Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Over Her Dead Body” by Susan Walter, Lake Union Publishing, 2022, On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours

Wow! Susan Walter, the author of “Over Her Dead Body” has written a riveting, intriguing and satirical novel. The genres for this novel are Psychological Thriller, Mystery and Suspense, Fiction, Family Fiction, and Satire. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, and dysfunctional. One of my favorite characters is the mischievous dog, who seems to beat to the tune of his own tail.

I was so involved in the story, that I read this in one sitting. This almost reminds me of a game of “Clue”, where the members of a dysfunctional family are the suspicious characters. The author writes with a dark wit this twisted who-done it. I double dare you to keep track of the clues in this story. There are secrets, and betrayals!

The neighbors and outsiders are Ashley, an aspiring actress,Jordan, her room-mate for 7 years and Brando, the dog with a mind of his own. When Brando takes a detour of his own choosing, he winds up on the neighbor’s spooky property. When Ashley goes to retrieve Brando, gunshots make her run.

Louisa, was a former casting director, and is Ashley’s neighbor. Louisa mostly gets visits from her nephew Nathan. She is estranged from her own adult children.Nathan has just left his aunt’s house, where he is informed that she is changing her will. Nathan returns to the house, when his aunt is worried about an intruder. They discover a frightened Brando.

Louisa is a very wealthy woman, and gets to meet Ashley, when she comes to get her dog. Ashley eagerly offers to audition for Louisa. When Ashley leaves Louisa’s house with Brando, she feels very hopeful.

Nathan receives a call from Louisa’s caretaker that Louisa has passed away. Nathan calls Louisa’s children to come home. The next day the lawyer will read the new will. What is so confusing at the reading, is that Ashley was invited. What exactly is going on? I encourage and highly recommend this captivating novel.