Author : E. Michael Helms
Title : Deadly Spirits
Series : Mac McClellan Mystery #4
Pages : 266
Publisher : Camel Press
Publication date : January 15, 2017

When PI Mac McClellan’s girlfriend convinces him to join the Palmetto Paranormal Society, he becomes embroiled in a case of whodunnit. The society president, while investigating an old hotel, is found dead at the foot of the stairwell, his neck broken. The man’s secretary and current squeeze stands horrified beside his body. Authorities rule the death an accident. Mac has doubts—no one heard the man tumbling down the stairs. Then the secretary dies in an apparent suicide. Two deaths in two paranormal investigations, and not a peep out of either victim. Mac suspects there’s more going on than a vengeful spirit.

Private Investigator Mac McClellan’s girlfriend Kate convinces him to join a paranormal society with her. Mac doesn’t believe in spirits, unless they’re of the alcoholic variety so he’s quite sceptical about the whole thing. While the society investigates an old hotel, the society president is found dead at the bottom of the stairs with a broken neck. The police rule the death an accident, saying the poor man obviously fell down the stairs, but Mac isn’t convinced. Then another member of the society is found dead and Mac sets out to investigate, which soon puts him in danger.

Deadly Spirits is the fourth book in the McClellan Mystery series but if, like me, you’ve not read the previous ones, there’s no need to worry as this can perfectly be read as a stand-alone. If paranormal isn’t your thing, that shouldn’t put you off this book either. At its heart, it’s a good old-fashioned mystery and whodunnit. There are quite a few characters to keep track off and each and every single one of them seems to have a secret, making the list of potential suspects quite long. Mac definitely has his work cut out trying to unravel the various threads.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive

Mac is a highly likeable character. As a former marine, he displays quite the tough exterior but on the inside, he’s a big softie. He’s intelligent and perceptive and has a wonderful sense of humour. As a dog lover, I particularly enjoyed his interactions with his dog.

Overall, I found this to be a quite enjoyable and entertaining read with an interesting and complicated plot and some wonderful twists and turns.

Many thanks to the author for the electronic copy, which I chose to review honestly!

Deadly Spirits was published in January.

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