Dead Heat Review—When Curses, Gods, and Flying Hellhounds Come Knocking

With Dead Heat, Annabel Chase delivers another strong installment in the Crossroads Queen series—one that raises the stakes, deepens the mythology, and reminds us why Lorelei remains one of the most compelling paranormal heroines out there. Book seven continues the series’ steady momentum, blending danger, wit, and emotion in just the right mix.

At a Glance

Lorelei Juggles (Again)

At this point, Lorelei’s life should come with a warning label: “Will attract chaos.” In Dead Heat, Kane brings her a problem involving his new bartender, an incubus named Alexander, who has been cursed. Naturally, Lorelei can’t help but get involved. And that’s just the beginning.

Flying dogs, and another haunting message from her past (courtesy of her goddess origin, Melinoe) bring all kinds of divine tension into play. Add a new operative from the Corporation stirring trouble and an offer Lorelei can’t ignore, and you’ve got a full plate of supernatural chaos. Oh—and now the sheriff and deputy are officially in on the whole “Fairhaven is a crossroads to other realms” secret. Things just keep escalating.

Mythology Meets Small-Town Supernatural

One of my favorite elements in this series is how seamlessly Annabel Chase blends mythology from multiple pantheons with her urban fantasy world. Greek underworld gods, cursed incubi, ghosts with hobbies, even supernatural game nights—somehow it all fits, and it works. I constantly find myself looking up mythological references, and the research clearly pays off. Everything feels intentional and well-integrated.

This book also deepens Lorelei’s internal struggle—still the woman who helps everyone, still the woman who won’t let anyone help her. That contradiction remains the beating heart of the series.

Standout Characters

Lorelei is as fierce, sarcastic, and loyal as ever. She remains the glue that holds the chaos together.

Nana Pratt and Ray continue to be a delight. Ghost roommates have never been this entertaining—or this helpful.

Alexander, the cursed incubus, is a great addition. Intriguing, vulnerable, and very much not what you’d expect.

Kane... well, I wish he had more page time. As the main love interest, he tends to take a backseat too often, which is a shame given his importance to Lorelei.

What Could Be Better

My one consistent gripe? Kane. For a romantic interest with major “Prince of Hell” potential, he’s still hanging around the edges more than he should. He deserves more screen time—especially this far into the series. His bond with Lorelei could add so much more emotional depth if developed more fully on-page.

Themes & Tropes

🐍 Mixed mythology (Greek gods, ancient curses, divine threats)

🧛‍♂️ Cursed creatures

👻 Ghost sidekicks

🐾 Other realms & magical wards

🧩 Found family

🎲 Game night (yes, really)

💘 Unresolved romantic tension

⚖️ Power vs. responsibility

Why This One Stands Out

• The cursed incubus subplot is genuinely compelling.
• Cerberus and flying hellhounds? Yes, please.
• We get some major world-building reveals with the Corporation and underworld dynamics.
• The sheriff and deputy finally get clued in, and it’s satisfying. I was wandering when that would happen.
• And, of course, there’s the continued brilliance of Ray and Nana Pratt, who remain two of the most entertaining and endearing ghost roommates in fiction. Their presence adds so much heart and levity to the ongoing danger.

Final Thoughts

Dead Heat is a fast-paced continuation of the Crossroads Queen series that balances mythology, humor, and heart with ease. Lorelei remains a fierce, relatable heroine whose journey keeps evolving in surprising and meaningful ways. With mounting threats, deepening character connections, and just the right amount of chaos, this book lays the groundwork for an epic finale. If you've made it this far in the series, don’t stop now—Dead Heat is well worth the read.