Reviewed: November 29th, 2022
Released: October 31st, 2022
Genre: MM Magical Realism
In the business of unfinished business…
It’s been over six months since a freak accident left pathologist Tristan Everett able to see ghosts, something he has yet to confess to his boyfriend. Instead, he now has a new calling, one he’s not entirely happy about… help the dead resolve their unfinished business so they can pass into the light, sounds simple right?
Wrong…
When the spirit of a sweet old lady suffering from Alzheimers follows him home he has no idea how to help her. When he finds out she’s been murdered by arsenic poisoning, a curiously outdated murder weapon, he once again finds himself tangled up in a murder investigation.
For Inspector Danny Hayes of New Scotland Yard, life couldn’t be better. After moving to London and meeting Tristan he’s ready to move their relationship to the next level, but something weird is going on with Tristan, he’s acting very strangely and with a killer on the loose he’s not taking any chances. He’s determined to discover whatever it is Tristan’s hiding from him.
Surrounded by a bunch of potentially murderous old ladies and aided by his sidekick, deceased drag queen and spirit guide in training, Dusty, Tristan must unravel the mystery of Mrs Delores Abernathy’s unfinished business and find the courage to share his deepest secret with the man he loves.
Helen’s thoughts: 4/5
A very enjoyable second installment in the Crawshank Guide to the Recently Departed series!
Tristan and Danny are a great couple. I like their insecurities and vulnerabilities, which make them even more lovable. As in any romance there are ups and downs, and in this case hindered by the fact that Tristan can see ghosts. Danny doesn’t know, which does set up some hilarious situations.
Dusty is as crazy and lovable as always, and their are some poignant moments between her and Chan which are really lovely.
Running alongside the romantic chaos is a murder case that needs solving. Although there is no way you would get the ashes back from a crematorium as quickly as Larry does, the story is such fun that you overlook it. Maybe! The whole Tart debacle couldn’t happen without it, and it was glorious, puns and all.
At some point in the story there is the great revelation about Tristan’s abilities, and I think that I would have loved to have seen more of Danny’s increduality, his internal battle, which would have made his love and belief in Tristan even stronger.
All in all, a worthy tale and great fun! Looking forward the Case #3!
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series or the epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 