Book 52, 2024
Relatively Dead by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished reading Relatively Dead by Sheila Connolly last night. It's the first in her "Relatively Dead" series, featuring Abigail "Abby" Kimball. I am having a tough time pinning a genre on this. It wasn't really a mystery, nor was it a romance. Paranormal lite, perhaps?
Abby has recently moved to New England with her boyfriend, Brad, and is trying to settle in. While on a tour of local, historic homes, Abby experiences a vision of the family who lived there a century ago. The only thing keeping her from completely freaking out is the calm presence of the docent, Ned Newhall. Rather than think that Abby is crazy, Ned helps her try to explain the odd occurrence and suggests she look into her own past for answers. Abby finds she has plenty of time, since Brad is always either at work or haring off to play golf or watch football with the guys. Although he encouraged her to seek a job, once Abby lands a position at a local museum, Brad seems dismissive of her employment. In the meantime, Abby has other visions and continues to share her experiences with Ned. It's not until after things come to a head with Brad that Abby feels free to delve fully into her new, confusing ability.
I enjoyed this story, but nothing was really resolved by the end of it. I had thought it was a mystery, but...it wasn't. Abby is a likable character, as is Ned. Brad was a self-absorbed jerk, but the author portrayed him well. There was a surprising twist towards the end that livened things up.
Favorite lines:
♦ "I never turn down a good cemetery."
♦ That was the problem with having a real job: no time to do all the other interesting things in the world.
The dreaded 'holding my breath' line:
Abby hadn't realized that she'd been holding her breath, but she let it out now with a sigh.
An interesting story with a unique premise and relatable characters. Four stars.