The Chick and the Dead (Pepper Martin Mysteries, No. 2)

Ever since the former rich girl-turned-Cleveland cemetery tour guide banged her head on a headstone, she sees dead people. Worse still, she hears them—and they won't shut up! Now it's Didi Bowman, a poodle-skirted relic from the Great Beyond, who's bending Pepper's ear, complaining that her famous author sister, Merilee, has done her wrong. Trouble is, if Pepper proves it, she'll break the hearts of millions of Merilee's fans. And if she doesn't, Didi's ghost may never go away.Pepper needs peace and quiet (and rent money), so the cash-strapped ex-heiress agrees to take a job as Merilee's secretary and dig around the family tree. But when she unearths more than she bargained for—like an illegitimate daughter, a bunch of illicit love affairs, and a possible murder—suddenly a very poisoned pen is all set to write Pepper out of the story permanently.

From Publishers Weekly

In the second of her Pepper Martin murder mysteries-concerning an amateur sleuth who gets her cases from ghosts-Daniels crafts an underwhelming whodunit around the restless spirit of a failed novelist. Dead for half a century, Didi Bowman seeks out Pepper (who fell into the ability to see dead people in last year's Don of the Dead) to claim that Didi's sister, celebrated author Merilee Bowman, stole the manuscript for her famous, beloved Civil War novel from Didi. Now Merilee's returning to Cleveland for the re-release of the film version, and Didi wants the revenues (a veritable fortune) secured for her granddaughter. Soon Pepper's snooping around the Bowman family museum, fending off a slick detective's advances and getting herself into potentially deadly trouble. Daniels keeps things moving and amusing with her breezy chick-lit style and sharp dialogue, but serious mystery fans may be frustrated by the characters' carelessness-as when a detective wastes time flirting with Pepper rather than go after the man who just attacked her-and will probably solve the case long before Pepper does. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shirley Damsgaard, author of WITCH WAY TO MURDER, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“The fast paced dialogue and plenty of twists keep the reader turning the pages…I can’t wait to read more!”

Laura Bradley, author of SPRAYED STIFF, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“Carrie of Sex in the City going Six Feet Under with The Sopranos. Hip, original, out-of-this world fun!”

MaryJanice Davidson, USA Today bestselling author , praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“[F]abulous! One of the funniest books I’ve read this year. Or last year, come to think of it.”

Kerrelyn Sparks, author of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE VAMPIRE, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“A smashing great read! Spice up your life with a Pepper Martin mystery!”

Roberta Isleib, author of FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“A delightful read!”

Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“There’s not a ghost of a chance you’ll be able to put this book down. Write faster, Casey Daniels.”

Linda O. Johnstone, author of NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FERRETS, praise for DON OF THE DEAD

“[A] charming, imaginative mystery that transcends the boundaries of time, death and predictability, peppered with some delightful romantic twists.

Akron Beacon Journal

“A fun, light read...”

From the Back Cover

Ever since the former rich girl-turned-Cleveland cemetery tour guide banged her head on a headstone, she sees dead people. Worse still, she hears them—and they won't shut up! Now it's Didi Bowman, a poodle-skirted relic from the Great Beyond, who's bending Pepper's ear, complaining that her famous author sister, Merilee, has done her wrong. Trouble is, if Pepper proves it, she'll break the hearts of millions of Merilee's fans. And if she doesn't, Didi's ghost may never go away.Pepper needs peace and quiet (and rent money), so the cash-strapped ex-heiress agrees to take a job as Merilee's secretary and dig around the family tree. But when she unearths more than she bargained for—like an illegitimate daughter, a bunch of illicit love affairs, and a possible murder—suddenly a very poisoned pen is all set to write Pepper out of the story permanently.

About the Author

Casey Daniels once applied for a job as a tour guide in a cemetery. She didn't get the job, but she did get the idea for the Pepper Martin mystery series. Casey learned to love mysteries early thanks to her father, a Cleveland Police detective who enjoyed Sherlock Holmes stories and spent his days off searching for stolen cars—with Casey along for the ride. Later, she read her way through every mystery on the library shelves. Casey has a degree in English and a background in journalism and teaching. She is the author of two previous Pepper Martin mysteries, Don of the Dead and The Chick and the Dead, and lives in Northeast Ohio.

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