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Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 2) by [Ann Charles, C.S. Kunkle]

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Ann Charles

Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Ann Charles (Author), C.S. Kunkle (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

839 ratings

Book 2 of 12: Deadwood Humorous Mystery

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From the Award-winning Author of Nearly Departed in Deadwood!

“What a voice! Hilarious, original, and genuinely wonderful. This fresh and feisty mystery will instantly win your heart. Loved it!” ~HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity winning author

“A smart, sassy, sexy and wonderfully resourceful heroine. Move over Stephanie Plum—Vi Parker is here!” ~JOHN KLAWITTER, award-winning Tinseltown writer/director, and author of the award-winning Hollywood Havoc action thriller novels

***You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. You’ll want even more!***

Someone is spreading rumors around Deadwood that Violet Parker likes to chat with dead folks.

With her reputation endangered, her bank account on the verge of extinction, and her career at risk of going up in flames, Violet is desperate. When the opportunity to sell another vintage home materializes, she grabs it, even though this “haunted” house was recently the stage for a two-act, murder-suicide tragedy.

Ghost or no ghost, Violet knows this can’t be as bad as the last house of horrors she tried to sell, but sexy Doc Nyce has serious doubts. Her only hope of hanging on to her job is to prove that the so-called, ghostly sightings are merely the eccentric owner’s optical delusions.

But someone—or something—in the house wants Violet stopped...dead.

“... sexy, spunky Violet Parker will blow you away.” ~LUCY BURDETTE, author & Sisters in Crime past-president

“Ann Charles writes a top-notch mystery that is fast-paced, complex, and laugh out loud funny! A genuinely exciting and sexually suspenseful mystery, Charles delivers in her second Violet Parker novel set in Deadwood, South Dakota. Fast-moving with twists even a seasoned Mystery Reader won’t see coming, this is a can’t-put-it-down book.” ~MARY BUCKHAM, award-winning Romantic Suspense author

“... mystery, humor, romance, and fun all wrapped up in a great book.”
~BOOKS R US REVIEWS

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 16, 2014
File size

2749 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"... mystery, humor, romance, and fun all wrapped up in a great book." ~BooksRUs Reviews

From the Author

Dear Reader,

I have an itchy case of gold fever. I came down with it decades ago when I first traveled through the Deadwood area. I'm not talking about a hunger for shiny treasures, rather a need to know all about the people and places from which the shiny pieces are unearthed.

When it comes to the Black Hills, one town reaches out to scratch my gold-fever itch--the city of Lead (pronounced Leed). While Deadwood was busy leaving its mark on the history books with tales of Wild Bill Hickok and Seth Bullock, Lead was busy staking its claim on the land. The Open Cut mine in the middle of Lead brings its industrious past front and center.

The Open Cut has always fascinated me. I have studied "before" and "after" pictures, read all about its creation (at the Black Hills Mining Museum), and stared at the geological timeline in its walls through the Homestake Visitor Center's chain-link fence. Why am I so fascinated with a big hole in the ground? Because it reveals a history full of hard work, spent lives, and change. It intrigues me how people adapt to these changes.

Over the years, I've met several Homestake miners. I've listened to their stories of what it was like to work deep inside the Earth. At the butcher in King's Grocery, I stood in line with their wives and kids. These days, Homestake is no longer an operating gold mine; most of the drifts and shafts below the town are filled with water rather than men. But Lead's industrious spirit is still alive, its down-to-earth hardiness still apparent.

I'd always planned to incorporate Lead into the Deadwood Mystery series. The two towns are like sisters, each enchanting with separate but entangled histories. Before I began writing this second book, I cruised the back streets of Lead, along Sunnyhill Road, from East Summit Street to West, and down Gold Street, searching to see how life off the main drag had changed since Homestake stopped digging for gold. I took my kids to the little park on Miners Avenue and the big park next to the Open Cut. I climbed the steep hill on Mill Street, retracing the going-to-work route of many miners. I located the exact piece of land next to the Open Cut where I'd place the house that would play center stage in the story--the Carhart house.

I hope you get a kick out of reading Optical Delusions in Deadwood. While I enjoyed introducing Violet and her friends in the first book of the series, Nearly Departed in Deadwood, this second book allowed me to shed light on the kaleidoscope of colorful characters and historical settings.

Most of you reading this have already dipped a toe into Violet's world. Thank you for returning for more Deadwood fun.

