Dead Suite

A Ghost Dusters Mystery #4

by Wendy Roberts

Crime scene cleaner Sadie Novak has been blessed with the gift of second sight. But with ghosts of murder victims always popping up when she's trying to work, her blessing sometimes seems more like a curse...
With business slow, her mortgage payment looming, and her relationship with on-again off-again boyfriend Zack somewhere in limbo, Sadie could use a drink and a little rejuvenating R&R. But when women start getting killed in fancy hotels, Sadie suddenly finds herself back to work and her business back in the black.
Posh hotels are much nicer accommodations than her usual crime scenes, but soon perks turn to peril and Sadie gets caught in the killer's web. Now, Sadie has to figure out the identity of the Seattle Slasher, before he comes for her next...

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Ghosts, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Fantasy

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2013

About the author

Wendy Roberts is an armchair sleuth, fan of all things mysterious but a huge chicken at heart. Her mind is often in the secretive, cloak and dagger world of intrigue while her physical presence is usually at home or on the road in her camper van. Wendy resides in Vancouver, Canada where she happily writes about murder and is always at work on her next novel.

You can find Wendy on the web on the following sites:

Website: www.wendyroberts.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorwendy
Instagram: @wendyroberts_author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WendyRobertsAuthor
TikTok: @wendyroberts_author

Reviews

[Cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am presently only using goodreads to track my readings and have hardly written any reviews. But I truly enjoyed this series and so here goes...

My first Wendy Roberts' books, but boy, was i hooked. This is one of the best cozy/paranormal mystery series i have read so far. The storyline of all 3 books were engaging and simply a joy to read, so much so that i was sad to see it end.

A few days later, a very lucky me found out that Ms Roberts had wrote a fourth book 3 years after the last one - dead suite. Which i also finished within a day. Haha

This is truly a great series and i recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery that is light and full of wit. Although some of the crime scenes were quite gross, just skip those if you can't bear it. :)

Btw, am i the only one who cant stand Zack? I find him very irritating and dont understand how Sandie can be so patient with him.

Review: Four and a half star for A Ghost Dusters Mystery.

P.S: i just went to read the teaser for the next book and OMFG, can't wait for the next one!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read #4 in the Ghost Dusters series first, so I plan to go back and read the first three books in the series. I really liked this one a lot, and I think it is my first Wendy Roberts book. I'm pretty sure that knowing more about some of the characters would've been helpful for me to have more insight.

Sadie Novak, the MC, either doesn't mind cleaning up messes or she does it just to save others from having to do it. I liked her character, but I didn't really cozy up to her and love her. But I did like a lot of the things she did. Possibly if I'd read the first three books first I would've already had a relationship with her. I definitely didn't care for Zach who acted like a douche.

I'm going to read book #1 so I can re-read this one in context.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie Novak, a former primary school teacher, changed her occupation when the tragedy hit. The tragedy was Sadie's brother's suicide. Sadie decided to clean up the site so that her parents needn't feel a second pain...that led to her opening up her own cleaning company specializing in cleaning up death scenes. Along with her job came an unusual ability. Sadie found she would 'meet' the victims of murder and by doing a last favor for them, be able to aid in their passing over to the other side.

This novel finds Sadie at the Bay Eminence Hotel in Seattle, Washington. Such a luxury hotel but such a sad scene...a murder of a hooker with a twist.

Since business has slowed, Sadie's friends offer her 'ghost' abilities to a Victorian house that saw a different type of murder...thus the reader is brought into the adventure of strange jewelry and difficult relationships, and murders still going on.

Sadie helps the Seattle Police Department, however, can they save her in time?

I enjoyed this tale and remembered the characters after quite a few years. The stories are only on Kindle at this time but are still worth reading from volume one.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like Sadie is getting pulled more and more into the paranormal world and it is against her will. She is fine with talking to the ghosts that she encounters at her cleaning jobs, but her friends are starting to drag her into their business, literally. I found it interesting how these two worlds crossed, I had a hard time guessing the bad guy and didn't guess who it was until it was too late.

I found it funny how Sadie's personal life seemed to crash and burn. For the first time I started to hate Zach a little bit. I thought he was a coward and took the easy way out with Sadie. I hate that Sadie kept texting after what he told her. I also hated that Sadie seemed to close the door on a new guy, he had potential.

