Driving Mr. Dead

By: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Miranda Puckett has failed at every job she’s ever had. Her mother just wants her to come home, join the family law firm, and settle down with Jason, the perfect lawyer boyfriend. But when Jason turns out to be a lying cheater, Miranda seizes on a job that gets her out of town: long-distance vampire transportation.

Her first assignment is to drive vampire Collin Sutherland from Washington to sleepy Half Moon Hollow without incident—no small feat for a woman whom trouble seems to follow like a faithful hound dog! And she has to do it without letting her passenger—the most persnickety, stuffy, devastatingly handsome vamp she’s ever met—drive her crazy. As she and Collin find disaster on the roads, they also find an undeniable spark between them. Could Miranda have found the perfect job and the perfect guy for her?

©2012 Molly Harper (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Molly Harper can't write fast enough for me!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

ABSOLUTLY!!! Molly Harper always brings snarky, sarcastic, witty fun to her books and I KNOW before I even plug it in that I am in for a side holding, laugh out loud good time. I learned early on to NEVER eat or drink while listening to Molly Harper/Amanda Ronconi because there is a very good chance I would be snorting it out of my nose because I am laughing so hard.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I LOVE Miranda. She is a hoot. She tries so hard in life to make things work out for herself but always runs head first into trouble.

Have you listened to any of Amanda Ronconi’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

YES!! I love Amanda Ronconi, and not just for her work with Molly Harper but all the books she has narrated in the genres that I read. Also if I see Amanda has read for an author I have never read before, I will check out the authors work. Amanda's always great.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes I did. I had the good laugh I have been needing for a long time. Driving Mr. Dead will be on my MP3 for a while so I can have it on hand when I need to laugh.

Any additional comments?

I believe that the wrong author/narrator can make or break a book/series. Molly and Amanda ALWAYS make a great team. If Amanda wasn't reading for Molly, I think I would just buy the print and not the audio because no one would compare to Amanda Ronconi and I will buy (in one form or another) ANYTHING Molly Harper writes!

34 of 36 people found this review helpful

Harper & Ronconi = Perfection

Another great book by Harper. Has some characters in the book from the "Jane Jameson" series. I would recommend reading that series before moving on to any other of Harper's books. She also wrote "Naked Werewolf" series which is a great series too and hilarious as well.
Once you try Harper she will become an automatic download for you too!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

I would highly recommend listening to this in a private area...because people are going to think you're nuts when you snort and giggle for five hours straight.

And just to be safe, hit pause before you take a big swig of diet soda. Trust me on this.

I've read everything Molly Harper, she's one of only two authors I watch release dates for. I don't know how she manages to keep the humor going non-stop, or to come up with situations like, well, I'm not going to spoil it for you, just read it.

The narrator is perfect. If I could give this book more stars, I would. Fantastic!

24 of 26 people found this review helpful

Entertaining paranormal romance

Originally posted at FanLit.

Miranda, daughter of two lawyers who own their own firm, has been a disappointing daughter. She doesn’t want to practice law, doesn’t want to marry her lawyer fiancé, and generally doesn’t want to conform to her family’s expectations. Unfortunately, every time Miranda thinks she’s found the perfect job for her talents and personality, some weird disaster happens and she ends up unemployed again.

She’s got a new job now — one she thinks she’s going to love. She’s a chauffeur for vampires. For her first assignment, she has to drive Collin Sutherland across the country. It doesn’t sound like a difficult job, but whenever Miranda’s involved, things always go awry. Even before Collin gets in the car, Miranda’s series of unfortunate events has started.

I knew going in that Driving Mr. Dead wasn’t really my thing — I’m not crazy about vampires, paranormal romance, or sarcastic female leads. I read this, though, because 1. I try to regularly read books that are out of my normal comfort zone, 2. It’s a short book, so I didn’t have to invest much time, 3. I got it really cheap at Audible and 4. It sounded like it might be entertaining.

For a book that I didn’t expect to love, Driving Mr. Dead did turn out to be pretty entertaining. I was listening on audio and multi-tasking while I listened, which worked well since the plot moves very quickly, is a little predictable, and requires no special cognitive skills. Molly Harper’s writing style is pleasant and the narrator of the audio version, Amanda Ronconi, is excellent.

