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snoakes7001's review
5.0
Dead is Beautiful is the fourth outing for Charlie and Rose. Still as dead as ever, the pair are drawn from the afterlife when a protected tree is cut down, destroying the home of a rare owl.
Poor Charlie doesn't really want to return to Beverly Hills, his least favourite place in the world. However once he is there, the reasons to hang around start piling up, and before he knows it he is enmired in another investigation. As usual he is constantly frustrated by his inability to do anything to help in the real world, while Rose appears to have an innate instinct that guides them wherever they need to go.
I love this series and I hope there will be a fifth coming soon.
Poor Charlie doesn't really want to return to Beverly Hills, his least favourite place in the world. However once he is there, the reasons to hang around start piling up, and before he knows it he is enmired in another investigation. As usual he is constantly frustrated by his inability to do anything to help in the real world, while Rose appears to have an innate instinct that guides them wherever they need to go.
I love this series and I hope there will be a fifth coming soon.
clair_82's review
3.0
Dead Is Beautiful is the fourth book in Jo Perry’s series about Charlie and Rose – both are dead with Charlie being accompanied by Rose the dog in the afterlife. A unique premise to a book I’m sure you’ll agree
If you are coming to this series as a new reader then Dead is Beautiful is best read after the first in the series, Dead is Better as it gives the full background as to what brought Charlie and Rose together. It also gives some background on one of the main players in this book, Charlie’s ‘shit brother’.
Rose takes Charlie to the one place he absolutely despises, Beverley Hills where they find a protected tree being killed and hacked to the ground along with the owl who lives inside of it. It turns out that the tree is part of a development of expensive, high-end properties. Also, Charlie and Rose witness the murder and become involved in finding out who the perpetrators ar. This is the catalyst for a chain of events that Charlie could never have predicted, having to protect Rose and also in ‘contact’ with his ‘shit brother’ who Charlie still despises, even after death.
Dead is Beautiful is a dark novel into the world of those who inhabit Beverley Hills interspersed with a lot of dark humour through Charlie’s observations of what’s happening around him. The author’s writing is on-point and brings Charlie and Rose to life from the page (of the irony seen as they are dead characters!!). I found it frustrating that Rose couldn’t tell Charlie what she wanted/where she wanted him to go and why (she is a dog after all!!) so I can only imagine Charlie’s frustration knowing that she’s trying to tell him something but he’s got to work it out for himself!
An intriguing and unique series – I implore you not to fall in love with Rose and bond with Charlie!
If you are coming to this series as a new reader then Dead is Beautiful is best read after the first in the series, Dead is Better as it gives the full background as to what brought Charlie and Rose together. It also gives some background on one of the main players in this book, Charlie’s ‘shit brother’.
Rose takes Charlie to the one place he absolutely despises, Beverley Hills where they find a protected tree being killed and hacked to the ground along with the owl who lives inside of it. It turns out that the tree is part of a development of expensive, high-end properties. Also, Charlie and Rose witness the murder and become involved in finding out who the perpetrators ar. This is the catalyst for a chain of events that Charlie could never have predicted, having to protect Rose and also in ‘contact’ with his ‘shit brother’ who Charlie still despises, even after death.
Dead is Beautiful is a dark novel into the world of those who inhabit Beverley Hills interspersed with a lot of dark humour through Charlie’s observations of what’s happening around him. The author’s writing is on-point and brings Charlie and Rose to life from the page (of the irony seen as they are dead characters!!). I found it frustrating that Rose couldn’t tell Charlie what she wanted/where she wanted him to go and why (she is a dog after all!!) so I can only imagine Charlie’s frustration knowing that she’s trying to tell him something but he’s got to work it out for himself!
An intriguing and unique series – I implore you not to fall in love with Rose and bond with Charlie!
karlou's review
5.0
There are many rules when it comes to writing but the most universally recognised is probably 'Don't kill the dog'. Jo Perry proves she cares nothing for rules because to misquote Dickens, Rose is dead to begin with. So, for that matter is Charlie, her human companion. This is the fourth book in the Charlie and Rose series but each can be read as a standalone. The pair first linked up in Dead is Better following Charlie's premature demise after he was shot and Rose was left to starve to death. The manner in which a body enters the afterlife determines their post-death appearance, so Charlie is still riddled with the bullet holes which killed him and Rose is beautiful (obviously - she's a dog) but painfully emaciated.
