FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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THE FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEW is the place to come
to find out what to read next. Want to know what readers are saying
(as opposed to critics) about the books you see around you? You’ve
come to the right place! And, if you appreciate a critical review
we’ll have those, too. Come in, sit down and see what’s
write with the world! (Or, right in the world of write!) New reviews this month from: . Dr. Cynthia Clark . Harriet Klausner . Christine I. Speakman . Dawn Dowdle |
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October 2007
Protector
Laurel Dewey
ATN Publishing,
January, 2007
$19.95 371 pages
ISBN: 13: 978-1-884820-85-4
Jane Perry is recouping from trying to rescue the daughter of a family under protective custody. Ignoring police protocol, the father leaves for thirty minutes saying he has to get his family some ice cream. When they return to the house, the car explodes. Jane rushes to try and rescue their child Amy, but the flames are too high and she burns her hand. Jane has more demons than her failed rescue. She is the product of an abusive father, who was also on the force, and as such drinks to much.
While convalescing with her burn. Jane begins to have some strange dreams. Dreams she feels are sure signs she is crazy. In the meantime, shortly after a loud argument a mother and father are murdered. Their daughter Emily, hides in her closet and escapes the murderer. When she is brought to the police station, she crosses paths with Jane in the stairwell. She stares at Jane. She knows this woman for she has seen her in her dreams. Later she tells the police that she will only talk to Jane. Jane goes into the interrogation room to talk to her but Emily’s memory isn't back.
Jane’s partner releases to the press that Emily knows who the killer is which puts Emily’s life in danger. After Jane leaves the case, an attempt is made on Emily’s life. Jane is drawn back in time to rush Emily to the hospital.
Jane’s lieutenant thinks that they need to go into a witness protection like situation and she and Emily move about 400 miles away hoping Emily will remember.
But someone knows more than they should. And why wasn't the police chief in the tiny town apprised of their arrival? And who is the perky, mind every one else's business Kathy? Oh, and don't get me started on her little girl.
Who killed Emily’s parents? Who blew up the family under protection? Why are Jane and Emily having eerily similar dreams? Who can they trust? Can Jane go any length of time without a drink?
PROECTOR is a good story with plenty of red herrings. Very enjoyable. However, Jane is a very sad person, drinking, and depressed and drinking, after a while, I didn't care about her. I lost my empathy for her, but as the story was intriguing it held my attention despite the depressing lead character. The story is worth hanging in there through the depression, blues, and booze for the unfolding of a clever who-dun-it.
On a scale of 2 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Stuff To Die For
Don Bruns
Oceanview Publishing, 2007,
$24.95, 283 pp.
ISBN: 13: 978-1-933515-10-6
James Lessor and Skip Moore have been friends forever, through cutting classes, crazy schemes, even college, which was not they expected. In his latest get rich quick scheme, after James inherits some money he buys a used U-Haul truck to haul stuff. He figures that everyone has stuff, so why shouldn't they haul it, and before long they would be getting a fleet of trucks to haul stuff and become millionaires. But how do they get clients?
Lucky for them, Skip’s girlfriend Emily knows a lady who goes to the same club as she, and needs someone to haul away her soon to be ex husbands stuff. Em calls Jackie and sets them up.
Skip and James are endearing but not the brightest. James bought a truck without side mirrors so he doesn’t have a clue how to back up. They didn’t think about how to get the stuff to and from the truck. They had no dollies. They are dreamers. But somehow they get all of Jackie’s soon to be ex’s stuff into their truck. From there, they are to take it to a storage unit, which they promptly hit because of no rear mirrors.
After unloading they find several boxes of mail and one envelop is leaking. Skip opens it to discover a finger and a high school ring. The very same high school and year of their graduation. Now what to do? They try to get in touch with Jackie but she blows them off. The rule out going to the police because they opened her ex husbands mail, so the do the next logical thing, they go to the ex husband. He takes one look at the finger and ring and declares it is his son and begs Skip and James to help find him. He even offers $3000 for what should be a simple stake out. But the warehouse is blown up and Skip, James, and Emily run for their lives.