I look forward to seeing what happens to Sadie next.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie is a strong, independent, intelligent woman with her own company and house. Zack cheated on her - or almost, or whatever - move in with the crazy woman trying to kill Sadie in the previous book. Not to mention the drug thing. And in the first couple of pages she is pathetically begging him for some kind of commitment. OMG! I want to punch her so she may get her senses back.

The rest of the book I pretty much love it. Except the Zack parts. She seriously have to end things with him. He wants to, but she kept hanging on.

There was an excerpt for the next book at the end that made me very excited about the next book.

I liked Owen.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the irreverence Sadie has, but she's polite. She just doesn't take herself too darned seriously. This one appears to have separate gore scenes and paranormal scenes and the big paranormal scene is right out of some Fright Night Film Festival. We're still waiting on Zach and my copy had a preview of the next book which really throws a few spanners into the works.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled when Ms Roberts said she was renewing this series. I eagerly awaited the newest installment and was not disappointed. I love this series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. I did figure out who it was way in the beginning. But still good.

[Stephanie Jo Hanauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to the series.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

[JadeShea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't for me. The hero was awful. The heroine was really whiny, denied what she could do, and begged her boyfriend to come back. Just not for me.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read cozy with more twists and turns that had me guessing.

[Crystal Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s only one more book in this series and I’m real upset about that. I’m obsessed! The Ghost Dusters series is one of my absolute favorites!

[Jessica (a GREAT read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Roberts' The Ghost Dusters Mystery series is back! After four long years when the series had been canceled Wendy decided to self-publish the rest and I for one am glad! I loooove a good mystery with paranormal elements and this series has all that in full! Dead Suite is the comeback of the series and it more or less picks up where we left off.

The good thing about this series and for my poor memory, is that each book can read as a standalone. It's a mystery and it gets solved, but there are a few strands of story arcs that get picked up from book to book, in this one it would be the romance between Sadie and Zack, although this time, it's sort of the lack of romance, as there's been quite the wedge driven between the two since Zack came back out of rehab after he relapsed and started overdosing the painkillers again. Zack is keeping his distance from Sadie and it was sort of heart wrenching since these two have had such the bumpy start into a relationship.

But anywho, this time the mystery comes from Sadie cleaning up after the murders of prostitutes at swanky hotels. There's a connection there somewhere, and not just the fact that the victims were missing their pointer fingers either. Sadie can't make heads or tails of this part of the mystery but that isn't her only problem. She also gets roped into ridding a haunted house of its ghost by her friends. Although having one of the house owners being a very attractive man, Owen, does make up for it a bit!

I have to say again, how much I love a good paranormal mystery! Although with this one, I must be out of touch because I so didn't peg the murderer down at all. Maybe once I thought the person being suspicious, but never pegging it down to being the murderer. And that is what I love about a nicely written paranormal mystery, when you just can't peg the murderer down to there being too many suspects. Maybe some people don't like that, but I am not bothered by it. Whether I can guess correctly or not doesn't matter to me.

Sadie is quite the heroine too. She has her own business and since murders and killings aren't exactly booming at the moment, no one needs her expertise cleaning services of cleaning up said murders or killings. Sadie has a lot of depth. Her reasons for her own business are a constant reminder of her past, but a foundation for them as well. She has strength to her that I admire, because I don't think I could handle her job at all, regardless of there being no bodies at the time of cleaning. I would likely be an emotional wreck, but Sadie can manage it all just fine!

Zack sadly wasn't in this one as much, as I mentioned. There's distance between them, but there is another love option for Sadie and that comes from Owen. He's quite the mysterious man in some ways. Sadie doesn't know him at all, but there's some definite heat building between the two that was quite the enjoyment to see. But never fear, there is no love triangle here. Which was a relief of sorts because I don't think I could handle one of those in a mystery series as well!

Overall Dead Suite was an enjoyable read! If you love a good murder mystery with paranormal elements this is another series for you! I am beyond happy that Wendy is writing it again and I can only hope she finishes the series to her satisfaction because it's one I've enjoyed from the very beginning!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Lines: For most people, checking into a five-star hotel meant luxury and pillow mints. For Sadie Novak, luxurious accommodation meant blood spatter, maggots, and the occasional ghost. But it paid the bills.

