Reviewed by Cheryl K
TITLE: Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes
SERIES: Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #3
AUTHOR: Vawn Cassidy
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 344 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2023
BLURB:
Tristan Everett was finally getting used to the strangeness that was his life. Being able to see the dead and helping them solve their unfinished business and cross into the light wasn’t so bad after all, especially when he was accompanied by his best friend, dead drag queen Dusty Le Frey. His boyfriend, sexy Scotland Yard detective Danny Hayes, now knew the truth about Tristan’s “gift,” and they were about to move in together officially.
Life was good.
That is until Death—honest to god, Death (aka The Grim Reaper)—pitches up in Tristan’s kitchen with an unusual request: stop Dusty’s ghostly hookup Bruce from crossing into the light, which may result in dire consequences. i.e., an accidental apocalypse.
Determined to do the exact opposite, and avoid potentially the end of the world, Tristan and Danny assemble their own ragtag gang of one prickly witch, one snarky psychic private investigator, one living drag queen with an affinity for feathers, and one dead one with an affinity for a deceased rugby player in tiny shorts. Together they must solve a forty-year-old cold case, while juggling a dose of the flu, a broken leg, a supernatural storm, and an immortal death deity with the looks and temperament of a sexy but grouchy CEO.
Seriously… what could possibly go wrong?
From Author Vawn Cassidy comes the next instalment of this hilarious and sweet paranormal romance mystery series
REVIEW:
This series does nothing but get better and better. I don’t know if it’s possible to love this group of characters anymore. But Vawn keeps knocking it out of the park. This is my usual disclaimer; you must read the two previous books in the series. If you don’t you will be a bit lost and have missed some seriously fantastic stories. As Danny and Tristan navigate their new normal, there are plot twists and mysteries afoot in this next edition of the Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed series.
The prose in this one just draws you in and doesn’t let go until the last page. Even then I’m not sure it really let me go. I’m still absorbing all the literary goodness Vawn incorporated into this book. The banter between characters is just amazing. The sexy times are creative and a wonderful addition to the story.
The depth of the world building is also becoming even more intriguing and defining itself as an integral character in the story. Although, I think maybe the weather is a character all on its own in this story. Vawn has managed to create an even bigger framework for the characters to play in, with the incorporation of new sites around London. From hospitals, magic shops, to the rugby pitch exposes more and more of the diversity of London.
Finally, is the character development. Vawn has infused the notion of found family with her wonderfully diverse cast of characters. What I really enjoy is how she manages to give her side characters a strong voice that helps to drive the story along. We are beginning to see even greater depths of character as Dusty explores her feeling for Bruce and as we see a burgeoning relationship for Chan. Which is honestly, just brilliant.
This series gets better and better with each new installment, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. You all know the drill – don’t walk or stroll to your favorite book purchasing site – you need to run. I fiercely recommend this book and series. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
RATING: 
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