by 
(A Shelby Nichols Adventure #6)
By Colleen Helme
Blurb:
Running “errands” for her mob-boss employer, Joey “The Knife” Manetto, often ends with Shelby in trouble, making her cautious about continuing her association with him. Instead, she focuses on a new client who hires Shelby to find her missing mother. What seems like a routine case turns into something more sinister and deadly than she ever imagined. In the meantime, Uncle Joey has summoned Shelby to his office, where she runs into her former nemesis. Shelby inadvertently hears something that makes her fear for the lives of Uncle Joey and his hit-man, Ramos. This time, Uncle Joey is not sure he wants to involve Shelby in something he knows could get her killed. Keeping Shelby’s involvement to a minimum has disastrous results, sending Shelby on a dangerous path. As her investigation unfolds, Shelby finds death at every turn, and soon realizes she is in over her head. Can she escape from danger in time? Or will she find herself deep in death?
Book Review
Shelby Nichols was a normal housewife, happy in her mundane life with two kids and a loving husband but everything changed the day she stopped to buy carrots and in turn got the gift of hearing people’s thoughts! The journey that started in the first book in the series, Carrots
, has taken Shelby a long way. She now has her own consulting agency, is stuck with helping the mob boss she calls as Uncle Joey and is also faced with the complications that hearing others’ thoughts brings to her life!
, has taken Shelby a long way. She now has her own consulting agency, is stuck with helping the mob boss she calls as Uncle Joey and is also faced with the complications that hearing others’ thoughts brings to her life!
In Deep In Death
, Shelby has promised to take it easy and so she takes up a missing person case which she thinks will be safe as compared to her help sessions with Uncle Joey which have a tendency of getting her into trouble! But what she doesn’t know is that this case will prove even more challenging and dangerous. As Shelby begins investigating, she is spooked by the mysterious scent of gardenias that only she can smell, the unsolved mysterious disappearances of several other women just like her victim and a murderer who has remained free and who will stop at nothing to keep her from finding the truth!
, Shelby has promised to take it easy and so she takes up a missing person case which she thinks will be safe as compared to her help sessions with Uncle Joey which have a tendency of getting her into trouble! But what she doesn’t know is that this case will prove even more challenging and dangerous. As Shelby begins investigating, she is spooked by the mysterious scent of gardenias that only she can smell, the unsolved mysterious disappearances of several other women just like her victim and a murderer who has remained free and who will stop at nothing to keep her from finding the truth!
Will Shelby be able to find the missing woman or is this a case that will leave her “Deep In Death“?
“?I love Shelby Nichols and read her adventures with full interest. In this book also, Shelby is in full swing and it is so interesting and exciting to watch her solve a case that has confused and stumped the police for years, fight a most dangerous criminal, race against time to find the truth behind the disappearance of a mother for her daughter, have a yet another thrilling adventure all courtesy Uncle Joey and finally the sweet and most endearing chemistry between Shelby and her husband and the unexplained chemistry between Shelby and Ramos, Uncle Joey’s hitman.
The cover of the book is gorgeous and I loved the purple dress. The blurb is catchy and instantly attracts the reader to pick up this book to read.
I love Colleen’s writing style. She writes in the first person, from Shelby’s perspective and although I usually don’t enjoy first person story narrations, I fully enjoy her Shelby Nichols adventures! Colleen has a knack of introducing humor into the most basic routines and easily engages the readers into her stories of a woman who is just like any other house wife, has so much to be dissatisfied about like her not being a graduate or that she is often seen down upon by people because of her no-college-education status but still she is special because despite all the obvious reasons to be unhappy and dissatisfied, she is happy and believes in looking at the brighter side of her life!
The characterization is smooth and Colleen has brought reality into her characters. These are normal people stuck in abnormal situations. I love Uncle Joey who is a mob boss but still has a soft spot for Shelby. Ramos is so adorable with his tough guy with a soft heart routine. He is attracted to Shelby and the companionship between these two is funny, sometimes awkward, sometimes sensuous and always entertaining! They both care about each other and Ramos often acts as a protector of Shelby. The chemistry between Shelby and her husband, Chris will make every woman envious. They are the perfect couple who, despite their imperfections, have found their harmony and it is so heartwarming to see their love grow each day. There are several other noteworthy characters in this book but I was especially impressed by the villain in the story. A serial killer with a devious mind, he scared me and I could feel the fear that his victims would have felt.