There are numerous stories about the spirit world of course, and those of us of a certain age will recall the ghost detective in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) but in this series, everything you thought you knew about the afterlife is probably wrong. Charlie and Rose aren't able to make their presence known to the living and actually can't interact with them at all. This causes Rose to become frantically distressed when she leads Charlie to a tree which is being cut down. It turns out that the tree had a preservation order on it and housed a rare Spotted Owl and its owlet. Fortunately, the owls have another saviour in house-sitter and doula, Eleanor Starfeather. When Charlie sees Eleanor, he is smitten at first sight, which isn't surprising as she's naked at the time but before long he has more on his mind after he ends up bearing witness to a horrific murder and suspects that his brother, Mark is in danger.
Actually, Mark faces more than one adversary including an unhinged owl who really bears a grudge against him. Now, all owls are brilliant, just by being owls but this one is singularly memorable - albeit also terrifying. It should probably be clear by this point in my review that this is a series which doesn't take itself too seriously. The front cover and the presence of a ghost dog might suggest cosy crime but this is far removed from that genre - it's irreverent, blunt and positively dripping with black humour. It's also a hugely engaging and original read, with Charlie's first-person perspective used to great effect as he is able to perform the role of the omnipotent observer without being given the ability to directly manipulate proceedings. Rose is clearly the brains of the partnership and it is she who is able to sniff out trouble (metaphorically, of course, her sense of smell died when she did) but she needs Charlie to protect her when a particularly unpleasant newcomer to the spirit world takes an interest in her.
The short chapters mean this feels like a quick book to read but as I write this review, I'm reminded of how much actually happens here; seeing Mark's life spiral spectacularly out of control; corrupt deals and a deeply unpleasant businessman; a determined white witch; a no-nonsense, indomitable Scotsman, and a vengeful and demanding new ghost. It's dark, funny and - especially in a scene towards the end - grotesquely beautiful and really rather moving. Dead is Beautiful is a truly enjoyable book which dares to make crime fiction fun without losing any of its emotional impact. It succeeds marvellously and is a real breath of fresh air. I've read two books in the series now and it shouldn't come as any surprise to learn I'm looking forward to reading the rest soon.
There are numerous stories about the spirit world of course, and those of us of a certain age will recall the ghost detective in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) but in this series, everything you thought you knew about the afterlife is probably wrong. Charlie and Rose aren't able to make their presence known to the living and actually can't interact with them at all. This causes Rose to become frantically distressed when she leads Charlie to a tree which is being cut down. It turns out that the tree had a preservation order on it and housed a rare Spotted Owl and its owlet. Fortunately, the owls have another saviour in house-sitter and doula, Eleanor Starfeather. When Charlie sees Eleanor, he is smitten at first sight, which isn't surprising as she's naked at the time but before long he has more on his mind after he ends up bearing witness to a horrific murder and suspects that his brother, Mark is in danger.
Actually, Mark faces more than one adversary including an unhinged owl who really bears a grudge against him. Now, all owls are brilliant, just by being owls but this one is singularly memorable - albeit also terrifying. It should probably be clear by this point in my review that this is a series which doesn't take itself too seriously. The front cover and the presence of a ghost dog might suggest cosy crime but this is far removed from that genre - it's irreverent, blunt and positively dripping with black humour. It's also a hugely engaging and original read, with Charlie's first-person perspective used to great effect as he is able to perform the role of the omnipotent observer without being given the ability to directly manipulate proceedings. Rose is clearly the brains of the partnership and it is she who is able to sniff out trouble (metaphorically, of course, her sense of smell died when she did) but she needs Charlie to protect her when a particularly unpleasant newcomer to the spirit world takes an interest in her.
The short chapters mean this feels like a quick book to read but as I write this review, I'm reminded of how much actually happens here; seeing Mark's life spiral spectacularly out of control; corrupt deals and a deeply unpleasant businessman; a determined white witch; a no-nonsense, indomitable Scotsman, and a vengeful and demanding new ghost. It's dark, funny and - especially in a scene towards the end - grotesquely beautiful and really rather moving. Dead is Beautiful is a truly enjoyable book which dares to make crime fiction fun without losing any of its emotional impact. It succeeds marvellously and is a real breath of fresh air. I've read two books in the series now and it shouldn't come as any surprise to learn I'm looking forward to reading the rest soon.
stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and to Emma Welton of damppebbles blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Dead is Beautiful is the fourth book in the Charlie and Rose Investigate series, but the only one I have read to date so I can confirm that it does work as a standalone novel. However the situation and characters are somewhat unusual so I would personally recommend reading the series in order to get the bigger picture.
You see, Charlie and Rose are dead. But they’re mostly okay with it. Rose is a traumatised dog and Charlie is a very angry man, and they keep each other company and keep an eye on the goings on in the world below them from their perch in the not-quite-afterlife. Actually, Rose keeps an eye on things and Charlie mainly gets towed along, complaining, behind her.
Which is how he somehow ends up investigating the series of unfortunate events concerning his hated brother and despised wife. Oh, and a rather delightful house-sitting doula!
