The Dead Play On by Heather Graham

Author: Heather Graham
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: March 2015

Musicians are being murdered in New Orleans. But Arnie Watson apparently died by his own hand. When Tyler Anderson plays the saxophone he inherited from Arnie, a soldier and musician who died soon after his return, he believes he sees visions of his friend's life—and death. He becomes convinced Arnie was murdered and that the instrument had something to do with whatever happened, and with whatever's happening all over the city… 

Tyler knows his theory sounds crazy to the police, so he approaches Danni Cafferty, hoping she and Michael Quinn will find out what the cops couldn't. Or wouldn't. After all, Cafferty and Quinn have become famous for solving unusual crimes. 

They're partners in their personal lives, too. Quinn's a private investigator and Danni works with him. When they look into the case, they discover a secret lover of Arnie's and a history of jealousies and old hatreds that leads them back to the band Arnie once played with—and Tyler plays with now. 

They discover that sometimes, for some people, the line between passion and obsession is hard to draw. Only in uncovering the truth can they hope to save others—and themselves—from the deadly hands of a killer.

The Dead Play On is the third book in the Cafferty and Quinn series.  I have enjoyed the series so far and was hoping this book would be just as good.  This time around, Danni and Quinn are hired to look into the supposed OD of a talented musician in New Orleans.  His friend Tyler claims he would never have taken a lethal dose of heroin.  After another musician is murdered, they decide to take the case.

While I liked this one, I didn't love it. I kind of felt at times that the author didn't put as much effort into the story. I felt like there was less of the paranormal aspect in this story than there was in the first two books.  In fact other than Danni sleep walking and sketching twice, neither of them mention or use their "abilities" as the have in the past. There isn't really even a "cursed" object, just the possibility of one floating around somewhere.  I was also disappointed that it was a little predictable.  I figured out the killer pretty early on as well as the "twist" regarding Jessica.  I also felt that it was a little repetitive as I was constantly being reminded of Danni's and Quinn's feelings for each other.

I think fans of the series will like the book.  It's not the best in the series, but there is always that one book, right?  I do look forward to seeing what happens next with the gang.