Grab your boots, because the water is getting deeper.

Welcome back to Deadwood ... and Lead.

Ann Charles
Award-winning author of the Deadwood Mystery Series
anncharles.com/deadwood

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005007HQ0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ann Charles (January 16, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2749 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #295,804 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,554 in Mystery Romance
- #6,224 in Supernatural Mysteries
- #10,480 in Women Sleuths (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
839 ratings

About the author

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Ann Charles

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Ann Charles is a USA Today Best-Selling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, and whatever else sounds fun.

Currently, she has many fiction books available:

From her ongoing multi-award winning Deadwood Mystery Series:

NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD (book 1--multiple award-winning book for both mystery and romance/mystery);

OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD (book 2);

DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (book 3-one of Suspense Magazine's BEST OF 2012 books);

BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 4);

AN EX TO GRIND IN DEADWOOD (book 5--Grand Prize winner in Chanticleer Review's Paranormal category;

MEANWHILE, BACK IN DEADWOOD (book 6--one of Suspense Magazine's BEST OF 2015 books);

A WILD FRIGHT IN DEADWOOD (book 7--one of Suspense Magazine's BEST OF 2016 books);

RATTLING THE HEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 8)

GONE HAUNTING IN DEADWOOD (book 9)

DON'T LET IT SNOW IN DEADWOOD (book 10)

DEVIL DAYS IN DEADWOOD (book 11)

NEVER SAY SEVER IN DEADWOOD (book 12)

Also available from Ann are the first five books in her Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS (book 1), JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS (book 2), THE GREAT JACKALOPE STAMPEDE (book 3), THE ROWDY COYOTE RUMBLE (book 4), a Thanksgiving novella titled, THE WILD TURKEY TANGO (book 4.5), a Christmas novella titled, JACKRABBIT JINGLE BALLS, and IN CAHOOTS WITH THE PRICKLY PEAR POSSE (book 5).

LOOK WHAT THE WIND BLEW IN (book 1) and MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT (book 2), the first two books in her Dig Site Mystery-Archaeology series set in the Maya jungle, are available on Amazon, too. These books star Quint Parker, the brother of Violet Parker--the heroine in her Deadwood Mystery series. They are filled with mystery, humor, adventure, and a plenty of heat.

She has a western paranormal Deadwood Undertaker Series in process that is co-written with Sam Lucky--LIFE AT THE COFFIN JOINT (book 1), A LONG WAY FROM ORDINARY (book 2), CAN'T RIDE AROUND IT (book 3), and CATAWAMPUS CHRISTMAS CAROL (book 3.5).

She has several short stories as well--DEADWOOD SHORTS: SEEING TROUBLE (book 1.5), BOOT POINTS (book 4.5), COLD FLAME (book 6.5), TEQUILA & TIME (book 8.5), and FATAL TRADITIONS (book 10.5). These are all short stories from her Deadwood Mystery Series. Also, she has THE OLD MAN'S BACK IN TOWN, a short story from her future Goldwash Mystery Series.

In addition, Ann has two books in the AC Silly Circus Co. Mystery series: FERAL-LY FUNNY FREAKSHOW and A BUNCH OF MONKEY MALARKEY.

Stay tuned for more new books by Ann coming soon!

Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cat. Most nights, you can find her hanging out over at www.anncharles.com, on Facebook as Ann Charles, or as AnnWCharles on Twitter.

Customer reviews

5 star		66%
4 star		22%
3 star		6%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

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Theresa

A little something for everyone...

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

4.5 Stars... I am so glad I returned to this series... Violet Parker is attempting to overcome her past near death experience with her insane client, only to find herself embroiled in a new opportunity to sell yet another "haunted" house... Not wanting to be known as the ghost whisperer of her small town but in desperate need of the money, Violet sets out to make the sale... When an unsolved murder and an unsettled spirit come into the mix, things really take a turn for the worse for our unlikely heroine... Add in the mysterious yet undeniably sexy Doc Nyce , the potential betrayal of her best friend, two high spirited and mischievous children, one cantankerous bodyguard, a low life co-worker, and a stand-offish detective, and Violet's life goes from a bit crazy to OUT OF CONTROL... A great mix of laughs, family, friendship, mystery, and a touch of paranormal to round out this fun and fascinating read:)

Helpful

Bookaholic

Suspend Your Disbelief and Get Ready for Fun

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2015

Verified Purchase

Having enjoyed the literary casserole of paranormal mystery, humor, and romance that is Nearly Departed (Deadwood Book ), I immediately downloaded Book 2.