The story is fast paced and there are several strains of plots running simultaneously which are weaved together expertly by the author and dont leave the reader confused. I was hooked right from the start and just had to finish this story in one sitting. With several nail biting moments and thrilling twists and frightening scenarios, I was completely involved in all the action and felt like I was right there with Shelby! 🙂
While I loved the cover, blurb, writing style, plot idea and execution, characterization and was impressed with the interest that Colleen extracted from me, I was dissatisfied with the fact that the killer didn’t give a reasoning why he started killing or why he continued and how he selected his victims.I would have loved to know the reason why he selected the mother of Shelby’s client and how he abducted her. No clear explanation is given and not knowing the why and how of it rankled.
Just because of this loophole, I give Deep In Death 4.5 out of 5. Had this point been covered then this would have been a full 5 rating story from my side. Nevertheless, this is an engaging, eventful, thrilling and humorous adventure with Shelby, Chris, Ramos, Dimples, Uncle Joey etc. that entertains and also brings tears and a happy smile to our faces. Strongly recommended, go buy and read this book. Enjoy! 🙂
4.5 out of 5. Had this point been covered then this would have been a full 5 rating story from my side. Nevertheless, this is an engaging, eventful, thrilling and humorous adventure with Shelby, Chris, Ramos, Dimples, Uncle Joey etc. that entertains and also brings tears and a happy smile to our faces. Strongly recommended, go buy and read this book. Enjoy! 🙂
I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
BOOK TRAILER
Excerpt
A twinge of
pain burned through my arm, and I gently rubbed the spot where I’d been shot
nearly three weeks ago. Getting a shot in the arm may sound like a simple thing
for most people, but when it’s done by a bullet, it’s a whole different story.
At least it was healing nicely, and the scar wasn’t too big, but every once in
a while my arm ached like it had happened yesterday, probably because I was
overdoing it again. After a few seconds the pain subsided, and I finished
pulling on my shirt and got dressed.
pain burned through my arm, and I gently rubbed the spot where I’d been shot
nearly three weeks ago. Getting a shot in the arm may sound like a simple thing
for most people, but when it’s done by a bullet, it’s a whole different story.
At least it was healing nicely, and the scar wasn’t too big, but every once in
a while my arm ached like it had happened yesterday, probably because I was
overdoing it again. After a few seconds the pain subsided, and I finished
pulling on my shirt and got dressed.
Today was my
first day back at work since the shooting, and I was ready to take on a new
project. This time the job was a client from my consulting agency, which suited
me just fine. My last job for Uncle Joey, the local mob-boss, had gotten me
both arrested for murder and shot by a bullet in the arm, so I was a little
nervous about doing anything for him again.
first day back at work since the shooting, and I was ready to take on a new
project. This time the job was a client from my consulting agency, which suited
me just fine. My last job for Uncle Joey, the local mob-boss, had gotten me
both arrested for murder and shot by a bullet in the arm, so I was a little
nervous about doing anything for him again.
A few months
ago I had to tell Uncle Joey my secret that I could read minds so he wouldn’t
kill me. We’d worked out a compromise, and over the course of our association,
we’d even become close. Crazy as it sounded, I’d started to think of him as my
real uncle, even though he wasn’t. Since most of his errands seemed to get me
into trouble, he’d also saved my life a few times. Well, to be honest, it was
his hit-man, Ramos, doing most of the saving. But it was Uncle Joey who’d told
him to watch out for me.
ago I had to tell Uncle Joey my secret that I could read minds so he wouldn’t
kill me. We’d worked out a compromise, and over the course of our association,
we’d even become close. Crazy as it sounded, I’d started to think of him as my
real uncle, even though he wasn’t. Since most of his errands seemed to get me
into trouble, he’d also saved my life a few times. Well, to be honest, it was
his hit-man, Ramos, doing most of the saving. But it was Uncle Joey who’d told
him to watch out for me.