The characters are likable — Molly Harper gives Miranda a backstory and a current dilemma (with her fiancé and job situation) that made me care. Miranda isn’t as sarcastic as some of her urban fantasy contemporaries (thank you, Ms. Harper) and she occasionally made me chuckle (e.g. “I have a feeling that when I look up ‘hoyden’ in the dictionary, I’m going to be really pissed at you”). I didn’t really perceive Miranda to be as eccentric and chaotic as I was supposed to. To me, she just seemed like a confused young woman who couldn’t decide what to do with her life. Collin is handsome and a bit irritating in his fastidiousness. I had a hard time believing in the romance between him and Miranda since the two have opposite personalities. But Driving Mr. Dead is a book that asks me not to think too hard, and I’m perfectly willing to comply.

Driving Mr. Dead is a spin-off novella from Molly Harper’s NICE GIRLS series and the beginning book in her HALF MOON HOLLOW series which is about the vampire concierge service in the town of Half Moon Hollow. Based on this sample of Harper’s writing, I’d recommend that paranormal romance fans give Molly Harper a try.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Molly Harper-lite beats 90% of everything else

At barely over 5 hours, Driving Mr. Dead is more of a morsel in comparison to the three-course meals offered in the Nice Girls Don’t and Naked Werewolf books, but it is still very well-written, hilarious, and satisfying. The best way I can describe the two main characters is that Mr. Dead could be Mr. Darcy with a better ass (or so I imagine), and Miranda's personality kind of reminds me of a post-Andrea Dick (from the NGD series). I listened to DMD mostly while driving and more than once I had to fake a cough so that my fellow motorists didn’t think I was a nut who spontaneously bursts into laughter.
I only have two wee complaints: 1) due to the book’s brevity the story was 'lite' on mystery, drama, and supporting characters. But hey, Molly Harper-lite still beats 90% of everything else in this genre. And 2) where’s the next Jane Jameson book?! I’m going to start an 'Occupy Molly Harper’s Front Lawn' movement if I don’t get some Gabriel Nightingale stat!

Oh and, as always, Ms. Ronconi is the perfect complement to Ms. Harper's characters.

33 of 37 people found this review helpful

Beware of food and/or Drink

If you love Molly Harper's Jane Jameson books then you will love this novella! Just be sure that you don't have food or drink while you are listening to this because you will LOL!

18 of 20 people found this review helpful

NOT WORTH A CREDIT

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I know there are so many Molly Harper fans out there. This was my first. I got the book because of the great reviews, and listened to all of it. Honestly, I wasn't that funny, I did NOT laugh out loud.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Well, the story was lighthearted, a funny read and I don't mind spending the 4.95 on it.

What does Amanda Ronconi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator has a great voice and does a really good job! I enjoyed her performance a lot!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope - I think I am vampired out - maybe I will join Team Jacob after all :)

Any additional comments?

Not sure if I will give another Molly Harper book another try.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

FREAKIN' HILARIOUS!

What did you love best about Driving Mr. Dead?

I always have to watch where I listen to a Molly Harper book since spontaneous bursts of uncontrollable laughter are bound to happen! Great book! sooo funny! great to listen to when you want a pick me up or a good laugh.

17 of 20 people found this review helpful

If you like Jane you will Love Miranda

Love the narration and Molly Harper just keeps making me laugh :) Glad that Dick made a cameo in this book.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Molly's Usual Hilarious, Snarky, Spicy Encounter

STORY - I think my title says it all. Molly Harper is the queen of this genre. Human female meets sexy male vampire, they don't get along and exchange hilarious snarky remarks, their situation takes turns which throws them into crazy situations, their relationship changes ... need I say more? You will listen with a smile on your face and then look forward to your next Molly Harper escape!

NARRATION - I usually only give 5's for more difficult performances, but Amanda just nails these characters and hits it out of the ballpark!

OVERALL - Definitely humorous chick lit. Definitely enjoyable.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great

One of Molly Harper's funniest stories. I love how everything that could go wrong does go wrong especially the car 'boobs'. Very little hot sex but this story really does not need it. It is well written & fast paced. My only complaint is the rubbish attempted English accent but it does not detract from the entertainment,

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Entertaining, snappy story

Any additional comments?

Fairly short and direct compared to a lot of Molly Harper's stories, and this one lacked any real threats to the character's lives, which made a change. Some characters from other stories are nicely woven in.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Deliciously Dry Humour

Would you consider the audio edition of Driving Mr. Dead to be better than the print version?

