Deadly Deceptions
Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin HQN, Mar 2008, $7.99
ISBN 9780373772568

In Cave Creek, Arizona private investigator Mary Josephine 'Mojo Sheepshanks' Mayhugh knows she lacks experience, but her ability to communicate with ghosts gives her edge to overcome her sleuthing. Mojo is adamant that her mission in life is to help those unable to move on find peace by resolving what keeps them hanging around the moral plane. At the same she depends on these otherworldly assistants to help her with her mortal cases.

Following a ballet lesson, seven-year-old deaf-mute Gillian Pellaway is strangled; her stepfather is accused of the crime as he was taking her home; Gillian pleads with Mojo to help prove his innocence. Soon after that someone kills womanizing Alex Pennington; Mo's wannabe boyfriend homicide detective Tucker Darroch arrests the victim's wife Greer, Mojo's adopted sister.

The second Mojo paranormal private investigative tale (see DEADLY GAMBLE) is a terrific tale filled with dead and live red herrings, plenty of twists, and ghosts who demand the heroine solve their case. Mojo with her mumbo and moxie makes DEADLY DECEPTION fun to follow as she uses spiritual assistance to find hard proof that Greer is innocent in spite of her having the means, motive, and opportunity. With two Mojo mysteries so far, Linda Lael Miller appears to have a hit series for fans to appreciate.

Harriet Klausner