasingly desperate she has managed to snag a few clients. But they're anything but easy. She only has a few short weeks to get a rundown wreck of a house that's rumoured to be haunted into a condition good enough to list, and her buyer is literally turning his nose up at every single house she shows him. Adding to her worries young girls are disappearing and they all look a lot like her daughter.
Nearly Departed in Deadwood is both frightening and comical. It's a slow build and takes a commitment, I didn't know what to make of the book till I was well past half-way, but if you persevere it's well worth the effort. The story is quirky and unique, I still don't quite know where to put it, and the characters who inhabit the world Ann Charles has created are wonderfully odd. It's a 4 Star story I'm going to give 5 Stars to because...
For Authors
I don't have a problem with guns any more than I have a problem with toasters. They are a tool that does a job, a very ugly job. If you want to meet someone who is anti-gun, go no further than the Emergency Room at a major city hospital in the U.S.. I guess that's my point, people who have seen what guns do generally aren't pro-gun.
The thing is I see and hear a lot of celebrities speaking out against gun violence...and I see those same celebrities in movies where they are solving problems with guns. You can't have it both ways, the public take their cues from the media and when the media is telling them day after day that the way you solve a problem is by going to the gun, that's exactly what they'll do.
And it doesn't have to be. In this book Ann Charles has delivered great riveting suspense and neither the main character or the villain go to the gun. So put the guns away, try writing suspense that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of.
Violet's probation as a realtor is nearly up and she's yet to sell a single house. Increasingly desperate she has managed to snag a few clients. But they're anything but easy. She only has a few short weeks to get a rundown wreck of a house that's rumoured to be haunted into a condition good enough to list, and her buyer is literally turning his nose up at every single house she shows him. Adding to her worries young girls are disappearing and they all look a lot like her daughter.
Nearly Departed in Deadwood is both frightening and comical. It's a slow build and takes a commitment, I didn't know what to make of the book till I was well past half-way, but if you persevere it's well worth the effort. The story is quirky and unique, I still don't quite know where to put it, and the characters who inhabit the world Ann Charles has created are wonderfully odd. It's a 4 Star story I'm going to give 5 Stars to because...
For Authors
I don't have a problem with guns any more than I have a problem with toasters. They are a tool that does a job, a very ugly job. If you want to meet someone who is anti-gun, go no further than the Emergency Room at a major city hospital in the U.S.. I guess that's my point, people who have seen what guns do generally aren't pro-gun.
The thing is I see and hear a lot of celebrities speaking out against gun violence...and I see those same celebrities in movies where they are solving problems with guns. You can't have it both ways, the public take their cues from the media and when the media is telling them day after day that the way you solve a problem is by going to the gun, that's exactly what they'll do.
And it doesn't have to be. In this book Ann Charles has delivered great riveting suspense and neither the main character or the villain go to the gun. So put the guns away, try writing suspense that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of.
August 20, 2012
I finished the book, but I can't say I'd recommend it to many people I know. The main character was a bit mary-sueish (yes, I realize the heavy accusation that holds) and as I went through the book, I was beginning to wonder if there were any man in Deadwood that didn't want to sleep with her .
While I like the idea of the story, too much emphasis was placed on how sex starved the heroine (Violet) was and every time she dealt with her kids I just wanted to strangle her and shout "Who's the parent here?!" For someone who is about to lose their job in 3 weeks, she seems to take a lot of time off of work, I can't believe how many times her best friend cancelled babysitting, and people break bones left and right in situations that add little to the plot (I count 3 people).
Despite my rantings, this is not a terrible story. The lead does have her times to shine and sometimes I start to like her and her "sassy" observations (think old west narrative through the eyes of a modern woman) yet on the other side of the coin, her immature behavior grated me too much to want to pick up remaining books. If I had to recommend this book to anyone, I would recommend it to those that like romance with a mystery attached.
While I like the idea of the story, too much emphasis was placed on how sex starved the heroine (Violet) was and every time she dealt with her kids I just wanted to strangle her and shout "Who's the parent here?!" For someone who is about to lose their job in 3 weeks, she seems to take a lot of time off of work, I can't believe how many times her best friend cancelled babysitting, and people break bones left and right in situations that add little to the plot (I count 3 people).
Despite my rantings, this is not a terrible story. The lead does have her times to shine and sometimes I start to like her and her "sassy" observations (think old west narrative through the eyes of a modern woman) yet on the other side of the coin, her immature behavior grated me too much to want to pick up remaining books. If I had to recommend this book to anyone, I would recommend it to those that like romance with a mystery attached.
April 26, 2014
This book is first in the series of Deadwood Mysteries by Ann Charles. It generally gets great reviews, and the descriptions and excerpts that I read were interesting so I decided to give it a try. I have to say that it fell flat for me. It is evidently written to a formula, and after a short while that formula began to seem forced and artificial. Ms. Charles tries to be all things to all readers and ends up with a story that has no heart. The main character, Violet, is a down-on-her-luck, wise-cracking real estate agent, single mother of two, and lonely heart trying to make ends meet. To complicate matters, she's got 4 men chasing after her and she's having a hard time choosing among them, not least of all because at one point or another they are all suspects in a series of gruesome disappearances of young girls. Violet spends a lot more time trying to unravel the mystery than she does trying to get traction in her real life, which has her always on the verge of financial ruin. There is lots of meat here to keep our interest, and that's part of the problem. There is really too much going on, and while the mystery of the abducted girls is central, Charles never does a very good job of explaining why Violet feels so compelled to solve it. Violet makes jokes and cracks wise throughout. A little of this goes a long way for me. I like funny books, but I want them to be consistent and reasonable too. When Violet finally finds herself captured and about to be killed by the serial murderer, rather than acting properly terrified, she continues to make dumb jokes and smart-ass remarks both internally and to the killer. That really was the last straw for me. I managed to finish the book, but it was a struggle and there was much groaning involved. Through all my suffering, it was evident to me that Ann Charles is a disciplined and talented writer. She does a marvelous job of writing breezy dialogue, creating a consistent and believable voice, and inventing surprising plot twists. Her characters are a little flat, but that is really to be expected in a plot driven story with so much going on. I really think that the problem, for me as I seem to be alone in this assessment, is that she tries too hard and ends up overextending even her considerable talents. Hope this is helpful to someone.
