by Jennifer Hilt
Series: Undead Detective #1.5
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Paranormal reunions are murder.
As a vampire detective, my needs are simple. I like my human PA, our spoiled Shih Tzu and solving crimes. Sure I’m set in my ways but that’s not surprising after being undead for two centuries.
A reunion at the Colorado mansion of my former employer isn’t my first choice for leaving LA but I promised my PA a white Christmas. Besides professional curiosity has me wondering how my former colleagues are faring.
But when our host is murdered I discover no fae, nymph, shifter, witch or demon is above suspicion. And the murderer isn’t done yet.
Luckily I have a talent for solving crimes, a taste for blood and a knack at wanting the forbidden.
I discovered The Undead Detective by Jennifer Hilt while browsing Kindle Unlimited. A holiday party of paranormals, a great hunt, and murder made for a fun intro to this series.
After finishing I discovered a full-length novel released the year before called The Undead Detective Bites: Book 1. Can I say it makes me crazy when books aren’t properly labeled? It makes me crazy! Based on release dates, The Undead Detective would be #1.5 in the Undead Detective series. However, it doesn’t matter which order you read them. The author includes a sample of book one in this novella.
We meet Hattie Silverthorne, a detective and medical examiner who also happens to be a two hundred-year-old vampire. When her personal assistant and consort Ben finds a discarded invitation for a costume party, she suddenly accepts after he reminds her repeatedly she promised him a vacation involving snow. They along with their pet Shih Tzu set out for Colorado.
A murder mystery awaits them, offering us a chance to see Silverthorne in action. This was entertaining although I felt like a stranger at the party. The author does a good job of introducing us to paranormals in the community and we get the sense they have all worked together solving crimes. Before it’s all said and done, there will be a demonic possession and a few twists.
While I would have liked a longer story and series order, The Undead Detective, was entertaining and left me curious enough to go back and read The Undead Detective Bites. You’ll find that review next week. A simple, entertaining mystery with a sharp-witted detective.
The Undead Detective by Jennifer Hilt delivered a house party murder-mystery involving a vampire, witches and others from the supernatural realm. #cozy #paranormal #KU Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Up to #15! WOW, that’s a lot of catch up to play. Sorry, it wasn’t as good as you hoped it to be.
Mary
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
This sounds really good. The labeling issue would annoy me too, but I’m glad it worked out even though it wasn’t technically the first book in the series.
Noel
Wait, so this is a novella after the first book? It looks and sounds really good, so it’s getting added to the TBR either way…
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
A medical examiner who’s also a vampire sounds like an interesting combination!
Olivia-Savannah Roach
It sounds like this one was a good find and I will be looking forward to that other review next week. Although I do like cross-genre books, it sounds like this one left a bit wanting though…
sherry fundin
I love the mix of two of my favorite genres, the supernatural and mystery. I think it is so wrong that authors don’t make it easy to know it’s a series, how many books there will be and what order they go in. I sometimes put them on my sh** list because I get so poed.
Debbie Haupt
Ah yes one of the things that makes me want to pull my hair out, ugh how many sites do these people expect us to look for a correct order. I’m glad it made you want to continue on!
Nadene
I feel your frustration regarding the labeling, I too hate when they are not labelled properly. You have me curious about this one. I am going to check it out.
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader
This series sounds like fun! My pet peeve is also when book series aren’t numbered. Glad it made you curious enough to read book 1. I added this to my GR. 🙂
Dani Eide
Will follow your lead and go back to the other book first. Sounds like a fun read, something I need once in a while. Thanks Kimberly! ❤️❤️
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
This sounds like something I would like but I would want to read them in order, like you. Too bad this one wasn’t clearly labeled. Thanks for introducing me to the series.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Fantastic review! Another one for my KU list. I like this kind of story.
sjhigbee
This sounds great:)
Heidi
I hate when a series starts with a novella that is released in an anthology or something and you think you are reading the first book and feel lost because you missed the novella. I remember that happening with Alpha and Omega and it drove me nuts! Glad you found your way with this even if it wasn’t labeled properly.
Maureen @ Maureen's Books
This sounds like an interesting read. And I love that cover!
But I agree on the labeling. I hate it when books aren’t properly labeled. Sigh..
Mary Kirkland
This sounds good to me. I like this type of book.
Sophia Rose
Reading order is a biggie when there is a series arc in play. I love the sound of a vampire coroner and a mystery with paranormals.
Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Grrr! It makes my left eye twitch when books aren’t properly labeled, Kim, because I’m kinda anal about reading in order. But I’m happy that overall this book was worth a look even if it could have been longer. Of course, had you read in order you might have felt differently? I do love the cover! 😉
kindlemom1
Books not being labeled right bothers me as well, especially novellas. It really does matter sometimes which order you read them in. This sounds like a promising series, I just might have to see if I can grab a copy.
Melliane
Oh a series I didn’t know about and it looks quite good too so I’m curious!
Ailyn Koay
i noticed that it’s book 15, i am kinda behind… haven’t even started Jim the Butcher yet
Kimberly
1 point 5, not 15 darling 🙂
Ailyn Koay
Hahah I totally missed the point
Elle
Another great review as always! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this. Usually books that involve magical creatures tend to involve defeating one final bad guy. This book is all about True Crime. In fact, I don’t think I’ve read much True Crime at all. I guess I have to go check this book out 🙂
Kimberly
It reminded me of a cozy mystery only paranormal.