When school teacher Sadie Novak's brother committed suicide, there was no one to clean up the mess. Sadie, in her overwhelming grief and pain, had to do that herself. Vowing that no one else should have to do that after the death of a loved one, Sadie did her research, took all the necessary courses, and began life anew as an unattended death/crime scene cleaner.

When she began her new career she didn't realize that she has a gift that is both blessing and curse: she can see and communicate with ghosts. In many cases she's able to send the spirit on its way, but this new career has also involved her in a few murders. In this fourth installment of the Ghost Dusters series, Sadie's on-again-off-again relationship with former policeman Zack is off. Again. Business is slow, and her mortgage payment is staring her in the face. However, when women start getting killed in expensive hotels, Sadie's back to work. Hopefully she can find the Seattle Slasher before the Seattle Slasher finds her.

I stumbled across this series shortly after the first book, The Remains of the Dead, was published. I fell in love with the premise, the character of Sadie, and the fact that she's not a cat-loving amateur sleuth. Nope, Sadie's pet is a rabbit named Hairy. I can hear you groaning, but as a former rabbit raiser, don't knock 'em unless you've had one as a pet. Besides, who says that Cozy Mystery Rule #17 states that the heroine must own a cat or dog? Hmmm? I still remember reading that first book because the ending blindsided me. What a shocker! After that I was hooked, and when I couldn't find others, I was sorely disappointed.

Lo and behold, once again I stumbled across Wendy Roberts while looking up book info on Amazon. Evidently her publisher decided future books in the series were to be in eBook format only. I snapped up both new books that are available and dove right into Dead Suite. I was back with a favored character, and I was happy.

Some of the crime scene clean-up details might be a touch too graphic for some, but if you've watched CSI or Bones and not run gagging for the bathroom, Sadie's work shouldn't bother you. To be honest, I find it interesting to learn what all is involved in that sort of work.

The paranormal element in these books is well done. The scenes with ghosts are not overdone and even surprisingly believable. The pacing and story flow smoothly, and Sadie's intelligence, irreverence, and humor are refreshing.

Although it's sad that Roberts' publisher prevents old and new fans who don't have access to eReaders from reading her newest books, I am thrilled that this series has continued. I've missed Sadie, her biohazard suits... and even Hairy.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounded up because I didn't guess the killer right off though the end had lots of problems.

I'm not a fan of serial killers who simply like to kill for the compulsion of it. So I wasn't too excited about this book. I adore the series (despite it not being the best written) because I love the cleaning aspect of it and Sadie's personal difficulties. Each story (until this one) felt like she'd stumbled into a murder and due to her unique perspective (talking to ghost, my favorite thing about Sadie) is able to solve the case.

This IS the first time the writer tried to make the case itself complex instead of relying on interpersonal problems to complicate matters. I really respect her attempt, it ALMOST worked. The inclusion of Marlene really entranced me as well as the altercation at the house. Unfortunately I was really underwhelmed by what both of these road bumps turned out to be. It was like being told your family is coming over, seeing a convertible drive up (which no one in your family owns) only to find out your family is the one driving it. You thought it would be someone exciting and while you love your family, it would have been better they just come over in their 4-door sedan. Excitement but nothing to back it up.

Again I didn't assume like Sadie that the red herring was guilty, but there didn't seem to be anyone else. The whole necklace and Pancho was a cool starting detail but then she never really questioned what it was really for and so many other characters mentioned the words but she never bothered to google them?!

Maeve and her baby son was a really nice detail. I liked how she realistically struggled with how her kid reacted to her as compared to Sadie and how she'd gotten closer to Sadie's sister because they both had kids. It just worked really well. I didn't like how Zach was acting. It all seemed a gimmick especially when he rushed home in the end. It just felt like a way to keep Zach out of it again. I also really disliked the excuse that business was slow. What I LOVE about the books is the business!!

In order to successfully hide who commits the murder though you need some complexity in the story. It was really nice to see her go for that depth! Nothing quite worked (like her fling) but it all almost worked. The real estate angle and bringing in Maeve's business was a great premise. I would have been much more livid with my friend than Sadie was (a little bit of author foreknowledge) but really the times in the house were some of the best parts of the story.

