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marlynb's review against another edition
5.0
Brianna Winston-Beaufort has two law practices. The "temporal" office, the one that pays the bills, is located in an office building on Savannah's Bay Street. The celestial office is located in a house on Angelus Street, and can only be found by Bree and the Company who work there with her, and perhaps the occasional client.
The staff and clients of the Angelus office are not living humans. The staff are what is commonly known as angels, while the clients are the souls of the dead who believe they've been wrongly condemned to Hell.
In this, the fifth installment in the series, Bree's aunt asks her to represent her fiancé Prosper White. Prosper is being sued by an antiques dealer for allegedly stealing a valuable magazine cover for a museum display. Bree hopes to settle out of court, but before she has a chance to do much, Prosper is murdered and Cissy is the prime suspect, although there is no shortage of people who disliked Prosper.
Meanwhile, Bree is trying to ignore the summons of a celestial client, who also claims to have been wronged by Prosper as well as Allard Chambers, the antique dealer.
Mary Stanton has created a believable protagonist in Bree, who understands the task she has inherited, but sometimes wants to decline, and is always frustrated by bureaucracy, whether temporal or celestial. And although all the elements of a horror story are here: evil attorneys opposing Bree, mirrors that reflect demons and paintings that portray reality, this is not a frightening tale.
Rather, the philosophy underlying this unputdownable book, that there is someone working to correct divine mistakes, is a comfort.
The staff and clients of the Angelus office are not living humans. The staff are what is commonly known as angels, while the clients are the souls of the dead who believe they've been wrongly condemned to Hell.
In this, the fifth installment in the series, Bree's aunt asks her to represent her fiancé Prosper White. Prosper is being sued by an antiques dealer for allegedly stealing a valuable magazine cover for a museum display. Bree hopes to settle out of court, but before she has a chance to do much, Prosper is murdered and Cissy is the prime suspect, although there is no shortage of people who disliked Prosper.
Meanwhile, Bree is trying to ignore the summons of a celestial client, who also claims to have been wronged by Prosper as well as Allard Chambers, the antique dealer.
Mary Stanton has created a believable protagonist in Bree, who understands the task she has inherited, but sometimes wants to decline, and is always frustrated by bureaucracy, whether temporal or celestial. And although all the elements of a horror story are here: evil attorneys opposing Bree, mirrors that reflect demons and paintings that portray reality, this is not a frightening tale.
Rather, the philosophy underlying this unputdownable book, that there is someone working to correct divine mistakes, is a comfort.
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
The way these books handle the idea of the afterlife is so complex and unique, I really enjoy it. This was a very rich continuation of the life of Bree Winston-Beaufort and all that it entails. I loved how the mystery had layers on layers in it, but also wish that it had been a little bit longer to try to flesh out some more of it. Based on the ending (I haven't checked) this might be a to-be-continued type of story which I would REALLY enjoy. This particular entry in the series didn't suit the usual "wrap it up in 250 pages" type of story that a cozy is known for. Either way, can't wait for the next one.
slferg's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series of books - and they just keep getting better.
In this one, Bree Winston-Beaufort's aunt Cissy has become involved with a man none of the family like or approve of. Prosper White is a small-time museum operator who has charmed Cissy and gets her to make out a will in his favor as he makes out his in her favor. There is a big stir when Dr Allard Chambers, a former archeologist, files suit claiming a magazine he is using for his exhibit was improperly obtained. Bree reluctantly agrees to represent Prosper in the suit. She goes to see Allard Chambers at his antique store and he tosses a cross at her that he says is the fake he got back from Propser after the real one is sent to White to verify it. When she gets it home, a wisp of smoke comes out of it and Scholfield Martin appears in her mirror asking her to take his case of appeal in the Celestial Courts.
Bree is unhappy about this because the case appears to be linked in some way to her aunt. She does not want her family involved in these cases. Then Beazley, an opponent from Celestial Courts, turns up dead - very dead, unpleasantly dead.
In this one, Bree Winston-Beaufort's aunt Cissy has become involved with a man none of the family like or approve of. Prosper White is a small-time museum operator who has charmed Cissy and gets her to make out a will in his favor as he makes out his in her favor. There is a big stir when Dr Allard Chambers, a former archeologist, files suit claiming a magazine he is using for his exhibit was improperly obtained. Bree reluctantly agrees to represent Prosper in the suit. She goes to see Allard Chambers at his antique store and he tosses a cross at her that he says is the fake he got back from Propser after the real one is sent to White to verify it. When she gets it home, a wisp of smoke comes out of it and Scholfield Martin appears in her mirror asking her to take his case of appeal in the Celestial Courts.
