Dead Is Just a Rumor (Dead Is Series)

Synopsis

As the creepy little town of Nightshade prepares to celebrate its two hundredth anniversary — on Halloween, of course — many of its paranormal residents are receiving mysterious blackmail letters. Psychic teen Daisy Giordano and her sisters set out to find who is behind the threats. But launching an investigation isn’t easy for Daisy with her overprotective father watching her every move. Though she’s happy to have him back after the years he spent being held captive by an anti-paranormal group called the Scourge, Dad is having a difficult time adjusting to home life — and the fact that his little girl is now a senior in high school. He even disapproves of Daisy’s boyfriend, Ryan.

Ryan, meanwhile, to Daisy’s dismay, has been considering some faraway colleges thanks to the advice of Nightshade High’s new guidance counselor. Can their relationship take the strain?

And Daisy’s got even more on her plate: A talented amateur cook, she has won cooking lessons with celebrity chef Circe Silvertongue. After nosing around (with a little help from Circe’s pet pig), Daisy begins to suspect that the temperamental chef has got more secrets than just her ingredients . . .

VOYA

Daisy Giordano is having trouble keeping her senior year at Nightshade High low-key. Facing pressure from an overprotective father, the possibility her boyfriend, Ryan, may be going out of state to college, and helping her best friend, Samantha, plan for their town's 200th anniversary, Daisy is feeling the strain. Top that with her psychic powers and her need to help solve the mystery of blackmail letters being sent to the town's paranormal residents, and things really get complicated. Daisy is just a normal girl (if you overlook her psychic powers) who wants to spend time with her boyfriend. She must find a way to be patient with a father who has been out of her life for years after being held captive by the Scrouge, an evil paranormal group. Daisy also loves to cook, but the joy of winning cooking lessons from famous chef Circe Silvertongue takes a turn when she experiences Circe's fiery temper up close. Dead Is Just a Rumor is the fourth book in a series by talented author Marlene Perez. Perez makes quick work of setting the scene and helping those new to the series get caught up, all the while drawing you into the lives of the characters from the town of Nightshade. This is a well-written, easy read that will appeal to reluctant readers and those wanting to read something good in a short period of time. Reviewer: Juli Zimmerman