Amanda Ronconi's usual incomparable narration adds so much to the enjoyment of the story that it is without a doubt worth buying the audio book even if you have the print version already.

What did you like best about this story?

Not only is there a great plot line but the dry wit (or general "snarkiness" as Miranda the heroine would say) makes listening to this book a serious pleasure. Miranda is an unlikely heroine with a somewhat chequered past and a magnet for disaster. The book is the story of the road trip from hell shared between a straight laced and normally very solitary ancient vampire passenger and irreverent sharp witted (and sharp mouthed) lady driver Miranda. Maybe there are just too many disasters to be credible but then this is a paranormal novel and credibility is hardly a requirement. Fans of the world of Half Moon Hollow will love it.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

From an unpromising start where Miranda arrives a day late to collect Colin her vampire passenger and finds herself standing on his polished wood floor dripping in a puddle of rain water the journey goes rapidly down hill for them but the amusement factor climbs for me.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I smiled right through the book and laughed out loud in places.

Any additional comments?

If you read this book and love it then read the other Half Moon Hollow books and even better start at the beginning with the Jane Jamieson/Nice Girl books. After that you need to slip into the world of Naked Werewolves. Be warned, this delightful world is addictive and I find I cannot get enough. Last year Molly Harper published enough works to keep me happy. I can only hope that this satisfying level of output continues..

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I want to move to half moon hollow!

What made the experience of listening to Driving Mr. Dead the most enjoyable?

I read my 1st Molly Harper book when looking for a new series to read.... now she is one of my favourite go to authors. In this book properly introduces the accident magnet Miranda (briefly mentioned in other half moon books) & her control freak English vampire Colin as she transports him across country in time for a meeting he simply dare not miss.

What other book might you compare Driving Mr. Dead to, and why?

This book slots very nicely into the well established series Molly has developed around inhabitants of Half Moon Hollow.

What does Amanda Ronconi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narration by Amanda Ronconi is excellent. She is the perfect fit to bring these witty books to life- I have also taken to buying other books that she has narrated as I find her voice both pleasant & expressive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

As with any of Molly's books & Amanda's narration, time just flies by.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

What's the next accident?

A good story which tumbles from one disaster to the next. With a remarkable change in "Mr Dead's" stuffy attitude.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Funny and highly entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Driving Mr. Dead the most enjoyable?

I bought this on the strength of previous reviews as I wanted a bit of light relief from my usual diet of thrillers and serious stuff. On a gloriously sunny day I took my Kindle to the park, plugged in my earphones and laughed for many hours until the book was finished.

The narration was excellent and the story of the hapless Miranda taking her passenger across country fairly zipped along. Some real laugh out loud moments. The characters were well written and the descriptions of the seedy motels and diners en route were very textured. The ending was a bit clunky, but wrapped everything up. Not my usual taste but a great way to spend the day. I will definitely buy another.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book!

I've listened to all of Molly Harpers books, (this one finishing them off) And I found this one to be hilarious! There is just the right amount of humour that makes you laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I loved how they learn about each other on their journey, and Miranda reminds me of myself! Overall i highly recommend this book, especially if you've loved any other Molly Harper books

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love everything Molly writes

I find Molly Harpers books to be right my street, funny out loud, sexy and very enjoyable story lines. Cannot wait for the next book. If you have not tried her yet please do, you will not be dissapointed

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good clean fun

If you have read any of the other Molly Harper Half Moon hollow books you should know what to expect. Its an enjoyable read with some laugh out loud moments and many moments to make you smile. Amanda Ronconi is just perfect as the narrator.

For me it was a bit lacking in plot this time so only 4 stars on the story. I didn't think it was quite as good as the first 4 books about Jane Jameson and her adventures.

Some reading lists have this book as book 1 - its not, and Audible have it correctly sequenced as book 5. You can certainly read it stand alone but I would suggest starting the series with Nice Girls Don't have Fangs as its really the start point and introduces the minor characters in this book.

Its also quite a bit shorter than the previous books.

I love theses books

Would you consider the audio edition of Driving Mr. Dead to be better than the print version?

yes i can really get into the characters

What was one of the most memorable moments of Driving Mr. Dead?

the pawn shop chapter

Have you listened to any of Amanda Ronconi’s other performances? How does this one compare?

yes and she makes the story come alive

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

it was very hard to put down