November 6, 2016
This was a lot of fun! Full review to come!
February 1, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Humorous Mystery
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of mystery series with “spunky” heroines who have zany adventures
Trigger Warnings: Really big jerk co-worker (sexist, smarmy butthead), missing children, child murder
My Thoughts: I moved this series into my review queue based upon Kriss Morton’s enthusiastic recommendation. I had picked up each of these books as they went on promotion through KDP prior to these recommendations. I emphasize this to point out that a) I picked up these books on my own and b) I’m reviewing them because of a friend’s recommendations. I also have the first book in her Jackrabbit Junction series, Dance of the Winnebagos.
I’ve always heard how mothers’ instincts to protect their young will give them an advantage in various situations, but I always notice in books like this where the main character is a mother, she becomes completely batty when it comes to her children. I mean, the mere hint of danger and she’s a mewling mess? How will that give her an advantage? What will happen if something actually does happen, rather than just the idea that it could?
I have to say in a lot of ways this book was not at all what I was in the mood for, so I probably should have just moved on, but I loved Harvey so very, very much. That old coot is just the sort of crazy dude that I enjoy hanging out with, and every time he was there he completely stole the scene. I liked Doc, too, although I could tell from Violet’s initial and frequent hostility toward him that he’ll probably eventually end up being a love interest. It’s one of those tropes in books featuring romance that bother me a lot, the hostility between love interests. I’ve never understood it. But then again, my mind doesn’t work like a normal person’s mind, so there you go...
All in all, I think folks who enjoy amateur-sleuth mystery series with a female heroine will enjoy this series. I probably would have enjoyed it more at a different time; as it was, I just really wasn’t in the mood for this sort of thing, and I believe I’ll hold off on finishing the series until I’m in a different mood.
Synopsis: Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling. Now, if she could just convince her only buyer to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted. Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood. But with a malicious coworker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending her creepy messages, and a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, will Violet end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed?
Series information: This is the first book in the Deadwood Mystery series. There are currently three books available in the series, with a fourth one in development.
Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood, published in 2011
Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood, published in 2012
Book 4: Better off Dead in Deadwood, scheduled to be published in 2013
There is also a short story, called Seeing Trouble, the first in the Deadwood Mystery Shorts.
Disclosure: I picked up this book from Amazon on KDP promotion because they looked interesting and were set in South Dakota, relatively close to where I grew up in eastern Montana. No review has been requested. I am fairly sure I’ve never even spoken to the author. All opinions are my own.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of mystery series with “spunky” heroines who have zany adventures
Trigger Warnings: Really big jerk co-worker (sexist, smarmy butthead), missing children, child murder
My Thoughts: I moved this series into my review queue based upon Kriss Morton’s enthusiastic recommendation. I had picked up each of these books as they went on promotion through KDP prior to these recommendations. I emphasize this to point out that a) I picked up these books on my own and b) I’m reviewing them because of a friend’s recommendations. I also have the first book in her Jackrabbit Junction series, Dance of the Winnebagos.
I’ve always heard how mothers’ instincts to protect their young will give them an advantage in various situations, but I always notice in books like this where the main character is a mother, she becomes completely batty when it comes to her children. I mean, the mere hint of danger and she’s a mewling mess? How will that give her an advantage? What will happen if something actually does happen, rather than just the idea that it could?
I have to say in a lot of ways this book was not at all what I was in the mood for, so I probably should have just moved on, but I loved Harvey so very, very much. That old coot is just the sort of crazy dude that I enjoy hanging out with, and every time he was there he completely stole the scene. I liked Doc, too, although I could tell from Violet’s initial and frequent hostility toward him that he’ll probably eventually end up being a love interest. It’s one of those tropes in books featuring romance that bother me a lot, the hostility between love interests. I’ve never understood it. But then again, my mind doesn’t work like a normal person’s mind, so there you go...
All in all, I think folks who enjoy amateur-sleuth mystery series with a female heroine will enjoy this series. I probably would have enjoyed it more at a different time; as it was, I just really wasn’t in the mood for this sort of thing, and I believe I’ll hold off on finishing the series until I’m in a different mood.
Synopsis: Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling. Now, if she could just convince her only buyer to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted. Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood. But with a malicious coworker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending her creepy messages, and a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, will Violet end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed?
Series information: This is the first book in the Deadwood Mystery series. There are currently three books available in the series, with a fourth one in development.
Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood, published in 2011
Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood, published in 2012
Book 4: Better off Dead in Deadwood, scheduled to be published in 2013
There is also a short story, called Seeing Trouble, the first in the Deadwood Mystery Shorts.
Disclosure: I picked up this book from Amazon on KDP promotion because they looked interesting and were set in South Dakota, relatively close to where I grew up in eastern Montana. No review has been requested. I am fairly sure I’ve never even spoken to the author. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2018
Чудесна книга! Жалко,че няма да издадат останалите от поредицата :(
August 26, 2019
October 2013 update:
I have now read the rest of the series and absolutely love it! I can't get enough of Violet:) I still can't think why I didn't enjoy the first instalment as I did the others so I guess I'll have to give it another try soon!
Original review:
The description for this book made it sound interesting enough so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot is very poor and the narration is badly handled by the author. I kept forcing myself to give the book another chance by reading a bit more but when nothing had happened by the hundredth page I just gave up. The fact that I didn't like any of the characters (I just couldn't empathize with Violet at all and found her quite annoying) certainly didn't help.
· Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 4: Better Off Dead in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 5: An Ex to Grind in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 6: Meanwhile Back In Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 7: A Wild Fright in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 8: Rattling the Heat in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 9: Gone Haunting in Deadwood ★★★
· Book 10: Don't Let it Snow in Deadwood ★★
I have now read the rest of the series and absolutely love it! I can't get enough of Violet:) I still can't think why I didn't enjoy the first instalment as I did the others so I guess I'll have to give it another try soon!
Original review:
The description for this book made it sound interesting enough so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot is very poor and the narration is badly handled by the author. I kept forcing myself to give the book another chance by reading a bit more but when nothing had happened by the hundredth page I just gave up. The fact that I didn't like any of the characters (I just couldn't empathize with Violet at all and found her quite annoying) certainly didn't help.
· Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 4: Better Off Dead in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 5: An Ex to Grind in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 6: Meanwhile Back In Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 7: A Wild Fright in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 8: Rattling the Heat in Deadwood ★★★★
· Book 9: Gone Haunting in Deadwood ★★★
· Book 10: Don't Let it Snow in Deadwood ★★
June 2, 2021
This was a pretty good read. I thought that I would try something different and I found this series with my Audible subscription and I was glad I did. When Violet Parker a single mom returns to Deadwood, South Dakota with she has a lot on her plate. She has two young kids to raise, a job with an expiration date if she doesn’t hurry and sell her first house, a nasty coworker bent on getting her fired and a dwindling bank account. She sees a way out of it when she’s offered her first house to sell. Turns out it’s a mess and she has her work cut out for her to get it ready for showing. Along comes a mysterious man who’s looking to buy a house, but something is off about him. When young girls begin to disappear she has a daughter to protect she didn't mean to get involved with the investigation. This was a good book it was funny and had some action all the characters were weird and kooky. I loved the narrator. I am looking forward to listening to the next book.
October 4, 2014
Rating 2.4* out of 5. It wasn't all bad. My expectations weren't that high and at no point in this book did I really hate it. The most annyoing aspect was the author's repeated spelling of the word "brooch" as "broach".
Violet Parker is a newly employed, so far unsuccesful, realtor in Deadwood. She is a single mother of two children. A worrying aspect of the town is that several young girls have disappeared without a trace and they look very similar to Violet's girl Addy. Violet tries to find out more about the kidnappings at the same time as trying to sell houses and date clients. The book is quite funny at times and I did take a liking to Violet. Although this was by no means a stellar literary performance, I will probably be reading more in this series eventually. If I can remember having read the first installment after two weeks or more have passed, that is.
Violet Parker is a newly employed, so far unsuccesful, realtor in Deadwood. She is a single mother of two children. A worrying aspect of the town is that several young girls have disappeared without a trace and they look very similar to Violet's girl Addy. Violet tries to find out more about the kidnappings at the same time as trying to sell houses and date clients. The book is quite funny at times and I did take a liking to Violet. Although this was by no means a stellar literary performance, I will probably be reading more in this series eventually. If I can remember having read the first installment after two weeks or more have passed, that is.
January 11, 2015
I have 2 things to say about this: the heroine not seeing that somethin was up w/ Wolfgang makes her look stupid. Last thing, she couldn't muster up some tears for the dead lil girls? She was upset by the girls being kidnapped, scared for her daughter & couldn't muster a single outraged feelin' for the dead girls, alright.
Oh, 1 more thing. When she met her secret admirer & confirmed who he was, she sat down & ate dinner w/ him instead of grabbin' the other chair & crackin' it over his back. Be creepy w/ me all u want, u bring my kid into it, I cut your balls off & shove'em in your mouth.
I'm done.
Oh, 1 more thing. When she met her secret admirer & confirmed who he was, she sat down & ate dinner w/ him instead of grabbin' the other chair & crackin' it over his back. Be creepy w/ me all u want, u bring my kid into it, I cut your balls off & shove'em in your mouth.
I'm done.
June 13, 2018
Много интересна книжка!Имаше си всичко!Много лошо,че няма да издадат и другите!По коментарите разбирам,че всяка следваща е все по-добра,от което само още повече ме хваща яд!
May 29, 2012
Had a hard time developing any sympathy for Violet. Another reviewer mentioned her irritation with how Vi handles workplace harassment and I must agree. So many times in the book, I just wanted to slap Vi with a calendar and encourage her to get into the 21st Century.
As far as the rest of the characters went, I didn't connect with any of them either. Doc is one of the most irritating protagonists ever; I couldn't even decide if he was going to be a major character for over 1/2 the book. Harvey is just a loud, foul mouthed irritant. The kids are written in such a way that I inferred Violet's parenting skills to be rather permissive. You know, that parent who asks for rather than requires appropriate behavior and then caves in the child demands or bargains for the desired behavior. Natalie doesn't appear to be a good friend at all; if she's a bestie then why did Charles essentially write her into the background?
The mystery part was executed pretty well, however, so i'll give this author another chance in the 2nd book.
As far as the rest of the characters went, I didn't connect with any of them either. Doc is one of the most irritating protagonists ever; I couldn't even decide if he was going to be a major character for over 1/2 the book. Harvey is just a loud, foul mouthed irritant. The kids are written in such a way that I inferred Violet's parenting skills to be rather permissive. You know, that parent who asks for rather than requires appropriate behavior and then caves in the child demands or bargains for the desired behavior. Natalie doesn't appear to be a good friend at all; if she's a bestie then why did Charles essentially write her into the background?
The mystery part was executed pretty well, however, so i'll give this author another chance in the 2nd book.
March 25, 2013
This was a maybe book for me, saw it on someone's feed, read the premise and it sounded good enough for me to request it from the library. Sadly it couldn't hold my attention. Violet seems to be a hot mess, trying to be a relator when she doesn't know squat, doing whatever including going out to dinner with an old creepy man and bringing her kids along as chaperones and signing a contract for a lost cause house, in hopes of keeping a job where she had a deadline to make some money if she wants to keep the house. There there is the whole passive aggressive battle with her co-worker and how it seems like she mooches off everyone in her life. After 60 pages I couldn't take it any more and gave up. In the end this one isn't for me.
October 22, 2017
This is a 4.5 star read.
Ahhh ..... Violet Parker. She's sassy, not very classy and more than a little smart-assy! My favourite combination where literary characters are concerned.
This was a rip-snorter of a read packed with chuckles aplenty, hilarious characters, a spooktacular town and enough sexual tension to blow up a powder keg. (in a completely chuckalicious way of course)
There were mysteries everywhere that had you thinking, and to be honest, even though the subject matter was gut wrenching as a mother (multiple missing children), the mystery of the murders was almost secondary to the mysteries surrounding the characters. Yes, I did work out who the culprit was fairly early but the laughs brought about by the characters and the situations they found themselves in was really the highlight of the book.
The story was woven around nuggets of truth because, let's face it, who hasn't had a crappy job, an asshole co-worker, dated complete weirdos and losers and been so short of money that it's nightmare inducing. Not to mention the kids similarities to your own - they're bright and enterprising and you love them to bits but, my god, they drive you to distraction and they're weird. Come on! You know they can be weird - just a little bit, right?
