Detective Sophie Manning has been a cop for a long time but this case has her with nowhere to turn. The last thing she wants is to lose her mind in the middle of a horrific crime, especially when she knows ghosts don't exist. In the past, Sophie has seen and spoken to a ghost and ended up in years of therapy. She is in for a big surprise when a consultant for the Krewe of Hunters shows up and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that ghosts do exist and it's OK to see them.

Bruce McFadden hadn't decided if he wanted to join the Krewe, but after seeing Sophie on TV, he knows he has to help. The McFadden clan are also featured in the last Krewe book, FADE TO BLACK, if you want to catch up, though it is not necessary to enjoy PALE AS DEATH. Finding Sophie, the horrible murder she's investigating, and realizing that the person who is guilty might be someone close to her is a mixed blessing. He will have to depend on everything he knows, a couple of ghosts, and good training to stop the killer from striking again.

PALE AS DEATH takes us into the intriguing world of Hollywood but this time we don't just get a look at the glitz and glamour. We visit a world where the evil past comes to life in the form of the repeat of a horrible unsolved death. The police and F.B.I. consultants refuse to allow the modern Black Dahlia type death go unsolved.

Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters books are always amazing reads! She combines a crime with the history of the city where the crime takes place, adds in romance, and comes up with books that will not let go of you. Her characters are always interesting and different, but with the same fire for justice that can be found in any police procedural. Ms. Graham must do a lot of research and it comes out in the history of the area the book is placed, giving verbal tours, and in this case, the crime and the many theories that to this day arise from the death of the original Black Dahlia. The romance was perfectly written, with a little bit of friction, mostly on the part of Sophie, but once they acknowledged their attraction, the couple gives each other the love and support that each needed badly to survive.

If I had one complaint with PALE AS DEATH, I felt the ending was rushed. I would like to have gotten a little more information as to why this person committed this particular crime. I had a lot of ideas racing in my head and maybe that is exactly what Ms. Graham wanted... I am still thinking about PALE AS DEATH, even after finishing a few days ago. Very sneaky, in a good way of course.

Book Summary

From the dark depths of Hollywood’s past

The crime scene is horrific: the corpse of a young actress, drained of blood and cut in two. LAPD Detective Sophie Manning’s new case is high-profile and difficult—there’s no evidence to work with. And it’s a disturbing echo of the infamous Black Dahlia killing. Sophie is burning the candle at both ends, desperate to catch the murderer before he strikes again, when she starts to experience inexplicable visits…from ghosts.

Bruce McFadden has a particular talent that can help Sophie—he can speak with the dead. As a consultant for the FBI’s paranormal team, the Krewe of Hunters, he’s been tasked with Sophie’s case and they’re forced to partner up. But Sophie doesn’t want his help, and she doesn’t want to share his peculiar skill. And she certainly isn’t ready for love, despite Bruce’s attentions.

As the killer taunts the police, Sophie and Bruce will discover that the threat is closer to home than they’d ever realized. Working side by side is the only way they’ll stop this deadly sequel.