Title: Dead Serious Case #3: Mr. Bruce Reyes
Author: Vawn Cassidy
Series: Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #3
Pages: 344
Tristan’s life hasn’t been the same since he started being able to see the dead but when Death shows up in his kitchen to tell him he can’t let Bruce, the drag queen Dusty’s boyfriend, cross over to the light because there will be dire consequences. Now Tristan and Danny have assembled their own ragtag gang of investigators to find out who is causing chaos and why Bruce can’t cross over.
Like the previous mysteries, I was instantly sucked into this one. Tristan is no longer hiding his ghostly abilities from Danny and their relationship is stronger than ever. We see them work together to help Bruce find out the truth of his death and why his connection to the portal is so strong. Danny and Tristan’s relationship is quite wonderful and sweet and I really love these two. I do enjoy how strong their connection has gotten since the first book and I really can’t wait to see how their relationship grows as this series continues.
The mystery in this one was quite enjoyable and interesting. Bruce has been a ghost that I have been wanting to know more about since he was introduced, and since he started dating Dusty, so I was glad we didn’t have to wait long. His story was very heartbreaking but it was very sweet that he was able to get closure.
Chaos was an interesting villain and I enjoyed the build up to his breakthrough. He really lived up to his name but I do think the end was a bit anticlimactic in how he was stopped but it was still a good ending. I do wonder if this is the last we will see of this monster though since he is the opposite of Death and can’t really be stopped.
My favorite part of this book though was the found family that Tristan and Danny had made. With each book it just keeps growing and we really see it come together in this one when the ladies of the Rainbow Room come to the rescue and save Tristan and Danny from their terrible waterlogged apartment. There are also new members with Sam and Harrison joining the gang to help investigate and being dragged into the family. This is just a wonderful showing of found family and how it can be better, and more accepting, than your real family.
Overall, this was another enjoyable adventure for Tristan, Danny and the gang. I can’t wait to read more ghost adventures with these two. Also I can’ t wait to see more of Death and Chan’s relationship because that was surprising.
CW: car accident; surgery mentioned; side character with alcohol addiction; parent with dementia; accidental death; grief; homomisia parents;
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Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 