Review: Great set of connected paranormal romance/mystery stories
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2013
4-4.5 stars - Very enjoyable set of 3 connected paranormal mysteries about "Dead Man" Denton, who can see or sense ghosts, and his tall, dark, & sexy (and very introverted) male witch neighbor Bran.If you've read Harper's Spirit Sanguine, you may remember Denton as a major side character there. It's not necessary to read Spirit Sanguine to enjoy Dead Man, although I recommend both books--they're both a fun read.Whereas Spirit Sanguine focused on the growing relationship between vampire Harvey and slayer Gabe (and who both make a quick appearance in this book), Dead Man focuses on Denton, graphic designer/ghost-see-er, and overall easy-going guy who grabs at the chance to move into a cheap apartment, one that comes with just one warning--his new neighbor is creepy.Denton mostly finds neighbor Bran sexy as hell, but overly aloof, and seemingly a jerk. But first impressions soon change as they continue to crash into each other (partially helped by Bran's fat black cat), and soon Bran's wall caves a little under Denton's endlessly leering opportunism, and he invites Denton to follow along on some spirit-banning business (while informing him that yes, guy witches are called witches too.) Go-with-the-flow Denton follows along, not quite ready yet to share his own secrets, but soon both find themselves opening up and connecting.I really dug the book--I find it low-key, and also excessively readable and enjoyable, and filled with lots of great little touches and details that reveal so much about the characters and their quirks. (Like Denton's sweet tooth or Bran's penchant for loose-fitting jeans.) Their relationship develops over the three stories, each one about a different spirit, and it was fun to see introverted, socially awkward Bran's slow thaw, and Denton's realization that this fun thing between them might actually be pretty serious. There are also some nice surprises that I didn't see coming, which made me want to go back and reread to see what signs had been dropped earlier.As usual with Harper's books, I found the writing and the dialogue effortless and realistic, so it was always easy for me to sink into the story and picture Denton and Bran moving around Bran's plant-filled apartment while dodging "big-boned" Murry. I also appreciated that the MCs didn't click well at first, their styles being so different. Fortunately for Bran, Denton is both easy-going and very randy, so he doesn't give up easily. (I find Denton pretty refreshing. He might be a little short & skinny, but he is no blushing, shrinking violet, and is pretty open and upfront about sex and needs and what fun things can be done to assist with conflict resolution.)If I had one point against, it's that, although I was very satisfied with the story (and it ends well, so no cliff-hanger endings for those of you who worry), it still felt like such a taste for me, and I totally could swim in this world all day. (And there are still a couple questions I'm thinking about.) I hope to read more, because I totally would buy another book with these guys.If you like urban fantasy/paranormal with your m/m romance, I definitely recommend this and also its companion Spirit Sanguine. You don't need to read one to understand the other, but both are great reads IMO.