Bree is unhappy about this because the case appears to be linked in some way to her aunt. She does not want her family involved in these cases. Then Beazley, an opponent from Celestial Courts, turns up dead - very dead, unpleasantly dead.
tregina's review against another edition
2.0
When I saw this book in my unread file I couldn't remember why I'd stopped after the previous book in the series. After all, there was just one book left, and I didn't dislike them, even if I thought they were flawed. I remembered soon after that the previous book had left a bad taste in my mouth, but despite the similar rating I actually enjoyed this one more. It tied its threads together better and the actions necessary to drive the plot didn't feel as forced. But what it did was have way too many balls in the air for its length, and none of them really got the attention it deserved. The Caldecott and Beazly angle disappeared for a while, then once Cissy was abruptly freed she virtually drops out of the story, not to mention the fact that while the celestial case might be wrapped up, the mortal case was left hanging. There were moments that played well but they were divorced from one another.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little disappointed with the last book in this series, but wanted to give it one more try, because I love the creativity of the premise, and the characters were really fun to read about. This book brought me back to loving the series!
Bree is still recovering - emotionally, if not physically - from the accident in which her leg was broken. She's also still trying to figure out how to balance her role as a celestial advocate representing damned souls who want to appeal their sentences, with having a real life and family responsibilities.
When Brianna's aunt Cissy asks her to represent Cissy's fiancé in a fraud case, Bree would rather not, since Prosper White - the fiancé - is a condescending, arrogant boor of a man. But she agrees, because, well, it's family!
But then, White is murdered on the steps of the museum where he was set to show a special exhibit before Bree can even start the paperwork on his case. Very shortly afterwards, aunt Cissy is arrested for the murder and Bree has to scramble to find the real murderer so Cissy doesn't end up in jail.
At the same time, Bree is discovering more about her role as a celestial advocate, her angelic staff, and what the implications of the role will be for her over the long-term. Bree also has to make some tough decisions in this installment of the series.
I really do love the characters in this series, and the premise of a celestial court with its own rules, is really interesting and clever. Some of the issues I had with the last book were resolved through the plot of this book, and where the character of Bree was taken. I will definitely read any future books in this series. Recommended for people who enjoy light, fun paranormal stories with a mystery/legal twist and subtle Southern humour and flavour. No sex, and only brief mentions of violence that are mild.
Bree is still recovering - emotionally, if not physically - from the accident in which her leg was broken. She's also still trying to figure out how to balance her role as a celestial advocate representing damned souls who want to appeal their sentences, with having a real life and family responsibilities.
When Brianna's aunt Cissy asks her to represent Cissy's fiancé in a fraud case, Bree would rather not, since Prosper White - the fiancé - is a condescending, arrogant boor of a man. But she agrees, because, well, it's family!
But then, White is murdered on the steps of the museum where he was set to show a special exhibit before Bree can even start the paperwork on his case. Very shortly afterwards, aunt Cissy is arrested for the murder and Bree has to scramble to find the real murderer so Cissy doesn't end up in jail.
At the same time, Bree is discovering more about her role as a celestial advocate, her angelic staff, and what the implications of the role will be for her over the long-term. Bree also has to make some tough decisions in this installment of the series.
I really do love the characters in this series, and the premise of a celestial court with its own rules, is really interesting and clever. Some of the issues I had with the last book were resolved through the plot of this book, and where the character of Bree was taken. I will definitely read any future books in this series. Recommended for people who enjoy light, fun paranormal stories with a mystery/legal twist and subtle Southern humour and flavour. No sex, and only brief mentions of violence that are mild.
tregina's review
2.0
When I saw this book in my unread file I couldn't remember why I'd stopped after the previous book in the series. After all, there was just one book left, and I didn't dislike them, even if I thought they were flawed. I remembered soon after that the previous book had left a bad taste in my mouth, but despite the similar rating I actually enjoyed this one more. It tied its threads together better and the actions necessary to drive the plot didn't feel as forced. But what it did was have way too many balls in the air for its length, and none of them really got the attention it deserved. The Caldecott and Beazly angle disappeared for a while, then once Cissy was abruptly freed she virtually drops out of the story, not to mention the fact that while the celestial case might be wrapped up, the mortal case was left hanging. There were moments that played well but they were divorced from one another.
murderbydeath's review
4.0
This series started out likeable, but annoying because the main character was kept in the dark and it didn't seem to occur to her to demand answers about her fate. But that has largely been taken care of in each of the subsequent books and this has become one of my favourite series. This book had a great plot, which I found really interesting, and it was intricate enough that I didn't guess the murderer until I was supposed to. I really hope Ms. Stanton continues with this series, I've come to really look forward to each new book.
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