I sighed every
time I thought of Ramos. He had a troubled past which only I knew about, and
I’d helped him come to terms with it. Besides saving my life several times,
there was also a physical attraction that I only dared admit out loud to my
best friend, Holly. Of course after seeing him, she had a crush on him too, and
since we were both happily married, I had to think it was all right. But with
all of that going on, I had to wonder about myself. I mean, Uncle Joey was a
big, bad mob-boss who had threatened to do me bodily harm, and Ramos was his
hit-man. They were the bad guys and I had a soft spot in my heart for them. Was
something wrong with me?
time I thought of Ramos. He had a troubled past which only I knew about, and
I’d helped him come to terms with it. Besides saving my life several times,
there was also a physical attraction that I only dared admit out loud to my
best friend, Holly. Of course after seeing him, she had a crush on him too, and
since we were both happily married, I had to think it was all right. But with
all of that going on, I had to wonder about myself. I mean, Uncle Joey was a
big, bad mob-boss who had threatened to do me bodily harm, and Ramos was his
hit-man. They were the bad guys and I had a soft spot in my heart for them. Was
something wrong with me?
My husband,
Chris, had no qualms about severing all ties with Uncle Joey, and it put me in
a hard spot trying to please them both. But since the last job, things had
changed. After I got shot, Chris had a long talk with Uncle Joey, and I hadn’t
heard from him in three weeks. In some ways it was a relief, but in others, I
kind of missed him…and Ramos…well…mostly Ramos. Still, I wasn’t about to call
and offer my services. Not considering what had happened last time. Nope. I
wasn’t ready to get shot again. In fact, I would be pretty happy if I never saw
another gun in my life.
Chris, had no qualms about severing all ties with Uncle Joey, and it put me in
a hard spot trying to please them both. But since the last job, things had
changed. After I got shot, Chris had a long talk with Uncle Joey, and I hadn’t
heard from him in three weeks. In some ways it was a relief, but in others, I
kind of missed him…and Ramos…well…mostly Ramos. Still, I wasn’t about to call
and offer my services. Not considering what had happened last time. Nope. I
wasn’t ready to get shot again. In fact, I would be pretty happy if I never saw
another gun in my life.
I took a deep
cleansing breath and checked the time. I had an appointment with my client at
ten this morning, and it was time to go. Her name was Tiffany and this was her
senior year of college. Since I didn’t have a real office, I’d told her we
could meet at the campus library in-between her classes, and with her busy
schedule, meeting on campus worked out great for both of us.
cleansing breath and checked the time. I had an appointment with my client at
ten this morning, and it was time to go. Her name was Tiffany and this was her
senior year of college. Since I didn’t have a real office, I’d told her we
could meet at the campus library in-between her classes, and with her busy
schedule, meeting on campus worked out great for both of us.
I drove
through town with my windows down and breathed in the crisp fall air. It was
the first part of October and the sky was the perfect color of blue. The trees
were just beginning to change into brilliant autumn colors, and framed against
the blue sky, the pure beauty and serenity lifted my spirits. With everything
I’d gone through lately, I knew I was lucky to be alive.
through town with my windows down and breathed in the crisp fall air. It was
the first part of October and the sky was the perfect color of blue. The trees
were just beginning to change into brilliant autumn colors, and framed against
the blue sky, the pure beauty and serenity lifted my spirits. With everything
I’d gone through lately, I knew I was lucky to be alive.
I parked at
the visitor parking meters near the library and headed toward the front of the
building. It had been several years since I’d been there last, and a wave of
nostalgia washed over me. I’d only been to one year of college before I’d
talked Chris into marrying me. It was love at first sight for me, but it had
taken some gentle persuading on my part to help Chris see how perfect we were
together. Right after our marriage, we’d gone off to law school in another
state. Josh had been born exactly nine months later followed by Savannah two
years after that. There were times when I regretted not finishing college back
then, but I wouldn’t trade the life I had now for anything.
the visitor parking meters near the library and headed toward the front of the
building. It had been several years since I’d been there last, and a wave of
nostalgia washed over me. I’d only been to one year of college before I’d
talked Chris into marrying me. It was love at first sight for me, but it had
taken some gentle persuading on my part to help Chris see how perfect we were
together. Right after our marriage, we’d gone off to law school in another
state. Josh had been born exactly nine months later followed by Savannah two
years after that. There were times when I regretted not finishing college back
then, but I wouldn’t trade the life I had now for anything.
