REVIEW ~ THE DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY by SUZY COX

Series: Stand alone (?)
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: Sept. 18, 2012
Format: ARC
Pages: 364
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Pop quiz: What would you do if you had to solve your own murder to get anywhere in death?

Maybe if I hadn't slept through my alarm, slammed into Kristin--my high school's reigning mean

girl--or stepped in a puddle, destroying my mom's new suede DVF boots (which I borrowed without asking), I wouldn't have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I wouldn't have been pushed in front of that arriving train. But I did, and I was.

When I came to, I was informed by a group of girls that I'm dead. And that because I died under mysterious circumstances, I can't pass straight over to the Other Side. But at least I'm not alone. Meet the Dead Girls Detective Agency: Nancy, Lorna, and Tess--not to mention Edison, the really cute if slightly hostile dead boy. Apparently, the only way out of this limbo is to figure out who killed me, or I'll have to spend eternity playing Nancy Drew. Considering I was fairly invisible in life, who could hate me enough to want me dead? And what if my murderer is someone I never would have suspected?

 

 I have to say, first and foremost, The Dead Girls Detective Agency was a fun, fun book. Kind of surprising since all of the lead characters are dead, that is, murdered, teens. Teens who are stuck in "holding" until they solve their murders.

The story begins with the death of Charlotte. Charlotte was pushed off a subway platform to her death. Poor thing. Charlotte is greeted, post death, by Nancy, Lorna and Tess. The three teen ghosts, who aren't ready, or can't, move on, have formed the Dead Girls Detective Agency. They help all the other victims find justice so they can move on through the Big Red Door. And now they're going to help Charlotte solve her own murder. But who could possibly want this sweet girl, who basically keeps to herself, dead?

Charlotte's investigation was sad and hilarious. You have her funeral. Major downer. Her messy, cute boyfriend, David, who misses her so much, but doesn't have the expected mourning period. The investigation forces Charlotte to examine her strained relationship with best friend Ali. And then there are the mean girls, head cheerleader and all-around witch Kristen and her gang. They didn't like Charlotte while she was alive and all seem to be enjoying the fact she's dead. The answer to the killer's identity will definitely surprise you.

The Dead Girls; Nancy, Lorna and Tess, were great characters. As the lead detective, Nancy was the typical uptight, rules-minding girl who is easily frustrated. But she was so sweet to Charlotte. Lorna was the bright, bubbly girl who seems like she doesn't have a lot going on upstairs, but was surprisingly perceptive. Tess was tricky. I felt sorry for her because, duh, she's dead. She wants to move on, but has never solved her murder. Tess was so mean to Charlotte, and as much as I wanted to sympathize for her, she made it soooo hard.

Now for my favorite dead person, besides Charlotte: Edison. Oh man, this boy hit all my book-boy-crush buttons. Edison is handsome, obviously, but also funny, sarcastic, caring, aloof, etc etc. Edison has the fantastic ability to make you shiver with a thrill, and a bit of fright.

" 'So here's the news flash, angel.' He leaned in and whispered in my ear; his lips in danger of grazing my skin, 'you've got nothing to lose by breaking them. And a whole lot more to gain - some of it seriously fun. ' Edison leaned back and raised an eyebrow. 'When you want to know what you're really capable of now, you come find me,' he said. 'Or maybe I'll come find you...' "

See what I mean? Sigh...

Like I said, I had an awesome time reading The Dead Girls Detective Agency. It was laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, sad, bittersweet. It's a book that I, as an adult, thoroughly enjoyed. It's also a book that you could safely let your young teen read. There are a couple of instances with cursing (nothing too major) and smoking. It's a book readers of all ages will definitely enjoy.


Favorite Quote:

"Now I had to deal with the fact that (a) I was dead, (b) OMG, I was dead, and (c) someone really didn't like me. As in, didn't like me so much that they decided to murder me." (ARC, pg 13)

"Bad boy, nice guy, flirt: Edison was one big sandwich of contradiction, with a side order of WTF?" (ARC, pg 177)

You can purchase The Dead Girls Detective Agency at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository