The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger
The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger by Lucy Banks Amberjack Publishing General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
Review
Dr Ribero’s supernatural agency are ghostbusters of a sort, though their methods of containment are simple and their technical equipment is often non working. I wouldn't say the novels are meant to be humorous, but the interplay between the vibrant characters can be funny at times. The story centers around Kester, Dr Ribero’s son who has newly become involved in the organization. His uncertainty and self awareness make him a charming character that is easy to identify with. His bickering counterparts on the other hand are hasty sketches with little depth. The previous novel did a far better job of making the supporting characters believable.
There isn't much of a mystery. A spirit is killing people, first taking on their appearance. Readers already know what is going on, so we spend our time watching Kester and the others and wondering when they will get a clue. I wasn't too worried - despite elderly victims dropping like flies, it seemed the greatest worries were the public discovering spirits exist and Ribero’s agency not getting paid. Still, it is a cute book that is a pleasant escapist read and the premise is original. I liked the time spent on the development of Anya and Kester’s friendship. They make a cute couple. I'm also curious to see what will come next.
It is tough to settle on a rating. The book is an enjoyable read, despite its weaknesses. It isn't exactly a mystery per se, but it isn't quite an urban fantasy. The main problem is that if it had a firmer footing in either territory, more would be expected.
3 / 5
I received a copy of The Case of the Deadly Doppelgänger from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Description
Only a few months have passed since the day Kester Lanner forced an angry ghost through the spirit door, but business prospects for Dr. Ribero's supernatural agency haven’t improved. Things are looking grim when the agency lands a contract which they must share with a rival agency headed by Dr Ribero’s sworn enemy, Larry Higgins. Desperate for the job, the team accepts and begins to investigate the seaside town of Lyme Regis, where elderly victims are dying. The same mysterious clue links the horrendous deaths: the victims all see a double of themselves before dying. The teams wonder if they are dealing with a rogue doppelgänger, one that isn’t content just predicting deaths, but carrying them out as well. The victims’ connection to an ancient grave site leads to speculation that they may have disturbed a spirit more powerful than the two agencies can handle. One thing is certain, the won’t stop unless Kester and the others can overcome their rivalry and stop this deadly spirit.
