Review of The Deadly Detective Agency

[John Owen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Deadly Detective Agency" by Ann Parker.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

I was instantly an Ann Parker fan just a few pages into her thrilling and enjoyable paranormal detective/mystery book, "The Deadly Detective Agency." And knowing this is just the first in a series, it doesn't get better. I'll definitely be checking out her other books. I've got several reasons why I have started my review with such high praise, but any reader of "The Deadly Detective Agency" would also see why.

No book could have better twists than this. I was wide-eyed to learn that Abigail's murderer was someone both the characters and I least expected. And then came the realization that Lillian didn't just die a natural death but was also murdered by someone everyone also least expected; it was mind-blowing for sure! I certainly won't be revealing any of those to you or I'd be spoiling. Hopefully, any fan of paranormal, mystery, detective, and crime combo-type novels will read for themselves — and it's an easy recommendation from me. Furthermore, these twists are not just about unexpected and big turns of events; they are also about the little bits of things I expected to turn out one way but ended up another.

Guilty to say, but I really thought the Deadly Detective Agency would eventually dissolve from the friction the characters had among themselves. It first started with Lillian and Abigail, then it went to Terry and Abigail, and throughout it was Abigail and the rest. Parker sure does have a way with words, packing both humor and emotion into them. I loved the puns and giggled at most of them many times. My favorite character was Abigail, despite being so infamous, and she shared my admiration with Suzie... Who in the world wouldn't love Suzie?

There are a few areas that I must point out, though. The investigation into Abigail Summer's death felt like the highlight of the book, given that it was already evident she was the "ghost of the hour" from the start, so when it was solved that early, I almost lost interest. It almost seemed from the start that the book was about the investigation of her death, so when it ended so soon, I couldn't think of any way the book could be developed better. While the author did manage to make the rest of the book interesting, the remaining scenes felt like additions rather than part of the main story. It's like adding Lego blocks to an already-completed toy house, and it would have felt more fluid if Abigail's murder revelation was reserved for the end.

The remaining two are not as serious as the prior, but they need a mention anyway. I read the book on Everand, and the distinction between one section and another wasn't that clear, except for a new section beginning with block paragraphs instead of indented ones. This can easily be overlooked, which creates a scenario where you are in a different section without even knowing it, and by the time you realize it, you are already confused and have to read the entire chapter again. It would help to make section breaks more clear, for example, by starting a new section on a different page or adding enough blank lines or a marker of some kind between sections instead of putting them so close together. Finally, there was a mix-up of characters once, but I've mentioned that privately to the author in the PRQ. Weighing all these factors, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. There were a few areas I had second thoughts about, but the book was enjoyable enough to make me overlook them. You won't be disappointed if you choose the book.

******
The Deadly Detective Agency
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[NetMassimo]

A paranormal mystery full of twists can be very interesting and entertaining, so I'm really curious about this one and I'll look into this series. Thank you for your great review!

[Kristin Cowan]

The name alone is hooking me into reading this. Your review is super helpful! Let us know if you go on to read more in the series!

[Tobi Adefila]

This has been the kind of story I've been looking for. The one with a lot of suspense in it. I really hope to read this story soon. This review is really amazing!

[Azaz Raja]

This thorough and insightful review of "The Deadly Detective Agency" by Ann Parker highlights the book's thrilling twists, well-developed characters, and engaging humor. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the series and admiration for the author's storytelling prowess shine through, making it an enticing read for fans of paranormal detective mysteries. The constructive criticism provided regarding the pacing and clarity of section breaks demonstrates a thoughtful analysis of the book's structure. Overall, the review effectively captures the essence of the novel and offers valuable insights for potential readers.