Debriefing the Dead

Better than expected. The character development was actually really good. The tropes in the book prevented me from fully loving it, however, this is a solid plot with a solid idea. Definitely not a waste of an afternoon.

Hyacinth should’ve listened to her instincts when the two men offered her a boatload of money for her friend’s last excavation, currently taking up space in her storage locker. But with a sister and nephew on the run from the Sicilian Mob, she needs the money to get them away from her ex-brother-in-law, Nick. If only she listened…



She wouldn’t have died, she wouldn't begged to be reborn and she wouldn’t now be on the hunt for a humming rock of St. Michael’s. Yes, the archangel Michael. She grabs her neighbor, Jason, to help protect her nephew, Geordi, from the mob family, demons and all sorts of ghosts wandering around. Just as they’re about to flee, a freshly deceased man with a gun-shot hole piercing his chest cavity named Eric comes along. Is he demon or a friendly, sexy ghost?



It’s almost too much for Hyacinth to take. I mean, what’s a woman to do when she starts having feelings for both men? Just as she discovers where the humming rock is hiding, she’s captured by the demons. Will she escape, or will Satan finally get revenge for Michael’s actions a millennium ago?



To say I loved this book is such an understatement, it’s not even funny. I freaking LOVED it! It’s got adventure, archeology, paranormal, action, spirituality (Heaven/Hell/archangels/demons/Satan/death/afterlife), a touch of romance, history, travel and so much more.



For it being Kerry Blaisdell’s debut, it’s incredibly written without a flaw in the plot. The characters are so well-conceived and fleshed out, they appeared to come to life. Hyacinth goes through a lot in Debriefing the Dead yet her reactions are realistic which gave credence to the story. The slight romantic triangle was well done and I kept hemming and hawing about which man I wanted for Hyacinth.



Like the blurb says, this is a cross between Indiana Jones and Stephanie Plum. There’s plenty of action, a hunt for the truth and retrieving an artifact all while trying to dodge the bad guys.



The best parts for me were the setting in Turkey. Blaisdell’s descriptive narration is so rich, so tangible, I swear I closed my eyes and smelled aromas of Turkey and surrounding areas. She weaves historical aspects among the landscape of the area. It made me yearn to travel there just to experience what Hyacinth experienced.



Highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for an adventurous romance!



Disclaimer: I received a copy via Netgalley from The Wild Rose Press in the hopes I’d review it.



My Rating: 5 stars