BOTTOM LINE: A good attempt at more complexity, but not totally successful either.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am disappointed. This book came across as a rush job with no final re-read to make sure that the little things such as extra words in a sentence or the repetition of a paragraph were removed, than a finished product that has taken 4 years to come to the market.

I know that I am being harsh, but I had enjoyed the first three books in this series and I was very dissatisfied.

In the previous books, I remember Sadie being a very strong independent woman. The Sadie in this book sounds more like an angst ridden teen who has been dumped by her boyfriend just before prom. For goodness sakes Sadie, you are a grown adult, you do not leave begging and pleading messages on your ex-boyfriends phone.

Back to the plotline. Apparently, there is a downturn in the trauma clean up business so when a string of prostitutes are murdered in hotel rooms, Sadie is glad for the business. What she is not so glad for is the undead reaching out for her help or a serial killer leaving her appendages in hopes that she will help in the cleansing of the streets.

Throw in a haunted house, an interesting male distraction, a séance that almost gets Sadie dragged off to hades and a crying baby with an awful name and pretty much you have a week in the life of Sadie Novak Scene-2-Clean trauma clean up specialist.

[Jessica Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series by Wendy Roberts. This is the fourth book in the series. Sadie is a crime scene cleaner, formerly an elementary school teacher. She had started her crime scene cleaning business after having to clean up after her brother committed suicide.

In this book Sadie has been having trouble, work had been slow, and her former employee and on again off again boyfriend is mostly off again and doing other employment. Leaving Sadie to put in some serious hours cleaning a crime scene in a swanky Seattle hotel.

On top of doing the work of at least a couple of employees by herself, she gets roped into checking out a house that is supposed to be haunted at the request of a friend.

Sadie sees dead people, and she's able to talk to them and often able to help them find their way to the other side. She has had a struggle keeping that more woowoo side out of her day job, but cleaning up after crime scenes can often mean a confused spirit is left behind when Sadie arrives.

This is a fun series, and each book has presented Sadie with a different challenge. I would recommend this series to cozy mystery fans who like a little supernatural with their mystery.

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadie's trauma cleaning service is in a slump, her relationship with Zack is rocky and she has suddenly bitten off way more than she can handle with her "ghost busting". Sadie is called to clean a hotel room where a prostitute has been murdered and finds herself the killer's target. A mysterious suicide clean up leaves her with no money, but an old gold necklace for payment. We soon find that the two are combined. I enjoy this series and was very happy to see that the author has continued with it after it pretty much died 4 years ago. Sadie always seems sensitive to the families of suicide victims as she had to clean following her brother's suicide. This is what sparked her need to leave teaching and start the trauma cleaning service. I must say that even though I am exposed to blood all day in the OR, it is a whole different ballgame when it is a crime scene. I have the upmost respect for someone who can go into those situations and make it better. Sadie did not dwell as much on clean up in this book as she did earlier ones which was okay. Very interesting storyline with the "haunted house" that she tries to help her friend, Maeve clear. A good solid read.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some editing and continuity errors (such as on a page closer to the beginning of the book, Sadie is being driven home by someone and having a conversation with them - on the same page, it describes the driver pulling up to her house and into her driveway, then a few lines of dialogue later, it says the driver pulls into her neighborhood and into the driveway). Kind of ruined my expectations for the rest of the book. I actually ignored a clue as to who the killer might be, because I thought it was just an oversight on the author's part that didn't get caught in editing. Parts of it read like the author took long breaks between writing, and forgot that some stuff was already introduced or mentioned. I've been looking forward to having this series continue, especially since there was an open ended conspiracy hint at the end of the last book before this - but it wasn't mentioned in this book. I'm a bit disappointed. I hope the next one in the series picks the quality back up a bit more. I'd say my rating is more like a 2.5.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadie's business, Scene2Clean - a crime scene cleaning company, is struggling. To top it off, her boyfriend and former employee, Zach left town following his stint in rehab, which has her wondering where they stand. When prostitutes are killed in two local hotels her business picks up. She's happy to help the spirits of those murdered move on, but when her friends pull her into a seance to help clean a haunted house she resists a bit.