There were one line zingers that brought about smiles and guffaws sprinkled liberally throughout the novel, of which I have included a few. As someone with Bipolar, to find a book that brings me such joy deserves a 10 for that reason alone. A ginormously funny read that's highly, Highly recommended.
Memorable Quotes:
* “You’re a lot purtier in this here picture with your hair down.” ... “Makes you look younger, like a fine heifer.”
- Old Man Harvey
* “Mona, I’ll call you later. Ray, you’re a dickhead. I hope you choke on a cheeseburger.”
- Violet Parker
* * “Sunshine,” Mona said, “your asshole meter is red-lining.”
- Mona
Ahhh ..... Violet Parker. She's sassy, not very classy and more than a little smart-assy! My favourite combination where literary characters are concerned.
This was a rip-snorter of a read packed with chuckles aplenty, hilarious characters, a spooktacular town and enough sexual tension to blow up a powder keg. (in a completely chuckalicious way of course)
There were mysteries everywhere that had you thinking, and to be honest, even though the subject matter was gut wrenching as a mother (multiple missing children), the mystery of the murders was almost secondary to the mysteries surrounding the characters. Yes, I did work out who the culprit was fairly early but the laughs brought about by the characters and the situations they found themselves in was really the highlight of the book.
The story was woven around nuggets of truth because, let's face it, who hasn't had a crappy job, an asshole co-worker, dated complete weirdos and losers and been so short of money that it's nightmare inducing. Not to mention the kids similarities to your own - they're bright and enterprising and you love them to bits but, my god, they drive you to distraction and they're weird. Come on! You know they can be weird - just a little bit, right?
There were one line zingers that brought about smiles and guffaws sprinkled liberally throughout the novel, of which I have included a few. As someone with Bipolar, to find a book that brings me such joy deserves a 10 for that reason alone. A ginormously funny read that's highly, Highly recommended.
Memorable Quotes:
* “You’re a lot purtier in this here picture with your hair down.” ... “Makes you look younger, like a fine heifer.”
- Old Man Harvey
* “Mona, I’ll call you later. Ray, you’re a dickhead. I hope you choke on a cheeseburger.”
- Violet Parker
* * “Sunshine,” Mona said, “your asshole meter is red-lining.”
- Mona
August 10, 2023
Добре дошли в Дедууд!
Запознайте с брокерката Вайолет, която трябва да продаде къща, за да остане на работа, но все нещо саботира плановете й. Тя е майка на две близначета, момче и момиче. Много палави, умни и интересни деца! Тя отскоро е в града, но вече е ухажвана от всички местни ергени на всякаква възраст. Само че Вай е привлечена най-вече към новия мъж в града с дълбоки кафяви очи. Флиртът и искрите между тях могат да подпалят градчето. Там обаче върлува и похитител на деца, отвлякъл три момиченца, а дъщерята на Вайолет много прилича на едното. Тя се заема междувременно да открие кой стои зад тези похищения. Пригответе се за приключения и много смях с колоритните герои от Дедууд. Ще се смеете с тях, дори и когато ситуацията е напечена.
Много се радвам, че я прочетох, въпреки че няма преведени другите книги от поредицата. С удоволствие бих изчела и тях! Ако желаете да се разтоварите, да се посмеете и да се срещнете с шантави герои, то тази книга е за вас! В нея има романтика, криминални моменти, смешни реплики и случки, забавни деца и дори призраци.
Приятно прекарване в Дедууд!
Запознайте с брокерката Вайолет, която трябва да продаде къща, за да остане на работа, но все нещо саботира плановете й. Тя е майка на две близначета, момче и момиче. Много палави, умни и интересни деца! Тя отскоро е в града, но вече е ухажвана от всички местни ергени на всякаква възраст. Само че Вай е привлечена най-вече към новия мъж в града с дълбоки кафяви очи. Флиртът и искрите между тях могат да подпалят градчето. Там обаче върлува и похитител на деца, отвлякъл три момиченца, а дъщерята на Вайолет много прилича на едното. Тя се заема междувременно да открие кой стои зад тези похищения. Пригответе се за приключения и много смях с колоритните герои от Дедууд. Ще се смеете с тях, дори и когато ситуацията е напечена.
Много се радвам, че я прочетох, въпреки че няма преведени другите книги от поредицата. С удоволствие бих изчела и тях! Ако желаете да се разтоварите, да се посмеете и да се срещнете с шантави герои, то тази книга е за вас! В нея има романтика, криминални моменти, смешни реплики и случки, забавни деца и дори призраци.
Приятно прекарване в Дедууд!
February 22, 2013
I was recommended this title on my Kindle because of my recent mystery purchases. Little did I know that this mystery had the twist of the paranormal with a Haunted House thrown in! Violet is a single mother of pre-teen twins (a boy and a girl) and has just moved to Deadwood after getting her Realtor license. She desperately needs to sell a house or have her job be taken from her and given to her spiteful male co-worker Ray's nephew. When a hometown boy comes back to Deadwood to sell his home, she takes up the offer to be the listing agent. Little does she know that the house has a bad reputation of being haunted. Along with her angst of selling a house or losing her job, there is also a kidnapper in town abducting little blonde girls. Fearing for the safety of her own daughter she decides to investigate these disappearances herself. Thrown in with the ghosts and mysteries is also a romance. Who will she choose the enigmatic Doc Nyce or the charming Wolfgang? Both guys have secrets that are doozies!
October 2, 2021
What a great cozy mystery. I loved the how the main character is a realtor which made this story line different from others stories. I enjoyed hearing her obstacles she had selling a creepy Haunted house. I will continue reading this series.
July 14, 2017
This was fun read I really enjoyed the characters. It was a riot reading about all the trouble Violet got into. This was a good start to the series and I plan to continue on to book 2.
January 27, 2014
This one was interesting and entertaining. I deducted two stars because the actions of the characters were jarringly unrealistic. There is only so much allowance for dramatic license in a story that is supposed to be taking place in a realistic, normal setting.
The first three-fourths of the book was good and probably rated 4 stars. The one negative was the constant and decidedly lame sexual innuendo that formed a good part of the dialogue. I have no problem with sex in my books (love it, in fact), but the dialogue in this book included a nearly constant stream of leering, sleazy sexual references that got old in a hurry. Except for that, the relationships of the characters was well done and enjoyable.
