| Title | : | Literally Dead (Pepper Brooks Mystery #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 222 |
| Publication | : | First published October 11, 2017 |
When a visiting professor is found dead, English major Pepper Brooks is caught in the middle of the investigation. Literally. While the detectives focus on crime scene forensics, Pepper can’t ignore the Shakespearian clues left by the killer.
With the help of a handsome library clerk, a dog named Hamburger, and The Bard himself, this unlikely sleuth might just close the book on this case.
Literally Dead (Pepper Brooks Mystery #1) Reviews
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4 Star review Literally Dead (Pepper Brooks Cozy Mysteries #1) by Eryn Scott
Audio Review:
Although I have listened to several books written by Eryn Scott, this is a new series to me. I was a tad anxious as the heroine is in her early 20’s and a student, not a trope I usually enjoy, however there was no need to be worried.
The narrator Margo Chervony is new to me and I enjoyed her performance as she brought this cozy mystery to life for me. One of the unusual and most enjoyable things about this book was the literary references to Shakespeare which I found highly entertaining as Pepper sifted through the clues.
This was a a book filled with secrets, miss communication and clues to satisfy my detective spirit. The intrigue and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat as I listened to this story.
There are several twists, turns and surprises in Literally Dead as Pepper, Olivia and Alex follow the clues and I have to say that I was taken by surprise on a couple of occasions.
I cannot wait for more in this series. -
In Literally Dead by Eryn Scott, Pepper Brooks is finishing her degree in English at Northern Washington University, the school where her father was an English professor for many years. Despite her passion for Shakespeare and Dickens, Pepper wonders whether she has selected this major just because it was her father’s field. Then one day she goes to assist Dr. Ferguson, known as Fergie, her mentor professor, prepare for a lecture by the preeminent Shakespearean scholar, Dr. Campbell, and is asked to get Dr. Campbell from Fergie’s office and bring him to the auditorium. Thinking the man asleep at the desk, Pepper reaches to wake him and finds him dead, with a copy of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy on the desk under his hand. He seems to have left his unique style of suicide note.
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Fangirl Nation -
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
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Such a great start to a cozy mystery series! While the mystery was fun to follow, I really loved the characters and the college town. Would love to visit Bittersweet or Simon’s Books. Will definitely read the next book in the series.
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Easy to read mystery.
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Pepper Brooks has lived in Pine Crest her whole life. Her late father was an English professor and Pepper grew up surrounded by the classics. She's now a student at Northern Washington University and it's come time to declare a major. It comes as no surprise to her roommate that she chooses to major in English. Pepper is especially close to Dr. "Fergie" Ferguson, who has arranged for Dr. Campbell, from Oxford University, to give a guest lecture on Shakespeare. Fergie asks Pepper to get Dr. Campbell and show him to the auditorium but when Pepper arrives in Fergie's office, she discovers Dr. Campbell dead! In a panic, Pepper calls 911 which proves to be a mistake because the police suspect Fergie is the murderer! Pepper knows her friend would never do such a thing and something about the crime scene really bothers her. Off to the library to research Shakespeare's plays, Pepper figured out the vital clue. Unfortunately, she runs into her crush, Alex Valdez, whose father happens to be the lead detective investigating the murder! Alex and his father warn Pepper to stay out of police business and Alex even thinks his father knows best but Pepper knows her college community and is certain the police have it wrong. Can she figure out who the murderer is before her beloved Fergie gets hauled off to jail?
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I laughed a lot and could relate to Pepper, being an English major (and book sniffer and library research nerd) myself. The mystery kept me guessing. I thought I knew who and why pretty early on but I got distracted by the timing of the investigation and the characters' alibis. I was beginning to think there was an unusual plot twist I didn't see. It turns out I was right all along. That's OK because I enjoyed the story anyway. I think if I hadn't been an English major, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this one as much. It features a younger heroine and requires a little more suspension of disbelief than some other cozies. I really liked the Shakespeare references. I took a few Shakespeare classes in my day and visited Stratford-Upon-Avon and saw A Midsummer Night's Dream at the RSC. I caught only a very few typos/grammatical errors, mostly my pet peeve "alright" instead of "all right." Pepper is an English major! She should know how to spell and know grammar so take the time to get it right, please!