I loved my
family and, as it turned out, I had a pretty good career without a degree, and
I was proud of what I’d accomplished. Of course, if I hadn’t gotten shot in the
head during a bank robbery, which left me with the ability to read minds, it
might be a different story.
family and, as it turned out, I had a pretty good career without a degree, and
I was proud of what I’d accomplished. Of course, if I hadn’t gotten shot in the
head during a bank robbery, which left me with the ability to read minds, it
might be a different story.
It was still
hard for me to believe how my life had turned upside down simply because I’d
stopped at the grocery store for some carrots. Who would have thought? Now I
had my own consulting agency where I could get paid for helping people, and
most of the time, all I had to do was read their minds. Not that it was always
that easy, but after getting shot, I’d take some simple cases for a while.
hard for me to believe how my life had turned upside down simply because I’d
stopped at the grocery store for some carrots. Who would have thought? Now I
had my own consulting agency where I could get paid for helping people, and
most of the time, all I had to do was read their minds. Not that it was always
that easy, but after getting shot, I’d take some simple cases for a while.
A young woman
sat on a bench near the fountain where we’d planned to meet. Her gaze caught
mine and her eyes widened slightly before she recognized me. As I approached,
she smiled and gave me a quick wave. She had long blond hair and a sweet face,
but her somber eyes seemed out of place for someone her age, like she’d gone
through some hard times.
sat on a bench near the fountain where we’d planned to meet. Her gaze caught
mine and her eyes widened slightly before she recognized me. As I approached,
she smiled and gave me a quick wave. She had long blond hair and a sweet face,
but her somber eyes seemed out of place for someone her age, like she’d gone
through some hard times.
Since she was
a college student, I was a little nervous that she couldn’t afford my
one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar-an-hour fee. But we’d talked about that before I
had agreed to meet her, and she’d seemed fine with it then. She stood to greet
me.
a college student, I was a little nervous that she couldn’t afford my
one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar-an-hour fee. But we’d talked about that before I
had agreed to meet her, and she’d seemed fine with it then. She stood to greet
me.
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About the Author
As the author of the Shelby Nichols Adventure Series,
Colleen is often asked if Shelby Nichols is her alter-ego. “Definitely,” she
says. “Shelby is the epitome of everything I wish I dared to be.” Known for her
laugh since she was a kid, Colleen has always tried to find the humor in every
situation and continues to enjoy writing about Shelby’s adventures. “I love
getting Shelby into trouble…I just don’t always know how to get her out of it!”
Colleen lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family. Besides writing, she
loves a good book, biking, hiking, and playing board and card games with family
and friends. She loves to connect with readers and admits that fans of the
series keep her writing.
Colleen is often asked if Shelby Nichols is her alter-ego. “Definitely,” she
says. “Shelby is the epitome of everything I wish I dared to be.” Known for her
laugh since she was a kid, Colleen has always tried to find the humor in every
situation and continues to enjoy writing about Shelby’s adventures. “I love
getting Shelby into trouble…I just don’t always know how to get her out of it!”
Colleen lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family. Besides writing, she
loves a good book, biking, hiking, and playing board and card games with family
and friends. She loves to connect with readers and admits that fans of the
series keep her writing.
You can find Colleen here:
Giveaway
Presented By
I have not read this book but it was already on my TBR before I stumbled across this exerpt!
I love this series too Nikita 🙂 I have only read the first four books, since I'm listening to them instead of reading them and the fifth one just came out on audio. Great review! I will probably also be frustrated with the killer's motives not being explained 🙁 Oh well, guess it can't be perfect!