A big part of the book was built around the idea that three little girls had gone missing in the small town of Deadwood in the last year. Violet, the main character, has every reason to think her daughter is targeted next. If that had really happened in a small town, the entire town would be completely freaked out. Everyone in the book seems to take this all remarkably in stride, going on with their lives and not being too stressed out about it, and taking no measures to prevent further occurrences.
The final dramatic scene in the book was what was most unrealistic. Violet Parker, the main character, goes through an experience that would leave most people at a minimum hospitalized and requiring sedation for psychological trauma for weeks. In fact, a real person would probably never be quite normal again. But she's up and chipper the next morning, trading one-liners and getting involved with her new flame.
So...entertaining yes, humorous yes, but a plot so wildly unrealistic it detracted from the story.
The first three-fourths of the book was good and probably rated 4 stars. The one negative was the constant and decidedly lame sexual innuendo that formed a good part of the dialogue. I have no problem with sex in my books (love it, in fact), but the dialogue in this book included a nearly constant stream of leering, sleazy sexual references that got old in a hurry. Except for that, the relationships of the characters was well done and enjoyable.
A big part of the book was built around the idea that three little girls had gone missing in the small town of Deadwood in the last year. Violet, the main character, has every reason to think her daughter is targeted next. If that had really happened in a small town, the entire town would be completely freaked out. Everyone in the book seems to take this all remarkably in stride, going on with their lives and not being too stressed out about it, and taking no measures to prevent further occurrences.
The final dramatic scene in the book was what was most unrealistic. Violet Parker, the main character, goes through an experience that would leave most people at a minimum hospitalized and requiring sedation for psychological trauma for weeks. In fact, a real person would probably never be quite normal again. But she's up and chipper the next morning, trading one-liners and getting involved with her new flame.
So...entertaining yes, humorous yes, but a plot so wildly unrealistic it detracted from the story.
September 13, 2017
Violet is a single mother of two children, working as an estate agent, but with no sales to her name, she is under pressure to deliver or lose her job to a co-workers relative. She becomes concerned to learn that children are going missing and she fears her kids might be next.
The cast of this book are appalling. Violet cannot seem to control her brat children who run wild all the time. At a time when she is in danger of losing her job, she has to put off vital appointments to run home to her attention seeking son. She teaches them no discipline. And if the kid is forever using the phone to drag her home for stupid things, then he shouldn't be given access to the phone! Her daughter likes to disect animals for fun and even does this with her meals in a local restaurant. Creepy child. She also puts adds for 'lovin' in the local paper for her mother who does nothing to stop her or pull her up about her behaviour.
Violet is also spineless over the abuse she takes from co-worker Ray, who steals her clients and tries to get her fired. Her boss Jane sits back and does nothing while he bullies Violet. What a place to work. And when she discovers that someone in the next building is parking in her space, does she tell that person? No, she sits and takes it and then moans about it. Grow a spine will you? And of course every weird guy in town wants to sleep with her.
I hated every character, I didn't like the plot as Violet kept whining about everything that was wrong with her life but not even trying to do anything about it. I really wanted to give her a good slap! It just seemed to be her whining and running about trying to sell a house and dealing with weird men and I got bored quickly.
DNFed!
The cast of this book are appalling. Violet cannot seem to control her brat children who run wild all the time. At a time when she is in danger of losing her job, she has to put off vital appointments to run home to her attention seeking son. She teaches them no discipline. And if the kid is forever using the phone to drag her home for stupid things, then he shouldn't be given access to the phone! Her daughter likes to disect animals for fun and even does this with her meals in a local restaurant. Creepy child. She also puts adds for 'lovin' in the local paper for her mother who does nothing to stop her or pull her up about her behaviour.
Violet is also spineless over the abuse she takes from co-worker Ray, who steals her clients and tries to get her fired. Her boss Jane sits back and does nothing while he bullies Violet. What a place to work. And when she discovers that someone in the next building is parking in her space, does she tell that person? No, she sits and takes it and then moans about it. Grow a spine will you? And of course every weird guy in town wants to sleep with her.
I hated every character, I didn't like the plot as Violet kept whining about everything that was wrong with her life but not even trying to do anything about it. I really wanted to give her a good slap! It just seemed to be her whining and running about trying to sell a house and dealing with weird men and I got bored quickly.
DNFed!
April 13, 2020
4.5 Stars... This is my first exposure to Ann Charles, and I have to say that I am a fan... I am so happy that I finally read this book and immersed myself into this series... Ann Charles takes readers into the heart of Deadwood, South Dakota providing us with characters who have an array of personalities (Some not so popular...Ray!) that when mixed together make for an explosive storyline... Our heroine, Violet Parker, is attempting to find her footing balancing a new career with motherhood, raising her twins (Addy and Layne) on her own... As she navigates the many pitfalls of the real estate business, another mystery begins to unfold, several young girls have gone missing in this small town... In order to protect her children, Violet begins to dig into the mystery of the disappearances and finds herself face to face with a sexy but mysterious and somewhat odd new client, Doc Nyce... The magnetism is unparalleled, but his behavior creates cause for concern... As new faces take center stage in her life, she must decipher who is an ally and who is an enemy... One mistake could have deadly consequences... In a twisting storyline that keeps you guessing to the very end, Ann Charles creates an intriguing start to her series keeping her readers hungry for more:)
May 1, 2022
So I had a hard time rating this one. Overall it’s not a bad story. But mannnnnnnn oh mannnnn is Violet a wimp!!! Putting up with the harassment from her co-worker, Ray, day in and day out and letting her BOSS also just blantanly allow him to get away with it without reporting them to everyone, just no!!
Her kids🙁😕😕 the way she allows her kids to talk and walk all over her, and they are 9 years old .. Smdh.
And yet another book where Every man wants to sleep with the main character, like she’s a succumbs or something 😖😖😣, it just cheapens the character, seriously authors, get it together, it’s 109% okay to also have a character that not everyone views as a sex object, really, it’s Ohhhkay!
The mystery was fine 🤷🏾♀️ I called it early.. the perp was way to “good to be true”
However, having said that, the series has potential, so I will read on :)
Her kids🙁😕😕 the way she allows her kids to talk and walk all over her, and they are 9 years old .. Smdh.