Pepper is young but that makes her immaturity and stupidity NORMAL! Her frontal lobe hasn't developed yet, she's still figuring out who she is and what she wants to do with her life. She's also navigating the social waters of college friendships and dating knowing she's going to be sticking around and everyone else can't wait to leave. Pepper is a sweetheart even if she's a nit naïve. She's a great friend, adoring dog mama to a Boston Terrier named Hamburger (her 3-year-old niece named Hamburger), loving sister and aunt. Pepper is still mourning her father who died more than a year earlier. He was her whole world and gave her an understanding and appreciation of literature. He made her who she is today and she wants to follow in his footsteps. She's latched on to the eccentric professor she calls Fergie as a surrogate for her mother who doesn't seem to miss Dr. Brooks in the same way his daughter does.
Dr. Sharon Ferguson, aka Fergie, is the most eccentric English professor I've ever met. A woman in a field of old white men, she makes her mark on her students with her passion and compassion. Pepper shares many cups of tea with Fergie discussing Pepper's dad, life and literature. Fergie reminds me a bit of Professor Trelawny in Harry Potter. She always wears flowing clothes and seems to be a bit distracted. Maybe she's the absent-minded professor type. She can relate to Pepper's loss having lost her own husband years ago and she was also a close colleague of Pepper's dad so she feels the loss too. I don't think she has it in her to murder anyone but the police seem to have evidence she did it and she does like to drink tea. Perhaps she prepared some exotic brew that put the victim to sleep while she murdered him. It sounds too far-fetched. I like her a lot and hope she's not the murderer. I never had ANY English professors like her but I wish I did. (They really were mostly all old White dudes teaching old, dead White dudes!)
My favorite character is, of course, Hamburger. She's there with a doggie smile, stump wag and licks to cheer everyone up. She doesn't do anything extraordinary, she's just a sweet, loving pup. I LOLs a LOT at how she got her name. That's the way to do it! My then-almost-5-year-old niece nicknamed her little brother before he was born. The name stuck and he still uses it 8 years later. I don't think naming a DOG Hamburger is the greatest idea but she can always change it later. That might be wise LOL! I also liked Liz, Pepper's business major roomie and BFF. Liz is fun, funny and sharp enough to pull Pepper's head out of the clouds. She's a devoted friend and always has Pepper's back even if she doesn't understand Pepper's motives.
Alex Valdez is not my favorite character. He's young, like Pepper, and kind of arrogant. He thinks he's a big shot because his father is the lead detective on the case, his mother was a cop and he's going to the Academy soon. I understand why he would trust his dad to do the right thing. I would too but he's kind of rude about it at times. As Alex and Pepper get to know each other better, he grew on me. He's kind of... Darcyish, a comparison that isn't lost on Pepper. Maggie, Pepper's big sister, is as kind as Pepper. She's loving and also misses her dad even though she's closer to their mom. Maggie is a great mother and I'm sure her arguing with a toddler skills will come in handy once she's a lawyer. Her husband Josh is super nice and a devoted dad.
Pepper's chief suspect is Professor Evensworth, the man she calls Evilsworth. He LOATHES Shakespeare and Shakespeare scholars, including Dr. Campbell and doesn't mind telling everyone so. I don't mind Steinbeck that much but I don't see how any literature professor can badmouth another, let alone push the students away from an iconic writer. I did have an arrogant tenured professor who proclaimed he could teach whatever he wanted because he had tenure. I can see Evilsworth saying that. He's snippy and rude to everyone, especially Fergie and seems to hate Pepper. What about his TA, Destiny? I think she's hiding something and she seems to be the only one who loves Evensworth. Could she have murdered Dr. Campbell out of misplaced loyalty?
Another suspect is Nathan Newton aka Naked Newt, a creepy man who now owns the local coffee shop. His conversation tends to veer towards the macabre and he reminds Pepper of a snake. He certainly comes across as weird and creepy but I'm not sure he's violent. Plus why and how would he be in the English department when he's not a student? Josh's colleague in the IT department, Danny, is a good suspect for murderer. He has a record and history of violence. He has a motive, means and opportunity. However, the way Dr. Campbell was killed makes me think it wasn't Danny, unless Danny was clever enough to kill Dr. Campbell away from anything connected to himself or the IT department.