I've discovered that I actually don't care about the plot as much as I enjoy Ann Charles' ability to create engaging characters. Doc makes a great book boyfriend. Violet is surrounded by an amazing cast of secondary characters; her 10 year old twins, Aunt Zoe, and best of all, Will Harvey.

Charles' other talent is her ability to make the reader laugh out loud.

"One trip to the moon had apparently been enough for Doc, whereas I was all suited up and ready to rocket out of my boots again."

"But I’m telling you, you’re going to like this one.” “You said that the last two times.”
“Yeah, well, he has no visible rashes and isn’t trying to become a famous ventriloquist.”

“Is that as far as you’re going to bend?”
“On this subject, yes. But I’m willing to bend a lot more for other purposes.”

“Speaking of sexy, you look nice. That little blue number hugs you in all the right places.”
“Thanks.” I had all of the wrong places sucked in and battened down."

If you break out in hives at the thought of romance or steamy scenes, this book is not for you. If you need a laugh and a break, get downloading.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kindle Customer

Great book, liked the characters.

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

Loved the story, the characters, but the sex scenes are WAY over the top and Way too numerous and graphic. Tone it down a little lady, focus on plot development. The stories are really entertaining, you don't need to go overboard with the sex scenes, they border on the repulsive and are gratuitus. Otherwise, I love the books. Fun plots and likable characters. Will read the others in the series and just blow thru the gross anatomy lessons, I mean "love scenes".

Helpful

Dogmom2000

Too much gratuitous sex

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

This mystery could have been a bodice-ripper just as well as a mystery. The story itself was well thought out and the characters almost believable. I did not find anything remotely funny in the book, although the publishers said it was funny. And I hate, hate, hate so-called mysteries where the heroine is captured by the villain and tortured or threatened. I always ask myself "why did she go there alone?"? I prefer the old country house mysteries wherein the heroine rounds up all suspects and delivers the denoument. A better plot device, I think, if the writer needs one. I put the book aside some weeks ago and just read the ending tonight. I gave the book three stars, a really low rating for me. I won't be buying any more of this series or this author.

Helpful

Felicia The Geeky Blogger

Fun!

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014

Verified Purchase

Read from February 01 to 28, 2014

Listened for Review (Audiobook Jukebox)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75

Audio Rating: 4.50 (Not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Really enjoyed Optical Delusions in Deadwood by Ann Charles. The case was super fun and twisty!

Story Thoughts: I really enjoyed the case! Let's just that Violet has a knack for getting the absolute worst houses to sell (where history and mayhem are concerned--they all actually sound delightful to the eye though). In this case, she has to sell a house with a history of violence and well it was crazy as can be. I don't think she will ever catch a break: rumors, mayhem, and ghosts. What could possibly be wrong with any of that? lol

Character Thoughts: Here is the thing.I really love the characters of the Deadwood series. Violet is great! Her friends are Awesome. Her kids are a hoot. However, I am not feeling the romance with Doc. I like him as a character but just not as a couple for Violet! :(

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Caroline Shaffer / Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Caroline is perfect for this series. I don't think I could read the series without hearing her in my head for Violet. This is on my series to listen to in audio list!

Final Thoughts: Ready for the next one!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Partisan

Good, easy read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

Follows on from the first in the series and continues the pattern following the adventures, work and love life of single mum Violet Parker. Dialogue is sharp and witty, story is good and her relationships, ranging from children, close friends, close enemy and intimate friend are all filled out nicely. Slightly more "ghostly" stuff in this story than the first one (but a lot less than the following books!).
Easy read and good enough to prompt me to continue following the series.

Findlay

Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

Loved it, I can't wait to read the next one, now to find it from amazon, this is costing me a fortune!

PJ Bookish

5 stars.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

Humour and excitement pumped up on caffeine, even the relationships are high octane. Murder, ghosts and crazy women, I'm hooked on this series.

Lorna

The Deadwood series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2021

Verified Purchase

Brilliant

J Gamblin

well written shame about the sexual content

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

i initially enjoyed the story but as I carried on reading I realized that I was skipping pages. There was far roo much sexual
content and as the story moved on it was becoming more graphic and verging at times on almost pornographic. Quite
cringeworthy actually. I will not be ordering any more books by this author

See all reviews