And yet another book where Every man wants to sleep with the main character, like she’s a succumbs or something 😖😖😣, it just cheapens the character, seriously authors, get it together, it’s 109% okay to also have a character that not everyone views as a sex object, really, it’s Ohhhkay!
The mystery was fine 🤷🏾♀️ I called it early.. the perp was way to “good to be true”
However, having said that, the series has potential, so I will read on :)
January 6, 2013
I was not impressed and I'm surprised by all of the glowing reviews. I found it mediocre with an annoying main character. No wonder she was about to lose her job - she manages to do everything except work!
April 23, 2015
Four Stars: A fun mystery with a creepy villain, set in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Violet slumps into her office chair, frustrated and disgruntled. Someone took her parking spot again, forcing to her to tromp two blocks in the heat. To make matters worse, Violet only has three weeks to earn her first commission, if not, she will lose her job as a realtor. As a single mother of nine year old twins, Violet needs to keep her job. If that isn't bad enough, Violet must also worry about the alarming number of kidnappings. In the last year, three young girls, all her daughter's age, have gone missing. Can Violet make a sale and keep her children safe?
What I Liked:
*I picked up Nearly Departed in Deadwood while in a reading slump. Thankfully, this gem of a mystery immediately drew me in with its old time setting, quirky characters, suspenseful mystery and an entertaining heroine. If you want a strong mystery, try this series.
*Violet Parker was a fun and likable heroine. Plucky and determined come to mind when describing her. I loved her attitude especially when it came to dealing with her pigheaded coworker. As the clocks ticks, Violet does everything she can to make a sale. Even if that means befriending one of the local curmudgeons or taking on an impossible house to sale. She manages to balance her work and children as well as her social life, and for the most part, she pulls it off. I loved Violet.
*I enjoyed the setting of Deadwood, South Dakota. It gave the book a cozy feel, but also something more. With its interesting history, Deadwood has a great deal to lend to the story, including ghosts. I like that this book was set in a historical town, and I am looking forward to uncovering more of the town's long history in future installments.
*The mystery is well done and believable. As a mother, there is nothing more frightening than kidnapping, and Violet is faced with that terrifying scenario as she digs and learns more about the missing girls. I liked that this was a creepy, realistic mystery. Most of all, I appreciated that this wasn't a case of a bumbling amateur coming in and solving the mystery ahead of law enforcement. Instead, Violet takes an interest in the case, and she ends up learning the truth in a most terrifying manner. The shocking reveal is disturbing and creepy and unexpected. I enjoyed the twists in this one.
*The secondary characters were terrific. I enjoyed Harvey, the shotgun toting old man who is bit colorful and risqué with his dialogue. He made me laugh. Doc was fascinating after I warmed up to him. I am especially interested to learn more about his talent. Even though I couldn't stand Ray, I liked the antagonistic banter that flew back and forth between him and Violet. It definitely lightened things up. I was even surprised to find that I ended up liking Jeff at the end. Violet's twins Addie and Layne round out the quirky cast, and those two are precocious and a handful. I am looking forward to getting to know all of these characters better.
*There is a romance in this one, and for the most part, I liked it. It starts out on very shaky ground before moving into a friendship and then something more. I thought there was going to be a love triangle, but that resolves before it comes to fruition. The ending was full of heat and sparks, and I am glad that Violet seems to have made up her mind already. I can't stand cozy mystery series with conflicted romances that go on and on.
*The ending wraps up the main mystery in this book, while leaving some rather interesting story threads dangling for the next book, making me all the more eager to head back to Deadwood.
And The Not So Much:
*One minor complaint I had was that the transitions in this one felt a bit choppy. There were several scenes that were just getting to the good parts, and then they ended only to be quickly rehashed down the road. I was most disappointed that the scene where Doc reveals his big secret to Violet was cut out and only the highlights were revisited. That was a pivotal moment in the story, so why did the author cut it out? I also didn't like all the suspense leading up to the mystery date only to have that scene end as well. Why did the suitor really want to meet Violet? I wasn't satisfied with that scene either. Hopefully, in the next book the transitions will be smoother.
*This isn't your typical cozy, so don't expect to go in and find a light mystery. The crime and the reasoning behind it are dark and disturbing. I liked that this was darker, but if you are a fan of the light cozy, you may not like the creepiness of this one.
*I didn't like Violet's best friend Natalie. She came across as a bit shallow and self centered. I am hoping she grows on me over time.
*While for the most part I was satisfied with the romance, I was perplexed by how quickly Violet changed her mind about her suitor. At first meeting, she is a bit put off by him, and the subsequent meetings don't go much better, in fact, she is a bit rattled by him and creeped out by his quirky behavior. Luckily he grew on me and Violet as well. It seemed, though, that she went from wanting to avoid him to lusting after him, like flipping a light switch. I wished there had a been just a bit more development. Still it is a good romance for the cozy mystery genre.
Nearly Departed in Deadwood was a surprising find. This is a book with terrific characters, a suspenseful, realistic and disturbing mystery set in a town brimming with history. I enjoyed this book, and I am very much looking forward to continuing the series. If you are looking for a darker type cozy mystery with some quirky characters, take a chance on this one.
I purchased a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Violet slumps into her office chair, frustrated and disgruntled. Someone took her parking spot again, forcing to her to tromp two blocks in the heat. To make matters worse, Violet only has three weeks to earn her first commission, if not, she will lose her job as a realtor. As a single mother of nine year old twins, Violet needs to keep her job. If that isn't bad enough, Violet must also worry about the alarming number of kidnappings. In the last year, three young girls, all her daughter's age, have gone missing. Can Violet make a sale and keep her children safe?
What I Liked:
*I picked up Nearly Departed in Deadwood while in a reading slump. Thankfully, this gem of a mystery immediately drew me in with its old time setting, quirky characters, suspenseful mystery and an entertaining heroine. If you want a strong mystery, try this series.
*Violet Parker was a fun and likable heroine. Plucky and determined come to mind when describing her. I loved her attitude especially when it came to dealing with her pigheaded coworker. As the clocks ticks, Violet does everything she can to make a sale. Even if that means befriending one of the local curmudgeons or taking on an impossible house to sale. She manages to balance her work and children as well as her social life, and for the most part, she pulls it off. I loved Violet.
