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Heroine Nicki Styx (notice the last name) dies - or seemingly dies - on page two of Dead Girls Are Easy. Nicki comes back to life by page five. And she brings a little something with her.

Having tangled with the dark side (more specifically, with a white light) thanks to a heart condition, Nicki's begins breathing again and returns to this world. But there's a catch. There's always a catch. In Nicki's case, the catch is that she returns able to see the dead. Worse, she becomes a reluctant beacon to desperate and frustrated spirits who have business to finish before they leave this world. In addition to her regular job running a business, Nicki is approached by restless souls looking for a little assistance.

Her first foray is a simple matter of helping an old lady get a message to her grieving husband. Except for Nicki's own skepticism, the task turns out to be an easy one. Nicki hopes this will be a once-and-done thing. It's not. When Nicki's neighbor Caprice dies, everything gets harder. Dead Caprice is a nasty and threatening version of live Caprice. Dead Caprice needs Nicki's help and is willing to hurt Nicki's friends to force Nicki to help. Turns out Caprice dabbled in voodoo, a fact that endangers Nicki and everyone she knows.

Those reading this far may be experiencing a case of not-a-voodoo-book hives. Understood. But, the good news here is that Dead Girls Are Easy is not a vodoo romance. It's not even a vodoo suspense. It's a book about a woman stuck with powers she doesn't want, trying to find answers to spiritual questions without concrete answers. Over-arching themes of good-versus-evil and right-versus-wrong guide this book. Not that those ideas are shoved down the reader's throat. To the contrary, the mood of the book remains light while the plot digs deeper. The result is an entertaining with a likeable and relatable heroine that probes issues without highlighting them.

What at first seems like a significant downfall of the book - too many coincidences - turns out to be purposeful plotting. In Garey's Atlanta, people just happen to meet the people who hold the keys to their pasts or futures. The idea is contrived, even smacks of author intrusion. It has the potential to halt reading and result in a bout of book-throwing.

Not so fast.

Garey smartly has her heroine doubt the coincidences right along with the reader. When Nicki comments on the "how can this all be related" phenomenon, it becomes clear the greater world aspect of the book is just another piece of Nicki's spiritual development. The idea of Nicki ending up with a hospital with a doctor who has a link to her past feels like overreaching until the idea of a grander inter-connectedness unfolds.

The doctor in question, Dr. Joe Bascombe, not only plays the part of forcing Nicki to look at her past, he also serves as the love interest and her potential future. Joe is of the tall, dark and hottie variety. He is not an over-the-top alpha. He is more of a typical guy who can be clueless but does not mean any harm. He is intrigued by Nicki, likes her, wants to be with her and still goes to work. His immediate attraction to Nicki is easily explained by one of those coincidences - and one that qualifies as a spoiler, so enough said on that point.

Joe chalks up Nicki's visions to her near death experience. He believes Nicki believes she can see the dead and sends her to a therapist. His epiphany comes later with a little help from a vodoo ceremony. Even with the epiphany, Joe never steals the spotlight from Nicki. Neither does Nicki's gay friend/business partner. Yes, there has to be a gay friend/business partner. Nicki is strong, funny and smart. She remains strong, funny and smart while growing from fun-loving to something a bit more.

And there is more to come since Dead Girls Are Easy ends on a note that cues the reader to future installments in the Nicki Styx saga. While the book has the necessary beginning, middle and end, there are pieces left open for the future. Caprice's story wraps up. Nicki's life does not. The open-ended nature works as it fits with Nicki's unfinished growth. A satisfying end to a book with such a promising start.

You can visit Garey here and buy the book here or here.