Synopsis: Pepper is bored with unemployment. She's also dissatisfied with Quinn's lack of ability to talk about his near-death experience and his visit to Pepper. And of course, a ghost appears. This one leads Pepper to the high desert, to a handsome policeman, back into an involvement with her friend Dan, and into more than a little danger.
Review: This was a nice divergence from the Cleveland-based stories, and in fact, it was a bit disappointing that the main character didn't make a permanent move to the Southwest. ( )

Just could not get into this book. It had all the things that I like in a book, such as ghosts and pyschics and graveyards. But the story just never caught my attention. ( )

Another enjoyable addition to the series. A little too light to give it a 4.5, read it in one day, but couldn't put it down. Why is she still with Quinn? Good looks don't make up for his putting her abilities down. Too bad she couldn't stay with Sheriff Jesse, but she is such a city girl. But a whole culture that believes in spirits, that would be a whole new world to discover for her.... ( )

The ending of book number seven in the series had a significant development in Pepper's life that I don't want to spoil here. I will purposefully not mention that aspect which may cause some to have questions. The story opens at a Cleveland Indians game with Quinn. Quinn and Pepper have a tenuous truce going, but he will not discuss her gift and she is frustrated.

At home, Pepper receives a postcard from an old scientist friend, Dan, that he will be visiting Cleveland and wants to see her. But the very next letter is a ransom demand saying that Dan will die unless the bones of the infamous Indian who cursed Cleveland's baseball team, Chester Goodshot Gomez, are dug up and delivered at a location in New Mexico. So Pepper breaks into Goodshot's mausoleum and absconds with his bones. Thus begins an adventure in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, full of dust and danger.

Naturally, Chester Goodshot Gomez's ghost is going where his bones go, and he becomes an unlikely sidekick. The exchange of bones for Dan doesn't go well and Pepper is on the local Native American tribal cop's radar. Which she doesn't mind since she finds Jesse mucho attractive.

Pepper has some good and bad moments in this. She comes across like a spoiled prima donna in some spots, which the character seemed to have grown out of that - until now. Then there are other parts where she is sensitive and determined, not worried about her nails more than people. Jesse is a great character. His native beliefs allow him to understand Pepper and her gift, whether she wants him to or not. Jesse affirms to Pepper that what she is doing with ghosts, walking with both worlds, is important and special. I liked Jesse so much, I am hoping somehow he will be back again. The relationship between them moves very quickly, and I felt if was so quick it cheapened it. Chester Goodshot Gomez is a hoot and memorable in his own right.

The setting is the great southwest, small towns, dusty, rugged, and the great unknown for Pepper. The change of location was a good shake-up for the series. At first, I wasn't sure how I would like the western location, but it worked well. I liked it so much I hoped Pepper might extend her stay for another book or two, but no. The Native American Pueblo culture was a great backdrop, and the native mysticism was icing on this cake.

The plot seems thin at first, maybe even contrived. But that quickly changes and the plot gets more complications and depth. The pace was steady and avoided lagging. The climax was nicely setup and well played out. The wrap up had some surprises for Pepper, and ultimately the expected return to Cleveland was a little bit of a disappointment.

This was a good book in the series and the change of location allowed Pepper to see how she could be appreciated for her gift. While still a fun book, it feels as though it was intended to setup the next chapter in Pepper's life rather than being fully in it's own moment. Pepper fans will not want to miss this.

8th in Pepper Martin Mysteries

Main Characters: Pepper Martin, ghost whisperer

Setting: Modern day, New Mexico and Antonito Colorado

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Mystery and My Musings Blog
http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com ( )

The latest in the Pepper Martin series. Pepper sees spirits. Ever since tripping and hitting her head on a tombstone in the first book, she has become the detective to the long departed who need her to find out who killed them or to clear their name. The latest spirit is Chester Goodshot Gomez, a Native American and legendary Wild West star who was the keeper of the location of a sacred silver bowl used by the Native shaman to perform rituals. But Goodshot died before he could tell someone where the bowl was located. He also wanted his body buried in New Mexico. It is believed Goodshot had cursed Cleveland which is why the Cleveland Indians have been a losing team.

When Pepper receives a note from an old friend, Dan Callahan, that he has been kidnapped, the ransom is the bones of Chester Goodshot. Having been laid off from her cemetery job in the last book, Pepper has to break into the cemetery to steal the bones then follow the instructions the kidnappers gave her. Her drive to New Mexico isn’t boring since Goodshot goes along for the ride. Thus starts a rollicking case involving more dead bodies, a hunk of a Native American cop, designer clothes, all weaved into Native American history and culture. Casey Daniels never disappoints. ( )