Review: The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger by Lucy Banks

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 doppelganger, 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.

My Review:

You like cozy mystery, yes?

This is the second book in the Dr Ribero’s Agency Of The Supernatural. They are like, how the Americans say, Keystone Cops, yes?

My apologies to the author for that really bad impression of Dr Ribero.

This story finds our gang teaming up with Dr Ribero’s arch nemesis, Larry Higgins, proprietor of a rival agency that is loaded with all of the latest ghost-hunting toys and could not be more unlike Dr Ribero’s agency, which cannot afford office equipment much less a company van, if they tried. (Whew, I think I got it all in ;P) The government has hired the agencies to solve the case of the deaths in Lyme Regis where old folks are dying under mysterious circumstances. They need to do this without alerting the media and tabloids that there is a supernatural element to the story. Initially, the one thing that most of the deaths have in common is witnesses claiming that the deceased saw themselves before they died. Literally, saw their doubles.

A big part of my enjoyment of this story is the dynamics of the team members. The constant bickering and ribbing is fun to watch. My favorites in this story have to be Pamela and Julio Ribero. Kester, Julio’s son, is still trying to come to grips with his unique ability while the ability to control it eludes him. Julio wants Kester to be more invested in the family business.

The mystery is fun, the characters likable, and the setting is good. I’m liking the author’s writing style. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment and would not hesitate to read any of the author’s other works.

Can this be read as a standalone? …yes. Should it? No. It helps to connect with, and understand the relationships between the team members.

I recommend you pick this up and have it ready for the next lazy or rainy afternoon and you’re in need of a pick me up.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an electronic copy of this story via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.