Pepper's heart goes out to Dr. Campbell's stepdaughter, Stephanie. Stephanie is a botanist and more into plants than literature but she helped her stepfather with his lectures a lot. She seems cold and strange to me. Who prefers plants to books?! She is quick to refer to Dr. Campbell as her stepfather so I'm guessing she wasn't close to him. Still, to lose your mother and then your stepfather in a matter of months has got to be tough. I wanted more female friendship and bonding between these two fatherless girls. Katie Landin, a classmate of Pepper's, insinuates she saw something that led to the murder but can she be trusted? I'm going to say no. This girl likes attention and goes about getting it in weird ways. She seems stuck in a fantasy world of her own making. I feel sorry for her that she feels the need to act that way and it results in everyone thinking she's crazy.
I enjoyed this so much I went right away to read the second book! -
OMG. This book had me at the first chapter.
I love love love everything about this story. A true amateur sleuth, bumbling around, flinging accusations, knowing with everything she has that she knows who the killer is. It's fantastically written. I love Pepper so much, and excited to get to know her throughout these books.
I did not expect the final twist at all, caught me by surprise, but made total sense looking back at all the clues. It was such a well laid out mystery, my anxiety was in over drive for most of the book!
The small town setting, mixed with a college town reminded me of my own college days, it's just perfection. All of it.
You'll love this book if you love bumbling sleuths who make mistakes, provide a few embarrassing laughs, and have a strong support system. -
STORY-LINE LITERALLY DEAD BY ERYN SCOTT:
Pepper, college student, Nancy Drew fanatic, and lover of things Shakespearean, finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Entering her favorite professor's office, she finds visiting Dr. Campbell dead; along with what seems a suicide note. However, the police decide murder not suicide's the cause. They believe Dr. Ferguson, aka Fergie, murdered Campbell. Pepper decides to investigate on her own and prove Fergie innocent. Pepper has a slew of suspects; setting her sights on Professor Evensworth, better known by Pepper as Evilsworth, is prime suspect number one.
Meeting handsome, Alex, at the library desk, Pepper's horrified to find he's the lead detective's son. Their beginning is far from cordial; Alex tells her an amateur messed up the crime scene. Pepper realizes immediately, she's the amateur. Alex tries to dissuade Pepper from her investigation. However, Pepper will have none of it. They decide to loosely join forces. Who murdered Campbell and why? Could romance be in air the between Alex and Pepper? My mystery book review of Literally Dead follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Author Eryn Scott filled this book with mystery, suspense, and Shakespearean quotes. I loved reading all the literary quotes in this murder mystery. Scott had a quote ready for every situation. Including a varied cast of suspects, Scott's portrayal of Pepper as she jumps from one suspect to the other is great. Scott kept the suspense and mystery at high peak and as the suspect's revealed each appeared plausible. That is, until they came up with an alibi. Who did it and why; sorry, you will have to read the book to find out. Personally, I am never good ferreting out the murderer; it's always someone I did not expect.
Including the budding interest between Alex and Pepper, as well as, Pepper's dog added extra elements to the story. You will laugh over the dog's name; it is so cute. You would expect him to have a Shakespearean name, but you are in for a surprise. Also, including Nate aka "Naked Newt", is hilarious. What a character Scott created in Nate. I laughed and laughed at his antics
I found Literally Dead well-written with a strong cast of characters and suspects. Scott's characters are well-development and her writing easy to follow and read. Scott's scenes transition smoothly and she brings her plot threads together skillfully. Scott set this story in a college literature environment and included a lot of Shakespearean quotes into this story; which I found entertaining even though I am not a Shakespeare fan. However, if you really hate Shakespeare this book may not be for you. Literally Dead's a clean mystery suspense suitable for anyone who loves a solid murder mystery. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend.
LITERALLY DEAD RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I received this book from the author. I chose to voluntarily review the book with honest cozy mystery book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary cozy mystery book reviews. -
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
Pepper Brooks is an English major and she loves Shakespeare - she's my kindred spirit so I was prone to like her from the start:) But that's not why I like the book a lot. Oh, and it's 4.5 stars for the story, not 4.0, really...
The idea of using literature as one of the tools in a murder case is not a new one, but it always catches my eye. And it's very well used in this particular book - quotes from Shakespeare as clues to revealing who the culprit is and the fact that you really have to know your Shakespeare to realize something is wrong with them is just perfect.