*I enjoyed the setting of Deadwood, South Dakota. It gave the book a cozy feel, but also something more. With its interesting history, Deadwood has a great deal to lend to the story, including ghosts. I like that this book was set in a historical town, and I am looking forward to uncovering more of the town's long history in future installments.
*The mystery is well done and believable. As a mother, there is nothing more frightening than kidnapping, and Violet is faced with that terrifying scenario as she digs and learns more about the missing girls. I liked that this was a creepy, realistic mystery. Most of all, I appreciated that this wasn't a case of a bumbling amateur coming in and solving the mystery ahead of law enforcement. Instead, Violet takes an interest in the case, and she ends up learning the truth in a most terrifying manner. The shocking reveal is disturbing and creepy and unexpected. I enjoyed the twists in this one.
*The secondary characters were terrific. I enjoyed Harvey, the shotgun toting old man who is bit colorful and risqué with his dialogue. He made me laugh. Doc was fascinating after I warmed up to him. I am especially interested to learn more about his talent. Even though I couldn't stand Ray, I liked the antagonistic banter that flew back and forth between him and Violet. It definitely lightened things up. I was even surprised to find that I ended up liking Jeff at the end. Violet's twins Addie and Layne round out the quirky cast, and those two are precocious and a handful. I am looking forward to getting to know all of these characters better.
*There is a romance in this one, and for the most part, I liked it. It starts out on very shaky ground before moving into a friendship and then something more. I thought there was going to be a love triangle, but that resolves before it comes to fruition. The ending was full of heat and sparks, and I am glad that Violet seems to have made up her mind already. I can't stand cozy mystery series with conflicted romances that go on and on.
*The ending wraps up the main mystery in this book, while leaving some rather interesting story threads dangling for the next book, making me all the more eager to head back to Deadwood.
And The Not So Much:
*One minor complaint I had was that the transitions in this one felt a bit choppy. There were several scenes that were just getting to the good parts, and then they ended only to be quickly rehashed down the road. I was most disappointed that the scene where Doc reveals his big secret to Violet was cut out and only the highlights were revisited. That was a pivotal moment in the story, so why did the author cut it out? I also didn't like all the suspense leading up to the mystery date only to have that scene end as well. Why did the suitor really want to meet Violet? I wasn't satisfied with that scene either. Hopefully, in the next book the transitions will be smoother.
*This isn't your typical cozy, so don't expect to go in and find a light mystery. The crime and the reasoning behind it are dark and disturbing. I liked that this was darker, but if you are a fan of the light cozy, you may not like the creepiness of this one.
*I didn't like Violet's best friend Natalie. She came across as a bit shallow and self centered. I am hoping she grows on me over time.
*While for the most part I was satisfied with the romance, I was perplexed by how quickly Violet changed her mind about her suitor. At first meeting, she is a bit put off by him, and the subsequent meetings don't go much better, in fact, she is a bit rattled by him and creeped out by his quirky behavior. Luckily he grew on me and Violet as well. It seemed, though, that she went from wanting to avoid him to lusting after him, like flipping a light switch. I wished there had a been just a bit more development. Still it is a good romance for the cozy mystery genre.
Nearly Departed in Deadwood was a surprising find. This is a book with terrific characters, a suspenseful, realistic and disturbing mystery set in a town brimming with history. I enjoyed this book, and I am very much looking forward to continuing the series. If you are looking for a darker type cozy mystery with some quirky characters, take a chance on this one.
I purchased a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
October 26, 2016
First in the Deadwood humorous cozy horror of a mystery series featuring a desperate single mom trying on a new career in Deadwood, South Dakota.
In 2010, Nearly Departed in Deadwood won the Daphne du Maurier Award, and in 2011 it was a RWA Golden Heart Award winner.
My Take
This is too cute. A fun read with cozy characters and quite the unique predicament for Violet! Sure, Violet has all the usual issues of a single mom, primarily the struggle to raise a pair of precocious twins, and Charles livens things up with Aunt Zoe taking them in.
Addy is a crack-up. She's interested in earning money, but not at the expense of finding a new husband for her mom. And she ain't shy about how she goes about it, lol.
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions and keep her job despite the malicious coworker trying to get her fired.
With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling.
Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood.
Now, if she could just convince her only buyer — a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet — to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted.
The Characters
Violet Parker is a single mother who's taken up a new career as a Realtor with Calamity Jane Realty. The excitable Layne and Addy, her husband-hunting daughter who wants to be a veterinarian, are her twins. They're living with the artistic Aunt Zoe. Quint, Violet's older brother, is a photojournalist. Her parents are on vacation in Maine. Violet doesn't speak to her sister…with good reason.
Calamity Jane Realty is…
…owned by Jane who is on her third divorce. Mona is one of the agents and is Violet's friend and mentor, with a sneaky angle on Ray Underhill, the sabotaging jerk in the office. Benjamin Underhill is Ray's nephew who just completed realty school.
Willis "Old Man" Harvey is eager to sell off his ranch, but requires a dinner-once-a-week clause in the contract. Red is his fat, yellow dog. Coop is his nephew and a detective in Deadwood. The Rupps had been Violet's clients. Wolfgang Hessler owns Hessler's Jewelry Designs and wants to sell his mother's house. Wilma Hessler was his scary-ass mother. Wilda Hessler is the sister who died. Dane "Doc" R. Nyce is a financial planner. Tiffany was Doc's previous Realtor.
Kelly Wymonds is one of Addy's friends; Johnny is her brother. Jeff Wymonds is Kelly's football-addleded dad who works a road crew; Donna is the wife who left. Emma (one of Kelly's friends), Tina Tucker, and Jade Newel are some of the local little girls who have gone missing as has Sherry Dobbler from Spearfish. Natalie Beals, a caretaker at a resort, has been Violet's best friend since childhood and seems to only date losers. Claire Morgan was one of Natalie's cousins and her family had been Violet's next door neighbors in Rapid City. Margo runs a housecleaning service. Beatrice Geary and Mr. Stinkleshine are some of Aunt Zoe's neighbors. Mrs. Stine works with the Deadwood Children's Shelterhouse. Miss Plum is the young librarian.