STUFF TO DIE FOR starts slow, but if you wade through the beginning you will find a fun, jaunt through stuff. It becomes a delightful mystery that is fun to read. Angel a secondary character is particularly enjoyable. Who is he? A crook? An Angel? Definitely a fun character.
All in all Don Bruns has written a clever, romp though other peoples stuff and stuff that dreams are made of. A charming, inventive mystery.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.3.
Honeymoon For Three
Alan Cook
AuthorHouse
Paperback, 6/07,
268 pages, Cost $14.49
ISBN: 9781434309501
Gary and Penny met through computer dating in LA, and they decide to get married. Instead of a big wedding, they decide to elope on their honeymoon trip through many scenic spots.
Unbeknownst to them, Alfred, a high school classmate of Penny’s has been stalking her and follows them on their honeymoon. He has a bellybutton fetish. He tries many ways to split Gary and Penny along the way because he knows Penny is the one for him.
Gary and Penny have many mishaps before they realize what is going on. It is a suspenseful, but fun, honeymoon trip. Can Gary and Penny finish their trip without falling prey to Alfred or getting hurt?
This is a great story. I really enjoyed Gary and Penny and their adventures while on their honeymoon. The mystery is well written and the scenery is fabulous! I hope the author writes many more books with Gary and Penny.
I highly recommend this book
Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle
mysterybks@yahoo.com
Visit her website: www.mysteryloverscorner.com
To the Rescue
Teri Thackston
Electronic book Publication: May 2007
Cost $5.95
ISBN: ISBN 9781419908484
Publisher’s website www.cerridwenpress.com
More physical romance + little suspense + me = Not a good match
“To the Rescue” will grab you from the first sentence and pull you along through a fast tense-filled sequence that had me on the edge of my seat. Then it hit the groin area and lost me completely.
However, as anyone who has read my reviews before, this doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good read. I do believe there are readers who will enjoy this story.
“To the Rescue” is the story of writer Amy and her rescuing knight in shining armor, Deputy Marshal Jacob Kissman. Amy hates being rescued and writes her heroines strong enough to rescue themselves…too bad, she can’t protect herself from Ford MacKay. She’s set to testify against MacKay, and he’s set to kill her before she can.
Will Amy give in to her lustful fantasies (and trust me, they sure are lustful) or will she deny her passion for Kissman? Read and find out.
For those who like/love physical romance you will love “To the Rescue,” that I guarantee. Me? Well, we didn’t mix well.
Eye Witness
Kennedy Vance
Electronic book Publication: June 2007
Cost $7.99
ISBN: 9781419910036
Publisher’s website www.cerridwenpress.com
Warning: Some Strong Sexual Content
Complicated. Twisting. Conspiratorial.
Ms. Vance’s “Eye Witness” is an unusual spin on the serial killer story. Years ago, her hero witnessed the killer and a victim. Her heroine has been dumped into the middle of everything due to personal ambition. Now they’re caught in a web of secrets that reach all the way to the front door of the White House.
“Eye Witness” isn’t a fast read; however, it will draw you in and keep you reading. Refreshing and frustrating…the faster you read the more you stumble and lose, Ms Vance forces you to slow down and slowly absorb the details and think through her characters. Some may think this a flaw…re-reading, looking back, not being able to skim over/through…but, in fact, Ms. Vance’s story telling is solid.
Did I enjoy “Eye Witness”? Yes. Its theme is as strong as some of its sexual scenes, but well fitted to the story being told. Would I want to revisit the characters? Yes, but not in the usual manner. I would like to visit our hero and heroine further in their future, but not too soon. The more secretive characters I would like to read about now.
“Eye Witness” is worth your reading time.
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