Charlie’s simmering rage and disgust with most of humanity (unless they happen to have violet eyes and dripping, naked curves) should make him an unlikable main character – I certainly got fed up with him constantly referring to his brother as ‘my s**t brother’ throughout! – but his love and protection towards Rose are redeeming and reveal him to be all bluster, hiding a soft and squishy centre.
This is an unusual premise, especially as Rose and Charlie are physically unable to interact with events and therefore limited to observation for their investigation, but it is well-written and easy to read (with very short chapters), and the characters add humour and pathos, even the relatively minor ones.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that is out of the ordinary and unpredictable then this series may be right up your boulevard!
Once I was like you–
Warm.
Loud and turbulent.
Solid.
Okay, I’ll admit it–not just “solid”.
Fat.
I was a fat, thirty-eight-year-old Caucasian male, Ashkenazi Jewish resident of Hollywood, California named Charles–no middle name–Stone.
Now I’m something else.
– Jo Perry, Dead Is Beautiful
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/blog-tour-dead-is-beautiful-jo-perry/
Dead is Beautiful is the fourth book in the Charlie and Rose Investigate series, but the only one I have read to date so I can confirm that it does work as a standalone novel. However the situation and characters are somewhat unusual so I would personally recommend reading the series in order to get the bigger picture.
You see, Charlie and Rose are dead. But they’re mostly okay with it. Rose is a traumatised dog and Charlie is a very angry man, and they keep each other company and keep an eye on the goings on in the world below them from their perch in the not-quite-afterlife. Actually, Rose keeps an eye on things and Charlie mainly gets towed along, complaining, behind her.
Which is how he somehow ends up investigating the series of unfortunate events concerning his hated brother and despised wife. Oh, and a rather delightful house-sitting doula!
Charlie’s simmering rage and disgust with most of humanity (unless they happen to have violet eyes and dripping, naked curves) should make him an unlikable main character – I certainly got fed up with him constantly referring to his brother as ‘my s**t brother’ throughout! – but his love and protection towards Rose are redeeming and reveal him to be all bluster, hiding a soft and squishy centre.
This is an unusual premise, especially as Rose and Charlie are physically unable to interact with events and therefore limited to observation for their investigation, but it is well-written and easy to read (with very short chapters), and the characters add humour and pathos, even the relatively minor ones.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that is out of the ordinary and unpredictable then this series may be right up your boulevard!
Once I was like you–
Warm.
Loud and turbulent.
Solid.
Okay, I’ll admit it–not just “solid”.
Fat.
I was a fat, thirty-eight-year-old Caucasian male, Ashkenazi Jewish resident of Hollywood, California named Charles–no middle name–Stone.
Now I’m something else.
– Jo Perry, Dead Is Beautiful
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/blog-tour-dead-is-beautiful-jo-perry/
bibliophilebookclub's review
4.0
Dead is Beautiful is the fourth book in this series, and its safe to say its another excellent installment. As always, the chapters begin with a quote about death. While some may find this morbid, I think it really suits the tone of the books.
In this one, Rose is the driving force in getting Charlie to one of his most hated places, “Beverly Fucking Hills”. There is a tree being cut down that is housing a protected species of owl, and Rose just can’t keep away. There is usually a motive for Rose hanging around so you just know the story is going somewhere. Charlie wasn’t expecting it to be straight into his brother’s life.
What follows is a dark and weird look at Beverly Fucking Hills and its inhabitants. Meeting some real characters along the way (looking at you, McGurk!!!), Charlie and Rose are drawn much deeper than they could ever have expected. Murder, corruption and cover-ups aplenty in this one.
It seems to me that Dead is Beautiful is almost a social commentary on the whole Beverly Hills “thing”. The affluence, the materialistic and shallow undertones, it is a dark and satirical look at what is usually portrayed in a positive light.
I really enjoyed Dead is Beautiful, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
In this one, Rose is the driving force in getting Charlie to one of his most hated places, “Beverly Fucking Hills”. There is a tree being cut down that is housing a protected species of owl, and Rose just can’t keep away. There is usually a motive for Rose hanging around so you just know the story is going somewhere. Charlie wasn’t expecting it to be straight into his brother’s life.
What follows is a dark and weird look at Beverly Fucking Hills and its inhabitants. Meeting some real characters along the way (looking at you, McGurk!!!), Charlie and Rose are drawn much deeper than they could ever have expected. Murder, corruption and cover-ups aplenty in this one.
It seems to me that Dead is Beautiful is almost a social commentary on the whole Beverly Hills “thing”. The affluence, the materialistic and shallow undertones, it is a dark and satirical look at what is usually portrayed in a positive light.
I really enjoyed Dead is Beautiful, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
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