That’s the title of a very entertaining book by my bloggy friend, Tammie Painter. It is Book One in her Cassie Black trilogy. Part of the blurb on the back of the book says:
“Cassie Black works as a funeral home. She’s used to all manner of dead bodies. What she is not used to is them waking up. Which they seem to be doing on a disturbingly regular basis lately.
“Just when Cassie believes she has the problem under control, the recently-deceased Busby Tenpenny insists he’s been murdered and claims Cassie might be responsible thanks to a wicked brand of magic she has been exposed to.”
From there the story rollicks along with Cassie trying desperately to solve the murder, learn how to control her own untapped, unwanted magic and stop her boss’s funeral parlour from being shut down. Oh, and deal with a powerful, evil magician.
I was quite charmed by this book. While Cassie manages to annoy just about everyone in her new magical community, she is a quirky character, with a very distinctive voice. Tammie’s writing is light and witty, and there were parts that made me laugh out loud ~ not something I often do when I read.
Fortunately for me Tammie’s books are not limited to ebooks. I like to have the solid book in my hand as I read. I like the look of them, the feel, the heft, and especially that you can easily flick back and forth. So, I used the ISBN and asked my local bookshop to order it in for me. As easy as that…although an ebook would have been quicker.
I am looking forward to reading the second in the trilogy, “The Uncanny Raven Winston” which has just been released. I’ll order it through Benn’s Books too.
If you are interested (and I hope you are, because supporting independent talent is always important) you can purchase ebooks here, or use this ISBN to order your real copy 978 138 697 7674. Remember, that’s a great way to support independent book shops too. Check out Tammie’s website to look at her blog and find out some of her other books and short stories. (I enjoyed “Domna” as well.)
Anne Lawson Art 
48 replies on “The Undead Mr Tenpenny”
I shall have to see if my library will order it!
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Hi, they should be able to. My own library just added two copies. Mine orders from Amazon, but if your library uses that ISBN Anne mentioned, yours can order it through the usual library book suppliers. Libraries can also add ebooks (hint hint) 😉
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I’m sure they CAN, it’s just if they WILL! I am someone who asks for dozens of books a year to be purchased. Sometimes, I’m lucky. Fingers crossed they’ll buy your trilogy 🙂
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I’ll tell you the secret (my husband works at the local library)….bribe them with donuts, cookies, or other treat 😃 Even if you don’t succeed, thanks for trying!
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Sally the Librarian and I are good friends, it’s the purchasing guys who need convincing!
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That’s a great idea, Kate. 👍🏽
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Sounds like a good read Anne! laugh-out-loud books are precious!
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They are rare, aren’t they? I remember reading one, many years ago, on public transport. I tried to control my giggling fit, but I suspect the other travellers thought I was crying!
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OMG! Anne, thank you so much for such a lovely review…and for sharing it with your bloggy friends. I really appreciate it. And I’m glad I gave you a couple giggles 😃
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My pleasure, Tammie. Thanks for writing such an entertaining book. 😊 I find it difficult to leave reviews on other platforms, so I thought this would be the best way to reach more people.
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A review is a review…I’m certainly not going to complain about where it’s posted 😊 Again, thanks so much!
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It seems like people here are interested in reading it!!!
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I’m going to have to give you a commission : ) Looks like a few comments need my attention…oops.
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Lovely review… such books -and characters- are just what we need for distraction when life happens, as it does to us all. Adding it to my too-long-want-to-read-list ♡
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I am glad my thought inspired you. We do need to support our indie authors.
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This sounds like fun, Anne! And thank you. I had no idea you could even ask bookshops to order books in via the ISBN. I assume the Author has worldwide distribution via IngramSpark???
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Your question is way beyond my knowledge! Tammie will be happy to chat, I am sure. I have been meaning to ask if I can get hard/real copies of your books. Can I use the ISBN to order them?