Throughout the series, I have really liked Zach, but that changed a bit with this installment. I liked the new guy in Sadie's life and was a bit disappointed when she put on the breaks just when things were heating up. But, I understand that Zach's trying to do the right thing. Hopefully these two can patch things up or move on for good; their state of limbo is hard not only on them but also the reader.

I'm happy to see there's another installment due out later this year. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roberts has another success in this exciting paranormal mystery. Sadie continues to struggle to find her way. She just can't catch a break! When she's ready to settle down, Zack's putting the brakes on their relationship. Meanwhile, according to one ghost, Sadie's become the focus of a serial killer (although, only two crimes scenes does not strike me as a serial killer). There are two critiques I have about this latest installment in the series: the author didn't focus as much on the paranormal interactions and she focused far too much on one character making it seem like she was trying too hard to throw the sacrificial lamb to the reader (it was too obvious). As a result, while I totally enjoy this series, I hover somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

[Barbara Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, although I wish I'd read the earlier novels in the series first. There were a few technical things I stumbled over, but they were minor.

I have to agree with some other reviewers who were annoyed by Bowman's interruption of the story flow, but I thought perhaps the annoyance was because I didn't know what had happened from earlier episodes.

I appreciated the story and her occupation. There was a lot to like.

A pet peeve of mine is the abundance of women who are obstinate when asked if they're okay (when inside they're ready to throw up or cry), but insist they're fine as they go places they're expressly told not to go.

All in all, I enjoyed this novel. I'm happy to check out Wendy Roberts' earlier episodes.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story involves the killing of prostitutes in fancy hotels. The only thing in common with the prostitutes are a volunteer support group. It also involves Sadie getting involved with house flippers, wanting the ghost removed from the house they purchased. Sadie agrees to take the job because she needs to pay her bills. If you take out the fact that Sadie and Zack are apart again and Sadie is attracted to Owen, the story itself is a good one. As the story unfolds and you pick up the clues to the killer. something Sadie should of done instead of having her head up her butt over Zack. It makes you turn the pages to learn who is the killer and why. Love the detective in this story, showing his human side.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me a REALLY long time to finish. A lot of that is because it's an e-book and I don't much like reading e-books. I've read some good ones, but I so much prefer "paper & ink". I get throught them in no time at all. E-books drag for me. This story was pretty good, but Sadie's personal life is a mess and that detracted some for me. Sadie's getting dragged kicking & screaming into the whole paranormal thing so there are some interesting places she can go. I'll read the next one, but hate that it's only an e-book, too. It'll take awhile to get through, too. Wish you could do 1/2 stars here on GR as this is more like 3.5 stars.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Roberts has come up with one of the more unique premises for a series of books that I've ever seen. Sadie Novak cleans up crime scenes after horrific events just so friends and family aren't required to do so. This book is an entertaining addition to the lineup. Roberts' characters are growing more as unique individuals and it's enjoyable to see each of them become rounded out as time passes. Once I started this book, I zoomed through it very quickly, even reading far beyond my bedtime. While it is possible to read this title as a standalone, I'd strongly suggest going back and starting at the beginning. Looking forward to going on to the next title!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to see this series back, even if it's only in ebook format. I'm glad I have an ereader, but I guess I still prefer paper. An upside is that the next book is supposed to be released in just a few months. I really like Sadie as the main character, and I hope Zack gets his stuff together soon. I'm not so fond of Maeve, Rosemary and the other friend. The story line was put together pretty well.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a 3 star book. For some reason I couldn't warm up to Sadie as much as I have in earlier Ghost Duster mysteries. I found her feelings about mostly missing boyfriend Zach rather juvenile and unbecoming of a woman her age. The mystery was pretty good but nothing special. With the exception of Osbert (honestly, what a name for a kid) her friends were, at times, pretty annoying. I may skip the next book due out soon.

[Dorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the mystery was pretty good and more than a little frightening in this installment, I'll admit I was disappointed in the personal relationship between Sadie and Zach. I'm not sure why Zach all of a sudden has decided to become a complete jerk, but I'm even more baffled why Sadie would decide that being a doormat would be a good response.

Since I like the rest of the series I'll read the next book and hope the characters are back on track.

[Phyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have a reader so am reading it on my computer ... takes something away from the experience of reading a book when there is no book and you can't lay in bed or on your lounger to read...
having said that .. .this book is still giving me the creeps... just what the book should be doing... read on...