The plot develops fast and as we follow Pepper in her investigation we start to feel as confused as she is as to who, why and how... There are a lot of clues, a lot of motives, and a lot of grudges going on around... Unfortunately for her, Pepper is quite compulsive and jumps to conclusions a bit too quickly for her own safety - luckily, there's Alex to take care of her...
As characters go, Pepper is spontaneous, likeable and has that naive charm of a twenty something dreamer, Alex is at first confusing but very soon turns into a chivalrous safety net for her and the secondary characters (both good and bad ones) are colourful and memorable.
The interpretation by Ms Chervony is really good. The pace of her reading is quite fast but clear, and the personalities of the characters very well conveyed. I especially liked the voicing of Pepper; her emotions rang true and really helped us understand the workings of her mind...:)
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. -
I enjoyed Erin's stoneybrook mystery series so much that I just had to give this new series a go to. Glad I did, it is just as much fun and a great start to a new series. I liked the characters and the spark between them, romance is in the air? It doesn't detract from the mystery and In some way enhances it because he it the police chiefs son and keeps letting information slip. The home life was fun, I especially liked the naming of the dog. Also growing up reading Nancy Drew I loved all the comments about what she would do, Shakespeare plays also plays a part in the story. The only down side is how quick the main character was to accusing the suspects without gathering all the fact first, it did mean there was plenty of suspects to accuse and kept you guessing. All in all a fun light hearted humorous mystery.
Pepper stumbles over the guest speakers dead body in her favourite professor office. The suicide not was a line from Macbeth but surely an English professor wouldn't write it down wrong would he? The police already suspect murder before Pepper points it out but In doing so, she points the finger at the professor. The two professors had a history and Pepper fears that if she doesn't step in and investigate the professor might be arrested for the murder. With help from an unlike source, the campus library in the form of the new staff member and the books, Pepper must piece together the clues left behind by the killer just like her childhood hero Nancy Drew.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job with the voices, even the ones needing accents. -
Enjoyable cosy crime story. The literary quotations from Shakespeare and the author's obvious knowledge about English literature did make this stand out from similiar books. I quite liked Pepper and did like her family and friends and thought the ongoing hurt about her father's death is well done. However, be warned there is more than one person morning the loss of a parent in this book which does seem to me to be a trifle excessive. I did like the fact that Pepper wasn't always right but at the same time her actions towards someone she thought might be guilty, without knowing whether they had an alibi for the time in question, were reprehensible and quite frankly if that had happened at my old university could have seen her kicked out, especially as all she thought about was her embarrassment rather than how she was going to make amends for her behaviour. Also her decision not to have another boyfriend from among her fellow students as they would be leaving the university town after their graduation and she didn't want to leave where she had grown up and felt comfortable would certainly make me question whether they would want a relationship with someone who was only willing to have a relationship on her own terms and who was not open to new experiences or to the possibility that there could be a life outside where she had lived her whole life.
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Pepper is a student at NWU, a university in Pine Crest a small Washington town. I got a kick out of the fact that NWU reminded me a lot of my own college experience in a small town north of Seattle.
I knew I was going to love Pepper as soon as she described her campus library and favorite reading spots. She is well-read, caring, and slightly awkward. She feels like a real person who has her successes and difficulties, but tries to make the best of everything.
I appreciated the fact that she also didn't start out as some amazing investigator who immediately solved crimes without any training. Her thought processes and suspicions seemed right in line with what amateur investigator would think as the story unfolded.
I have enjoyed Eryn Scott's other contemporary romantic comedies and found her first cozy mystery equally entertaining! I can't wait for the next installment in the series.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
When Pepper finds the dead body of a visiting professor, she is dismayed to realize that her favorite professor is a prime suspect in the man's murder. Pepper is determined to prove that Professor Ferguson isn't a killer. She enlists the aid of her roommate, and reluctantly accepts help from the son of the lead detective on the case. When Pepper and her roomie receive a threatening note, she knows she's getting close to solving the mystery.
This was a decent enough story, if a bit trite. It's not what I expected. The blurb specifically stated: "With the help of a handsome library clerk, a dog named Hamburger, and The Bard himself, this unlikely sleuth might just close the book on this case." Silly me, I thought that meant there would be a paranormal element involved, as in the ghost of Shakespeare, but such was not the case. I found that disappointing. Otherwise, the book was okay. SPaG was very good, and characterizations were done well. -
Good
Undergraduate English student, Pepper Brooks, has had a tough year, and right now, the biggest worry on her mind is whether to follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue a career in academia. At least, that was the biggest worry right up until she finds the body of a visiting professor.