The Buffalo Ranch is a resort outside Deadwood. People say that a murdered prostitute, Lilly Divine, haunts one of the houses. The Wild Pasque is a fancy restaurant. Fancy Fannie's is a casino.
The Cover and Title
The black and blue cover is a terrifying cartoon-like graphic with an Addams Family-type dilapidated wooden house that would be better suited as a condemned Halloween fright house and is fronted by a dangling, ancient For Sale sign. It's viewed between Violet's jean-clad legs that end in purple cowboy boots, a lock dangling from her hand. The author's name and title are in white as a western-style font with a yellow banner below the title with the series information. A gold explosion of a circle proclaims the story's having won first place.
The title is all about Violet, who is Nearly Departed in Deadwood. I got a kick out of the deleted "D" that is replaced by the "N".
In 2010, Nearly Departed in Deadwood won the Daphne du Maurier Award, and in 2011 it was a RWA Golden Heart Award winner.
My Take
This is too cute. A fun read with cozy characters and quite the unique predicament for Violet! Sure, Violet has all the usual issues of a single mom, primarily the struggle to raise a pair of precocious twins, and Charles livens things up with Aunt Zoe taking them in.
Addy is a crack-up. She's interested in earning money, but not at the expense of finding a new husband for her mom. And she ain't shy about how she goes about it, lol.
Violet does the typical leap-to-conclusions moves, although I do have to give Charles credit for coming up with distinctive scenarios. Harvey's insistence on dinner with Violet, BUT not the way you think…you perv! *grin* Setting up Kelly's dad with the football injury excuse, being a swim coach, and assigning evil deeds to him was a good one. Wolfgang was intriguing, although I don't think Charles gave their interaction enough show. Doc, now, that was quite the confusing and frustrating set-up. I do wish Charles had been less vaguely cagey and more dropped more hints about his profession. For a while, I thought he was some kind of therapist. I suspect Charles intended Doc's character to be the cliffhanger."'What ad?'
'Probably the one that says you need a boyfriend.'"
The Story"'Exactly how many guys have you slept with?'
She grinned. 'Deadwood is a small town. A girl gets bored.'"
Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Fearing her daughter might be next, single mom, Violet Parker, is desperate to find the monster behind the abductions and keep her job despite the malicious coworker trying to get her fired.
With her savings dwindling and just three weeks left to sell her first house or lose her Realtor job, Violet is ecstatic when a handsome jeweler hires her to sell his century-old, Victorian masterpiece, until she sees the dilapidated dwelling.
Short on time and long on worry, she refuses to give up her dream of a fresh start in Deadwood.
Now, if she could just convince her only buyer — a sexy stranger hiding skeletons in his closet — to stop rejecting vintage homes as if they're haunted.
The Characters
Violet Parker is a single mother who's taken up a new career as a Realtor with Calamity Jane Realty. The excitable Layne and Addy, her husband-hunting daughter who wants to be a veterinarian, are her twins. They're living with the artistic Aunt Zoe. Quint, Violet's older brother, is a photojournalist. Her parents are on vacation in Maine. Violet doesn't speak to her sister…with good reason.
Calamity Jane Realty is…
…owned by Jane who is on her third divorce. Mona is one of the agents and is Violet's friend and mentor, with a sneaky angle on Ray Underhill, the sabotaging jerk in the office. Benjamin Underhill is Ray's nephew who just completed realty school.
Willis "Old Man" Harvey is eager to sell off his ranch, but requires a dinner-once-a-week clause in the contract. Red is his fat, yellow dog. Coop is his nephew and a detective in Deadwood. The Rupps had been Violet's clients. Wolfgang Hessler owns Hessler's Jewelry Designs and wants to sell his mother's house. Wilma Hessler was his scary-ass mother. Wilda Hessler is the sister who died. Dane "Doc" R. Nyce is a financial planner. Tiffany was Doc's previous Realtor.
Kelly Wymonds is one of Addy's friends; Johnny is her brother. Jeff Wymonds is Kelly's football-addleded dad who works a road crew; Donna is the wife who left. Emma (one of Kelly's friends), Tina Tucker, and Jade Newel are some of the local little girls who have gone missing as has Sherry Dobbler from Spearfish. Natalie Beals, a caretaker at a resort, has been Violet's best friend since childhood and seems to only date losers. Claire Morgan was one of Natalie's cousins and her family had been Violet's next door neighbors in Rapid City. Margo runs a housecleaning service. Beatrice Geary and Mr. Stinkleshine are some of Aunt Zoe's neighbors. Mrs. Stine works with the Deadwood Children's Shelterhouse. Miss Plum is the young librarian.
The Buffalo Ranch is a resort outside Deadwood. People say that a murdered prostitute, Lilly Divine, haunts one of the houses. The Wild Pasque is a fancy restaurant. Fancy Fannie's is a casino.
The Cover and Title
The black and blue cover is a terrifying cartoon-like graphic with an Addams Family-type dilapidated wooden house that would be better suited as a condemned Halloween fright house and is fronted by a dangling, ancient For Sale sign. It's viewed between Violet's jean-clad legs that end in purple cowboy boots, a lock dangling from her hand. The author's name and title are in white as a western-style font with a yellow banner below the title with the series information. A gold explosion of a circle proclaims the story's having won first place.
The title is all about Violet, who is Nearly Departed in Deadwood. I got a kick out of the deleted "D" that is replaced by the "N".
March 12, 2020
Вайолет е самотна майка на близнаци и новоизлюпена брокерка, която има 1 месец да продаде първата си къща за да запази работата си!
В малкото градче Дедууд изчезват няколко момичета, които поразително приличат на дъщерята на Вайолет и започва нейното импровизирано разследване. Има няколко заподозрени и трима ухажори...един от които може би убиец? Краят не е изненадващ, но ми харесаха свежите диалози и героите! Вайолет поразително ми напомня на Бриджет Джоунс и ако харесвате такива героини ви препоръчвам книгата.
В малкото градче Дедууд изчезват няколко момичета, които поразително приличат на дъщерята на Вайолет и започва нейното импровизирано разследване. Има няколко заподозрени и трима ухажори...един от които може би убиец? Краят не е изненадващ, но ми харесаха свежите диалози и героите! Вайолет поразително ми напомня на Бриджет Джоунс и ако харесвате такива героини ви препоръчвам книгата.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 846 reviews