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lol – I genuinely don’t know either, Anne. As for getting hard copies…um? In theory, IngramSpark should provide amazon.com.au with paperback versions of each book. Also in theory, bookshops should be able to buy copies directly from IngramSpark, but I don’t think it’s every happened. I did try to interest the local library in one of my books a while ago but was told they don’t do ‘self-published’ books. So…I simply don’t know. 😦
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Let me experiment for you. When I am ordering Tammie’s next one, I will see if I can order Voktah too. Can you let me know the ISBN?
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Would you? That would be wonderful but I worry about the cost. Maybe go for the Egg instead? Would be much cheaper. Please let me know and I’ll dig out the ISBN.
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I have always wanted to read Voktah, so if you can send me the ISBN…..☺️
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Oops, I haven’t been paying attention and missed this comment.
So, I can’t afford the expense of publishing with IngramSpark, but Draft2Digital has recently started doing paperbacks with worldwide distribution so I thought I’d test it out. And it seems to have worked great!
It’s essentially the same distribution as Ingram without their setup fee, the insane charge for ISBN, or the fee to make changes. Hope that helps.
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Thanks for the info, Tammie. I used to be with D2D but stopped after an issue with my author name – apparently some of the retailers, like Apple, don’t like ‘acflory’ because it’s not a ‘real name’. I wasn’t prepared to change it so, I left.
Probably a good thing though if D2D adds another layer of competition to the mix. 🙂
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Hmmm….did you try staying with D2D and not distributing to Apple (and the other picky retailers)? I get the vast majority of my sales through D2D and they’ve always been really helpful whenever I’ve gotten in touch with them, so I can’t say anything negative about them.
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I don’t think I made any sales through D2D, my fault I know. Marketing is /not/ my forte. And I know D2D were not responsible for the problems I faced from retailers, but in the end, there simply did not seem to be any compelling reason to stay.
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Sounds good. It would be frustrating to be told the name you’re using isn’t a “real” name. Kind of silly since I don’t think I’ve ever thought, “Boy, that author’s name is different, I better not buy that book.” 🙄
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Thank you! Yes. The way I write my author name is my ‘brand’. The objections are just silly administrative hurdles.
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oooh thanks for the book review, Anne. I’ve just been on @m@zon and read a few pages thanks to their “look inside” gizmo and indeed, it looks like something that would tickle my fancy!
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Glad I have helped you find something that you might enjoy, Claire. I enjoy Tammie’s style as an author, and she has lots of good offers for those who like reading ebooks.
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I’m not an ebook reader ^^ but, I have added the undead title to my cart, in paperback format on @m@zon. I’ll probs click & buy next month.
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Hey Claire, glad the Look Inside tickled your interest : )
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it has! I’ve put it on my shopping list, on @m@zon, along with The Uncanny Raven Winston so I know where to find them next time I’m flashing Mr Visa about ^^ Problem is, I went a bit mad on spending this month already with crafting supplies, but I promise, I’ll be buying soon!
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Ha! I know how that goes…I can’t believe what a wild guy Mr Visa can be sometimes. 😁
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Looks like a fun read and great break from our current realities (and daily chores)!
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It is definitely a good break from reality!
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This sounds quite entertaining!
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I am looking forward to reading the second book….just have to get organised to go through the book shop.
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Sounds like a fun book … I shall check it out later! Thanks, Anne!
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it is always good to spread the love!
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😊
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Like Kate I will see if the library will get a copy. Thank you for the recommendation
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I love the idea of it being in libraries, where lots more people can enjoy it.
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I do buy books sometimes but the library is always my first port of call – my book habit gets too expensive otherwise!
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Mine too, especially for more experimental reads.
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Hi “Batty”, I’d love to know if your library gets a copy…I think Mr Tenpenny would enjoy hanging out in Wales, so send a picture if he shows up on the shelves (tammie@tammiepainter.com). And I’m like you, the only way I can fit books into my budget is thanks to the library, they really are the best invention ever!
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[…] Reposted (sort of) from Anne Lawson Art […]
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Awesome! I purchased it and have it sitting on my bookshelf in queue. That was so lovely for you to write this wonderful review!
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I am sure you will enjoy reading it.
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