"Death Spirits" by Allan McLeod: Book Review

Death Spirits
by Allan McLeod
Lulu (2005)
ISBN 1411655621
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/06)

As soon as I started reading this great mystery, I was completely swept into it. A young female schoolteacher is brutally murdered. The victim, Zoe Brown, is contacted by the spirit of another schoolteacher who had been murdered twelve years before. This spirit asks Zoe for help in solving her case so that her soul can be released to reside with the spirits of her ancestors. Unfortunately, Zoe is murdered before she can assist her. Detective Kate Flanagan is put in charge of this case. Zoes spirit contacts Kate and gives her information to help her solve the case. Zoe does not know who murdered her, she can only guide Kate with clues. Kate has a hard time believing that this is all real. She is afraid to let anyone know where she is getting her assistance. One of the potential suspects is an Indian princess who has spiritual gifts. She is also able to guide Kate with clues.

As the case progresses, there are more murders. Families are traumatized by the deaths and the fear of who the murderer is. False accusations are made that implicate people whose family members were victimized. Kate discovers that not everyone is who they appear to be. She also has to deal with issues with her colleagues. Kate has a personal relationship developing with her partner. She learns about the power of Indian spiritual beliefs. As the case is progressing, Kate is evolving into a stronger person who has a better understanding of there being something more out there.

The author, Allan McLeod, has a gift for developing characters. He does it in such a way that you feel like you know each one personally. You start off not liking some of them, but as the story develops, you understand why they are the way that they are. There are other ones that you will despise throughout the story. McLeod describes the characters in such a way that you are able to develop strong visual images of how they appear.

I personally feel that this is one of the best suspenseful mysteries that I have ever read. McLeod has written the plot in such a way that it flows, there is not one moment where it drags. He builds suspense along the way. This is what auto ins quote me hooked and unable to put the book down. There are subplots interwoven into the main plot. Everything turns out to be connected. I also liked that I was unable to figure out who the murderer was. I look forward to reading other novels by McLeod.

I highly recommend this book to mystery/suspense fans that enjoy a touch of the paranormal. If you are looking for a light, fluffy mystery, this is not the one. If you are looking for a well developed, suspenseful story with a great deal of depth this is the one for you.