When Pepper’s favourite professor seems to be the number one suspect, the Nancy Drew wannabe hurtles into hunting for the real killer…
This was an enjoyable cosy mystery, set in a PNW university town, and featuring a sleuth whose skills are questionable at best (unless it’s in regards to English lit, then she’s pretty good!). Pepper is an amusing character, quirky and impulsive, she’s one of the few year round residents in town, and has both a history and connections there.
This is a fun and quick read for the cosy enthusiast, with both a small town vibe and a literature bent to it, it’s an enjoyable way to pass a few hours. -
Pepper Brooks is a quirky heroine who loves literature, is a secret Nancy Drew fan and is intrigued by the Shakespearean clues that are left by the body of a visiting professor, who she finds quite dead. When the death is ruled murder, she is off and running to find the killer. Pepper is somewhat naive running from one killer culprit to another. Luckily, she also finds time for some almost romance with Alex the lead investigator's son who also is on campus. Together they agree to work together to solve the mystery. But for Alex, helping is more like trying to keep Pepper out of trouble.
I was given an ARC copy of this new series for my honest opinion and it will be fun to keep up with what happens next when Nancy Drew aka Pepper solves another mystery. -
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
This was a lite and entertaining story, perfect for a summer / beach read. The story moves along at a comfortable pace and the cozy mystery keeps you interested in it, without making you do a lot of thinking. The characters are adorable and are easily relatable.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Margo Chervony did a good job of narrating this book. Her delivery was perfect and kept me engaged. -
Pepper is a uni student who finds a dead man in her mentor’s office. As an investigator she’s not the best as she jumps to baseless conclusions, acts on zero info, and keeps accusing the wrong people.
It was okay - [I finished it, which is good for a cosy - some of them are pretty awful]
She starts investigating it as a murder based on one wrong word in a quotation - which is a bit of a stretch. Then she tells everyone it’s a poisoning before that is confirmed. And I also find it odd that as a lit student she doesn’t own a copy of Shakespeare and has to borrow Hamlet from the library.
2 stars -
What a fun read! This novel is quirky,humorous and yet, still suspenseful. Eryn Scott writes loveable, yet fallible characters you can't help but love. This book's delightful cover and catchy title captured my attention. But it was Scott's talent at weaving together a light-hearted and witty romance-mystery, sprinkled with literary qoutes and puns, that kept me reading until the end. I am anxiously waiting to see what perils will follow her characters in the next novel.
Thank you, Eryn Scott, for the ARC copy of Literally Dead and the opportunity to honestly review your book. -
This is kind of typical of the genre of cozies set on university campuses with student amateur detectives. But I liked the "girl detective", who fancies herself as Nancy Drew's kid sister (a nice change from fancying herself as Nancy Drew), and her friends. The plot is pretty well laid out with plenty of suspects and red herrings. As with many first books in series, a good bit of the book is devoted to setting up the setting and characters. I enjoyed it enough I will probably see how the next book in the series goes.
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Light cozy with a little romance. College student Pepper has had a rough year since her dad died of a heart attack, but one professor helped her muddle through but now is the chief suspect in the murder of a colleague. Pepper teams up with a young man close to graduation whose father is the lead detective on the case. Unfortunately, Pepper has a tendency to leap before she thinks and that causes lots of problems. A nice read and not overlong and complete with lots of Shakespeare quotes!
I have the audio and Margo Chervony does the perky teen very well! -
Fun, Light Read
There was some true blue corniness that was almost cringe worthy (but really, what bookworm doesn’t create situations like that?). The narration was well executed and I highly enjoyed The Who-done-it aspect of the story.
Parents: rated G/PG for someone dying but you should get that from the title honestly.
FYI: If you’ve recently suffered loss of a loved one, this may be healing or triggering
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. -
A little cozy mystery for Lit geeks.
Pepper Brooks is an English major whose favorite haunts are the library and the hallway of the English department at the university. Shakespeare quotes flow naturally into her conversation. When her mentor is accused of the murder of a visiting speaker, Pepper tries to prove her innocence. Alex, the handsome guy who works in the library, works with her—and he just happens to be the son of the detective on the case. A mystery with the love of literature in the background and more than one romance in play.
