Review: Duncan Andrews Thrillers Vol. 1 by Stephen Osborne

Private detective Duncan Andrews’s best friend Gina is a witch. His dog is a zombie. And his dead boyfriend, Robbie, is a ghost. So it’s hardly any wonder that he uses his connection to the supernatural to help him solve cases. In Pale as a Ghost, Duncan’s on the trail of a serial killer who may not be human, while also trying to move on in his dating life. In Animal Instinct, someone is using the skull of a powerful wizard—Gina’s father—to control animals and attack young Ashton Marsh. In The Scarlet Tide, Duncan’s latest case leads him to Chicago and a band whose members are all vampires. And in Dead End, Robbie’s cousin Jason has moved into a house that’s haunted by a serial killer, and Gina’s on the run from witch-hunters. Through it all, Duncan must solve the case and balance a complicated personal life.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! What a fun, humorous, exciting and endearing ride this bundle was! My only complaint is book 5 isn't included... #greedy.

Duncan Andrews is a PI that can communicate with ghosts and has a few extra spidey-senses. He takes on special cases that nobody else would take seriously. Along with a job like this comes some fun shenanigans. He also has the help of his boyfriend and bestie. The bestie, Gina, is a powerful witch. The boyfriend, Robbie, is a ghost. He's been dead for years now, but he and Duncan have stayed together even when Robbie is in the afterlife.

It took me a bit to get into this. But that's pretty usual for me with the first of a paranormal series as I'm trying to navigate all the rules and whatnot. What mostly bothered me was Robbie, though. In the beginning he came off as really needy. Popping up unexpectedly and causing some problems for Duncan. Granted, Duncan was doing something he probably shouldn't... but I didn't blame him. Robbie was annoying. I just didn't get him and why Duncan wanted to keep him around.

But then I started book 2, and BAM!, I got it. Duncan and Robbie are like chocolate and peppermint... chocolate and peanut butter... chocolate and strawberries. Perfect and meant to be. I absolutely adore them together and the way this bundle ended has me reaching for the one-click button for book 5. I need more of them and I need to know what happens now.

While Duncan and Robbie's meant-to-be relationship is my favorite thing about this series, it's not really the focus. Like I said, Duncan's ability to communicate with ghosts paired with his PI business, makes for some fun and sometimes creepy mysteries.

The paranormal aspect is pretty light and easy to follow. No heavy world-building here, it's all about the PI cases and the characters. And I loved both.

I'd say the bundle is the way to go here. Each book had me wanting the next (so I would have gotten them anyway) and they all flowed together so perfectly. Now onto book 5! Gah. That ending tho.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase links: Dreamspinner Press